As I sit down and write this Chapter Letter a large removal lorry is parked outside the Subdeanery being loaded with our goods and chattels so they can be taken on a journey to our new home. There’s seriousness about the lorry actually turning up: until that point you might think that this idea of leaving and moving is all talk and no action. And, let’s be honest, it was that way earlier in the year! He’s going, oh no, he’s not!
As we, as a family, get serious about moving, so the Church gets serious about welcoming the Christ Child at Christmas. Camped outside our homes and churches are serious people: the Patriarchs and the Prophets, John the Baptist and Mary the mother of our Lord. These are the individuals who Prepare the Way of the Lord, who journey with us as we move from the wilderness to a land flowing with milk and honey; who journey with us from darkness to light; and replace despair with hope.
This last year has seemed like a wilderness to so many of us and on so many levels: the pandemic undoubtedly, but alongside that many of us have had our own personal tragedies, betrayals and challenges that have tested our faith in God and one another, perhaps at times, to the point of breaking.
But none the less we are Advent People and this is, whatever might be happening around us, a really positive season. It reminds us that whilst God may appear to be hidden, his purposes are unchangeable and relentless, he will turn our darkness into light, and he will pull all things back to himself.
The candles we light of the Advent Ring week by week reflect the gradual dawning of the light amidst the darkness, of the immensity of hope in the gathering darkness of this time. As the gospel of John puts it: ‘The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.’
We are on a journey from darkness to light; the world, the church, is on a journey from darkness to light, and we rejoice in that light. We don’t pretend that there isn’t darkness, and the things that thrive in darkness and the horrors that it encompasses. But we know that darkness does not exist in itself, it is the absence of light: so one light, one single light, shatters the darkness, however deep it is, and lights the way to itself.
By the light of Christ,
may God bless you and keep you,
now and always.
JOHN PATRICK, SUBDEAN OF LINCOLN
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Worship & Mission
Public worship
Following the lifting of national lockdown, Lincolnshire will be in Tier 3 restrictions until at least 16 December, which means that while tourist visits are still not possible, gathered public worship can now resume. The full daily pattern of worship will be the same as it was prior to the start of lockdown and Evensong on a Tuesday and Friday and Sunday Eucharist will continue to be streamed live on the Cathedral’s Facebook page – https://www.facebook.com/Lincoln.Cathedral
Installations
The installation of Canon Nick Brown as Precentor and two Chapter members as lay canons – Harvey Dowdy and Stuart Welch – will take place on 18 December at 5.30pm Evensong.
Christmas Services
There will be four services of Lessons and Carols this year, from 21 to 24 December at 4pm. These, along with Midnight Mass and the Christmas Day services will be ticketed to manage social distancing requirements. Tickets are available on the cathedral website – www.lincolncathedral.com/forthcoming-events
Or by completing the form on the back of the order of service and returning to the Vergers Vestry.
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Community
The past 20 months have been a challenging time for the Cathedral community, and many will be aware that this week has seen a part of that story draw to a close.
In response to the result of the trial the following statement has been made by a church spokesman.
“The Revd Canon Dr Paul Overend was acquitted today of a charge of indecent assault following a trial at the Newport Crown Court after due police process. The church acknowledges that any court process is difficult for all involved. The cathedral community and diocese both continue to offer support and prayer for all those involved.
“With the criminal process concluded, time is now needed to consider any further response that is required by ecclesiastical law, and according to House of Bishops’ guidelines and policies. There will not be any further statement while this process is carried out.”
As we respond to the needs of people affected in various ways it is important that we act with care, compassion and understanding, and as a Christian community remember that we are called to do all we can to repair relationships and heal damage.
Different people will have been affected in different ways across the breadth of the Cathedral community. Anyone that feels that they would benefit from support at this time is encouraged to contact one of the Cathedral Clergy.
The Revd Canon Dr John Nurser RIP
The Revd Canon Dr John Nurser came to Lincoln Cathedral as chancellor in 1976 at the age of 47 having already been Dean of Trinity Hall, Cambridge and Warden of St Mark’s Theological Institute in Canberra, and stayed until he retired in 1992. I first saw John at his installation and was mesmerised by his walk, he took long uneven strides as though he had a long way to go over rough ground. Alec Guinness was once asked how he managed to play so many very different roles with such accuracy and said that he studied the walk because once he had the walk he knew the man.
John was a kind man with a ready smile who wore his learning easily and excelled at charades, perhaps because of his very wide vocabulary and incise mind.
He had a love of and concern for Lincoln Cathedral Library and it was on his watch that the library got its own bequests. He said that before 1991 they had to go,’cap in hand to the Fabric Fund’.
In the diocese John brought forward, in addition to post-ordination training, the training for lay ministry. He established the link between our diocese and the diocese of Brugge, Belgium which enabled closer ties with the Roman Catholic Diocese of Nottingham. He gave the hospitality of the Cathedral to Methodists, Greek Orthodox clergy and the monks of Fontevraud and St Hugh’s former monastery at Citeaux. In the Cathedral his visible legacy is the Gilbert Pots.
He won a Templeton Prize for his ‘Christians and the Future of Europe’. He published a biography of Lord Acton but his most important work after years of research at the United Nations Headquarters in Geneva was the publication of “For All People’s and All Nations” which traces the Christian origins of the United Nations Charter of Human Rights.
What a walk, what a journey! “He strode the world like a colossus” May he rest in peace and rise in glory.
Obituary written by Wendy Lloyd, with valuable contribution from his former colleague The Venerable Christopher Laurence.
Collection
A collection is taking place for the Subdean. Any contributions should be delivered to the Vergers’ Vestry. (Lincoln Cathedral, Minster Yard, LN2 1PX).
If sending a cheque, please ensure it is made payable to ‘The Corporate Body of Lincoln Cathedral’.
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Bible Readings
Sunday 6 December
Second Sunday of Advent
Eucharist
Isaiah 40: 1-11
2 Peter 3: 8-15a
Mark 1: 1-8
Evening Prayer
1 Kings 22: 1-28
Romans 15:4-13
—–
Sunday 13 December
Third Sunday of Advent
Eucharist
Isaiah 61: 1-4, 8-end
1 Thessalonians 5: 16-24
John 1: 6-8, 19-28
Evening Prayer
Malachi 3: 1-4 :4
Philippians 4: 4-7
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Sunday 20 December
Fourth Sunday of Advent
Eucharist
2 Samuel 7: 1-11, 16
Romans 16: 25-end
Luke 1: 26-38
Evening Prayer
Zechariah 2: 10-end
Luke 1: 39-55
