Dear Friends,
In Sunday’s gospel – in either the Prayer Book or Common Worship lectionaries – we hear the third of the ‘epiphanies’ or manifestations of our Lord: the first of the ‘signs’ in John in which Jesus “revealed his glory”: the changing of water into wine at the wedding of Cana.
Over the years we’ve enjoyed welcoming Mount Street infant school to St Nick’s for their Christmas carol concerts. We are inspired and moved as each year group presents their own unique version of the Christmas story in readings and song.
If you grew up in the 1970s, like me, you will perhaps remember the early moments of the musical Godspell, when St John the Baptist sings ‘Prepare ye the way of the Lord.’ It’s an arresting entrance, interrupting the cacophonous ‘Tower of Babble’ with a simple yet cryptic message.
https://www.stnicholaslincoln.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/21_12_12_Weekly-Sheet.pdf
St Nicholas of Myra, our patron saint, is perhaps most remembered for his generosity. At a very young age he inherited a sizeable fortune. He is often depicted carrying three bags of gold to represent the help he gave to three young women who were at risk. Our tradition of giving gifts at Christmas has its origins in an earlier practice of giving children gifts on St Nicholas’ Day, the 6th of December.
The end of a year is usually a time for looking back, remembering and reflecting. What have we experienced? What have we learned? What should we commit ourselves to in the future?
Remembrance Sunday is, for me, a paradox. Today we are reminded of the very best and the very worst of our human nature: the horrors of war and our human instinct for violence; and also our capacity for breathtaking acts of courage and self-sacrifice.
Every year I’m struck by how many people attend our Service of Remembrance and Thanksgiving. Along with our Christingle Service and Crib Service it is one of the three acts of worship that are most popular with those who don’t regularly come to church. I wonder why that is? I have a few ideas, but I’d be interested to hear what you think.
This time last year we were forced to close the church for a second time. For me, that was the moment that confirmed what I had already begun to fear – Covid was going to be around for a long time to come. And here we are, a year later, wondering if this autumn might see another period of sterner restrictions on our economic, social and spiritual freedoms.
Last week I announced that I have been appointed to the role of Warden of the College of St Hugh. This weekend I want to use the opportunity of this column to explain a little more of what that means and what I am going to be doing.
This Sunday we welcome Bishop David to St Nicholas Church to conduct a Confirmation service at which eight people will commit themselves publicly to the Christian way of life.