In Hebrews 13:2 it says, “Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.”
Well, on Wednesday afternoon, Irene, Gerry, and I met a few “angels” outside the old Church building on the Great Thornton Estate. We set up a refreshment stall there, offering tea, coffee, orange squash and cakes, and handing out fliers to invite young families to our Teddy Bears’ Picnic next Saturday! The mini muffins were extremely popular with the youngsters, and the Mums were very keen to bring their children to the picnic.
It was a wonderful time of meeting new people and making good connections with people working with families and youth on the Estate. But perhaps more importantly it was a time of realising again how much God wants us to open our hearts and our doors in hospitality to those in our Parish: the strangers and future friends, brothers, and sisters, those whom God wants to welcome into His family.
This week Val Fotherby also writes for us:
NASA's new moon mission could put humans on the moon as early as 2025 for the first time in over half a century, ITV News' Martha Fairlie reports.
I was watching TV news this last week when the item about this new moon mission came on. The interviewer said he was going to speak to Charlie Duke, (General Charles Duke, a graduate of the United States Naval Academy before he joined the USAF. He completed advanced flight training on the F-86 Sabre at Moody Air Force Base in Georgia, where he was a distinguished graduate and was part of the Apollo 16 Mission, the youngest man to walk on the moon). My ears pricked up as back in the 90s I had the privilege of meeting him, having him stay in our home and taking him into South Hunsley School to talk to all of the sixth formers.
He was a very modest man, charming and easy company. Prior to him coming to Hull, I had met him in Innsbruck early August, and knowing he was to be with us in September to speak at a special dinner evening, I asked if he would be prepared to come to the school where I taught. He was delighted to do it and so at the beginning of term I asked the Headmaster if he would like an astronaut to come into school. His face was a picture, partly because he never quite knew what to make of me but of course it was a positive response.
The morning Charles Duke came into school, all the sixth formers were gathered in the tiered hall to listen to his account of his moon mission. First, he showed the film he took from the window as they went up into space and saw the earth receding in the distance. Then, he went on to recount the landing and stepping out onto the moon. Needless to say, the pupils were well impressed as indicated by their questions.
However, things changed a little when he said he wanted to share something else. Following his moon trip, fame and fortune had come his way but something else also happened. He had been introduced to the Gospel and became a Christian. You could see the scepticism on many faces but despite this, his affirmation was: Becoming a Christian was better than walking on the moon”.
Charles Duke said that he knew they were thinking it was a bit delusional because Christianity is often seen by non-Christians as a crutch to get you through life. However, he said that for him it most certainly was not so as he had everything one could ever want. “I’m better educated than any of you will probably ever be. I’m richer than any of you will probably ever be. I’ve walked on the moon which none of you are ever likely to do. So, I didn’t need anything to help me make it through life.” Jesus, he said, was the best thing that had happened to him.
At lunchtime, a dozen chosen sixth formers, the headmaster and some school governors and staff, joined our honoured guest. The students tried to catch him out about this Christianity ‘thing’ but they failed. However, they will never forget that experience. For me, it was without doubt, the most memorable day in my teaching career. (Yes, I was once young!)
The importance of Lifeline:
When the latest copy of Lifeline comes through the letter box, I know it has the news of my wider family and the people who are busy in so many different ways, at Hull Minster.
There are thoughts, activities, plans, pictures, and events: always something to do, attend, know, or think about. Thank you, it really is a lifeline. Olga Clayton
Throughout August there will be an exhibition in the Minster by Tracy Holland
Confluence – Crossings and Guiding Lights
Remember our ‘pop up’ café is open Thursday, Friday, and Saturday selling, amongst other things, great homemade quiches, and sausage rolls.
FOLLOWING SERVICES WILL RUN THROUGHOUT AUGUST
SUNDAY 9:30 a.m. Breakfast Church (toast and drinks from 9:10)
WEDNESDAY 24TH AUGUST we will be holding a service of Remembrance and Prayer on the anniversary of Independence Day in Ukraine.
The service begins at 6 30 p.m. in the Minster followed by refreshments.
PLEASE NOTE – the choir will be taking a well-earned rest over the summer so please check in Lifeline if you are unsure of Saturday services.
MINSTER PRAISE – 3rd Thursday of each month at 10:30 a.m.
Sew for the Soul is a new group for anyone interested in sewing. It will start at 12.30 with refreshments and end around 15.00.
15th September 20th October 17th November 15th December Resumes Feb 2023
OPENING TIMES FOR AUGUST
Full opening Wednesday – Saturday from 10 – 4
GRIEF AWARENESS CAFÉ (Second Wednesday of every month) 10.30 a.m. to 12 noon
Next Café 14th September
INTEGRATION COFFEE MORNING (Second Thursday of every month.) 10:30 a.m. to 12 noon. Next meeting 8th September
HOUSEHOLD SURVEY - traffic and travel ONLINE final. Everyone should be receiving this survey through the post in the next week or so. If you prefer just click onto the site below and have your say on traffic and travel in Hull. https://wh.snapsurveys.com/s.asp?k=165719204954&q0a=CPNews
BIBLE STUDY GROUP
The study group will continue in September, many thanks to Val and Sam who have delivered such a great programme this year. If you would like to get ‘study ready’ why not make a start at reading the book of HEBREWS before our first meeting in September.
PRAYER POINTS FOR THE THIRD WEEK OF AUGUST
We pray for Dominic, that he will receive positive results from his hospital check-up.
We pray for the safety of all children throughout the school holidays. We pray for a wonderful day for our Teddy Bears’ Picnic, a time to re-engage with many of our baptism families and other families that we know at the Minster.
We pray for the Great Thornton Street estate, its school, staff and pupils, and all those who came to share in the refreshments.
We pray for all our Ukrainian friends, those living in this City and in our country. We pray for an end of the conflict in their country so that those who wish to can return to their homeland.