This week Val writes:
During this past week we have seen many clips on the television and in newspapers, about the ending of the Second World War eighty years ago. Some of these have shown people dancing in the streets and street parties. The joy and relief were evident on peoples’ faces. However, there were many other images that showed the horrors and suffering of war – different sides of the coin. A phrase, taken from Rudyard Kipling’s poem Recessional is frequently used: “Lest we forget”. I believe we should remember the sacrifices made; not only of those who were involved in the fighting but of those at home. There were food shortages, the constant fear that bombing brought and the results of it which left so many homeless. This brings me to think about this present season of Easter, as designated by the Church. Resurrection day on Easter Sunday is a time of celebration, just as people celebrated the ending of WW2. I remember that we always sung that wonderful hymn on Easter Sunday “Up from the grave He arose, with a mighty triumph o’er His foes”. Jesus paid the price for our sins in order that we might have eternal life and like Rudyard Kipling’s phrase, we celebrate communion each week – our ‘remembrance day’ - lest we forget what a great sacrifice Jesus made for us. I pray we will, like people in 1945, be grateful and joyful today in our walk with Jesus.
CHRISTIAN AID
You will notice that there are Sponsor Forms around the Minster. We mentioned in our last Lifeline that Jess is once again walking the Humber Bridge, despite the loss of her husband, Michael. If you can walk with her that would be great. Their work is so important, and it will be good to do our part. Minster Praise, on 21st May, will be celebrating their work and it would be lovely to see as many people as possible. There will be coffee and cakes following the service.
JERUSALEM
Tim Wilson, who has just visited Jerusalem writes: “Firstly, like a true pilgrim seeing what it was I was hoping to see: Jerusalem. I was speechless and in tears. Then secondly, the temple on the Rock and the thirdly, the Holy Sepulchre, to which I’m going back on Sunday. I can truly say I have never experienced such emotions when visiting anywhere else. Today I went to see the Dead Sea Scrolls. Again another remarkable experience.
My return home is delayed. I’m now not able to get a flight out until Wednesday.
The tension is great regarding what is happening politically. Something the BBC are not reporting.
Please pray for both the Palestinians and the Jews, the vast majority of whom do not support the madness of the extremists. They too need our prayers.
A prayer from my time in Jerusalem experiencing the gift of kindness between strangers who live out their lives in the Centre of the three great World Faiths.
Enter the Holy Sepulchre in our every day.
God loves us all so much.
Why can’t we love each other.
Turn away from hatred and mistrust
and replace it with a willingness to listen and learn from strangers who offer their hand of friendship.
Never forget that the gift of today is a truly wonderful gift, treat it as such. With an open hand and heart of friendship.
Amen
Tim Wilson
CELTIC CHRISTIANITY
Some of you may know that Terry and I have been investigating Celtic Christianity and in particular the Community of Aiden and Hilda. This journey started just before the pandemic in 2020. We felt our faith was disconnected from the rest of our week and that we were ‘going through the motions’.
Looking for inspiration and refreshment we discovered the community of Aidan and Hilda which is a contemporary Celtic Christian community, it’s both international and interdenominational and draws inspiration from Celtic Christian spirituality as lived out by Saint Aidan, Hilda and others, and aims to rediscover Celtic spirituality and seek to apply these insights and way of living in today’s world.
The community is about seeking to live a holistic Christian spirituality which enables people to connect more deeply with God and the connect with the whole of life. Being open to the leading of the Holy Spirit and bringing healing to individuals, communities, and creation, bringing prayer and discipleship into the real world, and living it out every day of the week.
Central to being part of the community is developing a Way of Life which balances a rhythm of prayer, work, and recreation. It's a practical spiritual framework drawn from Celtic Christian tradition that helps shape daily living through the observance of regular prayer times and annual retreats.
Over the past four years, developing a Way of Life has helped me deepen and find joy in my faith. I'm grateful that this journey isn’t about perfection, but about being faithful and intentional in how I live.
Now, I’ve chosen to take the next step by making a formal commitment to the Community of Aidan and Hilda as a Voyager. This involves a special service—similar to a Confirmation—where I will make vows to follow the Way of Life I’ve been living and to uphold the Community’s values of Simplicity, Purity, and Obedience.
I have found developing a Way of Life over the past four years has helped me deepen and enjoy my faith more, thankfully it’s not about perfection but about being faithful, because of this I have decided to take the next step and make a formal commitment to the community by becoming a Voyager.
The service will take place on 21st May in Whitby, and I’d be glad to share that moment with anyone who wishes to come and support me, please let me know if you are interested and I will give more details. Sharon Igoe
BEER FESTIVAL
After an extremely busy weekend at the annual beer festival some of the brewers had a break before the last session and climbed to the top of the tower to take in the views. Jon Major
READINGS FOR THE FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
Psalm 148
Acts 11:1-18
John 13:31-35
COLLECT FOR THE FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
Risen Christ, your wounds declare your love for the world and the wonder of your risen life; give us compassion and courage to risk ourselves for those we serve to the glory of God the Father.
AMEN
PRAYERS FOR THE FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
· We pray for our world and the turmoil that prevails – Lord, send your peace.
· We pray for the new Pope, Leo 14th, that you would bless and encourage him.
· We continue to pray for the situation in Ukraine, that there will be a fair and speedy settlement.
· We pray for the children throughout the world who are suffering physically, mentally, and emotionally.
· We think especially of Christians in Nigeria who are suffering terrible persecution.
· We pray for the Middle East, 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.
· We pray for the work of Christian Aid that people will be generous in their giving.
· We pray that we might show love and concern for those with whom we come into contact.
DIARY FOR THE NEXT FOUR WEKS
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
