Welcome to the Enews for March 12

The latest resources, news and more.

Click on headlines or pictures for more details.  

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

The Revd Canon Jonathan Triffitt was licensed as Interim Dean of Bradford on Sunday, March 1 by the Rt Revd Toby Howarth, Acting Bishop of Leeds. Revd Jonathan grew up in Bradford and came to faith at St Augustine’s Church, where his vocation to ministry was first nurtured. Read more here

Wakefield Cathedral welcomed guests from across the city, county and wider Diocese of Leeds on Saturday, March 7 for a joyful service marking the installation of the Very Revd Dr Philip Hobday as Dean of Wakefield. The special service brought together clergy, civic leaders, representatives from local organisations and schools, and members of the cathedral congregation to celebrate the beginning of this new chapter in the cathedral’s life. Read more here

Trinity Church in Ossett in the Wakefield area have been able to launch a new Messy Church service, thanks in part to a small grant from the Diocese of Leeds. The grant was given to the church as part of our Small Grants for New Congregations program, through our Barnabas: Encouraging Confidence work. Read more here

People from across the diocese came together at one of our Exploring Vocations Together events at Leeds Minster to reflect on how God calls people into ministry and service. The diocesan Vocations Team hosted the enjoyable and enriching evening on the evening of Tuesday, February 10. Read more here

Skipton Deanery members recently welcomed the Revd Tom Lusty as their new Networking Coordinator as part of a pilot rural change project supported by the diocese. The Revd Sheena McMain, Area Dean, commissioned Revd Tom in the new part-time role which he will hold during the next two years, looking to support and develop rural parishes in the area, celebrating the many good things which are present and promoting sharing and collaboration between communities who can feel quite isolated from one another. Read more here

Parochial Church Councils (PCCs) from across the diocese have been asked by Diocesan Synod to reflect on the Church of England’s ‘Covenant for the Care and Wellbeing of Clergy’. In October 2025, Diocesan Synod approved a motion encouraging all PCCs in the diocese to use provided resources to reflect on how clergy peoples’ wellbeing can be supported by congregations. Read more here

Schools from across the diocese took part in World Book Day, with teachers and pupils dressing up to celebrate books and reading. Lynette Chapman, head at Rawdon St Paul’s CE Primary School, dressed up at Mr Tickle, and was featured on BBC Look North in their piece about World Book Day. Read more here

Three modern pilgrimage routes linking village churches across rural parishes in North Yorkshire are to be officially launched in March. Parishioners and visitors will be able to choose one of two seven-mile guided walks at the launch event at St Andrew’s Kirkby Malzeard on Saturday, March 21: the Fishers’ Way (a circular route between Kirkby Malzeard, Grewelthorpe, Hackfall Woods and Mickley) and the Curlew Way (another circular route between Kirkby Malzeard, Galphay, Winksley and Laverton). Read more here

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.

To sign up for the course and specific dates, please email childrenyouth@leeds.anglican.org.

Find out more here.

Join us at our three cathedrals for prayer vigils on the days the Crown Nominations Commission is meeting to work on appointing the next Bishop of Leeds.

• Wednesday, May 13 – Bradford Cathedral
• Thursday, May 14 - Ripon Cathedral

Find out more here.

All Church Officers are welcome to attend upcoming safeguarding forums! Come meet the Diocesan Safeguarding Team, get updates on Church of England safeguarding practice and much more!

To find out more and to book, please click here.

Led by Henriette Howarth. An opportunity during this Lenten season to meet with others online and to 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.

To find out more and to book, please click here.

Led by Bishop Anna Eltringham. An opportunity to pray and reflect during Lent.

To find out more and to book, please click here.

Parcevall Hall are running a variety of retreats.

To find out more about them and to book please click here.

Breath - Prayer and Fitness Retreat

Friday, March 13 to Sunday, March 15

Led by Katherine Hogg

A weekend for being active physically and spiritually. Join the exercise and weights classes, spend time outdoors in the Gardens and the Dales, and take time to reflect on life and faith.Cost: £235

Through Solitude and Contemplation Retreat

Friday, March 13 to Sunday, March 15

Led by Bishop David Hawkins 

On this retreat, we will seek God through solitude and contemplation with teaching on the Orthodox tradition and the science of silence, and periods of personal private retreat in the Poustinia. Cost: £198

Christian meditation in Lent

Monday, March 16

Led by Revd Henriette Howarth

Spend the day exploring and practicing contemplative prayer in this season. The day runs from 10am - 4pm and is a Pay As You Feel event. 

Self-love(d): learning to love God, neighbour and self, through the insights of mindfulness

Friday, March 27 to Sunday, March 29

Led by Karen Openshaw and Bishop Chris Edmondson 

This is an invitation to experience more of the extravagant love God has for us and discover a healthier rhythm of being, doing and loving. Cost £235

“He is risen, Alleluia!” A mindful singing retreat

Friday, April 17

Led by Revd Mike Leigh

In the Easter season, sing your faith with others led by Mike who is a natural voice practitioner. There will be songs from across the world that are easy to learn and full of harmony. Together we will create community, build self-confidence and open the channels of our awareness of God, other people and the beauty of creation. The day runs from 10am - 4pm. Lunch and refreshments are included. Cost £45

Falling Upwards

Friday, April 17 to Sunday, April 19

Led by Revd Dilly Baker

Inspired by the writing of Richard Rohr, this retreat offers you the chance to map an engaged Christian faith that is characterised by radical compassion, both for yourself and the world. Together we will explore what it might mean to work with the ‘failings and fallings’ of our lives in such a way as to discover a deeper and more authentic way of living. Led by Dilly, an experienced retreat leader and life coach. Cost £235

Our Vocations Team are running a series of events in 2026, on the theme of 'how do I make my faith count?' Please see the flyer for more details, and please click here to book.

People from across the diocese will have the opportunity to spend some time in a rhythm of prayer, sharing and community this summer, as part of a pilgrimage to Taizé. The pilgrimage is being led by the Rt Revd Smitha Prasadam, Bishop of Huddersfield, and will take place from Saturday, July 25 to Monday, August 3, and cost £400.

Find out more here.

Upcoming events from Harrogate School of Theology:

• Saturday, March 28, lecture: Julian of Norwich and the Last Judgement. With Revd Dr Janet Williams. Please note the change in date.
• Saturday, April 18, seminar: Wilding Disciple-making and Mission. With Revd Ben Askew.

Find out more here.

This year's Lent Talks at St Mary's Church, Whitkirk will focus on the Lord's Prayer. Explore in more depth the prayer that Jesus taught us, probably the first 'formal' prayer that most Christians learn, a prayer we say, perhaps without really stopping to think about what its words really mean to us. Each speaker will present a personal take on a line of the prayer, with time for questions or reflections. Each talk will take place at St Mary's Church, Selby Road, Leeds, LS15 0AA at 7pm, and will be followed by a short service of Compline.

• Wednesday, March 18: Very Revd Dr Philip Hobday (Dean of Wakefield): 'Our Father'
• Wednesday, March 25: Revd Linda Boon (Harrogate School of Theology and Mission): 'Forgive us our trespasses'

Inderjit Bhogal is Founder of City of Sanctuary and Church of Sanctuary. He is a former president of the Methodist Conference and a former CEO of the Corrymeela Community. He was a pioneer of interfaith dialogue and continues that work from his home in Sheffield. He is a recipient of the Methodist peace prize.

We're delighted to invite you to our next Open Day! For those interested in theological study on any of our pathways or programmes. It will be an excellent opportunity to hear about what sets us apart, ask questions and explore why Cranmer Hall might be just right for you. 

Find out more here.

Performed by Bradford Festival Choral Society with Yorkshire Symphony Orchestra, this uplifting oratorio is inspired by the Book of Genesis and includes the unforgettable moment “And there was light!”. 

Tickets £18–£36.

Find out more and book here.

Immerse, the quarterly contemporary worship evening, is back again. This is an initiative jointly organised by several local Anglican churches, each event is held at a different church in the area. Our speaker in March will be Smitha Prasadam, Bishop of Huddersfield.

With music led by our live band you can expect joyous upbeat praise, songs of deep worship, and the opportunity to receive prayer. Refreshments will be served, and all are welcome! We would love you to join us as we seek the presence of God together.

Come and sing at Wakefield Cathedral! Free entry, suggested donation £5.

Illustrated with music by Handel, Stainer, Haydn, Mozart, Palestrina, Faure, Victoria and Bach.

Find out more and book here.

Finzi's Intimations of Immortality and Poulene's Organ Concerto Gloria sung by the Ripon Choral Society. Conducted by John Dunford with Orchestra D’Amici.

Find out more and book here.

The Saviour by William Lloyd Webber, sung by the choir of Leeds Minster. A meditation on the life and Passion of Christ.

The Crucifixion by John Stainer, sung by the choir of Christ Church New Mill.

A meditation in Music, Art & Words for Good Friday presented by the Choir of Christ Church. Music by Victoria, Schutz, Tallis, Lobo, Haydn, Wood, Redhead, Novello and Ireland.

388 million Christians worldwide live in contexts where they face extreme discrimination of persecution for following Christ. That's one in seven of our brothers and sisters. This evening will give us the opportunity to hear some of their stories, pray with them, and be encouraged and challenged in our own walk of faith and witness.

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

With Professor Alison Phipps, UNESCO Chair in Refugee Integration through Education, Languages and the Arts at the University of Glasgow. In the lecture Professor Alison Phipps will explore the theological and practical failures exposed by recent genocidal assaults in Gaza, Sudan and Tigray. Drawing on decades of work with refugees worldwide, and especially from her home in Scotland, she will consider the resistant work of offering refuge in apocalyptic conditions and what heartbreak might teach us of our betrayal of refugees. In the face of immense grief, she will offer poetic and prayerful resources for courage, faith and cheerfulness from her tradition within The Iona Community. 

Find out more and book here.

Join us for a free, full day’s course focusing on Mental Health. Explore what is meant by mental health, the stigmas attached to it, practical ideas to help improve resilience, and how Mental Health First Aid can support you and other member of the community. Optional individual Prayer Journey space. This course is open to anyone interested, especially those who may care for, or want to learn more about supporting others who may experience mental health issues. N.B. This is a non-accredited course. The day will include challenging and

distressing content, including suicide.

To book your place, or for further information, please email: ruth@bradleystthomas.org.uk.

Whether you are a choir director, choir member, instrumentalist or new to music ministry, this conference includes something suitable for all. Through discussion, idea sharing, and singing together with one heart and voice, participants may develop their musical skills and contribute to a sense of community within their churches, encouraging each other in the valuable work of everyday liturgy in our local parishes. Importantly, the conference offers the opportunity to meet and share experiences with others involved in church music from across the country.

Canon Peter Gunstone (priest musician previously involved in pioneer ministry in Bradford and now Precentor at Carlisle Cathedral) will speak on ‘One heart, one voice - can people of diverse backgrounds and traditions become one people of God in worship?’ 

Theologian Dr Sue Price, with her specialist interests in Children's Spirituality, the use of Godly Play and outreach work into parishes, will explore how liturgy in whatever form can really feed people’s spirituality.

Practical workshops will explore various musical styles including Iona Community Worship and Life, Gospel Singing, Animating Song, and Supporting the Worshipping Community in music. 

More information from: jburridge@me.com.

The Oasis of Silence programme at St Hilda´s Priory offers space and stillness to seek God with loving awareness in the present moment. It offers a variety of opportunities to make retreats of different lengths in a peaceful and welcoming environment, away from our busy everyday lives.

It is for everyone seeking stillness and silence and who is interested in getting to know or to deepening the practice of contemplative prayer.

Find out more here.

Scargill House is home to an intentional, ecumenical, and international community offering generous hospitality through a wide variety of retreats and conferences, with Jesus at the centre. We are looking for a servant hearted leader to nurture community life, shape Scargill’s ministry to guests, and guide the next phase of our development as a prophetic voice in today’s world. Find out more about this role here

We are recruiting a part-time .5 FTE role of Programme Development Lead supporting the work of the St Hild Centre for Church Planting. The Programme Development Lead (PDL) will work closely with the Director of the Centre, the Dean, and other key staff to transform strategic vision into well-designed, fully implemented training pathways. While the Director and Dean specifically will procure new opportunities, this role will then determine what training is needed and how to deliver it, both in terms of content, curriculum and method. They will design, plan, and ensure the high- quality delivery of new training pathways. 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 26. All news stories to communications@leeds.anglican.org. Many thanks!