22 December 2020

Rev. Irene writes:

I do hope that the Christmas Lifeline helps you to feel connected with your church family over the Christmas period. There will be so many of us staying at home this year however, if you are able, do look online and join in some of the services that the team have managed to put together. It is a Christmas with a difference, but it is still Christmas; there is no cancelling Christmas as we have heard many say. Christmas is when the prophecy in Isaiah came to be and each year, we celebrate the birth of our Saviour, Jesus Christ

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” (Isa. 9:6.)

There is hope in our troubled world, on Wednesday Dave Allum came to the Minster proudly wearing the ‘I’ve had the Covid vaccination’ sticker. We give thanks for the hard work that scientist have put in to achieve such a good result and hope and pray that this will be distributed to all in the coming weeks and months.

In the meantime, stay safe and a very HAPPY AND PEACEFUL CHRISTMAS TO ALL!

Enjoy the update from Rev. Dominic as he prepares for his first Christmas at Hull Minster:

‘Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.’ Hebrews 1:1-4 (ESV)

Twenty - Twenty vision is what you hope to have when you step out of the opticians, but if you will excuse the pun, nobody could see what was coming our way in 2020 not least Turkey Framers! Back in March when chicks were hatching who could predict what size of bird to rear one Turkey farmer is quoted as saying  "The run up to Christmas is not a fun time for a turkey farmer at the best of times, but this year we really are on tenterhooks. It's going to be a lucky turkey producer that gets this Christmas right, rather than a clever one".

Back in March who could predict what size of social bubble would be allowed by December? And how many of us thought that we would be in the same predicament by Christmas, surely, we thought, not for the first time, it will all be over by Christmas.

From the time I was appointed back in January to actually arriving, as we begin to emerge from the first lockdown at the beginning of July, the world and the church had changed beyond recognition. Very quickly I had to make with the PCC some very painful decisions about staffing. I knew back in January that some difficult decisions would have to be made due to our financial challenges but had not anticipated quite how quickly this would happen.

A building which normally would welcome thousands was quiet, with only a handful of people around. For the first few months it seemed we were slowly edging forward and beginning to emerge, services began again, the choir was able to sing once more and then suddenly a second lockdown! In the last few weeks, we have picked ourselves up again and restarted. Thankfully now that vaccines are in place we can look with a little more certainty to the future and after a very tough year for all of us.

As we begin to think and pray about the future hopefully people will not forget what they have learned from this extraordinary year and begin to understand that, despite all our science and technology, we are not in control!

Thankfully as we celebrate Christmas this year, we know one thing that will be the same;

‘Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.’ Matthew 24:35 (ESV)

May God bless you this Christmas and may you know his Word close by you.

Rev Dominic Black

Irene concludes with:

Other news this week:

Thursday 24th-3:30pm- Crib Service, and 7pm-Christmas Eve Holy Communion, Click here to book a seat for either service.

Friday 25th-10am- Christmas Day Church at home- You can access this by going onto hullminster.org and follow ‘Worship’ or alternatively via You Tube or Face Book.

Friday 25th-10:30am- Christmas Day Family Communion, Click here to book.

Sunday 27th-10 am- Church at home- You can access this by going onto hullminster.org and follow ‘Worship’ or alternatively via You Tube or Face Book.

Sunday 27th-10:30am- Holy Communion in the Minster-click here to book a seat.

Sunday 3rd Jan 2021-10am- Church at home- You can access this by going onto hullminster.org and follow ‘Worship’ or alternatively via You Tube or Face Book.

Sunday 3rd Jan 2021-10:30am-Holy Communion in the minster-click here to book.

The Minster will reopen for personal prayer from Thursday 7th January, 12-3pm.

Our next Lifeline update will be published Wednesday 6th January 2021.

READINGS FOR CHRISTMAS DAY

Psalm 89:1-4, 19-26

2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16

Luke 1:26-38

COLLECT FOR CHRISTMAS DAY

Eternal God,

as Mary waited for the birth of your Son,

so, we wait for his coming in glory;

bring us through the birth pangs of this present age to see, with her, our great salvation