The Chapter Letter. 2 nd Sunday before Lent Sunday 4 February 2018

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1 The Chapter Letter 2 nd Sunday before Lent Sunday 4 February 2018 Welcome A very warm welcome to worship at the Cathedral, with a particular greeting to those who are newcomers or visitors. It is a delight to welcome you. Before Lent begins a Pancake Party is planned for Shrove Tuesday, 13 th February. 6:15-7:30pm in the Cathedral Café. Tickets are 5. Lots of rich pancakes will be on offer! (And fruit salad too for a very small extra charge.) Those coming are invited to bring a bottle. Tickets are now on sale from the Cathedral Office, Chain Gate, and at the Virgers Vestry. Before Lent begins, let s have some convivial time together! Canon Graham Dodds: Many will by now have picked up on the news that Graham will be moving from the Cathedral soon to take up the post of Bishops Chaplain, Advisor and Office Manager. Graham and Pauline will be very much missed here, though it is a consolation to know they won t be far away. At on Sunday 11 th February we will get a chance to thank Graham for all he has done here (and in the wider diocese), and to ask a blessing on his new ministry at the Palace. It would be good to offer Graham and Pauline a gift: contributions may be placed in an envelope marked Treasurer s gift, and left at the Virgers vestry or at the Cathedral Office. Cheques may be made payable to Wells Cathedral. A Cathedral Seminar: Tuesday 6 th February, from 2pm; The Golden Rule in today s world; hearing from various faith perspectives. Who is my brother, who is my sister? Following an interfaith GCSE session in the morning, there is an invitation to come and reflect on this key theme with representatives of the Christian, Muslim, Buddhist, Jewish and Sikh traditions. Here is a chance to explore the common ground, and possible differences, in the religious traditions of our world.

2 There is no charge: there is though a sign-up sheet in the North Transept so we can know likely numbers. Both the morning session for students, and the afternoon session for adults, will be convened by Professor David Thomas, Canon Theologian. Miranda Young, Outreach and Learning Manager The Dean: is preaching at Hinton St George this morning; he returns for this afternoon, and is in Residence. Congratulations and thank you: A word of appreciation goes to all who have been involved in January s Promenade Concerts. They have been hugely enjoyable, impressive, and well attended. A real treat. Wells Cathedral School: By common consent the Cathedral Eucharist last Sunday went very well staff and students mingling with regular worshippers and visitors. It was brilliant to see the Nave full. The Children s Society are holding their annual buffet lunch on Thursday 22 nd February 12-2pm at the Town Hall. It costs 10 per person, pay at the door. A great cause! Vestments: Some of the vestments used daily in the Cathedral for the celebration of the Eucharist are in a poor state. If you would like to contribute to their replacement, perhaps in memory of a loved one, please have a conversation with the Precentor, Canon Nicholas Jepson- Biddle. Offering a welcome: Our plans for strengthening the sense of welcome and community around the Cathedral Eucharist are moving forward. The Welcome Evening mentioned in a recent Chapter Letter has been arranged for Monday 19 th March, beginning in the Chapter Room at the bottom of Vicars Close. All who have arrived as worshippers or staff over the last year or so will be invited. A date for your diary? More details soon.

3 Lent Cathedral: Several Lent books were reviewed here last week. The reviews are now on the Cathedral website: The Cathedral bookshop is stocking the books reviewed. Ash Wednesday: 14th February, services of the day 8am, 9:30am and : All services will include the imposition of ashes for those who wish. The Eucharist at will be sung by Wells Cathedral Voluntary Choir : The Conflict that shaped a Century 2018 marks the centenary of the end of World War One, a conflict that shaped the century to come in terms of theology, social practice and world politics. We have asked a series of preachers to explore some of these themes in addresses at Sunday (3pm), with tea and a seminar to follow each Sunday. We begin on 18 th February. 18 th February: The Revd Canon Rachel Mann, Canon Poetry and Poet, Manchester Cathedral: Rachel s recent book the collapse Fierce Imaginings ranges over the collapse of a culture of a culture as witnessed by the poets, soldiers and victims of the Great War. The book has been judged outstanding, and Rachel will offer rich poetry from the period. Our first speaker in Lent, Rachel Mann, has recently published Fierce Imaginings to a storm of acclaim (DLT ). The book is a study of the collapse of Victorian and Edwardian culture and belief in the trenches of World War one. And that collapse she traces in poetry, in family history, and in popular belief. Rowan Williams has called the book exceptional. It is accessible, pungent and has a deep integrity. In a sense it also frames our Lent series out of World War One was born a different culture more open to women, more democratic, more ambiguous about traditional images of God, more open to diversity. Recommended reading!

4 Taste and See: A meeting for Silent Prayer on Monday 5th February in the Chapter Room (first gate on the left at the bottom of Vicars Close, under the Vicars Hall). Starting at 6.15pm, there is a five minute introduction led by a member of the clergy or a lay person. This is followed by thirty minutes of silence, begun and ended with the ringing of a small bell. The gathering closes with a gentle recitation of an evening prayer. All are welcome. Kate Day Event in Exeter Cathedral: On Thursday, March 8 th, a talk will take place in Exeter Cathedral. Its title is At the Forefront of European Architecture?, and the four speakers are well-known experts, John Allan, Jon Cannon, Tim Tatton-Brown, and our very own Jerry Sampson. They will be examining the extraordinary burst of architectural splendour in the West Country during the 14 th century. The event lasts from to 16.00, and costs 35, which includes coffee and lunch. Many members of our Architectural and Carvings Groups are going to the event, and it occurred to us that there might be interest in the wider Cathedral community. For those who are interested, e- tickets can be obtained from Exeter Cathedral box office, whose phone number is Also, for those who would like to go, I am arranging coach transport to Exeter for as many as would prefer that to driving themselves there. Time is fairly short, so those of you who would like to travel in the coach, please let me know as soon as possible. My address is johnriviere@btinternet.com, and my phone number is John Riviere READINGS Readings for next Sunday s Cathedral Eucharist, the Sunday next before Lent: 2 Kings and Mark OF SPECIAL NOTE FOR THE COMING WEEK Every day at 8am Morning Liturgy, Lady Chapel Mon 5 6pm Taste and See The Chapter Room. All are welcome Tue 6 10am 12:25pm 2pm GCSE Religious Studies Conference Education Room Holy Communion Lady Chapel Cathedral Seminar Education Room Wed 7 9:30am Holy Communion Lady Chapel Thur 8 1:05-1:40pm Lunchtime Organ Recital by Timothy Noon Nave. All are welcome Fri 9 Choral sung by the Choir of the United Parish of East Harptree Sat 10 with Wells Cathedral Voluntary Choir Tickets for all our concerts are available from the Cathedral Shop Box Office shop@wellscathedral.uk.net or telephone:

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