Mark Hocknull, Chancellor John Patrick, Acting Dean & Subdean Philippa White, Succentor
Today is Pentecost Sunday. It is the 50th day since Easter Day, hence its name. The day in the Church year that marks the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the disciples gathered in Jerusalem. Many also consider the day the birthday of the Church for the outpouring of the Spirit on the disciples sets them in a new relationship with each other and with God. It makes them Church. A community of people called by God to share together in the task of proclaiming and working for the fulfilment of the Kingdom of God. No mean task.
Paul writes words of encouragement to the faith community in Rome: “For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption.” Not a spirit of fear, but one of adoption. I understand a “spirit of adoption” to mean the confidence and courage that comes from knowing that you have been chosen, accepted, and loved for who you are.
I think there is a great deal of fear in the air these days. The fear being stoked by political candidates who know they can count on our votes if they first create a sense of fear and panic and then offer themselves as the remedy. The fear of job loss for those left behind by a rather anaemic economic recovery. The fear of losing a loved one. The fear of dealing with pain whether physical or emotional.
Which is why Paul’s words are so powerful and necessary to hear. “For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, ‘Abba! Father!’ it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ.”
This, in a nutshell, is the work of the Holy Spirit – to come along side us in times of anxiety and remind us that because we are God’s children, we do not have to give in to fear. Actually, Paul goes a little further. We are not only children, but heirs of God, those destined to inherit all good things. Jesus came in order that we might know that God is love, that God’s love is big enough for everything and the whole world. God loved God’s people and world so much that God would go to any length – even to the point of dying alone on the cross – so that we would know God’s love, realise how much God loves us, and be emboldened to live with courage and hope. It’s the work of the Holy Spirit to come along side of us whenever we are tempted to forget these things and root us again in this confidence.
Mark Hocknull, Chancellor
Christian Aid week, 15th to 21st May, 2016 our donations this Christian Aid week will help people living in river-island communities in Bangladesh, to build homes raised on earth plinths, to withstand the effects of flooding. There will be more information, and envelopes for your contributions on the table by the Christian Aid display boards here in the Cathedral.
Lecture by Peter Hennessy, the Lord Hennessy of Nympsfield: ‘Writing the history of one’s time’
Friday 20 May 2016 at 7.30pm in the Chapter House.
With previously inaccessible historical records, Lord Hennessy will be talking about the people and personalities that have shaped our lives since World War II. For further information and to book your tickets please visit lincolncathedral.com. Tickets can be purchased in person through the Cathedral shop or by calling 01522 561 644.
Magna Carta Lecture
Wednesday 1 June at 7.30pm in the Nave.
The annual Magna Carta lecture returns to the Nave of Lincoln Cathedral with guest speaker Australian High Commissioner, Alexander Downer. A former Australian Liberal Part politician, he was Foreign Minister of Australia from March 1996 to December 2007 and until early February 2014, he was the United Nations Special Adviser to the Secretary-General on Cyprus.
For more information and to purchase tickets, please call the Cathedral shop on 01522 561644 or visit LincolnCathedral.com
Lecture by David Natzler: ‘700 Anniversary of the 1316 Parliament’
Friday 17 June at 4.00pm in the Wren Library.
Lincoln Cathedral is delighted to welcome David Natzler for an early evening lecture to discuss the 700 Anniversary of the 1316 Parliament. David brings a wealth of knowledge of the UK parliamentary system and as Clerk of the House of Commons, he holds all the House’s property (in which he is, for example, the legal owner of Big Ben!).
For more information and to purchase tickets, please call the Cathedral shop on 01522 561644 or visit LincolnCathedral.com
Friends Concert for a Summer Evening
Saturday 18 June at 7.30pm
The Cathedral Choir, organ, soloists and a small orchestra perform:
Handel: Zadok the Priest
Delius: Two songs for a summer evening
Moore: The 23rd Psalm
Rutter: Magnificat
This will be in the Nave of the Cathedral, tickets priced at £10 are available from the Friends office or the Cathedral shop.
Save the date – Lincoln Cathedral Community Association summer social
The LCCA summer social will be after evensong on Sunday 19 June 2016 – and we hope some of you might join us at evensong first! Full details later but please save the date for now.
Summer Evening Opening Once again we are planning to extend the opening hours of the Cathedral from 6pm to 8pm, this year starting on Monday June 20th and finishing on Wednesday August 17th. The team of volunteers who make this happen is made up from Cathedral Stewards augmented by members of the Cathedral Community. We do have a number of empty slots to fill, so if you can help by being part of an Evening Team, for one, two or more evenings, spending two hours in this splendid building and providing a welcome to visitors, then please contact John Taylor jrt.natuna@btinternet.com
Hallé Friday 23 September 2016, 7.00pm and Messiah Saturday 19 November 2016 7.00pm: General Ticket Release: Tickets will be released to the public on Sunday 1 May. For further information and to book your tickets please visit lincolncathedral.com. Tickets can be purchased in person through the Cathedral shop or by calling 01522 561 644. The system will automatically allocate you with the best possible seats available in your chosen area, at the time of purchase. Wheelchair seating is available and can be booked by telephone on 01522 504 394.
Rebecca Hocknull writes, thank you to everyone in the Cathedral community who has supported me in my fund raising effort for my work with Raleigh International over the summer. It means a great deal to me to have your support and encouragement. I’m afraid that when I am in Borneo I won’t have any access to email or mobile phone, but when I get back home I will try to write a short report of my experience to give everyone an idea of how their donations have helped.
Bible Readings
Sunday 15 May Pentecost
Sung Eucharist Acts 2: 1-21, Romans 8: 14-17, John 14: 8-17
Mattins Isaiah 40: 12-23, 1 Corinthians 2: 6-end
Evensong Exodus 33: 7-20, 2 Corinthians 3: 4-end
Sunday 22 May Trinity Sunday
Sung Eucharist Proverbs 8: 1-4, 22-31, Romans 5: 1-5, John 16: 12-15
Mattins Isaiah 6: 1-8, Revelation 4
Evensong Exodus 3: 1-15, John 3: 1-17
Sunday 29 May First Sunday after Trinity
Sung Eucharist 1 Kings 8: 22-23, 41-43, Galatians 1: 1-12, Luke 7: 1-10
Mattins Deuteronomy 5: 1-21, Acts 21: 17-39a
Evensong Genesis 4: 1-16, Mark 3: 7-19
