In the Westminster Shorter Catechism, described as The Humble Advice of the Assembly of Divines published in 1647 at a synod of Scottish and English theologians, a key question is asked:
What is the chief end of man?
Answer: Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.
As we reflect upon our purpose as a Cathedral and as those who serve and worship here it poses an interesting frame for our vision of this sacred place. The Cathedral was built to the glory of God.
In the extraordinary beauty of its structure, the vastness of the space and the wonder of that continuity of the life of worship and prayer that spans more than 900 years, God continues to be worshipped and enjoyed.
We can marvel at the fact that nothing was withheld in construction and design, in creativity and innovation in the building of it. Faithfulness to the vision of our forebears is maintained through the continuity of the worship and liturgy throughout every day of every year. In subtler ways we worship God through service and ministry. Through our commitment to hospitality and welcome, in the daily receiving and greeting of visitors and pilgrims to a place of discovery and learning, of inspiration and encounter both with God, with others and with our heritage.
In a fast moving and ever changing world the Cathedral speaks of the sacred, of faithfulness, endurance and of an eternal perspective. It is a place to enjoy God and be nurtured by God.
One of the reasons we become unsettled when things change in a Cathedral is because of our desire for the stability and tradition that such places contain. However authentic encounter with God and with the Gospel of Jesus Christ leads to disturbance, challenge and transformation. It is part of the ongoing spiritual formation and reorientation of our lives. We only have to consider the lives of the saints to discover how revolutionary is the pursuit of holiness. This year is a year of transition as we prepare for our Connected project to come to fruition. It may at times feel uncomfortable and disruptive. As a community let us work together, strong in mutual support and understanding to enable a smooth transition.
Christine Wilson, Dean of Lincoln
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Cathedral Centre
The Centre has been a beautiful and popular asset to the Cathedral since it was opened around 15 years ago, and remains a jewel in the Cathedral close. Over the years, the Cathedral Centre has continually adapted and changed to be the best it can be, and to serve the community and other organisations by offering excellent hospitality. That, however, has taken a huge amount of dedication and skill from the team of staff and volunteers for a return to the Cathedral which, at best, over the years, has been marginal.
The Chapter, and the board of Lincoln Minster Shops (which runs the Cathedral’s commercial activities), have kept the Centre under review for some time. A professional review was commissioned last year to understand the possibilities for the Centre once the Old Deanery Visitor Centre opens as part of the Connected project in early 2020, and the Chapter and the board have taken the very painful decision to close the Centre in its current form from the end of this financial year. That doesn’t mean that activity will stop – we are honouring a number of bookings, and will continue to make the Centre available wherever possible for internal use by Cathedral groups and meetings while we assess the best and most sustainable use and value to the Cathedral of the building. This announcement is especially difficult, as the Centre has been relying on the dedication of a skeleton staff in recent months while reviews were undertaken, and we are now working with those staff to look at the options. We are doing all we can to support the staff, and we keep all those for whom this is an uncertain time in our prayers.
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Worship and Mission
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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. Thank you for your support.
Confirmation
If anyone would be interested in exploring the possibility of confirmation please speak to the Subdean or email: Subdean@lincolncathedral.com
Evensong Guest Preacher
Our guest preacher at Evensong on Sunday 17 February will be The Revd Canon Michael Burson-Thomas, Priest at Waddingham, in the Yarborough Deanery.
Evensong Sermon Series for Lent
During Lent there will be a sermon series ‘On Christian Virtue’. It is designed to be attractive for those preparing for confirmation, considering their Christian commitments, and for any of us who wish to reflect on our own Christian living and character, before renewing our own baptismal vows at Easter.
Spiritual Formation
Spiritual Classics Reading Group: Etty Hillesum, A Life Transformed by Patrick Woodhouse – Saturday 23 February, 10.30am-12pm, 27 Minster Yard
Stillpoint – guided silent prayer – Saturday 23 February, 9am-9.45am, Longland Chapel, Lincoln Cathedral
Lectio Divina: Bible Reflection Group – Saturday 9 March, 4pm-5pm, 27 Minster Yard
For further details please see leaflet or visit
www.LincolnCathedral.com/forthcoming-events
Lincoln Theological Network Lecture
“Texts, lies and social media – Judeophobia and the Church” by The Revd Bruce D Thompson, Tuesday 26 February 7pm-8.30pm in the Chapter House of Lincoln Cathedral
Intercessory Group
A prayer group led by The Revd Canon Michael Boughton meets every Wednesday at 2pm in the Longland Chapel to pray the intercessions left by visitors and offer other prayers of those who attend. The group would be happy for new members to join them, either regularly or occasionally.
The Resilient Disciple
There are three reflective sessions which will be held at the Cathedral Centre with the Archdeacon Justine Allain Chapman, author of The Resilient Disciple. Sessions will take place on Saturday 16 February 2pm-5pm, Monday 18 March 1pm-4pm and Saturday 6 April 2pm-5pm. These will be £10 each, or £25 for all three workshops. Please book via the Lincoln Cathedral website, or in the Cathedral Shop.
Community
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The Friends’ Tuesday Teatime Talks
The next teatime talk, Tuesday 26 February, 3.30pm, in the Cathedral Centre will be given by a representative from the Lincoln Street Pastors organisation. The talk will be preceded by tea and coffee.
Lincoln Cathedral Stewards
The Cathedral is very pleased to announce that following the retirement of Dawn Flood as Chief Steward at the upcoming Steward AGM on 16th March 2019, the stewards will be led by a new Steward Management Team consisting of Jeannette Davies, David Pallister, Barbara Temple and John Taylor. Jeannette and David will jointly lead the stewards with support from John in relation to the recruitment of new members. Barbara will take on the role of Steward Secretary. Within this new team we have a wealth of experience, knowledge and enthusiasm and we look forward to them continuing the wonderful work which Dawn has done.
Fairtrade Fortnight (25 February – 10 March 2019)
Please support Fairtrade Fortnight. For a while now the Cathedral Community Association has offered Fairtrade coffee after Sunday services. The tea and coffee in our refectory is also Fairtrade. And even our communion wine is Fairtrade. As we aim to foster a living wage for producers, please let the chancellor, refectory or shop know if there are Fairtrade products you would like us to supply.
www.fairtrade.org.uk/en/get-involved/current-campaigns/fairtrade-fortnight
‘A memorial to George Boole’
On Thursday 14 March, 10.30am, at the Cathedral Centre there will be a talk hosted by the Lincoln Cathedral Retired Staff and Volunteers Group. A perfect opportunity to meet former colleagues and make new friends.
Annual Membership Fee £5, guests very welcome £2.
Events
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St John Passion
Saturday 6 April, 7pm
Lincoln Cathedral Choir return with Bach St John Passion this year. Accompanied by Northern Baroque this is sure to be a profound and inspiring way to mark this Passiontide season.
Byrd meets Bird
Wednesday 8 May, 7.30pm
A concert by the Choir of Lincoln Cathedral with a Jazz Quintet.
Magna Carta Lecture – ‘Rights and Freedoms Today’
Thursday 27 June, 7pm
For this years’ Magna Carta Lecture we welcome Shami Chakrabarti, the Shadow Attorney General and a member of the House of Lords.
Organ Concert Series 2019
Saturday 18 May, 7pm, Colin Walsh
Saturday 15 June, 7pm, Martin Baker
Saturday 21 July, 7pm, Hilary Punnett
Saturday 21 September, 7pm, Charles Harrison
Friday 4 October, 7pm, Organ Extravaganza
Sunday 22 December, 5.30pm, La Nativité de Seigneur
Tickets £8.50 including a drink on arrival
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Bible Readings
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Sunday 17 February
Third Sunday Before Lent
Sung Eucharist
Jeremiah 17: 5-10
1 Corinthians 15: 12-20
Luke 6: 17-26
Mattins
Jeremiah 30: 1-3, 10-22
Acts 6
Evensong
Horsea 10: 1-8, 12
Galatians 4: 8-20
Sunday 24 February
Second Sunday Before Lent
Sung Eucharist
Genesis 2: 4b-9, 15-end
Revelation 4
Luke 8: 22-25
Mattins
Job 28: 1-11
Acts 14: 8-17
Evensong
Genesis 1: 1-2.3
Matthew 6: 25-end
Sunday 3 March
Sunday next before Lent
Sung Eucharist
Exodus 34: 29-end
2 Corinthians 3: 12-4.2
Luke 9: 28-36
Mattins
Exodus 33: 17-end
1 John 3: 1-3
Evensong
Exodus 3: 1-6
John 12: 27-36a
