Welcome to the Enews for March 20

The latest resources, news and more.

Click on headlines or pictures for more details.  

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

The Venerable Malcolm Chamberlain, Archdeacon of Sheffield and Rotherham, will be the new Bishop of Wakefield in the Anglican Diocese of Leeds, Downing Street have announced. The Rt Revd Nick Baines, Bishop of Leeds, introduced Malcom to clergy, civic and faith leaders at Wakefield Cathedral to coincide with the 10am announcement. Read more here

St Mark’s Harrogate have become the third church in the Diocese of Leeds to achieve their A Rocha Eco Church Gold Award. The church has a dedicated environmental team with 14 members including clergy and leaders from across the church, which has meant the ethos of 'care for creation' has gradually been embraced by the entire congregation. Read more here

One of our Leeds area churches have recently celebrated their 150th anniversary. Christ Church Upper Armley marked the occasion on the weekend of Saturday, March 1 and Sunday, March 2. Read more here

Women from diverse faiths, cultures, and ethnic backgrounds celebrated sisterhood during an evening of learning, celebration, and breaking of the fast at a special Women-Only Iftar in Leeds. Held in an atmosphere of joy and mutual respect, the Iftar welcomed some 100 women, all eager to experience the significance of Ramadan and the spirit of giving and gratitude it embodies. Read more here

History came alive for pupils at one of our schools, who were given rare access to its centuries-old archives. Staff from Riddlesden St Mary’s C of E Primary School were delighted to stumble across a wide range of their school’s physical archives, some dating back to as long as 200 years ago. Read more here

A charity run by two our clergy which encourages social and spiritual growth through outdoor pursuits has just returned from a weekend in the Dales with people seeking asylum. Fr Simon Crook, vicar of Golcar and Longwood and his wife Revd Sam Crook, curate at Halifax Minster founded and run the charity Across Country and below are excerpts from their report of a few days with people seeking peace in nature. Read more here

All spaces on our Introduction to Theology course are currently taken, but we shall be sharing details about the next available course soon. Please see below details about the course more generally.

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.

Find out more here.

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

The Everybody Welcome course is a day for local churches to share experiences and explore how we offer welcome to newcomers.

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). 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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

Our Festival of Faith 'In Conversation' events, are a series of public conversations reflecting on faith in the public square with Rt Revd. Smitha Prasadam, the Bishop of Huddersfield. Alison is a passionate black woman with two gay children who has served as Chief Executive of Touchstone, a mental health and wellbeing charity, Chair of the West Yorkshire Police and Crime Panel, and represented Armley as an Elected Member on Leeds City Council. She is a proud Yorkshire lass who has worked across the Voluntary Sector for over 30 years.

Find out more here.

Our Festival of Faith 'In Conversation' events, are a series of public conversations reflecting on faith in the public square with Rt Revd Smitha Prasadam, the Bishop of Huddersfield. Kim Leadbeater is the Member of Parliament for Spen Valley constituency, and is the sister of Jo Cox, who tragically died as a result of an assault whilst serving as a Member of Parliament in the same constituency. Kim has a Private Members Bill currently going through Parliament on the subject of assisted dying.

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.

Paul Kerensa is a Christian comedian and comedy writer, who has written for ‘Miranda’, ‘Not Going Out’, ‘TFI Friday’ etc. and appeared on Radio 2’s ‘Pause for Thought’. His performance will be suitable for anyone over 12, be they atheist or bishop. Paul has toured his solo show to 1000s of events & festivals, from Spring Harvest, Greenbelt and Keswick, to the Edinburgh Fringe and Montreal Comedy Festival.

“A brilliant writer, fantastic communicator, deep thinker & philosopher but most importantly, extremely decent bloke.” – CHRIS EVANS

“Top comic, top writer, top bloke!” – LEE MACK

Click here to find out more.

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

The Diocese is seeking to appoint a Parish Support Officer, who will play a vital role in developing strong financial relationships between parishes and the Diocese. The Diocese is focused on growing an open and trusting relationships with all parishes and supporting every parish to be financially sustainable. You will spend much of your time out meeting parishes understanding their context and discussing and agreeing what a reasonable financial contribution is to the work of the Diocese (aka Parish Share). Working with colleagues in our Stewardship team, you will be pivotal in identifying the support that parishes need in order to achieve that financial sustainability. 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 April 3. All news stories to communications@leeds.anglican.org. Many thanks!