Thank you for all the wonderful gifts of food we received for the harvest celebration. They will help so many people over the coming weeks.
Another great initiative at the Minster is the ‘warm space’ project, Tim Wilson has written about this, and it is important that we pray for both those who visit and those who are volunteering
Both these projects remind us once again of Matthew 25: 42
“I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me.”
Great article this week from Anne Richards on being Chaplain at Archbishop Sentamu Academy
Chaplaincy amongst young people is the best job in the world! Well actually, it’s a calling from God, which I’ve had since I was a young person myself. Being visible and available to everyone, as ‘the God-representative and a praying presence’ in a largely secular context is an extraordinary privilege.
I’ve been full-time Chaplain at Archbishop Sentamu Academy, Preston Road for eight years. 1,500 young people aged 11-18 and about 170 staff, and of course the wider community of parents, carers, and governors. Though it's a Church of England School, the majority of our students are not Christians. It’s been quite a journey of discovery, with some great moments of great celebration and joy, mixed with many moments of frustration, despair and lament, often for the plight of the most vulnerable young people, and especially the impact of trauma on their lives.
There is always hope though. Our school vision is rooted in John 10:10 and the commitment to the flourishing of everyone is central. As Chaplain it is often those who are furthest from flourishing whom I spend the most time with, trying to remind them that they are valued and loved by God, through actions, words and prayer. 'Fearfully and wonderfully made' is written large on my office wall. My role has recently expanded to include overseeing our two Well-Being Support Workers, who are very much in demand.
The extraordinary privilege of this particular chaplaincy gives me the amazing opportunity to speak to all students and staff, very regularly, including leading them in prayer. I get to talk about Jesus freely, but without any attempt to convert. I often find myself in the most remarkable conversations with people about life, death, heaven, and justice, as we wonder together where God is in all of this.
Chaplaincy is a ‘presence ministry’ - much more about who I am than what activities I do. And I get to be alongside whoever invites me to be alongside them. I often return to Isaiah 61, a Spirit-filled vision to be a bringer of good news to the oppressed, bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoner. This amazing vision of deliverance for the most down-trodden - which of course is very much the theme of the Kingdom of God in Jesus’ mandate is one of my 'go to' passages of scripture. And there are many broken hearts in need of being bound up. But it's so much more than that. It’s summed up in something I wrote a few years ago after an extended season of lament in my praying:
Hope
I see
the picked on becoming litter pickers
the abused play in a safe space and begin to recover their lost childhood
the angry meet kindness and compassion
I see
the hungry fed
the silenced finding their voices
the victim offering forgiveness
the bully change direction
I see
the fearful find confidence
the weeping find gentleness
the bereaved find comfort
I see
the ‘non-religious’ being hope
the ‘non-believers’ believing for better
the frustrated speaking up for justice and righteousness
the broken being restored
the hopeless becoming hope
I see truth instead of lies
I see love instead of hate
I see community instead of fragmentation and alienation.
I see the Kingdom of God - right here and right now.
And it doesn’t seem to have much to do with being religious!
I see the Fatherless being Fathered
The motherless being mothered.
I see the Fatherless becoming Dads
And the motherless becoming Mums.
I see the friendless becoming friends
I see the lonely find their value and worth
I see sorrow and joy mixed up together.
I see the numb begin to feel again,
The dead inside come alive.
I see strength in the weakest
Hope in disappointment
I see courage in the broken
And light instead of darkness.
I see the Kingdom of God - right here and right now.
And it doesn’t seem to have much to do with being religious!
If you are interested in knowing more, praying in a more focused way for Archbishop Sentamu Academy, or are interested in volunteering, please get in touch at a.richards@asa.hslt.academy
Becky Dexter writes:
Craft: a lot of you may remember ‘craft’ from school or if you ever had young children. However, craft is for grown-ups too. I run three different craft groups within Hull Minster. Minster Knitters which you may see every Wednesday after the lunchtime service at 1:30pm. The knitters make all sorts of things, requests from Irene or anyone else but usually we either knit squares for charity (these are made into blankets and go throughout the world wherever they are needed). Some people knit for babies in HRI and others for the Minster Craft Stall.
Minster Crafters is also a group I run, we have a craft class once a month where I teach a new skill, usually easy and all the resources are supplied for you. This craft group is currently in difficulty as there are only 2 -3 people including myself, that attend. So new members would be very welcome even if you just wish to watch and chat, however, I do need numbers in advance so I can get enough resources ready. The class meets on the first Tuesday of each month at 1:30 p.m. Sometimes the projects we make in the class are then mass produced by a couple of us for the Minster Craft Stall. The Craft Stall is usually open on the second Saturday of the month; however, this is subject to change if there is an event taking place at the time. See the lifeline for future dates. All funds raised from the stall are given to the Minster. In the past, we have raised money for the defibrillator and are currently raising money for a box for the defib so it can go on the wall in the Nave.
Sew for the Soul is a new group I recently set up, it’s for anyone who likes to sew, embroider, or do tapestry. This group is a little different from the other two in so much as it is a quieter group as we pray for those in our hearts and what we discuss stays within the group. It doesn’t matter if you feel you can’t sew for any reason, we can help, or again you are welcome to just come and sit with us. This runs every third Thursday of the month, directly after Minster Praise in the Nave from 12-12:30.
I would like to mention that I run these groups with the support of Glenis whom you may see whizzing around on her mobility scooter. I wouldn’t be able to do this without her help and support. Any of the above groups are good for the soul, as crafting is very good for mental health whether it’s good bad or just in the middle like most of us. Please, if you can find time to visit all or any of the groups you will always be welcome.
Days and times:
Knitting: weekly, Wednesdays starting 1:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Crafting: monthly, second Tuesday at 1:30 p.m.
Sewing: monthly, third Thursday from 12 to 12:30 p.m.
Please feel free to contact me if you wish for any further information on any of these groups.
Jane Owen who heads up our Heritage work:
History Group talks are back. From Friday 7th October for 6 weeks.
The popular series of lunchtime talks with Hull Minster's own team will return this autumn for six weeks running until mid-November. The full programme of talks will be available next week.
Talks start on the 7th October at 12:30 p.m. with Jean Fenwick talking about Rev John Healy Bromby, our longest serving vicar. We'll be getting pictures from his time out of our archive for you to have a look at, including a portrait you may never have seen.
There's no need to book, but if you want to sign up on ChurchSuite this would help Jean to know how many people are coming! We look forward to seeing you.
Tim Wilson writes about a new project:
As part of Irene's address on Sunday 18th September, she suggested that we create a 'Warm Space’ within the Minster for those who are experiencing difficulties caused by the economic crisis.
Starting from Thursday next week 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
Jean Fenwick – my apologies for not identifying Jean as the writer of The Changing scenes of Life in last week’s Lifeline.
BIBLE STUDY GROUP
Our Bible study on Hebrews ‘A new and better way’, is going very well. If you can’t make every week then dip in whenever you can, it is well worth it as we extend our knowledge of 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.
PRAYER POINTS FOR THE FIRST WEEK OF OCTOBER
We pray for Dominic, that he will continue to improve after his accident.
We pray for the ‘warm church’ initiative. May we reach out to those in need
We pray for all adults who work in schools, that they might be able to carry peace and hope within themselves, as they build restorative relationships with the children and young people they serve, 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.