Cathedral News
Sunday 1 March - Sunday 15 March
Lazarus
If you pass by the chapel at St Hugh’s Shrine during Lent, you will see a painting called ‘Lazarus’, painted by Alice Mary Fitzpayne, a Lincolnshire artist, which illustrates the story of John 11, a passage we will hear in our main Sunday service in a few weeks’ time.
It is, I think, an apt image for us to journey with across Lent, reminding us of Jesus’ invitation for us to be ‘unbound’ from all that hold us captive – fears, anxieties, despair, and all that feels like death. The story also reminds us that we cannot do this unbinding alone; we often feel caught up and trapped, or that these layers are so much a part of ourselves that we cannot imagine who we could be without them. This is why this painting with its image of Jesus supporting Lazurus in his unbinding – a wild and beautiful unravelling, always unfolding - never completed, seems to resonate. I hope you might make some time to take a look at the painting, and sit, even for a few moments, to consider that same invitation Jesus offers to you.
Lazarus Blessing
The secret of this blessing is that it is written on the back of what binds you.
To read this blessing, you must take hold of the end of what confines you, must begin to tug at the edge of what wraps you round.
It may take long and long for its length to fall away, for the words of this blessing to unwind in folds about your feet. By then you will no longer need them.
By then this blessing will have pressed itself into your waking flesh, will have passed into your bones, will have travelled every vein until it comes to rest inside the chambers of your heart that beats to the rhythm of benediction and the cadence of release.
— Jan Richardson from Circle of Grace: A Book of Blessings for the Seasons
Rowena King, Canon Missioner
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 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.
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.
Stations of the Cross
The Stations of the Cross is a reflective journey to the cross using prayers, scriptures, and silence that helps us to connect our lives, our society and our world, with Jesus’s life and death, recognising his presence in our lives at all times.
All are welcome to join us on the following Wednesdays at 4.30pm in the Nave: 25 February, 4, 11, 18 March. On Wednesday 25 March we will meet at 3.30pm.
Additionally, there will be two evening services for Stations of the Cross in the Nave on Thursday 5 March, Thursday 26 March at 6.30pm. Entry and exit will be through the Galilee Porch.
After Hours - An evening of Taizé
Sunday 8 March, 6pm
After Hours provides a quiet and reflective service, enjoying the special space of evening in the Cathedral. This month we worship in the style of Taizé, with short repeated chants, readings and silence. We will also hear from our young adults about their pilgrimage to Taizé last summer.
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
Welcome Norya Irani
We are delighted to welcome Norya Irani to the Cathedral community as HR Business Partner. You’re sure to see her around the Cathedral, please give her a warm welcome.
Special Summer Tours
This summer, we have some amazing limited-time tours for you to join and uncover details about the Cathedral that are not often heard.
Katherine Swynford Tour
With exclusive access to Katherine’s home in the Cathedral close, which is now the Deanery, you’ll have the rare opportunity to see her private chapel, great hall and living quarters, as well as exploring the areas most closely associated with her in the Cathedral.
Workshop Tour
Step behind the scenes on a rare workshop tour and meet the stonemasons, joiners, glaziers, plumbers, conservators, and facilities team whose expertise sustains the Cathedral.
Poetry, Prose and Passion Tour
From Geoffrey Chaucer to Lewis Carroll, step inside the magnificent Lincoln Cathedral and journey through almost a thousand years of literary history.
Tickets are now on sale, but spaces are limited and sell fast. Visit our website to find out more and to book your tickets - https://lincolncathedral.com/ cathedral-tours/
Crafts and creativity
For February half-term, the Education Team hosted a very successful family week of crafting on the theme of World Festivals, attracting more than 500 visitors. The theme was chosen to share how different cultures and religions share common ideals and come together as communities to celebrate during festivals. Each day marked a theme: New Life, Harvest, Thanksgiving, Fasting & Feasting, and Light. As well as Christian festivals, the crafts were based on Muslim, Jewish, Sikh and Hindu festivals. Visitors said:
“Both my children loved the arts and crafts on offer”
“Daughter loved it, she came back every day! Went to the café every day as well!”
“So good, thank you! Just came to the café and saw it was on”
“Wonderful crafts. Always a warm welcome!”
New product range
‘Climate Connection’ is our new range of eco-friendly products by Lincolnshire designer Jane Alford. Driven by a desire to make the world a better place for her grandchildren, she recycles high-quality household fabrics and materials into handmade tote bags, purses, handbag organisers, and more. Each item is 100% cotton or linen fabric. Pop into the shop and browse the full range.
We are looking for a mini-bus driver to join our team at the Song School. The purpose of this role is to transport junior members of the Cathedral Choir to and from the Cathedral and their school during the working week, and occasionally to drive the choir to concerts in the county.
Full details of the post and how to apply can be foundon our websitehttps://lincolncathedral.com/currentvacancies/
Organ Repairs
On Monday 16 February, several largescale pipes were removed from the great soundboards inside our Father Willis Organ. These heavy reed pipes are showing signs of metal fatigue and, if not repaired, could fail altogether, potentially causing damage to neighbouring pipes. Alongside this essential work, the organ is receiving an upgraded general piston system with a new stepper facility, which will increase the organ’s versatility and ease of use.
To facilitate the installation, two of the four keyboards have been carefully removed and transferred to the workshop of Harrison & Harrison. The project is expected to take approximately four weeks. During this period, the organ will remain playable, though with slightly reduced capacity, and will be fully recommissioned in time for Holy Week and Easter. We offer our thanks to the expert technicians and craftsmen at Harrison & Harrison for their expertise in maintaining this world-class instrument.
LCCC’s Summer Outing
Save the date - On Saturday 11 July, the LCCC will take their summer outing to visit Stow Minster. More details to follow.
Cathedral Chat
Thursdays, 3.30pm – 4.30pm
Fancy a coffee and a chat? Bump into friends old and new and join Rowena, our Canon Missioner, at our welcoming table at the Cathedral Café. No need to book, just turn up.
Keith Jones
We were very sorry to hear of the death of Keith Jones, former Secretary of the Friends of Lincoln Cathedral. His funeral will take place at 2pm on Thursday 19 March in St Hugh’s Choir. All are welcome to attend.
Events
Edward King Lecture
Saturday 7 March, 3pm
We welcome all to join us for our annual Edward King lecture. This year’s lecture will be: When the World is Unravelling: What Faith and Science Tell Us About Living Wisely by The Revd Dr Gillian Straine.
The Lecture takes place in the Chapter House and is free to attend, but to help with planning, please use the following link to reserve your seat - https:// lincolncathedral.com/events/the-annualedward-king-lecture/
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.
To book your place, please complete the form on our website - https:// lincolncathedral.com/events/be-achorister-for-a-day-2/
For more details of forthcoming events and to book your tickets, go to our website at www.lincolncathedral.com/ events
