11 November 2020
Rev. Irene writes:
Another week of change as our country enters its second lockdown and way over the Atlantic America voted in its new president. I hope today that everyone is feeling optimistic about the good news on the possible vaccination against the Corona virus. We are not there yet but the possibility is so encouraging. In the meantime, we must show patience and be persistent in prayer.
I thought the wisdom of this verse from Ecclesiastes 7 was quite apt for today!
Better is the end of a thing than its beginning, and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.
It is amazing just how busy people are being within the church family. I have just heard from Jon Major who has spent the afternoon moving pews in the church and making the most of the opportunity to clean and tidy the building on the days we are closed to the public. Jon is not on his own, we are thankful to all those that go into the church to help and of course to Al who coordinates all this work at the present time.
I was delighted to hear from people who read about the church opening last week and have rung me to offer their services. Bishop Frank has written in a bit more detail about the opportunities we have when the church is open for private prayer.
As for myself it is lots of time on the telephone and on Zoom meetings, both for church and family. I spent the afternoon today Christmas shopping with my two daughters via Zoom – stressful to say the least compared to the day we would normally spend in Leeds shopping interspersed by coffee and a lovely lunch!
Yes, I did mention Christmas! With our Nine Lessons and Carols service already pre-recorded and plans for some of our usual December services still on track we hope that we can come out of this four week lockdown in a much better place and look forward to getting our church family together again for Advent and Christmas services. Watch this space!
In the meantime, do read what Bishop Frank has to say:
Supporting Personal Prayer - A Vital Minster Activity
Did you know that for the last 5 months Hull Minster has been open three days a week to support members of the public who want to pray - however clear or confused they may feel about that? The pandemic has triggered countless questions, concerns, troubles and heartbreaks and the Minster community have been there alongside those who want to relate to God in the turmoil of these days. Mostly it is by quiet presence and friendly welcome that people feel invited into this place of prayer. Occasionally deeper conversation is wanted, sometimes with shared prayer; and all done keeping to the current Covid regulations.
The Minster community are taking this responsibility - volunteering to be a healing presence in the heart of the City as people find themselves in real need. In a wonderful way we are finding a new expression of our calling. Since 2017 the Minster has welcomed tens, maybe hundreds of thousands of visitors as countless events have taken place within our walls and on Trinity Square. This is now a different time, but it is the same calling; to be here for God's sake welcoming whoever comes, longing that we may all experience his touch on our lives.
And we have the opportunity to support one another - we especially need welcoming people who can give 1-3 hours on Thursdays, Fridays, or Saturdays to be present in the Minster, to be alongside the people who have been offering this ministry these last months. Each day we have a chaplain who listens to those who have specific concerns, we have a doorkeeper who attends to the track and trace system and explains the hygiene and distancing rules and we have welcomers in the Nave receiving whoever comes into the church.
I am going to be in the Minster on Wednesday 18th November between 12.30 and 2pm to share more of the story and talk about welcoming. If you would like to come for a few minutes during that time, the north door (Trinity Market side opposite the Hideaway Hotel) will be open; please do ring Al on 01482 224460 to register your interest and come and join me. If you cannot come but would like to explore further, please leave a message with your name and contact details on the church phone - 01482 224460 and we will get back to you.
Thank you and please pray each week as the Minster is open for personal prayer.
+ Frank White.
Irene concludes with:
There will be no face to face services in the Minster until December however the streamed service will continue at 10am on a Sunday morning. You can access this by going onto hullminster.org and follow ‘Worship’ or alternatively via You Tube.
After the service, at 11am, there will be a chance to socialise and catch up with Minster family via zoom on our new weekly ‘Coffee and Chat’ conversation so grab yourselves a drink and join us by clicking on our ‘Church at home’ tab, ‘Resources’ then ‘Conversations’ or simply click here.
The Minster continues to be open for private prayer between 12noon and 3pm on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.
Readings:
The Collect for this week.
Heavenly Lord,
you long for the world’s salvation;
stir up from apathy,
restrain us from excess
and revive in us new hope
that all creation one day will be healed
In Jesus Christ our Lord.
AMEN
November Prayer Diary
Daily prayer points throughout the month of November can be found here.