Minster Lifeline #27
7 July 2021
SSimon Ashmead
REV. IRENE WRITES:
I begin with an urgent plea. Our recorded service has gone out on social media every Sunday morning at 10am for the past 15 months and we are aware that many people have found this to be a real Lifeline for them. I have had messages and cards from people, not only in Hull but from much further afield appreciating the offering we give to join in worship.
We have also heard that several care and residential homes in the city ‘tune in’ on a regular basis and enjoy the opportunity.
Unfortunately, Katie who has been responsible for the recording and editing of these services is no longer able to do this. Katie volunteers in many ways in the Minster but due to other voluntary commitments feels she can no longer be committed to the role of recording and editing. We DO NOT want these services to come to an end so please, if you, or someone you know, could give an hour each week to recording and time to edit each week this would be amazing. If you do not know anyone, please pray that a volunteer comes forward, so this invaluable service does not have to end! If you can help, please contact Rev. Irene at Hull Minster on 01482 224460.
We give a big thank you to Katie for all the months that she has kept this broadcast going!
I mentioned last week that three members of our choir would be leaving us this summer. This week Simon Ashmead is sharing with us what lies ahead for him:
SSimon Ashmead
Hull Minster – A Curious Mixture of Familiarity and Change
When I set off in the cold pre-dawn of a 2018 winter morning to sing for the BBC Radio 4 Sunday Service at Hull Mister, there were two things I could not have known. The first was how this decision, encouraged by my university piano tutor Mark Keith, would go on to change the direction of my studies and my life. The second was just how quickly and easily I would begin to feel I was, as the Artful Dodger would have it, part of the furniture (in the best way). This is due almost entirely to the incredible warmth, kindness, generosity, and encouragement I have encountered, which have caused me to see the Minster as a spiritual and musical home and the crucible of some of my closest friendships, as well as an amazing space I have the privilege to sing in. It means that my excitement over my upcoming move to London, to continue my studies at Trinity Laban Conservatoire, is also tinged with some sadness.
This move is, however, in keeping with the sense of change I have experienced at Hull Minster. Although I am known here almost exclusively as a singer, the piano was initially my primary instrument. This changed in 2018, thanks in no small part to the enjoyment I got from regularly singing in the Minster choir. Furthermore, the encouragement I received from my new-found friends here led to a variety of lifestyle changes which ultimately gave me the confidence to believe that a career in singing might be possible, and to apply for further studies to make this possible. More recent events have, of course, led to some of the more constricting and unwelcome changes we have now become accustomed to, although sometimes even these have opened my eyes to what a wonderfully welcoming and nurturing environment Hull Minster is.
So, what is next for me? As many of you are aware, I will be leaving for London at the beginning of September. In addition to a choral scholarship at the Old Royal Naval College Chapel in King Charles Court, Greenwich, I will be undertaking intensive training that will hopefully lead to a career as a professional soloist and chorister, singing on opera house and concert hall stages, in oratorios and recital series, and with various professional secular and church choirs. As you can probably tell, I like to keep my options fairly broad, working on the general principle that “So long as I get to sing and get paid enough to live for doing so, I’m happy”.
It is not the end of the relationship with Hull Minster though (you do not get rid of me that easily). I will be back every few weeks and will aim for this to coincide with the Evensong service, possibly dragging a few fellow students along with me if I can, and I will of course be back during Christmas, Easter, and the summer. As wonderful as it will be to sing once again in this special space on these occasions, what I am looking forward to most is being back amongst the amazing people who ultimately are the church, and continuing to be, in some small way, part of the Minster’s continually unfolding story. Simon Ashmead
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:
Click here to see exciting details of ‘The Wild and the Natural’ Art exhibition
1st - 24th July 2021 http://www.hullminster.org/exhibitions
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, 7:30pm, Bible study continues with a 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
JULY SERVICES AND OPENING TIMES
From the 1st of July we see the Minster doors opening Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday each week between 10am and 3:30pm. This will be both for personal prayer and for general visiting, taking in the wonderful 700 years of heritage.
Of course, this means that we need lots of volunteers. I was delighted that over a hundred people came along to the volunteer training held two mornings last week. These sessions were so informative and helpful that many went away and have signed up for helping in the weeks ahead. We can never have too many so if this interest you please do let us know as there will be more training events in the future.
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.
READINGS: SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY
COLLECT FOR SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY
Creator God,
you made us all in your image;
may we discern you in all that we see,
and serve you in all that we do;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
AMEN
This Month’s Prayer Diary
Daily prayer points throughout the current month can be found here.