This week Irene writes:
Congratulations to Kevin Sinfield as he completed seven ultra marathons in seven days – what an achievement. Kevin ran in memory of his dear friend Rob Burrows who died from MND in June last year. Kevin has raised more than half a million pounds with his fifth annual challenge. We were delighted that he passed by the Minster on Thursday, and in awe of his achievement.
It is amazing how many charities rely on the goodwill of others, hearing only this week how some hospices are having to make redundancies and close beds due to the shortage of funds.
This leads me on to ‘volunteers’. You will see below pictures from our volunteer party last week. Thank you to ALL Hull Minster volunteers and to Shirley for organising such a good event, and of course thank you to those who work in so many different fields of volunteering.
I was reminded by Olga, one of our Ukrainian friends, that Thursday was National Volunteer Day hence the picture of just a small number of our regular Thursday group of volunteers. Let’s give thanks and prayers for all these very special people.
THURSDAY VOLUNTEERS - ALWAYS SMILING!
VOLUNTEERS PARTY
The singer was Martin Jackson, a local entertainer, and a great singer!
OLGA’S RECOLLECTIONS
War was imminent so we came to Wakefield from Jarrow. Mother was given the choice of working in an arms factory at Thorpe Arch or returning to teaching. One of the men in the school had gone to war, so it was no contest as this was her calling anyway. My brother and I went to the local schools.
So how did we keep learning and growing in faith amongst life’s turmoil?
In Canada, Mum had some special childhood friends who were from Wakefield, but who had kept in touch. Thanks to their contact, Mum found a group called UNITY. They produced a monthly booklet of daily readings and a lovely childrens’ magazine with so much for us to do and we enjoyed its games and puzzles, and no ‘Holy Joe’ influence. Now all I have is this prayer, but it says so much:
THE POWER OF FAITH
God is my help in every need.
God does my every hunger feed.
God walks beside me, guides my way,
Through every moment of the day.
I am now wise, I now am true,
Patient kind and loving too.
All things I am, can do, and be,
Through Christ, the Truth that is in me.
God is my health; I can’t be sick.
God is my strength, unfailing, quick.
God is my all, I know no fear,
Since God and love and truth are here.
Hannah More Kohaus
KNITTERS AND CRAFTERS
Well done to Becky & Glynis who have raised over £100 on one day along. This money will help purchase new pads for the defibrillator. Can you help? Contact Becky or Glynis for more information.
Raising money for defibrillator pads.
Minster Crafters Christmas Stall
Saturday 7th to 21st December 10.30 a.m. to 3.30 p.m. two weeks.
List of days open will be on the stall on 7th December
There will be a few new items for Christmas plus our normal handmade Christmas items together with hats, gloves, and many other gift ideas.
MINSTER SHOP
There is a lovely selection of calendars, countdowns and candles to celebrate Advent which is only just over a month away. We are very grateful to Julia Allum for designing this year‘s Christmas card. There is an excellent selection of Charity Christmas cards which are new to the Shop this year. The Shop is open Tuesday to Saturday 10-4.
FLOWERS IN THE MINSTER If you would like to sponsor a week’s flower arrangement in memory of a loved one or simply as a present for a special birthday or anniversary’ please contact our wonderful ‘flower lady’ Fiona.
A notice will be displayed by each arrangement and by the welcomers’ desk saying who they are for and who donated.
For these wonderful arrangements, a recommended donation will be between £25-£30 or, if you didn’t want an arrangement, you could simply donate to the flower fund to keep the church looking wonderful.
Fiona can be emailed on: flowers@hullminster.org or you could ask our Verger Jon jmajor@hullminster.org to put your name forward.
WANTED - FOR PUB CAROLS
December 14th
Any singers and musicians (who can play a portable instrument) for ‘Pub Carols’, we haven’t done this for a couple of years but now feel it should be resurrected fundraiser. As you’d appreciate our wonderful choir is extremely busy over this period so it would be unfair to rely on them alone.
We will start at Sailmakers on High Street at 5pm, then onto the following: the gardens outside Lion & Key and Fretwells, Ye olde White Harte, George Hotel, Calla on Whitefriargate, (possibly Savile Street Freedom Quarter), Furley & Co., Kingston and finishing at Head of Steam.
These may change depending on how busy the pubs are.
This is a bit of fun and a great chance to socialise, who knows there may even be a chance of a mulled wine. If you can help, please see Jon Major.
LUXMURALIS - SCIENCE
Following sell-out shows in 2024, Luxmuralis is back with Science; an immersive show which is designed to enable people to explore and contemplate the contributions of science and human understanding of the physical world around us. The installation will see the Minster transformed into a fully immersive artwork exploring Chemistry and Biology and interprets artistically the scale of molecules cells and DNA as well as exploring the history of science, the contributions of science to humanity, and offers a reflection upon famous scientists’ past and present.
Science by Luxmuralis will run from Wednesday 22nd January, with several performances per evening. Booking is essential and tickets are now on sale!
ST. JOHN’S AMBULANCE BRIGADE - SPONSORS
Time slots are available from 5pm to 9pm in fifteen-minute increments
VISIT OF THE YORKSHIRE ARCHDEACONS
It was a pleasure to play host to the annual meeting of Yorkshire Archdeacons on Wednesday. It was great to see Archdeacon Andy back in the Minster and his son Dan also made an appearance. .
ASSISTANT VERGER
Ann Wilkinson was officially admitted (dobbed in) as a full member of the Vergers Guild York Branch at their AGM. The meeting was followed by a service of Eucharist held at St. Olav’s in York then we went for lunch.
Please pray for Ann as she starts her journey as assistant Verger.
COLLECT FOR THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT
God for whom we watch and wait, you sent John the Baptist to
prepare the way of your Son;
give us courage to speak the truth, to hunger for justice
and to suffer for the cause of right,
with Jesus Christ our Lord
AMEN
READINGS FOR THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT
Psalm 146:4-end
Philippians 4:4-7
Luke 3:7-18
PRAYERS FOR THE THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT
· Help us, through Advent, to be prayerful as we prepare for celebrating the coming of Christ into our world
· 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.
DIARY UP TO CHRISTMAS
