REV. IRENE writes:
Every weekend I think to myself ‘not got much for Lifeline this week’ yet by Sunday evening it is all there which shows there is lots happening each week at the Minster. Our vigil for Ukraine was very special on Saturday – one year and a day since the war began in Ukraine. You will see a couple of pictures later in Lifeline. We have some really good relationships with our Ukrainian friends and we hope they will drop into our ‘welcome café’ on a Thursday morning so we can develop further the link with them. Please continue to pray for a peaceful outcome and safety for all family members and friends that these people have had to leave behind.
EXCITING JUNIOR CHURCH!!
Junior Church continued their journey through the New Testament. Today they read the story about the visit of the Wise Men to worship baby Jesus. An interesting discussion followed about navigation and astrology then and now. A sample of frankincense was passed around much to the delight of some and not to others! Then the children enthusiastically participated in a re-enactment of the story with Rev Rob playing the part if a very menacing King Herod.
IN THE BEGINNING…
Our all-age worship service this morning went back to Genesis, the first book of the bible, where we heard of the temptation in the garden of Eden. Our children made fruit trees with the serpent climbing up the trunk of the tree to remind them how easy it is to be tempted.
A NEW MEMBER OF THE CHOIR
Dylan joined us two weeks ago and has come from Highlands Primary School in North Bransholme. He’s very keen to learn and loved his first service, including wearing the robes! It’s been wonderful to welcome him and his family into the church and his mum is immensely proud (rightly so). It takes real courage to step into being a committed journey like this and the effort required from parents in terms of support (travel and time) is a real stretch for many in terms of daily life routines. Dylan is also very keen to learn the piano….so, we are currently arranging a teacher for him and will fund those lessons via the choral scholarship scheme. As ever, any support you can give re helping these youngsters realise their potential is much appreciated, in our community and the home communities of the choir children (Mark Keith, Director of Music)
PICTURE OF YET ANOTHER TALENTED MUSICIAN!
Juan Isaac is a very talented and precocious student at St Mary's who I am hoping will join the Minster family. I've offered the use of our piano for practice and would like eventually to entice him onto the organ. He's only in Year 7 but will be doing his Grade 5 at Easter. He's essentially self-taught, having only started lessons at Christmas, which makes him a little bit of a savant. He entertained everyone through coffee after the Sunday service and it was stunning!!
STARTING YOUNG!
Guess what I’m going to be when I grow up? Young master Arthur Fear explores during Sunday Worship.
Girls Brigade
Lauren Jeffries We celebrated Shrove Tuesday, and each wrote on our pancakes what we're giving up: puddings, chocolate, buying things we don't need.
FINANCIAL GROUPS
Giving at Hull Minster
On behalf of the finance committee, we wanted to share with you something about Hull Minster finances and our giving.
Firstly, to say THANK YOU – thank you to each person that gives, as without our giving we could not keep Hull Minster open and do all that we do in the Minster, local community, schools and the city. It costs around £1,000 a day to run the Minster, and every penny is raised locally through our giving, grants, the café, shop, and events.
We are now in the season of Lent, the period of time set aside in preparation for Easter when we are all invited to deepen our discipleship. We might observe this through fasting each week or from particular foods, and setting time aside for prayer. The purpose is to consider where we are in our walk with God and to intentionally go deeper in that walk.
Giving is part of our discipleship, Jesus talked about where your money is, there your heart will be.
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal; but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:19-21
Lent also provides an invitation for us to consider our giving. One of the best things we can do is to give regularly, and we have a parish giving scheme that makes this very simple to do. If you consider that Hull Minster is your church, and you want to start giving regularly you can find out more on the website here https://hullminster.org/give or please come and speak to a member of the clergy or finance committee. Giving regularly helps with a steady flow of income and if you Gift-Aid we can claim back an extra 25%. If you already give regularly, thank you. Maybe during this period of Lent, you might prayerfully review your giving.
“Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not regretfully or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” 2 Corinthians 9:7
Heather Black
WELCOME CAFÉ (from strangers to friends)
Welcome Café launches this Thursday 2nd March and will be every Thursday morning 10:30 – 12 noon. Please do drop in and support whenever you can. We hope to grow this facility and invite many different groups along. There will be newspapers, games, table talk and much more with coffee and cake supplied. It is extremely important that our church family pop along from time to time as we need people to welcome and chat to those that may be visiting for the first time.
LENT: ZOOM BIBLE STUDY
For the six weeks of Lent, different people from the group will each present their own interpretation of related topics. This last week Becky Dexter took the theme of THE RHYTHM OF THE DAY reflecting the Northumbrian Community’s ordering of prayers and readings. Becky is a very prayerful person and finds this a great help. Her ideas of prayer baskets quite caught the imagination of the group. If you want to know more, why not ask her?
PRAYER POINTS FOR THE THIRD WEEK OF FEBRUARY
We pray for all those who are suffering in Turkey and Syria, for families that have lost loved ones and for those risking their lives in the recovery operation.
For those we know who are sick or bereaved, for healing and comfort.
We pray for peace in our world especially as fighting Ukraine has reached one year
We pray for all the young people that are part of the church family at the Minster. That they may grow in faith and understanding.
COLLECT FOR THE SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT
Almighty God,
by the prayer and discipline of Lent
may we enter into the mystery of Christ’s suffering,
and by following in His way
may we come to share in His glory
through Jesus Christ our Lord
AMEN
READINGS FOR 5TH MARCH
Psalm 121
Genesis 12:1-4a
Romans 4:1-5, 13-17
John 3:1-17
DIARY FOR THE NEXT FOUR WEEKS
Two of the young men and Tracey were taken up the tower by Jon. An amazing way to see the city.
GRIEF AWARENESS CAFE
Three of the ladies from the Grief Café last week where we were delighted that Tony NHS Chaplain joined us in the hope that he can start something similar at HRI. New people are turning up each month and finding comfort and friendship as they share refreshments together.
MINSTER PRAISE
This will be held on Thursday 16th at 10:30. Everyone is welcome to this short informal service followed by cakes and coffee/tea
A BIG THANK YOU FROM DAVE ALLUM
Thank you to everyone at Hull Minster for all the gifts, cards and good wishes on the occasion of my 85th Birthday and “retirement” last weekend. Val, as ever, produced a lovely cake, despite feeling poorly, which was enjoyed by everyone after the service. The unexpected flowers were much appreciated by Julia.
STEPPING UP
GROWING NEW DISCIPLES IN PLACES WHERE
LIFE IS TOUGH.
A new Stepping Up learning Community will be starting in Hull after Easter.
Stepping Up provides an opportunity for lay people to come together once a week with people from other parishes in Hull to grow together as disciples of Jesus, and explore how to develop mission in their local community.
Over forty people have now completed Stepping Up in the urban and coastal communities of our York Diocese. They are involved in mission in their church and community in many different ways, and witnessing their churches grow as they share God’s love in the local community. You can read some of their stories and watch a video about Stepping Up here www.mseed.org
If you are interested in finding out more about Stepping Up, please speak to Heather or contact her at heather.black@yorkdiocese.org T 07852151740
Hilda’s Heirs! Wow it is great to have an event celebrating women in faith at the Minster!
Hilda’s Heirs 11th March 2023 10:30-3:30pm
“Hilda’s Heirs is a fun day of activities celebrating women and girls in mission and ministry. It is based at Hull Minster but includes an optional treasure hunt around the city.
Children and young people are invited to attend with leaders from their groups or their family. Activities include: brass rubbing, designing stained glass windows and a Minster Mystery Trail.
The day will start with a short worship service and end with a communion led by Bishop Eleanor of Hull and Leslie Newton (Chair of the Methodist District). During the day there will be a variety of activities and crafts on offer. A soup and sandwich lunch will be provided by the Hull Minster Cafe.
We are asking for contributions of £5 per head (£15 per family) towards food and resources, but please get in touch with carolyn.edwards@yorkdiocese.org or victoria@methodistyouth.org.uk if you need to discuss a bursary”.
You can book tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/hildas-heirs-tickets-525415009437
I am so excited to be taking part in this event which has been organised by the York Diocese. It is great to run a group for girls and be able to celebrate how amazing women are and how we can work together to learn more about God, our faith and share with others the amazing things he did for us. It is great for our girls and families to see how faith works through different people at different stages in their journey.
I hope to see you there,
Blessings
Lauren
PRAYER POINTS FOR THE SECOND WEEK OF FEBRUARY
We pray for all those who are suffering in Turkey and Syria, for families that have lost loved ones and for those risking their lives in the recovery operation.
For those we know who are sick or bereaved, for healing and comfort.
We pray for peace in our world.
For the safety of all children during the school holidays and for a restful time for all staff who work in schools.
COLLECT FOR THE SUNDAY NEXT BEFORE LENT
Holy God
you know the disorder of our sinful lives;
set straight our crooked hearts
and bend our wills to love your goodness and your glory
in Jesus Christ our Lord
AMEN
READINGS FOR 19th FEBRUARY
Psalm 2
Exodus 24:12-end
2 Peter 1:16-end
Matthew 17:1-9
DIARY FOR THE NEXT FOUR WEEKS
PRAYER POINTS FOR THE SECOND WEEK OF FEBRUARY
· We pray for all volunteers and staff at the Minster
We pray for all those struggling to keep warm and well-fed during this difficult economic period
For those we know who are sick or bereaved, for healing and comfort
We pray for peace in our world
We pray for the family of Nicola Bulley during these difficult days
COLLECT FOR THE SECOND SUNDAY BEFORE LENT
Almighty God
give us reverence for all creation
and respect for every person
that we may mirror your likeness
in Jesus Christ our Lord
AMEN
READINGS FOR THE 12TH FEBRUARY
Psalm 136
Genesis 1:1-23
Romans 8:18-25
Matthew 6:25-end
PRAYER POINTS FOR THE FOURTH WEEK OF JANUARY
We pray for all volunteers and staff at the Minster
·We pray for the ‘warm church’ initiative. For guidance as changes are made and another day is introduced
For those we know who are sick or bereaved, for healing and comfort.
We pray for an end to the unrest in our country due to the many strikes that are taking place – for an acceptable solution
COLLECT FOR THE FOURTH SUNDAY OF EPIPHANY
DIARY FOR THE NEXT FOUR WEEKS
READINGS FOR 29nd JANUARY
