Christine Wilson, Dean Mark Hocknull, Chancellor John Patrick, Subdean
Philippa White, Succentor
I came across a startling claim the other week. In 3,400 years of documented history, there have been just 250 years of peace. According to UN estimates, there are currently forty wars being fought world-wide in which over 1000 people are killed per year. This stands in stark contrast to the vision of a peaceful society described in both the book of Micah (chapter 4) and the book of Isaiah (chapter 2). In virtually identical words we are told that people will beat swords into ploughshares. Weapons, instruments of destruction in other words, will be turned into instruments of production and cultivation. These scripture verses hold out a vision of future harmony and diversity, where people’s differences are accepted and other’s rights to peaceful existence are not only acknowledged but granted full reality. The reading holds out a vision of the future where no one shall be afraid of anyone or anything. A future where everyone has all they need to live fulfilled lives. Given the statistics above and the constant presence of conflict, this seems hopelessly naive and unrealistic. Yet I can’t quite accept that these words of ancient faith are merely romantic idealism, or mere fancy, a kind of escapism or a refusal to accept the reality of humanity’s condition.
We human beings have the ability to transcend ourselves, to become better than the worst examples of humanity. We have the ability to become better than our own worst and most shameful actions. We have the capacity to build a better future for all, but all too often we demonstrate our perverse ability to subvert what is the best in us. There seems to be something deep within our humanity that makes conflict inevitable. All war is a failure of our humanity, but sometimes it is the only course of action open to us.
There is a paradox at the heart of human beings, a conflict within each of us that prevents us from being consistent. There is a fault line running deep within the human heart. A fault line that spreads out into all human society and infects it with the same conflict between good and evil. So in the time of remembrance, we remember in the hope that the day will come when the sacrifice of lives in war ceases to be necessary. We remember in the hope that lives lost really will buy freedom, peace and harmony. We remember in the hope that humanity will come to its senses, and recover its sense of being one race. We remember in the hope that humanity might turn once and for all to its better aspects.
But if all we can do is hope that the fault line will be fixed, I fear our hope will not be fulfilled. We are powerless to fix it ourselves. Christian faith offers us a vision of the future where death is swallowed up in victory, where the mortal is clothed with immortality and the perishable becomes imperishable. It is an assurance of faith that humanity too will share in the fate of Christ. Beyond the grave is resurrection. Paul assures us that the fault line in the human heart, the inner conflict of human life and the life of human society, is not the last word. The fault line will be healed and humanity will be restored.
Perhaps humanity needs this vision more than ever in our own time.
Mark Hocknull, Chancellor
Events Officer (maternity cover) – Lincoln Cathedral is looking for a bright, enthusiastic and articulate Events Officer (maternity cover) to work as part of a small team who plan, market and coordinate Cathedral events. If you are passionate about the Cathedral and if you feel your skills match what we need, please apply. You should have: worked in a customer facing environment, organised events and/or delivered projects, monitored spend against budget, working knowledge of marketing and social media tools, inputted and maintained accurate databases, and excellent communication skills.
Full-time, 35 hours per week, Monday to Friday with occasional evening and weekend work.
Salary @£17,000 per annum dependent upon experience. To download the job information and application form please visit www.lincolncathedral.com; or email chapteroffice@lincolncathedral.com for an application pack; or ring 01522 561601 for a pack to be sent out by post. Closing date: Friday 25 November 2016. Interviews will take place: 29 and 30 November 2016.
Cathedral Shop Preview Evening – Wednesday 16 November, 5.00pm
You won’t want to miss out on booking your tickets for the Christmas Preview Evening this November and receive 15% off all purchases throughout the evening when presenting your ticket. There will be performances by St Peter in Eastgate School and Lincoln Cathedral Choir during the evening. Refreshments will be provided by the Cathedral Refectory and The Original Cake Company is providing samples of Christmas cake to try and buy. Tickets are free but limited. Please book your tickets and find out more: www.LincolnCathedral.com/forthcoming-events/cathedral-shop-preview-evening
The Friends of Lincoln Cathedral – Thursday 17th November Once again we will be celebrating St Hugh’s Day on the 17th November. Following the Mid-day Eucharist in the Cathedral lunch will be taken at the Assembly Rooms where the speaker will be the Ven Canon H B Lucas CB who will speak about amusing incidents in his life as Chaplain to the RAF. Tickets are £16.50 from the Friends Office.
Lincoln Cathedral Music Fund – Saturday 10 December are hosting a performance by the Cathedral Choristers and Thea Butterworth of Benjamin Britten’s Ceremony of Carols on Saturday 10th December 2016 in the Chapter House at 2pm in the afternoon and, again in the Chapter House at 7pm in the evening. The evening performance will be followed by a Lanternlight Tour of the Cathedral. Tickets are £10 for the afternoon performance (£5 for children under 14) and £25 for the evening performance and lantern lit tour and will include a glass of wine and canapés. Tickets are available from the Lincoln Cathedral Box Office on 01522 561644 or www.lincolncathedral.com.
faith@lincolncathedral Everybody is welcome to come along to faith@lincolncathedral! There are two more discussion evenings before Christmas, meeting at the Victoria (top of Union Road, near the corner with Westgate and Burton Road) at 7 for 7.30:
Wednesday 23rd November – Is it nearly Christmas yet?
Wednesday 14th December – Rocking Around the Christmas Tree and Joy to the World – do they have anything in common?
A Concert of Carols by Candlelight – Wednesday 14 December, 7.30pm Lincoln Cathedral Choir performs an evening of carols. Surrounded by candlelight, this enchanting performance will most certainly get you into the festive spirit. Tickets priced at £10 are available from www.lincolncathedral.com.
La Nativité du Seigneur, Sunday 18 December 5.30pm The annual performance of La Nativité du Seigneur played on the world famous ‘Father Willis’ organ by Colin Walsh. The performance will comprise of a series of meditations for the organ, which explore the story of Christmas. Tickets cost £6 and are on sale now. To purchase tickets please visit www.lincolncathedral.com
The Dean’s Verger writes… Christmas Market, 01-04 December – Once again Christmas Market fast approaches, and again, in addition to the normal round of volunteer activities, we invite members of the Cathedral Community to offer help; Thursday 1st to Sunday 4th December as we offer a welcome to the many thousands of ‘Marteteers’ to the Cathedral. Help needed includes; Welcoming, Chapter House – Refreshments, Telephone manning, general support. Do please look at the volunteer rota in the Vergers’ Vestry and see if you can fill one, or two A[or even more] of the two hour slots. Vehicle Access Passes: please note these are access passes not Parking Permits. Access passes will be available to those who can secure a parking place within the ‘Market Cordon’. Please leave your name, vehicle make and registration in the Vergers’ Vestry.
Santa Fun Run – Sunday 11 December There will be restricted access and parking in Minster Yard and uphill Lincoln between 0800 and 1300.
Messy Cathedral – Saturday 07 January By popular request, we will be celebrating Epiphany with a Messy Cathedral event on SATURDAY 7th JANUARY 2017. Everyone is invited to come and enjoy a morning of craft and Messy Science activities, a celebration and lunch, all on the theme of “Light in the Darkness.” Messy Cathedral is church for the whole family: so please bring your children, grandchildren, godchildren, nieces and nephews – and let your friends know! If anyone would like to help out on the day or by helping to prepare beforehand, that would be brilliant (if you don’t have under-11s to bring, that would be the best way to enjoy the day!) Please contact the Succentor (curate@lincolncathedral.com / 01522 567004).
Grants & Donations – With Christmas now just a few short weeks away, finding the perfect gift can often be a difficult challenge. Thankfully, the Cathedral has a solution for that relative or friend that has everything. Why not adopt a stone, book or organ pipe at Lincoln Cathedral in their name. It’s a gift that lasts a lifetime and starts from just £25 for each. To find out more about giving a little piece of Lincoln this Christmas, please visit www.lincolncathedral.com/get-involved/give-to-the-cathedral
New Community Card Scheme – Lincoln Cathedral has launched its new Community Card scheme offering discounts and benefits to cardholders. The card is just £39.99 for a year and offers you great savings over the year. What is more, it’s a great way to support the Cathedral. Pick up a leaflet and partner list in the Cathedral or visit www.lincolncathedral.com and click on community card or telephone the Grants & Donations office on 01522 561614.
Bible Readings
Sunday 13 November Remembrance Sunday
Sung Eucharist Malachi 4.1-2a, Psalm 98, 2 Thessalonians 3.6-13, Luke 21.5-19
Remembrance Day Service Psalm 132, 1 Samuel 16.1-13, Matthew 13.44-52
Evensong Psalms [93] 97, Daniel 6, Matthew 13.1-9, 18-23
Sunday 20 November Christ the King
Sung Eucharist Jeremiah 23.1-6, Psalm 46, Colossians 1.11-20, Luke 23.33-43
Mattins MP Psalms 29, 110, Zechariah 6.9-end, Revelation 11.15-18
Requiem for All Souls EP Psalm 72, 1Samuel 8.4-20, John 18.33-37
Sunday 27 November 1st Sunday of Advent
Sung Eucharist Isaiah 2.1-5, Psalm 122, Romans 13.11-end, Matthew 24.36-44
Mattins Psalm 44, Micah 4.1-7, 1 Thessalonians 5.1-11
Evensong Psalm9, Isaiah 52.1-12, Matthew 24.15-28
