Diocesan Enews
Welcome to the Enews for April 29

The latest resources, news and more.
Click on headlines or pictures for more details.  
Contact [email protected] with your news. 
News
The Diocese of Leeds has welcomed the Archbishops’ Anti-Racism Taskforce report ‘From Lament to Action’ which proposes urgent cultural changes in the life of the Church of England. 
It issues a warning to the Archbishops of Canterbury and York that a failure to act could be a “last straw” for many people of UK Minority Ethnic (UKME) or Global Majority Heritage (GMH) backgrounds with “devastating effects” on the future of the Church. The report is clear that addressing the underlying issues of systemic racism is a “missional imperative” for the Church.
“Disregarding a significant part of the population, and thus denying the gifts they bring for the service of the Church, must not continue,” the taskforce warns. “From Lament to Action” can be read in full here.
The Bishop of Leeds, Nick Baines, has told General Synod that “human dignity and flourishing is diminished” when religious believers and atheists are persecuted. He also warned the Church of England’s decision-making body that it would be an “act of self-harm” only to speak up for persecuted Christians. Read more here
2,000 Anglicans were surveyed last year on giving perceptions and practice, and the findings revealed that a surprising number had not been asked to give to church or felt the need to do so. Some taking part in the survey reported that they would feel motivated to financially contribute if the building needed maintenance or if they knew where their money was making a difference. Read more here
A new online space for people to share their experiences of daily life with disabilities has been launched on the diocesan website. The new Disability Blog can be found here and is being run by Katherine-Alice Grasham, our Disability and Inclusion Officer. Read more here
How our church buildings can be part of caring for God’s creation is the topic of an upcoming webinar. The Zoom session, entitled “How Your Church Building Can Have a Positive Impact on the Environment”, will take place today at 12 noon. It is being run by our DAC team, and will look to help churches work out how best to reduce their emissions. Read more here
During these difficult times we still need to support our sisters and brothers in Christ around the world, something the Diocese of Leeds Tanzania Link Committee has been doing. The committee, which manages our link with the dioceses of Mara, Rorya and Tarime in Tanzania, have looked to improve awareness of COVID-19, and promote preventative measures in churches and schools. Read more here
Wakefield and beyond are now within environmentally-friendly reach for Bishop Tony Robinson who has just taken possession of a new electric car. “It was time to change the car and I decided to jump to an electric version as a contribution to cutting my carbon footprint,” said Bishop Tony. Read more here
A new hymn has been written by a priest in our diocese looking to share God’s hope in the time of COVID. The hymn, written by Lisle Ryder, a retired priest in the benefice of Lower Wensleydale, looks to lament what we have lost during the pandemic, while looking to the future when we can meet again. Read more here
Wakefield Cathedral have appointed Ed Jones as the new Director of Music, joining the cathedral from September 2021. Ed Jones comes from Aberdeen where a counter-tenor inspired him to join a choir, and ultimately pursue a career in cathedral music. Read more here
Some our churches in Meltham, in the Huddersfield area, have been showing their parish what real love looks like this Easter. Inspired by the #realove campaign, a push to share the love of Jesus around Valentine’s Day, the churches prepared felt hearts to share with teachers, school children, care homes and care staff over the Easter period. Read more here
For more diocesan and regional news, visit www.leeds.anglican.org
Living and Learning Online
A series of training events, aimed at helping churches fulfil their digital mission, will be taking place this year. Starting on Thursday, May 27 with a session focused on videography, each event will focus on a particular area, with topics covered such as live streaming, social media and church websites. Go to our communications training page for more details and how to register your interest.
Spiritual Direction Training will resume in September 2021 with two innovative and exciting courses designed to equip all who feel called to explore their spiritual journey and the ministry of spiritual companionship. Find out more here, including dates and how to apply. Applications are open until Monday, May 24 so make sure to book your place if you're interested.
A 90 minute course on Zoom to help you learn about disabilities and how we can all be more inclusive in our churches. It will take place on Tuesday, May 11 at 7pm. It will look at definitions and models of disability, theology, practical tips, and how to help people with invisible disabilities. Book a place here
Parishes already using the PGS can register for a live webinar entitled The PGS Digital Service on Wednesday, May 12 at 2pm. In this webinar the teams at Parish Giving Scheme and Church of England will guide you through the new online offer as well as how to make the most of the service as part of a giving review. Book your place here
As part of a mini-series (Climate Change – Theology, Ministry and Action), this session is intended to help resource preaching on climate change in our theological thinking, in our worship and preaching, and in our action. Designed for Clergy and Readers, but open to anyone in church leadership. Find out more here
This ten month course will develop advanced skills and leadership in those wishing to be involved in leading worship in their parishes. People completing this course will gain an in-depth understanding of the theology of worship, practical knowledge of preparing worship; transferable skills to lead worship in different contexts, and gain confidence in leading up front as well as leading a team. Find out more here
For more Diocese of Leeds training visit the Digital Learning Platform
Resources
This year's annual Thy Kingdom Come 11 days of prayer, from Ascension to Pentecost, will happen from Thursday, May 13 to Sunday, May 23. A host of resources, including a webinar on this years plans, can be accessed here on the Thy Kingdom Come website.
Living in Love and Faith, The Church of England’s landmark set of resources on questions of identity and which draws together the Bible, theology, science and history with powerful real-life stories has now been published. The product of three years’ work includes a 480-page book, a series of films and podcasts, a course and an online library of other publications. Find more here
The Parish Giving Scheme (PGS) is an established planned giving scheme for churches that was launched across the Diocese of Leeds in January 2020. It helps regular givers donate safely to their church by direct debit either monthly, quarterly or annually. Go to our dedicated PGS section of the website to find out more and how the scheme can help your parish.
Faith Pictures is the free resource from The Church Army to help Christians of all traditions talk about their own story of faith with confidence, ready to run online or in person. Find out more and download Church Army's Faith Pictures for your small group at their website
During the Covid 19 crisis, we’ve had to adjust to very different rhythms. As Christians, we believe Jesus should be at the heart of our rhythms of life, whatever our circumstances. Find out more here about the ‘Rhythm of Life’, a new diocesan venture.
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.
Media
In this video our lead stewardship officer, Becky, explains what a Giving Review is. We recommend that every church PCC conducts one every single year. A giving review looks at giving as an act of Christian Discipleship and asks what are we doing as a generous church. Watch it here.
Last Sunday was Vocations Sunday, and to mark it the diocese produced a new video asking what a vocation looks like. The video was put together by Derek Walmsley, our Director of Ordinands and Vocations, and looks to show that anyone, at any age or stage of their life, can be called by God to live out their faith in what they do. Watch it here.
 ...is the name of Bishop Nick's blog and his most recent entries can be viewed here.
Vacancies
The Diocese of Leeds is seeking to appoint a Finance Manager to lead and manage the busy Finance Team. For more details click here.
Do you have the leadership and management skills and experience to establish an effective operational platform and help St George's Leeds deliver their vision? If so, please consider joining their team as their Operations Manager. For more details click here.
The Chapter of Bradford Cathedral seeks to appoint three choral scholars (contralto/countertenor, tenor and bass) to start on 28th August 2021. Their vision is to be a centre of excellence for traditional church music and musical education within the Church of England Diocese of Leeds. For more details click here.
These roles are connected to Fountains Resource Church and the 5 Resourcing churches in the Bradford Episcopal Area. Each one offer a different opportunity and a chance to work in different contexts. The roles are for 2 years, from Sept 2021 to August 2023. For more details click here.
Useful links & Information
For safeguarding issues, contact our advisers on:
[email protected] or call 0113 353 0257 
Carla Darbyshire - Safeguarding Team Leader
Jenny Leccardi - Safeguarding Adviser
Narinder Lyon - Safeguarding Adviser
Nikki Rose - Assistant Safeguarding Adviser
Moves and Appointments

Revd Charlene Smith to be Anglican Chaplain at The Mid Yorkshire NHS Trust.

The Who's Who directory lists clergy & diocesan staff (email addresses & phone numbers). Access it here 
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 May 13. Area news stories to [email protected]  
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