2 July 2020
Hello everyone,
As we begin to see glimmers of hope in life returning to some form of ‘normal’, we also assess the past fourteen weeks with its advantages and many disadvantages. I was talking to my eighteen-year old grandson last week and he was sharing how he and his friends felt about the lockdown. After being with many mates in school, some for 13 years suddenly one Thursday afternoon in March they were told ‘that was it – no more school’. There was no swapping of names on school shirts, or proms and celebrations, just an end to school education with a simple ‘cheerio’ and into lockdown. They do, of course, realise that’s how it had to be, but I did feel a little sorry for them all the same. There were bonuses from this. He no longer had to sit ‘A’ levels and he was offered an unconditional place at University, but many would be leaving school and hoping for apprenticeships or jobs and the current economic situation has made that very difficult for this group.
I often say I wouldn’t like to be a teenager today – that’s probably because the thought of living life on social media would be a real challenge! But truthfully social media does open up so many opportunities but also allows for all types of bullying and exploitation by those who can hide behind anonymity. Having stepped off my soapbox about social media, it has been a wonderful tool during the lockdown days and has enabled children to carry on their education and adults to continue working in a safe environment. In fact, it is developing so quickly that I just need to ask grandchildren ‘how to’ and they have the answer. So many from church have been working at home over the past 14 weeks including myself. I was chatting to Terry Igoe who works in a local prison and asking him how he has coped during lockdown. Terry kindly offered this reflection on how things have been:
“As I begin this reflection, let me quote Dickens “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” I imagine that, like me, you can identify with that quote as we have all had to adjust to life in a global pandemic. So, what’s been good? I have enjoyed the opportunity to live my life at a slower pace, to be involved in leisure activities, to go for walks, spending time in my garden. While I haven’t been “furloughed” as a key worker my work has involved some working from home, and that has been a welcome change of pace. I feel very blessed that my income has been secure and, so far, I have not become ill due to the virus. Perhaps most importantly, I have had the opportunity to reflect on what is important to me.
“On the other hand. I have missed many of the things I have previously taken for granted. As a musician, I have missed performing. I have missed face to face contact with friends and family, particularly my grandchildren. We have, of course, been able to make contact through video chat, but it’s not the same. I have missed going to the cinema and to restaurants. I have missed being part of a worshiping community at Hull Minster. Although I have found the online services very helpful and have also benefited immensely from our online Bible study with our home group, again it’s not been the same as being part of a gathered congregation. At times I have felt spiritually dry and stagnant and have struggled to maintain my walk with God.
“Some of you may know that I work in a local prison and I have struggled with the limited contact available to me as I try to help the men under my care. I worry about the long-term impact that lock down, with much longer time being spent locked up, will have on their mental health and general well-being. I also, at times, struggle with my own anxiety around what the “new normal” might look like as we slowly emerge from lockdown. However, God is good, and God continues to sustain me, as I move forward and put my faith in Him. I am confident that God will sustain and nourish us all as we trust Him for the future. God Bless, Terry Igoe”
Dan adds a request for your contributions to a welcome video:
“We are delighted to be welcoming Revd. Dominic Black as our new Priest-in-Charge, his wife Heather and their sons Leo and Ben. Sadly, we cannot gather in person, instead we're making a welcome video for them! We would love you / your household to submit a 5 second video. Please record in landscape and include a message of welcome, introducing yourself by name. They'll be shown during ‘Church at Home’, 10am 12th of July.
Can't record a video? If you are in the Minster on the 3rd/4th/5th for Personal Prayer, ask for Dan/Al while you’re with us, they will record your video greeting. Please submit your video on wetransfer.com sending to dan@hullminster.org, or via Facebook. any questions? - contact Dan. Do pass this message on! Thank you.”
We are very much looking forward to Rev. Dominic and family joining us next week. You may have already heard that he and his son Ben will be riding bicycles from Middlesbrough to Hull (via York). This is a sponsored ride so if you wish to give to Hull Minster through this event please follow the directions on the web site. Being a cyclist myself all I can say is I hope they have got padded shorts! Please keep all the family in your private prayers as they arrive at a very challenging time in our country.
As well as asking for private prayers for the Black family can I recommend that you join in the week of meditations on the psalms, ‘Living Stones: Building for the Future’, aiding us as we enter into a period of dedicated prayer. As we did around Ascension to Pentecost different members of our church family have contributed a reflection and there will be headlines for our intercessions, daily, through to the 8th of July.
We are delighted that our church has been cleaned and transformed into a safe place for prayer. There was a steady stream of people through the doors last weekend, some well-known and some new faces. The times are strictly Friday, Saturday and Sunday 12 – 3pm and only for the use of personal prayer. When we have further information from the Diocese, we will update you on steps forward towards worshipping again. In the meantime, please continue to log on to our Sunday worship at 10 am each week and other activities that you will find on our website and social media platforms.
It is good to be in contact with so many of you again through this Lifeline. Take care and keep safe.
Blessings, Irene
Associate Vicar
The Readings for the 4th Sunday after Trinity:
The Collect for this week.
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.
July Prayer Diary
Daily prayer points throughout the month of July can be found here.