Welcome to the Enews for February 6

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 able to offer some £280,000 to support work on church buildings this year, through our Church Buildings Grants and Loan Scheme. Last year, the diocese was able to award over £210,000 to 82 parishes, with most parishes receiving between £2,000 and £4,000. Read more here

Holocaust Memorial Day has been marked across the Diocese of Leeds. Holocaust Memorial Day, held on Monday, January 27, looks to remember the six million Jews murdered during the Holocaust, as well as commemorating the millions more people murdered through the Nazi persecution of other groups, and in the more recent genocides recognised by the UK government, and the genocide in Darfur. Read more here

Leeds Church Institute has compiled resources including local voices for Racial Justice Sunday on February 9, which is now in its 30th year. Racial Justice Sunday was established by the Methodist Church in 1995 following the tragic racist murder of black teenager Stephen Lawrence in southeast London in April 1993. Read more here

The government have recently announced that the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme will be extended into the next financial year, providing £23 million so that thousands of historical buildings, including churches, can carry out restoration work. The scheme gives grants towards VAT paid on repairs and renovations to the UK’s listed sites of worship, such as works to the foundations, masonry and monuments integral to the buildings. Read more here

The Diocese of Leeds is proud to have achieved an A Rocha UK Eco Silver Award for Church House in Leeds. A Rocha UK is a Christian charity that looks to equip Christians and churches in the UK to care for the environment. Read more here

A unique fair held at Leeds Minster to celebrate the Lunar New Year was visited by some 700 people, including many from local Chinese and East Asian communities. This was the second event of its kind and Yvonne Stocks, the Deputy Lieutenant of West Yorks was a special guest. Read more here

Christians are being called to acts of ‘radical generosity’ this Lent, as part of the 40acts campaign. Created by the organisation Stewardship and promoted by our Stewardship Team, 40acts is a Lent generosity challenge that has grown into a movement of over 100,000 people, working to positively impact their communities by creating moments of radical generosity. Read more here

Children from St Andrew’s Primary in Keighley have had two art pieces featured in a Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture exhibition. The children from the Church of England primary school created a model of the church of St Andrew’s Keighley, as well as a collage portrait of the Revd Amy Berry, curate in the Keighley Parish. Read more here

The Very Revd Andy Bowerman, Dean of Bradford, is taking part in a international triathlon on Saturday, February 8, and you can support the Cathedral by donating today to the ‘Dean Andy Dares!’ appeal. Dean Andy will be heading back to the United Arab Emirates in February to take part in this year’s TriYAS Triathlon – his first ever triathlon. Read more here

Baildon CofE Primary School, which is part of Bradford Diocesan Academies Trust, has been praised for its exceptional staff and pupils and rated outstanding in all five areas of the Ofsted Framework. During their two-day visit, inspectors reviewed all aspects of the school’s work. They noted the success of the deeply-embedded and ambitious school vision, which is underpinned by the Academy’s core ‘SOAR’ values of support, opportunity, achievement and respect. Read more here

An exciting interfaith event has just taken place as part of student ministry at St. George's, Leeds. Some forty of the church’s students gathered to listen to a tri-faith panel, followed by discussion in small groups. Read more here

Firm Roots, a cancer support group founded by one of our clergy, featured on BBC1’s Songs of Praise on Sunday, February 2. Revd Helen Jones, curate at Holy Trinity, Huddersfield was interviewed by Revd Kate Bottley about the prayerful help offered by the group. Read more here

The parish of Barnoldswick have successfully qualified for an Eco Church Bronze Award for both Holy Trinity Church and the ancient church of St Mary Le Ghyll. Vicar of the parish, the Revd Sheena McMain, paid tribute to the efforts of everyone associated with the churches, and to the small group who have pushed forward the work necessary to qualify for the award, including churchwarden Lois Green, who has a longstanding passion for environmental issues. Read more here

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

Are you involved with your church's ministry with children and young people? This course is for you! 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. Find out more here. To sign up for this session, please email childrenyouth@leeds.anglican.org.

During this one-day course, learners will develop the skills and knowledge needed to deal with a range of emergency first aid situations, including: managing an unresponsive casualty, CPR, choking, shock, wounds and bleeding and minor injuries. Cost £56.92 per person. Booking information here.

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.

If you are involved in a Messy Church team then this training is for you! Join us, along with the National Messy Church Team as we explore Discipleship within Messy Church and Messy Church Goes Wild. The cost for the day is £5 (refreshments provided). Booking information here.

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 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.

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 cone 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.

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.

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.

The panto was written for us by a local author and the group is made up of members of St John's and people from the surrounding areas. It will include a Teddy Tombola which and we hope it will all be a great success with proceeds going towards our Roof Fund. Tickets are £6 Adults and £4 Child, available via TicketSource.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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 February 20. All news stories to communications@leeds.anglican.org. Many thanks!