Minster Musings
From the Vicar
This week the Minster Summer Festival continues with theatre, music and culture. Please come and support these events and bring others with you. All these activities help to make the Minster a vibrant place and financially stable.
David and Sam have the luxury to write about spiritual matters in their e-newsletters, as the Incumbent I need to use this letter to tell you about things that are happening across the Minster, and to try to make sure that everyone is abreast and on board within the life of the worshipping community.
Two weeks ago the Development Board had a presentation on the draft of the new Sustainability Plan, which provides a road map for our stewardship of the Minster for the next 30 years. It was both exciting and daunting, as we look forward to reducing our carbon footprint and working towards Net Zero. This together with the Liturgical and Conservation Management Plans, means that we are now ready to move into the next Strategic Plan for the Minster. Everyone will be invited to contribute towards an Impact Survey of the current Plan – helping us understand what the community values in terms of what has been achieved over the past 5 years or so.
A few months ago we became aware that a beam in the tower in the chamber where the bells are hung had failed. We brought some rope specialists in to take a look, and at the same time to widen the scope to include the whole tower. The cost of this survey alone was £25K. It revealed that significant work is required on the tower, with urgent stone replacement as well as repairing the beam. Total cost £1.9M! We have now submitted an Expression of Interest to Historic England Places of Worship Grant Scheme. If we are successful, we shall then be invited to submit a full application costing £84K – without knowing if the work will go ahead. The Minster needs your prayers that this all goes through successfully. We were able to include letters of support from Tracy Brabin the Mayor of West Yorkshire, Kate Dearden, our Member of Parliament, and from the Local Authority.
Just after we submitted, there was a report that a pinnacle above the sun dial had moved, and following investigation, we find that lots of pinnacles and other stone work are all very loose, and we’ve had to close the footpath between the carpark and the South Porch for health and safety. I’ve just had another quote for £10,000 to scaffold that area, and make safe!
All this has to be balanced with investing in people – our paid staff and volunteer workforce, and all the ministry that pours out of the Minster on a daily basis, as thousands continue to visit the Minster for all kinds of reasons and occasions. We are at the forefront of much of this work nationally, as we feed into the national church through the Major Churches Network both the joys of ministry alongside many of the challenges. Recently we elected new Deanery Synod and members of the Minster Council for the coming year. Please pray for them as they begin to take forward the leadership of the Minster in the coming year, and to hone some of our priorities, as we move forward together.
After the Summer Festival I shall disappear for my summer break. I hope everyone has a chance to slow down and recreate over the summer, as we all know what the autumn looks like here in the Minster – fun but bonkers!
Revd Canon Hilary Barber
Vicar
June in Pictures
The month began with the Freedom Parade. The Royal Yorkshire Regiment marked its twentieth anniversary with a packed service in the Minster.
The Mother’s Union celebrated a bigger anniversary!
Margaret Stears writes: “The Mothers’ Union world-wide is celebrating 150 years as the largest Anglican organisation this year. In the 150 years since Mary Sumner launched the charity it has grown into 44 countries with 4 million members. In June, members from around the World assembled at St. Paul’s Cathedral for a Service of Thanksgiving, led by the Archbishop of Canterbury. Members of the Minster Branch celebrated with a smaller service, prepared and led by members with an inspirational sermon by Bishop Smitha, the Diocesan M.U. Chaplain. This was followed by various activities and displays of the work of the Mothers’ Union which raised £150 (our target) which will go to fund the work of the M.U.”
On the Royal School of Church Music’s ‘Music Sunday’ a number of Minster Choristers were presented their Bronze Level Awards.
The Minster was delighted to welcome back the Brass Band Conductors Competition for its semi-finals and final, featuring both the Hammonds Band and the Elland Silver Band. The winner, travelling all the way from Virginia, USA was Hannah Caraker.
The Eco Spot
With so much spin and argument being aired about the climate emergency versus ‘greenwashing’ – and many more theories in between, it can be easy to throw your hands in the air and say “why bother? What will be will be!”
So why SHOULD we care, especially when the vast majority seem not to care at all?
Put simply, we should care because as Christians (or followers of any other faith) it’s what we are commanded to do. This is how Dave Bookless, the founder of A Rocha UK put it:
“Caring for the earth is part of our worship. If the primary purpose of human existence is to worship God and enjoy him forever, as the Westminster Shorter Catechism puts it, then we need to remember caring for God’s precious planet – that he cares for too, that he made for Christ – is part of worshipping Jesus.
We are called to worship God both in our attitudes and our actions regarding creation. The first command given in Genesis 1 – our mandate for human existence – is about ruling over earth and its creatures on God’s behalf. This is what it means to be the image of God. Yet we have constantly failed to be good stewards. However, through Jesus, the true Lord of creation, we have the chance to make a new start.
In Romans 8, Saint Paul uses the image of creation as like a pregnant woman, groaning in longing to be set free from its bondage to decay. Yet in the same passage, we read that creation is waiting for something else. It is waiting for ‘the sons and daughters of God to be revealed’. What does this mean? It is a reference back to Genesis 1 – our first mandate to care for creation. Through the example and the saving work of Jesus, that now becomes possible, and creation is waiting for God’s children – those who follow Jesus – to take up their call again. Creation is waiting for us to worship God by caring for this fragile and wonderful world.
Of course, we have a wonderful example of creation care as worship in the story of Noah – a man who responded to God’s call in rescuing all kinds of animals and birds from destruction. Today, we need to look again at the radical message of Noah. It is a reminder that God cares not only for people, but also for all that he has made, and his call to us is to worship and obey him in caring too. Wildlife conservation done to the glory of God is Christian mission.
Finally, let’s remind ourselves of some words from the most familiar Christian prayer of all – when Jesus asks us to pray that God’s will ‘be done on earth as it is in heaven’. This is a call to prayer, and a call to worshipful action. It is a call to envisage the earthing of heaven – God’s kingdom rule beginning to take place here, not just in our churches, not just in our human societies, but on earth – throughout the creation.”
Sometimes we need to just set aside all the noise going on around us, reconnect with our God – and remember our ‘why’!
July News
The Minster Summer Festival continues until Sunday. Full details are in the programme – click HERE for a copy. Don’t miss the Wallace & Gromit show this Thursday or the Choral Society with the Minster Choir on Saturday night!
Cube Choir return for their Summer Concert on July 11th. Tickets are available HERE! or at the Minster shop, open daily 12-4pm. Later in the month we also host concerts featuring the music of ABBA, George Michael, James Bond and Coldplay – see the website for full details.
Baptism, confirmation & admission to communion
If you are interested in being baptised or confirmed, the Minster is offering preparation during September. Children wanting to receive the communion will also be offered some preparation. Please consider over the summer if this is something you would like to take part in and speak with one of the clergy or contact the Minster Office.
Minster clothing order
A branded Minster clothing order will be made this month. If you would like a branded polo-shirt, hoodie or fleece, please complete an order form by July 5th. Order forms are available HERE! Contact the Minster Office for more information.
