This week Irene writes:
What do they say? Never work with children or animals. Rev. Rob did a great job at our animal blessing service on Sunday. There were dogs of all shapes and sizes, large, small, fat, thin, old and young yet all impeccably behaved.
We had RSPCA dogs with ‘adopt me’ collars (very hard not to be tempted!), hearing dogs, welfare dogs including Molly who comes to our Grief Awareness café, Greyhound rescue, autism support dog and a few other pet pooches.
I do believe this is the first time we have held an animal service, but I don’t think it will be the last. Hopefully, next time there will be more of God’s species to add variety!
Fred Owen the CEO at RSPCA Hull and East Riding spoke about the foundations of the group giving mention to William Wilberforce who was one of the founding members. Matt Wright, Partnership Manager read the bible verses from Genesis chapter 1 verses 24-27 which says in verse 24: ‘Then God said, “Let the earth produce every sort of animal, each producing offspring of the same kind-livestock, small animals that scurry along the ground, and wild animals”’ And that’s what happened, and God saw that it was good.
And a little further afield, Iain Ogilvie with a magnificent golden eagle in Kurdistan!
GIRLS BRIGADE
This week’s 9.30 service saw the Girls Brigade members read the reading and helped with the action songs. They also organised the prayers going around the congregation and collecting prayers on tissue paper and after reading them out they rubbed them in their hair and stuck them to balloons. The image was supposed to be that a prayer sticks with God, and he will continue to help you if you ask. Unfortunately, the science was less successful!
The girls showed some of the work they have been doing with the kind knitting and crocheting volunteers, including our own Betty, as they have been learning life skills working towards their Motivation Badges. They also received their annual badges with two receiving their three-year badges as they have attended ever since our group set up at Hull Minster.
WASHING UP!!
Gill and Michael showing our new volunteer Steve, how it all works. What a happy group, well Michael looks as if he’s enjoying himself! Steve clearly needs help!
THURSDAY MORNINGS
From Warm Space and Integrated Cafe to Welcome Cafe.
Over a year ago the Warm Space joined in with what was the Integrated Cafe and is now called the Welcome Cafe. Now, there are anywhere up to one hundred or more regular guests come in and share the welcome.
We have been so fortunate to be able to offer free tea, coffee delicious cakes and at lunch time, a hot meal that has been made in our own kitchen.
It’s been referred to as a real community hub.
The City Council’s own information facility is available to anyone that have questions of the Council. Renew, the drugs and alcohol support service, see it now as an established meeting place and because of the informal environment have been able to engage even better with those seeking ongoing support. Anyone wanting to learn more about the lives of those who have been impacted by addiction, come along and start a conversation. I have learnt so much.
There may be someone you know that is struggling with an addiction and you don’t know what to do to support a family member or friend who just may have become addict. If so, come along, confidential help is available.
For so many of those that have overcome their addiction, there is an overwhelming desire to help others.
Another regular is the NHS Hepatitis C blood testing team. Those that take a test receive a £5.00 gift voucher.
Naturally, there is ongoing pastoral support available.
For my part, this activity is what we had hoped for nearly twenty years ago when the idea of transforming the Nave was being considered. After all that’s what the Nave was created for hundreds of years ago. Tim
THURSDAY’S THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Tim leading our thought for the day based on: “when two or three are gathered together, here I am in the midst of them.”
GOLDEN BOOK
As always on Remembrance Sunday, we read out the names of those in the Golden Book. If you would like to volunteer to do some reading, please contact Jon Major. We will start reading at 1 p.m. and people can stay as long as they like and read as many as they wish.
JUNIOR CHURCH (OLDER CHOIR MEMBERS)
Making penguins (carefully supervised by Gill Alden!) for Messy Church in half-term week,
INTERNATIONAL DAY IN HULL MINSTER (Courtesy of John Swain)
ALTERATION TO SERVICE TIMES
Until recently 4 pm on a Saturday was a time for worship at the Minster. Please note that Evensong which takes place on the first and third weeks of the month will now be on a SUNDAY AT 3.30. Taize will be on the second SUNDAY AT 3.30 and there will be evening worship on the fourth SUNDAY AT 3.30
These new timings help our choristers and their families to have Saturdays free and enables the young people to have their song school before the Sunday evensong.
COLLECT FOR LAST SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY
Merciful God, teach us to be faithful in change and uncertainty,
that trusting in your word and obeying your will
we may enter the unfailing joy of Jesus Christ our Lord
AMEN
READINGS FOR LAST SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY
Psalm 34:1-8, 19-end
Hebrews 7:23-end
Mark 10:46-end
PRAYERS POINTS FOR LAST SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY
· For those areas of the world that are severely affected by climate change and by conflict that affects their ability to grow food.
· For the people in our country that they will be able to access sufficient food to feed their families.
· Help us who have plenty to give generously.
· We pray for the many areas of conflict in our world. Give wisdom to those who have the power to bring about change. Particularly we pray for the Middle East.
· We pray for the people of Ukraine, that we may help wherever we can
· We pray for all those who have been recently bereaved.
Comfort them in their sorrow.
· Help us remember always to give thanks.
DIARY FOR THE NEXT FOUR WEEKS
