Christine Wilson, Dean Mark Hocknull, Chancellor John Patrick, Subdean
Philippa White, Succentor
The Easter season marks the pinnacle of the Christian year, the very peak of the Christian story and world history itself. While I believe that each of those statements is true, I also believe each is insufficient. Too often, I think, we see Easter as a conclusion, when I suspect that in the Gospels and, for that matter, in the early Christian community, the resurrection of Jesus was meant to be only the beginning.
Reading the end of Mark’s gospel at evensong recently I was struck again with the ending of the gospel. Mark tells us that after the angel had told the women of the Resurrection and told them to tell the disciples what had happened, they were afraid. Matthew softens this ending a little telling us that they left the empty tomb in “fear and great joy.” Fear and joy are not opposites but, as with doubt and faith, can be experienced at the same time; they might even be inseparable. Fear seems frequently “in the air” these days and for all kinds of reasons. Jesus’ resurrection does not spell an end to fear for those who follow him, but rather makes it possible to experience joy amid what might otherwise be crippling fear. Resurrection, that is, doesn’t simply answer or end problems, but creates something new. Christian faith does not remove us from the hardships, limitations, and challenges of this life, but creates for us possibilities that simply would not be available had God not intervened, first in the raising of Jesus and again by entering into our own lives.
The ancient Easter greeting, “Christ is Risen,” is an invitation to lay hold of the resurrection power of Jesus to see more possibilities in the people and situations around us than others might see. Death, evil, suffering, do not have the final word. Might we find encouragement in this to seek the presence of God and the mixture of fear and joy that always attends encountering God? So many of us face difficulties in our lives whether it be an uncertain employment future, or a continuation of illness with no end in sight, or the loneliness of having endured the end of an important relationship. Christ’s resurrection does not wash those realities away, it makes it possible to experience joy in the midst of them as God continues to create something new.
The truth of the Easter message is that Easter isn’t over. The Resurrection wasn’t a once-and-done historical aberration. It reflects the dynamic and living God we meet in Christ today. The Swiss theologian Karl Barth once said that “the goal of human life is not death, but resurrection.” That does not mean that death is not a fearsome reality, only that it does not have the final word. Perhaps this Eastertide we can remind ourselves that the promise of the resurrection is not simply what God has done, but what God is still doing. God is still leading us forward into new life and possibility and forgiveness and love. Easter is not over, it is still moving onward.
Mark Hocknull, Chancellor
A message from the flower team: We are most grateful for all the donations towards the Easter Lilies.
The Canons’ Verger writes: On behalf of the verging team I would like to thank the Cathedral community for their practical, moral (and edible) support over the past couple of months, it has been a welcome boost for us over the Lent and Easter period and has been very much appreciated.
SPARK! Engineering Festival SPARK! Friday 5 May & Saturday 6 May from 10am – 4pm, Sunday 7 May 12pm – 3pm: With the theme ‘Back to the Future’ SPARK! Engineering Festival 2017 celebrates Lincolnshire’s pioneering excellence spanning centuries and the world beating engineering businesses here in the county today. SPARK! Showcases the latest innovations and breakthroughs and aims to inspire and ignite interest in engineering. There will be free entry into the Cathedral for the duration of the event.
You are asked to note: On 7th May as part of the Lincoln Jazz festival the morning Communion Service will be at 10.30am and there will not be an 11.15am Mattins on either 7 or 14 May.
The Chapter Clerk writes: As many of you will know the Chancellor, Canon Dr Mark Hocknull, is leaving the Cathedral and his last service will be on Sunday 14th May 2017 at 10.30am, with a glass of something fizzy in the Chapter House afterwards for all to wish Mark, Kate and family well and to say our goodbyes to him as a Residentiary Canon. The leaving card will be in the Chapter House for signature after each Sunday (9.30am) service and there will also be an envelope for any contribution you might wish to make to the collection.
A date for your diaries: Lincoln Cathedral Community Association are organising an afternoon tea party to take place in the Cloisters on Sunday June 4th 2017 after Evensong, more details to follow, but please note the date.
Heritage Craft Skills Festival 23-24 June 2017, Calling all Volunteers: your help is needed during the Heritage Craft Skills Festival taking place over the 23rd & 24th June 2017. Volunteers are needed to help with the external set up/breaking down and general stewarding around the East Green and external areas of the Cathedral over this exciting weekend. If you are able to help, contact Penny Forsdyke penny_forsdyke@msn.com or Rachel Woodward, Volunteer & HR Officer volhrofficer@lincolncathedral.com
Hallé Saturday 9 September 2017 at 7pm – Tickets are now on sale. This year the Hallé will be conducted by Ryan Wigglesworth and the performance promises to be unforgettable. Now in its 159th season the Hallé ranks as one of the UK’s top symphonic ensembles. Please visit www.lincolncathedral.com for further information. Tickets are priced from £12 per person.
Handel’s Messiah Saturday 25 November 2017 at 7pm – Tickets are now on sale. 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 please visit www.lincolncathedral.com Tickets are priced from £18 per person.
Coffee Rota: Looking to join with a team of people to help build the cathedral community? Here is the opportunity for you! We are looking for volunteers to join the rota and serve coffee after the 9:30 service. Is this something you could offer? We also need someone to take over the organization of the rota after Kate Hocknull leaves. Please have a word with Kate or those serving coffee after the service if you feel you can help.
Bible Readings
Sunday 30 April 3rd Sunday of Easter
Sung Eucharist Acts 2.14a, 36-41; 1 Peter 1.17-23; Luke 24.13-35
Mattins Isaiah 40.1-11; 1 Peter 5.1-11
Evensong Haggai 1.13-2.9; 1 Corinthians 3.10-17
Sunday 7 May 4th Sunday of Easter
Sung Eucharist Acts 2.42-end; 1 Peter 2.19-end; John 10.1-10
Evensong Ezra 3.1-13; Ephesians 2.11-end
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
