Community life beyond Sunday

The Minster’s mid-week life is broad enough that there is something on most days, somewhere in the building, for someone in our community. The directory below lists the regulars; the weekly notice sheet and the Beverley Minster (and daughter churches) Congregation Members Facebook group are the best places for what is on this week.

Quietly reflective

• Be Still — a Christian relaxation session for women, in the Peter Harrison Room on selected evenings; gentle breathing, guided prayer, relaxation, quiet music. Bring a blanket.
• Press Pause — a Saturday morning seasonal event for time out with God, with teaching, prayer and discussion.
• Exploring Spirituality Group — a monthly meeting, usually on a weekend morning, working through a chosen topic in plain conversation; led in turn by clergy, lay members and guests.
• The Quiet Garden — next to the Parish Centre; part of the international Quiet Garden Movement; available for private prayer through Minster opening hours.
• Hour of Prayer — Monday mornings at 11.00 in St Katherine’s Chapel; open to anyone who would like to pray with others for the Minster and the wider world.

Discussion and learning

• Alpha — in seasons in the Parish Hall; a meal, a film and small-group conversation, over several weeks.
• History talks — through the year in the Nave, often in collaboration with local historians.
• Cultural exhibitions — the Minster hosts arts and cultural exhibitions in the building from time to time (recent examples include Gaia and the Threads community arts project).
• Lent Library — an occasional offering: the ministry team and members of the congregation lend their own books to a colour-coded library in the North Transept. It has been warmly received each time it has run; watch the notice sheet to see when it next returns.

Eating and being together

• Breakfast at God’s — in the Parish Hall on Sunday mornings, 8.45 to 9.30: butties, croissants, cereals, coffee and juice. Come after the 8.00 service or before the 9.15.
• Men’s Breakfast — Saturday mornings at 8.00 in the Parish Hall; food and unhurried conversation.
• Food and Fellowship — a monthly meal out; a warm welcome, no expectation that you know anyone.
• Minster Marigolds — friendly social gatherings for the women of the congregation, built around lunches, coffees and craft mornings; the next gathering is announced in the weekly notice sheet.
• Mothers’ Union — the Minster’s branch of the worldwide Anglican movement supporting families and marriage through prayer, fellowship and practical action; it meets on Tuesday afternoons in the Peter Harrison Room (details in the weekly notice sheet or from the Parish Office).
• House groups — small groups across the area meeting in homes weekly or fortnightly. Some are study-led, some conversational, some pastoral; the right group is the one whose level and rhythm matches yours. Ask the Vicar or one of the clergy, who will put you in touch with the right person and help you try several.

Active and practical

• Walking Group — regular walks of varying lengths in the East Riding countryside, with conversation along the way.
• Heritage craft workshops — hands-on Saturday sessions in traditional crafts such as calligraphy, bookbinding and sewing, led by visiting craftspeople, held from time to time through the year and bookable through the Minster website.
• Bell Ringers — ringing the Minster’s ten bells for Sunday services and special occasions, led by our Tower Captain Mike Robson; new ringers welcome — see The bell tower.
• Table tennis — in the Parish Hall on Thursday afternoons.
• Eco Church group — working towards the A Rocha Silver award, with regular lectures and events.
• Gardening team — looking after the Secret Garden and the wildflower areas. Some flowers from the garden end up in the Minster.
• Sides team — welcoming worshippers, distributing orders of service, taking the offering at services.
• Prayer Ministry team — offering prayer with worshippers during and after the Sunday morning services.
• Welcomers — on the door whenever the Minster is open, ready with a hello and a guide to the building.
• Wellbeing team — supporting members and groups within the Minster community, especially those who are struggling.

To find out more about any of these groups, or to join one, ask at the Parish Office (minster@beverleyminster.org.uk), speak to one of the clergy after a service, or look for the contact given in the weekly notice sheet. Whoever you ask will put you in touch with the right person.

If you spot something missing from this directory — and there will be — please let us know so we can add it.

Section 13 of 26 in the Companion