Minster Musings
As I come to my last days as Curate at the Minster, I have been thinking a lot about communities and their ebb and flow, how we think of them as a homogenous thing but in reality they are always in a state of flux as people come and people go. Schools welcome Reception or Year Seven, and say goodbye to Year Six or Eleven year on year. A new person starts and another retires. With each arrival there is a mix of anxiety and excitement, the inevitable settling in period where the existing community adjusts itself, and the new person learns the ropes. At the other end of things there is readjustment again, loss and grief, reallocation of roles, excitement at new potential released by the change.
Communities are a bit like gardens, deeply shaped and affected by the conditions they find themselves in, and the make up of the living things within them. They are solid and grounded and yet everchanging. They respond well to great leadership that understands their context and conditions and the needs of each and every plant.
Just as gardens need care and attention to flourish, so do communities. Gardens are a constant theme in the Bible, from the Garden of Eden to the Garden of Gethsemane and the garden where Mary meets the ‘gardener’ on that first Easter morn. God has long been understood as the gardener, whether the gardener of the vineyard that is Israel, or the gardener that plants the mustard seed of faith that blooms into a tree providing shelter for the birds. The Psalms and the New Testament regularly talk of God pruning us so that we can bring forth more fruit. Time and time again the Bible uses gardening metaphors to understand our relationship with God, as individuals and communities.
The art of gardening a community, or a garden, is tailoring our interventions to fit the needs of specific context and specific plants. When you weed or prune a garden, it can look awfully bare and messy, but that pruning or replanting or splitting of the plants leads to even more growth. Tend a garden too much and there is no room for nature to work its magic; neglect it and the weeds can grow and choke the plants, or some plants can grow and crowd out others. A plant in the right place thrives; a plant in the wrong one withers. God knows exactly what a community or an individual needs, he has the masterplan and all the horticultural knowledge at his green fingertips. Sometimes when change is afoot or when the balance of the garden is changing, when the elements are stressing the plants, we humans can be unsettled and feel insecure. Doubt and fear can creep in. But God has the masterplan firmly in his heart and mind. A masterplan that enables communities and individuals within it to be fruitful. Our job is to join in with his work, building the kingdom here on earth.
As I go to join in God’s work in a different place, I go with a full heart. Thankful for all the support and learning that I have received amongst you; for your patience as I made mistakes, and for welcoming me into this fantastic community. Particular thanks go to Hilary and David, who have guided me, calmed my nerves, mopped up the odd tear, and given me encouragement and the opportunity to grow. I have loved serving here and answer the call to Wakefield Cathedral walking a little taller, a little wiser and ready for the new things God has in store.
Revd Sam Crook
Curate
Revd Sam Crook’s licensing as Associate Priest at Wakefield Cathedral is on August 4th at the 8.15am Eucharist. Her formal welcome is on Sunday October 4th at the 3.30pm Evensong. Sam will return to the Minster for us to say farewell on September 20th. Please note an incorrect date was previously published.
At Sam’s last Sunday, July 26th 2026, Alison Field performed a poem to say farewell to Sam. It is reproduced below:
For Sam who Lived here
Across the sturdy streets of symmetry in windows
and rain glazed stone. Are the people of Halifax.
Walking with experienced smiles about their burly business.
With finely grown calves from walking up hills
and hard-boiled feet from long leftover cobbles –
they run about with nostrils flared to sniff out rogues.
We are mighty in our scene and clear of who we are to others.
Wainhouse Tower spearheads the skyline like a compass pin.
Intergalactic toothpick navigation, stapling pride to a landscape.
Piecing shoddy clouds, reigning down, sun behind.
And the Piece Hall, where commerce is squared up, fair to middling
for your ribbons and antiquities and ear-splitting jives.
Those who danced before seep through floors and doors.
A hundred and odd cats-eye entrances to the sandstone hive.
You, as one who lived and worked here, a piece of us –
A haul of wealth – cut from the same cloth shape,
have left behind a practice of your habits.
The Minster down the hill, sloping to curveball rail tracks,
ascending through the trees, carrying history’s banner.
Flies its flags of brass and silver – flinging out the civic call of gods.
Sundials murmur, gaping dragons guard gravestone.
We are a society of builders. A committee of making it happen
milling around, sparing the gibbet.
Those who have lived here longer, don’t leave a deeper notch
they might say they do and the scar on the sandstone might be larger,
but the chinks in the stone, however small are indelible.
The old chimneys look down at newbuilds. Puffing out sceptical pride.
The taverns still ring out old songs and the bankers remain shielded in wool.
If you are here, then you belong –
and when you are gone, we know this –
There is a gap in the market square. A worn tread in the carpet
and a forgotten prayer once said for you Sam –
Sealed and remaining,
always in this place.
July in Pictures
The first weekend in July was the end of the 2026 Summer Festival
One of the highlights of the Festival was the showing of Wallace and Grommit ‘A Grand Day Out’ with live musical accompaniment performed by Elland Silver Band. We received the following review from Peter Stocks:
Well, what a night! I went and saw the Wallace and Grommit show with Elland Silver Band to accompany the cartoon last night at the Minster. I thought that sounds a bit of fun, I’ll give it a go. So I did. I have never been to a brass band concert before so I didn’t know what to expect. I felt a bit cringy; was it going to be amateurish? Well how wrong can you be. I got to the Minster and was delighted to see friends (the Minster is so welcoming and inclusive). When it started I had to eat very humble pie. The quality of Elland Silver Band astonished me. They wove the music very skilfully with the cartoon. What can one say about Wallace and Grommit? The animation is utterly delightful, (how on earth do Nick Park and his team of animators animate the teapot pouring tea and matches striking a flame, and all done in clay and stop motion which is extremely time consuming – amazing!?). The bandmaster got us all going and made us laugh, whipping up the audience with banter. After the skills of the cartoon and the music we were then treated to a wonderful selection of music from the Disney world of cartoon music. Oh dear, I am nearly 80, old enough to remember them all! Jesus tells us, unless we are like a little child we cannot enter His kingdom. Well, I felt like a child tonight. Thank you to the Minster and Elland Silver Band for letting me be a child for 70 minutes. The Snowman is the next big event on the 22nd of December. I’m not going to miss it. Hopefully another 70 minutes of childlike, downright FUN. Well worth every penny. I came home full of joy. Don’t miss it yourself next festive season!
Besides the Festival, July was a month of concerts, including Cube Choir, and the music of James Bond, ABBA and George Michael:
The Minster was selected to take part in a Diocesan Monument Survey. Specialist conservators from the University of York brought a team of students to investigate the historic and artistic significance of the Minster’s many monuments and to make a physical check on their condition. We await the report with interest.
July also saw the Minster showing its support for the Happy Valley Pride Celebrations, with a Rainbow Eucharist service. The promotion of the service caused quite a social media storm with a photograph on the Facebook page showing the flying of the Pride Flag receiving 84,000 views, over 1400 reactions and 400 comments, most of which were very supportive. The Minster is a proud member of the Inclusive Church Network and putting on the service was an important part of our ministry of welcome to all.
On Saturday 18th July we were delighted to welcome the Chiltern Hundreds for their trip ‘Up North’ to dance with the White Rose Morris group.
It has been discovered that some of the pinnacles and battlements above the porch and sundial are loose. Scaffolding has been erected to allow for a thorough investigation of the issue and for conservation and repair works to take place.
Food Hygiene and Safety Training was undertaken for the team who cater for the Organ Recital lunches and arrange the Friends Afternoon Teas in the summer months.
The Eco Slot
The Eco Slot gives a monthly idea to think about and put into action where you can.
We’ve spent the last couple of months looking at how to help our wildlife. This month we’ll look at reducing household waste and recycling.
The latest Government statistics state that the UK produces more than 190 million tonnes of waste every year (industrial and household). When it comes to household waste, a study by Manchester University estimated that the average person in the UK throws out their body weight in household waste every seven weeks! Further research by various organisations shows that around 80% of our household waste could be recycled.
Most of us live in places where our local council now collects recyclable items – different councils will collect different things, but generally, at least paper and light cardboard (e.g. cereal boxes), ‘hard’ plastic packaging, metal cans and bottles and glass are the minimum items collected. Other recyclables may be collected by your own local council also. Here in Calderdale, we’re fortunate to have corrugated cardboard, small electrical items, textiles and food waste collected as standard, plus garden waste for a relatively small annual fee – if you have the option for these, it’s worth checking whether a neighbour would like to share.
What about items that the council don’t collect though?
It’s surprising just how much other waste can be recycled – or repurposed! Here are a few examples:
If your council doesn’t collect textiles, find a clothing bank, or take clothes etc to a charity shop – or, if you have the time and patience, consider selling good quality items yourself – using an online site or going to a car boot sale occasionally. These options are also great for other ‘clutter’ – ornaments, old toys/games etc.
There are book banks for books too – often found at your local fire station as they raise funds for the Firefighters Charity. Although once again, they could be taken to any charity shop.
Soft plastics e.g. bread wrappers, crisp packets and old carrier bags are collected by larger supermarkets, as are old batteries (which shouldn’t be put into your household waste anyway). Also, old vapes/e-cigs can be taken to anywhere who sells them as they’re now required by law to take them back for recycling.
Empty blister packs from medication can be taken to some Boots chemists stores – check locally.
Many opticians collect old spectacles for recycling.
If your council doesn’t offer food waste or green waste collections, make a compost heap if you can.
Old furniture and some larger electrical items will be collected by certain charities – here in Calderdale, we have Project Colt as well as our local RSPCA branch (who also cover Bradford and Huddersfield), but a few national charities e.g. British Heart Foundation also have electrical and furniture stores.
A lot of charities collect random items too – used coffee pods or ink cartridges for example, and there are charities who will clean and repurpose old technology such as mobile phones and computers.
I’ve probably forgotten something, but hopefully there are enough ideas here to get you thinking.
https://www.recyclenow.com/ is a very useful site full of information about recycling – it will even tell you how and where you can recycle specific items in your own local area.
https://recycleyourelectricals.org.uk/ gives more information on recycling electrical goods.
So, if recycling has never really been your ‘thing’ and you constantly have an overflowing general waste bin, maybe it’s now time to look at recycling more!
Trish Boyd, Reader
Sunday Worship
Beginning in September through to the end of January, the Minster begins a pilot scheme to encourage people to download the Order of Service for the 10.30am Sung Eucharist onto a digital devise ie phone or tablet via a QR code available at the Welcome desk or on the Website. We are following the lead of Westminster Abbey and Southwark Cathedrals in printing less paper as part of our Sustainability Policy. Hard copies will always be available for those who need them, but over time we hope to produce less of these as we get used to a new model. It will mean a unique Order of Service for each week, providing all the hymns and notices for each week, and will mean we will no longer require hymn books or a pew sheet, which will make us much more visitor friendly.
MU@the Minster news
On August 9th MU@the Minster is meeting to celebrate the 150th Anniversary of the formation of the Mothers Union. The first Mother’s Union was founded in a small rural parish in Hampshire on August 9th 1876 by Mary Sumner, the wife of the vicar. From this small beginning a global movement was born. Prayers for the ongoing work of MU will said in the Holdsworth Chapel at 12pm – all are welcome!
Roriya news
A group from Leeds diocese are surrently visiting Roriya in Tanzania and our link diocese. The Minster is helping to fund the building of the new Sub-Dean’s house for the Cathedral Church of St Peter in Kowak. The team from Leeds have reported great growth in the church in Tanzania with new churches being built and many coming to faith. In 2025 a mission, in association with the Diocese of Central Tanganika led to 3000 people getting baptised.
