REV. IRENE WRITES:
Hull Minster welcomed Reverend Dominic back yesterday after his accident earlier in the year. Dominic will be doing a phased return over the next few weeks, hopefully building up his stamina ready for the ‘Christmas’ festivities. I have asked Dominic to write for Lifeline in the next couple of weeks so that you can get a first-hand update.
As I have been working on the progress report for the Henry Smith Charity several people have asked me:
WHO WAS HENRY SMITH? – hope you find this informative
Henry Smith was a businessman based in the City of London in the late sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries. A monument to him can be found in All Saints church in Wandsworth, South London. Very little was known of him until Lucy Lethbridge and Tim Wales wrote “HENRY SMITH His Life and Legacy”. This book is available from Church House Booksellers (ISBN: 978-0-9930945-0-7).
You might well wonder what he has to do with Hull Minster. He founded the Henry Smith Charity in 1628, as an independent grant making trust which aimed to use its resources to help people and communities at a time of need to bring about positive change. For nearly four hundred years, this organisation, one of the largest grant making charities in Britain, has been helping combat disadvantage and poverty. In 2021 the Charity distributed £39.8 million. He made a fortune lending money to landed families of his time and became the owners of thousands of acres and the mortgagee of thousands more. He had no children himself but provided for the descendants of his sister, Joan.
In honouring his legacy to ‘poor clergy’, the Charity still makes grants administered by dioceses of the Church of England, and a separate fund makes grants to relieve poverty in around 200 specific parishes named by Henry and his early trustees. Hull Minster has for many years, been given funds to help out with specific needs and projects.
Here are just a few of the projects that Henry Smith Grants have funded: Integration café, Grief Awareness café, winter hardship grants, support for musical activities at Adelaide School, Jubilee Day, Teddy Bears’ picnic, Godly play equipment, and coming soon Peter and the Wolf project giving children from the city the opportunity to experience this interactive production.
We are so thankful that we have been, and hopefully will be, recipients of the Henry Smith Grants Scheme past and future.
DELIGHTFUL VISITOR FROM CAPE TOWN
It was good to have Canon Natalie from South Africa with us at the 11 a.m. service on Sunday and to listen to her encouraging words.
MINSTER SHOP
This year’s Minster Christmas card is a lovely nostalgic image of Hull Minster from an original painting by Julia Allum. Cards are £1 each or packets of 5 for £4.50. We’re going plastic free this year so bundles of 5 will be smartly wrapped with a recyclable paper collar. Any quantity can be pre-booked by contacting a Shop volunteer or myself or email: shop@hullminster.org. Of course, you can also buy direct from the Minster Shop where you will be able to view the wonderful selection of gifts and Christmas decorations.
Sue McGaw
PILGRIM COURSE
This continues to run on Wednesday evenings, 7:15 p.m. to 8:45 p.m, with Revd. Louise. It is held in the café and coffee and cakes will be served!
BIBLE STUDY GROUP
Our Bible study on Hebrews, ‘A new and better way’, is going really well. If you can’t make every week then dip in whenever you can, it is well worth it as we extend our knowledge on the book of Hebrews. To join go to the website and click on Church and Worship, then Teaching and click the banner at the top. You can also access the Bible Studies by clicking on the topic instead of the Teaching banner.
THE GOLDEN BOOK
REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY
As we have done since 2014, except during Covid restrictions, during the afternoon of Remembrance Sunday, November 13th, a group of readers will read out the names of almost 3000 men of this city who gave their lives during World War 1. Their names are inscribed in the Golden Book which is permanently on display in Hull Minster.
We will begin reading the names at 1:00 p.m. in alphabetical order. The Minster will be open for all who wish to come and sit for a short time or longer.
There were many men who died in the conflict and are not listed in the Golden Book, and we are still adding names as requested. If anyone wishes to know if their relative’s name is in the Golden Book, please contact Dave Allum on 07856 942067 or dja15@allum.karoo.co.uk
If you would like to join the group of readers, you will be very welcome – please contact Dave as above.
WARM SPACE IN THE MINSTER
Tim reports that although the start has been slow, it has already been very helpful. Some of the people coming in knew Tim from when he and Irene did the Tuesday evening soup run. They were so pleased to meet up again.
Every Thursday between 10.30 a.m. and 3.30 p.m. there will be an area set aside with a small team to meet with people and to offer them a warm drink and a hot lunch, of homemade soup and a roll and a dessert served between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Advice and support will be available.
If there are any readers of Lifeline who would like to be part of the team that will be delivering this new project, then please talk to Irene or Tim.
PRAYER POINTS FOR THE FIRST WEEK IN NOVEMBER
We pray for Dominic’s phased return to work; that he may feel strong both physically and mentally
We pray for the ‘warm church’ initiative. May we reach out to those in need
For children and young people who struggle with school because of poor mental health. May they receive the help and support they need.
We pray for all those caught up in the ‘crush’ in South Korea, for families that have lost loved ones, and healing for those injured.
We pray for healing for several members of our congregation. For those awaiting test results and those undergoing operations
COLLECT FOR THE THIRD SUNDAY BEFORE ADVENT
God our refuge and strength
bring near the day when wars shall cease
and poverty and pain shall end
that earth may know the peace of heaven
through Jesus Christ our Lord
AMEN
READINGS FOR 6TH NOVEMBER
Psalm 171:1-9
Job 19:23-27a
2 Thessalonians 2:1-6, 13-end
Luke 20:27-38
DIARY FOR THE COMING FOUR WEEKS
S FOR THE THIRD WEEK OF SEPTEMBER
We pray for Dominic, that he will continue to improve after his accident
We pray for the pupils and staff at Sentamu Academy that this year will be one of new beginnings and strength as they move forward
We pray for all who will benefit from our Harvest gifts asking that no one goes without food or warmth this winter
We pray for Bishop Eleanor as she begins her new role as Bishop of Hull. May she and her family be blessed in all that they do