This Chapter Letter will be available at church on Remembrance Day, 11 November 2018, as we remember those fallen in war on the centenary of the Armistice. In the words of the poem, ‘For the Fallen’, by Robert Laurence Binyon (1869-1943), “We will remember them”. We remember their deaths in terms of Christ’s sacrifice, who gave up his life, confronting the powers of darkness, that we may be free.

In a later verse in Binyon’s poem, the poet suggests our desires and hopes, our profound longing for that peace for which they served and fell, come from the same source. Hope and peace are of course gift of the Holy Spirit. He adds that in our longing, those who shared these longings before are known and present with us.

“But where our desires are and our hopes profound,
Felt as a well-spring that is hidden from sight,
To the innermost heart of their own land they are known
As the stars are known to the Night;”

This last line evokes a memory of Daniel 12:3, “Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.”

On Saturday 17th we celebrate St Hugh’s day. A nobleman who had committed his life to prayer, he was drawn from his Carthusian monastic life to be a humble but strong leader of this diocese, and a significant political figure in the wider church. It was he who supported the rebuilding of Lincoln Cathedral, and after his death for years it was a place of pilgrimage to his shrine for pilgrims attracted by his holiness and Christ-like example. This light leads us to righteousness, and our cathedral does well if we reflect something of his charism of humility, prayerful devotion, veneration of the saints, a desire for church reform and his ability to stand firm in the cause of truth, speaking truth to power. In these profound desires and hopes, may St Hugh be known to be present with us, and the cathedral itself be like a star in the night.

Paul Overend, Chancellor

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The Flower Team would like to give thanks for the most generous donations towards All Souls’ white chrysanthemums.

The Arts Society Lincoln is having a ‘Guests come free night’ on the 12 November as part of a membership drive (guest fee normally £8). Jonathan Foyle (he did the BBC programme on the Cathedral) will lecture on “Lincoln Cathedral: Mary’s Paradise Garden”.  This lecture may be of interest to at least some of those of us who support the Cathedral. Lectures are held in the Robert Hardy building of Bishop Grosseteste University and start at 7.30pm. There is a limit on the capacity of the lecture theatre so booking is essential, and the current membership will have priority.  If you are interested in attending, please email tccacc@btinternet.com

The next Friends’ teatime talk is on Tuesday 13 November when Toni Watts will enlighten us on her work as an Illustrator. Join us at 3.00pm for tea/coffee & biscuits, followed by the talk.  Price £3.  All welcome.  On Friday 16 November the Friends will be celebrating the Feast of St Hugh by enjoying lunch in the Cathedral Centre, following the 12.30pm Holy Communion in the Cathedral. The speaker at this event will be Jane Cowan, the Cathedral Head Conservator, whose subject will be ‘The Current Work on the West Front.’  Tickets for this are available from the Friends’ Office, price £20.  Tickets for the annual Friends’ ‘Carols by Candlelight Concert’ have been on sale in the Cathedral Shop or from the Friends’ Office since Thursday 1 November, price £10. This is always a sell-out event, so early purchase is advised!

Lectio Divina: Bible Reflection Group: For many years, Fredrick Hacket ably led a bible study group engaging personally with the scriptures. The chancellor is reviving and reforming this into a new open group to help members of our congregations engage with the scriptures. The engagement will be shaped in the tradition of ‘Spiritual Reading’ (Lectio Divina) engaging initially with the lectionary texts. It will begin in the new lectionary year, with meetings every three or four weeks. The first few dates are 8 December 2018, 29 December 2018, and 19 January 2019, all from 4.00pm – 5.00pm at 27 Minster Yard.

Spiritual Classics Reading Group: This is an open group in which members read a book prior to the meeting and discuss them together, exploring what we each made of them. The books we will discuss in the coming months are as follows: 12 January, A Serious Call to a Devout and Holy Life by William Law (1728); 23 February, Etty Hillesum, A Life Transformed by Canon Patrick Woodhouse. Refreshments from 10.30am for 10.45am -12.00pm meetings at 27 Minster Yard

Stillpoint, finding silence in a busy world: You are invited to 45 minutes of guided silent prayer in the Ringers’ Chapel, Lincoln Cathedral on the following Saturday mornings: 29 December 2018 from 09.00am -10.15am. 26 January 2019 at the new time of 9.00am – 9.45am

The Resilient Disciple: A part of our Cathedral engagement for Lent will be with a new Lent publication by The Ven Justine Allain Chapman, the Archdeacon of Boston. A book launch for this book (a free event) is on Tuesday 22 January 2019, 4.15pm – 5.15pm, followed by evensong. The book will be available to buy then, or through the Cathedral shop once published. Thereafter there will be reflective sessions in the Cathedral Centre, on Saturday16 February 2.00pm -5.00pm, Monday 18 March 1.00pm – 4.00pm, and Saturday 6 April 2.00pm – 5.00pm. These will be £10 each, or it will be possible to book for the three workshops together for a discounted price of £25. Information will follow on how to book for these.

Supporting Worship and Mission: Regular giving is an important source of funding for the Worship and Mission of Lincoln Cathedral. If you would like to set up regular giving to support the Worship and Mission, or indeed any other aspect of the Cathedral, standing order forms are available from the tables in the north and south Choir Aisles. These can be returned to the Chapter Office by hand, or by using the freepost address at the foot of the form. Thank you for your support.

The Sixteen: Monteverdi’s Vespers of 1610: 5 February 2019 at 7.30pm
The Sixteen performs one of the cornerstones of the classical repertoire, Monteverdi’s monumental Vespers of 1610, famed for its thrilling rhythms, grand choruses and beautiful solo movements. Tickets are priced from £15 to £30 and can be purchased from: https://thesixteen.com/events/monteverdi-vespers-lincoln/ or by phone: 0333 010 2850

Handel’s Messiah: Saturday 24 November, 7.00pm
The Choir return with their performance of Handel’s Messiah, a spectacular piece of music which is to be accompanied by Lincolnshire Chamber Orchestra. For further information and tickets visit www.lincolncathedral.com or phone 01522 504394

La Nativité du Seigneur: Sunday 16 December, 5.30pm
Organist Laureate, Colin Walsh, plays Olivier Messiaen’s 1935 masterpiece. This is a festive tradition in the Cathedral and not to be missed. For further information and tickets visit www.lincolncathedral.com or phone 01522 504394

The Snowman with Live Orchestra: Friday 4 and Saturday 5 January, 1.30pm, 3.00pm, 7.00pm
Screening of the film accompanied by Live Orchestra and Cathedral Chorister. For further information and tickets visit www.lincolncathedral.com or phone 01522 504394

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Bible Readings

Sunday 11 November
3 Before Advent

Sung Eucharist
Jonah 3: 1-5, 10; Hebrews 9: 24-end; Mark 1: 14-20
Mattins
Micah 4: 1-5; Philippians 4: 6-9;
Evensong
Isaiah 10: 33-11: 9

 

Sunday 18 November
2 Before Advent

Sung Eucharist
Daniel 12: 1-3; Hebrews 10: 11-14 [15-18] 19-25; Mark 13: 1-8
Mattins
1 Samuel 9: 27-10.2a, 10: 17-26; Matthew 13: 31-35
Evensong
Daniel 3; Matthew 13: 24-30, 36-43

 

Sunday 25 November
Christ the King / Sunday next before Advent

Sung Eucharist
Daniel 7: 9-10, 13-14; Revelation 1: 4b-8; John 18: 33-37
Mattins
Isiah 32: 1-8; Revelation 3: 7- end
Evensong
Daniel 5; John 6: 1-15