Christine Wilson, Dean John Patrick, Subdean Philippa White, Succentor
Many of us have lots of “Stuff”. That stuff takes a lot of different forms and shapes from the clothes that we wear to the house we live in, the car we drive to the pen we write with, the phone we use to the watch we tell the time with. We often hear church leaders criticising stuff and the material world, and there is little doubt that when the collection of stuff becomes an obsession, an idol if you like, then it becomes unhealthy and potentially destructive. However, Jesus also had stuff around him: as a babe he was presented with gold, frankincense and myrrh; Mary anointed him with expensive perfume; he wore a seamless robe though worthy of lots being drawn for; and he shared bread and wine with his disciples.
We’ve got some new stuff at the cathedral. Nicholas Hobbs, Craftsman of Derbyshire, has over the past few years been creating new furniture for the Retro-Choir/St. Hugh’s Shrine. I hope that most of you have taken time to look at this magnificent new addition to the cathedral. Using wood from a few miles from where Hugh of Avalon started his ministry, Nicholas’ skill, the generosity of individuals and groups and the hard work of the Re-Ordering Committee it has made a truly wonderful addition to the cathedral’s furnishings. For those of us who use the furniture and the retro-choir it has enhanced the space, provided furniture that is of one design and enabled us to create a unified and coherent whole. The intention is that the furniture will be dedicated during evensong on Sunday 5 November.
So, new stuff. God in his generosity and from his bounty has provided us with this wonderful creation. We are stewards of this earth and, with Christ as our model, it has always been a matter of acknowledging with thanksgiving God’s gift, sharing that which we have and dedicating all that we have in his service. Make we seek to do so to the glory and praise of our Generous Creator God.
John Patrick, Subdean
Lincoln’s Three Commons – LCCA Walk: Please make a diary note for Saturday 7 October 2017. The LCCA Autumn Walk includes parts of Lincoln’s three Commons (South, West and Cow Paddle), as well as the Arboretum, River Witham & Fosse Dyke canal and a 13th Century Monks Cell. You may see parts of Lincoln you haven’t seen before. The options are a 4 mile morning walk, or a 3 mile afternoon walk or both. Lunch will be available at a pub near Castle Square. Further details of parking and times will be provided later.
Bible Studies: Programmes for the next series of Bible Studies in the Gospel according to John are available on the choir aisle tables. Meetings are held at St. Anne’s House, 27 Sewell Road, Lincoln, LN2 5RY at 7.30pm on Monday evenings generally fortnightly. For further information contact Frederick Hackett on 01522 524091. Everyone is welcome.
Can you help? Charlie Dashwood, Stonemason Apprentice is without accommodation between 31 August and 6 October 2017. Are you able to offer a room to help him out, he is willing to contribute to the household while staying. If you can help please email charliedashwood1@gmail.com
The Battles and Dynasties Exhibition – taking place at The Collection and Lincoln Castle – closes on Sunday 3 September, so do take advantage to see this wonderful exhibition over the next few days if you’ve not already done so. The exhibition forms part of Lincoln City’s remembrance of the 1217 Battle of Lincoln. The Cathedral’s Wren Library has loaned three items of print and illustrated manuscripts to the exhibition and they are currently on display at The Collection. These three important exhibits are displayed alongside objects of national and international importance. Amongst many important exhibits the highlight is the Lincolnshire segment of the 1086 Doomsday Book which is on display next to the Cathedral’s 1215 Magna Carta in the David PJ Ross Magna Carta vault. The Cathedral is delighted to be part of this important project and hopes that people will enjoy this very exhibition for the next couple of weeks.
Jekyll and Hyde: The Musical – Tuesday 22 August – Friday 1 September, 7pm in the Nave.
We have limited tickets available – please visit www.lincolncathedral.com for further details and tickets. Tickets start from £22 per person.
Organ Concert: Saturday 16 September – Henk Galenkamp. 7pm in the Nave. With his work today centred in Germany, Henk Galenkamp was born in 1958 in the Netherlands, where he studied both organ and orchestral conducting and in early years was appointed director of choral societies. Henk is now responsible for the semi-professional Cathedral Choir of Zwickau and offers highly regarded works of the standard choral-orchestral repertoire from Bach to Verdi. For further information please visit www.lincolncathedral.com. Tickets are priced at £6.
Richard III: Friday 6 October. 7pm in the Chapter House. In aid of the Lincoln Cathedral music Fund we are organising a fundraising event in the Chapter House of Lincoln Cathedral on Friday 6 October 2017, which helps finance scholarships for choristers in the Cathedral. Dr Williams is telling the story of Richard III before the battle of Bosworth by way of re-enactment. He tells history in a way you have never seen before and if we had all been taught this way we would be historians. Tickets cost £25 each. Please contact sue.pennell@btinternet.com
Ceremony of Carols. Saturday 16 December. 2pm and 7pm performances in The Chapter House. A seasonal favourite as the Cathedral Choir performs Benjamin Britten’s Ceremony of Carols at 2pm and 7pm in the Chapter House. With Thea Butterworth as harpist under the direction of Jeffrey Makinson. The 7pm performance will include drinks, canapés and a lantern light tour of the Cathedral. 2pm performance: £10 adults and £5 for children under 14, 7pm performance – tickets are £25 and include a glass of Gluhwein or squash and Christmas biscuits. Tickets available from the Lincoln Cathedral Shop – 01522 561644. For further information please visit www.lincolncathedral.com.
Hallé – Saturday 9 September 2017, 7pm in the Nave. Lincoln Cathedral’s previous Organ Scholar Ryan Wigglesworth will be returning to the Cathedral to conduct the Hallé Orchestra. There will be striking solo performances from Sophie Bevan and a programme which is certain to be stunning. The Orchestra will perform Strauss: Four Last Song and Bruckner; Symphony No. 9. Tickets are priced from £12 per person. For further information and tickets please visit www.lincolncathedral.com
Handel’s Messiah Saturday – 25 November 2017, 7pm in the Nave. The Lincoln Cathedral Choir are returning with their performance of this incredible piece of music, accompanied by the Lincoln Chamber Orchestra in the Nave of the Cathedral. The acoustics in the Nave are perfect for such a performance where one of the most famous pieces of choral music, the Hallelujah Chorus, will shine. For further information and tickets please visit www.lincolncathedral.com Tickets are priced from £18 per person.
Bible Readings
Sunday 20 August 10th Sunday after Trinity
Sung Eucharist Isaiah 56.1, 6-8; Romans 11.1-2a, 29-32; Matthew 1; 21-28
Mattins Jonah 1; 2 Peter 3.14-end
Evensong 2 Kings 4.1-37; Acts 16.1-15
Sunday 27 August 11th Sunday after Trinity
Sung Eucharist Isaiah 5.1-6; Romans 12.1-8; Matthew 16.13-20
Mattins Jonah 2; Revelation 1
Evensong 2 Kings 6.8-23; Acts 17.15-end
Sunday 3 September 12th Sunday after Trinity
Sung Eucharist Jeremiah 15.15-21; Romans 12.9-end; Matthew 16.21-end
Mattins Jonah 3.1-9; Revelation 3.14-end
Evensong 2 Kings 6.24-25, 7.3-end; Acts 18.1-16
