23 June 2021
REV. IRENE WRITES:
It is good to hear that this weekend 15 people, from the York Diocese, are being ordained Deacons by Archbishop Stephen. To be called by God to serve in this way is a great privilege. Here is an extract from the Diocese News:
The fifteen are aged from their twenties to retirement and will continue their training in service alongside an experienced priest; some will be ordained priest themselves in the future.
Archbishop Stephen said, “I’m looking forward to ordaining this great group of missionary disciples as deacons in God’s church - people with different stories and gifts but united by Christ and by his call to serve. As deacons they will be servants and heralds of the gospel: they will rejoice with those who rejoice; they will mourn with those who mourn; they will hold out hope and teach the church to do the same. I pray that they will be filled with joy as they prepare for this new ministry.”
It is, of course, important that not all who want to serve God are called to ordination. The church would not survive without the enormous input from so many gifted lay people. It never fails to surprise me that when there is a job to be done, someone always appear at the right moment – God is at work no matter how small the task.
If you would like to be more involved in the fellowship and family of the Minster do chat to Rev. Dominic, myself, or others that you see around on a regular basis to help you discern God’s plan for you! One such person who is an active part of the Minster is Sue McGaw, she has very kindly written for us this week:
SSue McGaw
When Irene asked me to write about my time at Holy Trinity, all 52 years of it, I could not decide where to start. Then I started to think back through my childhood in Northumberland & how those early years have affected the way I see God & where my faith is at now.
Church has always been a major part of my life, and when I was young, I was taken each week even though I hated going. My Dad was church treasurer, his sister was married to a vicar, so my cousins were vicarage kids. I was too young to understand why bells rang and people moved about in particular ways. And the incense made me sneeze!
When I was eight, we moved to a village in West Yorkshire, and I joined the church choir and the Brownies. I found the church practises there were not as threatening as I had experienced when I was younger, and I started to enjoy all that church life presented.
We moved to Hull when I was 13 and I have fond memories of attending St Peter’s Anlaby with school friends. The curate there ran a great youth club and I realised that worship and a good Christian social life went together and as a growing Christian how important it was to develop that feeling of being part of a church family. The turning point came when I was in the 6th form and a friend suggested we go to Holy Trinity. She lasted three weeks and I, well, even with a short break in recent years, am still here.
I have been involved with so many aspects of the life of Holy Trinity. I met Sam here and fell in love and we based our family life around the worship and life of this incredible place. I have lived through five vicars, many changes, and experienced the roller coaster of my faith, taking me from being very spirit led into almost applying for ministry to the dive that my faith has taken over the last 20 years. The biggest influence on my faith journey came from John & Mary Waller, who arrived as the new incumbent in 1988 retiring about 13 years later. It was during their ministry years that I grew the most as a Christian. I was privileged to work for John as his PA for eight years until his retirement.
Out of all the many things I have been involved with or organised at Holy Trinity, being one of the embroiderers as part of the kneeler project from the age of 19 has meant the most. I designed my own when I was a student with the help of Marjorie Brown the project organiser. It is 50 years this year since the kneeler project started and I always knew that we might have to get rid of some when the pews were removed (a project I have always supported). I must admit though, that I am finding it really hard to have to choose which ones we do not keep.
We will be selling a small number and if you want to know more, please have a word with me anytime. The specially designed kneelers, seat cushions and stools dedicated to companies, organisations and memorials will remain, fortunately.
I have been privileged to have been part of the welcoming team, developed originally by John Waller. Throughout most of the 1990s, being enthusiastic about tourism, I looked after the welcomers’ rota, and we opened everyday Monday to Saturday most days for six hours. For a lot of the team, it was an invaluable time. The midweek life of a city centre church is quite different from a Sunday one. Many visitors are not just tourists.
Regulars, mostly local, came for a chat, some support and somewhere to be quiet. I looked after our small church shop for about 18 years, it being extremely different from what we have now. Our visitor numbers for a year during the 1990s can easily equal a couple of months in recent years. So, I cannot believe that after a break of a decade, I am now involved again with the church shop. Since early last year, I have been co-ordinator of a team of three to do the purchasing. The pandemic of course has slowed any plans to a snail’s pace and cash flow is a challenge. The shop volunteers are a great bunch and eager to help open our wonderful building.
So, the one thing I have learned throughout my life is that God has a plan for each of us. We just need to give him the chance to guide us in the direction where He thinks we should go. He is always there even when we do not know it. I know the path of faith I am on with all its curves and pitfalls has been chosen for me. Sue McGaw.
Update from Rev Dominic:
We are beginning a major period of thinking about our life and ministry as Hull Minster moving forward. To help the PCC understand our priorities moving forward we are wanting to understand the spiritual life of our congregations and how best we can support people in their faith. The links below are to the national Church of England survey tool for our parish. All data is anonymised so is not traceable to individuals. If you are not able to fill this form in online paper versions will be available on Sunday.
Early Years Survey (0-5 years)
Irene concludes with:
As St. Mary’s Lowgate continues with extensive building works we are delighted to welcome Revd. Ian Walker and his congregation to host their Eucharist Service in the Minster. We are looking forward to developing our relationship and friendship with all at St. Mary’s over the coming months as lockdown eases.
BIBLE STUDY:
We are delighted that Val is recovering well from her knee operation and keen to commence the bible study zoom meetings:
Our Wednesday evening 23rd June (7:30) Bible study will begin a new study on the book of James on Zoom. Everyone is welcome for this one-hour study and fellowship.
SERVICES AND OPENING TIMES:
SATURDAYS 4 PM 1st and 3rd Evensong, 2nd Taize, 4 & 5th Evening Prayer.
SUNDAYS 10am Online Recorded Service.
10:30am Holy Communion in the Minster
Church@4 Every Sunday afternoon at 4pm there will be a café style service. Refreshments now available.
Please click here to book for either service.
The Minster will continue to be open for Wednesday 12:30pm Holy Communion
PLEASE NOTE: The Minster will be open Friday and Saturday 12-3:30pm. MINSTER SHOP will be open during these times.
DO YOU WANT TO HELP? 10:30am and 4pm SUNDAY SERVICES
We are looking for people to volunteer, on a rota, to work the sound desk during these service. The desk is pre-set, so it is very straightforward. We also need strong individuals to help with setting up the Minster in between services, and booking people in on the doors. If you think you can help with any of these tasks, please speak to one of the wardens for more information. Thank you.
RAISE MONEY FOR HULL MINSTER FOR FREE!
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The Heritage Volunteering group
If you would like to be involved, please contact Jane at jane@hullminster.org and if you haven't completed our survey about heritage, we would be very grateful to hear your views. It will help us shape the future of heritage at Hull Minster and helps us justify our needs and ambitions to grant providers. It takes only 6 minutes to complete.
CLICK Microsoft Forms to fill in the survey
It would be great to hear from you if you would like to find out more about volunteering with Girls Brigade at the Minster or if your child is interested in joining. Please email with any questions to mandy@hullminster.org and she will forward your queries on to Lauren.
NOTE:
David Stipetic, Steeple Keeper at Hull Minster, wanted to inform everyone that on this day; 28th June 1661, Holy Trinity Church was made a separate parish church by an Act of Parliament – the King becoming the Patron.
READINGS: FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY
COLLECT FOR THE FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY
Gracious Father,
by the obedience of Jesus
you brought salvation to our wayward world:
draw us into harmony with your will,
that we may find all things restored in him,
our Saviour, Jesus Christ.
AMEN
This Month’s Prayer Diary
Daily prayer points throughout the current month can be found here.