Cathedral News
Sunday 1 February - Sunday 15 February
Epiphany and Candlemas
There have been numerous conversations over the past few weeks, which have been initiated by the lingering presence of Christmas Trees and Crib. Worshippers and visitors alike have been delighted and puzzled! The traditional 12 days of Christmas, the Feast of Epiphany and then the return to the “green season” have been replaced in the liturgical year and lectionary by a lengthened Christmas season. The theme of revelation continues and, as we experience in our new Candlemas Carol Service, Jesus’ identity is revealed through his birth in the manger, the gifts of the Magi, his Baptism, his first miracle at Cana and the prophecies of Simeon and Anna.
The feast of Candlemas is a bundle of contrasts and opposites. When it is over, the Works Department will dismantle the crib and take away the trees. We will move into the green season (Ordinary Time) and the countdown to Lent – the joy of celebrating Christ’s birth has a slight shadow cast over it as Simeon’s words to Mary turn us towards Lent and the Passion –“and a sword will pierce your own soul too”.
The Nunc Dimittis is almost a pastiche of passages from Isaiah about salvation and Israel’s glory and the light to the Gentiles. Salvation is for ALL! Matthew introduced the Gentiles via the Magi. Luke does it through these words of Simeon and gives us a glorious picture of the universality of God’s love. BUT – and there’s always a BUT – there’s another side to it all as Simeon says to Mary, “this child is destined for the rise and fall of many
in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed…. And a sword will pierce your own soul, too.”
The line about Mary being pierced by a sword is really curious. Pious devotion has seen the sword piercing Mary’s heart as she stood at the foot of the cross and saw her son die. But the problem with that interpretation is that the picture of Mary at the foot of the cross is from John’s gospel, which had not been written at the time of Luke. So that pious tradition isn’t an entirely satisfactory explanation of Simeon’s words. The most challenging statement to Mary in Luke’s gospel is when Jesus talks about his true family being those who do the will of God, that he doesn’t come to bring peace, but will set son against father, mother against daughter.
The demand of the gospel is placed upon everyone – Mary included – but in Luke’s view, Mary has emerged successfully, not because she’s Jesus’ mother – but because she did the will of God. Mary has no special status because she is Jesus’ mother – her greatness comes because she believed the word of the Lord and obeyed his will.
And that remains the challenge for all of us – rich, poor, high or low – matters not a jot in the kingdom of God – it’s doing the will of God that matters. Now that Christmas has revealed who this Jesus is, we turn our hearts, souls, minds and strength to following him.
Darren McFarland, Succentor
Worship and Mission
Weekly service schedule
Details of services and music can be viewed on the Cathedral’s website. Visit: https://lincolncathedral.com/ worship-music/services-list
Stillpoint
This is a time of guided silent prayer to be still and aware of the presence of God. We meet in the Longland Chantry from 9.15am to 9.45am on the following Mondays: 2 February, 2 March, 13 April, 11 May
Prayers for Healing and Wholeness
Prayers for healing with the laying on of hands and anointing will be offered after Evening Prayer (which begins at 5.30pm) in St Hugh’s Shrine on the first Wednesday of each month.
Racial Justice Sunday service
Sunday 8 February, 3.45pm. Join people from across Lincolnshire in marking Racial Justice Sunday 2026 at a special service in Lincoln Cathedral.
After the service, there will be catering supplied by ‘Tashady,’ with an African and Caribbean twist in the Chapter House. To help with planning, please use this form to book - https://forms. office.com/e/LLfeaP4arx
Choral Mattins
Mattins, the Book of Common Prayer’s morning counterpart to Evensong, is marked by celebration and praise to greet the new day. Experience another aspect of our Christian tradition in worship. Choral Mattins is held every three weeks on a Sunday and features sung prayers and hymns, led by the choir. The next Choral Mattins services will be:
• Sunday 15 February
• Sunday 8 March
Preparing for Lent
Lent books available in the Cathedral Shop:
Doorways to Hope: Forty days of spiritual wisdom, by Christopher Chapman - “When so much seems to be falling apart, it is a struggle to find ground for hope. In forty daily reflections, Christopher Chapman explores the nature of hope and offers ways of cultivating and practicing it. Avoiding wishful thinking or ‘looking on the bright side’, he offers a hope rooted in a God whose dynamic, creative breath is always bringing the new into being.”
Wardrobes and Rings: Through Lenten Lands with the Inklings by Julia Golding, Malcolm Guite, Simon Horobin - Journey through Lent with the Oxford Inklings, a group that included C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien, whose writings shaped modern Christian thought. Wardrobes and Rings provides daily readings and reflections, offering a creative, joyful perspective on faith and the journey to the cross.
Cathedral Lent Course
Mondays in Lent, 4pm to 5pm in the Wickham Room, beginning Mon 23 Feb
Join us for a 5-week course using Paula Gooder’s book Lentwise: Spiritual Essentials for Real Life - “As we journey through life, we face challenges - both big and small. What spiritual essentials will help us survive life’s storms? Lentwise is a five-session course which helps us to deal with the rigors of real life.”
If you can, bring your own copy of the book, which can be bought in the Cathedral Shop.
If you’d like to attend, please inform Canon Rowena or sign up here: https:// lincolncathedral.churchsuite.com/events/ yz9tkioy. Please note that you do not need to be able to attend every session to join in the class.
Would you like to explore Baptism and/ or Confirmation?
Saturday 4 April
Each year, the Cathedral holds a service of Baptism and Confirmation at 8pm on Easter Eve during the Easter Vigil.
For those wishing to explore this as a next step in their faith, we will be offering Confirmation classes beginning the week commencing Monday 23 February and running weekly until Easter. If you are interested in joining these classes, please contact Canon Rowena (rowena.king@lincolncathedral. com) before the end of this month, when she will schedule a time for the classes that is suitable for those wishing to join.
Community
Generous Giving Campaign
Thank you to everyone who supported the Generous Giving Campaign which launched in September 2025. We are grateful to all who prayerfully reviewed their giving.
By the end of December 2025, an additional £20,755 per year had been pledged, as well as £6,950 in one-off donations.
Although the campaign has ended, you can still get involved! Please see details on how to give below:
Regular Giving - Parish Giving Scheme
Tel: 0333 002 1260
Parish Code: 210621001
One-Off Donations - Lincoln Cathedral
Tel: 01522 561613
The Nomad Trust
Thank you to everyone who gives a donation for their cup of tea/coffee after Eucharist on Sunday mornings.
I am pleased to tell you that we gave £1,927.31 in 2025 to The Nomad Trust, a charity supporting the homeless in Lincoln.
This is a valuable contribution, made possible by your generosity and that of the members of the coffee team, who give not only their time but also often milk, biscuits, and coffee.
We also benefit from a regular supply of coffee given by Joe Campion to support the welcome and fellowship of The Cathedral. Thank you one and all.
Early Spring Cleaning
Conservation cleaning has commenced in the Wren and Medievil Library, preparing for the day our books return to the Cathedral.
Art of Music Exhibition Sale
The beautiful photographs that make up our Art of Music exhibition are now for sale for a suggested minimum donation of £50 each in support of Lincoln Cathedral. You can apply gift aid to your donation.
Donate by cash or cheque by emailing sally.bleasdale@lincolncathedral.com, or by card, by calling Amber Hardy on 01522 561613.
To arrange collection, please email sally.bleasdale@lincolncathedral.com or phone 01522 565560. Postage is unavailable, all pictures are sold as seen
Thanksgiving for Gillian Jolly
A service of thanksgiving for the life of Gillian Jolly will take place at 2pm on Wednesday 4 February in St Hugh’s Choir, followed by refreshments in the Chapter House. All are welcome to attend.
Lincoln Cathedral Pancake Supper
The LCCC invites you to the annual Shrove Tuesday Supper on Tuesday 17 February in the Chapter House, where you can enjoy a 2-course meal. Tickets are £20 and are available after Sunday morning Sung Eucharist or by emailing lccc@lincolncathedral.com. Please bring your own choice of drinks. It’s recommended you join from 6.30pm, ready for a 7pm start.
Please state if you have any dietary requirements or food allergies when you buy your tickets.
Events
Children’s Come and Sing
Saturday 28 February
Learn from our music team, and perform in the Cathedral with Children’s Come and Sing, featuring songs from the musical Oliver.
Set against the stunning backdrop of our Cathedral, this is the chance for girls and boys aged seven and upwards to join our choristers, members of our junior choir and the Cathedral’s vocal coaches to rehearse much-loved songs from the musical. The day will begin with registration at 10.30am and will conclude with a performance in the Chapter House at 3pm.
To book your place, fill out the form on our website - https://lincolncathedral. com/events/childrens-come-and-sing/
Bach’s St John Passion
Saturday 21 March, 7pm
Experience the dramatic and emotional power of JS Bach’s mighty choral retelling of the last hours of Jesus’ life, in the intimate surroundings of St Hugh’s Choir, at the heart of Lincoln Cathedral. Performed in a concert setting by Lincoln Cathedral Choir in collaboration with the Byrd Consort.
An exhibition of peregrine falcon photography
Monday 23 to Sunday 29 March
Bringing together the work of local wildlife photographers, this exhibition celebrates the peregrine falcons that nest high on Lincoln Cathedral and have become a familiar and muchloved part of its life. Curated by Bruce Hargrave and sponsored by LCE Lincoln, the display reflects years of careful observation of the birds and their seasonal rhythms above the cathedral precincts.
The exhibition also marks the launch of a new book, Tales From The Towers, which presents a long-term photographic record of the cathedral peregrines. Subject to the breeding season being underway, a live feed from the peregrine nest webcam will be shown, and photographers involved in the project will be present at intervals to talk with visitors.
Be a Chorister for a Day
Saturday 9 May, 1pm
Do you know a child who loves to sing? Join us at Lincoln Cathedral to ‘Be a Chorister for a Day’!
This free event gives young singers a taste of what it is like to be a chorister at Lincoln Cathedral and is aimed at children aged 6 to 12 years old.
In the afternoon, you’ll enjoy a singing lesson with one of the Cathedral’s specialists, a tour of the Cathedral, afternoon tea and the opportunity to sing with the Cathedral Choir during Evensong.
To book your place, please complete the form on our website - https:// lincolncathedral.com/events/be-achorister-for-a-day-2/
The
Music of John Williams in concert
Saturday 16 May, 7.30pm
Join the Band of the Royal Air Force College for an unforgettable evening celebrating the iconic music of legendary composer John Williams.
Hosted by Melvyn Prior, this special charity event will raise vital funds in support of the wider Armed Forces community.
For more details of forthcoming events and to book your tickets, go to our website at www.lincolncathedral.com/ events
