REV. IRENE WRITES:
I am sure many of you will be buying your Christmas Cards to send to family and friends. As there are so many people who are part of the church family, if you wish to, there will be a board where you can pin one card from you, sending greetings to everyone. Some people would prefer to do this and make a donation to a charity rather than send so many cards to those that we see and share Christmas greetings with.
Have you heard of the charity TWAM (Tools with a Mission). The charity collects tools that are no longer needed and they are sent to a refurbishment centre where, once refurbished, they are packed into kits and sent to skills training centres in Africa. The kits are then gifted to the trainees in carpentry and other occupations so after graduation they can begin work immediately. A lady joined both our Sunday services a few weeks ago and talking to her after the service she was sharing the details of TWAM with us. If you have tools in your shed that are no longer used then please contact me on: irene@hullminster.org and we will arrange to pick up from you on his next visit to the area.
Many thanks in advance – great charity to support.
Stepping Up in Mission at Archbishop Sentamu Academy
This Sunday we had the joy of praying for Ellie who has recently completed the year-long Stepping Up journey which is part of the York Diocese Mustard Seed programme. Mustard Seed works in parishes on the edge of York Diocese in Hull, Bridlington, Scarborough, Redcar & Cleveland and Middlesbrough. Lay people are invited to join Stepping Up for a year to grow deeper in their faith and in confidence and skills for mission. You can find out more and read the stories of some of the people involved here. www.mseed.org
It has been a privilege to watch Ellie grow as a disciple of Jesus, growing deeper in her faith and in confidence to serve and share God’s love. Ellie is now Stepping Up in mission by joining the chaplaincy team at Archbishop Sentamu Academy, working alongside Revd Anne Richards to share God’s love with the 1,500 young people who attend the school. The chapel is a safe place where young people can come and share their troubles and concerns and it is a place of creative prayer and worship. Ellie’s gentle kindness alongside young people who are struggling brings comfort and hope and her creative skills enable young people to connect with God through prayer. (During the prayers we put a sweet on the area in which we lived to remind us to pray.)
At breakfast church, we thought about Jesus sending the disciples out in twos. Revd Anne told us what a gift it is to have Ellie alongside her at school sharing the love of Jesus each week.
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 are 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 cards and gifts. Sue McGaw
BIBLE STUDY GROUP
This week we are studying the topic of God’s Grace. Why not join us online by going to the website and clicking on Church and Worship, then Teaching and click the banner at the top. You can also access these Bible Studies by clicking on the topic instead of the Teaching banner. This is the final study for this year. We shall restart in January.
PLEASE NOTE DUE TO SCHOOL ACTIVITIES IN THE MINSTER THERE WILL BE NO WARM SPACE IN THE MINSTER THIS WEEK. THIS WILL CONTINUE THE FOLLOWING WEEK
From Shirley:
Dear colleague, We would like to invite you to a Volunteer Celebrations event. This event will take place on Monday 12th December at 2pm – 4pm at Hull Minster. Invite’s will be sent out via ChurchSuite, check your emails and accept or decline the invitation. If you don’t use ChurchSuite, don’t worry just let Shirley Kay, Volunteer Manager or a member of the Clergy, know If you can attend.
This is our opportunity to thank you all for the contribution you give to Hull Minster but also an opportunity for you, to give special thanks to a volunteer who you think deserves a special Thank you!
Maybe you witnessed a volunteer going that extra mile, or they did a selfless act. Whatever the reason, we want to hear about it.
Given the increase in volunteering over recent months, the panel is expecting to receive a host of inspiring and very worthy nominations, so get nominating!
All volunteers of Hull Minster, regardless of role, will be invited to the Volunteer Celebrations afternoon, where afternoon tea will be served.
Volunteer nominees do not have to be in your team to be nominated. If you think a volunteer deserves recognition regardless of role then please nominate them on the tear off slip below.
Entries must be handed in no later than midnight on 3rd December. Any nominations received after this date will not be put forward. Entries can be submitted to Shirley Kay via email shirley@hullminster.org or write out and give to Shirley.
Please give a brief description as to why this volunteer deserves a ‘Special Thank You’
Name of person nominating…………………………………………………………….
Name of Volunteer you are nominating…………………………………………………………………….
Why are you nominating this volunteer ………………………..
PRAYER POINTS FOR THE FOURTH WEEK OF 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 Ellie as she continues to serve at Archbishop Sentamu Academy. For her completion of the ‘Stepping Up’ course and for the help she gives to the Minster.
We pray for all those caught up in conflicts and natural disasters around the world. We pray for our friends from Ukraine as we continue to build warm relationships with them.
We pray for baby Teddy on his baptism last Sunday and for Roman being baptised this Sunday.
COLLECT FOR THE FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT
Almighty God, as your kingdom dawns
turn us from the darkness of sin to the lightness of holiness
that we may be ready to meet you
in our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
AMEN
READINGS FOR 27TH NOVEMBER
Psalm 121
Romans 13:11-14
Matthew 24:36-4
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