Welcome to the Enews for February 20

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 is pleased to be launching Compass, our tool for helping parishes talk about their next steps in mission. Compass is a process that churches can do over a few hours to come up with a simple plan to do something different or new. Read more here

The Dean of Wakefield, the Very Revd Simon Cowling, announced this morning in Wakefield Cathedral that he will be retiring on Thursday, July 31 this year. Dean Simon took up his post in September 2018, having previously served in parish and cathedral ministry in Leeds, Sheffield and North Yorkshire. Read more here

Bradford Cathedral have hosted the annual Bradford and District Legal Service, which also considered matters of racial justice, as it was held on Racial Justice Sunday. The service, held on Sunday, February 9, had everyone gathered on a crisp February morning, ready to process into the Cathedral. Read more here

One of our Harrogate area churches has been able to support people with diverse needs with a new congregation, thanks in part to a grant from the diocese. One of the ways the ways that the Barnabas programme has been able to help churches is by offering small grants of £500 to make it easier to start a new congregation. Read more here

A member of St Peter’s Rawdon has recently completed a sponsored skydive, to help the church reach their fundraising total as part of their involvement in the Give To Go Green project. Jenny Wilson, Parish Safeguarding Officer, took part in the skydive to help the church raise some £8000, matched by the national church, to enable extensive repairs to their church roof, and to put in LED lighting. Read more here

The Bishop of Kirkstall, the Rt Revd Arun Arora, recently visited Leeds General Infirmary to see all the great work going on at the hospital. Bishop Arun was joined by the Rt Revd Marcus Stock, Catholic Bishop of Leeds, for the visit, where they had the opportunity to see some of the innovative projects being developed at LGI’s Innovation Pop Up. Read more here

Halifax Minster is gearing up for its second annual Festival of Faith, which will run from Ash Wednesday through to Easter Day – Wednesday, March 5 to Sunday, April 20. The outward-facing Festival was launched last year in a bid to make the traditional festival of Lent as accessible to as many people as possible. Read more here

If you are thinking of standing for election to become a Churchwarden, but are not sure what this might entail, then come along to this session to find out. We will cover what are the main duties of a Church Warden; what are your responsibilities and what support is available to help you in this role.

To book your place please contact your Archdeacon’s PA:

Bradford: Carmel Dylak

Huddersfield: Christine Bleasdale

Leeds: Helen Allison

Richmond and Craven: Chloe Drummond

Wakefield: Heather Ricks

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.

A time to pause and reflect on the rhythms of our lives. Each retreat will be led/hosted by one of our Area Bishops on the following dates:

• Saturday, March 8 – Bradford, Huddersfield and Leeds
• Saturday, March 15 – Ripon

For further details and booking information please click here for the individual events.

This Silver level course is for anyone wishing to:

• Gain an understanding of various aspects of the environmental crisis including: climate change, biodiversity loss, implications for social justice, animal welfare issues, issues of waste and water.
• Gain an understanding of the nature of Mission and how environmental mission fits within them
• Gain an understanding of the role of lifestyle choices in both discipleship and effecting change
• Gain an understanding of how to implement the Church of England Net Zero Target Strategy, and Eco-Church in a local parish context
• Consider how the resources provided nationally and by the Diocese can be used in a parish context
• Receive training in the skills required to be an effective Parish Environment Officer

Click here to find out more.

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

In recognition of travel and internet accessibility issues, we are introducing a new hybrid version of the course. It will take place in Leyburn and Gargrave in–person with a local host/facilitator and the teaching sessions will be via Zoom.

Click here to find out more about the in-person course.

Click here to find out more about the hybrid course.

Booking deadline for the in-person course is Sunday, March 9, 2025.

Booking deadline for the hybrid course is Sunday, February 9, 2025.

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

This diocesan Lay Ministry pathway is for lay people who feel called to a preaching ministry on an occasional basis.

Preaching is an influential part of the Church’s ministry and a privilege not to be undertaken lightly. For this reason, the canons of the Church require a lay person to have the permission of the bishop to preach, either directly or through diocesan arrangements agreed by the bishop.

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.

Led by Revd Henriette Howarth, this weekend offers rest and spiritual nourishment to those who live with or care for loved ones who struggle with physical and mental health challenges. You don’t need to be a ‘recognised’ carer to come on this retreat. There will be space to rest and time to receive from God, learn from Scripture and other spiritual resources about divine compassion, and use music and creativity as tools to relax and experience God’s Spirit. Cost: £195. More information and booking details here.

The purpose of this 2-year programme is for each participant to deepen their own spiritual journey and to discern whether there is a gift for and a call to spiritual direction ministry. In the first year there will be a focus on Spiritual Growth and Transformation. In the second year the focus will be on Equipping for the Ministry of Spiritual Direction. As a group, we will meet approximately 12 times throughout the year (8 in-person across the diocese and 4 online). The fee for Year 1 and 2 will be £330 per year. Click here to read more about the content of the programme. Please email charlie.scott@leeds.anglican.org to book a place on one of the information evenings being held on Thursday, March 27 or Wednesday, April 30.

Find out more here.

Learn, develop and enhance mediative peace-making skills that can be used both formally and informally in situations of conflict between individuals, in a church, community or work setting.

This exciting and innovative course uses mediative and restorative processes to help participants develop and enhance peacemaking skills to transform broken and strained relationships, in faith communities, families or workplace. Central to any such process is careful, respectful listening which builds understanding, enabling those struggling with difference to find ways forward that bring life and reconciliation.

Please click here to find out more.

There are still places available at the Messy Church Conference 2025. ‘All together’ is a conference like no other! Join us for a weekend of inspiring keynote speakers, informative workshops, Messy Church sessions and fun together with the global Messy Church family. We will be exploring how we welcome people of all ages, abilities and from all backgrounds to Messy Church. We appreciate that money can be tight in the new year so to ensure you don’t miss out on a place at the Messy Church Conference in June you can pay a deposit now and pay the rest by Wednesday, March 19.

Find out more here.

Guest Preacher: The Rt Revd Dr Toby Howarth, Bishop of Bradford.

Lunch will be provided.

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

If you need any further information contact Chapter Secretary, Sue Middleditch.

T: 0113 2643946 M: 07976 209127 E: middleditch@live.com.

The service will include recitations of some of his well-known poetry; anthems, sung by the Minster choir and music played on the organ. All would be most welcome to attend.

The Food for Thought series offers people the opportunity to reflect on faith in everyday life.

This series is informed and inspired by Bishop John Pritchard’s book, ‘Twenty Questions Jesus Asked, and How They Speak to Us Today’. We hope that these talks will encourage people in their journey of faith.

The upcoming Food for Thought sessions are as follows, all on Wednesdays:

• March 5 – Who touched my clothes? Speaker: Father Chris Willis
• March 12 – Woman, what concern is that to you and to me? Speaker: Canon Elizabeth Sewell
• March 19 – What is your name? Speaker: Sarah Hobbs
• March 26 – Why are you afraid? Speaker: Moira Siara
• April 2 – What are you looking for? Speakers: Jane Spooner and Michelle Dearlove
• April 9 – Are you a teacher of Israel and you do not understand these things? Speaker: Bishop John Pritchard

All sessions will take place at St Cuthbert’s Church, Pateley Bridge. Refreshments will be served from 6.30pm, with the speaker beginning at 7pm for approximately an hour (people may just attend from 7pm to hear the speaker if that is what they would prefer), followed by a Q&A session. There is no charge for the event, but freewill offerings would be welcome.

Led by Henriette Howarth. An opportunity for you to start Lent with others online and take time to reflect, pray and practice silent prayer and meditation. We will use Scripture, poetry, music and silence as ways to connect with God this evening.

Please email charlie.scott@leeds.anglican.org to book a place.

Click here to find out more.

This retreat will offer opportunities to reflect, pray, be silent and connect with others.

Lent is a time to follow Jesus more closely in our world today and to prepare our hearts and minds for Good Friday and Easter.

All are welcome. Please do bring along friends and parishioners.

The event is free but it will help to know if you are planning to attend.

To book your place, please email carmel.dylak@leeds.anglican.org.

Find out more here.

All are welcome to this Lent Quiet Day for the Huddersfield area led by Bishop Smitha. Lunch and refreshments will be provided.

To book your place, please email pa.bphuddersfield@leeds.anglican.org.

Find out more here.

A time for reflection, encouragement and challenge as we move towards Holy Week and Easter.

Please bring your own lunch, drinks provided. Booking essential.

A programme for the day will be available nearer the time.

Find out more here.

A shared rite of penitence and the opportunity for individual confession, within a Sung Mass celebrated by Bishop Stephen of Beverley, to which all are welcome. This is a great opportunity for those who are curious about Confession to hear teaching about it and make a First Confession to an experienced Priest if they would like to.

Click here to find out more.

We are very excited to welcome professional musicians Will Finn and Rosie Calvert to St Johns on Saturday, March 8 at 7pm as part of the Rural Arts programme of live performances across North Yorkshire. Will and Rosie play and sing traditional and contemporary folk music with flair. Winners of the ‘Best Duo’ award at the Reykjavik Fringe Festival, their intricate vocals, rousing instrumentation on piano, ukulele and steel pan bring joy and fabulous entertainment. Tickets are £10 for adults and £5 for children and are available here.

A series of talks that will be taking place in Whitkirk this Lent to commemorate the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea.

Entitled, 'We believe...' the talks will offer a series of reflections on aspects of the Nicene Creed, giving participants the opportunity to engage more deeply with words which we repeat most weeks but whose meaning and import we rarely pause to consider in more depth. 

Talks will take place at St Mary's Whitkirk on Wednesdays in Lent at 7pm and will be followed by a short service of sung Compline. 

You are invited to observe A Holy Lent. These words open the Ash Wednesday Liturgy as Lent begins. This quiet day will explore what this means for us as our Lenten journey gets underway.

Refreshments will be provided but please bring with you your own lunch.

Please contact cathedraladmin@riponcathedral.org.uk for further information or to book a place.

Find out more here.

Do you enjoy singing? Then why not come and join the workshop and sing with like-minded people...

Leaders for the Workshop - Lesley Redhead and Kaytie Harding. The workshop will be followed by a Showcase Performance at 6:30pm, supported by Guest Soloist Kaytie Harding and Castleford S.A. Band.

Performance in aid of the Wakefield Mayor's Charity and the Castleford Salvation Army.

Tickets - £5 for the day (Light Refreshments provided)

Register via email - singingforfun2025@gmail.com.

Brass band concert featuring the award-winning Carlton Main Frickley Colliery Band, with our local Summerbridge and Dacre Silver Band with their own Junior Section making a guest appearance. The concert will include Saint-Saens Organ Concerto for band and organ, with organ soloist Dr Philip Wilby who has also kindly organised and facilitated this concert.

There will be a bar open from 7pm and during the interval. Card machine available.

St Cuthbert's Church, Pateley Bridge has steps free access and toilet facilities suitable for all.

Find out more here.

Overgate Hospice Choir has been proud to present Messiah regularly during the course of its history since foundation in 1991 – in 1994, 1997, 2000, 2005, 2010 and 2015. Accompaniment in March will be provided by the Principal players of the acclaimed National Festival Orchestra led by Sally Robinson. Tickets £15.

Find out more here.

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.

On the journey to growth, the next step is the key one. An event for all clergy, PCC members and lay leaders to refresh and share their growth journey. It will be a day of joy, prayer, encouragement and decision making.

Find out more here.

A free memorial event hosted by Project Bonhoeffer, in partnership with St Luke’s and St Matthew’s Lutheran Church and Leeds University Chaplaincy.

Join us to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s execution. Throughout the day, we will be joined by Bishop Martin Lind, who will deliver a memorial lecture, followed by a response from Revd Dr Keith Clemments.

There will be the opportunity to engage in discussion, conversation, and a memorial communion service for those who wish to participate.

Find out more here.

Led by the Revd Canon Philip Hobday, this will be a day for refreshment and guided reflection in the peaceful, meditative surroundings of Mirfield. All welcome. Tea and coffee provided, please bring your own lunch. Suggested donation of £10.

To book your place please email caroline.asquith@leeds.anglican.org.

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

Our vision as a church is to see the town of Shipley changed by the power of God. We want to see this happen through a Church that is filled with the power of the Holy Spirit and committed to the Word of God, who serves others in order to bring God’s Kingdom. We want St Peter’s families and young people to become a key transforming community bringing about this change, because they are alive with the joy of knowing and worshipping Jesus Christ. Find out more about this role here

Are you passionate about leading God’s people in worship? Do you desire to help a church grow in its openness to the Holy Spirit? Then this could be the job for you! The role of the Worship Pastor is to model and foster a culture of expectancy and Spirit filled worship that enables people to pursue the presence of God in a creative and contemporary style at St Catherine’s Church, Belle Vue. 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 March 6. All news stories to communications@leeds.anglican.org. Many thanks!