Guest User

12 August 2020

Minster Lifeline #21

Guest User

12 August 2020

Rev. Irene writes:

I hope during this extremely hot weather you have managed to ‘keep cool’. Those who had to cancel holidays abroad at the last minute will, at least, have been able to enjoy not only the beauty of this country but Mediterranean weather as well.

The Minster is a good place to be, perfect temperature for these summer days. It is of course a good place to be at any time. I have so appreciated being in the Minster the last few Sundays and occasionally in the week. How good it is to see so many familiar faces, just sad that we cannot enjoy fellowship over a cup of coffee!

However, as you heard in our Lifeline last week things are still happening albeit on a small scale. We heard about our toddlers last week and this week I want to let everyone know that we are currently planning a family craft session for Wednesday 2nd September and an online Alpha course starting Tuesday 8th September so keep your eyes peeled for details of how to book for these events in the coming couple of weeks.

Could I apologise to anyone who normally joins in the 10am Sunday morning service at home. Due to technical issues we have struggled over the past weeks to get this onto the Hull Minster web site. Please bear with us over this, we have new equipment arriving this week and hopefully will succeed on Sunday. If we continue to have problems, then we will go back to a pre-recorded version until things get sorted.

As Christians it is so important that we come together as the family of Christ.

Hebrews 10:25 “Do not forsake meeting together…. but let us encourage one another.”

Worshipping is so important in our spiritual journey as also is personal prayer. Bishop Frank updates now on personal prayer in the Minster.

Frank White on Being Open for Personal Prayer:

This week marks the eighth week that Hull Minster has been open for what we have called from the beginning “Personal Prayer”. For three days over each weekend small teams have staffed the church so that people could come in to pray. Until two weeks ago that was all that Government Coronavirus Regulations would allow. Recent changes have given the opportunity to support more general visits (including opening the shop on Friday and Saturday) and we have seen the number of tourists from home and overseas increase steadily. I think I speak for all who have been involved that we have found this engagement with people a privilege; it has been humbling to encounter human beings trying to make sense of these unusual times.

It would be impertinent to offer my explanation of everyone’s purpose for visiting the church but a word that comes back to mind time and again is the word “solace”. Those who choose to speak have often said “this is a safe place for me” or “I have really needed to come in to church”. Solace is one way of describing this mixture of comfort and satisfaction. And far from people being preoccupied with their own (sometimes tragic) stories I have been struck by the number of people whose heads are turned upwards, as it were searching for meaning or strength beyond themselves.

The church is a physical expression of faith, a place of encounter with the God who has shown himself in Jesus to be the one who invites contact however clear or confused we may feel we are. How extraordinarily privileged we are to be the people of the Minster, right in the heart of the City, with our doors open to those who are exploring, wondering, hoping, praying!

Hundreds of people have now come quietly into the Chancel over these weeks; some stay only a moment while others may sit for an hour. Some come alone, others in groups. Some want to share their stories and others are intensely private. Some are old friends, regular at worship or people we know from the City, while others are complete strangers. By our main doors being open I hope we are saying that God is always ready to welcome those who seek him.

We are trying to be attentive to the way this opportunity is changing and from this weekend we are opening on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, from 12-3pm each day. We hope you will take the opportunity to come, and we ask you to remember those who are staffing the church and those who come in to the chancel that this may indeed bring people the solace which is one of the great works of the Holy Spirit.

Bishop Frank

Rev Irene concludes:

CHANGES TO OPENING TIMES FOR PERSONAL PRAYER AND VISITORS:

Thursday, Friday, and Saturday 12-3pm each day.

On Sunday’s there will be an online service at 10am and a live service in the Minster at 11:15am. If you would like to be in the Minster for the service at 11:15 please book a place either on-line here or by telephoning the office on 01482 224460.

Readings:

Psalm 133

Genesis 45:1-15

Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32

Matthew 15:21-28

The Collect for this week.

Lord of heaven and earth,

as Jesus taught his disciples to be persistent in prayer,

give us patience and courage never to lose hope,

but always to bring our prayers before you.

through Jesus Christ our Lord

AMEN

August Prayer Diary

Daily prayer points throughout the month of August can be found here.

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5 August 2020

Minster Lifeline #20

Guest User

5 August 2020

Rev. Irene writes:

It is hard to believe that this is the 20th Lifeline! I am not sure how many weeks we thought we would be writing Lifeline at the beginning of this difficult time, but I am sure we did not expect it to be so many. As many of you know the church is open on a very reduced schedule – only one live service a week, however we understand that for many it is too early to return to worship in a closed setting. Feedback so far suggests that the Lifeline has been a good way of keeping people in touch with Minster Life so please do give your feedback to one of the Minster team on whether you would like Lifeline to continue or not. If you are not sure how to do that feel free to ring the church office on 01482 224460 and leave a message for me.

We have covered many areas of the work of the Minster in the previous weeks however if there is an area that you would like an update on, again please let us know and we will do our best to update you.

Last week Becca Alden wrote a little about her life at the Minster and about her recent graduation so today I thought it would be good to go to the other extreme and talk about our toddlers. Would you believe our toddler group has continued throughout lockdown, so to tell you how that has happened I have asked Rachel Turner to tell us more? Rachel runs the toddler group Little Fishes along with our Children, Youth and Families Minister Mandy….

So, how does Little Fishes - a very practical, lively, and fun baby and toddler group - function in lockdown? By the grace of God, some excellent technological support, and the willingness of us all to open our homes via Zoom, we have kept going! Our weekly meetings online have been a comfort, a lifeline, and a marker for the end of the working week at a time when so much of what was normal changed to a 'new normal'. Thanks go to Mandy and Irene for their hosting skills and much needed conversation, and to all the families who joined in the sing along each week.

My role in Little Fishes is a joy: the children request songs inspired by a basket of toys, or indeed challenge me with a toy of their own to sing about, and I belt out an old or new tune! It does not matter how tired I may feel at the start of a song session, I am always uplifted by our children and families joining in with gusto, smiles and laughter!

In addition to our weekly Zoom sessions we have a WhatsApp group chat which has grown into a haven of support, advice, fun and sharing. We have held a scavenger hunt, shared photographs of our baking and crafts, exchanged ideas for play and ways to keep our little ones happy, entertained and learning at home. As lockdown eased and we were able to go out more, we helped each other find deserted beaches on which to play safely, and crucially the location of toilets that were open!
Needing to take my youngest child Micah for his first shoe fitting I was relieved to read of one mum's successful venture to the shoe shop plus two children and face masks. Sharing daily life, snippets of fun, and anecdotes of our children has strengthened friendships as we have walked together through the last few months.

On a personal note, never have I felt so wrapped in prayer by my church family nor so lovingly
supported throughout my Mum's illness and passing by the Little Fishes community. Each kind word written, cards lovingly made by children, prayers by text message and, as restrictions lifted, socially distanced conversations in the park: this truly is the Lord our God loving in action.

Rachel Turner

Mandy adds: Little Fishes continues each Friday at 10am via zoom and is open to all parent/carers of preschool children. Click here for the link to join.

Rev Irene concludes: I am pleased to inform you that the Minster is now open for both
prayer and visitors on Friday and Saturday 12-3 p.m. and Sunday 1-3 p.m.

On Sunday there will be an online service at 10 a.m. and a live service in the Minster at 11 15
a.m. If you would like to be in the Minster for the service at 11:15 please book a place online here or by telephoning the office on 01482 224460.

This Sunday will also be our last ‘The Gathering’ zoom at 6:30pm. Click here for link to join.

As I was in the Minster last Sunday I was reminded that Jesus said in Matthew’s gospel as he
spoke to the people ‘my house shall be a house of prayer’ we give thanks that through the difficult times the Minster opened its doors firstly for prayer.

Readings:

Psalm 105:1-6, 16-22

Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28

Romans 10:5-15

Matthew 14:22-33

The Collect for this week.

Almighty God, who sent your Holy Spirit to be the life and light of your Church.

Open our hearts to the riches of your grace that we may

bring forth the fruit of the Spirit in love and joy and peace,

through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,

who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and forever.

AMEN

August Prayer Diary

Daily prayer points throughout the month of August can be found here.

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29 July 2020

Minster Lifeline #19

Guest User

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,

through Jesus Christ our Lord,

AMEN

August Prayer Diary

Daily prayer points throughout the month of August can be found here.

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22 July 2020

Minster Lifeline #18

Guest User

22 July 2020

Mandy Richardson writes:

Two weeks down and Rev. Dominic and family are still
surrounded by boxes but slowly settling into life in Hull and this past Sunday
Rev. Dominic not only lead our 10am live streamed service but also a said Holy
Communion service in the Minster at 11:15am. It was so good to be back in the
Minster, praising Our glorious God together, and thankfully we will be able to
do this each week going forward.

There were a few teething problems with our first live streamed service, for which we apologise, but Al and the team have been working hard to rectify these issues ready for this coming Sunday and I’m sure you will all join me in thanking them for taking on new technologies to enable those of us that maybe cannot attend in person, to stay connected from the comfort of their homes.

I am looking forward to meeting with Rev. Dominic this week
to discuss possible ways forward for Children’s ministry during our services so
please do keep your eyes out for any new information on this in future
Lifelines.

Rev. Dominic has provided us with this week’s reflection:

‘Naked
I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return there;
the Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the
name of the Lord.’

Job 1:21

As human beings we like to be in control
of our lives, to plan and organise, to be masters of our own destiny. But life has a habit of turning out not as we expected! Last year I happened to visit Hull for a meeting and out of curiosity having heard about the transformation project popped into the Minster. I served my curacy in Orchard Park and as some of you will know Hull is where I met Heather who came many years before as a
nursing student and where Leo was born. Little did I think when we moved to Middlesbrough in 2004 that I would be coming back and into such a strange situation. Moving under lockdown has been an interesting experience! After a tough 2019 for us both Heather and I had exciting new jobs (that was some interview process you put on!) that we were going to, and things were looking up for us. The plan was that we were going to move after Leo had finished his GCSE’s. He was all geared up with revision timetables all over his walls and then one Thursday in in the middle of March, like so many others, his secondary school days were over. They came in the next day for a leaver’s assembly writing on their shirts ‘class of Covid-19’ and that was it. All that work and preparation finished; grades would now be estimated.

The plan was the family living in the vicarage was going to move at the beginning of April and all the works would be done ready for us to move in on the 8th July, then lockdown happened. For the last year or so our plan had been to gradually pass on responsibilities and nurture others in leadership, it was going really well people were stepping up, growing in confidence and taking on responsibility and then we were in lockdown and suddenly our dining room and our family became the face of the church and our front garden the logistics centre for surplus food and children’s activity packs. We set up a community Facebook group, the church overnight became central to the life of the community. We became incredibly close to families we had only known a little. Several hundred people would join us daily for Night Prayer which Heather and I usually prayed alone and then we left; Ben and I on our push bikes, and Heather and Leo in the car with our worldly possessions on a lorry to Hull via our Cathedral church of York Minster.

An hour later in a socially distanced service with a handful of people I was licenced as Priest in
Charge of Hull Minster under the final licence ever to be issued under the seal of Archbishop Sentamu. If after 22 years of urban ministry moving into 22 Corinthian way surrounded by boxes and arriving into a whirlwind of change I am strangely comforted that the Lord is in this for, ‘my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, says the LORD’ (Isaiah 55:8) Our human plans are nothing worth, but somehow God is able to use us to fulfil his purposes, his plan, for the salvation of the world even through us who think we have plans!

Rev.Dominic Black

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.

Readings:

Romans 8:26-39

Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52

1 Kings 3:5-12

Psalm 119:129-136

The Collect for this week.

Generous God,
you give us gifts and make them grow:
though our faith is small as mustard seed,
make it grow to your glory
and the flourishing of your kingdom;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,

Amen.

July Prayer Diary

Daily prayer points throughout the month of July can be found here.

Guest User

16 July 2020

Minster Lifeline #17

Guest User

16 July 2020

Rev Irene writes:

One week down and Rev. Dominic and family are still surrounded by boxes as they await a considerable amount of work being done to their new home. Once all technology is in place Dominic looks forward to compiling next weeks ‘Lifeline’ giving you an update on life at the Minster.

Things are changing slowly, the regular pattern for private prayer continues Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 12 – 3p.m. There will also be a service of Holy Communion each Sunday, however as numbers are limited the church wardens are working out how best to accommodate the congregation. The 10 a.m. service will still be available on-line every Sunday morning, this will mainly be live streamed from the Minster. We are always open to feedback so feel free to contact us with the things you enjoy and if there are things you are struggling with.

The Minster team have always tried to help the homeless and those living in hostels etc. I am delighted that I have been given a huge number of jackets, bags, sports gear etc. from a company that is scaling down. There is so much that I believe Ian and I will be delivering boxes to many outlets during the coming months. Fortunately, Heather Black has many contacts through her work with mustard seed so a good many people will be benefiting from the generosity of Mark Ingram of BSK Pro Sports Company.

It does seem such a long time since I have seen so many of you. I wonder how many have achieved a haircut yet! Unfortunately, my appointment is not until mid-August, but Ian has (I have to say) done quite a good job on my hair! As more and more salons and businesses re-open we must pray that cases of the virus diminish and people are able to return to places of work, not forgetting of course, those whose jobs may no longer exist.

I did manage to catch up with Val Fotherby last week and ask her how she was coping with Lockdown. Val is a member of the church council, part of the pastoral team and brilliant cake maker. I asked Val to write a few words to share with everyone.

Val writes:

Lockdown! Did anyone fully understand what this meant? When it became clear that it would probably be at least three months of staying at home with no visitors, it was somewhat concerning! I had had fifteen months of learning to be on my own after David, my husband, died but had wonderful support from friends at Hull Minster. Now, no one would be able to pop in for coffee and brownies or freshly baked scones or fruit cake. Although it has been a little tedious at times, mostly it has proved to be a positive experience.

I have always loved leading the Bible Study groups with their fun, fellowship and good discussions and knew I would miss them. However, Irene came up with an idea. We had started studying Stephen Cottrell’s book “The Things He Carried”, so why not do these as online studies. People enjoyed these and so it was agreed that I should continue producing new studies. Prior to this, I had been thinking a lot about those words I BELIEVE, and so it came to me that perhaps a series on the Creed would be helpful.

I have always enjoyed teaching but unlike many people, I enjoy the study and preparation. For me, it proved to be an enjoyable time and that is what it took up – a lot of time. When that series finished, I then went on to: Themes in the Book of Acts.

Reading God’s word and preparation has therefore, taken up a lot of my time, but I was also blessed to be able to do other things.

As part of the Pastoral Team I used the time to telephone people in the church to have a chat and make sure they were doing OK. This was very great as it covered a wide range of people, all of whom were only too delighted to spend time talking. There were lots of laughs and sometimes more serious things cropped up for which prayer was needed.

Lastly, I have missed baking for those who would pop in for coffee and take some of the baking home. And of course, no Minster Praise! However, I baked for neighbours and latterly for the Black family and a certain young boy called Rupert who loves Peppa Pig.

I can honestly thank God for the time to take a pause and think about what I do, but also to be of help to others.

Irene concludes with this news just in regarding Public Worship Services:

It is with great joy that we can now announce that public worship will be held from Sunday 19th July 2020.

Rev Dominic Black will be leading a said service of Holy Communion at 11:15am. This will be the only service held publicly for the time being, with the 10am service being streamed online.

We of course want to welcome all those who want to attend but we also need to administer the service in a safe manner.

If you would like to attend, 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 recommended.

Readings:

Psalm 139.1-11,23-24

Genesis 28.10-19a

Romans 8.12-25

Matthew. 13. 24-30, 36-43

The Collect for this week.

Merciful God,

You have prepared for those who love you

such good things as pass our understanding:

pour into our hearts such love toward you

that we, loving you in all things and above all things,

may obtain your promises

which exceed all that we desire:

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

AMEN

July Prayer Diary

Daily prayer points throughout the month of July can be found here.

Guest User

9 July 2020

Minster Lifeline #16

Guest User

9 July 2020

I am delighted that by the time you receive this Lifeline Rev. Dominic Black will have been licenced as the new Priest in Charge of Hull Minster and on Sunday at 10am via
social media Dominic will be speaking to us as he opens up God’s word.

At the time of writing this (Tuesday) Dominic and his son Ben hopefully will have covered a
good number of miles on their journey from Middlesbrough to Hull, via York. It is so good that the winds of the previous days have now died down and although there’s an occasional shower this will do nothing to stop these intrepid cyclists finishing the task in hand.

If you haven’t already seen on our web site Dominic and Ben are being sponsored with all funds
raised being for the work of Hull Minster. There are many ways of donating to them with all the details on the website or if you do not have the technology please send to the Parish Centre, clearly marked for Rev. Dominic, sponsored cycle.

This really is a time of celebration but also a time to say ‘thank you’ to Bishop Frank for
joining the team and holding the fort over the past months. I’m not sure 12 months ago whether Frank expected to be tasked with such a huge amount of work but I, for one, can say it has been much appreciated. Bishop Frank will not be disappearing, he will be part of our congregation and will also be helping Rev. Dominic and the team in whatever ways he is able to.

Rev. Dominic is starting during very uncertain times. We have at least managed to open the church for private prayer and we are hoping once Dominic is licenced that not only will we offer some form of worship in the building but also that we will be able to live stream the Sunday morning service from the Minster. There will be further details once Dominic’s feet have touched the ground and he has had the opportunity to meet with the technicians etc. in order for this happen.

Other changes happening this week: we are delighted to welcome Mandy our Children, Youth and Families Minister back from furlough. Mandy had only been with us a couple of months before Covid 19 caused the lockdown so not an easy position for her to be in. Mandy has taken this opportunity to write about her experiences over the past few months.

Mandy adds: I wonder if you created a time capsule to commemorate your life during this pandemic what you would include? Will you look back and remember a time of despair or a time of blessing? I suspect most people’s capsules would be filled with a mixture of happy and sad moments. Mine certainly would be. This last four months have been a myriad of events that seem to all mash into one, and a rollercoaster of emotions that I am sure you can all relate with.

Like many, the first six weeks of lockdown for me, was a time of learning new skills; juggling working from home as well as home schooling two energetic children. We were just getting used to this new normal when the news came that I would be furloughed from my work at the Minster and this news, although completely necessary and understood, was quite a blow to me
because at the time I felt that all the relationships I had started to build since my start in January, would be lost and forgotten. I also felt guilty for not ‘doing’ enough, for not witnessing enough, but during my quiet time I really felt God saying, ‘being with me is enough’ and ‘minister at ‘home’.

So, whilst I did not fill a time capsule, I did fill many other things; many pages in my journal with prayers, thoughts and meditations; many pages in my scripture colouring book during the times that my mind was overthinking; my tummy with delicious snacks probably more times than I should have; and many pages of our foster children’s scrapbooks with photos of nature walks, craft activities, water fights, beach trips, and church at home sessions. Happy memories to last a lifetime. We have laughed, cried, danced, and worshipped together and we have all grown closer to each other but most importantly to our loving Father during this time, something that would not have been possible without the last nine weeks of furlough.

2020 will therefore be forever memorable and I will be eternally thankful for the time I got to spend at home, enjoying a simpler life, and just ‘being’. I have learned a lot more about ministering with children and families and am now more than ready to return to my work at the Minster, excited to see what the future holds with our new priest in charge, Dominic, at the helm. Blessings, Mandy x

Irene concludes, I hope that you have been able to join in the meditations on the psalms that have been put together by various people to help us focus on this new adventure for Hull Minster. If you haven’t done this yet they are still available on the website and well worth using as a focus for prayer.

Readings:

Psalm 119.105-112

Isaiah 55.10-13

Romans. 8.1-11

Matthew. 13.1-9, 18-23

The Collect for this week.

Almighty God,

send down upon your church

the riches of your Spirit,

and kindle in all who minister the gospel

your countless gift of grace;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

July Prayer Diary

Daily prayer points throughout the month of July can be found here.

Guest User

2 July 2020

Minster Lifeline #15

Guest User

2 July 2020

Hello everyone,

As we begin to see glimmers of hope in life returning to some form of ‘normal’, we also assess the past fourteen weeks with its advantages and many disadvantages. I was talking to my eighteen-year old grandson last week and he was sharing how he and his friends felt about the lockdown. After being with many mates in school, some for 13 years suddenly one Thursday afternoon in March they were told ‘that was it – no more school’. There was no swapping of names on school shirts, or proms and celebrations, just an end to school education with a simple ‘cheerio’ and into lockdown. They do, of course, realise that’s how it had to be, but I did feel a little sorry for them all the same. There were bonuses from this. He no longer had to sit ‘A’ levels and he was offered an unconditional place at University, but many would be leaving school and hoping for apprenticeships or jobs and the current economic situation has made that very difficult for this group.

I often say I wouldn’t like to be a teenager today – that’s probably because the thought of living life on social media would be a real challenge! But truthfully social media does open up so many opportunities but also allows for all types of bullying and exploitation by those who can hide behind anonymity. Having stepped off my soapbox about social media, it has been a wonderful tool during the lockdown days and has enabled children to carry on their education and adults to continue working in a safe environment. In fact, it is developing so quickly that I just need to ask grandchildren ‘how to’ and they have the answer. So many from church have been working at home over the past 14 weeks including myself. I was chatting to Terry Igoe who works in a local prison and asking him how he has coped during lockdown. Terry kindly offered this reflection on how things have been:

“As I begin this reflection, let me quote Dickens “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” I imagine that, like me, you can identify with that quote as we have all had to adjust to life in a global pandemic. So, what’s been good? I have enjoyed the opportunity to live my life at a slower pace, to be involved in leisure activities, to go for walks, spending time in my garden. While I haven’t been “furloughed” as a key worker my work has involved some working from home, and that has been a welcome change of pace. I feel very blessed that my income has been secure and, so far, I have not become ill due to the virus. Perhaps most importantly, I have had the opportunity to reflect on what is important to me.

“On the other hand. I have missed many of the things I have previously taken for granted. As a musician, I have missed performing. I have missed face to face contact with friends and family, particularly my grandchildren. We have, of course, been able to make contact through video chat, but it’s not the same. I have missed going to the cinema and to restaurants. I have missed being part of a worshiping community at Hull Minster. Although I have found the online services very helpful and have also benefited immensely from our online Bible study with our home group, again it’s not been the same as being part of a gathered congregation. At times I have felt spiritually dry and stagnant and have struggled to maintain my walk with God.

“Some of you may know that I work in a local prison and I have struggled with the limited contact available to me as I try to help the men under my care. I worry about the long-term impact that lock down, with much longer time being spent locked up, will have on their mental health and general well-being. I also, at times, struggle with my own anxiety around what the “new normal” might look like as we slowly emerge from lockdown. However, God is good, and God continues to sustain me, as I move forward and put my faith in Him. I am confident that God will sustain and nourish us all as we trust Him for the future. God Bless, Terry Igoe”

Dan adds a request for your contributions to a welcome video:

“We are delighted to be welcoming Revd. Dominic Black as our new Priest-in-Charge, his wife Heather and their sons Leo and Ben. Sadly, we cannot gather in person, instead we're making a welcome video for them! We would love you / your household to submit a 5 second video. Please record in landscape and include a message of welcome, introducing yourself by name. They'll be shown during ‘Church at Home’, 10am 12th of July.

Can't record a video? If you are in the Minster on the 3rd/4th/5th for Personal Prayer, ask for Dan/Al while you’re with us, they will record your video greeting. Please submit your video on wetransfer.com sending to dan@hullminster.org, or via Facebook. any questions? - contact Dan. Do pass this message on! Thank you.”

We are very much looking forward to Rev. Dominic and family joining us next week. You may have already heard that he and his son Ben will be riding bicycles from Middlesbrough to Hull (via York). This is a sponsored ride so if you wish to give to Hull Minster through this event please follow the directions on the web site. Being a cyclist myself all I can say is I hope they have got padded shorts! Please keep all the family in your private prayers as they arrive at a very challenging time in our country.

As well as asking for private prayers for the Black family can I recommend that you join in the week of meditations on the psalms, ‘Living Stones: Building for the Future’, aiding us as we enter into a period of dedicated prayer. As we did around Ascension to Pentecost different members of our church family have contributed a reflection and there will be headlines for our intercessions, daily, through to the 8th of July.

We are delighted that our church has been cleaned and transformed into a safe place for prayer. There was a steady stream of people through the doors last weekend, some well-known and some new faces. The times are strictly Friday, Saturday and Sunday 12 – 3pm and only for the use of personal prayer. When we have further information from the Diocese, we will update you on steps forward towards worshipping again. In the meantime, please continue to log on to our Sunday worship at 10 am each week and other activities that you will find on our website and social media platforms.

It is good to be in contact with so many of you again through this Lifeline. Take care and keep safe.

Blessings, Irene

Associate Vicar

The Readings for the 4th Sunday after Trinity:

Psalm 45. 10-end

Zech. 9. 9-12

Romans 7. 15-25a

Matthew 11. 16-19,25-end

The Collect for this week.

Gracious Father,

by the obedience of Jesus

you brought salvation to our wayward world:

draw us into harmony with your will,

that we may find all things restored in him,

our Saviour, Jesus Christ.

Amen.

July Prayer Diary

Daily prayer points throughout the month of July can be found here.

Guest User

25 June 2020

Minster Lifeline #14

Guest User

25 June 2020

I am not a great watcher of the TV, except to see the news and enjoy the sports programmes, oh, and a small confession – The Repair Shop has become a must during the lockdown. However, last weekend we decided to watch the programmes about the Salisbury Poisonings on BBC iplayer – it is the story of the Novochock poisoning of the Scripals and the drama-documentary had received positive reviews. We were not disappointed as the three programmes, though harrowing, were powerful in the story they told and of the people who were portrayed. I was struck by how those terrible events in Salisbury in 2018 have a remarkable similarity to the experience of the Coronavirus pandemic today.

The programmes showed the slow realisation that something quite out of the ordinary was happening in that English city and the terrifically demanding task for the authorities to get up to speed about something for which they were not prepared. The crisis took far longer to resolve and the city was in virtual lockdown, the community alternately fearful and angry, the health services doing amazing work, profound acts of kindness and compassion, and unlikely characters emerging into public prominence. Salisbury Cathedral in all its magnificence watched over the city as the story was being played out, its role not obvious or particularly in view, but the steady and persistent faith and prayer of its community spreading quietly and healingly into the city and its people.

Here, one of the many wonderful, quiet and largely unseen aspects of the last few months has been the prayer which has been going on in homes and households, over Zoom conferences and telephone calls as people have steadily upheld our city before God. And many people who may not be regular worshippers at any of the churches in Hull have joined in the online services or social media conversations, investigated the offerings on church websites and taking the time to explore what faith might mean for them for the future.

As we engage in the gradual process of the re-opening of the city’s life and the part the Minster plays in this we are offering an invitation to join in a focussed week of prayer which will coincide with the arrival of our new Priest-in-Charge, Rev Dominic Black on the 8th July. We will be praying for the family as they move into the Vicarage on Victoria Dock, and for the relationship which begins to develop between the church community and Dominic in these early days. This and the prayer for our city and community that the many painful stories of these last months might find the soothing balm of God’s love and the many flowerings of creativity and generosity might find fuller and wider expression as we emerge into a new future.

Stage one of this is the July prayer diary which is available with this edition of Lifeline whether you receive it online or by post. Stage two is a week of meditations on some of the Psalms, aiding us as we enter into a period of dedicated prayer. As we did around Ascension to Pentecost different members of our church family will contribute a reflection and there will be headlines for our intercessions. The link is on the website from Monday June 29th and will go out on social media platforms from July 1st. Copies of the daily prayers will be posted to those who have been joining in through weekly envelopes on their front doormat. All of this of course will still be happening at home or wherever we turn to God in our daily personal prayers.

We are beginning to digest the latest news that it will be permitted for churches to open further as from July 4th. There will be detailed guidance coming out in the next few days and we will keep our readers up-to-date with our plans here at the Minster. At the time of going to press we are finalising our plans for very limited opening for personal prayer starting on Friday 26th at 12 o’clock. The Minster will not be open for general visitors or tourists but only for those who have come to pray. I want to offer heartfelt thanks to those who have been trained and deployed as Hull Minster Guides and those who have re-organised and cleaned the church for this particular purpose; it has been a big but worthwhile task as we look to welcome people again.

While the Parish Centre isn’t yet open, and those staff who are not furloughed are working from home, we are still monitoring the telephone messages coming in to the Minster office, so please leave a message on 01482 224460 and one of us will get back to you as soon as we can.

Warmest best wishes,

Frank White

Interim Priest-in-Charge.

The Readings for the 3rd Sunday after Trinity:

Jeremiah 28 verses 5 – 9

Psalm 13

Romans 6 verses 12 – 23

Matthew 10 verses 40 – 42

The Additional Collect for this week.

God our Saviour,

look on this wounded world

in pity and in power;

hold us fast to your promises of peace

won for us by your Son,

our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

July Prayer Diary

Daily prayer points throughout the month of July can be found here.

Guest User

18 June 2020

Minster Lifeline #13

Guest User

18 June 2020

The Revd.Irene Wilson writes:

Another week goes by as we gently lift some of the lockdown restrictions. I went out on my bike for the first time since March yesterday and enjoyed a lovely 15 mile ride in the sunshine around Brantingham and Broomfleet. We all pray for an end to the pandemic so that we can begin to live lives freely again.

We continue to receive both encouraging and discouraging reports on our TV’s. Amidst the demonstrations following the terrible death in America of George Floyd our hearts went out to those peaceful demonstrators of the Black Lives Matter movement.

Unfortunately, at the weekend we saw clashes between two groups of people but the picture that sticks in my mind amongst all this was that of the Black Lives Matter activist Patrick Hutchinson, carrying on his shoulder a white middle aged man, one of those from the opposing demonstration. This man had been separated from his group and had been pushed to the ground where he was being trampled on and his life was in danger. It was at this point that Patrick hoisted him onto his shoulders and surrounded by other Black Lives Matter activists they carried him to safety.

Two biblical pictures came into my mind, firstly that wonderful image of Jesus carrying the lost lamb on his shoulders back to safety (Matthew 18). Secondly the story of the Good Samaritan where the man travelling from Jerusalem to Jericho fell into the hands of robbers who beat him and stripped him of his clothes. Both the priest and the Levite passed by him on the other side leaving him there to die, yet the Samaritan (one of the “despised”) was the one that not only stopped but laid him on his own donkey, took him to safety, and left money with the innkeeper to look after him.

It is so important that lessons can be learnt from this incident and that of George Floyd’s death. I have read that the man now wants to personally thank Patrick Hutchinson. I really hope this happens and that once back to safety his kindness is not forgotten.

Last week in Lifeline it was mentioned that Rev. Matt had been on Radio 2’s Pause for Thought where he had mentioned my letter from the Queen. I just wanted to explain that the letter was requesting me to attend Windsor Castle to receive the Royal Maundy purse from the Queen. I was delighted to receive the gift yet at the same time disappointed because of the Covid 19 restrictions not to be able to be at the presentation and to have refreshments with the Queen at Windsor. If you are wondering what the Maundy Service is all about here is a very brief explanation:

The origin of the Maundy is in the Bible and the actions of our Lord on the night before he was betrayed recorded in it. John chapter 13 records Jesus washing the disciples’ feet. Later that night when Judas had disappeared Jesus gave his disciples a new commandment ‘Love one another. As I have loved you, so you are to love one another.’ It is with these words, said by the Lord High Almoner from the altar, that the Royal Maundy Service begins. The word Maundy comes from the Latin word “mandatum” commandment, hence the connection to Jesus’ words.

The Maundy ceremony has taken place in the British Isles since at least the 6th century. This year the Maundy gift was presented to 94 men and women throughout the country, 94 representing the Queen’s age. The Lord High Almoner said “At the heart of this service is an act of humility on the part of The Queen in which she honours a representative number of people from across the British Isles who have lived a life of service to their church and community, just as she has done to Commonwealth and nation. Most especially, she gives honour to the Lord Jesus who on the day that He was betrayed gave His disciples that new commandment, “Love one another as I have loved you”.

Having just written about the Maundy Service I realise my first paragraphs on the kindness of one man to another during the demonstrations is a perfect example of fulfilling Jesus’ commandment to love our neighbours and that All Lives Matter.

Bishop Frank writes: After careful consultation and planning we are intending to open Hull Minster on Friday 26th June for the specific and particular purpose of providing a place for individual prayer in the light of the Coronavirus lockdown. By then we will have been closed for 93 days. We are inviting and training three groups of people who will act as Hull Minster Guides; each group will have responsibility for a particular day and for the period between 12 and 3pm when the building will be open. Numbers who can attend will have to be strictly limited and much of the building will be cordoned-off inside to ensure public safety; all appropriate measures for hygiene and distancing will be in place. There will be no toilet facilities or any refreshments; we are not allowed to provide any prayer books or bibles so people will need to bring their own. The Government Regulations specify only individuals or households can avail themselves of the opportunity at this stage. We aim to be open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 12 until 3pm, and will be keeping all of these arrangements under constant review. The first weekend the Minster plans to be open will therefore be 26-28th June. As ever more information is available on www.hullminster.org

And then we will be able to look forward to the arrival of our new Priest-in-Charge, The Revd. Dominic Black who will be licensed to begin ministry here in the parish on Wednesday 8th July. Because of the current restrictions the legal ceremony involving only the Bishop, Archdeacon and Churchwardens will take place later in the day after Dominic and his son Ben have arrived in Trinity Square on their bikes from Middlesbrough. They are obviously taking a leaf out of Irene’s book, though the cycling distance, via our Cathedral Church in York is rather longer! More news on this epic ride is circulating on social media and will be available here in due course; we are also looking forward greatly to the arrival of Heather and Leo more conventionally in the back, as it were, of a removal van!

The Readings for the Second Sunday after Trinity.

Jeremiah 20 verses 7 – 13

Psalm 69 verses 8 - 20

Romans 6 verses 1 – 11

Matthew 10 verses 24 – 39.

The Collect:

Lord, you have taught us

that all of our doings without love are nothing worth;

send your Holy Spirit

and pour into our hearts that most excellent gift of love,

the true bond of peace and of all virtues,

without which whoever lives is counted dead before you.

Grant this for your only Son Jesus Christ’s sake. Amen.

Please join us, where you can for our on-line Sunday and weekly events and activities.

With love,

Revd. Irene: Associate Vicar.

June Prayer Diary

Daily prayer points throughout the month of June can be found here.

Guest User

11 June 2020

Minster Lifeline #12

Guest User

11 June 2020

I am writing this on June 11th, the day when the church celebrates Barnabas, one of the great encouragers of the faith and the faithful in the early church. It was through him that the ministry to the Gentiles took a huge leap forward; he was a person who was steeped in God’s Spirit and could see the possibilities rather than immediately concentrate on the problems. It is no wonder that breakthroughs occurred when Barnabas was around!

And it is on the subject of breakthroughs that I want to concentrate in this edition of Minster Lifeline. I well remember the day when those who dug the Channel Tunnel met in the middle as the French team from one side and the English from the other broke through that last thin layer of rock; what cheering, and relief and celebration there was. Breakthroughs have that sudden release of joy as what may have been worked on for years finally emerges.

How we have seen examples of that during the Coronavirus pandemic. The moment when all the work in support of a Covid sufferer in a Care Home or Hospital is fulfilled when breathing starts without aid of a ventilator or those first small steps herald the breakthrough to recovery. What joy we anticipate if there comes a time when a vaccine or treatment is revealed and the Covid 19 virus becomes a memory we share rather than a threat we dread.

Many of us will have been moved by the outpouring of despair and anger around the terrible public killing of George Floyd, even though the events took place a continent away. We pray that the energy that has been released in the protests will lead to the genuine respect and valuing of all people and especially those who have experienced racial prejudice. My memory goes back to the inspiring and courageous life and service of The Revd. Dr Martin Luther King Jnr, my hero as I grew through my teenage years. He famously “had a dream”, that “one day my four little children will be judged not by the colour of their skin but by the content of their character; I have a dream today”. In these words he distilled for me the effect of the Gospel on human society. That in the name of the Creator, Redeemer and Lifegiver, all of us are made in the image of God and all of us deserve the respect that such dignity establishes. What a breakthrough it will be when we manage to experience that in the everyday and everyplace life of the world.

We have had a breakthrough of our own this week. I am delighted to be able to report that our new Priest-in-Charge, Dominic Black, will indeed be able to join us on July 8th when he will be licensed by the Bishop of Hull. A breakthrough behind the scenes also will allow the Black family to move into the Corinthian Way Vicarage on Victoria Dock. We are delighted and thankful that all of the work to overcome one of the invisible aspects of lockdown has been successful.

I am not, however, able to offer news of a breakthrough in the opening of the Minster building, but there is an important glimmer of hope. We will be able to open our doors, when it is safe to do so, to solitary visitors and households who want to come for “individual prayer”. A number of people are now working hard to enable this to happen but that will not be on the earliest date the Government offers, which is June 15th. For now the message remains Hull Minster is open – ONLINE. This is the message we have shared this last three months; the Church has not gone away, and we will offer what we can within the restricted Government permission, but please continue in the goodwill, good humour and with the good sense which has been so wonderfully characteristic of these last weeks. The apostle Paul writes to the Romans in a passage set for this coming Sunday, “we know that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance produces character, and character produces hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” When we have a date for opening, even for the restricted access we are able to offer, we will publicise that widely.

Dan Broom, our Community Minister writes: In a recent ‘Pause for Thought’ on BBC Radio 2, our former Pioneer Minister Rev Matt Woodcock carried the theme of his esteemed former colleague, our Associate Vicar, Rev Irene! Remarking on the amazing work she leads, he made reference to her recent ‘Maundy Money’ honour granted by Her Majesty the Queen. Rev Irene was ‘honoured for her invaluable contribution to the community’, and she says this; “There are many areas of Ministry that I have to work hard at but helping those that are marginalised or have additional needs is where my heart lies. There is always a story behind the situations people find themselves in and as a Christian we are to copy Jesus’ example which was to never walk away from those in need. In Matthew’s gospel Peter asks Jesus ‘Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother, up to seven times?’ Jesus replies ‘not seven times but seventy times’ Love and support goes a long way in changing lives.” In the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, Irene thought she’d got away lightly with little attention drawn to this recognition. Yet, it seems even from York, Woodcock continues to impact our lives! Click on the photo of them both to listen to his ‘Pause for Thought’.

As we give thanks for the musicians and readers, the prayers and techno wizards and the people who coordinate our Sunday worship and many other on-line activities and events, we rejoice that the Minster is indeed open – ONLINE – and we pray for the blessing of all who are drawn into worship and service with us.

Frank White // Dan Broom

Interim Minister // Community Minister

The Readings for the First Sunday after Trinity

Exodus 19 verses 2 – 8a

Psalm 100

Romans 5 verses 1 – 8

Matthew 9 verse 35 – 10 verse 8.

The Collect for Trinity 1

God of truth,

help us to keep your law of love

and to walk in ways of wisdom,

that we may find true life