Welcome to the Enews for January 9

The latest resources, news and more.

Click on headlines or pictures for more details.  

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

The diocese is delighted to announce that Revd Canon Dr James Theodosius, currently Rector of Holy Trinity, Skipton, will be the new Archdeacon of Richmond and Craven. Revd James will work with the Rt Revd Anna Eltringham, Bishop of Ripon. He knows the Ripon Episcopal Area very well as during the last ten years he was Vicar of Upper Wharfedale and Littondale, then served at Holy Trinity, Skipton, where he is also Area Dean. Read more here

Snow and ice didn’t stop local people getting Warm Welcomes at St Agnes, Burmantofts on Monday, thanks to very dedicated volunteers. Although the church in Leeds was too cold for worship the day before, worshipper and Warm Welcome Space Coordinator Gill Wigham told what happened. Read more here

The snow fell deep and crisp in the heart of Wensleydale, where wise children who worship regularly at St Alkelda's Church in Middleham made their own rather chilly “Three Kings” to mark Epiphany Sunday. St Alkelda’s has been running a monthly family service for over a year now, called Sunday@3, said Revd Scott Lunn. Read more here

Bradford Cathedral's free organ recitals return next week to kick off City of Culture 2025 with a Music in Times of War theme. The free recitals take place every Wednesday at 1pm from January 15 to April 16, except for February 19. Read more here

People in our link diocese of Sudan have been supported by a recent visit from the Revd Canon Anne Russell, Team Rector of the Seacroft Parish and Co-Chair of our Sudan Link Group. Revd Anne met with the Most Revd Ezekiel Kondo, Archbishop of Sudan, as well as other bishops from the country, and expressed the firm support of people across the Diocese of Leeds to them. Read more here

St Stephen’s CofE Primary School, Bradford is proud to announce its official recognition as a School of Sanctuary, reaffirming its commitment to fostering an inclusive, welcoming, and safe environment for all students, particularly those from sanctuary-seeking backgrounds. The appraisal, conducted on November 25, 2024, highlighted the school's exceptional efforts to raise awareness of migration, refugee, and asylum issues, embedding these themes into its curriculum and culture. Read more here

How we find hope in the difficulties of today's world is the topic of Bishop Nick's Christmas message for 2024. The Rt Revd Nick Baines, Bishop of Leeds, has produced a Christmas reflection. Read more here

The Right Reverend Toby Howarth, Bishop of Bradford has paid a Christmas visit to Bradford Royal Infirmary, where he met with Professor Mel Pickup, the trust's chief executive, and toured the hospital, including the neonatal and intensive care units. The neonatal unit was recently rated 'Outstanding' by the Care Quality Commission. Read more here

One of our Bradford area churches has been helping people on their commutes manage the dark winter mornings. A team from St John the Divine, Menston, spent time serving free teas, coffees and hot chocolates to early morning commuters heading to Leeds and Bradford at Menston station. Read more here

Harrogate School of Theology and Mission are pleased to offer a new autumn programme of lectures, with speakers including Dr David Moffit, the Revd Dr Alan Garrow, the Rt Revd Arun Arora, Bishop of Leeds, and more. All lectures are offered in person, at St Mark’s Harrogate, starting promptly at 10am, but preceded by breakfast. The lectures are also available by live-stream (on Zoom) but you’ll have to make your own breakfast!

Find out more and book here.

Leeds School of Theology is offering in person teaching starting in January 2025 at St George's Leeds.

Our 2025 Dayschool offers accessible theology training over ten saturday sessions delivered in person in the centre of Leeds. In each session you will hear from our teaching team, discuss the content with other students, ask questions and form friendships.

Please click here to find out more.

If you are thinking of standing for election to become a Church Warden 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.

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 are unable to commit to becoming Licensed Lay Ministers but still 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.

A retreat at Dewsbury Minster and a service at Halifax Minster mark this special weekend of celebration. At the retreat the Revd Canon Dr Mark Pryce will share insights on Luke's gospel, and our Children, Young People and Families Team will be sharing creative ideas for worship. The service on Saturday, January 11 will mark the diocese's 10th anniversary, and will be presided over by the Ven Bill Braviner, Archdeacon of Huddersfield, and the Rt Revd Smitha Prasadam, Bishop of Huddersfield, will preach.

A series of five lectures at St.Cuthberts Church, Pateley Bridge, HG3 on Wednesday evenings at 6.30 for 7.00pm between September and January.

• What is Christianity? - Wednesday, January 15, 2025

Whilst booking is not essential, due to high demand it would help if anyone who wants to attend could advise the Revd Darry Hall on horlix@aol.com.

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

For catering purposes, please let us know if your able to come by Thursday, February 13 2024, or if you need any further information contact Chapter Secretary, Sue Middleditch.

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

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

We are seeking God’s guidance to find the right person to lead our youth ministry. We are seeking to employ a part-time Youth Minister because we care deeply about our young people growing as disciples of Jesus Christ and becoming disciples who make disciples. We believe that everyone matters to God and that God uses ordinary people like you and me to work with Him in this world. Find out more about this role here

We are seeking a gifted Children and Families Minister who will lead, envision and develop our Children and Families Ministry at Holy Trinity. We are convinced that God is continuing to call us to make ministry and evangelism amongst children and families a central priority in our church life, and we are determined to support and release our next Children and Families Minister to enable growth and transformation amongst this part of our church family. Find out more about this role here

We are looking for someone to lead and inspire a growing children and youth ministry. As a thriving church community of over 200 members, with one-third being children and young people, St. Paul’s is deeply committed to nurturing faith and fostering connections within the community. This role offers the chance to make a meaningful impact by managing various church activities, supporting and leading a passionate volunteer team, and expanding outreach through local schools and community. 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 January 23. All news stories to communications@leeds.anglican.org. Many thanks!