It did not take long for the Church to canonise Hugh, Bishop of Lincoln: just twenty years after his death in 1220.
Perhaps it was not that surprising considering that he was such a towering figure in his life and in the legacy that he bequeathed to Church and Nation.
Saint Hugh from making his first profession with the Augustinian Canons to being a monk at Grande Chartreuse; from his reform of Witham to being Bishop of Lincoln; to repairing and enlarging the Cathedral was a bold, faithful and courageous follower of Christ Jesus. He strove in word and deed to bring in God’s kingdom on earth as it is in heaven even when that meant standing against the temporal leaders of his age.
Hugh’s faith was one that had a hard centre but with soft edges. Hard on the inside as he remained faithful to his early monastic discipline: he said his prayers, read and studied the scriptures, made the good confession and had a moral and spiritual integrity. But soft on the edges as he showed compassion and concern for those in need, brought healing to those who were sick and supported the poor, the oppressed and the outcast.
As a Church I suggest that we have much to learn from Hugh as so often we seem to be in danger of getting it the other way around: soft in the middle and hard on the edges as demonstrated by the recent pastoral statement on civil partnerships by the House of Bishops. Almost afraid of our own shadow we seem to be forever asking the question, Is it allowed? And almost always coming back with the answer, No; or potentially even worse, We’ll have to think about it!
Hugh knew, and we need to re-discover, the fact that churches and religions grow when they join hands with the world around them; give depth to moral convictions; support human hopes; and connect to something bigger – to God, to mystery.
JOHN PATRICK, SUBDEAN
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Worship & Mission
Sacred Space
Once a month on a Sunday at 6.45pm
This popular service is gentle and reflective with time to wonder and explore, encouraging everyone to use all their senses; it offers a different way to experience worship at Lincoln Cathedral.
The next Sacred Space service takes place on January 19, and the theme is ‘Follow the Star.’
Themes for the coming months are:
February 16 – The Potter and the Clay
March 15 – Walking in the Wilderness
April 19 – Joyful Creation
May 17 – Doubt and Wonder
June 21 – Explore and Grow
July 19 – Community and Connected
Stillpoint
Once a month on Saturday at 9am-9.45am
Please note Stillpoint now takes place in the Longland Chantry
Led by Revd Ann Mazur, this is a time of guided silent prayer to be still and aware of the presence of God.
Dates for the coming months:
March 14
April 18
May 16
June 13
July 11
September 5
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Community
Adult confirmation classes
Adult confirmation classes will be starting on Monday 23 February at 7pm at the curate’s house. A forked supper will be provided. If you have already been confirmed but would like to use this as an opportunity for a refresher and interesting discussion surrounding God, the Church and Faith, you are most welcome. The sessions will be ongoing during Lent and Eastertide. If you are interested in being confirmed or coming along for the discussion, please email Rachel Revely. assistantcurate@lincolncathedral.com
LCCA Shrove Tuesday Supper
Tickets are still available for Lincoln Cathedral Community Association Shrove Tuesday Supper to be held on 25 February 2020 in the Chapter House, 7pm for 7.30pm. Please see Committee Members or tickets are also available in the Cathedral Shop. Tickets are priced at £10, which includes a meal and entertainment.
Corona virus
Lincoln Cathedral already follows best-hygiene practices including advising congregation members with coughs and sneezes to refrain from handshaking during The Peace and to receive Communion in one kind only. At present, there is no Government advice that suggests the use of the Common Cup should be suspended. Intinction is not recommended as this represents an infection transmission route. You can find the full current advice from the Church of England by visiting the following page – https://www.churchofengland.org/more/media-centre/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-parishes
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Events
Teatime Talks
The Friends will be holding teatime talks on Tuesdays in February, which will be taking place at the Cathedral Connected premises at 27, Minster Yard.
Tuesday 18 February – ‘The mysteries surrounding George Elliot’s visit to Gainsborough when writing “The Mill on the Floss,” and celebrates the bi-centenary of her birth, 22nd November 1819.’
by Margaret and John Crompton.
The talk will undoubtedly be most interesting and stimulating occasions and, as usual, will begin at 3.30pm, preceded by tea, coffee and biscuits.
Cathedral Consort concert
Saturday 29 February, 1.10pm
Lincoln Cathedral Chapter House
Including music by Byrd, Stanford in Harris
Free entry, with a retiring collection supporting the Consort’s tour to Schwerin, Germany.
Passiontide Concert: John Passion
Saturday 28 March 2020, 7pm
Lincoln Cathedral Choir accompanied by Northern Baroque are joined this year by some talented soloists:
Mark Wilde: Evangelist
Jacob Feldman: Christus
This year’s conductor will be Lincoln Cathedral’s Director of Music, Aric Prentice.John Passion is one of Bach’s most famous pieces of sacred music, telling the Biblical story of Jesus’ crucifixion.
Save the date
As always, there are numerous great events planned for 2020. There will be more details to follow, but for now make a note of some of the following dates in your diaries.
- Jazz Concert – 9 May
- Cathedrals at Night – 30 May
- Come and Sing – 6 June
- Be a Chorister for the Day – 13 June
- Flower Festival – 29 July – 3 August
- Museum of the Moon – 12 October – 2 November
- The Hallé – 23 October
- Handel’s Messiah – 21 November
- The Snowman – 12 December
- Carols by Candlelight – 16 December
Organ Concert Series 2020
Four concerts to commemorate the 150th Anniversary of the birth of Louis Vierne (1870-1937), organist of Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris.
All concerts will include music by Vierne and JS Bach.
Saturday 20 June – Jeffrey Makinson
Saturday 11 July – Colin Walsh
Saturday 12 September – Jeffrey Makinson with Soprano, Laurie Ashworth
Saturday 3 October – Jeffrey Makinson, Colin Walsh, Lincoln Cathedral Choir and Aric Prentice
Tickets £8.50 including a drink on arrival.
A screen will display a live view of the organ loft.
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Bible Readings
Sunday 16 February
Second Sunday before Lent
Sung Eucharist
Genesis 1: 1-2.3
Romans 8: 18-25
Matthew 6: 25-end
Mattins
Job 38: 1-21
Colossians 1: 15-20
Evensong
Proverbs 8: 1, 22-31
Revelation 4
Sunday 23 February
Sunday next before Lent
Sung Eucharist
Exodus 24: 12-end
2 Peter 1: 16-end
Matthew 17: 1-9
Mattins
Exodus 34: 29-end
2 Corinthians 4: 3-6
Evensong
Ecclesiasticus 48: 1-10
Matthew 17: 9-23
Sunday 1 March
First Sunday of Lent
Sung Eucharist
Genesis 2: 15-17, 3: 1-7
Romans 5: 12-19
Matthew 4: 1-11
Mattins
Jeremiah 18: 1-11
Luke 18: 9-14
Evensong
Deuteronomy 6: 4-9, 16-end
Luke 15: 1-10
