The Revd Irene Wilson, Associate Minister at Hull Minster, writes:
Hull Minster is celebrating 600 years since the church was completed in 1425. As part of the anniversary celebrations an Angel Yarn bomb has sent ‘Angels of Hope’ flying around the city.
The vision came from Katie, lead for Children, Family and Youth at Hull Minster (a non-Knitter), to yarn bomb 600 angels around Hull. It seemed optimistic, but why not try? The message went out via social media and local radio and by April 1st an amazing 1,233 angels had been knitted and sent to Hull Minster. The kindness of people has been amazing, arriving at Hull Minster with angels of so many different designs from other churches, knitting groups and just people who wanted to be involved. Jon the verger learnt to knit and completed his angel on 12th March. As a Falklands war veteran, Jon was overwhelmed to receive a pack of angels in Falkland war scarf colours – all the way from Virginia USA!
Each angel has received a Gift of Hope tag, and an army of volunteers have taken them out across the city and beyond. Office staff have taken angels to the accountants, visiting police have taken them back to HQ, the volunteer manager took them to a local stately home, a bellringer took them to children’s homes where she works and the non-knitter, Katie, yarn bombed the village she lives in. The children’s groups, Little Fishes and Girls Brigade also helped the angels to spread their wings.
Angels are now finding their way back to Hull Minster, where each angel has been blessed, and hung on a fishing net to link with the history of Hull. It has been a huge privilege to read each prayer and message of hope.
A grandma holding a small white angel in her hand asked for a blessing as she was going to place this angel and prayer in the memory box of her grandson who sadly died before birth, and was being cremated this week.
Two other angels carried very special messages written by young people, firstly, ‘Once you choose hope anything is possible.’ Secondly, from a young teenager in the choir, ‘Sometimes life takes you on a massive roller coaster with many ups and downs and no clear destination, lots of people think there will be no light however if you have hope and stay optimistic you’ll find a way out.’
The Church of England theme for Lent this year is ‘Living Hope.’
The word ‘hope’ can come into all life situations; those of sadness and those of celebration. As we draw closer to Easter, we remember the hope that Jesus brought to us as he hung on the cross. How he brought his mother Mary together with his beloved disciple John, even in the darkest moment Jesus brings them together to carry on living without him – but not without HOPE. May many be inspired by the HOPE of Hull Minster’s angels and by the Living Hope that Jesus gives to us through his death and resurrection.
