This week Irene writes:
Another year is drawing to a close, and this will be the last Lifeline until the New Year. I will be taking a break for a few weeks and leaving Lifeline in the very capable hands of Val, Dominic, and Rob.
The year ends in its usual busy style, so many services and events leading to Christmas Day. All good, however in the busyness we can easily forget what Christmas is about.
Sometimes we forget that the greatest gift of all was given in a bare manger in a stable. No trimmings, no lavish expenditure just a humble birth that was to change the world.
May this Christmas be for you a celebration of the Light of the World – Jesus!
Val writes: Many years ago, a dear friend, a Catholic Priest from Florence, gave me a copy of this prayer and I felt it was an appropriate time to put it in Lifeline:
Father,
Give me the most beautiful, the greatest, the most precious gift that you have, JESUS!
When I am sick, give me Jesus
He is the Healer.
When I feel sad, give me Jesus
He is the Joy
When I feel weak, give me Jesus
He is the power.
When I feel lonely, give me Jesus
He is the Friend.
When I feel bound, give me Jesus
He is the Freedom.
When I feel downcast, give me Jesus
He is the Victory.
When I feel darkness, give me Jesus
He is the light.
When I fall in sin, give me Jesus
He is the Saviour.
When I need love, give me Jesus
He is the Love.
When I need bread, give me Jesus
He is the Bread of Life.
When I need money, give me Jesus
He is the infinite Richness.
Father,
To all my requests, for all my needs, answer with only one word, Your Eternal word: JESUS!
Father Serafino Falvo, Florence
(Written one Christmas at a time of great loneliness)
CAROL SINGING
Thank you very much to all those hardy souls who braved the cold weather and very busy pubs to spread the Minster’s name by singing Pub Carols, all very well conducted by Robin Alden. We even had a lady fly in especially from Portland, Oregon to join us (ok she may have already been in the country) but was still very keen to take part. We finished off by singing in Trinity Square. You all did an amazing job.
Jon Major
DIALOGUE SOCIETY
Revd. Irene, husband Ian, and Jon our Verger had the pleasure of attending the Dialogue Society Christmas Dinner.
The night was hosted by the youngsters of the Turkish Muslim community, and they looked after everyone incredibly well.
The meal was a typical Turkish fayre cooked by volunteers. Jon says if you have never had baklava, you must try it, especially if you have a sweet tooth.
During the night the Lord Mayor and High Sheriff gave speeches, and this was followed by a quiz all about Hull. Jon won the quiz, his team’s name was ME hence the picture!
Revd. Irene closed the evening with a prayer about inclusivity.
To say the Turkish do not celebrate Christmas they gave a great night and made everyone so welcome.
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 £30 or more, but 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.
“FROM INCLUSION TO BELONGING”
Hull Minster has been on a bit of a journey this year, especially over the last nine months. We have been determined, led by God, that we become an inclusive space. For those of you that have been in on a Thursday know that our friends from Active Daycare have been regular visitors, and since Easter we have had students from Northcott School and 6th form College, and Bishop Burton College volunteering with us.
Over this time, we’ve have introduced Ear Defenders, a sensory tent, and sensory toy table, which not only is well used on a Thursday, but children loved them over the summer holidays too. A visitor from London, praised us in the summer for these. Our students have learned valuable skills in a work environment, whilst been supported in a loving and compassionate way. Friendships have been formed, and a young man with Downs Syndrome has been able to explore his faith by asking questions and looking at some of our bibles and prayer cards.
It's been a joy to be part of the things that have been happening in Hull Minster, and to see the difference we have made to the way we think about how we use our space for those of us who see and feel the world different to others. This week our friends from Active Daycare entertained us and some of their families / carers with songs from ‘The Greatest Showman’ and they were wonderful. This showed that they feel comfortable and safe in our space, and isn’t that what we all want? Tristan, our student from Northcott School, has been with us now since Easter and stayed with us over the summer, and is continuing this academic year. The difference in his confidence and independence has been amazing. Apparently, he tells anyone that will listen that he ‘works’ at Hull Minster. We have also been able to develop relationships with the student’s families and support them. It’s not easy being a carer, so taking the time to talk to them shows that we are a supportive community for them too.
Next year we start to work with CASE, another daycare provider, we hope to develop our working relationship across Northcott School with their primary and senior school children, and Matthew’s Hub, a service for people with Autism, want to have talks with us to see how we can support them too. God has wonderful plans for us, and I have never doubted that He’s been walking this path with us, even through the difficult periods. We started this journey with wanting Hull Minster to be inclusive, however, we have moved to having a community where all people, no matter what their difference is, now belongs. I would like to thank you all for what you’ve done, and the support you’ve given for all that is happening for people with different learning abilities in Hull Minster. Although we see and feel the world different, we can bring our gifts and joy to our church community, and I think that God is doing an awesome job of showing this.
“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.” Numbers 6: 24-26 Ann Wilkinson
LEGACY
Miss Margaret Tye - RIP 18th November 2022 - Aged 95 We have received this week a significant legacy of £222,000 from Margaret Tye.
Margaret worshiped at Holy Trinity in the 1950s before moving to Warrington, some of our long-standing members may remember her.
This is a great blessing as we seek to move towards a financial sustainability. The Finance and Fundraising Working Group will be seeking advice about how we can best invest the money for the future mission and ministry of the Minster and will report back to PCC in the New Year.
A woman of deep Christian faith, Margaret attended Newland High School for girls before graduating from Hull University in 1949. She moved from Hull to pursue a career as a librarian, firstly in Crewe and latterly at the University of Chester, Chair of the Warrington Arts Council. She ran the Daresbury Lewis Carroll Society and was an expert on Peter Rabbit! Margaret last visited Holy Trinity in 2002 for her friends Golden Wedding where she was bridesmaid. Canon Dominic Black, Vicar
Christmas Ceilidh
Join us for festive fun, dancing, and joviality with our first public Christmas Ceilidh. Lead by our fantastic Ceilidh band, this evening promises to be a friendly and fun night amongst family and new friends. All ticket sales go directly towards the upkeep and community work of Hull Minster. We hope to see you there!
Best, Lucy,
Lucy Meer Commercial and Events Manager
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!
Time slots are available from 5pm to 9pm in fifteen-minute increments
COLLECT FOR FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT
Eternal God, as Mary waited for the birth of your Son,
so we wait for his coming in glory;
bring us through the birth pangs of this present age to see,
with her, our great salvation
in Jesus Christ our Lord
AMEN
COLLECT FOR CHRISTMAS DAY
Lord Jesus Christ, your birth at Bethlehem,
draws us to kneel in wonder at heaven touching earth;
accept our heartfelt praise,
as we worship you,
our Saviour and our eternal God.
AMEN
READINGS FOR FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT
Psalm 80:1-8
Hebrews 10:5-10
Luke 1:39-45
READINGS FOR CHRISTMAS DAY
Isaiah 9:2-7
Titus 2:11-14
Luke 2:1-14 (15-20)
PRAYERS FOR THE SEASON OF CHRISTMAS
· 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.
PLEASE NOTE THE NEXT LIFELINE WILL BE WEEK COMMENCING 12TH JANUARY 2025
DIARY UP TO CHRISTMAS
