This week Revd. Dominic writes:
Easter 2025 at Hull Minster
Our Easter services and celebrations have been very significant this year, with the first ever Passion Play in Hull watched by hundreds of people on the streets and thousands more on Look North. Thank you to our verger Jon Major for having the vision to make this happen and to the Passion Trust for the grant that covered all the costs. We are indebted to the Revd Philip West for his experience and support in bringing the cast together, his commitment to the rehearsals and astonishing narration in verse of the passion story. The play was powerful and moving, drawing the audience into the events of Holy Week, and as one bystander said, making ‘the bible come alive.’ To quote Becky Howes, our administrator, “We’ve come out of our church to tell our story to everyone who is out there.” Thank you to everyone who took part and for all the staff and volunteers behind the scenes.
Throughout Holy Week dozens of families enjoyed our Easter Trail, hunting for eight Easter bunnies hidden around the Minster, QR code labels invited them to listen to the Easter story and use clues to solve an Easter puzzle and win a prize.
The Easter Vigil on Saturday night was a beautiful and moving service with Bishop Eleanor, as we gathered around the Easter fire in Trinity Square at dusk. As the light faded, the Easter candle was lit and shared with candles carried by each person into the dark Minster to symbolise the resurrection hope overcoming death and darkness. It was a joy to celebrate with 10 adults who were baptised and confirmed, with powerful stories of people finding hope, love and belonging through Jesus. They all worship with us at the 11am service and they were still glowing on Sunday morning!
On Easter Sunday it was a joy to see so many people at both services and to celebrate with two young men, one a baby in arms and the other a young man who has joined our church, having fled persecution in his homeland. A joyous reminder that Jesus is risen and gives new life to all, whatever our age or background.
A HUGE thank you from the clergy and churchwardens to everyone who has worked so hard over recent days to make all this possible, your faithful service is much appreciated. Alleluia, Christ is Risen!
GIRLS BRIGADE
He is risen indeed, Alleluia! It was great to see and hear Brooke read the bible verses to us on Easter Sunday. It was a long reading with some difficult words. Well Done, Brooke! You are amazing! I am so happy you come to GB each week with such enthusiasm.
It was fabulous to welcome everyone back after the break and find out the wonderful things that the girls have been up to. The was various activities from going to the beach, sleepovers and visiting the milk well. One of the more unusual experiences was Highland Cow Grooming! This sounds wonderful! And something I had not heard of before. One of our girls Risa brought her vase back to Gb and has started to grow cress and rocket inside. What a wonderful Idea. Well done, Risa!
Tonight we started our new badgework on Co-operation, working together and responsibility. This is interestingly underpinned by story of Noah as we learn how he listened to, trusted God, and worked with his family and God to build the wonderful Ark and look after the world's animals. I am looking forward to how this will unfold in the coming weeks. Lauren
EASTER FLOWERS
A very busy morning at the Minster getting the flowers ready for Easter Sunday. Fiona our flower lady needed help from two of her friends, Cath and Lucy. Although very hard work, she has enjoyed filling the church with lovely and different arrangements.
WORLD PENGUIN DAY
Recognise this guy? Could it be our own Falklands Veteran?
TWAM
Do you remember some years ago we started collecting tools etc. for the charity TWAM Tools with a Mission? Just to update you that we are still delivering tools over the bridge to the container in Barton. The picture shows my husband Ian there last week dropping off a boot load of tools to begin their journey with TWAM.
Tools are taken to refurbishment centres, they are then refurbished and packed into trade kits to teach skills such as carpentry and tailoring and sent off to skills training centres in Africa. The kits are then gifted to the trainees when they graduate so that they can begin work immediately. Revd. Irene
JUNIOR CHURCH
Dressing for the play!
11.00 AM SERVICE ROTA
Hello everyone, I have taken over the organising of the 11.00am service rota that has been carried out so ably by Katie for a while. A big thank you to Katie and to all who have contributed as welcomers, readers, and servers for some time. I look forward to you all still contributing your commitment to the service, but if there is anybody who is a regular attendee at that service who would like to be part of the team, please don’t hesitate to contact me at jfenwick@hullminster.org
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COLLECT FOR THE THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER
Risen Christ, you filled your disciples with boldness and fresh hope; strengthen us to proclaim your risen life and fill us with your peace, to the glory of God the Father. AMEN
READINGS FOR THE THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTEER
Psalm 30
Acts 9:1-6
John 21:1-19
PRAYERS FOR THE THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER
· We pray for our world and the turmoil that prevails – Lord, send your peace.
· We especially pray for the situation in Ukraine, that there will be a fair and speedy settlement.
· We thank you for the life of Pope Francis and for his example of faith and humility.
· For the children throughout the world who are suffering physically, mentally, and emotionally.
· We pray for those in Palestine that a peaceful settlement will come soon.
· We pray especially for the poor of the world who do not have enough to eat, may we do our part and give out of our comparative abundance.
· Pray that we will have a Godly attitude to those around us, that we will be filled with love and compassion.
DIARY FOR THE NEXT FOUR WEEKS
ITEMS FOR LIFELINE
If you have something written or photographs that you think should be in Lifeline, please send them to Val: valfotherby@gmail.com preferably by Friday. Pictures in jpg format please.
DIARY FOR THE NEXT FOUR WEEKS