Festival of Chaplaincy

From Friday 21 to Sunday 23 March 2025 a Festival of Chaplaincy, possibly the first in Great Britain, was organised in Lincoln Cathedral by the Lincolnshire Rural & Agricultural Chaplaincy with lots of input from Lincolnshire Methodist District.

On the Friday a black-tie Chaplaincy Dinner in the Cathedral with Guest speaker Sir Jonathan Van-Tam, MC John Inverdale and music by the Ensemble of the Band of RAF College was attended by 500 people. The evening, including an auction, raised around £50,000 for three charities: Lincolnshire Methodist District’s Community Healthcare Chaplaincy, the Lincolnshire Rural and Agricultural Chaplaincy and Lincoln Cathedral.

On Saturday 22nd, 3000 people walked through the doors of the Cathedral. They engaged with the many chaplains from all denominations attending the event with over 20 stands displaying the richness of chaplaincy in the county and beyond. From a Zen chaplain at the University of Lincoln to GP surgery chaplains, they were all keen to exchange with people and share their passion for chaplaincy. “Chaplaincy is about being where people are,” said Revd Ian Brown, Senior Chaplain at RAF Coningsby.

The day was also filled with craft activities on the Table for the Nation, talks from some chaplains, and music from local musicians and choirs.