As we come to worship this weekend, we find ourselves in the midst of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. With resources that have been prepared by Christians in the Middle East available for personal use (visit the Churches Together in Britain and Ireland website, www.ctbi.org.uk, for more details), our thoughts have remained anchored in the land of Christ’s birth, and the themes of Epiphany – the time when we see in signs and wonders the true meaning of the birth in Bethlehem – what it truly means for the God of justice, peace and mercy to be known among us. Following this God of love and sharing the light that overcomes darkness places a demand on each of us; as CTBI says ‘this means churches need to cooperate to provide relief to the afflicted, to welcome the displaced, to relieve the burdened, and to build a just and honest society’. It is a pain that we all bear that, for many different reasons, there are splinter and fracture within the body of Christ, the Church; but despite these differences we are all drawn to follow the one God revealed in Christ, recounted in the pages of scriptures, and speaking to us in the glory of creation.
This week has seen a great deal to distract us from the signs of God’s glory – there has been plenty in the news about the ways in which justice, peace and mercy seem to be so often distant priorities in our world; evidence of how society is in many ways becoming less rather than more fair, and where integrity seems to be subservient to self-interest. But as we go about our daily lives we have the chance to make a difference – to shine light, and to overcome darkness (albeit it in small, often ginger steps). And as we start to seek this way of light, let us pray that the love of God will be a healing and reconciling presence – one that draws us together, even though so often apart.
Heavenly Father, you have called us in the Body of your Son Jesus Christ to continue his work of reconciliation
and reveal you to the world:
forgive us the sins which tear us apart;
give us the courage to overcome our fears
and to seek that unity which is your gift and your will;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord.
NICK BROWN, PRECENTOR AND SUBDEAN
Worship & Mission
Weekly service schedule
The service sheet for the coming fortnight can be viewed on the cathedral website (click link to visit)
West Front Closure
The cathedral is open all day for prayer: while the West Front is closed for essential work, access for prayer and services is via Judgement Door (at the SE end of the cathedral). Please use the Richard Door if you require level access.
Stillpoint
Stillpoint is led by the Revd Ann Mazur and takes place once a month in the Ringers’ Chapel in Lincoln Cathedral.
It is a time of guided silent prayer to be still and aware of the presence of God. All are welcome to join us.
Future dates for Stillpoint are:
Friday 18 February 2022
Friday 18 March 2022
Sacred Space
Sacred Space is a gentle and 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. It is led by the Revd Canon David Dadswell and starts at 7pm.
Future dates for Sacred Space are:
Sunday 20 February – Under the moon
Sunday 20 March
Sunday 22 May
Sunday 17 July
Forthcoming services
Solemn Evensong for the Conversion of Paul, and Annual Legal Service
Tuesday 25 January 2022 at 5.30pm
Music sung by the Choristers and Lay Vicars of the Cathedral Choir
Festal Evensong for the Feast of the Presentation of Christ in the Temple (Candlemas)
Wednesday 2 February 2022 at 5.30pm
Music sung by Lincoln Cathedral Consort
Solemn Evensong for Ash Wednesday
Wednesday 2 March 2022 at 4pm
Music sung by the Choristers and Lay Vicars of the Cathedral Choir
It is planned that this service will be broadcast live on BBC Radio 3, and members of the congregation are asked to be in their places by 3 45pm at the latest.
Sung Eucharist for Ash Wednesday
Wednesday 2 March 2022 at 7.30pm
Music sung by Lincoln Cathedral Consort
Community
Adult baptism and confirmation classes
If you are an adult and interested exploring the Christian faith with a view to being baptised or confirmed at Easter, please contact the Chancellor, Paul Overend, on chancellor@lincolncathedral.com. He and The Revd Dr Julia Hepburn (the Assistant Curate of The Parish of St Mary Magdalene, Lincoln, and a regular duty chaplain at the cathedral) will be holding joint adult baptism and confirmation classes from the last week in January, 2022, using a course called “Pilgrim: A Course for the Christian Journey”.
Michael O’Connor RIP
Many may remember Michael O’Connor, former Deputy Clerk of Works, who sadly died suddenly last month aged 73. Mick was born in Sheffield and after starting working life as a car mechanic undertook a degree in fine art at Nottingham University, followed by training as a mason at Weymouth before joining York Minster in the early 1980s. He moved to Lincoln in the mid-1980s, becoming Head Mason and Deputy Clerk of Works at the cathedral. He was instrumental in re-opening the cathedral quarry on Riseholme Road, as well as introducing the ethos of conservation and sensitive repair. This included setting up the Conservation Department through which he oversaw much of the conservation of the building’s sculpture and west front in the late 1980s and 1990s. During this time he undertook a PhD in conservation of historic buildings. In later years he worked in private practice in the UK and abroad, including UNESCO award-winning World Heritage sites in India. A dedicated professional in his field, Mick O’Connor had some less-widely-known talents and interests. He was a capable musician, an avid reader, widely travelled and keen to appreciate and understand other cultures and languages. Above all he had time for people and his many friends will miss him greatly.
Jane Cowan, Roger Parsons and Alan Micklethwaite
LCCA Shrove Tuesday Supper
1 March 2022
The LCCA invites you to the Shrove Tuesday Supper on 1 March 2022 at 6.30pm in the Chapter House when you can enjoy a two-course meal and entertainment.
Tickets are £10 and can be purchased after Sunday morning Eucharists. When buying your tickets, please let us know if you have any dietary requirements.
We look forward to welcoming you at this event.
The Revd Canon Neil Burgess
The Revd Canon Neil Burgess will leave on the 31 January having generously postponed his retirement to support the ministry at Lincoln Cathedral.
A card will be at the back of the Church on Sunday and in the Vergers Vestry during the week.
If you would like to contribute to a leaving gift please leave this with the Vergers.
Volunteer Vergers
Join a small group of volunteers supporting the vergers team, by preparing and facilitating services both large and small, helping to prepare for all sacred and secular events and providing initial pastoral care to worshippers and visitors. Be a representative of the Cathedral and the Church of England to the public.
If you are interested in joining the Vergers Team as a volunteer please contact the Dean’s Verger Ian Taylor for an informal chat – 01522 561638 or ian.taylor@lincolncathedral.com
Lincoln Cathedral Choir and Old Choristers’ Association
The LCCOCA supports and promotes the Cathedral Choir. It also provides help and support for its members, particularly new chorister parents. It organises fundraising and social events including an annual reunion for former choristers.
So far, members have raised more than £20,000 towards a £50,000 Choristership, Old Choristers already having raised £70,000 for Choristerships. The Association is the major fundraiser for choir tours abroad. The LCCOCA President is Dr. John Rutter, CBE.
Membership is open to parents of serving Choristers, Lay Vicars, former Choristers of Lincoln Cathedral and others with a long-standing association with the Choir.
More information can be obtained by contacting lccoca@lincolncathedral.com
Events
Toddler Tuesday
Tuesday 25 January, 9.30am – 10.30am
Join the learning team in the Cathedral Café for storytelling and activities for the under-5s.
Luke Jerram’s Museum of the Moon
7 – 27 February
Come and experience the majesty of the moon, suspended beneath the central tower of Lincoln Cathedral.
The Cathedral will provide a spectacular backdrop for the stunning installation which measures seven metres in diameter and features 120dpi detailed NASA imagery of the lunar surface. At an approximate scale of 1:500,000, each centimetre of the internally lit spherical sculpture represents 5km of the moon’s surface.
An evening with Helen Sharman CMG OBE, the first British person in space
Friday 18 February, 7.30pm
Helen Sharman became the first British Astronaut in May 1991, aged 27, when she launched on a Russian Soyuz spacecraft. She spent eight days orbiting the Earth, living and working on the Mir Space Station.
A pioneer, role model and inspirational speaker, Helen will host an unforgettable evening beneath Luke Jerram’s Museum of the Moon in the Nave of Lincoln Cathedral as she takes us on a journey through her experiences – from recruitment and training through to the time she spent in space and her return to Earth.
Secret Symphony presents: Interstellar
Saturday 26 February, 7.30pm
Secret Symphony’s 50-Piece Limelight Orchestra return to Lincoln Cathedral to perform an exclusive and enhanced ‘one night only’ show celebrating all things space, stars and Interstellar under Luke Jerram’s ‘The Museum Of The Moon’.
A reimagined soundtrack that includes such ‘stellar’ tracks from David Bowie, Coldplay, Muse, Public Service Broadcasting, ELO, Pink Floyd, Emerson Lake & Palmer, Jamiroquai, Daft Punk, Elton John and many, many more.
The Starring Lincoln Theatre Company present The Hunchback of Notre Dame
23 May – 4 June
Following spectacular sell-out performances of Jesus Christ Superstar, Jekyll & Hyde and Oliver!, The Starring Lincoln Theatre Company return with a performance of the well-known Disney adaptation of The Hunchback of Notre Dame.
The production is sure to be a fantastic show. Previous shows received rave reviews and we expect the 2022 production to be no different.
To avoid disappointment, please be sure to book your tickets as soon as you can – we expect them to sell out fast!
Lincoln Cathedral Flower Festival: Vision
4 – 8 August
The Lincoln Cathedral Flower Festival will take place in August 2022 celebrating 950 years of Lincoln Cathedral, and the visionaries who had the inspiration to build such a wonderful building and those who followed, changing our lives throughout history.
Stunning displays will blossom in every area of the magnificent Lincoln Cathedral, bringing it to life in a unique and inspiring way.
The festival will celebrate the life and works of St Hugh of Lincoln, as well as many other notable visionaries whose ideas and actions have shaped the world we live in and changed our lives.
For more events, extra details and to book tickets, please visit our website – www.lincolncathedral.com
Bible Readings
Sunday 23 January
Third Sunday of Epiphany
Eucharist
Nehemiah 8: 1-3, 5-6, 8-10
1 Corinthians 12: 12-31a
Luke 4: 14-21
Evening Prayer
Numbers 9: 15-end
1 Corinthians 7: 17-24
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Sunday 30 January
Fourth Sunday of Epiphany
Eucharist
Ezekiel 43.27 – 44.4
1 Corinthians 13
Luke 2. 22 – 40
Evening Prayer
1 Chronicles 29.6-19
Acts 7.44 – 50
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Sunday 6 February
Fifth Sunday of Epiphany
Eucharist
Isaiah 6.1-8
1 Corinthians 15.1-11
Luke 5.1-11
Evening Prayer
Wisdom 6 1-21
Colossians 3.1-22