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27 January 2021

Minster Lifeline #4

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27 January 2021

LIFELINE 4, 2021

Rev. Irene writes:

Celandine, am I right? I seem to remember from being a small child these tiny yellow flowers that appear early in the year are called celandine. However, I could be wrong so please let me know if you think differently!

Did you know? Celandines are mentioned in C.S. Lewis’ the Lion, The witch, and the Wardrobe. When Aslan returned and the woodland turns from winter to spring, the ground was covered in all directions with yellow celandine flowers.

The ones in the picture were simply growing around a tree stump, by the stream in the village where I live. I could not help but think of ‘All things bright and beautiful when I saw them…’

‘each little flower that opens, each little bird that sings, he made the glowing colours he made their tiny wings’

When Nick and I visited Raleigh Court each month before the virus came, we would always ask the residents to choose one of the hymns and every time, without fail, they would choose ‘All things bright and beautiful’ we did grow rather tired of those words however, how we long to go back in and happily sing …. all things wise and wonderful the Lord God made them all.

As today we pass the 100,000 deaths from coronavirus, we may find it hard to see God’s wonder around us. However, from every flower that opens and every bird that sings we thank God for all the signs of spring and ask for strength to sustain all those who are working so hard in our hospitals and care homes during this difficult time.

Kat Cross has joined the Mustard Seed team with Heather Black and tells us a little about her story:

Hello everyone. I hope you are all doing well in these strange times. It feels so different in church, not being able to hug or sing, but I am so glad the church is open because it is keeping me sane through these times. God has saved me on so many levels and in so many ways, especially throughout this pandemic. Another thing that has saved me throughout the pandemic is Mustard Seed: Stepping Up programme. Stepping Up is a brilliant way to learn more about Christianity and Christ. At the moment there are two separate groups running, one in Hull and one in Middlesbrough with people from different churches in the cities.

I have learned so much from Stepping Up since it started back in September and I am so glad I joined because it has opened my mind and heart even more to Christ. Since September we have talked about listening to God, listening to others, and listening to ourselves. When we talked about listening to God, it brought back ideas that I once use to have, such as connecting to God through nature and it also helped me to improve my senses such as, listening to signs that God might leave for me. Listening to others has re-taught me to use my listening skills, in more depth than I normally would. Listening to ourselves has taught me that you need to make time for yourself, however much you need, whether it is a walk or treating yourself.

It has been strange continuing Stepping Up online instead of meeting face to face, but I am glad we are still able to connect and continue with our learning. I think, speaking on behalf of all the group, it has helped us to get through lockdown and it has given us something to look forward to. Now we are looking at the Gospel of Luke and I am finding it quite interesting, maybe because I am not as familiar with Luke as I am with the other Gospels. It is still enjoyable, being able to share our views with each other and to be able to, virtually, see each other.

Before I finish this little piece, I would like to thank my group, Laura, Dave, Sam, Phil, and Jane for being great listeners and great company. They have all been amazing in the group and I have loved getting on with them all. But most importantly I would like to thank Heather Black, for not only setting up Stepping Up and the group but for being such a great sport, teaching us so well, taking her time out to help us and letting us continue with the programme online. I really could not ask for a better group and teacher. So, if you are interested, I would recommend it because you will feel a lot closer to your faith and Christ. Kat Cross.

Irene concludes with:

JANUARY 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 see the return of 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.

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: FOURTH SUNDAY OF EPIPHANY

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 your Holy Spirit to transform us

by the good news of everlasting life

in Jesus Christ our Lord

AMEN

This Month’s Prayer Diary

Daily prayer points throughout the current month can be found here.

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20 January 2021

Minster Lifeline #3

Guest User

20 January 2021

Rev. Irene writes:

I woke up with good intentions this morning, an update on Amos in Morning Prayer then settle down with a coffee and a reading of the Church Council papers for tonight’s PCC meeting!

Things often do not go to plan instead I have spent the first hour of the day battling to try and get someone to come out to a boiler that is not working. Unfortunately, my requests did not fit into the ‘yes’ and ‘no’ that the machine understood so a battle in hand. After many redirections and frustrations, I eventually spoke to a very nice person who is sending the engineer later in the day, so until then an extra layer of clothing and Amos here I come!

Amos was a prophet in the 7th century BC. His name means “Burden-Bearer” and the topics of his writing reflect this: Judgement, Righteousness and Justice. Not easy subjects to talk about to people who think everything is just fine. He earned his living from the flock and the sycamore fig grove at a time when both the Northern and Southern Territories were prospering. The long period of good living led to complacency and Israel became corrupt, behaved immorally, worshipped idols – you could say ‘smug’ about what they had and consequently they oppressed the poor and needy. This is remarkably like the parable of the Rich Fool in Luke 12 who thought he had made the big time. However, God called him a Fool and said that his life would be taken that night and of what help would his riches be in that situation. As we know God requires us to act justly and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with him. Amos had a battle to try to make the people believe his message from God. If you get the opportunity during this lockdown, why not have a look at the story of Amos and see the power of the Lord at work.

Robin Alden, one of our churchwardens, who updated us on bellringing a few weeks ago now tells us about being a Churchwarden at Hull Minster:

But what does a Churchwarden do?

The Canons (laws) of the Church of England say of Churchwardens that their most important role is that of representing the laity, cooperating with the incumbent (the vicar); to endeavour by example and precept to encourage the parishioners in the practice of true religion and to promote unity and peace among them.

At a simpler level I think it is about a couple of things: keeping the lights on and the water out; and seeing that our clergy can do their work of ministry. Keeping the lights on today might only require the flick of a switch but seeing that the lights can come on tomorrow (and in three months, one year, five years), takes much strategic work. Enabling incumbent clergy to minister in a warm dry building is not a challenge but finding clergy to minister in time of vacancy or in parishes which share clergy with several others can be a real challenge for some churchwardens and seeing that a church is (relatively) warm and (relatively) dry is probably a challenge for most. Working to ensure that a warm dry available church building will remain so in the longer term can be a struggle and will involve a range of challenges – financial, regulatory, and spiritual.

Hull Minster is so big and so important to us, why do we struggle to make ends meet?

At Hull Minster we have huge resources working for us and yet we are not certain of keeping the lights on in a two or three-year timescale. Although that sounds like a dire position to be in, that is where we were three years ago, and three years before that, and three years before, etc. Our diocese and our bishop know who and what we are and see the potential we have. They continue to support us in many ways, but they cannot pay our bills for either capital works such as roof repairs or operational costs such as the gas bill.

Our development trust has led the raising of funds for the capital projects we have seen over the last few years: opening the churchyard onto Trinity Square; reordering the nave and pews and installing under-floor heating; repairing the main nave roof. Currently you can see the North nave aisle roof also being repaired.

Thanks to a capital grant from Highways England as part of the A63 upgrade project, in the coming months we will see repairs and refurbishment to the vestry block and then the creation of the new Trinity Room extension and new toilets.

And yet we will still struggle to keep the lights on, and the gas bill paid, and we struggle to understand and to explain how these things can happen at the same time.

To attempt an explanation of the financial, we have tactical and strategic plans, and capital and operational finance.
‘Tactical’ means short term, what we do with what we have now.

‘Strategic’ means longer term, bigger picture, what do we need next year and in 5 and 25 years, and what do we do over those periods to achieve it.

‘Capital’ is one-off big expenditure, such as fixing a roof or building an extension. For almost all congregations, the raising of money for capital expenditure is beyond our own resources and we must look to external charities and trusts or to public appeals to raise the money.

‘Operational’ is regular outgoings such as the gas and electric bills, most staff wages, maintenance contracts, security systems, insurance. We know, from advice and from experience, that there are no external charities or trusts that will help with these ongoing expenses. We must meet these costs from our own resources, that is from the regular recurring income of what we give weekly and monthly as a congregation and what our visitors give when they come to see us, plus anything we can make from our own commercial activity such as shop, café, & events.

These large capital projects are being undertaken as part of our strategic plan to get us to a position where we have increased our regular recurring income to a point that it exceeds our operational outgoings. At that point, we will be able to both build our financial reserves for the future and invest in the future of others.

So, are we here to keep the lights on? We are not!

“The Church exists primarily for the sake of those who are still outside it”, said Archbishop William Temple.

“The most important decision any person can ever make is to become a disciple of Jesus Christ. It’s the best thing anyone can do”, said Archbishop Justin Welby.

Keeping the lights on is essential but not sufficient. We were asked recently “what about prayer?”. Prayer is essential to the planning and running of the church and must be the foundation of every step we take. Without prayer, none of the above enables us to do God’s work. Prayer is a major and vital part of what we do but alone it is not sufficient. We must pray and we must plan, work, pray, and we must build our church in prayer and in people and in bricks so that we can do our part in full.

Robin Alden, Churchwarden.

Irene concludes with:

JANUARY OPENING

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.

All other public services are cancelled at the present time.

PLEASE NOTE The Minster will be open for personal prayer each Saturday 12-3pm, starting on 23rd January.

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

READINGS: THIRD SUNDAY OF EPIPHANY

COLLECT FOR THE THIRD SUNDAY OF EPIPHANY

God of all mercy, your Son proclaimed good news to the poor,

release to the captives,

and freedom to the oppressed;

anoint us with your Holy Spirit

and set all your people free

to praise you in Christ our Lord

AMEN

This Month’s Prayer Diary

Daily prayer points throughout the current month can be found here.

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13 January 2021

Minster Lifeline #2

Guest User

13 January 2021

Rev. Irene writes:

After a long, very cold, and frosty week, it was good this morning to see the sun shining and the ice melting. Day after day looking onto a very still garden gave me an idea, so in true MasterChef style I gathered together the jam pan, a block of lard then scoured my cupboards for all sorts of tasty bits and pieces. With crushed walnuts, prunes, cereals, suet and a host of other ‘goodies’ I set about a deluxe bird cake.

Once set and cut into pieces I proceeded to hang this tasty treat on a small tree not too far from the window. Every morning since doing this, instead of looking out on stillness I now see a queue of blue tits, robins and blackbirds all waiting their turn to tuck in! These new visitors have brought me great delight, problem being I now need to continue to serve up these treats – but a task that is well rewarded.

Thinking about the birds, I remembered what it says in Matthew 6 about not worrying and realised these verses are very important to us in the present situation.

‘Therefore, I tell you, do not worry about your life… Look at the birds of the air.

They do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your Heavenly Father

Feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life.’

Maybe a lesson for us all, these birds are totally dependent on there being enough food to survive. Maybe we should pray this week that we have enough trust in God that we don’t spend our days worrying about things we cannot change – we say, ‘Over to you Lord’.

Take care and keep safe. One of our Readers, Peter Oakes, writes for us today:

“Everyone is searching for you!”

In this morning’s reading from the 1st chapter of Mark’s Gospel, Jesus had got up early to find a quiet place to pray and his disciples were out looking everywhere for him. This was their greeting – “Everyone is searching for you!” In many ways my work as a psychologist for the charity Crisis and over the rest of my career has shown me countless people searching for the peace, healing, justice and mercy that came into the world with Jesus and is being revealed here in the beginning of Mark’s gospel.

Crisis works alongside other organisations in support of people who are facing homelessness in 11 “Skylight” centres across the UK. Over the last year Crisis has recognised that more than three quarters of people experiencing homelessness have serious mental health, drug and/or alcohol related difficulties. To respond to this need, a psychologist has been appointed to each of the centres and my job is to lead that team across the country and work into the South Yorkshire service based over in Rotherham. Much of the work is home-based now, talking to people on the phone or the computer. Sometimes we can go for a walk and talk, but even that is tricky now.

The pandemic has seen something of a positive government response to people facing homelessness. The “Everybody in” campaign has meant that councils have been supported to step up and offer accommodation that reduces the risk of transmission. We were delighted last week when we learned that this has been extended using hotels and other accommodation across the country through this period of cold weather and beyond. It shows what can be done and perhaps as a church community, we can pray for it to continue: especially for refugees, asylum seekers, EU nationals and others who do not have access to support.

Having professionals available for people either in mental health services or through various charities is only a small part of the way we can respond to this search for peace, belonging, justice and healing across our communities. One of the special things about Hull Minster is that everyone is welcome, whatever their story. Through the Minster community we offer sanctuary and the hope that everyone is searching for in the person of Jesus Christ. I am looking forward to the time when our doors can be fully open, but in the meantime, I rest assured that our hearts and our prayers are already open for everyone.

Peter Oakes

Irene concludes with:

JANUARY OPENING

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.

All other public services are cancelled including personal prayer at the present time.

READINGS: SECOND SUNDAY OF EPIPHANY

COLLECT FOR THE SECOND SUNDAY OF EPIPHANY

Almighty God,

in Christ you make all things new;

transform the poverty of our nature

by the riches of your grace,

and in the renewal of our lives

make known your heavenly glory;

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 for ever.

AMEN

January Prayer Diary

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

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6 January 2021

Minster Lifeline #1

Guest User

6 January 2021

Rev. Irene writes:

Happy & Healthy New Year to everyone. We cannot deny last year was a year with a difference and unfortunately those changes and differences continue into 2021!

Reading Matt’s book, a short passage, that was a quote from Rev. Neal Barnes, said:

“Perhaps it’s when we feel weakest and most vulnerable that the Holy Spirit finds us at our most pliable and workable – a bit like the clay – and he’s able to use us most powerfully.”

Many, like myself, feel frustrated and vulnerable as the weeks continue to pass however, I must tell myself that this is not an opportunity to waste, every telephone call or email is important and may be just what the recipient is waiting for. So please make sure, that if you are able, pick up the phone and make contact with someone you have not been able to see during the past weeks. We are all one family, God’s family let us make sure we see this one through together and move into spring, more positive and hopeful for our future.

This week Rev Dominic reflects on the past year:

Rev. Dominic writes:

‘God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,

though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,

though its waters roar and foam,

though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Psalm 46:1-3 (ESV)

It is nearly a year ago now since I began anticipating the mother of all interviews, a two-day epic grilling, including all night ordeal by bell chimes, in the Hideout Hotel! Mandy had been working at the Minster about a week. After a year of family uncertainty things finally seem to be falling into place, we have a plan. Heather was over her treatment and we both have new jobs, we are looking forward to catching up with old friends, the boys are excited to move to a new city.

Over Christmas we had heard news of a new SARS like virus far away in the Wuhan district of China originating in a wet food market, by the end of January it had reached the UK and by the middle of March life as we had known it had come to an end. After a degree of government hesitation, an enemy only visible to an electron microscope would on the 23rd March effectively shut down Britain. In the densely packed street houses of North Ormesby of my former parish where we are living, we hear of more and more deaths. Our freedoms would be restricted in ways we had not seen in our lifetimes. ‘Stay at home, Protect the NHS, Save lives.’ Captain Tom Moore celebrates his 100th birthday, Furlough is introduced, rainbows appear in people’s windows and we clap for carers and ‘key workers,’ though decent pay would have been a better tribute.

For the first time in England since the Emancipation Acts, even our freedom to worship together was denied. In the church we hear about something called Zoom and Teams. Many of us have to rapidly get over our camera shyness as our mobile phones are used to broadcast worship. We are either pre-recording or streaming or Zooming. It is not the same and not everyone is able to keep up but overnight this online stuff, that seemed a bit faddy, was what church had become, church which for many of us was a building, somewhere we went to, was now for all of us ‘Church at Home.’

As my sons remind me in a ‘First World problems’ sort of way, as the Jews of the Babylonian exile had to find a new way to be Jewish without the Temple in a ‘strange and foreign land’, so we had to find what is was to be church without our house of prayer and even more significantly without coming together physically as church. We somehow managed it and If 2020 taught us anything it was not to put too much store by our human plans and hopefully even ‘in a strange and foreign land’, that much of 2020 became, we can still sing the Lord’s Song! (Psalm 137.4)

Wishing you all a blessed ‘new normal’ year.

Rev Dominic

Irene concludes with:

JANUARY OPENING

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.

All other public services are cancelled, and we await further guidance for personal prayer opening.

READINGS: BAPTISM OF CHRIST

COLLECT FOR THE BAPTISM OF CHRIST

Heavenly Father

At the Jordan you revealed Jesus as your Son;

May we recognize him as our Lord and know ourselves

To be your beloved children;

Through Jesus Christ our Lord

AMEN

January Prayer Diary

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

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22 December 2020

Minster Lifeline #40

Guest User

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

in Jesus Christ our Lord.

AMEN

READINGS FOR 27TH DECEMBER

Psalm 117

1 John 1

John 21:19b-end

COLLECT FOR 27TH DECEMBER

Grant O Lord we pray,

That the Word made flesh

Proclaimed by your apostle John

May, by the celebration of these holy mysteries

Ever abide and live within us,

Through Jesus Christ our Lord.

AMEN

December Prayer Diary

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

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16 December 2020

Minster Lifeline #39

Guest User

16 December 2020

Rev. Irene writes:

I hope that you have enjoyed reading the Lifeline each week and hearing about different people’s journeys. Next week Reverend Dominic will be giving us an update as he approaches his first Christmas at the Minster. How different to his expectations!

After next week there will be no Lifeline until the 7th January, but you should be able to get all the information you need about Christmas services on the website or listed in your paper copy that we sent two weeks ago.

The run up to Christmas at the Minster will be different this year but we must be grateful for the hard work people have put in to keep it a joyful time. Katie Ogilvie has worked with Mark Keith and the Choir to record Nine Lessons and Carols for us to watch online on 20th December and of course we have the 7pm service on Christmas Eve and 10:30am on Christmas morning. For the younger ones, in years and in heart, there is the Accessible Christingle on Saturday 19th at 3pm online and on Christmas Eve at 3:30pm the Crib service will be both in church and online. Perhaps having less activity gives greater opportunity to remind ourselves, and our families, what a wonderful time of celebration this is.

When the Angel Gabriel came to Mary, telling her she would be overshadowed by the Holy Spirit and give birth to a son whose name was to be JESUS, her response was: “My soul glorifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour.” (Luke 1:46-47). In the following chapter we read of Simeon to whom God had promised he would see the promised Messiah before he died. His words were: “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation…” (Luke 2:29-30). Let us keep the wonder of our Saviour’s birth in the forefront of our minds and celebrate with the words of the angels when they spoke to the shepherds: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men.”

Do read what Jane Owen has to share with us this week:

I first came to Holy Trinity in late 2010 when my daughter Meg joined the choir. I had tried to visit many times before but found the building locked - but I was determined to get in! I soon found a friendly and supportive community of worshippers and came to the services regularly. Imagine my surprise when Irene processed down the aisle one Sunday as an ordinand. I had known Irene as a governor at the school where I taught, and we soon got talking about how to bring school children into the church on a regular basis. Not long after that the REvive education programme was born and we enlisted the help of many of the congregation to help and support it.

Being present in the building during the week, I soon found myself volunteering for all sorts of activities, including the toddler group, Sunday School and later, helping Neal with some events. As you all know, this task snowballed and in 2017 we had our busiest year. by then we had a shop and cafe as well. We were welcoming thousands of visitors and were so proud of the church community and their welcoming, cheerful, and open approach - even when the place was under construction!

Although I love the busy atmosphere, one of my favourite times in the Minster is when it is silent and dark. I have often been the last to leave, and the sense of serenity in the presence of God is unlike any other. This Christmas, we will not get the chance to enjoy that silence at the start of the Nine Lessons and Carols, but I will be channelling that feeling of anticipation throughout advent and looking forward to a time when we can all come together again to celebrate.

Jane Owen, Project Manager, Resilient Heritage

Irene concludes with:

Calling all Scientists! A working group has been created to submit a bid for a Scientists in Congregations grant. This would fund a project within both the Minster and the wider community relating to aspects of science and faith. We would really like to engage with the scientists in our congregation to make this project a success. If you are a scientist of any variety, or have links to the scientific world, we would love to hear from you! Please contact the bid team through the office on 01482-224460.

Other news this week:

Friday 18th-10 am-Little Fishes Christmas Party meets on Zoom. Join with Mandy and Rachel for Christmas songs and chat and don’t forget to wear you Christmas jumpers.

Sunday 20th-10 am- ADEVENT SUNDAY 4 Church at home- You can access this by going onto hullminster.org and follow ‘Worship’ or alternatively via You Tube or Face Book.

Sunday 20th-10:30am-ADVENT 4 Holy Communion in the Minster-click here to book a seat.

Sunday 20th-3:30pm-Sunday Praise, Advent All age service in the Minster- click here to book a seat. Book a seat for every family member and we will sit households together. Craft Activities will be provided for any children.

The Minster is open this week for personal prayer between 12noon and 3pm on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Then will close for Christmas break and reopen on Thursday 7th January.

For a full list of Christmas services view the Christmas section of our website or click here for a printable list.

Readings:

Psalm 89:1-4, 19-26

2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16

Luke 1:26-38

The Collect for this week

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

in Jesus Christ our Lord.

AMEN

December Prayer Diary

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

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8 December 2020

Minster Lifeline #38

Guest User

8 December 2020

Rev. Irene writes:

Last Sunday saw the doors of the church open again for worship, not only at 10:30am but also for the launch of the new 3:30pm service, Sunday Praise. Although I was not able to be at either of those services, I understand that both were well attended, and people felt a joy at being able to come together again. It is not easy to launch a new service when the rules are ‘no lingering to chat’ as fellowship plays such an important part in our lives.

I was reading 1 Thessalonians 1 this morning, Paul writing to the people in Thessalonica. He had a short time face to face with them, but he shared the good news of Jesus during that time and they went on to establish a church and grow in faith. It also struck me that when he was not with them face to face, he continued in fellowship with them through his letters. In his letter he shares his pastoral concern, offers prayerful support for their steadfastness, and develops the teaching he was unable to complete while with them.

A great lesson to take from Paul, yes face to face in church is what we strive for but if that is not possible, we still have the opportunity, particularly today, with the use of social media, letter writing and telephones to keep in contact and share fellowship with many others.

I am delighted this week that Sarah Magaharan has written for us, updating us on life after university:

I am part of the “boomerang” generation. I was told this by my career mentor, just before the first lockdown in March.

“You go off to university, live independently for a while, and then return back to your parents’ home,” He said, “And there’s no shame in it.”

I did not feel shame in it - in fact, I had told him about my intention to return home, back to Hull, so I can have some time to make big choices. So, I could feel a bit more in control over my life. Nine months later, I could laugh a little, at the fact that this year, all of us have had to surrender complete control over our lives.

So, I came back to Hull, earlier than expected, and time somehow equally sped by and snailed by. Over the spring into summer lockdown, I sometimes sang along with my mum for the virtual hymns broadcast in Hull Minster’s online service. I do like a singsong, after all. September then popped around the corner, and with-it Hull Minster Choir returned, with shiny new socially distanced bells and whistles. My mum, as mums do, asked if I wanted to join in again. I had been a member of the choir since I was ten, and during my time at university, I returned to church at Christmas for my favourite service, Midnight Mass. So, I thought, sure, might as well add another year to the grand total.

Organised schedules had been sent out, designating us all into teams to tackle the Sunday service. I checked for my name, and oddly enough, I had been put onto the new Worship Band list, too. At first, I thought it was a mistake, but Mark, the Music Director, had purposefully put me on there. And I was happy to do it - I love contemporary worship music, ever since I went to the Christian festival Soul Survivor through Dan Broom’s Minster Youth group, back when I was sixteen and seventeen. The music there had an ability to fill people with the spirit and connect a congregation in a way I had never experienced before.

First rehearsal for the Worship Band came round, and upon arriving, I was elated to discover that an old friend of mine, Becky, was also part of the Worship Band. The two times I went to Soul Survivor, Becky was there with me. We shared, with other best friends from Church, moments with God’s Spirit that we will never forget, and discovered songs performed by Beth Croft and Tom Field that made us feel closer to God than ever before. Life rolled on and sadly we drifted, as I went to university and she began her career and “adult” life. I personally drifted from the spiritual high I experienced at Soul Survivor, too.

So then to be able to return home and end up singing again, alongside a reconnected friend who I love and trust, is a blessing. And with the start of the 3.30pm Sunday Praise service, it feels like I could be part of something that rekindles my faith and connection with the spirit. I honestly believe that God knew that I was coming home, and through the Worship Band, through mine and Becky’s friendship, God was giving me a chance to wander back home spiritually. Boomerang back to something spiritual, something special, which I can share with others through song. Whether it is all a happy coincidence or part of a bigger plan, I am glad that I am a boomerang-Sarah Magaharan.

Irene concludes with:

Thanks to an anonymous donation we have been able to purchase two Christmas trees for inside the Minster this year and they look stunning and really add to the Christmas cheer so many thanks to our gracious and generous donor.

Other news this week:

Friday 11th-10 am-Little Fishes meets on Zoom. Join with Mandy and Rachel for songs and chat.

Sunday 13th-10 am- ADEVENT SUNDAY 3 Church at home- You can access this by going onto hullminster.org and follow ‘Worship’ or alternatively via You Tube or Face Book.

Sunday 13th-10:30am-ADVENT 3 Holy Communion in the Minster-click here to book a seat.

Sunday 13th-11 am-Coffee & Chat- For access click here.

Sunday 13th-3:30pm-Sunday Praise, Advent All age service in the Minster- click here to book a seat. Book a seat for every family member and we will sit households together. Craft Activities will be provided for any children.

The Minster continues to be open for personal prayer between 12noon and 3pm on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.

For a full list of Christmas services view the Christmas section of our website or click here for a printable list.

Readings:

Psalm 126

Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-end

John 1:6-8, 19-28

The Collect for this week

God for whom we watch and wait,

you sent John the Baptist to prepare the way of your Son;

give us courage to speak the truth

to hunger for justice,

and to suffer for the cause of right,

with Jesus Christ our Lord.

AMEN

December Prayer Diary

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

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2 December 2020

Minster Lifeline #37

Guest User

2 December 2020

HHappy Golden Wedding Anniversary Terry and Linda

Rev. Irene writes:

It is hard to believe that we are now into December, however going outside this morning (1st December), there is a definite drop in temperature!

Last Saturday I had the privilege to pray with a lovely couple, Terry and Linda, in the Minster. They were celebrating their golden wedding anniversary that day and each year since they were married, they have visited the Minster on their anniversary. It was extra special this year, not only because it was 50 years but also because Terry is suffering with some serious health problems, so to pray with them was incredibly special. You will see from the photograph the choir boys of 50 years ago, we are challenged now to see if anyone remembers their names?

There is a lot of work taking place behind the scenes to put together services for Christmas and we are aware that things change on week to week basis. We hope that the outline of Christmas and Advent services will be helpful to you as you choose whether to watch from home or join us in the Minster.

Any updates or changes that take place we will include in Lifeline each week.

It is good that Dan has written for us this week as it is his last week of employment at the Minster. I am sure we all want to say ‘thank you’ to Dan for being part of an exciting adventure in the life of Hull Minster. We hope that he and Becky have a great future ahead of them and that God uses them to help share his kingdom message here in Hull.

Dan writes:

“We all look at the same world but see it in different ways” a quote from the latest Audi car advert. It would be quite fitting to adapt it and say, “We all look at the same Hull Minster but see it in different ways!” I have had the joy of grappling with what it means to hold a shared vision of mission, community, and outreach among so many different people who see Hull Minster in so many ways. Crucially though, this has happened at the same time as knowing we are called to encourage one another in unity, towards the one, most captivating source of love and purpose that we find in Jesus.

No doubt there are many dusty folders in church offices across the land with great plans drawn up to “reach new people” and “get them into the church”. Embracing and acting on these plans is another challenge. And yet as a church we have genuinely seen this happen and continue to make deep relationships with people who did not otherwise belong to the community of faith. Through sharing stories of how God is working in our lives and transforming our hearts, we have had the privilege of seeing our community grow at the Minster. If you are reading this, I imagine you regularly engage in part of the rich, diverse life of Hull Minster. Much to celebrate and give thanks for. And of course, there are many who may not engage in the core life of the Minster but are just as valued as the rest of us. As I say goodbye to the Minster family, I am encouraged to know that many of you share with me a heart for those remarkable encounters, often through the most unlikely of events and activities.

It has been amazing to see the way that Hull Minster has developed and now holds a trusted reputation in the city as a springboard to bring together and engage with thousands. Festivals, Royalty, Holiday clubs, Curry nights, Car shows, Concerts, Tours, Pub carols, START & Alpha. The list could go on and on. An amazing responsibility, to share life and faith with searching people, longing for answers. It is hard to predict the future, especially considering the pandemic, though one thing is certain, people will continue to seek purpose, meaning and community.

Whatever Hull Minster means to you, I hope it stirs up as much joy, hope and togetherness as Becky and I have experienced over the past six years. We have valued every conversation, every laugh, and every tear. From the ‘Fun Day at the Farm’ to the weekends away, the ‘Community Days’ to the ‘Minster Pod’, always be looking beyond the event itself, to the people that are gathering, and the Holy Spirit that is ministering through you.

You may have never thought about it, but when you next sit in the Minster for a service, remember that others sitting near you are probably from a different part of the city or surrounding village – a gathered church. Whether or not those sitting alongside you have walked a similar path in life, take a moment to ask something of their story, or if that seems too much, simply thank God for them, that they’ve come to be at Hull Minster. I know that many of you either come to worship alone, or as a family you do not know others beyond the church who have Christian faith. Take encouragement that others are in the same boat of exploring faith and growing in confidence.

As I leave this week through redundancy, I invite you to hold us both in prayer. We are ever so thankful for the warm welcome we received and the friendships we have made. We have irreplaceable memories of time with you all, and we are gutted that the pandemic restricts the affection we can show to each of you. Keep in touch!

With love, Dan and Becky Broom (Dan is serving as Community Minister until the 10th December).

Irene concludes with:

Other news this week:

Friday 4th-10 am-Little Fishes meets on Zoom. Join with Mandy and Rachel for songs and chat.

Sunday 6th-10 am- ADEVENT SUNDAY 2 Church at home- You can access this by going onto hullminster.org and follow ‘Worship’ or alternatively via You Tube or Face Book.

Sunday 6th-10:30am-ADVENT 2 Holy Communion in the Minster-click here to book a seat.

Sunday 6th-11 am-Coffee & Chat- For access click here.

Sunday 6th-3:30pm-Sunday Praise, Advent All age service in the Minster- click here to book a seat. Book a seat for every family member and we will sit households together. Craft Activities will be provided for any children.

The Minster continues to be open for personal prayer between 12noon and 3pm on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.

For a full list of Christmas services view the Christmas section of our website or click here for a printable list.

Readings:

Psalm 85:1-2, 8-end

Isaiah 40:1-11

Mark 1:1-8

The Collect for this week

Almighty God, purify our heart and minds,

that when your Son Jesus Christ comes again

as judge and saviour

we may be ready to receive him,

who is our Lord and our God.

AMEN

December Prayer Diary

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

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25 November 2020

Minster Lifeline #36

Guest User

25 November 2020

Rev. Irene writes:

Happy New liturgical year! You may be excused if you had not realised Advent begins this Sunday, with the inability to shop freely in the High Street you may have missed the usual abundance of Advent Calendars on the shelves. There is no escaping we will be celebrating Advent throughout December in preparation for the ‘coming of Christ’. So, does or should Advent make a difference in our lives? Our scripture readings keep telling us to ‘watch and be ready’, ready for Christ’s second coming but also to be ready and prepared to make way for Jesus. Advent is a time to clear out, strip back to basics. To reconnect with God again, to revisit that first love that we felt in knowing Him as our Saviour and Lord. As mentioned last week do read the Advent reflections that Val has prepared, they are a great way of connecting with God’s Word during this season.

I hope you will enjoy what Dot has written for us this week. I so enjoyed reading it as there were so many similarities to my early life and Sunday School days. It always surprises me just how many people first encountered Jesus in their early Sunday School days. I was on a course where we were grouped by when we first learnt about Jesus - Sunday school, University, through work, or later in life. I was amazed that two thirds of the people there had learnt about Jesus in Sunday School. Very encouraging for our children’s workers today! One thing that strikes me is that most of our Sunday school teachers would have no idea how many of the children they taught had turned to Christ at some point in their lives. What great disciples of Jesus they were!

So, read and enjoy!

My first memory of church was being sent with my sister to Sunday School at the Village chapel, sitting on a hard wooden bench and being told not to speak or move apart from when it came to singing “Dropping pennies, dropping pennies hear those pennies fall, everyone for Jesus He shall have them all”

Sorry to say He didn’t get them every week because sometimes my sister and I hid in the trees on the bridge we had to go over to get to the village and saved the money to buy sweets! My first feeling that Jesus was real came from a teacher called Mr. Hubbard, we had an RE test, after he called me to his desk and said he knew I knew the answers but I had spelt them all wrong. He then asked me all the questions again and I told him the right answers. Then he told me that Jesus loved me no matter what which made me feel good.

My next encounter with God was in 1962 being confirmed along with my cousin. We were sent by her mum and had to go every week to Brough Church Big Service at St. Mary’s Elloughton with George Hullen Bishop of Hull. In those days, all the girls had to wear white and have a veil on which was a piece of net curtain. I remember feeling very silly dressed like that and sorry to say not much more to say about it.

When I got married and had a family we lived in Goole and went to the Methodist church which was very lively. In fact, almost seven days a week, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday clubs for the kids and coffee morning on Saturday then service on Sunday. It was always full, it was there that we all sang the hymn “And can it be that I should gain…died He for me who caused His pain… Amazing love how can it be that thou my God should’st die for me. My chains fell off my heart was free; I rose went forth and followed thee.” It was singing those lines that I then knew that my Redeemer lives and no matter what, He is always there for me.

All our lives are extremely hard at the moment with lockdown, but we will get through it. I go out each day with the dog and up to the Country Park, the ground is a carpet of leaves, wonderful colours of autumn, brown, gold, and yellow. I stand under the amazing structure of the Humber Bridge and look down at the railway, the road and the river thanking God that life is carrying on. Stay strong and well in the love of God. Dot Fullerton

Irene concludes with:

Other news this week:

Friday 27th-10 am-Little Fishes meets on Zoom. Join with Mandy and Rachel for songs and chat.

Sunday 29th-10 am- ADEVENT SUNDAY Church at home- You can access this by going onto hullminster.org and follow ‘Worship’ or alternatively via You Tube or Face Book.

Sunday 29th-11 am-Coffee & Chat- For access click here.

Monday 30th-Funeral service for Elizabeth Armitage (invitation only due to covid restrictions) Please pray for her family.

The Minster continues to be open for personal prayer between 12noon and 3pm on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.

Sunday 6th December- We will resume the 10:30am in person service at the Minster. We will also Launch our new 3:30pm Contemporary service this day too.

Dan Broom: As most people know Dan will be leaving the Minster team early December. If anyone would like to give towards a leaving gift for Dan the church office is happy to facilitate this. Please make donations through ‘Donate’ page on the website. Please then send an email to office@hullminster.org to notify us of the donation, alternatively, send a donation by cheque to the office in an envelope again labelled clearly for Dan. The office address is: Hull Minster Parish Office, 10a King Street, HU1 2JJ. Please make cheques payable to ‘The PCC of Holy Trinity, Hull’.

Readings:

Psalm 80:1-8, 18-20

Isaiah 64:1-9

Mark 13:24-end

The Collect for this week.

Almighty God,

as your kingdom dawns,

turn us from the darkness of sin to the light of holiness,

that we may be ready to meet you,

in our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

AMEN

November Prayer Diary

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

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18 November 2020

Minster Lifeline #35

Guest User

18 November 2020

Rev. Irene writes:

Sunday saw the first of our Coffee and Chat Zoom meeting following the morning ‘church at home’ service. More than a dozen people joined on screen to catch up on how people are doing during this second lockdown.

For me it was good to see people on screen rather than just at the other end of the telephone. We will keep this chat going for the foreseeable future so if you can join in, we would love to see you. You can just listen if you wish to, rather than having to speak.

There is, of course, nothing better than seeing each other face to face but this is second best and hopefully will not need to continue for too long into the future.

This Sunday is the last Sunday in the church year so it is time for us to consider how we will put time aside during Advent as we prepare for the new church year and the celebration of the coming of Christ. It may be that we do have a little extra time on our hands, if that is you then can I suggest the Bible reflections that Val has prepared for Advent. These are made up of four reflections to see us through Advent and are well worth participating in. From next week they will be available on our web page and other social media platforms and those that receive Lifeline by post will be sent a summarised version each week with their Lifeline. Please do let others know about this resource so we can be prepared through study and prayer for the celebration of Christ.

Many of you will have known Elizabeth Armitage, a wonderful lady who so loved the Lord and was ready to be with him. She died peacefully this week so please pray for her family as they struggle with not being able to honour Elizabeth’s grand plans for her funeral. At the end of the restrictions there will be time for us all to get together to celebrate the lives of those that have passed during this difficult time!

We are delighted that Sarah Glenton is back at work after being furloughed and has reconnected with many families on Great Thornton Street Estate. She has written a few words for us below, please pray for Sarah’s health and strength in the coming months.

Sarah writes:

I have worked as Pastoral Carer for Hull Minster for some years now, and God has guided me to help those that have needed it. Nothing has prepared me for these past few months dealing with the Pandemic and seeing how much it has affected people on Great Thornton Estate, including me… At the beginning of the pandemic, not only did I have to deal with being furloughed, but I was also diagnosed with Cervical Cancer. It hit me hard and my faith was shaken, but with the power of prayer and a lot of time listening to God I am now recovering.

I have been given the insight by God that people don’t always speak of the issues they are dealing with, so I decided that I needed to keep in touch with people on the estate and give them someone to keep chatting with. It has been positive and encouraging to hear from so many people on the estate and how God showed me a way to stay in touch (of course social media has helped too). I want to continue this work.

Now finally coming back from Furlough, I have been given a new focus. The people on Great Thornton Estate need more of God’s presence and we are the Church to do it. I am looking forward to new projects on the estate and working with the team to bring God’s presence alive on the estate again. We have all faced so many issues and worries over this past year and I believe that in 2021 that God will give us the power to make it a beautiful and more positive time. With the power of prayer and positive vibes we can heal and overcome.