Welcome to the Enews for August 22

The latest resources, news and more.

Click on headlines or pictures for more details.  

Contact enews@leeds.anglican.org with your news. 

Faith leaders in Bradford and Leeds including our bishops for those areas issued statements condemning the recent racist street violence across the country. The Rt Revd Arun Arora, Bishop of Kirkstall chairs the Leeds Faiths Forum and the Rt Revd Toby Howarth, Bishop of Bradford works closely with local faith leaders constantly. Read more here

Our new Diocesan Director of Vocations is Revd Canon Sean Robertshaw from the Holme Valley, following in the successful footsteps of newly-retired Revd Canon Derek Walmsley. Revd Sean was born and raised in Huddersfield where he was a youth worker, becoming ordained in 1993. He served as curate in Morley before becoming team vicar in the Upper Holme Valley Team in 1996. Read more here

More than 25 percent of our parishes have engaged with Barnabas: Encouraging Confidence since we were granted national funding just over a year ago. Barnabas: Encouraging Confidence exists to offer support to every church to move forward in their mission in a way that is prayerful, intentional and with God’s grace possible. Read more here

Dozens of children and adults have enjoyed special summer days out, thanks to hard work by one of our Leeds churches and funding by a generous local charity. St Agnes church serves the people of Burmantofts and Richmond Hill – the most deprived council ward in Leeds – and members organised trips to Forbidden Corner, the popular family attraction near Middleham and to Bridlington for the seaside and fish and chips. Read more here

A host of scarecrows will help raise funds for St John's, Minskip, near Boroughbridge, on the weekend of August 31 and September 1. The fun competition sees scarecrows line the main street in a blaze of colour throughout the weekend and this year’s theme is When I Grow Up, I Want To Be….and the winners will be picked by Radio York’s Elly Fiorentini. Read more here

Community and environmental projects run for the benefit of our parishes may be eligible for grants of up to £10,000 from rail firm LNER – but this year’s offer is about to depart very shortly! Monday, September 2 is the deadline for applications to the latest round of funding from London North Eastern Railway’s Customer and Community Investment Fund (CCIF). Read more here

Ever wondered what theology means and how to study it? Need some guidance on how to dig a bit deeper? Don’t know where to start? This free and updated course is for you! Don’t miss out - sign up NOW for a September start.

A 12-session journey looking at the Christian faith, thinking about your own faith journey and developing theological skills. This is a great place to start when considering where God is calling you. Attending this course is a pre-requirement for Licensed Lay Ministry training in the diocese of Leeds and is also useful for those considering any of our other Lay Ministry pathways.

Three courses for 2024-25 are advertised on the DLP.

Follow the link for further information and booking details:

• Autumn 2024: in-person at the Mirfield Centre

Booking Deadline extended to midnight on Sunday, September 1.

If you require any specific help or information, please contact the School of Ministry administrator at shuna.hartley@leeds.anglican.org.

A ten-month course to develop advanced skill and leadership in those involved in providing pastoral care and support in their parishes in the Diocese of Leeds.

More details and booking information can be found here.

This ten-month course enables those who have successfully completed it to lead worship in their parish under the supervision of their incumbent.

More details and booking information can be found here.

A ten-week course for lay people who are unable to commit to becoming Licensed Lay Ministers but still feel called to a preaching ministry on an occasional basis.

More details and booking information can be found here.

An 8-week course for those seeking to engage in environmental mission and ministry.

More details and booking information can be found here.

We are delighted to invite all children, young people and families workers, leaders and volunteers to attend one of our TEND events this year.

This year’s theme is Encouraging Confidence and the days will include workshops, speakers, worship, reflection and the opportunity to meet others involved in ministry with and to children, young people and families. The dates and venues are:

• Saturday, September 7 at St Matt's Leeds

Please click here for more details and to book.

A workshop to explore the power of outdoor and intergenerational worship for our churches.

Join us as we gather at St Stephen’s, West Bowling to discover how all generations can worship and encounter God together, especially when we go outside and worship in God’s creation.

The workshop will be led by Engage Worship whose vision is ‘to resource the local church for creative, sustainable and world-changing worship’

The day will start at 10am, with refreshments from 9.30am.

Tickets are £10 which includes lunch and refreshments – please provide any dietary requirements when booking.

Find out more here.

A fantastic opportunity to take time out to think more deeply about God’s call on your life, with time and space in the beautiful Yorkshire countryside. Is Vocation just something for ministers, monks and missionaries? How do we discover God’s purpose for our lives? What does the Bible have to say? Can we take the stories of the great Bible characters and apply them to our situation? Over the weekend, we’ll try to get some answers to these vital questions.

We’ll be led by Derek Walmsley, who was the Director of Ordinands and Vocations for the Diocese of Leeds.

Find out more here.

A full day workshop exploring what we mean by silence and meditation with Dr Alison Woolley. Do you sometimes feel too busy and stretched too thin? Have you run out of words or given up trying to pray? Does your heart yearn for a deeper encounter with God, but feel abandoned when God seems silent or out of reach? If so, this experiential workshop may be for you! Cost: £17 - more details and booking information here.

Hundreds of places of worship in the diocese and across the region are gearing up to welcome visitors for Yorkshire Churches Day, taking place on Saturday, September 14. Yorkshire’s churches are treasure troves full of amazing history and heritage and Yorkshire Churches Day is a chance encourage visitors both new and old to discover what’s behind their doors.

Is your church doing something to mark the day? We'd love to hear about it! Please email communications@leeds.anglican.org to let us know.

Join us at St Cuthbert's Church, Pateley Bridge, as we celebrate this special milestone: 30 years of women in ordained ministry. 

All are welcome to share in this moment of reflection, gratitude, and time of celebrating thirty years of women in ordained ministry.

With celebrated soprano Elizabeth Charlesworth, accompanied on the piano by Jonathan Bickley. Featuring songs by local composer Haydn Wood, and Schumann, Verdi and Puccini.

A series of five lectures at St.Cuthberts Church, Pateley Bridge, HG3 on Wednesday evenings at 6.30 for 7.00pm between September and January.

• The Nature of God - Wednesday, September 18, 2024
• The Problem of Evil - Wednesday, October 16, 2024
• Religious Experience - Wednesday, November 13, 2024
• Faith and Reason - Wednesday, December 11, 2024
• What is Christianity? - Wednesday, January 15, 2025

Whilst booking is not essential, due to high demand it would help if anyone who wants to attend could advise the Revd Darry Hall on horlix@aol.com.

A day of study, prayer and practise around the themes of spirituality, creation and reconnecting with nature.

This one will focus on living an 'earthed spirituality': moving into engaged action for our planet.

Bring your own lunch, and suitable clothing for outdoor worship. Suggested donation £10 per day.

To book either or both days please email Steve Parkin at sparkin1955@gmail.com.

Sign up for a fun exploration of the Old Testament.

Tickets cost £14 per person. Do bring a packed lunch. Tea and coffee provided.

Tickets available here.

People will be invited to make a donation on the day towards Church hire costs.

For more information, please contact: Revd Mark Watson, 01924 822184. 07838 441568, lordsmyshepherd@yahoo.co.uk

This session offers an opportunity to reflect and pray with the help of Scripture and other resources and to practice christian meditation. Please email charlie.scott@leeds.anglican.org to book your place.

Find out more here

A music festival raising the profile and much needed funds for the church. Performers include Rufus Garside, Roger Davies, Bella Gaffney, Trash Panda and The Mudlarks. Tickets cost £10.

We invite you to apply to join our team as a Primary School Adviser in the Diocese of Leeds. The Diocese of Leeds supports a diverse network of 236 Church of England schools across nine local authority areas and within eleven multi academy trusts. Our vision of ‘loving, living and learning’ is lived out through our team focus on the flourishing of pupils and adults in all of our schools. Our Education team is small but highly effective, we work collaboratively, supportively and professionally together. Why not come and join us? We are seeking an experienced headteacher to join our team to help us to enhance education quality within our primary schools. This role involves developing relationships, providing school improvement support, delivering training and keeping the distinctive Christian foundation of our schools a central focus. Find out more about this role here

Please contact the Communications Team with your news for future editions. The Enews is published twice a month. The next edition will be sent out on September 5. All news stories to communications@leeds.anglican.org. Many thanks!