18 June 2020
CCredit: REUTERS
The Revd.Irene Wilson writes:
Another week goes by as we gently lift some of the lockdown restrictions. I went out on my bike for the first time since March yesterday and enjoyed a lovely 15 mile ride in the sunshine around Brantingham and Broomfleet. We all pray for an end to the pandemic so that we can begin to live lives freely again.
We continue to receive both encouraging and discouraging reports on our TV’s. Amidst the demonstrations following the terrible death in America of George Floyd our hearts went out to those peaceful demonstrators of the Black Lives Matter movement.
Unfortunately, at the weekend we saw clashes between two groups of people but the picture that sticks in my mind amongst all this was that of the Black Lives Matter activist Patrick Hutchinson, carrying on his shoulder a white middle aged man, one of those from the opposing demonstration. This man had been separated from his group and had been pushed to the ground where he was being trampled on and his life was in danger. It was at this point that Patrick hoisted him onto his shoulders and surrounded by other Black Lives Matter activists they carried him to safety.
Two biblical pictures came into my mind, firstly that wonderful image of Jesus carrying the lost lamb on his shoulders back to safety (Matthew 18). Secondly the story of the Good Samaritan where the man travelling from Jerusalem to Jericho fell into the hands of robbers who beat him and stripped him of his clothes. Both the priest and the Levite passed by him on the other side leaving him there to die, yet the Samaritan (one of the “despised”) was the one that not only stopped but laid him on his own donkey, took him to safety, and left money with the innkeeper to look after him.
It is so important that lessons can be learnt from this incident and that of George Floyd’s death. I have read that the man now wants to personally thank Patrick Hutchinson. I really hope this happens and that once back to safety his kindness is not forgotten.
Last week in Lifeline it was mentioned that Rev. Matt had been on Radio 2’s Pause for Thought where he had mentioned my letter from the Queen. I just wanted to explain that the letter was requesting me to attend Windsor Castle to receive the Royal Maundy purse from the Queen. I was delighted to receive the gift yet at the same time disappointed because of the Covid 19 restrictions not to be able to be at the presentation and to have refreshments with the Queen at Windsor. If you are wondering what the Maundy Service is all about here is a very brief explanation:
The origin of the Maundy is in the Bible and the actions of our Lord on the night before he was betrayed recorded in it. John chapter 13 records Jesus washing the disciples’ feet. Later that night when Judas had disappeared Jesus gave his disciples a new commandment ‘Love one another. As I have loved you, so you are to love one another.’ It is with these words, said by the Lord High Almoner from the altar, that the Royal Maundy Service begins. The word Maundy comes from the Latin word “mandatum” commandment, hence the connection to Jesus’ words.
The Maundy ceremony has taken place in the British Isles since at least the 6th century. This year the Maundy gift was presented to 94 men and women throughout the country, 94 representing the Queen’s age. The Lord High Almoner said “At the heart of this service is an act of humility on the part of The Queen in which she honours a representative number of people from across the British Isles who have lived a life of service to their church and community, just as she has done to Commonwealth and nation. Most especially, she gives honour to the Lord Jesus who on the day that He was betrayed gave His disciples that new commandment, “Love one another as I have loved you”.
Having just written about the Maundy Service I realise my first paragraphs on the kindness of one man to another during the demonstrations is a perfect example of fulfilling Jesus’ commandment to love our neighbours and that All Lives Matter.
MMaundy Purses
Bishop Frank writes: After careful consultation and planning we are intending to open Hull Minster on Friday 26th June for the specific and particular purpose of providing a place for individual prayer in the light of the Coronavirus lockdown. By then we will have been closed for 93 days. We are inviting and training three groups of people who will act as Hull Minster Guides; each group will have responsibility for a particular day and for the period between 12 and 3pm when the building will be open. Numbers who can attend will have to be strictly limited and much of the building will be cordoned-off inside to ensure public safety; all appropriate measures for hygiene and distancing will be in place. There will be no toilet facilities or any refreshments; we are not allowed to provide any prayer books or bibles so people will need to bring their own. The Government Regulations specify only individuals or households can avail themselves of the opportunity at this stage. We aim to be open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 12 until 3pm, and will be keeping all of these arrangements under constant review. The first weekend the Minster plans to be open will therefore be 26-28th June. As ever more information is available on www.hullminster.org
And then we will be able to look forward to the arrival of our new Priest-in-Charge, The Revd. Dominic Black who will be licensed to begin ministry here in the parish on Wednesday 8th July. Because of the current restrictions the legal ceremony involving only the Bishop, Archdeacon and Churchwardens will take place later in the day after Dominic and his son Ben have arrived in Trinity Square on their bikes from Middlesbrough. They are obviously taking a leaf out of Irene’s book, though the cycling distance, via our Cathedral Church in York is rather longer! More news on this epic ride is circulating on social media and will be available here in due course; we are also looking forward greatly to the arrival of Heather and Leo more conventionally in the back, as it were, of a removal van!
The Readings for the Second Sunday after Trinity.
The Collect:
Lord, you have taught us
that all of our doings without love are nothing worth;
send your Holy Spirit
and pour into our hearts that most excellent gift of love,
the true bond of peace and of all virtues,
without which whoever lives is counted dead before you.
Grant this for your only Son Jesus Christ’s sake. Amen.
Please join us, where you can for our on-line Sunday and weekly events and activities.
With love,
Revd. Irene: Associate Vicar.
June Prayer Diary
Daily prayer points throughout the month of June can be found here.