1st February 2022

Rev. Irene Writes:

It is good to be able to keep in touch again through our Lifeline. This will now be available every week. January seems to have passed quickly and we have survived not having the heating in the Minster, thank you for bearing with us! This is not an ideal situation however everyone is working very hard to get the new boiler fitted and working as soon as possible.

February is again a quiet month however we are holding two Coffee Mornings one is the continuation of the ‘Grief Awareness Café’, the other is a new venture linked with Hull Help for Refugees. The grief café is on Wednesday 9th February so if you or anyone you know would like to come and meet others in a similar situation, have a hot drink and biscuits you are very welcome 10:30 – 12noon.

The Integration coffee morning is to welcome anyone who has come to the country and would like to integrate with others. An ideal opportunity to practise language skills and to build up friendships. Please do support this venture which will be held on Thursday 10th February at 10:30 – 12noon.

Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.

Romans 15:7

Rev. Rob and family have now moved to Hull. Rob tells us a little of his first month in his new role

‘Now the Lord said to Abram, ‘Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you.’ Genesis 12:1 

One of the most exciting, but also one of the most difficult things about being an ordained minister in the Church of England, is being called by God to a different place.

 By now, I am well used to moving house. In the six years that I have been ordained, I have moved house five times(!). I lived in two rented properties during my curacy. In both cases the landlords decided to sell up before I had finished. So, whilst moving house is never pleasant, by now our family is well used to it. Our house move from Brayton to Hull for the most part ran quite smoothly.

But now that we have moved and are beginning to settle, the reality of following God’s call has begun to set in. For now, we experience the loss of moving from our previous home, a house that we had made our own, relationships that we have treasured, a ministry that had taken shape.

In following God’s call, my family, like all of us on the Christian journey, are following the great tradition in the Bible of God calling people into new things. Sometimes that means moving house and job, sometimes it means taking a different direction in life, as God guides us.  All of us are pilgrims, a journeying people, followers of Jesus Christ who leads us forward always as we are ‘being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory’ (2 Cor. 3.18). As we journey onwards, we uncover more and more of the riches of his grace, and the unfolding of God’s will.

In moving to Hull and taking up the post of Associate Vicar at Hull Minster, I have so far experienced the kindness and welcome of a gifted and committed staff team who are a joy to work with, and worshipping community who are friendly, peaceful, generous, and kind. I have also really enjoyed beginning to get to know the people of Hull. Meeting people at the Christmas markets in the Minster and at some of the Christmas services was a  highlight for me when I first arrived. It is a privilege to be here. I look forward to witnessing how God’s riches unfold in the months and years to come at Hull Minster.

I look forward to journeying with you all.

BISHOP ALISON’S FAREWELL SERVICE

There will be a special service at 4 p.m. on Saturday 5th February as we say ‘farewell’ to Bishop Alison. If you would like to attend, please book a place on the Hull Minster website or if you are not able to access the website ask a member of the team to do this for you. Places are limited. During the service we will give thanks for all that Bishop Alison has done during her time in Hull and will pray for her and Bishop Frank as they begin a new chapter in their lives.

THE FOLLOWING SERVICES WILL RUN THROUGHOUT FEBRUARY

SUNDAY       10:30 am Holy Communion in the Minster

WEDNESDAY HOLY COMMUNION 12:30 pm

SATURDAY    4 PM 1st and 3rd Evensong, 2nd Taize, 4 & 5TH Evening Prayer

THE PCC HAVE MADE THE DECISION TO HAVE THE TEMPORARY BOILER REMOVED AT THE BEGINNING OF JANUARY. THIS WILL MEAN, OF COURSE, THAT THERE IS NO HEATING IN THE CHURCH UNTIL THE END OF MARCH.

MINSTER PRAISE – 3rd Thursday of each month at 10:30 a.m.

Look forward to seeing everyone at the February Praise 17th @ 10:30 am

BIBLE STUDIES are held every Wednesday evening online. A series on 2 Timothy is continuing. If you would like to join at 7:30 pm go to hullminster.org/teaching

WATCH THIS SPACE for details of the launch of a new 9:30 service in the spring.

CORONAVIRUS UPDATE

Although all restrictions have been lifted, we ask that you please take care and be aware of the many vulnerable people around you. Masks are no longer required however if you are happy to wear one when receiving communion that would be appreciated.

 MINSTER CRAFTERS

A plea from Becky Dexter the small group of crafters would love others to join them. An opportunity not only to be creative but to make new friends. If you don’t know who Becky is, please ask in the Minster and one of us will put you in touch with her.

OUR CHRISTMAS TREE

We would like to thank the generosity of The Tree Fellas Hull a local company who kindly took away and shredded our Christmas trees free of charge. https://www.thetreefellashull.co.uk

PRAYER POINTS FOR FEBRUARY

• We pray for Bishops Frank and Alison as they prepare to leave Hull and move to the North East. We pray that preparations and transition will go well. Give them strength during the busy days ahead.

• We pray for a peaceful solution to the rising tension between Russia/Ukraine

•  We pray for the Grief Awareness Coffee Morning on Wednesday 9th For all those attending that they may find some comfort and friendship

• We pray for the Integration Coffee Morning on Thursday 10th that kindness and friendship will be shared with those lives have been turned upside down for whatever reason

•  We pray for Rev. Louise as she begins her journey as curate at the Minster. Help her to settle into a new situation and give her the opportunity to flourish in your name.

COLLECT FOR SUNDAY 6TH FEBRUARY

Lord of the host of heaven

our salvation and our strength,

without you we are lost;

guard us from all that harms and hurts

and raise us when we fall;

through Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN

READINGS FOR 6TH FEBRUARY, FOURTH SUNDAY BEFORE LENT

Psalm 138

Isaiah 6:1-8

1 Corinthians 15:1-11
Luke 5:1-11

This Month’s Prayer Diary

Daily prayer points throughout the current month can be found here.