25 August 2021

REV. IRENE WRITES:

Hope you have had the opportunity to visit the Minster this week, the Gaia exhibition is quite amazing! If not, there is still time, click online to book (no charge).

As we think of our world and the many beautiful countries there are I feel we must also remember there are some very troubled places in the world, not least Afghanistan. I believe the distressing scenes we see daily on our TV screens make us very grateful to live in a peaceful country where there is freedom for all people. I ask myself what can we do to help and the only positive I have is for us to pray for the terrified families and a change of heart by the Taliban.

There are no easy answers, but we also remember the many that serve and have served in the armed forces to bring relief. The difficult questions on the way forward, right decisions, wrong decisions knowing that people’s lives depend on the decisions taken.

As my thoughts turned to the Bible, I recalled the exodus of the Jewish people in the Old Testament scriptures where the people fled from Egypt, Exodus 14, with no way of knowing what lay ahead. We read in the Bible of so many occasions where people had to flee for their lives. In Acts 27, Paul and the prisoners were being taken by ship heading to Rome. They experienced a tremendous hurricane and despite Paul telling them that God would save everyone, many of the men attempted to escape by jumping overboard.

We pray that over the coming weeks the situation in Afghanistan will become more stable and promises made by the Taliban will not be broken.

Back home I am delighted that Barbara Dodds has written for us this week:

My journey to God, with Jesus by my side

During the last eighteen months or so, we have all had to cope with the difficulties of living with the Covid virus. One thing that has kept me going, is the LIFELINE that John and I receive, through the post, each week. I find it very interesting reading about how people, who are involved with Hull Minster, have arrived at the point that they are at now, on their journey to God, with Jesus by their side. It made me think about my own journey,

I was born in East Hull, roughly a stone’s throw from where I am now living. My mum became a widow when her first husband died of pneumonia in his early thirties, and mum a little younger, was left with a young daughter Margaret. Mum and her first husband John were members of Queen’s Hall Methodist Church, the site roughly where the Crown Court is now situated. My mum met my dad, who was an Anglican and worshipped at St. John’s Newington. Dad had been a choir boy and carried the cross at the beginning and end of the service.

I was baptised at Queen’s Hall, and we worshipped there each Sunday. As a little girl, I remember going to the service on Sunday mornings, and when the preacher got up, mum would open her handbag and take out a notebook and pencil for me with a warning to be quiet. When the sermon was over, they went back into mum’s handbag.

My dad worked at the Blackburn aircraft factory and believing war was coming, moved us to Hessle. I started to go to the Sunday School at Hessle Wesleyan Methodist Church and for the evening, we went to the service at All Saints church of England, Hessle. Eventually, I became a Sunday School teacher for the Beginners and then later, the Juniors. I joined the Methodist Church choir and the Youth Club.

I remember a service at Hessle Methodist Church where we had a special preacher. He was the chaplain at a large factory in the West Riding. His sermon moved some of us so much that he called us to give ourselves to Jesus, and that is when I felt God was with me.

My senior school days were spent at Beverley High School for Girls where, after an audition, I was given a place in the school choir. At Christmas all the schools in Beverley took part in a special service to celebrate the birth of Jesus. This was held in Beverley Minster and as a choir, we were given the privilege of sitting and singing in the choir stalls. After my school days I eventually moved into Hull to live and work there.

It was at this point when I became unsure about my faith in God, feeing that I had somehow been abandoned by him. For roughly five years, I ceased worshipping at church, but I was still searching.

It was when I saw an advert for a talk by Valerie Wood, about her latest book, at Holy Trinity one Thursday morning that I went along with my friend Sheila. After the talk followed by tea, coffee, and cake, I saw the lady vicar (Irene), and I went over and told her my story. She invited me to the Thursday worship. I had a feeling that this was it, God was calling me. I attended the service, and the rest is history. Hull Minster is my place where I feel I belong. John said to me on Sunday morning, “It is good to feel you belong.”

Since joining Hull Minster and worshipping here, I have found it easy to become involved, particularly through volunteering. I started helping in the shop, then became a welcomer on Friday afternoons. I love talking to people and making them feel welcome. I would sometimes help with refreshments on Sunday mornings.

John and I renewed our marriage vows on my eightieth birthday. When the alterations to the inside of the building were begun, I abseiled down the inside of the bell tower to raise money for the project. Four of us who volunteered on Friday afternoons ran a ‘Beetle Drive’ plus refreshments. Prizes were donated by Sainsbury’s in Jameson Street. It was a big success. I love the Bible Study groups and the craft and knitting groups. All I can say is, “Get involved and you will feel closer to God”, Amen.

Interesting recollection from Val Fotherby: In 1957 (or 58), Pastor Neimöller, the German Lutheran Pastor who had openly opposed Adolf Hitler, came and spoke to hundreds of school children in Queen’s Hall, and I was privileged to be one of them.

His famous quotation is:

First, they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out – because I was not a Socialist,

Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out – because I was not a trade unionist,

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out – because I was not a Jew,

Then they came for me – and there was no one left to speak for me.

Perhaps very pertinent at this time?

BIBLE STUDY:

Our Wednesday evening Bible study will be taking a break for the month of August.

MINSTER KIDS:

Our Minster Kids 10:30am group will also take a break for the month of August but there will be resources available for children to use during the service.

AUGUST 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

Minster doors will also be open 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.

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READINGS: THIRTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY

Song of Solomon 2:8-13

Joshua 24:1-2a, 14-18

Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-9

Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23

COLLECT FOR THIRTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY

Creator God,

you made the goodness of the land

the riches of the sea and the rhythm of the seasons;

as we thank you for the harvest we cherish and respect