This week Irene writes:

Who could resist the pictures below! We were delighted that Craig from Shepherd’s Funeral Directors came along to our Grief Café last week with his welfare dog Molly.

Its amazing  how the help of our four-legged friend allows us to break down barriers and share our grief with other in similar situations.

Graig and Molly visit various places including local residential homes bringing joy to many.  They also hope to make our Grief Café on a regular basis.

RSPCA SERVICE – this Sunday 20th October at 2 p.m.

Do come along and join us, along with your animals, or just bring yourselves.

ACTIVE CARE DAY 

‘Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God’  Matthew 5:8

Our friends from Active Day Care have been visiting us on a Thursday at the Welcome Café, for some months now, and I have spent most weeks with them getting to know them and building up their trust and listening to their stories. When I read The Beatitudes recently the above verse 8 stood out for me, as it described these people so well.

They do not want anything complicated from me, they do not gossip amongst one another, they do not try to get ‘one over’ each other, they accept each other’s strengths and weaknesses for what they are, they talk each other up not down, and they find joy in the little things.

Our Active Day Care groups had some time away from us over the summer doing other activities, and their first week back was awesome. I had several of them ‘high 5ing’ me, hugging me and desperate to tell me their news, to the point it was a little overwhelming that I was so popular with so many people. I had one young man telling me that he had mince pies in his pack up, one lady telling me it was her Grandma’s birthday, and they were having a party, one lady telling me where she’d been on holiday, and one lady telling me she’d had a fall out with her Mum. None of these conversations were complicated or deep, however, they were all personal and their stories, and all they wanted was for me to sit and be with them and listen.

The photograph is of Abby, a gentle soul, who it took several months to build trust with just to get her to tell me her name. After the summer away, the thing she wanted most was a photograph with Claire because they were FRIENDS. Isn’t that what we all want? Friendships, and the feelings of belonging, where we are loved unconditionally. What I see on a Thursday is God at work through these people, difference doesn’t matter to them, everyone is included.

We are the body of Christ, and the body is made up of lots of different parts. Inclusion should be our first value as a church because it’s our differences and gifts that brings richness and joy to God’s Kingdom.  Ann Wilkinson

THURSDAY MORNINGS

From Warm Space and Integrated Cafe to Welcome Cafe.
It was two years ago last week that the first Warm Space initiative started.  It followed  a call from Central Government that asked for somewhere where those that had been impacted by the economic crisis following the invasion of The Ukraine, could meet and be given support.
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.
A couple of weeks ago there was an unexpected delegation from London who came on a fact finding visit to see what it was all about.
Rev Irene and I are so grateful to the growing team of volunteers, Sister Catherine, Gill, Sarah, Therese,  Jo, Mary, John and Mike who offer so much to the smooth running of what can be a very demanding day.
It is interesting that some of those who received, now help out. That is so rewarding that from just turning up to receive they are now willing to serve others.
There are other unexpected things that happen which were never foreseen.
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

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.

This is a courtesy notice regarding parking at Hull Minster.
A few weeks ago the council repainted the yellow lines down the North side of the church.  Parking attendants patrol this area frequently and are giving out parking tickets to those who park there unless they are a blue badge holder.
It is the responsibility of the driver to ensure they are parking legally.  The nearest car park to the church is on Lowgate opposite the King Billy statue, Zebedee’s yard or on South Side (parking meter).  It is worth noting however, that in the next few weeks the portacabin's will be removed.  This will create more space for parking legally (watch this space)!  Thank you all for your co-operation.  Shirley Kay

COLLECT FOR TWENTY-FIRST SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY

Almighty God, in whose service lies perfect freedom;

teach us to obey you with loving hearts and steadfast wills;

through Jesus Christ our Lord

AMEN

READINGS FOR TWENTY-FIRST SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY

Psalm 104:1-10

Hebrews 5:1-10

Mark 10:35-45

PRAYERS POINTS FOR TWENTY-FIRST SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY

·         We pray for working animals giving thanks for the help they give to so many services and individuals. Praying for all involved in the work of the RSPCA

·         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 all those who have been recently bereaved. 

Comfort them in their sorrow.

·         Help us remember to always give thanks.

DIARY FOR THE NEXT FOUR WEEKS

 DIARY FOR THE NEXT FOUR WEEKS