The Chapter Letter Sunday next before Lent Sunday 11 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. Canon Graham Dodds: This afternoon at Evensong we will offer a very fond farewell to Graham and Pauline Dodds as Graham leaves the Cathedral and his present work in the Diocese to become Bishops Chaplain. In recent days Chapter said farewell at a very convivial supper, and there was a staff party too. 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, or half 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! Lent 2018@Wells Cathedral: Ash Wednesday: Marks the beginning of Lent, and there are services here at 8am, 9:30am and, all with the Imposition of ashes for those who wish. It would be good to make a really strong corporate beginning to this very special time in the church s year. In an address at the Cathedral Eucharist today I ll try to hint at some of the potential benefits and joys of Lent Several Lent books were reviewed here recently. The reviews are now on the Cathedral website: www.wellscathedral.org.uk/lent-reading-bookreviews. The Cathedral bookshop is stocking the books reviewed. Christian Aid Lent Lunches in Wells: Every Monday (19th February 19th March) enjoy a soup and bread lunch at Seager Hall, Union Street 12-1:30pm. A suggested donation of 3.50 supports Christian Aid.
1918-2018: 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 Evensong (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 2017 9). 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. 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. Stations of the Cross: It is our custom in Lent to meet each Friday at 12.00 noon in the Nave in order to walk the way of the Cross following our Stations of the Cross placed around the walls of the nave. It is a moving devotion to look at each Station painted beautifully by the Bulgarian artist Silvia Dimitrova in the style of an Orthodox icon. A short reading and prayer is used at each Station. This year we shall be joined by Fr. Philip Thomas from the Church of St. Joseph and St. Teresa in Wells together with members of his congregation. So it will be good to add this ecumenical dimension to our keeping of Lent. Each week will be led by a member of the Cathedral clergy and Fr. Philip. The service lasts about 30 minutes. Do join us if you have not experienced this way of praying before. The Revd John Sclater, Priest Vicar
Priest Vicar: Chapter and the wider Cathedral Community are hugely grateful for the liturgical and pastoral work of our Priest Vicars. But Chapter is also mindful of asking too much of clergy who are already retired! So we are looking to appoint a third Priest Vicar. Details of the post and an application form can be found on the Cathedral website at www.wellscathedral.org.uk/aboutus/current-vacancies. The Precentor will chair the appointment process. Bishop John Bickersteth s recent death was announced in the Cathedral last weekend, and since then he and his family have been in our prayers. Bishop John s funeral is in Salisbury at St Thomas s Church, on 20 th February at 3pm. RIP. 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! 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. A capacity audience of the best tourism businesses from across the South West region witnessed 120 trophies being presented at the South West Tourism Excellence Awards in Torquay on 1st February and we were delighted to be amongst the winners, with the Cathedral taking joint Silver in the Large Attraction category. The awards are the biggest annual regional gathering of South West tourism businesses, all entrants underwent a rigorous short-listing process with 416 being visited by a team of 45 mystery shoppers. The event was covered by the BBC, reached 177,000 people on Twitter on the night and succeeded in trending at number two in the UK for hashtags being followed on Twitter! As importantly, the award builds on our recent Gold win in the Bristol, Bath and Somerset Tourism Awards. Lindsay Mann, Head of Marketing & Communication
Organ repairs: In recent weeks Chapter has had to spend 4,000 on unexpected organ repairs. This was an unbudgeted expense. Many value the music here, and some may be in a position to make a donation towards these costs. If you can help, please catch a word with the Dean. The Cathedral Charity Box is looking a bit shabby, so we intend to refurbish it in the spring. Could you spare a few hours to dismantle it, sand down, fill holes, and possibly paint? Offers of help appreciated, to Miranda Young: miranda.young@wellscathedral.uk.net or telephone 01749 674483. Miranda Young, Head of Education & Outreach Cathedral Quiet Day for Lent will be held at the Bishop s Palace, on Wednesday 21st March from 10am-4pm, the cost of the day will be 25, which will include lunch. The Venerable Kevin Roberts will lead the day. Kevin was Archdeacon of Carlisle for seven years and was acting Archdeacon in Wells after the departure of Nicola Sullivan. Please see notice on the table in the North Transept for further information and booking. Alison Wilcox READINGS Readings for next Sunday s Cathedral Eucharist, the First Sunday of Lent: Genesis 9.8-17 and Mark 1.9-15 OF SPECIAL NOTE FOR THE COMING WEEK (Cathedral Choir half term) Every day at 8am, Morning Liturgy, Lady Chapel Mon 12 1:05pm-2pm Lunchtime Concert - Great St Mary's Choir, Cambridge Evensong with Great St Mary's Choir, Cambridge Tue 13 12:25pm 6:15pm-7pm Holy Communion Lady Chapel Evensong with Great St Mary's Choir, Cambridge Pancake Party Cathedral Café Tickets available from the Virgers Vestry or Cathedral Office 5 each. All Welcome Wed 14 9:30am Holy Communion with the Imposition of Ashes Lady Chapel Solemn Eucharist with the Imposition of Ashes - Wells Cathedral Voluntary Choir Thur 15 Evensong with Wells Cathedral Voluntary Choir Fri 16 Evensong with St John's Choir, Glastonbury Sat 17 12-12:50pm Eucharist with Prayers for Healing Lady Chapel Evensong with RSCM Voices West