3 February 2021

LIFELINE 5, 2021

Rev. Irene writes:

I stand to be corrected. Last weeks picture aconites, not celandines! I cannot argue with Jean, guide leader for many years and expert in flower names.

No chance of getting it wrong this week, British daffodils, a sure sign of spring.

Now I wonder are you one of the 10 million that have received their vaccination recently. Having received mine only a couple of days ago I was so impressed with the efficiency of such a mass vaccination programme.

There is hope, but for the 100,000 plus families that have lost their loved ones the vaccine must come as a bitter, sweet pill, let us make sure we remember all those who have been bereaved in our prayers.

It also is a stark reminder that there are 7.8 billion adults in the world (53 million in the UK) and the pressure is on that we not only vaccinate our own country but that we support in whatever way we can the need for poorer countries to be given vaccine. In morning prayer today, I read this prayer at the end of the psalm which said

Tender God,
gentle protector in time of trouble,
pierce the gloom of despair
and give us, with all your people,
the song of freedom and the shout of praise;
in Jesus Christ our Lord.

The time to celebrate will be when ALL God’s people are equal, and we see the vaccination programme reaching to all corners of the earth.

Delighted to have Rev. Ian Walker write for us this week:

My name is Ian Walker; I was once described by an Archdeacon as a ‘cradle clergyman’ as I was ordained in the Diocese of York at the age of 25 and never really had a ‘proper job’ before that. I have spent more than forty years in parish ministry the greater part in what was once called ‘Humberside’ on both sides of the river. Part of that was eleven years living in Keyingham looking after three parishes where I also had a spell as Rural Dean when I found Canon John Waller a good friend and support. I then moved ten miles as the crow flies and forty-five miles by road to be Rector of Scartho, a village on the edge of Grimsby where I discovered a love of Grimsby Town FC to go with my birth right of Leicester City. After ten years I moved to Epworth in North Lincs, famous as the birthplace of John and Charles Wesley retiring from there in 2017.

I then moved back over the river to live in Thorngumbald where my wife Susan was vicar of six parishes (how times have changed) after serving for more than twenty years as chaplain of the FE colleges, first in Hull and then in Scunthorpe. In the mid 1970’s we were one of the first ‘clergy couples’ and this year we shall complete ninety years ministry between us.

For three years I was quite happy helping in South Holderness filling in for weddings, funerals, and Sunday services. Then I heard that the Archdeacon was looking for a part time interim priest for St Mary’s Lowgate and I thought I might have something to offer there and I was licensed there on 1st November just before the second lockdown. Part of the brief at St Mary’s is to foster links with Hull Minster so I have also been licenced as honorary curate of the Minster. As such I am playing my part in the Wednesday lunchtime Eucharist and when we are able to, worship in church more often, I hope to be able to swap with Dominic on the occasional Sunday.

St Mary’s is currently working on a project to replace the floor and renew the lighting and the heating which currently does not work. We have almost all the money for the first phase and hope to start this work very soon. Without this work St Mary’s future is bleak indeed. You can find details of our project at http://www.stmaryslowgate.org.uk/

As well as worship, St Mary’s provides a home for Hull Homeless Outreach which offers soup kitchens twice a week. Sadly, this has ceased temporarily due to the current lockdown. Once we have a more useable space in the church this work can become more effective.

Historically, St Mary’s and Holy Trinity have had quite different traditions although that may date back only to the late Nineteenth Century. We need to respect these traditions but in the twenty first century they are becoming less binding as the Church strives to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ. The future of St Mary’s is increasingly likely to be bound up with Hull Minster and that needs goodwill and understanding on both sides. It is natural to look back at the past with fondness but, to adapt a contemporary poet, rather than marching back to what was, we should aim to move to what shall be.

I look forward to getting to know Hull Minster and its people in the next few months, hopefully when lockdown restrictions are behind us.

Ian Walker

Irene concludes with:

FEBRUARY OPENING

As everyone will be aware, we are now in a third lockdown. The guidance does allow public worship to continue, therefore there will continue to be open for Wednesday 12:30pm Holy Communion and Sunday 10:30am Holy Communion. Please click here to book in.

The 3:30 Sunday Praise Service this week will be via zoom so if you would like to join please click here for the link.

Also this Sunday we have our ‘Family Focus’ conversation via zoom at 2pm. A space for families with children to connect with a short session, hosted by Mandy. Click here to join or find the link on our website front page under Hull Minster conversations.

All other public services are cancelled at the present time.

PRAYER REQUEST

Please pray for Rev. Gemma Turner and her family. Gemma has COVID and pneumonia and rather unwell at the moment.

PLEASE NOTE The Minster will be open for personal prayer each Saturday 12-3pm.

Confirmation Preparation New course beginning Wednesday 3rd February via zoom at 7pm. Please email Rev Dominic if you would like to sign up, or for more information, dominic.black@hullminster.org

It is looking likely that the government is going ahead with the May local council elections. Given the current situation you may want to apply for a postal ballot. Here is the link on the Hull Council website. http://www.hull.gov.uk/council-and-democracy/elections-and-voting/voting-post

An Invitation to Lent 2021

This Lent, to encourage each of us to go deeper in prayer we will be sending out a booklet of daily reflections based on the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Lent book for 2021, Living His Story by Hannah Steel. These notes include a short passage of scripture, a reflection, and a prayer for each day of Lent. If you have a smart phone or tablet these notes are accompanied by the free #LiveLent App on iOS and Android where you can listen along to the reflections. [suggested donation £2.50 to cover booklet and postage]. Click here for full details.

READINGS: SECOND SUNDAY BEFORE LENT

COLLECT FOR SECOND SUNDAY BEFORE LENT

Almighty God

you have created the heavens and the earth

and made us in your own image;

teach us to discern your hand in all your works

and your likeness in all your children;

Through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord