Welcome to the Enews for November 13

The latest resources, news and more.

Click on headlines or pictures for more details.  

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

The Very Revd Andy Bowerman, Dean of Bradford, has announced that he shall be leaving Bradford Cathedral to take up a new role in the new year. After a period of careful prayer and discernment, Dean Andy has accepted the invitation to become the first Dean of Faith & Community at CREST Education, a Christian education network of schools in Melbourne, Australia with approximately 3500 students & staff. Read more here

Some 60 people attended a diocesan service to mark Black History Month on Saturday, November 1. The service, with the theme of ‘Rooted, Rising, Rejoicing’ took place at St Margaret’s Thornbury in the Bradford area. Read more here

Churches have until Friday, November 21 to apply for a government grant to help improve their facilities. The Common Ground Award, administered by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, offers up to £10,000 towards constructing or renovating church facilities. Read more here

Four of our churches have been removed from the Heritage at Risk Register, thanks to the hard work and dedication of their church members. The Heritage at Risk Register is maintained by Historic England; it uses a variety of factors to assess whether heritage buildings at risk. The four churches removed are Holy Trinity Huddersfield in the Huddersfield area; St Paul’s King Cross in the Huddersfield area; St. James’ Cross Roads cum Lees in the Bradford area; and St Thomas’ Thurstonland in the Huddersfield area. Read more here

Schools across the diocese are being encouraged to reduce their carbon footprints, with some 40% signed up to the Let’s Go Zero campaign. Let’s Go Zero is a national campaign for all schools, colleges and nurseries to be net zero carbon by 2030. Read more here

The restored bell cote at St Margaret’s Preston under Scar was dedicated by the Rt Revd Anna Eltringham, Bishop of Ripon, at a recent Penhill Benefice service following a successful fund-raising effort both locally and nationally. St Margaret’s parochial church council (PCC) decided to try and raise over £10,000 to cover the cost of restoring the bell cote and also damp proofing and repointing the vestry below it. Read more here

St Saviour’s Richmond Hill have held their second All Souls’ Requiem memorial recently, helping local families find space to grieve. The service took place on Saturday, November 8, with the Revd Canon Paul Cartwright, area dean of Pontefract, preaching. Read more here

Whether you have been working with children and young people for a long time or you are just starting out, this course is designed to help you develop and refresh skills and knowledge so you can serve children and young people well.

The Ministry with Children and Young People is interactive with groupwork activities plus times for discussion and reflection. We will explore four areas:

• Children Matter – the value of children to Jesus and to the church
• Practical Matters – the skills and practicalities needed to work safely with children and young people
• Faith Matters – how faith might develop for children and young people and how we might help to nurture faith.
• You Matter – the importance of knowing our roles and responsibilities and looking after our own faith and wellbeing

To sign up for the course and specific dates, please email childrenyouth@leeds.anglican.org.

Find out more here.

Book a one to one Digital Clinic session with a member of the Stewardship Team to discuss Digital Giving. These sessions are perfect for finding specific solutions to any issues you are having with contactless devices or online giving pages. These are also a great space for finding out more if you are new to digital giving. The Stewardship team can discuss how to promote this way of giving in your church, including creating new eye-catching giving campaigns. Book a session below:

• Monday, November 17 - Huddersfield Parish Church - book here
• Monday, November 24 - Bingley Trinity Centre - book here

The Diocese of Leeds welcomes Archbishop Ezekial Kondo of Sudan at two services. Hear the latest news from Sudan, and worship, reflect and pray.

‘Carol of the 7 Hills, A Story of the Bradford District’ is a specially written play, using a cast of actors from local churches, and highlighting the talent in each venue.

Written by Jonathan Hall (Radio 4) and directed by Julia Smith (RSC, Bradford Theatres), it forms a key moment for Christians in Bradford’s City of Culture year.

The performances are all at 7pm, and are as follows:

• Thursday, November 27: Immanuel College, Idle
• Friday, November 28: All Saints Church, Ilkley
• Saturday, November 29: St Andrew’s Church, Keighley
• Thursday, December 4: Forster’s Academy, Bowling
• Friday, December 5: Buttershaw Business and Enterprise College
• Saturday, December 6: Fountains Church Bradford

Find out more and book here.

A collaboration between Wellsprings Together and The Barnabas Team of the Diocese of Leeds.

Join us for a relaxed and inspiring FREE Learning Breakfast designed for church leaders, current volunteers and those thinking about getting involved, across the Diocese of Leeds.

Whether you’re from a large urban parish or a small rural congregation, Growing Better Together is a chance to pause, reflect and grow in how your church connects faith, social action and discipleship.

Come and enjoy good food, rich conversation and shared learning in the company of others who care about what it means to be the church in today’s world.

Find out more here.

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. Led by Revd Henriette Howarth. Please email charlie.scott@leeds.anglican.org to book a place.

Find out more here.

This course is for anyone who wants to do theology - to talk and think about God - and to deepen their discipleship. It’s also an opportunity to think about how God is forming us right now. All of us are on a journey with God. We are letting God mould us into the person God always meant us to be.  

More details and booking information can be found here.

If you require any specific help or information, please do contact us at layministry@leeds.anglican.org.

Do you have an interest in supporting those struggling with mental ill health? Want to develop your knowledge and become accredited as a Mental Health First Aider?

We will be running a course, led by an expert trainer from the Saltaire Training Company, that can support you to develop your skills and confidence in this area.

More details and booking information can be found here.

If you require any specific help or information, please do contact us at layministry@leeds.anglican.org.

A course for lay people who are unable to commit to becoming Licensed Lay Ministers but still feel called to a preaching ministry on an occasional basis.

More details and booking information can be found here.

If you require any specific help or information, please do contact us at layministry@leeds.anglican.org.

As part of our mission action plan, ‘Signs of the Kingdom,’ the United Parish of Upper Nidderdale is devoted to growing deeply as disciples.

We start at 6.30pm with drinks and nibbles followed by a Speaker around 7pm. The evening should conclude after prayers, hopefully no later than 8.30pm

Dr Peter Vardy is a British theologian. The author or co-author of 18 books about religion and ethics. He was vice-principal of Heythrop College, a Jesuit college in London, from 1999 to 2011. He is known for the religious-studies conferences he runs in the UK for schools.

• Wednesday, December 3 - Personal Justice and Christianity

This is a completely free event, however there will be an opportunity at the end of each evening to make a voluntary contribution towards a small-scale project in Uganda that supports young people with basic vocational training in computer skills, sewing, carpentry, and cooking etc. Even modest donations can make a significant difference.

It would be really helpful if you could let us know if you intend to join us so that we have an idea of how many people to expect. Contact: Darryl 07792419982 or email horlix@aol.com.

An evening on Praying with the Psalms with Revd Dr Megan Daffern, author and priest. Megan Daffern took up the post of Canon Chancellor of Wells Cathedral in autumn 2023. She is the Chapter member responsible for education, including the oversight of the Chained Library and Archives. Her academic focus remains on the Psalms and the poetry of the Hebrew Bible, with a particular interest in linguistically informed exegetical methods.

Please email caroline.asquith@leeds.anglican.org to find out more and to book.

The day will be led by Dr Chris Hewer, a Christian theologian who also has a thorough understanding of Islam which is respected by local Muslims. There will also be lots of time for discussion and reflection.

Please email nkinterfaith@gmail.com to find out more and to book.

Every denomination says making disciples is the main priority. But discipleship can be a mystifying thing. What does it really mean? How can it be a gift, rather than a stumbling block?

And, even if we have an inkling of its meaning, what is really different about Christian disciples? In our lived experience?

After all, in many ways people of faith, no faith or some faith seem to live quite similar lives. We are born, we work, we shop, we sleep, we love, we struggle, we laugh, we cry, we pay taxes (perhaps!) and we die (definitely!). If you’re interested in the questions ‘What difference does this make?’ Or ‘What is the way?’ this HSTM morning is for you. It is a little bit about what Christians believe, but it is more about how what Christians believe shapes our lives.

Guy Donegan-Cross will introduce two books he has published this year with BRF: Discipleship: Start this Way and Discipleship: Walk this Way as a way of exploring these questions.

Find out more here.

By building on the momentum of the Doctoral Seminar, this new gathering offers an opportunity for us to share our research, reflections and ruminations on urban theology and missional practice.  

To help us shape the Urban Theology Seminar, come along to the first gathering. Along with a discussion about future plans (we hope to meet in person or on-line four times a year) we will be joined by Erica Dunmow, Chair of the UTU Board, who will speak to us on 'Is the cross now a vexed symbol for Christians?'

Hot drinks/ biscuits are available from the church coffee morning at street level, there are two independent bakers in Chapel Walk doing v good traditional or bistro-style sandwiches, and hot food, or bring your own lunch.

A collection will be taken (guide gift £5) to cover costs.

For more information and to indicate your interest and attendance: office@utusheffield.org.uk

Everyone welcome. Please bring your own robes. New members can be admitted during the Eucharist service. Please let us know if you are attending by Wednesday, November 26 by emailing Stacey Ayre on staceyayre2googlemail.com.

Are you pondering the future of your local rural churches? Struggling to lead through a season of great change?

Why not join us on the Rural Mission & Ministry Course? 

Come and gather with other ecumenical rural leaders to explore what community, mission, evangelism & leadership can look like in rural contexts. 

Find out more here.

God always reaches out in love to humankind, calling us and journeying alongside us. Jesus Christ says, 'Come and follow me' into life in all its fullness. For some, their fulfilment is found in the ordained ministry. Might you be called by Jesus to follow him in this challenging and exciting vocation?

A day conference for 18-30 year olds.

Find out more here.

The Diocese of Leeds is seeking an ordained, visionary leader to join our Formation Team. You’ll support the training and development of curates and Licensed Lay Ministers, create inspiring CMD programmes, and shape the future of interim ministry across the diocese. With a passion for developing people and enabling ministerial formation, you’ll collaborate across teams to equip confident Christian leaders. This is a dynamic, dual-role opportunity based in Leeds, with travel across the diocese. Some weekend and evening work required. Join us in nurturing vibrant, sustainable ministry in a changing Church. Find out more about this role here

This is an exciting three year fixed term role to help the parish of Sandal Magna develop its capacity. This opportunity has arisen as the Vicar of Sandal Magna has taken on the role of Project Lead for Every Good Works Youth Project. Through their close working with the Project Lead/Vicar the post holder will develop systems and structures that will enable the church and project to thrive. Find out more about this role here

The Vicar and PCC of St Giles' Pontefract is seeking a freelance fundraiser to identify and apply for strategic Net Zero Carbon fundraising opportunities across a cluster of parishes in the Pontefract area. This is an exciting and unique opportunity for the right candidate with a passion for sustainability to investigate new and imaginative ways in which to further the work of NZC by looking at how our historical buildings can be leading the way as we strive to protect our environment. 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 27. All news stories to communications@leeds.anglican.org. Many thanks!