Welcome to Enews+ for March 7
The latest resources, important information and more.
This is for all clergy, Churchwardens, Treasurers and PCC Secretaries, and is your chance to find out what is going on….

In This Edition
  • From the Desk of the Diocesan Secretary
  • New from Church House
  1. Church Revitalisation: Two Conversations
  2. Statistics for Mission Returns
  3. Church Buildings and Pastoral Reorganisation Team: Faculty Changes
  4. Church Buildings and Pastoral Reorganisation Team: Crime Prevention
  5. Ministry and Mission: Engaging with New Housing
  6. Lay Training Team: Lay Ministry Pathways
  7. Lay Ministry Team: Training
  8. Lay Ministry Team: Resources
  9. Environment Team: Items for Consideration
  10. Environment Team: Events
  11. Money for Mission: Issue 32
  12. Stewardship and Income Generation Team: Giving Days
  13. Stewardship and Income Generation Team: Funding Portal Webinars
  14. Children, Young People and Families Team: Events
  15. Safeguarding Team: Training
  • Key Dates for 2022
  • Resources
  • Vacancies
  • Other Useful Links and Information
From the Desk of the Diocesan Secretary
Dear all,
 
I write as the first glimpses of spring appear. The light is staying for a little bit longer, the premiership ball is no longer yellow, and the snow drops are pushing through. Yet it is also a time when wider world events dominate our thoughts, and the prayer uttered through the ages of “Come, Lord Jesus’’ can hardly seem more apt. Recently I have been reminded of the need to remain focused on Jesus. It is to Him we are called. A simple and obvious statement, that can be so easily forgotten in the midst of other pressures. My prayer for all of us in the Diocese as we travel through Lent is that we might all remain focused on Jesus, the ‘Author and Perfecter of our faith’.
 
It remains an incredibly busy time right across the Diocese and so Enews+ is full of things that are going on. Diocesan Synod also meets virtually on the 12 March where we will be discussing the work of Church Schools in the Diocese and the next steps for Living in Love and Faith. If you are not on synod do make sure you find time to speak to those from your deanery who are in order to find out what was discussed.
 
Can I remind you all to continue to report all property issues through Fixflo - it ensures we can serve you better and I am already hearing reports from a number of people that it is easy to use and ensures a more effective response.
 
Church House has remained open through much of the pandemic, but we are now moving into the next phase of returning to the office, with all restrictions in the building now removed. This means there is no longer any number restrictions on meetings in the building, or the requirement to provide advance information. We will now be moving to a pattern of hybrid working which I hope ensures we are available to support you both physically and virtually.
 
Please take the time to read through Enews+ and share with those in your parishes to whom certain information may be relevant. As ever, any questions or anything that I can help with, please just get in touch.
 
Please be assured of my prayers through the coming weeks.
 
Jonathan
New from Church House
Church Revitalisation: Two Conversations
There are two important conversations I’d like to share this month. One is happening TONIGHT (Monday, March 7) where we have a chance to talk about all things related to outdoor church. Some of us have worshipped outdoors for the first time during the pandemic- others of us might be really keen to use our outdoor space better. We will gather online this evening at 7.30pm to talk. All are welcome. Email jude.smith@leeds.anglican.org for the link. 
Second, is a rearranged conversation. We are inviting clergy to join myself and the Dean of Wakefield Cathedral as we host a conversation about mission and ministry in post-industrial Yorkshire. The day long event is called Unrolling the Scroll: A Nazareth Manifesto for our times. It will now take place on Thursday, April 7 from 10am to 3.30pm. Free lunch is provided. Please book by emailing admin@wakefield-cathedral.org.uk or calling 01924 373923. 
We also have a number of upcoming growth events that are being hosted by the LYCiG team- go to Leading your Church into Growth for more details or email robin.gamble@leeds.anglican.org

Revd Jude Smith, Director of Church Revitalisation
Statistics for Mission Returns
We are currently encouraging Parishes/Churches to submit their 2021 Statistics for Mission data. This data needs entering onto the Parish Returns system by March 20, 2022. The system then closes for these entries. 
The Deadline for the Statistics returns has just recently been extended to this new date of March 20 and will not be extended again. Any late Parish/Church returns after this date will then need contacting individually for the missing return. This is, and can be, a very time-consuming task, so we do please encourage you to enter your Data before this final date approaches.

Some questions may be different to previous years, so with this in mind it is advisable that the forms are viewed or printed first before submitting the data online. These forms are available on the homepage of the site without needing to log in, using the link below.


If anyone needs any help at all with log-on details re-setting, or a new logon creating for your Parish/Church, then please do contact us at: 

Church Buildings and Pastoral Reorganisation Team: Faculty Changes
Followers of General Synod and readers of the Church Times will have noted that proposed amendments to the Faculty Jurisdictions Rules were voted through at the February Synod. The changes mainly relate to the Church of England’s zero carbon aims. The changes will now be laid before Parliament and, assuming that they are approved, the changes will come into effect from Friday, July 1, 2022. An update will be provided in a forthcoming mailing, setting out the changes and pointing towards revised guidance and upcoming training sessions. In the meantime, some further information about the changes can be found in this report from Synod: New rule changes to help churches meet carbon-reduction target welcomed | The Diocese of Leeds, Church of England (anglican.org)
Church Buildings and Pastoral Reorganisation Team: Crime Prevention
We have been advised of an unfortunate spike in York Stone theft from churchyards in the north west. While we hope this doesn’t migrate towards our diocese, PCCs would be wise to take note of guidance from Ecclesiastical Insurance on actions that you can take to help mitigate against the risk: 
 
  1. Engage with local neighbours asking them to keep and extra watch over the church premises, reporting any suspicious activity to the police immediately. Take a note of the vehicle registration number of vehicles involved. 
  2. Communicate with your neighbours, send flyers telling them they will be informed if any work is planned at the church. Often, offenders appear to be genuine contractors wearing high viz jackets and using builders vans. 
  3. Review security to the churchyard perimeter. Ensure all gates are locked when the church is not in use to restrict access.
  4. Consider introducing security lighting to illuminate unlawful visitors where there is a reasonable level of surveillance from neighbouring properties.
  5. Mark stonework with a forensic security marking solution, such as SmartWater. Vulnerable stones could also be marked with unique overt marking. 
  6. Work with local police and ask your community support police officer to include the church in their daily duties. 
  7. Share your actions with the local press to spread the story to act as a deterrent. 
 
Before carrying out any works in the churchyard or church, make sure you contact the DAC staff for advice on what permission may be required. In many cases, safety and security measures can be granted permission quickly and easily under a List B from your Archdeacon.
 
Further guidance on security can be found here: 
Ministry and Mission: Engaging with New Housing
Taking place on Wednesday, March 16 from 7.00pm to 8.30pm, this is an opportunity to discuss the challenges and opportunities of engaging with new housing developments in parishes in the diocese. It will be lead by the Revd John Smith, Vicar of Pannal, and the Revd Canon Andrew Norman, Director of Ministry and Mission.

There are 36 new build housing developments in and around Leeds, according to www.newhomesforsale.co.uk. And many more in other parts of the Diocese of Leeds, whether in Colburn, around Harrogate or in Kirklees, where 10,000 new homes are due to be built by 2023.

  • How should local churches respond?
  • How can Neighbourhood Plans be influenced?
  • What about schools and local services?
  • How can opportunities for welcome, outreach and community-building be engaged with?
  • What can we learn from the Archbishops Commission on Housing, Church and Community?

This discussion-based event will build on the work of the diocesan New Housing Working Group and identify topics for in depth engagement at follow-up events.

To register please contact Annette Blackburn on annette.blackburn@leeds.anglican.org
Lay Training Team: Lay Ministry Pathways
We are now accepting applications for our lay ministry pathways. Please remember that the latest deadline for all lay ministry pathways (LLM, LPM, LWL) is 12 noon on May 31, 2022 to allow for the necessary interviews and safeguarding checks to take place
  • Further information for the LLM Pathway may be found here
  • Further information for the LPM Pathway may be found here
  • Further information for the LWL Pathway may be found here
Lay Training Team: Training
Mental Health First Aid Workshop on 18/3/2022
A one-day workshop, led by Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Champions, which will provide an opportunity to learn more about the pastoral care of people with mental health problems. 
Friday, March 18, 2022: 9am – 5pm at Church House, 17-19 York Place, Leeds, LS1 2EX
Cost: £56.  Sales end on Monday, March 14, 2022.
Further information may be found here.

Pastoral Assistant Training (PAT) Level 2
Last chance to attend the level 2, Pastoral Assistant Training course this year. This ten session, online course begins on Monday 25th April, 7-9pm and covers topics such as Bereavement, Dementia, Health and Healing, etc.

Podcast: Pastoral Training Courses – Participant Interviews
Lay Training Officer Mandy Aspland chats to four people who have taken part in some of our pastoral training courses. She asks about their experiences on the courses, what they have gained by doing them, and what they would say to anyone who is considering coming along in the future.
Click here for the page where you can listen to the podcast.
The three levels of training on our Lay Pastoral Worker Pathway referred to in these interviews are:
Lay Training Team: Resources
Parish Audio-Visual Resource page
The Digital Learning Platform has a new page dedicated to Parish Audio-Visual Resources.
A collection of promotional videos and audio podcasts that can be used in local parishes to foster discussion around discipleship, service and lay training.  
These resources could be used during a worship service or in a small group, to kindle interest in discerning God’s call to serve, and to point the way to some appropriate training.
An instruction guide for downloading videos from YouTube is included on the page, allowing churches without internet facilities to download a video off-site for use during a service.

Sam Wells talks about the ‘Being With’ course
Revd Dr Sam Wells talks to Revd Angela Hannafin (Lay Training Officer) about a new enquirers course which he has co-written. The ‘Being With’ course looks at the Christian faith over ten weeks, and draws participants in with different themes to discuss each week. Sam explains who the course might be for, and why churches might want to try it.  
Environment Team: Items for Consideration
Green Journey Newsletter 
Energy advice and more. The Green Journey is a package of energy saving services for churches provided by Green Energy Consulting. Currently 245 churches in the diocese use the service. Read the newsletter here.

Clergy Property Carbon Net Zero Working Group
A group a clergy/spouses/family members is meeting to start to support the transition of clergy homes to carbon net zero. If you have any comments, suggestions or are interested in joining the group please contact jemima.parker@leeds.anglican.org

Prayer Videos for the Climate 
St Mark's Harrogate are producing six 'Pray for the Climate' videos is 2022 for anyone to use; the first can be seen here.
Environment Team: Events
Celebrating Environment Sunday Well: Thursday, March 24, 5-6pm
A webinar offering practical suggestions on how your church can have a good UN World Environment Day (Sunday, June 5). What kind of service could you have? What liturgy is available? What hymns and songs could you draw on for your worship? What about a church picnic or a joint activity to care for creation? Webinar details and registration

Saving Creation: Six Steps to Carbon Net Zero Webinars: Tuesday, April 5, 4pm/Tuesday, May 17, 7.30pm
Following the publication of the Saving Creation: Six Steps to Carbon Net Zero Church Toolkit, this webinar is designed to help you get started on the journey to becoming a carbon net zero church. It will include a scriptural reflection to help us understand the gospel response to climate change, then look at a practical step by step approach for churches. Watch the short Saving Creation video here. Webinar details and registration here
Money For Mission: Issue 32
This is the place to access Money For Mission, the newsletter from the Finance and Stewardship and Income Generation Teams. The most recent edition can be found here, with information including:

  • Revd. Dan's Reflection
  • Contribute to Money 4 Mission
  • Giving Days
  • New Team Member
  • Environmental Fundraising
  • Resources for Giving and Finance
  • Grants from the Diocese of Leeds
  • EasyFundraising
  • Training from ACAT

If you would like to receive Money for Mission directly, you can sign up for direct mailing by clicking the link in the newsletter.
Stewardship and Income Generation Team: Giving Days
As reported in last month's Money for Mission, the Stewardship and Income Generation Team will be visiting towns all over the diocese to talk about giving this spring/summer.
Covering topics such as the National Giving Teams’ Building a Generous Church, giving reviews, online and contactless giving, grants, and the PGS, these full day events will be of interest to Clergy and church leaders.
Booking is now open and places are limited so secure your place by clicking the links below:

Stewardship and Income Generation Team: Funding Portal Webinars
Have you ever wanted to apply for a grant to fund your church project, repair or improvement and not known where to begin? In partnership with Funding4Community and the Dioceses of Manchester and Chester, the Diocese of Leeds now has access to one of the UKs largest funding portals so you can search for your perfect funder. 

We will be running webinars on Tuesday, April 5 to demonstrate how the portal works and how you can sign up to use it yourself. The webinar will run from 12-1pm and will be repeated again at 7-8pm. Pre-register your place by clicking the links below:

5th April - the Anglican Diocese of Leeds and the Funding4Community funding portal:
  • 12-1pm register here.
  • 7-8pm register here.

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Children, Young People and Families Team: Events
Missional Toolkit Training this month includes two workshops looking at engagement which we hope will be helpful, particularly as parishes have been telling us baptism enquiries seem to be increasing: Engaging with Christening Families on Monday, March 28 and Engaging with Schools on Wednesday, March 30; both sessions are on Zoom.
We also have two sessions on Transitions: Primary to Secondary School Transitions: how your church can help on Wednesday, March 16 and Toddler Group Transitions on Tuesday, April 26.
An Introduction to Children’s Spirituality and Development completes this month’s training on Tuesday, March 15.

Lent
If you are still looking for some resources for lent; The Church of England Live Lent Families Activity Calendar can be found here: https://www.churchofengland.org/our-faith/what-we-believe/lent-holy-week-and-easter/livelent-embracing-justice-our-lent-0 We also have some home-grown Rhythm of Life Resources for children, young people and families

For any advice, information or to share your children, young people and families good news stories/ ideas/resources please contact the team at childrenyouth@leeds.anglican.org
Safeguarding Team: Training
We would like to give you the opportunity to improve your learning and encourage in particular support groups who are managing safeguarding/worship agreements on sex offenders within their parish to sign up for the below available NST course
 
 
Identifying and responding to grooming – This masterclass will be delivered by Professor David Shemmings. David specialises in relationship based and trauma informed practice, with over 40 years experience in the field.

This session will be run on two dates :
  • Thursday, June 16, 9:30-11am
  • Friday, July 15, 1:30-3pm
 
When booking your ticket please ensure you are selecting the correct date.
 
If you have any queries regarding this event please contact:
Key Dates for 2022
  • #LiveLent 2022: Embracing Justice: Ash Wednesday (Wednesday, March 2) to Easter Day (Sunday, April 17)
  • Deadline for receiving Living in Love and Faith (LLF) responses: Saturday, April 30 - processes of discernment and decision-making to take place in 2022 and the beginning of 2023.
  • Thy Kingdom Come: Thursday, May 26 - Sunday, June 5
  • World Environment Day/Sunday: Sunday, June 5
  • Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee: Sunday June 5
  • Ordination of Deacons: Saturday, July 2
  • Lambeth Conference: Wednesday, July 27 - Monday, August 8 
  • Creationtide: Thursday, September 1 – Tuesday, October, 4
  • Diocese of Leeds Generosity Week: Sunday, September 25 - Sunday, October 2
Archdeacons' Visitation Dates 2022
Bradford Archdeaconry:
 
  • Thursday, June 16 at 7pm, Fountains Church Bradford
  • Tuesday, June 21 at 7pm, All Saints Ilkley
 
Huddersfield Archdeaconry:
 
  • Wednesday, June 8 at 6.30pm, Huddersfield Parish church
  • Tuesday, June 14 at 6.30pm, Halifax Minster
  • Monday, June 20 at 6.30pm, Dewsbury Minster
 
Leeds Archdeaconry:
 
  • Tuesday, June 7 at 7.30pm, St Margaret’s Church, Horsforth
  • Thursday, June 9 at 7.30pm, St John’s, Wortley
  • Tuesday, June 14 at 3.30pm, St Richard’s Church, Seacroft
 
Richmond and Craven Archdeaconry:

  • Wednesday, June 8 at 7.00 p.m, Holy Trinity, Skipton
  • Wednesday, June 22 at 7.00 p.m, St Cuthbert’s, Pateley Bridge
  • Wednesday, June 29 at 7.00 p.m, Settle Parish Church
  • Tuesday, July 12 at 7.00 p.m, St Margaret’s, Hawes 
  • Monday, July 18 at 7.00 p.m, St Peter’s, Harrogate.
  • Thursday, July 21 at 7.00 p.m, All Saints, East Cowton
 
Wakefield Archdeaconry: 
 
  • Thursday, June 23 at 7.30pm, Wakefield Cathedral
Resources
The Diocese of Leeds has recently launched its resources to help churches reach carbon net zero by 2030, 'Saving Creation: Strategic Action to Combat Climate Change'. These include a video, toolkit, and case studies, with more to come. Read more here.
The Rhythm of Life is offering a Lent course for parishes to run locally. With a Lenten focus, each weekly session will concentrate on one of the seven Rhythm of Life areas. It can be delivered in parishes/cathedrals on Zoom or face-to-face (using the available leaders guide, and video/audio clips). As an alternative to parish-based courses, individuals can join a diocesan-run Zoom-based option.Find out more here.
Living in Love and Faith, The Church of England’s landmark set of resources on questions of identity and which draws together the Bible, theology, science and history with powerful real-life stories has now been published. The product of three years’ work includes a 480-page book, a series of films and podcasts, a course and an online library of other publications. Find more here.
The latest edition of the Prayer Diary is now online to download.There are fresh prayers for Sudan as well as prayers for Tanzania. Download prayers here.
For information, resources and more, visit www.leeds.anglican.org
Vacancies
We wish to appoint a highly motivated, talented and effective education professional to the post of School Adviser: Leadership (Primary). The successful applicant will contribute positively to our dynamic team, promoting educational excellence in our family of 240 Church schools and academies.Find out more here.
Other Useful Links & Information
For safeguarding issues, contact our advisers on:
safeguarding@leeds.anglican.org or call 0113 353 0257 
Carla Darbyshire - Safeguarding Team Leader
Jenny Leccardi - Safeguarding Adviser
Narinder Lyon - Safeguarding Adviser
Nikki Rose - Assistant Safeguarding Adviser
Moves and Appointments

Revd Kathy Couchman has been granted Permission to Officiate in the Diocese of Leeds

Revd Keith Perkinton has been granted Permission to Officiate in the Diocese of Leeds

Revd Kevin Goodman has been granted Permission to Officiate in the Diocese of Leeds

Revd Canon Jan Kearton has been granted Permission to Officiate in the Diocese of Leeds

Revd Liam Beadle, currently serving as Interim Priest in Charge at St Chad’s Toller Lane, is to continue in this interim role for a further three years.

Revd Canon Keith Farrow has been appointed as Vicar of West Barnsley Benefice (Wakefield EA)

The Bishop of Leeds is pleased to announce the following appointments:

The Revd Bill Braviner - Honorary Canon of Bradford Cathedral

Mr Cal Bailey – Honorary Lay Canon of Bradford Cathedral

Miss Furaha Mussanzi – Ecumenical Canon of Bradford Cathedral


The Who's Who directory lists clergy & diocesan staff (email addresses & phone numbers). Access it here 
Contact us with your news
Please contact the Communications Team with your news so we can share it with the wider diocese. Our regular Enews is published twice a month. Area news stories to enews@leeds.anglican.org  
© Anglican Diocese of Leeds, 2022
Church House, 17-19 York Place, Leeds, LS1 2EX
 0113 200 0540

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