Summer 2017

SUMMER 2017 ISSUE 132
‘Thy Kingdom Come’ Beacon Event,
Lincoln Cathedral.
People from around the diocese gathered in Lincoln Cathedral on Saturday
evening (3rd June 2017) for an evening of celebration, praise and prayer as
part of Thy Kingdom Come 2017.
One of many Beacon Events taking place around the world, the Worship
Team from St Swithin’s Church in Lincoln led the worship, with the event
also including short films and opportunities for those gathered to pray for
loved ones and local, national and international concerns.
In his address, the Bishop of Lincoln spoke on the subject of prayer,
reflecting that “Prayer is a means of building our friendship with God, built
up over time, nurtured by spending time waiting in his presence, putting in
the hours, which any good, healthy relationship needs.”
Prayer was at the very heart of the evening: those gathered were invited
to stand and face north, south, east and west in the offering of prayers for
the world, and later there was time to light candles, to pray around the
font, to walk a labyrinth and for people to be anointed with holy oil.
As the evening drew to a close, crosses decorated with prayers and images
showing local communities and activities were processed down the nave, a
visible sign and reflection of all that Thy Kingdom Come 2017 has brought
to
the people of our diocese and the wider world. Two photographs from
activities at St Thomas’ Market Rasen were placed on these crosses to
represent our community. Members of our congregation joined with people
across the diocese to bring to a close this important initiative across the
country. It would be good to see more of our congregation join with us in
similar events in the future.
Rev Steve Johnson
!5