Christine Wilson, Dean Mark Hocknull, Chancellor John Patrick, Subdean
Philippa White, Succentor
[separator]
As I write this Chapter Letter President Trump has just sacked the Director of the FBI, James Comey; Emmanuel Macron is preparing to move into the Élysée Palace; new councillors are preparing for office in our own County Council; and in the background there is the constant noise of General Election Fever.
All this reflects what we all know and acknowledge that people, governments, institutions come and go, change is always around us. We pray that those elected to public office, those invited to take up particular positions will strive to serve this nation and the nations of the world to the very best of their abilities, and out of a selfless concern for all people.
That change is very much part of our own life here at the Cathedral, not least this morning as we prepare to say farewell to Mark Hocknull as Chancellor of Lincoln. Mark has served as Chancellor for over seven years as well as working part time at the University of Lincoln. Now he is moving to the University full time as Programme Leader and Principal Lecturer in Philosophy in the School of History and Heritage.
It goes without saying that we wish Mark all the very best in this new and exciting venture. It’s also the case that we shall miss him a great deal at the Cathedral: he has given much to the corporate life of the Cathedral during his ministry amongst us and we’re all aware of the personal kindnesses and generosities that have enriched our lives. We shall miss his teaching and preaching, his insightful commentary on contemporary life, his passion for social and political justice all woven together by a faith in a God who loves and cares for us intensely.
As we wish Mark all the best we also say farewell and thank you to Kate, Ed, Rebecca and Alex as they also start a new life. Kate has been tireless in her support of Mark, the family and the Cathedral Community and we shall all miss her energy, enthusiasm, laughter and smile.
We wish them all the very best and pray that God will continue to bless them in their new life together.
However, on the 25th we celebrate the Ascension and we remember the angels gently chastising the disciples as they looked wistfully up to heaven hoping against hope that life would stay the same and that nothing would change. They soon got about God’s Mission as must we to the glory of Jesus Christ who is our risen and ascended Lord. Alleluia!
John Patrick, Subdean
Spark! Engineering Festival – This year’s Spark! Engineering Festival was a big success, with over 9,000 people entering the Cathedral’s doors. Many thanks for all those who have worked so hard to make the event such a success.
Organ Concerts – Saturday 13 May – Jeffrey Makinson / Saturday 20 May – Peter Wright. 7pm in the Nave.
Our first Organ Concert of the series will be performed by Lincoln Cathedrals own Assistant Director of Music, Jeffrey Makinson. The second concert in the 2017 series is to be performed by Peter Wright of Southwark Cathedral, London. For further information please visit www.lincolncathedral.com. Tickets for both concerts are priced at £6 per person.
2017 Lecture Series – Friday 26 May – Dr Thomas Asbridge Magna Carta Lecture. 7:30pm in the Nave.
Lincoln 1217: The Battle that Shaped History. Dr Thomas Asbridge explores how the battle of Lincoln, 800 years ago, changed the course of history. The reader in medieval history at Queen Mary University has published a number of books and wrote and presented the hit BBC Two series – The Crusades. For further information and tickets please visit www.lincolncathedral.com. Tickets are priced at £6 per person.
The Reverend Canon Dr Mark Hocknull, Jekyll & Hyde Lectures, 7:30pm in the Chapter House.
Wednesday 28 June – The Civilised and The Savage: What Victorians Thought about Human Nature. This lecture will draw on sources from the 19th century to reveal the ideas of civilisation and humanity that lie behind Stevenson’s tale. It will explore the tale of the teenage Jemmy Button, who was ‘civilized’ and returned to his native land as a Christian missionary.
Wednesday 5 July Redeeming Mr Hyde: The Battle Between Good & Evil in us all. Stevenson grew up in Edinburgh, in the 19th century a profoundly serious and Calvinist city. His father was an engineer and his mother came from a long line of Scottish Presbyterian ministers. These twin influences of science and faith are very clear in the book and this lecture will explore the theology & science that lies behind Stevenson’s story.
Both Jekyll & Hyde lectures will feature extracts from the Theatre in the Nave production. For further information and tickets please visit www.lincolncathedral.com. Tickets are priced at £6 per person.
Jekyll and Hyde: The Musical: Tuesday 22 August – Friday 1 September, 7pm in the Nave.
When the Cathedral announced the follow up production to Jesus Christ Superstar was to be Jekyll and Hyde, more than a few eyebrows were raised. It was a bold choice perhaps, but absolutely in keeping with the Cathedral’s Christian purpose. Jekyll’s division of himself has a great deal in common with the apostle Paul’s description of the split in his own personality which Paul believes is common to us all. We have limited tickets available – please visit www.lincolncathedral.com for further details. Tickets start from £22 per person.
Lincoln Theological Society: Thursday 8 June, 7.00 for 7.30 in the Robert Hardy Lecture Theatre at Bishop Grosseteste University, Longdales Road, Lincoln ‘What was the Reformation? A possible Biblical Solution’ an open lecture by Dr Jack Cunningham. Tickets including wine and parking, £5.00 from the Cathedral Shop, after 9.30am service or on the door.
On behalf of all members of staff, worshippers and friends of Lincoln Cathedral: Chapter would like to recognise and congratulate Stuart Boyfield, Domus Supervisor, on his 40 years of service to the Cathedral.
Bible Readings
Sunday 14 May 5th Sunday of Easter
Sung Eucharist Acts 7.55-end; 1 Peter 2.2-10; John 14.1-14
Evensong Zechariah 4.1-10; Revelation 21.1-14
Sunday 21 May 6th Sunday of Easter
Sung Eucharist Acts 17.22-31; 1 Peter 3.13-end; John 14.15-21
Mattins Job 14.1-2, 7-15; 19.23-27a; 1 Thessalonians 4.13-end
Evensong Zechariah 8.1-13, Revelation 21.22-22.5
Sunday 28 May 7th Sunday of Easter
Sung Eucharist Acts 1.6-14; 1 Peter 4.12-14; 5.6-11; John 17.1-11
Mattins Isaiah 65.17-end; Revelation 21.1-8
Evensong 2 Samuel 23.1-5; Ephesians 1.15-end
