Welcome to the Enews for July 10

The latest resources, news and more.

Click on headlines or pictures for more details.  

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

The Diocese of Leeds has launched its public consultation looking for the views of all people across our region about the next Bishop of Leeds. We are asking for people to answer three questions about our new bishop and the future of our diocese. Read more here

Thirteen new deacons were ordained at Wakefield Cathedral on Saturday, June 28 at a joyful service of celebration. At the service the new deacons were presented by to the Rt Revd Nick Baines, Bishop of Leeds, in his last ordination service as Bishop of Leeds. Read more here

The Diocese of Leeds has published our first set of prayer resources for supporting the Vacancy in See process. As part of the Vacancy in See committee, we have a Prayer Group being led by the Very Revd John Dobson, Dean of Ripon, looking at how to encourage, resource and facilitate prayer to cover the whole process. The group have produced a new resource to prompt, encourage and help all across the diocese to pray through this time of transition. Read more here

Some 530 people across the diocese have heard about plans for an improved approach to Parish Share at a series of online meetings. The webinars, one for each episcopal area and hosted by the archdeacon of that area, introduced clergy, churchwardens and church treasurers to our new Parish Share Agreement process. Read more here

Three churches in our diocese have successfully secured grants to make their buildings more accessible, with more grants still available. In our diocese there was a high level of interest in the Disability Project Parish Grants Scheme, which is part of the Church of England Disability Project. Read more here

A new term of our Diocesan Advisory Committee (DAC) has started, and here you can meet new members bringing important expertise to the committee. The DAC is an integral part of enabling the church buildings across the diocese to thrive as centres of worship and as places for communities to come together. The DAC supports PCCs in caring for around 550 churches across the Diocese, the majority of which are heritage listed, and helps to ensure these much-valued assets are sustainable for continued use for the future. Read more here

Dean of Wakefield Simon Cowling was joined by many well-wishers at his farewell service, held in what he called “a cathedral without frontiers”. Retiring after three and a half decades of ministry, the Very Revd Dean Simon used his last sermon at a special choral evensong to speak of the importance of our church buildings and their central roles in many different communities. Read more here

Over 50 people who work with children and young people gathered at Christ Church Skipton recently for the first TEND event of 2025. TEND events are run by the diocesan Children, Young People and Families Team, and aim to thank those involved in ministry with children and young people, equip them in that work, provide opportunities for networking and set people up for what they will do next. Read more here

A Denby Dale church is being transformed into a community workshop and café, following transfer of ownership to a charity which specialises in woodwork, wood-turning and light engineering. Holy Trinity Church is now known as Trinity Workshops and owned by Denby Dale and District Men’s Shed Association, a charity that includes men’s and women’s sheds set up where people can use their practical skills for the good of the community and as a place to socialise. Read more here

The first full retrofit of a clergy home to make it both greener and warmer in line with our commitment to Net Carbon Zero has been completed thanks to “fantastic” work by the diocesan Property Team. Delighted Revd Ben Askew, whose family live in the Harrogate property said: “The house has never been warmer, and we have enjoyed feeling cozy all through the winter." Read more here

All parishes are invited to sign up to Cornerstone, a free, online learning platform designed to support you in growing generosity.

Cornerstone uses data from the annual parish returns to help suggest which of the many pathways you could focus on to develop in giving and generosity. Cornerstone includes a large grants database, regularly updated to show opportunities suited for churches. You can find out more about Cornerstone on our website here.

The Stewardship team are holding two webinars to introduce the platform, giving an overview of how everything works, and how your parish can sign up. Please use the links below to register for one of the webinars.

Sign up for the Tuesday webinar here.

Sign up for the Thursday webinar 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.

Led by Revd Henriette Howarth and Revd Paul Wheelhouse. If you long to pray more and experience the divine Love more deeply, this retreat is for you. We will find inspiration in the scriptures and Christian tradition to deepen our awareness of God who is not far away. We will practice different ways of prayer including silence, contemplation and the Ignatian way, and seek nurture and inspiration with assistance of music, nature and a variety of texts. Cost: £195.

More information and booking details here.

Did you know that you can be ordained at age 23? Before that comes training and discernment, so you are never too young to explore that sense of calling you might have. The future of the Church depends on the next generation responding in faith to Jesus and, from them, would be leaders responding to their call. Could that be you, or someone you know?

This next EVT event will provide an opportunity for you to hear from some younger clergy and what it might be like to be under 30 and called to ministry. Whatever your age it is sure to be a formative evening as we Explore Vocations Together.

The evening will be led by Revd Simon Walters, Diocesan Intern Leader and the Rt Revd Anna Eltringham, Bishop of Ripon.

We gather at 7pm and we will finish no later than 9pm. Tea and coffee will be provided.

Click here to find out more and to book your place.

Sung by the Bradford Chordiality Choir with the National Festival Orchestra, alongside choral favourites by Handel, Verdi, Haydn and more.

Tickets are £18 are are available from chordiality.choir@hotmail.com, 07949 696064 or online here.

This year is our 180th anniversary of being part of the community, and so we are having free to attend events, and also we have the Bishop attending to start off our week.

• Sunday, July 13, 9.45am - Bishop Toby will be our guest preacher
• Thursday, July 18, 7.30pm - Black Dyke Band Summer Proms (Ticketed event. £12) Tickets available from Black Dyke Band or telephone 01274 813466.
• Friday, July 18, 7pm - 9pm - Wine and cheese evening. We hope to have lots of displays from years gone by and some pictures drawn by local school children. Free of charge 
• Saturday, July 19, 10.30am - 4pm - Free open day. Tower trips/displays and Queensbury music Centre Band will be playing for a short time in the afternoon 
• Free Refreshments but there are also cream teas from 2pm to 4pm @ £5 should anyone wish to have one. 
• Sunday, July 20, 9.45am - final service of celebration 

Please call in to see us.

Live at Fountains presents West Yorkshire's own Explosive Light Orchestra, celebrating the music of Jeff Lynne and ELO. Featuring hits such as Mr. Blue Sky, Evil Woman, Livin' Thing, Don't Bring Me Down, and Strange Magic.

Doors open from 6pm for a 7.30pm kick-off. Enter via the Fountains Church café on Morley Street to collect your wristbands and enjoy a drink in the bar.

Please note this event is 18+. All seating is unreserved, on a first-come, first-served basis. 

Click here to find out more.

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, September 3 - Crime and Punishment?: Why do societies punish and what is the purpose of punishment? Different ethical approaches to this issue will be considered and their consequences evaluated.
• Wednesday, October 1 - Global Economic Justice: Global trading arrangements are at the heart of economic injustice with power, politics and wealth contributing to the maintenance of global inequality with devastating effects on hundreds of millions of people around the world. The role of capitalism will be evaluated as will alternative models of approaching global trade.
• Wednesday, November 5 - Environmental Justice: Justice between human beings is one issue but to what extent should organisations have a moral responsibility towards animals and the environment? The difference between Deep and Shallow ecology will be explained and their impacts evaluated.
• Wednesday, December 3 - Personal Justice and Christianity: What does it mean to live ethically in response to demands for justice? Alternatives will be considered drawing on Biblical teaching but also on the work of atheist and humanist philosophers.

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.

Leeds Third Order Franciscans are meeting occasionally for a eucharist and discussion at Leeds Minster. We are welcoming anyone interested in coming along to worship with us and perhaps find out a bit more about TSSF and all it offers in the way of following Francis in love, joy, simplicity, and the honouring of God through creation.

Philippa Hanna is a Christian singer, song writer and recording artist. She will be performing ’An Evening with Philippa Hanna’ to promote the work of UK charity Projects Delivering Hope.

With her unique blend of gospel, pop and country music, together with her candid storytelling sharing her own experiences of coming to a ‘life-changing’ faith, we are looking forward to an unforgettable evening.

Having toured with the likes of Lionel Richie, Leona Lewis, Wet, Wet, Wet and Little Mix, Philippa has also established a presence in the Christian music scene having racked up collaborations with Kevin Max, Graham Kendrick and Chris Eaton. She is no stranger

to TV either with regular appearances on BBC ‘Songs of Praise’ and TBNUK’s ‘Praise the Lord’.

Loved by adults, children and young people, Philippa’s concerts are always a sell-out so we recommend booking tickets soon.

Click here to find out more and to book.

The pilgrimage around the Cathedral is called “Treasures Untold.” It is ideal for groups of up to 20 or so people. Teas and coffees will be served on arrival at 9.30am. Then the group will be led around the Cathedral to explore significant dimensions of its fabric and through them contemplate the activity of God in the world and in our lives. It is a prayerful progression around the building, seeking a real sense of God’s presence with us and his love for us. The pilgrimage will conclude in time for people to participate in the service of Holy Communion if they wish.

If anyone wishes to discuss the pilgrimage further before booking, please contact Canon Matthew Pollard on canonmatthew@riponcathedral.org.uk. Parishes are invited to book by contacting the Cathedral Administrator on cathedraladmin@riponcathedral.org.uk.

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

The first full retrofit of a clergy home to make it both greener and warmer in line with our commitment to Net Carbon Zero has been completed thanks to “fantastic” work by the diocesan Property Team.

Watch the video here

Are you flexible and highly motivated? Do you enjoy working in a busy, ever-changing environment? Do you want to make a real and vital difference to the lives of individuals and families and work within a dedicated team who have a passion to serve others? St Catherine’s Church Centre is a vibrant church and community centre situated in Wakefield, West Yorkshire WF1 5HL. St Catherines Church Centre is a Christian Charity running a wide range of community services, activities, projects and groups including an Elderly Day Care Centre, a Meals on Wheels Service, Community Café, Emergency Food Store and a range of activities for people affected by mental ill-health. Find out more about this role here

This role will give you the amazing opportunity to explore more of what it means to be a disciple of Jesus and grow as a leader of mission in a local church. For two years we will give you skills that will equip you for life, work, mission and leadership, and the opportunity to use and develop them in a local church setting. It's a two-year long adventure giving you the experience of leadership and service, learning alongside a community of other Mission Apprentices. 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 July 24. All news stories to communications@leeds.anglican.org. Many thanks!