This week John Lawson writes for us:
Recently I was away from the Minster for a couple of weeks. The first week: a planned holiday; the second week: an unplanned bout of Covid!
When I was able to return, I found the Minster had changed. The new extension, including cafe, toilets, and music room, was open and being used. The south porch allowed people to move easily between these spaces and the nave. The porch itself was a revelation with renovated ledger stones and memorials revealing our connection to important local families including the Maisters and Thorntons. Once in the nave the shop looked splendid, including some tempting Christmas tree ornaments. Elsewhere a volunteer was using the longest feather duster I had ever seen to dust the woodwork near the crossing. Everywhere was bustle and purpose.
I was Welcoming and one of the first groups to come into the Minster were four Dutch people, spending a few days on holiday in the city. They were grateful to be given one of our leaflets in Dutch to guide them round the church. Later I saw them enjoying coffee and cake in the cafe and later still, browsing in the shop. They had spent most of the morning in the Minster. Nothing too remarkable in that, except the next day they came back and again enjoyed spending time in our church.
Whilst our Dutch visitors, and many others, were enjoying the Minster as a place of leisure, the working church was going on around them. Midweek communion, the bereavement group, individuals coming in to pray, others just spending time enjoying the quiet it is always possible to find for reflection in Hull Minster. It took me back to an event in November 2014 when Archbishop Sentamu visited Holy Trinity, as it was then, for the official launch of the fundraising to make the changes we see now. The challenge to raise the money seemed daunting then and I’m sure there have been many faltering and false starts in the intervening period, particularly during the pandemic. But it is a credit to those involved in leading the project that they have been steadfast in their determination to achieve the goal that was set in 2014.
In the current session of the Wednesday Bible group, Val has been guiding us through a study of Hebrews. During that study, I have been reminded of one quotation from Hebrews 3 that I think was used at the November 2014 event, and certainly, has been used subsequently about the work the Minster embarked upon: For every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything. Seeing the Minster that Tuesday morning I was reassured that if we have faith in God’s plan, we can achieve great things.
MINSTER SHOP
This year’s Minster Christmas card is a lovely nostalgic image of Hull Minster from an original painting by Julia Allum. Cards are £1 each or packets of 5 for £4.50. We’re going plastic free this year so bundles of 5 will be smartly wrapped with a recyclable paper collar. Any quantity can be pre-booked by contacting a Shop volunteer or myself or email: shop@hullminster.org. Of course, you can also buy direct from the Minster Shop where you will be able to view the wonderful selection of gifts and Christmas decorations.
Sue McGaw
PILGRIM COURSE
This continues to run on Wednesday evenings, 7:15 p.m. to 8:45 p.m, with Revd. Louise. It is held in the café and coffee and cakes will be served!
BIBLE STUDY GROUP
Our Bible study on Hebrews, ‘A new and better way’, is going really well. If you can’t make every week then dip in whenever you can, it is well worth it as we extend our knowledge on the book of Hebrews. To join go to the website and click on Church and Worship, then Teaching and click the banner at the top. You can also access the Bible Studies by clicking on the topic instead of the Teaching banner.
THE GOLDEN BOOK
REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY
As we have done since 2014, except during Covid restrictions, during the afternoon of Remembrance Sunday, November 13th, a group of readers will read out the names of almost 3000 men of this city who gave their lives during World War 1. Their names are inscribed in the Golden Book which is permanently on display in Hull Minster.
We will begin reading the names at 1:00 p.m. in alphabetical order. The Minster will be open for all who wish to come and sit for a short time or longer.
There were many men who died in the conflict and are not listed in the Golden Book, and we are still adding names as requested. If anyone wishes to know if their relative’s name is in the Golden Book, please contact Dave Allum on 07856 942067 or dja15@allum.karoo.co.uk
If you would like to join the group of readers, you will be very welcome – please contact Dave as above.
WARM SPACE IN THE MINSTER
Tim reports that although the start has been slow, it has already been very helpful. Some of the people coming in knew Tim from when he and Irene did the Tuesday evening soup run. They were so pleased to meet up again.
Every Thursday between 10.30 a.m. and 3.30 p.m. there will be an area set aside with a small team to meet with people and to offer them a warm drink and a hot lunch, of homemade soup and a roll and a dessert served between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Advice and support will be available.
If there are any readers of Lifeline who would like to be part of the team that will be delivering this new project, then please talk to Irene or Tim.
PRAYER POINTS FOR THE FOURTH WEEK OF OCTOBER
We pray for Dominic, as he prepares to come back to work.
We pray for the ‘warm church’ initiative. May we reach out to those in need
All adults who work in schools, that they might be able to carry peace and hope within themselves, as they build restorative relationships with the children and young people they serve.
We pray for the teachers and staff at Adelaide Primary School as they work hard to meet the children’s needs
We pray for healing for several members of our congregation. For those awaiting test results and those undergoing operations
COLLECT FOR THE FOURTH SUNDAY BEFORE ADVENT
God of glory,
touch our lips with the fire of your Spirit,
that we with all creation
may rejoice to sing your praise
through Jesus Christ our Lord
AMEN
READINGS FOR 30th OCTOBER
Psalm 32:1-8
Daniel 7:1-3, 15-18
Ephesians 1:11-end
Luke 6:20-31
DIARY FOR THE COMING FOUR WEEKS
FRIDAY OCTOBER 28TH
All Day Diverse Threads
All Day Steam Punk Festival
9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Steam Punk Market
SATURDAY OCTOBER 29TH
All Day Diverse Threads
All Day Steam Punk Festival
4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Choral Evensong
SUNDAY OCTOBER 30TH
All Day Diverse Threads
All Day Steam Punk Festival
9:30 a.m. Breakfast Church (Tea/toast from 9:10 a.m.)
11:00 a.m. Holy Communion
MONDAY OCTOBER 31ST
7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Bell Ringing practice
TUESDAY NOVEMBER 1ST
6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Girls’ Brigade
WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 2ND
12:30 p.m. Holy Communion
7:15 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. Pilgrim Course
7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Bible Study on Zoom
FRIDAY NOVEMBER 4TH
12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Merchants of the Minster Talk by John Lawson
SATURDAY NOVEMBER 5TH
12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m. Lunchtime Concert – Rachel Miller/Caroline Blair
SUNDAY NOVEMBER 6TH
9:30 a.m. Breakfast Church (Tea/toast from 9:10 a.m.)
11:00 a.m. Holy Communion
MONDAY NOVEMBER 7TH
7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Bell Ringing practice
TUESDAY NOVEMBER 8TH
10:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Guildhall Tour
6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Girls’ Brigade
WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 9TH
10:30 a.m. to 12 noon Grief Awareness Cafe
1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Teacher Trainer R.E. in Hull Remembrance Theme
7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Choral Union Rehearsal
7:15 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. Pilgrim Course
7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Bible Study on Zoom
THURSDAY NOVEMBER 10TH
10:30 a.m. to 12 noon Integration Coffee Morning
6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Choral Union Concert
FRIDAY NOVEMBER 11TH
10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Little Fishes
SATURDAY NOVEMBER 12TH
12 noon – 1:00 p.m. Lunchtime concert – Simon Ashmead
4:00 p.m. Taize
SUNDAY NOVEMBER 13TH - REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY
9:30 a.m. Breakfast Church (Tea/toast from 9:10 a.m.)
11:00 a.m. Holy Communion
1:00 p.m. Reading of the Golden Book
MONDAY NOVEMBER 14TH
7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Bell Ringing practice
TUESDAY NOVEMBER 15TH
6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Girls’ Brigade
WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 16TH
All Day Last Days of Thunder Child-light Show
7:15 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. Pilgrim Course
7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Zoom Bible Study
THURSDAY NOVEMBER 17TH
10:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Minster Praise with coffee and cakes
12:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Sew for the soul
All Day Last Days of Thunder Child-light Show
FRIDAY NOVEMBER 18TH
10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Little Fishes
6:00 p.m.to 9:55 p.m. Last Days of Thunder Child-light Show
SATURDAY NOVEMBER 19TH
9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Record Fair
12 noon to 1.00 p.m. Lunchtime Concert
4.00 p.m. Choral Evensong
6:00 p.m.to 9:55 p.m. Last Days of Thunder Child-light Show
SUNDAY NOVEMBER 20TH
9:30 a.m. Breakfast Church (Tea/toast from 9:10 a.m.)
11:00 a.m. Holy Communion
1:30 p.m. Baptism of Teddy McGrath
MONDAY NOVEMBER 21ST
10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Peter and the Wolf, Schools event
6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Musical Beasts, Family Production
7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Bell Ringing practice
TUESDAY NOVEMBER 22ND
10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Peter and the Wolf, Schools event
6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Girls’ Brigade
WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 23RD
10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Peter and the Wolf, Schools event
7:15 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. Pilgrim Course
7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Zoom Bible Study
THURSDAY N0VEMBER 24TH
10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Peter and the Wolf, Schools event
10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Veterans’ Craft Day
S FOR THE THIRD WEEK OF SEPTEMBER
We pray for Dominic, that he will continue to improve after his accident
We pray for the pupils and staff at Sentamu Academy that this year will be one of new beginnings and strength as they move forward
We pray for all who will benefit from our Harvest gifts asking that no one goes without food or warmth this winter
We pray for Bishop Eleanor as she begins her new role as Bishop of Hull. May she and her family be blessed in all that they do
