Festival of Chaplaincy Dinner – Friday 21st March

“In life, if you are fortunate, experiences come along that have such an impact adjectives fail you and the word “Wow” is not enough! The Chaplaincy Dinner was one such event!

Generosity of sponsors and the five hundred guests, utterly humbling.

‘Thank-you’ becomes an inadequate word, to cover the heights of charitableness shown in conversations and gifts – a lavish, sumptuous night on many levels.

The Yorkshire Party Company excelled in all their serving of perfectly presented courses of food that all added to the conviviality, laughter and joy of the evening.  

Our wonderful Master of Ceremonies, John Inverdale, pitched the evening with gentle humour and understanding. Lord Van Tam, deservedly, received a standing ovation for his thoughtful speech as he explained how, in a sense, to my hearing at least he became a ‘chaplain’, in a national crisis called Covid.

This whole weekend event was about celebrating the vast array of chaplaincies locally and nationally, serving communities with imagination, open-handedness, vulnerability and passion. Too many to name but yes, the armed forces – thank you to the RAF Military Band who stirred everyone with their sensitive playing on the night –The Dinner was raising funds for the Lincolnshire Rural and Agricultural Chaplaincy Fund, Community Chaplaincy in GP surgeries and our magnificent Cathedral Chaplaincy team. Thank you to the Lincoln Cathedral for opening the space to the public and three thousand showed up!

The organising committee should feel triumphant in the task-the environment was full of light; the messaging was spot on.  ‘Words’ associated with chaplaincies flashed across the Angel Choir entrance Compassion, Comfort, Love, Empathy, Kindness…no one should have left that festive night not knowing what Chaplaincy is about, at its core!

As for this chaplain, it was a resounding re-affirmation of my calling to be Agricultural Chaplain – each word circling the Angel Choir hit home afresh to heart and head. I will ponder that night, picture that night, imagine that night for a very long time. I dare to say a meal that changed my life!  

This was the final event for the Table of the Nation being displayed and used at Lincoln Cathedral- it served that magnificent purpose I once read, “When you have more than you need, don’t build a higher fence, build a bigger table.” A bigger table for more to gather at without fear with acceptance to taste God’s transformative work I think we did that night! So many old friends and new friends a truly powerful night of sharing.”

Rev Canon Alan J Robson MSC FRAgs FRSA privileged to be Lincolnshire Agricultural Chaplain

Festival of Chaplaincy Exhibition – Saturday 22nd March

“My first and overwhelming response on entering the cathedral that Saturday morning was amazement! Both sides of the nave were a corridor of colour and activity. The stands were rich both in their variety and presentation. There were twenty-eight different chaplaincies providing information and conversation. I was drawn first to Capela – the East Coast Caravan Chaplaincy in their bright yellow sweatshirts! Their ministry is fairly typical of chaplaincy in that they make contact with individuals and communities which are often hidden, or do not fit into the usual pattern of established ministries. In the case of the Capela, they are offering support of many kinds to large numbers of people who are temporary residents often far from home and their usual support networks. Most of the chaplaincies represented are the ministry of volunteers. It was, in many ways, a festival of love and good will. It was at the same time inspiring and consoling that so much is going on, in so many areas of life, from schools to hospices, prisons to farmyards where Christians are reaching out to those in need in practical and caring ways.

But that was not all. At the amazing ‘Table of Nations’ craft activities of different kinds were underway; the whole day was accompanied by music from close harmony singers to instrumental assembles. In the Chapter House a series of talks took place. I attended two, one on the history of chaplaincy and one on university and college chaplaincy. Like the rest of the festival, they evoked strong and deep responses in those who were there and plenty of food for future thought and action.”

Reverend Canon Andrew Hawes SSC

Over 20 chaplaincies from across the country had an exhibition space to show the general public what their specific chaplaincy does. There were chaplains who served from the armed forces and the police. Then there were chaplains who help and support the general public and could be found in schools, GP surgeries, hospices, Universities, sporting venues, caravan sites, and hospitals. You can even find chaplains helping seafarers at Grimsby Docks. Other chaplains aren’t located at a specific location and can be found in the local community like our own Agricultural Chaplain, who visits Louth Cattle Market to speak to farmers. 

Some of the chaplaincies organised craft activities at the Table of the Nation and their were talks on the history of chaplaincy, the work of an RAF chaplain, agricultural chaplain and the chaplain who supports seafarers at Grimsby docks. Around 3,000 people visited Lincoln Cathedral and the Festival of Chaplaincy. 

On Sunday 23rd March a special evensong celebrating Chaplaincy was held at Lincoln Cathedral.  Guest preacher was The Venerable Dr Giles Legood, MBE, KHC, Chaplain in Chief of the RAF Chaplains Branch and Archdeacon for the Royal Air Force. Below is the YouTube video of the Evensong, if you would like to hear the sermon it starts at 54:23. 

An extract from Dr Giles Legood, MBE, KHC sermon. 

“As we come together this afternoon, after this splendid weekend where we celebrated chaplaincy in it’s many guises. We do so remembering that all Christian Ministry, indeed all Christian life, ought to be undertaken with a sense of honesty, pragmatism and a sense of humour.

Chaplaincy has a long but often forgotten role in the life of the Church. In England since the 7th century under the then leadership of the then Archbishop of Canterbury Theodore of Tarsus, most Christian Ministry has been based on location, on geography. In the Church of England we have called this the parish and other denominations have used the same word and others have talked of circuits etc. What has united people in this model of ministry was they were based in one place. People went to a local church where they lived and were ministered to there. Chaplaincy however, has been a model where geographically dispersed group of people are ministered to because of a common cause or reason, not simply because they live close to one another. 

Chaplaincies grew rapidly during the Victorian Era, as hospitals, schools, prisons, and other institutions had clergy set aside for that specific task as chaplain, and not as a sort of add-on to any Parish duties. In the 20th century chaplains emerged in all sorts of new and exciting ways and they continue to develop in our age. 

As I wandered down the nave of this magnificent Cathedral yesterday and saw all the wonderful festival stalls, I noticed Chaplaincy in over 20 areas. There was information on chaplaincy in agriculture, healthcare, education, leisure industries, armed forces, seafarers etc. I also know of Chaplaincies at airports, industry, in horse racing, the emergency services, unions, financial institutions, sports etc. and I’m sure there are many others.”

A staggering sun of £54,000 was raised at the Festival of Chaplaincy fund raising dinner held in Lincoln Cathedral on Friday 21st March 2025. As a sold out event, 500 guests enjoyed a delicious meal in the glorious surroundings of the Cathedral Nave whilst generously supporting Lincoln Cathedral and two Lincolnshire Chaplaincies – Lincolnshire Rural and Agricultural Chaplaincy and Lincolnshire Community Healthcare Chaplaincy (Chaplains in GP surgeries). Hosted by John Innervdale and with support from school ambassador pupils from 6th Form at Lincoln Minster School, the event exceeded all expectations from the organisers.

The dinner marked the start of a whole weekend celebrating the work of Chaplains.  Sally-Ann Robinson, joint chair of the organising committee of the Festival commented on presentation of the cheque, stating that “The outstanding success of the Festival was not only to raise much needed funds but also to increase awareness of the work of Chaplains, offering support and a listening ear where needed across the County.  The committee would like to thank all the sponsors and guests who attended this event.”