Welcome to the Enews for September 19

The latest resources, news and more.

Click on headlines or pictures for more details.  

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

Arms supplies to Sudan must be severed and British diplomatic presence in the war torn country be restored, Bishop Nick told the House of Lords recently. Violent conflict began in April 2023 when tensions between the Sudanese military and a rival paramilitary group, the Rapid Support Forces, erupted into warfare that has displaced millions of people. Read more here

The Ven Jonathan Gough is to retire from his role as Archdeacon of Richmond and Craven after five years of ministry in the Diocese of Leeds. Archdeacon Jonathan will be leaving early in 2025 in a move aligned with his wife Revd Canon Dr Flora Winfield’s recent appointment as the next Suffragan Bishop of Selby in the Diocese of York. Read more here

Real-life help from diocesan experts for parishes looking to grow their ministry with children, young people and families, has been summed up in a personal account by one of our churchwardens. The diocesan Children, Young People and Families Team (CYPF) supports parishes in many ways, including through conversations, training, sharing resources and facilitating learning communities. Read more here

The diocese has been pleased to welcome new interns and Mission Apprentices to join the existing cohort, as they begin their time of learning and service. Our Mission Apprentices and Interns are serving in churches in the Bradford area. Read more here

One of our Leeds area multi academy trusts has been on a journey towards net zero over the last few years, and wants to share all that they have learned with schools across the diocese. Embarking on the journey to carbon neutrality is crucial for our schools to lead the way to a sustainable future, as part of our diocesan Saving Creation strategy. Read more here

13 Eco Mission Enablers have pledged to promote environmental projects across the diocese at a special service. The Rt Revd Anna Eltringham, Bishop of Ripon, said: “It was so incredibly hopeful and encouraging to commission our first 13 Eco Mission Enablers during Creationtide at a beautiful service of Evensong at Ripon Cathedral on the day we remembered the King’s Accession." Read more here

Leaders from Chinese churches across the diocese met with the Rt Revd Nick Baines, Bishop of Leeds, to share about their mission in our region. Bishop Nick invited the leaders from five churches in Leeds, Bradford and Huddersfield to a lunch to speak and eat together, to learn about the ministry of Chinese churches in our area and to discuss how the Diocese of Leeds can work together with Chinese churches. Read more here

Bishop George Okoth and his wife are coming from our Link diocese of Mara in Tanzania to visit us later this month, including a special welcome service at Wakefield Cathedral. They will stay in our region from Tuesday, September 24 to Friday, September 27 and his programme of visits is being finalised. Read more here

A new, free performance space for Huddersfield opens beside its parish church this weekend with a service, followed by five hours of brilliant music. The events space has been created in St Peter’s Gardens and can take a crowd up to 1,000, thanks to a partnership between the church and Kirklees Council. Read more here

Skipton's medieval Holy Trinity Church is powering towards being carbon neutral after a 'pioneering' plan to replace its old, broken gas heating system was given the go-ahead by North Yorkshire Council. The work at the grade one listed parish church, which dates back to the 14th century, and has been largely without heating for three years, will involve the installation of six air source heat pumps, an electric boiler, and the fitting of internal pipes and radiators. Read more here

Archery, climbing and night walks were among the activities for a group of young people who have spent four fun-filled days in the Dales. Sorted, which is a BMO Fresh Expression of church in North Bradford, had a successful residential at Scargill House just before school restarted. Read more here

A great series of Saturday morning lectures and seminars kicks off at St Mark’s Harrogate this month. The lectures begin on Saturday, September 28 with Dr David Moffit, on Looking through the Kaleidoscope: Hebrews’ Use of Old Testament Narratives in the Light of Jesus’ Ascension and Awaited Return. Read more here

A shrimp and an 80-year-old tortoise were with devoted pet lovers who gathered for a rather rainy Animal Blessing service at Burnsall on Sunday. The service, the first for five years, marked the church season of Creationtide and was called ‘All Creatures of our God and King’, borrowing a line from the famous hymn by William Draper based on the words of St Francis of Assisi. Read more here

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

More details and booking information can be found here.

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.

Harrogate School of Theology and Mission are pleased to offer a new autumn programme of lectures, with speakers including Dr David Moffit, the Revd Dr Alan Garrow, the Rt Revd Arun Arora, Bishop of Leeds, and more. All lectures are offered in person, at St Mark’s Harrogate, starting promptly at 10am, but preceded by breakfast. The lectures are also available by live-stream (on Zoom) but you’ll have to make your own breakfast!

Find out more and book 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.

Hosted by Count Everyone In. Equipping churches in key word signing to be welcoming and accessible to adults with learning disabilities so that they can know Jesus and grow in their faith. Advance booking is essential as places are limited – £35 per person (bring your own lunch).

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.

Honley Male Voice Choir and St John's Lepton present Magic of the Musicals. Come and experience Honley Male Voice Choir's journey through the golden age of musical theatre, a celebration of the stories and songs that have become part of our cultural fabric. With Conductor Steven Roberts and Accompanist Catherine Hall-Smith. Free entry. Refreshments, raffle and a retiring collection for St John's and the Choir.

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.

St Michael’s, Headingley, warmly extends an invitation to singers across the Diocese of Leeds area, who love to sing Evensong but may not have the opportunity to do so locally, to join us in singing Choral Evensong according to The Book of Common Prayer on special occasions. We hope to offer opportunities to build community and links with other churches, and support each other in encouraging the choral tradition for the future in our parish churches - especially the service of Evensong. Our next ‘Come and Sing’ Choral Evensong will be: Sunday, September 29, 6.30pm - Michaelmas - featuring Stanford in A and his Jubilate Deo in Bb. Services last c.50 minutes and are followed by refreshments. For more details, please contact Choirmaster David Walls: saintmichaelsheadingley@gmail.com.

This day will invite you to focus on a sculpture and see if you can relate it to a Bible theme or passage to create prayers. There will be 12 bronze sculptures to choose from. To book, please contact Fiona Hill on fiona@stbedes.org.uk.

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 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.

The Bishop of Leeds is looking for a gifted and experienced priest to join the leadership team of this unique diocese. Now ten years old, and still working at creating a new shape for the Church of England in this part of Yorkshire, this post demands an ability to work 'what is' while creating 'what might be'. An ability to pay attention to detail whilst holding the big picture is essential, especially as we face the challenges of the next few years. Find out more about this role here

The Diocese of Leeds is seeking to appoint a priest or lay person with passion and aptitude for advancing its ambitious racial justice programme. As well as being an experienced, collaborative leader, they will be an inspiring and creative trainer, capable of developing and delivering contextually appropriate training pathways. They will play an influential role in one of the Church of England’s largest dioceses, helping advance racial justice more fully and proactively in its vision for Confident Christians, Growing Churches, Transforming Communities. They will join the diocesan Ministry and Mission Team, working with colleagues to support churches and schools across the diverse urban and rural contexts of West Yorkshire and the Dales. Find out more about this role here

Every Good Work is a project growing new young disciples across the city of Wakefield. The Project involves the Diocese of Leeds is working in partnership with three local churches who have a strong track record of serving their local communities. National funding has been made available for them to work together with other local partners to engage with young people in schools and other settings, to work with them in developing social justice projects, and to develop new worshipping communities that are shaped by and ultimately led by young people. It is intended that over 200 young new disciples will be involved in these new worshipping communities by 2028. In the first year of the project we have already connected with over a thousand young people. St George's are seeking a youth worker who will help them deliver this vision alongside committed church leaders and a broader support team. The youth worker will be based at a St George’s Church, Lupset and will work with the team to develop and deliver the project over five years. 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 October 3. All news stories to communications@leeds.anglican.org. Many thanks!