I knew something about Dubai, I have spent some time talking with Irene who has often visited there when her husband was working in Dubai. But that didn’t really prepare me for how it would feel visiting this lively, glitzy, buzzing place. The high-rise buildings are incredible, what a feat of engineering! The lights decorating them, the entertainment, the warmth, the feeling of safety, the clean streets, the array of places to see and things to do. We enjoyed exploring with Laura, spending time doing the “touristy” thing. Of course, we enjoyed the warm weather, even though there was a night of rain, and the place came to a standstill with flooded roads which were impassable!
But there was something about the place which jarred, which felt uncomfortable. It felt that the whole place shouted that money is everything. The buildings so tall, including the Burj Khalifa, the highest building in the world. The shops in the Malls containing all the big brand names. The fancy cars, the elite hotels… It was strange to see that the Mosques were so small and almost unseen amongst the other buildings. And then noticing that there were few older people, I hardly saw a wheelchair in our time there, there were no homeless people begging in the streets. Apparently, it is difficult to live there if you don’t have money, or once you are no longer seen as a productive member of society earning money.
It made me think about some verses in the Bible, from Matthew 6: 19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
May we be people whose hearts are turned to God, whose treasures are caught up in wanting to do what He asks of us. May our hearts be turned towards loving God and loving one another, rather than towards the fleeting treasures of this world.
MAUNDY THURSDAY WORSHIP
Before the evening worship there will be a ‘bring and share’ supper. Please come along and join together on this special day of Holy Week.
REQUEST FOR UKRAINE
Revd. Ben Norton has asked if we could collect sweets and chocolate as treats for the Ukrainian soldiers being trained in this country.
Alpha and the Bible courses are all running again on Wednesdays. If you would like to take part, please speak to one of the clergy team.
The Prayer Course 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Alpha at the Minster (Zoom) 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Zoom Bible Study 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Access via Teaching on Hull Minster Website
Lectio Course Sunday 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 pm in the Cafe
ALASDAIR HUTSON RESIGNATION – HE’S MOVING ON!
On Wednesday, Alasdair gave his notice of resignation as Director of Operations, to take up the role of Director of the Burton Constable Foundation. His final day will be Friday 24th May. Alasdair has played a key role through a complex and challenging time in the Minster’s life, including a major development project, a pandemic, and huge staff changes. He has shown enormous commitment and dedication to the role often going above and beyond. We wish him every success in his new role. Dominic Black
MINSTER VOLUNTEERS
Five of our wonderful volunteers opened the 2024 tower tours this week, it was a bit chilly, but the view was very clear. Jon Major
Tours are now open on Wednesday- Saturday at 2pm £7.50 per person or a group of 4 for £25.
WORSHIP BAND
Music at Breakfast Church is led by Rebecca Barques (guitar & vocals), Sarah Milner (violin), Ruth Ogilvie (vocals) Jonathan Richards (drums and percussion), Terry Igoe (guitar & vocals) and Anne Richards (piano & vocals).
We aim to offer a breadth of style and genre, offering some ‘mainstream’ contemporary worship songs, some ‘golden oldies’ and songs from the world church, which have mostly emerged through the Iona Community & Taizé. We also try to include songs which have actions or movement as we know that helps to engage some people with the musical aspect of a service. Rebecca and Anne usually select the songs for each service. We gather at 8.30am on a Sunday to set up and rehearse the music.
For anyone who’s interested, here’s a little insight into who we all are:
Sarah has been playing the violin since she was 7. She is married to Richard and they have two girls. Sarah teaches German and French at a local school.
Rebecca started her musical journey on the flute which her auntie taught her from a young age. After a music degree and stepping into the world of teaching, Rebecca has explored many other instruments over the years, including some musical directing. Her absolute favourite musical venture is to sing in the worship band.
Ruth started singing at the Minster in the choir before joining the worship band after lockdown. She studies biomedical science at Dundee University and is always looking forward to being reunited with the band when she comes home!
Terry currently plays Guitar and leads Worship occasionally with the Worship Band at Hull Minster . He also performs at acoustic and open mike nights around Hull. He has been involved in music in the life of the Church in varied ways for many years. Including full worship bands as well as just himself, going “solo”
Jonathan has been playing drums and percussion in worship for over 20 years. And still makes endless mistakes! Married to Anne, together they have two grown up children, Emma and Sam. Professionally, he is a documentary filmmaker.
Anne first got involved in leading music in worship as a young organist in the Methodist church. She came to Hull to study music at the university and then trained to teach (though is now ordained priest and serves as a school chaplain). She has led worship in chapels, churches, cathedrals and at national Christian events, with the main purpose of enabling congregational singing and enjoys sharing in the ministry of music at Hull Minster. Ann Richards
PRIMARY JUNIOR CHURCH
Giving for the Gospel 2024
We are now half way through ‘Giving for the Gospel’- a period of four weeks during Lent when we are all being asked to prayerfully consider our giving to the mission and ministry of Hull Minster.
We begin by saying a huge THANK YOU – thank you to each person that gives, without our giving we could not keep Hull Minster open and do all that we do in the Minster, local community, schools and the city. It costs around £1,000 a day to run the Minster, and every penny is raised locally through our giving, grants, the café, shop, and events.
We’ve chosen Lent, for ‘Giving for Gospel’ because it is the period set aside in preparation for Easter when we are all invited to reflect on our faith.
Week one we talked about giving being part of our discipleship, Jesus talked about where your money is, there your heart will be. Matthew 6:19-21
Week Two we had an inspirational quote from Henri Nouwen. When we seek to raise funds, we are not saying, ‘Please, could you help us out because lately it’s been hard.’ Rather, we are declaring, ‘We have a vision that is amazing and exciting. We are inviting you to invest yourself through the resources that God has given you—your energy, your prayers, and your money—in this work to which God has called us.’
How can you invest yourself in the mission of Hull Minster?
This week, we’re addressing the question ‘How much should I give?’
This is a question we’re maybe uncomfortable to talk about, but Jesus talked about money! If you remember the story of the widow’s mite, (Luke 21:1-4) she gave the smallest coin because that is all she had. Sometimes we can only give a small amount and we think it doesn’t make any difference - it does, and God sees it. Then there was the rich man who seemed to give a lot, but he was giving out of his abundance. Maybe none of us would describe ourselves as rich, but if we have a job and an income do we think this is MY hard-earned money to spend as I choose, or do we see what we have as a blessing? Then from that income recognise that we can give back to God what he has generously blessed us with? We each need to decide before God.
“Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not regretfully or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” 2 Corinthians 9:7
Some people follow the OT principle of tithing, giving 10% of their income. The CofE recommend giving 5% of our income after tax. In our Giving for the Gospel leaflet, we suggest that you look where you are on the pyramid. Could you join the pyramid and give £1-£5 per week? If you’re already giving, could you move to the next level?
Members of the Finance and Fundraising working group will be around each Sunday to give out Giving for the Gospel packs and answer your questions. If you haven’t picked a pack up already, please do so at the end of the service. Each pack contains a response form, and we ask you to complete and return this on or before March 17th when we will be giving thanks for all the gifts.
Thank you for your generous giving. Dominic Black
TERRY IGOE
I happened upon our very own Terry Igoe doing what he loves and raising his voice in song. Not only is he a regular at Hull Minster he travels around sharing his talent with others. Here he is singing at a new Sunday music venue ‘Cherry’s’. Photos by kind permission of Christopher McNally. Jon Major
COLLECT FOR THE FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT
Mothering Sunday
God of love, passionate and strong, tender, and careful:
Watch over us and hold us all the days of our life
through Jesus Christ our Lord
AMEN
READINGS FOR THE FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT
Mothering Sunday
Psalm 34:11-20
2 Corinthians 1:3-7
John 19:25b-27
PRAYER POINTS FOR MOTHERING SUNDAY
· As the Ukraine war moves into its third year, we pray for all families particularly mothers who mourn for their sons.
· For peace in Israel and Palestine and other areas of conflict in the world. For families of the hostages and for those suffering the repercussions.
· Pray especially for all those children in Ukraine and the Middle East who are going through horrendous suffering.
· For those who may be sad at this time, for those who have been bereaved by the death of a parent.
· For those who have never experienced a mother’s love, that someone special will come alongside them and share a special closeness.
· For those with mental health issues that there may be suitable accommodation etc. to help them recover
· For those who have not been able to become a mother, or are struggling to conceive
· For all those who come into the Minster seeking help, that God will meet them in their needs.
DIARY FOR THE NEXT FOUR WEEKS
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COLLECT FOR THE THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT
Eternal God, give us insight to discern your will for us,
to give up what harms us, and to seek the perfection we are promised
in Jesus Christ our Lord
AMEN
READINGS FOR THE THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT
Psalm 19
1 Corinthians 1:18-25
John 2:13-22
PRAYER POINTS FOR THE THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT
· As the Ukraine war moves into its third year we pray for peace. For support for those living in Ukraine and for those who have moved to safety but struggle with guilt at leaving and desperation for their loved ones left behind.
· For peace in Israel and Palestine and other areas of conflict in the world. For the coming together for peace talks and for a de-escalation of tension in the wider area of the Middle East.
· Pray especially for all those children in Ukraine and the Middle East who are going through horrendous suffering. Pray particularly for the little girl in Gaza who just wanted some bread!
· For those in need at this time, that people will respond to meet those in difficult circumstances.
· For all those suffering injustices, that they may receive freedom from the burden and suffering that they have undergone.
· For those with mental health issues that there may be suitable accommodation etc. to help them recover
· For all those who come into the Minster seeking help, that God will meet them in their needs.
DIARY FOR THE NEXT FOUR WEEKS
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Alpha and the Bible courses will all commence again on Wednesday 24th January. If you would like to take part, please speak to one of the clergy team.
The Prayer Course 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Alpha at the Minster (Zoom) 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Zoom Bible Study 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Access via Teaching on Hull Minster Website
WELCOME CAFÉ (from strangers to friends) AND LISTENING SPACE
We are delighted to welcome back our friends from the Welcome Café. Our keep fit expert was with us on Thursday last week along with support from Hull City Council.
COLLECT FOR THE FOURTH SUNDAY OF EPIPHANY
God of heaven,
You send the gospel to the ends of the earth
And your messengers to every nation:
Send our Holy Spirit to transform us
By the good news of everlasting life
In Jesus Christ our lord.
READINGS FOR THE FOURTH SUNDAY OF EPIPHANY
Psalm 111
Deuteronomy 18:15-20
Revelation 12:1-5a
Mark 1:21-28
PRAYER POINTS FOR THE FOURTH SUNDAY OF EPIPHANY
· For good health and healing for all those who are struggling.
· For peace in Israel and Palestine and other areas of conflict in the world. For the coming together for peace talks and for a de-escalation of tension in the wider area of the Middle East.
· Pray especially for all those children in Ukraine and the Middle East who are going through horrendous suffering.
· For those in need at this time, that people will respond to meet those in difficult
· For all those suffering injustices, that they may receive freedom from the burden and suffering that they have undergone.
DIARY FOR THE NEXT FOUR WEEKS
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BUSY WEEKEND INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE MINSTER
Hull was buzzing all weekend with this year’s Freedom Festival and inside the Minster the Barbershop concert.
PRAYER POINTS FOR THE FOURTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY
· For those we know who are sick or bereaved or awaiting hospital procedures, for healing and comfort.
· For all those living as Christians in Manipur who are suffering. Particularly for Kamsat and his ministry there.
· For our wonderful team of volunteers, particularly Shirley in her role as Volunteer
Co-ordinator
· For our bible studies and courses that many will be led to join in one of the group
COLLECT FOR THE FOURTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY
Merciful God, your Son came to save us
and bore our sins on the cross;
may we trust in your mercy and know your love,
rejoicing in the righteousness
that is ours through Jesus Christ our Lord
READINGS FOR THE FOURTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY
Psalm 149
Exodus 12:1-14
Romans 13:8 - end
Matthew 18:15-20
DIARY FOR THE NEXT FOUR WEEKS
