All are welcome
This week is the Week of Prayer for Christian unity.
One of the areas of disagreement within our own Anglican communion has been to do with issues of human sexuality and in particular same-sex couples. For the past six years there has been a period of listening, learning and discernment known as Living in Love and Faith, which culminated this week in a statement from the bishops. There is also to be an apology to LGBTQI+ people for the “rejection, exclusion and hostility” they have faced in churches and the impact this has had on their lives. Proposals for prayers of thanksgiving, dedication and for God’s blessing for same-sex couples will be outlined in a report to the Church’s General Synod, which meets in London next month.
In that report the bishops will urge all congregations in their care, to welcome same-sex couples “unreservedly and joyfully” as they reaffirm their commitment to a “radical new Christian inclusion founded in scripture, in reason, in tradition, in theology and the Christian faith as the Church of England has received it – based on good, healthy, flourishing relationships, and in a proper 21st Century understanding of being human and of being sexual”.
It will offer the fullest possible pastoral provision without changing the Church’s doctrine of Holy Matrimony for same-sex couples through a range of draft prayers, known as Prayers of Love and Faith, which could be used voluntarily in churches for couples who have marked a significant stage of their relationship such as a civil marriage or civil partnership.
We know that this discernment process has been painful and costly. What is offered will be received as too little by some and too much by others. Acknowledging that fact, we are being urged to walk together amid our differences, and receive the response from the bishops “in a spirit of generosity, seeking the common good”.
The Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, said: “This is not the end of that journey but we have reached a milestone and I hope that these prayers of love and faith can provide a way for us all to celebrate and affirm same-sex relationships.”
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, has offered his thanks to all those across the Church of England who have participated in this deeply prayerful and theologically grounded process of discernment over the last six years.
The welcome and inclusion of all people as valued and precious members of the body of Christ is a message that has been at the heart of my ministry over the past 26 years of ordained ministry. On the day of my installation as Dean of Lincoln we sang a hymn which encapsulates my ongoing hope for this cathedral Church.
Let us build a house where all are named, their songs and visions heard
and loved and treasured, taught and claimed as words within the Word.
Built of tears and cries and laughter, prayers of faith and songs of grace,
let this house proclaim from floor to rafter:
All are welcome, all are welcome, all are welcome in this place.
(Marty Haugen, b. 1950)
The Very Revd Christine Wilson
Dean of Lincoln
Worship & Mission
Weekly service schedule
The service sheet for the coming fortnight can be viewed on the cathedral website (click link to visit)
Sacred Space
Sacred Space will be taking place at 7pm on the following Sundays in 2023: 22 January, 19 March, 21 May, 16 July, 10 September and 19 November. Sacred Space is a gentle, reflective service with time to wonder, the opportunity to use all your senses to explore faith and the chance to experience the unique and serene atmosphere of the Cathedral as the day draws to a close.
Epiphany Carol Service – 22 January 3.45pm
The Cathedral Choir will be singing for this special Carol Service in celebration of Epiphany.
The Feast of the Presentation of Christ in the Temple (Candlemas) – 2 February
The commemoration of the Presentation of Christ in the Temple marks the end of the Christmas cycle of feasts, and reminds us that Christ is a light to all people.
The following services take place on the day:
8am – Morning Prayer
8.30am – Holy Communion
12.30pm – Eucharist
5.30pm – Solemn Evensong (with music sung by the Cathedral Choir)
This service will also mark the conclusion of the dean’s public ministry before her retirement. The service will be followed by a reception – to which all are invited.
Services for Ash Wednesday – 22 February
As we begin our Lenten period of prayer, fasting and almsgiving in preparation for the commemorations of Holy Week and the great celebration of Easter, there are several opportunities for prayer and preparation on this day – one of the Principal Holy Days that punctuate to the Christian Year:
8am – Morning Prayer
8.30am – Holy Communion with Imposition of Ashes
12.30pm – Eucharist with Imposition of Ashes
5.30pm – Solemn Evensong (with music sung by the Cathedral Choir)
7.30pm – Solemn Eucharist with Imposition of Ashes
(with music sung by Lincoln Cathedral Consort)
Community
Farewell to Dean Christine
The Very Revd Christine Wilson’s farewell Evensong will take place at Candlemas on 2 February 2023, at 5.30pm. A card and collection will be available in the Vergers Vestry from Friday 6 January 2023.
LCCA Shrove Tuesday Supper
21 February 2023
The LCCA invites you to the Shrove Tuesday Supper on 21 February at 6.30pm for 7pm in the Chapter House to enjoy a 2-course meal and entertainment. Please bring your own choice of drink. Tickets are £15 and can be purchased after Sunday morning Eucharists or by emailing lcca@lincolncathedral.com. When buying your tickets, please let us know if you have any dietary requirements. We look forward to welcoming you at this event.
Joyce Harris
Joyce Harris has recovered well from her extended stay in hospital and subsequent nursing home. She would like to record her grateful thanks to all members of the community who supported her with cards, phone calls and visits.
From the vergers
Thank you to everyone for your good wishes and generous presents over the Christmas period. We appreciate your support and the extra calories have helped while it is so cold in the Cathedral! Wishing you all a very happy New Year.
Events
A Winter’s Tale
28 January, 7pm
The Winter’s Tale tells the story of King Leontes redemption; through the power of love and forgiveness he is redeemed of his acts of pride, anger and jealousy. Performed by Nottingham Shakespeare Company.
Life by LUXMURALIS
15 to 18 February
Luxmuralis are bringing the light show spectacular, Life, to Lincoln Cathedral. Mesmerising projections and atmospheric ambience will transform the inside of this historic building into a dazzling extravaganza to celebrate the World: its Earth, Sea and Sky, and all that call it home.
St Barnabas Morriston Orpheus Choir
4 March, 7pm
In support of St Barnabas Hospice, the world-famous Morriston Orpheus Choir will be returning to Lincoln Cathedral.
For more information and to get tickets, go to our Forthcoming Events page on our website.
St John Passion
25 March, 7.30pm
Performed by Lincoln Cathedral Choir, the St John Passion is a much-anticipated regular event in the Cathedral’s calendar.
A night at the Opera – London Concertante
15 April, 7.30pm
London Concertante present a captivating evening at the opera with various works of the finest opera arias and overtures, including works by Puccini, Verdi, Rossini and Mozart.
Dambusters Concert – performed by the band of the Royal Air Force College
13 May, 7.30pm
A special concert to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the 617 ‘Dambusters’ Squadron.
For more details of forthcoming events and to book your tickets, go to our website at www.lincolncathedral.com/forthcoming-events
Bible Readings
Sunday 22 January
Third Sunday of Epiphany
Eucharist
Isaiah 9.1-4
1 Corinthians 1.10-18
Matthew 4.12-23
Evening Prayer
Ecclesiastes 3.1-11
1 Peter 1.3-12
—–
Sunday 29 January
Fourth Sunday of Epiphany
Eucharist
1 Kings 17.8-16
1 Corinthians 1.18-end
John 2.1-11
Evening Prayer
Genesis 28.10-end
Philemon 1-16
—–
Sunday 5 February
Third Sunday before Lent
Eucharist
Isaiah 58.1-9a [9b-12]
1 Corinthians 2.1-12 [13-end]
Matthew 5.13-20
Evening Prayer
Amos 2.4-end
Ephesians 4.17-end
—–