Minster Musings
From the Vicar
Today the sun is bright and the sky is blue, yet it’s pretty cold and we had snow yesterday! Easter is quite early this year – and even earlier next year – so no surprise that the weather is mixed. In previous years January to March were the quietest months of the year in the Minster, but that is no longer the case. There has been significant cultural activity through January, February and March, alongside the liturgical year in its turn, including the period of Lent, which we have rebranded in the Minster a Festival of Faith.
Last Saturday we held a Strategy Day at the Elsie Whiteley Innovation Centre where we brought together the Minster Council, the Friends of the Minster Executive, and the Halifax 900 Trust, to review the current Strategic Plan which finishes this year, and to begin the process of putting together the next Strategic Plan for the Minster. So much has been achieved in the Minster over the last five years, all of which is reported annually at the Annual Parochial Church Meeting. Nearly everything that we had set out to accomplish has been achieved, with new members of staff appointed, the music department thriving, our bronze Eco award obtained, and a growing and younger and more diverse congregation emerging. There is so much to be thankful for!
The new Strategic Plan will be launched next year on Easter Day 2027 and will run until 2034, in tandem with the Local Authority Plan Vision 34. The new Plan will be based on the United Nations Sustainability Goals under the 5 Ps: people, planet, partnership, peace, and prosperity. We will add a 6th P which will be that of Praise, providing a strong theological underpinning to everything that we shall want to achieve under God. We already know that there will be important items to address from both the Liturgical Plan and the Conservation Management Plan. The new Sustainability Plan will come in the autumn and feed into our thinking and planning. Over the coming months there will be wider consultations with the congregation and other stakeholders as we reflect on priorities for the next phase of the Minster’s life. Much effort will be made to sustain what we have now already created, with public worship three times a day at our core, and a strong and diverse cultural programme running alongside.
It is always good to regularly ask ourselves why we exist, and why we do what we do? Human beings only exist to worship God, and that is fundamental as to why we come together as a worshipping community either day by day or Sunday by Sunday. Alongside worshipping God we also need to take on board our stewardship of the earth’s resources, and God’s bias towards the poor and vulnerable, and seek justice for society as a whole. We happen to have in our care a Grade 1 Listed building with a significant heritage, and opportunities to host large scale events, both liturgically and culturally. All of this takes a huge amount of energy and planning to be as effective as we can in our enthusiasm for the Gospel of Jesus Christ, whose death and resurrection changed the world for ever, and in whose light we now have our life and existence.
Holy Week now beckons, and I clear my diary so that I can be in the Minster all week entering into the drama as it unfolds. On Palm Sunday we were joined by Bishop Paulina, Bishop of the Lutheran Church in Great Britain – you may have seen her play a role in the Enthronement of the new Archbishop of Canterbury on the television. Maundy Thursday we shall re-enact the Last Supper and 12 people representing the 12 disciples will have their feet washed during the service. On Good Friday, there is an invitation to come and kneel at the foot of the cross, as the reproaches are sung, and we share in the suffering of Christ. On Holy Saturday, the flower team will be in early doors, to decorate the Minster and make it look and smell wonderful, as we prepare for The First Eucharist of Easter in the evening, and Jonathan Clarke, Bishop of the Falkland Islands, who is leading Holy Week this year, will baptise and confirm those candidates who have been preparing throughout Lent across the Deanery. Easter Day brings a day to celebrate our Lord’s resurrection and the overcoming of death, and new life for all who believe in him. This is surrounded by choirs, organ and brass, processions and singing. I’ve bought my leg of lamb, and I’ve a special box of wine I brought back from France ready to open and celebrate!
May this Easter be a time of celebration and joy for the whole community, living and departed, as we join the whole company of heaven in the celebration before us, and with those we love but see no longer.
Revd Canon Hilary Barber
Vicar
March in Pictures
The month began with the annual Mayoral service where we were joined at Evensong by Cllr Stephen Leigh, Mayor of Calderdale and representatives from around the county to support him.
One of the real highlights of our Festival of Faith was the Festival of Women Day on March 7th. Workshops were led by local writers, our Broderers group, musicians, politicians and health-care professionals. The day finished with a performance of a new play, Wonderwoman, written and starring Alison Field and members of the Minster community. The play was based on the life of Caroline, sister to William Herschel, the astronomer and musician (and one-time organist of Halifax Minster). Edwin Field performed as William acting and playing both the Minster’s organs and piano. The cast also included a group of local children.
March also saw 6 concerts coming to the Minster, including the Halifax Choral Society (pictured below), Halifax Symphony Orchestra, and a candlelit String Quartet playing Classic Film Scores.
Our ‘In Conversation’ series saw Bishop Smitha talk with Enver Solomon, CEO of the Refugee Council, in association with Calderdale College; Paralympian Hannah Cockroft MBE DL, in association with Trinity Academy Sixth Form and finishing with Qari Asim MBE (Mosques and Imam’s National Advisory Board).
Each Sunday in Lent, our sermon series has explored the theme of Hope in today’s world. On Palm Sunday, we welcomed Bishop Paulina Hławiczka-Trotman Bishop of the Lutheran Church in Great Britain.
April News
MU@ Halifax Minster – please could all donations collected during Lent for Mothershare be brought to the Minster on Sunday 12th or 19th April. Thank you for your support.
Mon 6th April: Halifax Urban Trail Halifax Minster is on the route of the10km Halifax Urban Trail. The route of this organised run through the main landmarks of Halifax begins and ends at Shibden Hall. Runners leave Shibden at 9.30am and the route includes running through the Minster, Piece Hall, Borough Market, Town Hall and Dean Clough. Runners through the Minster are expected from approx. 9.50am – please come and cheer them on! More details at: https://halifaxurbantrail.org.uk/
Tanzania Trip: July 23rd – Aug 6th – There is a Leeds Diocese visit to our link dioceses of Mara, Rorya and Tarime in Tanzania this summer. 1 place has become available. If you are interested, please email nicholasclews77@gmail.com
Annual Parochial Church Meeting: May 17th – This is the opportunity we have each year to look back and give thanks for what God has done at the Minster over the previous 12 months, and to look forward with anticipation to the year ahead. It is a time to celebrate, to say thank you, to ask questions, and also to elect people to serve in different capacities in the life of the church. In terms of elections, only those who are registered on the Electoral Roll are able to vote. In 2026 there will be elections for the Parochial Church Council (PCC), the Deanery Synod and for the role of Churchwarden. Click HERE to check the current Electoral Roll and click HERE to join the Electoral Roll for the meeting. Applications close on April 27th. For further information click HERE
