29 July 2020

Rev. Irene writes:

It was good to be in the Minster on Sunday and although a little apprehensive I was pleasantly surprised at how ‘safe’ it felt. A big ‘thank you’ to everyone who has worked hard
to keep everyone safe. The routine of a streamed service online at 10 a.m. and a said Holy Communion at 11 15 (open to the public) will continue until there are further guidelines from the Diocese. If you are able to book a place for the 11:15 service, it helps not only with controlling the numbers in church but with complying with the ‘track and trace’ system – which we hope will not be necessary!

As an ex schoolteacher August always makes me think of our young people who are awaiting
exam results and of those that are graduating from University and beginning another new and hopefully exciting stage of their lives. This year will be different as all the GCSE & ‘A’ level results will be assessed internally, no exams having been sat, but still an anxious wait for many.

I was delighted on Sunday to see Becca Alden in church for our 11:15 service and she has kindly
contributed to this letter telling us about her student life and her memories of being in Hull Minster (Holy Trinity). What I could not believe is that Becca has completed 3 years at university – how time flies! Congratulations to her and others who have now graduated. Please do read the attached from Becca:

For the past four years, I have been studying
Materials Science at the University of Sheffield. For the 12 years before that,
I was a choir member at Holy Trinity/Hull Minster and before that I was the
little girl all dressed in pink running around like I owned the place. When I
left for university, I was given a certificate telling me I was always welcome
back into the choir. Although over the last couple of years I have been coming
back less often than in first year, when I was having a hard time being away
from home, and singing in the choir even less, I always know that the option is
there, even if I mainly just use it at Christmas.

Moving home for lockdown was stressful, trying to finish my Masters degree from my childhood bedroom, and watching the Hull
Minster online service with my family was one of the main grounding points of my week. Although I did not participate, I loved seeing the choir recordings, especially when my dad joined them. I wish I had been able to go into the
Minster during that time, because it has always been a place of comfort to me. I remember in GCSE English class being told to write about your favourite place, a time you were sad there, and a time you were happy. I wrote about Holy Trinity, Granddad Mike’s funeral, and the wedding when baby mice were running around distracting the choir. I love being back in the church on Sundays and seeing all of the people who make the church what it is, people who I have known as long as I can remember, as well as people who I have met more recently.

Church has always been a big part of my life and Holy Trinity/Hull Minster always will be. Although I will be moving to the other side of the country for the nuclear graduate’s scheme with Sellafield and joining a congregation there, Hull Minster will always be my church home.

Thank you, Becca Alden.

Mandy Concludes with a reminder of the Minster’s current opening hours:

The Minster will continue to be open for Private prayer on Friday’s and Saturday’s 12-3pm, and Sunday is from 1-3pm.

If you would like to attend our 11:15am service, you will have to book your seat online by clicking here or through the ‘my church-suite’ calendar function. We are only able to admit 75 people to keep to social distancing regulations and we are recommending that masks or face coverings are worn.

Readings:

The Collect for this week.

Lord God,

your Son left the riches of heaven

and became poor for our sake:

when we prosper save us from pride,

when we are needy save us from despair,

that we may trust in you alone,