Welcome to the Enews for September 5

The latest resources, news and more.

Click on headlines or pictures for more details.  

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

The Diocese of Leeds is pleased to announce that the third round of our Church Buildings Grants scheme is now open. Additional new funding is now available to help churches reach net zero carbon, increasing the capacity of the scheme to support churches in a variety of ways. Read more here

Most of our schools have gone back this week, and our Education Team are ready to support everyone. Simone Bennett, Diocesan Director of Education, has written a reflection to all as schools go back. Simone said: “As summer draws towards a close, so our new school year begins. This is a time of fresh starts, the simple pleasure of a new exercise or notebook, new pupils and staff and the anticipation of what lies ahead." Read more here

A report on progress on racial justice in all 42 CofE dioceses has noted that in Leeds, this important work is “a whole diocese matter”. Progress on Racial Justice across the Church of England Dioceses from the Committee for Minority Ethnic Concerns (CMEAC), gives an account of how all 42 dioceses have responded to From Lament to Action FLTA) recommendations along with examples of good practice and case studies. Read more here

Barnabas: Encouraging Confidence has built strong platforms during its first year from which to support our clergy and lay leaders in many ways. Confident Leadership for Missional Church is now in its second year, with 19 individuals in the first cohort and 21 in the second. Read more here

Hundreds of places of worship across our diocese and the wider 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. Read more here

This year Barnabas: Encouraging Confidence has been supporting people and their church buildings across the whole diocese. As part of Barnabas, our Church Buildings Support Officer, Alena-Rose Douglas, has met with some 30 parishes and offered them tailored and ongoing support for their churches. Read more here

Many of our churches across the diocese will throw open their doors this autumn, as part of Heritage Open Days (HODs). Run by the National Trust, supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery and run by thousands of local organisations and volunteers, HODs brings people together to celebrate their heritage, community and history, and has been running since 1994. Read more here

The diocesan retreat house, Parcevall Hall, has added two new retreats to this year’s already busy programme of events. The two new retreats are Reach, which is a weekend for fitness and prayer, and Grace through Words, a weekend for those who love reading. 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 eight-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.

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.

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.

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.

The Diocese of Leeds and Wakefield Cathedral are seeking to appoint an experienced priest with passion and aptitude for enabling lay ministry to flourish across the diverse contexts of the Church of England. As a lay training practitioner and missioned-focussed Residentiary Canon, they will join a Lay Training Team and Cathedral committed to advancing the diocesan vision for Confident Christians, Growing Churches, Transforming Communities. With a commitment to building up the ministry of the whole people of God across the diverse contexts and traditions of the Church of England, they will engage in the development and delivery of a range of training pathways and programmes, while contributing to the worshipping life and outreach of a vibrant cathedral. Find out more about this role here

Bradford Cathedral is searching for a new Head of Fundraising who will be a key part of bringing their vision and strategy to life. This person will help make the most of the opportunities that 2025 brings and contribute to the Cathedral’s future, all while supporting the city and its community. The focus will be on developing a creative and ambitious fundraising strategy that includes fundraising, income generation, and marketing—building on the great work that’s been done in recent years. Find out more about this role here

We are looking for someone to join our Safeguarding Team as a Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor (DSA). The role of Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor is to manage allegations of abuse and provide support as appropriate; to support victims and survivors of abuse; collate information regarding disclosures of abuse, allegations or concerns; complete comprehensive risk assessment on individuals who pose a risk in the church context; and more. 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 19. All news stories to communications@leeds.anglican.org. Many thanks!