Welcome to the Enews for May 25

The latest resources, news and more.
Click on headlines or pictures for more details.  
Contact enews@leeds.anglican.org with your news. 
News
Faith and dedication at St Mary’s, Embsay with Eastby, have earned it the first Gold Eco Church award in our diocese. A Rocha UK Eco Church assessors visited St Mary’s earlier this month to judge their bid for the rare Gold Award and Parish Environment Officer, Diana Linford, responded to the good news: “We have a small, but very active Eco Group at St Mary’s and have the strong support of our vicar and congregation." Read more here
Thy Kingdom Come, the global ecumenical prayer movement that invites Christians around the world to pray from Ascension Day to Pentecost, has begun. “In praying 'Thy Kingdom Come' we all commit to playing our part in the renewal of the nations and the transformation of communities," urges Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby. Read more here
Parishes across the diocese are joining in with this year’s Churches Count on Nature, an annual “wildlife census” for the nation’s churchyards. Running from Saturday, June 3 to Sunday, June 11, from Christ Church Longsdale to Farnley Tyas, near Huddersfield, members of the congregation, the Sunday Schools or green teams will have the joy of plant, bug and animal hunting. Read more here
Parishioners are celebrating the restoration of their much-loved church clock dating from the Victorian era following a £7,000 restoration project. Last year, residents came together to launch the Platinum Jubilee Clock Restoration Project for St Bartholomew's Church in Arkendale, near Knaresborough. Read more here
This summer local cyclists will be invited to make a pedal pilgrimage from either Ripon Cathedral to Bradford Cathedral, or Bradford Cathedral to Wakefield Cathedral, as part of this year’s national ‘Cathedrals Cycle Route’. In 2021 and 2022 the relay travelled around all 42 English Cathedrals but for 2023 a series of local routes will be undertaken, including one between Carlisle, Durham and Newcastle, and rides starting at Peterborough and Rochester. Read more here
People in Brownhill recently had the chance to learn more about caring for God’s creation, thanks to a Green Aware morning. St Saviour’s Church, Brownhill, hosted the morning, where local groups were invited to showcase their environmental work, and to chat to visitors. Read more here
For more diocesan and regional news, visit www.leeds.anglican.org
Living and Learning
If you wish to apply for the Occasional Preachers, Eco Mission Enabler (Saving Creation Gold), Lay Pastoral Ministry and Lay Worship Leaders Courses for the 2023-24 academic year, please ensure that you speak to your incumbent, as you will need their support for your application. More information on the range of ministry pathways we offer and the application process can be found here.
Starting Wednesday, May 31, online
My Faith Story is an online course designed to help Christians feel more confident about sharing their own personal faith story. The course will be run in three sessions, from 7.30pm - 9pm. Find out more here
Starting Thursday, June 7, online
Have better, more nurturing conversations that draw from the deep wells of our faith. Runs Thursday, June 7 and Thursday, June 14, 2pm to 4pm, or Monday June 26 and Monday, July 3, 7pm to 9pm, all online. Find out more here
Saturday, July 15 at 10am, St Peter's Addingham
All are welcome to come and try new ways of prayer – or take time for ways you know and love. The day is free but donations are welcome if you can. Please bring your lunch – tea and coffee will be provided. To reserve your place, please email Charlie Scott on charlie.scott@leeds.anglican.org. Find out more here
Saturday, July 19 at 7.30pm, online
You are invited to a time of reflection, prayer and meditation to enter into a deeper awareness of God’s life-giving Spirit. For more information, contact Henriette Howarth who will lead the session. To receive the Zoom link, please email charlie.scott@leeds.anglican.org. Find out more here
Starting Sunday, July 30
Christ Church Oxford are offering a two-week residential summer school for members of the clergy, theologians and teachers of religious education. Explore the programme theme Christian Theology in a Time of Global Crises. Participate in seminars taught by members of Oxford University's Theology Faculty, distinguished theologians, and prominent church leaders. Attend lectures from leading scholars in the field of Theology. Find out more here
Starting September 2023
Starting September 2023. Year 1 of this programme, “Spiritual Growth and Transformation”, is for those who want to deepen their own spiritual journey and explore their gifts to accompany others. Year 1 stands on its own but can be followed by Year 2 and 3 with a more specific focus on the ministry of Spiritual Direction. This programme is suitable for both clergy and lay. Contact Charlie Scott to request an application form (deadline for applications is 14th June). Find out more here
Autumn 2023 at the Mirfield Centre
Ever wondered what theology means and how to study it? Need some guidance on how to dig a bit deeper? This introductory course may well be for you. This course is also required before you can apply to train as a Licensed Lay Minister. Find out more here
For more Diocese of Leeds training visit the Digital Learning Platform
Events across the diocese
Pentecost Praise
Sunday, May 28 at 1pm
Bishop Tony Robinson, Bishop of Wakefield is planning to celebrate Pentecost on Sunday, May 28 with a Picnic Lunch in Thornes Park, followed by a Pentecost Walk to the Cathedral where he hopes to celebrate with a service of Pentecost Praise at 3pm outside, (weather permitting). At the picnic lunch there will be free tea, coffee and soft drinks and a circus entertainer for the children. This is a free event and no booking is necessary. Everyone is welcome. Please contact Caroline Asquith for more at caroline.asquith@leeds.anglican.org.
Self Supporting Ministry Celebration
Sunday, June 11 at 3pm
A special service to celebrate Self Supporting Ministers and Self Supporting Ministry will be held at Garforth St Mary. The preacher will be the Revd Maeve Sherlock Baroness of Durham. If you wish to attend please reply to natalya.heap@leeds.anglican.org
Wednesday, June 14 at 9.30am
Wellsprings Together along with the Barnabas: Encouraging Confidence team invite you to a half-day conference to encourage you & your church in social action as you seek transformed communities. The event will help provide you with a range of support with specialist advice. With workshops on fundraising for your project, learning how to understand your community's needs, how to establish partnerships and a chance to learn more about the Growing Good resource from Church Urban Fund. Sign up here.
Summer Proms at St James' Silsden
Saturday, June 17 at 7pm
Summer Proms featuring BD1 Brass, the City of Bradford Brass Brand, take place at St James’, Silsden from 7pm on Saturday, June 17. Tickets priced £10 and £5 for U16s are available from the Vicarage or Silsden Post Office.
Saturday, June 24
Churches across the Diocese are encouraged to join the Churches Conservation Trust at St John's Leeds on Saturday, June 24 for their annual Leeds Heritage Skills Festival 2023. This free to attend open day will offer hands on experience with blacksmiths, lead workers, carpenters, stonemasons, glaziers and more in attendance. Churches from across the area are invited to come along and take part, particularly if you know someone who might be considering an apprenticeship or career within the heritage / cultural sector. Find out more here.
Leading your Evangelism into Growth
Monday, September 11 - Wednesday, September 13, The Hayes, Swanwick
Leading your Evangelism into Growth is a conference that helps individuals and churches grow realistically and creatively in evangelism. They want to help everyone to be more comfortable and more confident in lovingly sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ. Bursaries are available for this conference. Find out more on our website: www.leadingyourchurchintogrowth.org.uk
or by contacting toby@leadingyourchurchintogrowth.org.uk.
Thursday, February 29 - Thursday, March 7, 2024
An eight day Pilgrimage with the Revd Mike Green, Vicar of St Andrew’s Kildwick, St John’s Cononley and St Mary’s Bradley, to the Holy Land is being arranged in February and March 2024. Find all the details and how to reserve a place here.
Resources
Barnabas: Encouraging Confidence is the way in which the Diocese of Leeds wants to support churches to move forward in mission, ministry and sustainability, in a way that is prayerful, intentional and, within the grace of God, possible. Barnabas offers every church resources and support at different levels, with a view to us all working towards the diocesan vision of Confident Christians, Growing Churches, Transforming Communities. Find out more here
The Digital Learning Platform (DLP) is a website that provides online access to learning for people in the Diocese of Leeds. Through its three main strands of Courses, Events and Resources, it seeks to train and equip people those involved in or with links to the life of the church, helping everyone realise who God has called them to be. Find out more here
Leeds Diocesan News continues to be produced in digital form, containing important news and views from across the Diocese of Leeds. Download and view the latest edition 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.
Dates for 2023
Thy Kingdom Come: Thursday, May 18 - Sunday, May 28

World Environment Day: Monday, June 5

Ordination of Priests: Saturday, June 24 or Sunday, June 25

Ordination of Deacons: Saturday, July 1 at Bradford Cathedral

Creationtide: Friday, September 1 - Wednesday, October, 4

Diocese of Leeds Generosity Week: Sunday, September 24 - Sunday, October 1

COP 28: Thursday 30 November - Tuesday 12th December
Media
Barnabas: Encouraging Confidence is the way in which the Diocese of Leeds wants to support churches to move forward in mission, ministry and sustainability. Watch this video to hear more about what Barnabas is and how is can help.
The Revd Anna Eltringham will take up the role of Bishop of Ripon this summer. Watch a video message from Anna here.
...is the name of Bishop Nick's blog and his most recent entries can be viewed here.
Vacancies
We are seeking a Strategic Development Funding Project Support Officer to support the delivery of the strategic programme, under the wider Barnabas portfolio. This is fixed term for a period of 3 years. The SDF Project Support Officer will work alongside the Strategic Programme Manager and Director of Church Revitalisation. This is fixed term for a period of 3 years. Find out more about this role here
The Diocese of Leeds is offering an amazing opportunity to join its two-year Bradford Mission Apprentice scheme from September 2023. Supported by national Church of England funding, we are looking to employ 23 part-time Mission Apprentices to help drive and expand the church’s missional work in the Bradford Episcopal Area. It's a two-year long adventure giving you an experience of leadership and service, learning alongside a community of other Mission Apprentices. You will be able to explore more of what it means to be a disciple of Jesus and grow as a leader of mission in one of our local churches. You will be given the skills to equip you for life, work, mission and leadership, and the opportunity to use and develop these in a local church setting. Find out more about this role here
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 - Safeguarding Adviser
Moves and Appointment
Revd Oliver Preston to be the Rector of St Michael & All Angels Haworth with St Gabriel Stanbury and St James’ Cross Roads in the Bradford Episcopal Area

Revd Philip Maries to be Rector of the Central Barnsley Benefice in the Wakefield Episcopal Area
Contact us with your news
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 June 7. Area news stories to enews@leeds.anglican.org  
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