Cathedral News
Sunday 15 February - Sunday 1 March
A pilgrimage for Lent
As Lent begins this coming week, it is a good time to draw attention to the Cathedral’s Stations of the Cross in the Nave. Designed and made by William Fairbank, they have been a feature on the walls of the Nave for many years. Although their message and beauty are relevant all year, it is during Lent that they have an even greater significance.
From the earliest days of the Church, believers longed to walk in the footsteps of Jesus. When Christians were first able to travel freely to Jerusalem, they began tracing the path of his passion, the ‘Way of Sorrow’ (via dolorosa), stopping to pray at certain places along the route. During the 15th and 16th centuries, the Franciscans set up tableaux to aid devotions along this ‘Way of Sorrow.’
As centuries passed, not everyone could make the journey to the Holy Land, and the practice was brought back to churches, their grounds and cloisters, to allow those who could not travel to Jerusalem to reflect on the ‘Way of the Cross’ (via crucis). Communities created their own “stations,” allowing the faithful to walk with Christ in spirit.
The Stations tell the story of the last day of Jesus life. The traditional number of fourteen stations was established by Pope Clement XII in 1731, involving nine scriptural stations and a further five stations based on popular devotion, such
as the story of Veronica. Some stations include a 15th station commemorating the resurrection.
Today, we can all join that long tradition. This Lent, a service at the Stations of the Cross will be held on Wednesday afternoons. Alternatively, you can walk the pilgrimage on your own or with a friend. Booklets will be left at the first Station for you to use.
As you move from station to station, you echo the footsteps of countless pilgrims before, opening yourself to the mystery of Christ’s love made visible in his final journey. As you do this, take time to ‘live’ with each station, imagine the scene and offer your own thoughts and prayers. You are encouraged to touch the wood if this helps your devotions. As you walk, slow your pace, open your hearts, and allow Christ’s final steps to speak into your own lives, your society and your world.
Maybe this Lent the Stations of the Cross could be a pilgrimage that you might undertake, and which might help you to have a deeper understanding and love for all that Christ has done for you.
Ann Mazur, Co-ordinator Duty Chaplains
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.
Ash Wednesday Wednesday 18 February 8am – Morning Prayer
8.30am – Holy Communion with Ashing
12.30pm – Holy Communion with Ashing
5.30pm – Evening Prayer
7.30pm – Sung Eucharist with Ashing
Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent (the season of preparation for Easter). On this day many Christians receive the sign of the cross in ash on their foreheads to show they are sorry for the times when they have made poor choices and to remind them of their faith in Jesus Christ
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.
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 Ed Atherton
We are delighted to welcome Ed Atherton to the Cathedral community as Facilities Manager. You’re sure to see him around the Cathedral, please give him a warm welcome.
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
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
World Festivals Week - Family Crafts
Monday 16 to Friday 20 February
Learn about the joy found in festivals from around the world this February half-term with our World Festivals Week Family Crafts.
Join us for a colour and light-filled crafting week as we celebrate festivals from around the world, including Chinese New Year, Lent, Easter, Pongal, Makar Sankranti, Kite Festival and much more. Each day we’ll be celebrating a different festival, so be sure to stop by every day if you can!
These crafts will be available in the Learning Centre and North Transept of the Nave from 10am to 3.30pm each day
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/theannual-edward-king-lecture/
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
