Passiontide begins on Sunday 7 April. In these last two weeks of Lent, leading to Easter, we consider Jesus’ time in Jerusalem.
We reflect on the revelation of Jesus’ divinity in the events and actions of the gospels, and look on Jesus’ afflictions (Latin: passionem “suffering, enduring”) as we journey with him again to his death. The purpose is to help us to recognise Christ in those who suffer and to walk with him more closely that we may share in his resurrection life.
It is traditionally a time when Christians have refrained from entertainment. In Europe, there was a prohibition of theatre and opera for Passiontide, from the 17th century, which contributed to the development of Oratorio and the Passions. Our Cathedral Choir is singing J.S. Bach’s Saint John Passion on the evening of 6 April, conducted by our Director of Music, Aric Prentice, enabling our devotional engagement with the passion story.
Another devotion helping people explore Jesus’ passion is the Stations of the Cross. These originated with pilgrims in Jerusalem wanting to follow in Jesus’ footsteps from Pilate’s house to Calvary, stopping for prayers on the way. The Franciscans set up tableaux to aid devotions along this ‘Way of Sorrow’ (via dolorosa), and the practice was brought back to churches, their grounds and cloisters, to allow those who could not travel to Jerusalem to reflect on the ‘Way of the Cross’ (via crucis).
The traditional number of fourteen stations was established by Pope Clement XII in 1731, involving nine scriptural stations and a further five stations based on popular devotion, such as the story of Veronica. She is named in the 4th century ‘Gospel of Nicodemus’ and the account of her veil is found in a legend from 11th century. Biblical alternatives to these apocryphal stations were introduced by John Paul II in 1991 and later approved for general use by Benedict XVI. These biblical stations have encouraged the Stations of the Cross to become a popular ecumenical devotion, and they gained approval by General Synod in 2006, when they were included in ‘Common Worship: Times and Seasons’.
The Stations of the Cross are not merely a reminder of the story of Jesus’ death. They foster a devotional engagement that helps us to connect our lives, our society, and our world, with Jesus’ life and death, recognising his presence in our own and other’s suffering. Although the Fairbank Forest Stations in the Cathedral have neither the traditional nor the biblical and ecumenical titles, they nevertheless still allow pilgrims in Passiontide to follow devotions around the Stations of the Cross. Do join in the opportunities to do so together at 4.40pm (ending with CW Evening Prayer at 5.30pm), on Wednesday 3 April, Monday 8 April, Friday 12 April and at Sacred Space on Palm Sunday.
PAUL OVEREND, CHANCELLOR
[separator]
Worship & Mission
____
Lent, Holy Week and Easter
Please see the leaflet for seasonal services and events during Lent, Holy Week and Easter.
Spiritual Formation
Spiritual Classics Reading Group. 6 April: We will discuss The Merciful Humility of God, a Lent book by Dr Jane Williams, 10.30am for refreshments, for 10.45am-12noon meeting, at 27 Minster Yard. The next book that we will read is Thomas à Kempis’ famous work, The Imitation of Christ. This is on sale in the shop. If you’re interested in this book, do read it in advance of the meeting on 18 May, when we will discuss it.
The Resilient Disciple 6 April, 2.00pm: This is the final quiet afternoon, led by The Venerable Justine Allain Chapman, on her Lent book. The cost is £10.00. Please book online, or by phone on 01522 504394, in which case you can pay on the door.
Stillpoint 20 April, 9.00am: This contemplative prayer meeting on Easter Eve is in the Ringers’ Chapel from 9.00-9.45am. Easter Eve is an especially suitable day to sit quietly and to wait in silence upon God’s mercy.
Lectio Divina 27 April, 4.00pm: We read, reflect, pray with and contemplate the following day’s lectionary readings in this bible-prayer meeting from 4.00-5.00pm at 27 Minster Yard. Anyone is welcome to come to a meeting.
Community
____
Easter Flowers
Please give your donations towards Easter lilies to the Flower Team members or to the vergers. This will ensure that we have flowers with which to celebrate Easter, giving glory to God, and can once again make a dramatic statement to visitors about resurrection and hope.
Prison Chaplaincy
A talk by the Revd Carole Munn hosted by the Lincoln Cathedral Retired Staff and Volunteers Group. Thursday 11 April, 10.30am, 27 Minster Yard (please note the new venue). A perfect opportunity to meet former colleagues and make new friends. Annual membership fee £5, guests very welcome £2.
Vocations Day
On Saturday 4 May there will be a Vocations Day held in Lincoln at St Luke’s, Birchwood exploring a sense of calling in a relaxed and “no strings attached” environment. The day is open to anybody who feels God might be calling them to something more. There are more details on the Diocesan website under Events on the News tab.
Maundy Gifts
Dilys Jones, Tony Wintin and Derek James have been chosen to receive Maundy Gifts from Her Majesty the Queen at St George’s Chapel, Windsor on Maundy Thursday. One of the requirements for nomination is that the recipients should have been active in Christian service, something which is unquestionably evident in each of these members of our cathedral community. We rejoice with them that they have been honoured for their service.
Uphill Lincoln Road Restrictions
Lincoln Grand Prix takes place on 11 & 12 May. The route does not cover Minster Yard, however there will be other road restrictions in uphill Lincoln.
Anne Askew – A Woman of Courage in Tudor Lincolnshire
Thursday 23 May 2019 at 7.30pm in The County Assembly Rooms, Bailgate. Script-in-Hand presents a new play by local author Margaret Crompton. In 1545, Anne Askew read the Bible illegally in Lincoln Cathedral. The play focuses on her peaceful protest and its significance for our own understanding of freedom. Admission free: donations for The Shannon Trust.
Lydia sings in London
Cope Girl Lydia South has been chosen to be child soloist in the forthcoming revival of CHH Parry’s Oratorio, Judith (from where we get Dear Lord and Father of Mankind). This performance will be the first in its entirety in London since 1889, and will take place at the Royal Festival Hall on Wednesday 3 April, with the London Mozart Players and Crouch End Festival Chorus. Tickets are available on the South Bank Centre’s website.
Keep Palm and Carry On
On Wednesday 10 April we gather in the Vergers Vestry between 10.30–12.30pm, meeting as a community to make Palm Crosses for distribution on Palm Sunday. As usual training will be given and there will be a supply of tea and coffee. Please bring a pair of sharp scissors. Come for ten minutes or an hour – any time will be appreciated.
LCCA Blue Planned Giving Envelopes
Blue envelopes for 2019/20 have arrived. David Ford, Treasurer of the LCCA, will be at the 8am and 9.30am services on Sunday 31 March and will be outside the Deans Verger’s Office after the 8am service and in the Chapter House after the 9.30am service to issue the envelopes to existing subscribers and provide information to anyone that may be interested in using this method in future. David will also have a limited number of plate tokens available for those who have run out. Blue envelopes that are not collected will be delivered during the following week.
Events
____
Lunchtime Concert
Friday 5 April, 1.10pm-2pm in the Chapter House
Pergolesi’s ‘Stabat Mater’ sung by two of Lincoln Cathedral’s Choral Scholars, Sara-Jane Wilson and James MacTavish accompanied by Assistant Director of Music, Jeffrey Makinson.
St John Passion
There are still tickets available for our Passiontide performance of J.S. Bach’s St John Passion on Saturday 6 April at 7pm. Lincoln Cathedral Choir is accompanied by Northern Baroque, and joined by talented soloists Guy Withers and Jacob Phillips. The conductor is our own Director of Music, Aric Prentice. Tickets can be booked online at lincolncathedral.com or by calling 01522 504 394.
Oliver! Tickets
Tickets for our production of Oliver! will be on sale from Monday 8 April at 10am. The Starring Lincoln Theatre Company will bring this fantastic show to life in the unique and atmospheric surroundings of the Cathedral from Monday 5 to Friday 16 August 2019 (excluding Sunday 11 August).
The production will be performed in the round so the audience is drawn into the action more than ever before. And with 150 voices, an outstanding orchestra and a cast of the most stupendously talented performers, the audience will get an experience they will never forget!
[separator]
Bible Readings
____
Sunday 31 March
Fourth Sunday of Lent
Mothering Sunday
Sung Eucharist
Exodus 2: 1-10
Colossians 3: 12-17
John 19: 25b-27
Mattins
Genesis 37: 3-4, 12-end
1 Peter 2: 16-end
Evensong
Prayer of Manasseh
2 Timothy 4: 1-18
Sunday 7 April
Fifth Sunday of Lent
Passiontide begins
Sung Eucharist
Isaiah 43: 16-21
Philippians 3: 4b-14
John 12: 1-8
Mattins
Isaiah 35
Romans 7: 21-8.4
Evensong
2 Chronicles 35: 1-6, 10-16
Luke 22: 1-13
Sunday 14 April
Palm Sunday
Sung Eucharist
Isaiah 50: 4-9a
Philippians 2: 5-11
Reading of the Passion
Luke 22: 14-end of 23
Mattins
Zechariah 9: 9-12
1 Corinthians 2: 1-12
Evensong
Isaiah 5: 1-7
Luke 20: 9-19
