Welcome to the Enews for November 14

The latest resources, news and more.

Click on headlines or pictures for more details.  

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

The Rt Revd Nick Baines has issued a statement in response to the resignation of the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Reverend Justin Welby. Read more here

Services and events to mark Remembrance Day have taken place across our diocese as communities paid their respects in a wide range of ways. Planning often begins months in advance, such as knitted and crocheted poppies created to form a poignant door display at St Chad’s Far Headingley. Read more here

Our Education Team recently hosted our annual School Leaders’ Conference, on the theme of ‘Seeking Justice, Embracing Equity’. The conference in Leeds on Friday, November 8, brought together people from schools across the whole diocese to hear from a range of speakers and exhibitors. Read more here

The Rt Revd Nick Baines, Bishop of Leeds, recently visited the InterAct Pantry in the Leeds area as part of a campaign for churches to consider opening food pantries, to strengthen their neighbourhoods and build local hope. InterAct Pantry in Meanwood is part of the Your Local Pantry network, and is run by a charity made up of Anglican, URC, Baptist and Methodist churches. Read more here

Holy Nativity Church, Mixenden held an inspiring day of conversations exploring how low income, low wealth communities can empower themselves in a world that focusses on what people lack, rather than the abundance to be found in every community, regardless of their financial resources. The 'Justice and the Economy' conference featured the Revd Mike Mather, from the USA and author of ‘Having Nothing, Possessing Everything.’ Read more here

A two-wheeled interfaith visit happened recently when the Bolton Road Community Cycling Club of Bradford rode to the city’s cathedral for the first stop of their annual Yatra bike ride. Arriving just before 9am, the group the learned about the cathedral from the Revd Pete Gunstone and listened to organ music, played by visiting organist Dr Ed Jones. Read more here

An upcoming webinar run by the diocese is looking to help churches find, raise up and nurture potential interns in their churches. The webinar, taking place on Tuesday, November 26, 1pm – 2pm, aims to help churches find and support the people in their congregations who would people be interested in spending a year growing in faith, Christian formation, discipleship and leadership. Read more here

Nominations are now being invited for 12 lay persons and 2 clergy persons to be members of the 2025 - 2027 Diocesan Vacancy in See committee. Every Church of England diocese has a permanent Vacancy in See committee which meets when the role of diocesan bishop becomes vacant. Read more here

One of our Leeds area churches has been supporting their area by hosting a local food pantry. The Horsforth Community Pantry has opened its doors to members, based in a purpose-built shop and food store next to St James’ Woodside. Read 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.

The topic is 'Helping Rural Churches Thrive'. Includes Holy Communion. Please RSVP governanceofficer@riponcathedral.org.uk by Friday, November 1 with any dietary requirements.

Your lived experience and expertise can make a difference to your local and wider community. After our very successful consultation events, where we consulted with over 100 women across Bradford District, we will now be delivering a course with four training sessions on Board Readiness.

These sessions take place on

• Tuesday, November 19
• Tuesday, November 26
• Tuesday, December 3
• Tuesday, December 12

Please note you are signing up to the full course (all four sessions). Lunch will be provided.

Click here to find out more and to book

Part of the Listening Well series of workshops

Some people call them 'difficult conversations' or 'uncomfortable conversations'.

They are usually conversations that we are avoiding. Moments when we need to be honest with others. In this workshop we will examine several case studies to help us better handle tender conversations - more honestly, more confidently and with less regret.

More details and booking information can be found here.

We have established a learning community for Places of Welcome leaders in the West and North Yorkshire region to share best practice, learn from one another and from experienced guest speakers, explore new innovative ideas and increase our confidence in the work we are doing. New members are always welcome!

Coffee served from 9.30am for 10am start, finishing around 12.30am and followed by a light lunch – we will be getting to know each other and looking at what we can achieve as a learning community.

Please join us, bring a friend / colleague. It would be great to see you there! We believe it will be well worth your time – come and be encouraged, and your participation will be very welcome indeed.

Click here to find out more and to book

This course is part of the Listening Well series and serves as a taster course for anyone interested in the Lay Pastoral Worker pathway and anyone interested in the Spiritual Direction Training course.

In the level 1 Pastoral Conversations course , we explore how to move from a social conversation with a friend into a pastoral conversation with someone in need. In this Spiritual Conversations course, we continue to develop the the idea of moving from one kind of conversation to another, by reflecting on ways to recognise where God is at work in a situation, and open up a space for the person to share how their faith relates to their life circumstances. In other words, how to move from a pastoral conversation into a spiritual conversation.

More details and booking information can be found here.

"Prayer in the Risen Lord: helps from scripture and the

saints."

Led by Br Philip Nichols, Prior. Before the busy-ness of December, this will be a day for refreshment and guided reflection in the peaceful, meditative surroundings of Mirfield. All most welcome.

Tea and coffee provided, bring your own lunch

Suggested donation: £10 (bring on the day)

To book your place email

caroline.asquith@leeds.anglican.org.

Now is the time to start exploring a vocation to Lay Ministry with your incumbent, your Episcopal Area Warden of Readers and/or the diocesan Vocations Team. 

Expressions of interest are invited for LLM training with a start date of September 2025.

Eligibility criteria, discernment information and details of the application process together with an Expression of Interest form have been sent to all incumbents, chaplaincy team leaders, PCC Secretaries and Churchwardens in September 2024. A reminder will be sent in early January 2025. The deadline for an expression of interest is Monday, March 3, 2025. 

Application/sponsor/referee forms are only sent out after an expression of interest has been received.

Click here to find out more.

If you require any specific help or information, please contact the Ministerial Development Administrator at shuna.hartley@leeds.anglican.org.

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 March start.

Introduction to Theology (ITT): 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.

Click here to find out more.

Booking deadline is Sunday, March 9, 2025.

If you require any specific help or information, please contact the Ministerial Development Administrator at shuna.hartley@leeds.anglican.org.

Join us for the 36th Joseph Winter Memorial Lecture, part of a long-standing tradition of distinguished speakers engaging with the ecumenical community. Everyone is warmly invited to attend.

For further details, contact Deacon Ronnie Aitchison. Phone: 07940 110793

Email: ronnie@raitchison.co.uk

Annual Subscriptions will be due & payable on this day. Please bring your own lunch. Everyone is welcome!

Please bring your own robes. New members can be admitted during the Eucharist Service.

If you need any further information, please contact

Chapter Secretary: Sue Middleditch

T: 0113 2643946 M: 07976 209127

E: middleditch@live.com

An invitation to a day nurturing respect and tolerance. The day will be led by Dr Chris Hewer, a Christian Theologian with a thorough understanding of Islam. He will give several talks about representative passages/verses from the Bible & the Quran that highlight to importance of respect & tolerance with other extracts which indicate the problems with disrespect & intolerance. Chris is an engaging & informative speaker who comes from a background in Christian theology, education, Islamic studies and inter-faith studies. He has worked in the field of Muslims in Britain and Christian-Muslim relations since 1986, including 6 years as Adviser on Inter-Faith Relations to the Bishop of Birmingham. The talks will be interspersed with personal testimonies from individuals & groups to demonstrate both good & bad behaviour that they have experienced. The day is free with a delicious buffet at lunchtime.

To book a place & your lunch email nkinterfaith@gmail.com.

An invitation to enjoy singing wonderful traditional choral music in beautiful St Margaret's Church. Rehearsal at 3pm; refreshments at 4.15pm; evensong at 5pm. To book your place, contact Christopher Rathbone on saintmargaretschoirs@gmail.com, by Sunday, November 10. No experience needed!

Join us for a fun evening to raise funds for our redevelopment project. Visit our website at www.allsaintsilkley.org/auction to take a look through our auction catalogue and for more information.

If you can't make it in person on November 23rd, then don't fear! We will take proxy bids by email (auction@allsaintsilkley.org) - let us know the lot you'd like to bid for, your name, email and phone number, and your maximum proxy bid. We will then bid on your behalf, by the bid increment, up to your maximum.

Happy bidding!

Gareth Davies-Jones - singer, songwriter, story-teller and producer has been writing, recording and performing as a professional musician for twenty years. From community halls to concert halls, from rural heartlands to the heart of the city he has travelled the length and breadth of the country armed with a rich distinctive voice and now two decades worth of perceptive and compelling songwriting spanning some sixteen albums and song-writing collaborations. Having garnered a loyal following on the independent roots/acoustic scene, his performances are known for gathering people together, inviting audiences to travel with him into a world of landscapes, history, characters and causes all underpinned with assured vocals and the warmth and vibrancy of a beautifully played array of stringed instruments.

From stories of heroism on the Irish Sea to gentle praise for a beguiling Loire Valley village, from insight into the lives of pitman painters to the moving response of nineteenth century Belfast women to deadly famine, “All Things Come” sets out to share a life in song-writing to warm the heart and soul.

Find out more here.

St Philip's Church, Birchncliffe, Huddersfield are hosting a concert with Lindley Band, an afternoon of music you may know and love.

Tickets cost £9.00 including tea/coffee and cake, available from Karen Haigh, 07930657284 and Michael Smith, 07977059696.

Lindley is a friendly and well established band based in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire. They have been in existence since the mid -1800’s, making them one of the oldest bands in the UK. The band occupies a unique position within the community of Lindley. There are close bonds and traditions shared with other local organisations, churches and schools within the area.

With Philip Wilby on the organ. Highlights will include Bach's Toccata and Fugue in D Minor and popular organ favourites.

Entry £5 Donation (Children Free)

Proceeds in aid of Holy Trinity Church, Dacre Banks.

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.

• 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.

In the busyness leading up to Christmas, you are invited to find some peace and stillness. With the help of Scripture and other sources of inspiration, we journey deeper into advent. To book your place, please email charlie.scott@leeds.anglican.org.

Click here to find out more

Hear from the Rt Revd Nick Baines, Bishop of Leeds, about parish share and how we are supporting parishes across the diocese.

Watch the video 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 us 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. We are seeking a youthworker who will help us deliver this vision alongside committed church leaders and a broader support team. The youthworker 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

The Diocese of Leeds is seeking to appoint a Director of Education to serve as the lead officer for the Diocesan Board of Education, fulfilling the statutory role of Diocesan Director of Education. The Director of Education should have significant experience of senior leadership in educational contexts with the ability to manage major organisational change. The postholder must have a thorough understanding of the national education agenda and how this impacts on church schools and academies. The Diocesan Board of Education has the responsibility for the learning of over 64,000 children within the 236 Church of England schools and academies, many of which are part of our 11 Church Academy Trusts. The post holder must have outstanding communication and negotiation skills with the ability to be sensitive to the different cultures and traditions within the schools. 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 November 28. All news stories to communications@leeds.anglican.org. Many thanks!