Welcome to the Enews for June 27

The latest resources, news and more.

Click on headlines or pictures for more details.  

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

The plight of people in war-torn Sudan was witnessed first hand by Bishop of Leeds, Nick Baines and Bishop of Bradford, Toby Howarth during a recent visit to our link diocese. This significant visit to a country riven by conflict was aimed at showing our diocese’s ongoing support for the many Christians displaced by hostilities. Read more here

Our new Church Buildings Support Officer Alena-Rose Douglas has reported back from a conference at Peterborough Cathedral for people in her role who are now helping churches across the country. 27 Church Buildings Support Officers (CBSOs) have been appointed by dioceses out of grants from the Church of England’s £11 million Buildings for Mission project. Read more here

Seventeen new priests were ordained this weekend in services across the diocese. The priestings took places at services at Leeds Minster, Bradford Cathedral, Ripon Cathedral, Dewsbury Minster and St John’s Cudworth. Read more here

How we continue to grow God’s Kingdom here in our region was the theme of the most recent Diocesan Synod, which took place on Saturday, June 15 in Leeds. The busy agenda covered topics including the work of our Children, Young People and Families Team, diocesan finances and an update from our Barnabas team on a new tool to help parishes chart ways forward. Read more here

How churches can worship all together in God’s creation is the subject of an upcoming workshop hosted by our Children, Young People and Families Team. Many churches are exploring what it means to worship together as the whole family of God – all ages, all backgrounds and abilities – and gathering outdoors to encounter God in nature is a wonderful way to do this. Read more here

The desperate situation of Christians in war-torn Sudan and their need for our prayers and support was highlighted by Bishop Nick in his presidential address to Synod. The diocese’s decision-making body met at St George’s, Leeds and Bishop Nick also examined the intellectual challenge of deciding personal priorities in the face of constant and often conflicting media. Read more here

Parishes in our diocese can start planning their Generosity Week, thanks to new resources. The Church of England’s Generosity Week runs from Sunday, September 29, to Sunday, October 6, but parishes can run a Generosity Week whenever it best suits them and their church. 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!

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 links for further information and booking details:

• Autumn 2024: in-person at the Mirfield Centre
• Winter (Jan –Mar) 2025: online
• Spring (Mar – Jun) 2025: in-person @The Trinity Centre, Bingley

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

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.

What does the Great Commission mean for us in the light of other faith traditions? As we live out our Christian lives in a multi-faith context, this is a vital question.

This session will offer opportunities to explore theological issues and practical ideas for sharing our Christian faith with those who are followers of other faiths. John Bavington grew up in Pakistan and his first experience of interfaith evangelism was when his school friends tried to convert him to Islam!

To book a place and receive the Zoom link, please email jenny.ramsden@leeds.anglican.org. Find out more 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.

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 is the Director of Ordinands and Vocations for the Diocese of Leeds.

Find out more here.

How do faith and reason go together? If you're interested in some of life's big questions, come to watch some videos led by experts in their field and discuss their ideas with Revd James and others in our community. We'd love to have you along!

Sessions will run on Mondays from 7pm at Kirklington Village Hall on the following dates:

• July 8: Did Jesus really rise again?

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.

We hope that this year’s festival will be the first of many, and be embraced by people from across the North of England. We look forward to welcoming you over the weekend.

Saturday, June 29

12noon - Conference on Church Music: Tradition, Innovation, and Experience

Admission: free

5pm - Choral Evensong

Sung by the St Peter’s Consort, conducted by Mr James Bowstead, Director of Music, Wakefield Cathedral. Enjoy a friendly gathering at the local pub after the service

Sunday, June 30

10.30am - Sung Mass and Te Deum

Join us for the parish’s patronal festival mass when we welcome Fr Peter Anthony, Vicar of All Saints, Margaret Street as our guest preacher. Mass is followed by drinks and nibbles

3pm - Come-and-Sing Rehearsal of New Church Music

With Prof Leonard Sanderman, Director of Music

5pm - Evensong and Benediction

Followed by Pimm’s Royale on the lawn

This is an extra session in the ‘Follow Me’ series of talks founded by Bishop Tony Robinson. We often hear that faith and politics should be kept separate from each other, and that religion should be kept out of political processes in modern democracies. Many Christians may not think their faith hasanything to do with their politics. Ahead of the General Election, this talk by Canon Philip Hobday will help us think through why ‘secular’ politics might gain from listening the insights of faith, and how Christians in particular can draw on their faith to as they consider what, and who, to vote for.

Session Running Order:

(Optional) Choral Evensong:

5.30pm - 6.15pm

Tea and coffee available:

6.15pm - 7pm

Talk and time for questions:

7pm - 8.15pm

An exhibition of historic parish records from the Record Office collections in Northallerton, featuring items spanning a period of over 500 years.

They include images and information about all the material on display, and much more to provide further detail and context, and to demonstrate the wide range of records to be found in Anglican parish church archives.

Click here to find out more.

We are living in turbulent times. In so many ways it seems that as a species we have forgotten how to live in well with each other and the rest of creation. And yet, in the depths of who we are, there is a wellspring of love that is always calling us to an original harmony, to replace competition with collaboration, rivalry with friendship.

1,500 years ago, St. Benedict wrote a Rule for monastic life which has been one of the most influential texts in the history of Western Europe. In a world facing so many challenges, Benedict’s simple guide for a school of love in community offers us a wealth of transformative wisdom.

With help from Benedictine teachers across the centuries, we will explore key aspects of this timeless wisdom tradition which are of huge importance for our time, including:

• Listening: as key to spiritual growth in community
• Humility: the path of self-knowledge, equality and peace
• Attention and Awareness: the path of balance, harmony, wholeness
• The Monastic Vision for today: a priceless gift for a suffering world.

Find out more here.

To book, please contact the Revd Rod Geddes at ruarig07@gmail.com

Revd Rod has a long-time interest in the history and spirituality of the Celtic Church and has led day courses in the Isle of Man and England and has led two week-long courses at Bishop’s House on the Isle of Iona, with another planned for 2026.

Please book early, in order that we can prepare materials and handouts.

Cost of course: £20 per person, to be paid on the day. All proceeds to All Saints’ Earby.

A taster retreat day led by Revd Dr. Linda Robinson and Revd Shena Moray. An immersive, holistic day including reflective spaces, worship and adventure into the living word of God. Please email lindarobinson@talk21.com to book. Cost is £25 including lunch and refreshments.

The Rt Revd Smitha Prasadam, Bishop of Huddersfield, will be leading a pilgrimage to Taizé this summer.

The pilgrimage for young people and adults is taking place from Saturday, August 17 to Monday, August 26, and the Most Revd Stephen Cottrell, Archbishop of York, will join pilgrims for part of their journey.

Click here to download the brochure.

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

To help us mark our diocesan 10th anniversary, the Archbishop of York visited our diocese from Friday, April 19 to Sunday, April 21, and saw people and places all across the diocese.

Watch a video of what he got up to here.

The Diocese of Leeds is seeking to appoint an experienced priest to join the Ministry and Mission team as the Diocesan Director of Vocations, this is a senior role within the team. The successful candidate will lead the Diocesan Vocations Team, working with ADDOs spread across the five episcopal areas. The team forms part of the diocesan Ministry and Mission Team which aims to provide ‘non-silo’ resourcing of ministry and mission in a diocese with five episcopal areas and an ambitious programme for encouraging confident ministry and discipleship. Find out more about this role here

We’re looking for someone who can hold the vision for children and young people in our church and parish; build on the growth of children and young people in the church; develop our work in the local schools; and pray, and plot, and plan to plant a new worshipping community. 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 July 11. All news stories to communications@leeds.anglican.org. Many thanks!