Welcome to the Enews for May 2

The latest resources, news and more.

Click on headlines or pictures for more details.  

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

The whole diocese of Leeds welcomed the Archbishop of York on a missional tour that helped launch our 10th anniversary year. The Most Reverend Stephen Cottrell met Christian communities and projects from the region’s tip to its toe as he visited each of our five Episcopal Areas. Read more here

The Diocese of Leeds has marked its 10th anniversary this past weekend with a special service at Bradford Cathedral. The service was in part led by the Most Revd Stephen Cottrell, Archbishop of York, who has been visiting our region as part of the celebrations, and was attended by civic dignitaries from across the diocese. Read more here

The Bishop of Leeds, the Rt Revd Nick Baines, has issued a joint statement with Bishop Paul Swarbrick, Lead Bishop for Africa for the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales, calling for more attention to be paid to the ongoing conflict in Sudan. Read more here

Bradford Cathedral will be marking the 30th anniversary of the ordination of women at a special service on Saturday, May 4. This service will take place almost thirty years to the day from when the first women were ordained at Bradford Cathedral, when on Sunday, May 8, 1994, there were two sets of ordinations. Read more here

Rural life in all its settings across our diocese will be celebrated at a special service to be held at Ripon Cathedral on Sunday, May 12. The Rt Revd Anna Eltringham, Bishop of Ripon and the Very Revd John Dobson, with the support of the Rt Revd Nick Baines, Bishop of Leeds, invite people from all parts of the diocese to share in Rivers of Life – a celebration of the many facets of country living. Read more here

New resources have been released to help churches share more information about the Parish Giving Scheme. The Parish Giving Scheme is a planned giving scheme for churches, which launched in our diocese at the start of 2020, and is now being used by over 160 parishes, with over 2400 gifts processed each month. Read more here

Singers and choirs in West Yorkshire and beyond are being invited join together to sing a Festival Evensong in the Cathedral with Bradford Cathedral Choir in May. The service on Sunday, May 12, will have a repertoire involving a variety of music. Read more here

Our Bradford Mission Apprentices and Leeds & Harrogate Interns, all part of our Diocesan Internship Programme, enjoyed a great start to their summer term thanks to Bishop Nick’s invitation to a lunch at Hollin House recently. Twice a term, the whole cohort gathers together on a Monday, their usual training day, to get to know each other better, encourage one another, learn, and deepen roots of faith and discipleship together. Read more here

One of our clergy has raised some £2000 for our parishes with a 75 mile sponsored journey to mark the diocese’s 10th anniversary. The Revd Canon Ian Greenhalgh, Area Dean for the Bowland and Ewecross, and his son Tom, rode on his bike and ran across the Ripon and Bradford areas raising funds to help support our churches. Read more here

One of our Ripon area priests is going to be walking some 160 miles to raise money for his churchyard and support his local fell rescue group. This spring the Revd Darryl Hall, Vicar of the United Parish of Upper Nidderdale, is looking to walk both the Rob Roy Way and the Great Glen Way, in the highlands of Scotland, a total of approximately 157 miles. Read more here

One of our Wakefield area churches is going to be celebrating one of their former curates, the writer of the hymn ‘Onward Christian Soldiers’. From Friday, May 17 to Sunday May 19, Horbury will come alive with singing, storytelling and a huge march, as school children, residents, visitors and guests mark the 100th anniversary of the death of former curate, Fr Sabine Baring-Gould, most famous for writing the hymn for the children of the parish. Read more here

During the 50 days from Easter to Pentecost, you can subscribe to receive a daily devotion to help mark the 10^th Anniversary of the Diocese. Each day a reflection, written by a different member of our diocese, will be emailed to you. As we journey through the Book of Acts, every reflection will be linked to one of the areas of focus in our Rhythm of Life initiative: encourage, share, create, pray, rest, celebrate, reflect. There will also be ideas for activities and links to good news stories.

To sign up, click here. For more on the Rhythm of Life initiative, click here.

No further applications for LLM training starting in September 2024 will be accepted. The application process for LLM training starting in September 2025 will begin during the autumn of 2024. More details can be found here.

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

A 12 session journey looking at the Christian faith, your own faith journey and developing theological skills. All students will be encouraged to create a portfolio showcasing their new skills. Attending an ITT course is a pre-requirement for Licensed Lay Ministry training in the Diocese of Leeds. Further information about the Introduction to Theology can be found here.

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, April 27 at Holy Trinity Ripon
• Saturday, June 8 at Dewsbury Minister
• Saturday, September 7 at St Matt's Leeds

Please click here for more details and to book.

We may struggle with believing ourselves, or if we do believe find it hard when others have difficult questions. Whether you are struggling with believing yourself and/or talking with others who find it hard, these three introductory talks by Canon Philip will explore some of the common problems people have with Christianity. You can come to some or all, ask questions or just listen, and you’ll be very welcome!

Three Wednesdays in May at Wakefield Cathedral

• May 8 - Darwin and Dawkins: Faith and Science
• May 15 - Disaster: Faith and Suffering
• May 22 - Da Vinci Code: Faith and History

For more information email admin@wakefield-cathedral.org.uk or call 01924 373923.

Join Stewardship Officers Beth and Janet to explore the existing ready-made PGS resources, and some freshly created ones, that will help you promote the benefits of the Parish Giving Scheme to your congregation. Whether you are launching the PGS for the first time, or preparing a relaunch, you will find out how to easily adapt these helpful resources for your parish. Join us even if your PCC hasn't yet registered for the PGS to find out more and have your questions answered.

Click here to register for the webinar.

Everyone is invited to take time out of the busyness of life and join others in the peaceful environment of St Peter’s Church by the river Wharfe to learn more about prayer. During the day there will plenty of time to be quiet and reflect on your own. There will also be time for conversations and learning. The day is organised and will be led by the Bradford Prayer and Spirituality team. Please bring your lunch – tea and coffee will be provided. To reserve your place, please email charlie.scott@leeds.anglican.org. Find out more here.

St Mary’s Embsay has achieved a Gold Eco Church award. Along the way they have learned a lot about their environmental mission and overcome a number of challenges. They are keen to share and learn with you on this eco church journey.

This workshop will include a carousel of discussion groups on different Eco Church topics, including the 5 areas of the Award (Worship, Land, Buildings, Community & Global Engagement and Lifestyle) as well as the Net Carbon Zero target.

Churches at any stage of the award scheme – and those who have not yet started – are all welcome. Numbers will be limited so please book early. Refreshments will be provided.

Please book by emailing marion.russell@leeds.anglican.org by Sunday May 5. Find out more here.

A workshop from Urban Saints considering accessibility, inclusion and belonging for all. How can parents, churches and children’s/youth workers, not only understand more about the children we are working with, but also change the way we work with them so to be more inclusive and create belonging for all? This training session works through all of these important questions and equips and enables participants to be agents of change in their own group. To book your place for this session, please email childrenyouth@leeds.anglican.org.

Find out more here.

Ever thought about becoming a School Governor - many professional skills and expertise are in demand by Schools and Academies looking to grow their Governing Boards.

Join Inspiring Governance for this 45minute session to find out more about becoming a School Governor and how Inspiring Governance can support you to find a vacancy and get you started on your journey to become a School Governor.

Click here to sign up.

The intention of this retreat is to respond to Jesus’ invitation: ‘Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.’ There will be space to rest and to receive from God, and opportunities to be nurtured by Scripture, other spiritual resources and prayer. The retreat will spiritually nurture those who need a short break from the busyness and stresses of life. Led by Henriette Howarth. For more information, please contact henriette.howarth@leeds.anglican.org. Find out more here.

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 six-week lecture series introducing the study of Church Music is taking place at St Peter’s Church, Horbury (WF4 6AS), from Thursday, April 18. Accessible to anyone who is interested, and offering valuable teaching and stimulating ideas for singers, organists, musicians, ordinands, and clergy, the course runs from 7pm to 8pm and will be delivered by Director of Music, Prof Leonard Sanderman, who is Associate Professor at Leeds Conservatoire, Visiting Lecturer at the University of York, and Organ Adviser to the Diocese of Leeds in the Church of England.

• 18th April: How do we think about church music?
• 25th April: Must we sing in church?
• 2nd May: Is all sacred music liturgical?
• 16th May: Why do we sing what we sing?
• 23rd May: Who thought organs were a good idea?
• 30th May: Towards a catholic philosophy of church music

All welcome. For more information please contact the Vicar, Fr Christopher Johnson, fr.christopher.johnson@gmail.com or via our website.

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:

• April 22: Why am I still a Christian?
• May 6: Do I have to bypass my brain to believe in God?
• May 20: Does the Christian faith make sense of science?
• June 10: Why does God allow suffering?
• June 24: What's the evidence for Jesus? Can we trust the Gospels?
• July 8: Did Jesus really rise again?

Singers and choirs in West Yorkshire and beyond are invited join together to sing a Festival Evensong in the Cathedral with Bradford Cathedral Choir. The preacher will be the Bishop of Leeds, the Rt Revd Nick Baines.

The provisional timetable for the day is as follows:

• 1:30pm Registration
• 2pm Rehearsal (including a break)
• 4:15pm Afternoon Tea
• 5pm Service

Each singer will be invited to contribute £10 (£5 for under 18s) towards the costs of the service.

Under 18s are welcome to attend and participate, conditional upon a parent/guardian consent form being completed upon arrival or in advance. Find out more here.

There will be a service celebrating ten years of rural ministry in the diocese at Ripon Cathedral.

Bishop Anna and Dean John, with the support of the Bishop of Leeds, are inviting people from all parts of the diocese to share in this celebration of rural communities, parishes, businesses and organisations, not least farming and land management.

For further information, please contact Judith Bustard, Cathedral Office 01765 603462 or email judithbustard@riponcathedral.org.uk.

A performance of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Find out more here

Firm Roots Cancer Support is a small Christian organisation in the UK, offering prayer and spiritual support to people affected by cancer. Firm Roots was started by Helen Jones in 2012, following her cancer diagnosis. Helen has worked in NHS cancer services for ten years and is now an ordained minister in the Church of England. Firm Roots runs a network of Cancer Prayer Support Groups and Christian Retreat Days for anyone affected by cancer, either as a patient or supporting someone through it. Several face-to-face cancer prayer support groups exist around the country and an online monthly cancer prayer support group started in January 2024, so that people can join from anywhere in the UK. A Firm Roots Retreat Day is also planned for Saturday, May 18 in Leeds. Find out more at www.firmroots.org.uk or book onto a retreat day here.

Featuring the Kirkby Lonsdale-based Kirkby Jazz Kollactive, the Windermere-based award-winning South Lakes Acapella, and introducing The Ghosts of Groove! - KJK's rhythm quartet project. Also - the musical stylings of the Fab Two.

£10 including light refreshments. For tickets please contact Gill Ford on 07534 570 698. Proceeds to the Church Building Fund.

Sacred and secular variety featuring Charles Villiers Stanford, 100 years after his death, and contemporary composers. Music director is James Bowstead. Admission at the door is £12; tickets available online here.

A conference to encourage, equip and empower women to become all that they were born to be.

With guest speakers, live music, refreshments and a buffet lunch included in the ticket price of £20.

Find out more here

Two days of study, prayer and practise around the themes of spirituality, creation and reconnecting with nature.

• Day one: 'Earthing our spirituality': drawing inspiration from the mystics
• Day two: 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.

A new festival of faith and hope for rural mission in the north. Salt and Light aims to be an opportunity for those leading and working in the church to gather and explore the opportunities and joys of northern rural contexts.

Partnering with dioceses including Leeds, Carlisle, Durham, Newcastle and York, Salt and Light will be the beginning of a pattern of sharing and learning for the church in the rural north.

Click here to find out more and to book.

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.

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.

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.

Wellsprings Together is an established, growing, regional charity with a vision to see faith transforming communities. The role of the Chief Officer is to lead the team to implement this vision across the Anglican Diocese of Leeds. Accountable to the Trustees of the charity, the Chief Officer is responsible for coordinating and supervising the work of the Team. They are responsible for delivering on the strategy and vision of the charity, managing stakeholder relationships, securing funding, and the effective management and leadership of the charity including budgetary responsibilities. Find out more about this role here

Wellsprings Together is an established, growing, regional charity with a vision to see faith transforming communities. The newly created role of the Finance & Operations Manager will help to support the implementation of this vision across the Anglican Diocese of Leeds. Accountable to the Chief Officer, the Finance & Operations Manager will hold day-to-day responsibilities for the effective financial management of the charity alongside supporting the operational management of the varied programmes and projects delivered by Wellsprings Together. They are responsible for ensuring that Wellsprings Together policies and procedures are implemented and that the internal operations of the charity take place in an effective way. 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 May 16. All news stories to communications@leeds.anglican.org. Many thanks!