Welcome to the Enews for June 4

The latest resources, news and more.

Click on headlines or pictures for more details.  

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

This Volunteers Week, we want to end by saying a massive thank you to all Churchwardens across the diocese for all that they do to serve their churches. Churchwardens serve their churches in many areas, with legal, spiritual, pastoral and missional responsibilities. Read more here

This Volunteers Week we want to say a big thank you to all lay leaders across the diocese. Lay leaders fulfil all kinds of important roles in their churches across the diocese, through a variety of pathways. Read more here

This Volunteers Week we want to say a massive thank you to all church Treasurers in the diocese. The role of a Treasurer is a very important one, as thousands of pounds flow through the accounts of churches, and PCCs are independent charities, and need to conform to Charity Commission guidance. Read more here

This Volunteers Week, we want to say a big thank you to all who look after the fabric of our churches. People across the diocese volunteer their time and energy to look after church buildings, churchyards and church land, keeping all these things fit for purpose and making them prepared for the future, and so enabling mission in the years and decades to come. Read more here

This Volunteers Week we want to say a huge thank you to all school governors who support schools across the diocese. Governors are the strategic leaders within schools and are responsible for promoting high educational achievement standards, ensuring every child and adult in their school flourishes. Read more here

Work has begun in the city of Leeds to extend our programme of church grafting and revitalisation in the area, thanks to our recent award from the national church. This work, part of our Barnabas: Encouraging Confidence programme, involves people being sent from their own church to become part of a grafting team which works in a new place, re-energising and supporting mission. Read more here

People in churches across the diocese marked Pentecost on Sunday, May 24. At Bradford’s City Park people from churches across the Bradford area gathered for a Pentecost Festival. Read more here

The Church of England nationally is encouraging Christians to take time to reflect around pilgrimage this summer. Pilgrim Places, Holy Lives is a special campaign to help people consider their own stories of pilgrimage and see them as part of a bigger story that starts with God becoming human in Jesus and continues in our ongoing journey towards Him today. Read more here

Kairos Network Church in the Ripon area are celebrating becoming the Diocese of Leeds’ first indefinite Bishop's Mission Order. Kairos operates as a network of small communities scattered around the Harrogate Deanery, who also gather regularly at a central base in the town. Read more here

The Church of England are launching a campaign to raise awareness of how to recognise and report safeguarding concerns, keeping people at the centre. The two-week pilot campaign, 'It's Not Just Policy, It's Personal', will run from Monday, June 1 to Sunday, June 14, sharing resources that are designed to build confidence in responding and taking appropriate action. Read more here

A trustee for the Mothers’ Union in the north will be riding her bicycle through ten dioceses this summer, as the Mothers’ Union celebrates its 150th birthday. Dr Deb Lee is the Mothers’ Union Zonal Trustee for the Province of York of the Church of England, which includes the Diocese of Leeds. Read more here

Ripon Cathedral are hosting a month of events delving into the intrigue, drama, and Yorkshire legacy of the Tudors during their Tudor month. ‘Capturing a Queen: The Image of Anne Boleyn’, ‘Conspiracy and Plot in Elizabethan England’ and ‘Henry VIII & England’s Accidental Protestant Reformation’ will all offer informed insights into a world of royal ambition, religious change, and political machinations. Read more here

All of us are on a journey with God. We are letting God help us grow and develop. This course is for anyone who wants to do theology - to talk and think about God - and to deepen their discipleship. It’s also an opportunity to think about how God is forming us right now and explore how God might be calling you, and what you might be called to. 

More details and booking information can be found here. 

For more information or to book a place on one of the upcoming iterations, please contact Anne Payne on anne.payne@leeds.anglican.org.

Bubble Church are partnering with the Diocese of Leeds to run a training day in September, helping churches get involved in worship designed for young children and their families.

We are running a training day at Wakefield Cathedral on Thursday, September 24 to help churches learn about the service, how best to run it and the resources available to support its running.

Before the training day Bubble Church are running two webinars for churches in our diocese wishing to know more about Bubble Church, what it is, what it looks like and whether it might work in their church.

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

A day of celebration of children and youth work across the diocese, to equip and inspire each other, with opportunities for workshops, prayer, networking. 

Refreshments available from 9.30am. Please bring your own lunch. 

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

Join Parish Buying for a free webinar exploring everything you need to know about Parish Energy, the Church of England's dedicated procurement energy service.

Whether you're a churchwarden, treasurer, or PCC member responsible for your church's energy bills, this session will walk you through your options and show you how to get the best value from the Parish Buying Energy Basket.

To find out more and to book, please click 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.

A session exploring what neurodiversity is (and isn’t), barriers that people who are neurodivergent might face in church and ways in which we can make worship more accessible. To book a place on this session, please email natasha.lee@leeds.anglican.org.

To find out more and to book, please click 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. 

The Ministry with Children and Young People course is interactive with groupwork activities plus times for discussion and reflection. We will explore four areas over two evening sessions and you will need to attend both. 

Wednesday, June 17:

• Children Matter – the value of children to Jesus and to the church
• Practical Matters – the skills and practicalities needed to work safely with children and young people

Wednesday, July 15

• Faith Matters – how faith might develop for children and young people and how we might help to nurture faith.
• You Matter – the importance of knowing our roles and responsibilities and looking after our own faith and wellbeing.

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

People will have the chance to worship in the style of Taizé and learn more about what our Taizé pilgrimage entails at events across the diocese. The next one is at Bradford Cathedral.

Find out more here.

For strengthening connections between church, home and school. This hub will look at the different ways that churches use music to engage with their local schools. We will hear how parishes have built upon these engagements to enable children and young people to explore faith as well as consider how to get started. The intention is to build a learning community for those passionate about music to support each other on their school engagement journeys. Click here to sign up.

Do you have an interest in supporting those struggling with mental ill health? Want to develop your knowledge or become accredited as a Mental Health First Aider? If so, you are welcome to join this two-day course, led by an expert trainer from the Saltaire Training Company, that can support you to develop your skills and confidence in this area.

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.

We are delighted to be able to offer an Emergency First Aid Course for church workers and volunteers, in conjunction with Wakefield Council's Commercial Service Team. Cost: £63.75 + Eventbrite costs. To book your place, please click here.

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.

Parcevall Hall are running a variety of retreats.

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

The Divine Weaver Retreat Day (Friday, June 12, 10am - 4pm)

Led by Revd Jayne Ward. Come and experience weaving as a creative pathway to prayer. Materials and a small frame for weaving will be provided. Refreshments will be served, please bring your own lunch. Cost £30

Walk, Rest and Pray Retreat (Monday, July 6 - Thursday, July 9)

Led by Revd Mark and Gill Ireland. In this retreat we shall go walking, delighting in God’s creation and reflecting from the Bible on how to build refreshing sabbath rest into our often busy lives. There will be six walks during the retreat, with moderately challenging and easier options. Cost: £297

Sing to the Lord a joyful song Friday, July 10 - Sunday, July 12)

Led by Revd Mike Leigh. This retreat will be a joyful weekend of song. Mike will teach songs using music from across the world which are easy to learn and full of harmony. All singing abilities and experience levels are welcome. Cost: £235

Retreat for Carers and those who care (Friday, July 17 - Sunday, July 19)

Led by the 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/or mental health challenges. There will be time to rest and receive from God, learn from Scripture, enjoy nature, be creative, and experience God’s peace. Please consider recommending this retreat to people in your parishes who may benefit from it. Click here to find out more.

This course follows Introduction to Theology. It introduces those involved in pastoral work to the key principles of delivering pastoral care under the supervision of their incumbent in their parish(es) in the Diocese of Leeds. Lay Pastoral Ministers are authorised at parish level. This means that applicants for the course must have the approval of their incumbent and PCC.

More details and booking information can be found here. 

For more information, please contact us on layministry@leeds.anglican.org.

This course follows Introduction to Theology. will develop skills and leadership ability in those wishing to be involved in leading worship in their parishes. The Lay Worship Leaders course enables those who have successfully completed it to lead worship in their parish under the supervision of their incumbent. Lay Pastoral Ministers are authorised at parish level. This means that applicants for the course must have the approval of their incumbent and PCC.

More details and booking information can be found here. 

For more information, please contact us on layministry@leeds.anglican.org.

This course follows Introduction to Theology. It is a course 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. Occasional Preachers are authorised at parish level. This means that applicants for the course must have the approval of their incumbent and PCC.

More details and booking information can be found here. 

For more information, please contact us on layministry@leeds.anglican.org.

Four by Four - a look at the four gospels.

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.

Mytholmroyd St. Michael's Amateurs presents "The Addams Family Musical".

To book please click here.

At a time of growing division around immigration, race, and identity, this evening will offer space to reflect prayerfully and theologically on how the Church is called to respond. Together, we will consider the rise of Christian Nationalism and explore how we might bear faithful witness to the reconciling love of Christ within our communities and nation.

To book supper, please contact Caroline Asquith by no later than Tuesday, May 27: Email: caroline.asquith@leeds.anglican.org

Tel: 07776 963653

Join us for a special evening exploring the urgent challenges of the climate and nature crises facing the UK, hosted by Bishop Malcolm.

On Friday, June 12, we will host a screening of the People's Emergency Briefing film, developed by the National Emergency Briefing team. This powerful film builds on the landmark event held at Westminster last November, which brought together over 1,200 attendees. 

Following the screening, there will be a panel discussion and audience Q&A, offering space to reflect on the issues raised and what they mean for our local communities. The discussion will be chaired by Bishop Malcolm and will include contributions from representatives of local grassroots organisations such as Just Transition Wakefield, GROW Wakefield, and the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust.

Find out more and book here.

An evening of music centred on the American Deep South spiritual tradition. Overgate Hospice Choir will be joined by special guests the famous Hammonds Band under the expert baton of their conductor Morgan Griffiths.

Among other items, the choir will be performing ‘Feel the Spirit’, a cycle of seven familiar spirituals expertly arranged by Sir John Rutter.

The vivid and expressive arrangements bring new life to such well loved titles as Steal Away, I got a Robe and When the Saints go Marching In.

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

Our summer concert is a feast of Baroque music.

Bach’s Magnificat, taken from the Gospel of St Luke, is a musical setting of the biblical canticle: a message of hope written as a showpiece to illustrate his talents. “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord”.

Bach Cantata 51: “Sing God’s praise in every land!” This is one of Bach’s most sustained virtuoso pieces. It conveys a profound expression of commitment to God.

Handel’s Dixit Dominus is widely celebrated for its vitality, youthful energy, and dazzling complexity. Composed in 1707 when Handel was just 22, the work showcases his early mastery of choral writing and Italian Baroque style.

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

Join us for a powerful and dramatic performance of Giuseppi Verdi’s Requiem – an unforgettable evening of intensity and beauty.

Featuring Leeds Philharmonic Chorus, conducted by David Hill MBE accompanied by soloists, piano, organ and percussion.

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

Free event with live music, cake stall, tombola, raffle, name the bear and refreshments.

• Laurel Bank, Monday, June 15
• Wykebeck, Tuesday, June 16
• Community Wellbeing Hub, Wednesday, June 17
• Calverlands, Thursday, June 18
• Holt Park, Friday, June 19

Join us for a joyful afternoon of singing: warm-ups, rounds and summer songs of all kinds. Everyone is welcome. No musical experience needed. David will teach everything by ear, including some wonderful harmonies. Contact pete.armstrong52@gmail.com for more info or to confirm your place, or just turn up on the day. Suggested donation of £10 or what you can afford. 

Join us to celebrate a reprise performance of Bradford Chorale’s first concert in April 1976, followed by drinks and refreshments.

Tickets £15 (including refreshments)

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

Great choral music from Purcell to Dove.

This concert by St Peter’s Singers celebrates great English music written across the centuries in the praise of God. Come and join us for a joy-filled and uplifting evening.

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

We believe God is calling the Church to reach new people across the north of England, in new and renewed ways, with the Good News of Jesus Christ.

Whether you’re exploring starting something or are an experienced church planter, join local leaders and teams at Multiply: North in Leeds on Tuesday, June 23 for a day of wisdom on church planting and multiplication shared across traditions, contexts and models.

Early bird tickets are available for £22.50 until Friday 27 March (full price £30).

Hosted by a new collaboration of Baptist, Anglican and ecumenical partners, Multiply: North shares a vision to see healthy churches planted and multiplied across the North.

Find out more and book here.

The Horbury Festival of Church Music 2026 will take place over the weekend of the 27th and 28th June, 2026. Originally founded at St Peter and St Leonard, Horbury, in 1867 and refounded in 2024, this year marks the third festival in its modern iteration. The core aim of the weekend is to study sacred music and share best practice together, celebrating the profound role of music embedded in the liturgy. The festival programme promises a rich weekend of education, worship, and newly commissioned music.

Admission free. Booking not required. 

For enquiries, contact music@horburychurch.com.

A Symposium on Healing marking the 800th Anniversary of the Canonisation of St William of York. The symposium forms part of the celebrations marking the 800th anniversary of the canonisation of William of York, whose shrine at York Minster became one of the great medieval centres of pilgrimage and prayer for healing.

Find out more and book here.

The Sisters of the Community of St Mary the Virgin in Wantage (OX12 9AU) are offering those wondering about a possible vocation to the Religious Life a chance to spend a weekend with them in their Convent joining them in chapel, eating with them, and more. There will also be opportunity to chat with the Sisters and ask questions. Further info can be found here.

Join us at St Philip's for an evening of worship, prayer, and encouragement as we gather to seek God for renewal in our churches, communities, and nation. 

With sung worship, space for prayer ministry, and a particular focus on children and young people, we will be praying into the challenges facing this generation — including faith, identity, mental health, loneliness, education, family life, and discipleship. We will also speak and pray about the work of Our Father's House.

This service is a gift to the local church. Worship fuels evangelism and mission because, as we encounter the love and presence of God, our hearts are stirred to share the hope of Jesus Christ with the world around us.

Whether you come weary, hopeful, curious, or expectant, all are welcome as we unite in prayer and praise under the theme 'Worship for Revival'.

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.

This year's Church Action on Poverty Sunday will take place on Sunday 18th October, with a theme of "Food, faith and fellowship".

A record number of churches took part last year, and interested churches are encouraged to register now.

Resource packs will be sent out over the summer, containing bring & share lunch ideas, worship materials, prayer cards, Scriptural reflections, activity sheets, and inspirational stories of churches already doing great work through food. 

To sign up, visit here.

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.

We are looking for someone to join our team to help grow generous and financially sustainable churches. The Stewardship Officer will work alongside two other Diocesan Stewardship Officers, a Parish Support Officer and a Parish Support Administration Officer to help parishes to achieve the levels of income they need to fulfil their mission objectives. They will have an important supportive role in assisting the Stewardship Officers and Parish Support Officer to successfully deliver the Parish Share Agreement process. Find out more about this role here

We are seeking a Hub Leader (Fixed term for 3 years) to help equip and empower lay leaders, particularly in underserved communities, areas of deprivation, and among global majority heritage groups. The Hub Leader will create and lead a local hub of the Lay Leadership Development Programme within a specific area of the Diocese. Working closely with clergy, laity, volunteers, and the Barnabas Programme team, you will identify and recruit participants, deliver training, and ensure each individual receives the mentoring and support they need to grow in their missional leadership. Find out more about this role here

Are you someone who cares deeply about helping schools flourish? Would you like to play a key role at the heart of our diocesan work with over 230 schools and academies? Do you enjoy working with school leaders and governors to bring clarity, integrity and support to complex situations? We are looking to appoint an Education Governance and Compliance Officer to join our committed and highly supportive Education Team. This is a new and vital role that underpins much of the statutory, strategic and relational work of the Diocesan Board of Education (DBE). Find out more about this role here

St George’s Crypt is seeking new members on our Trustee Board. Our Board of Trustees exists to provide a broad range of skills which enable our Senior Leadership Team (SLT) to further the impact of the charity across the city of Leeds and beyond. Expressions of interest can be made to Martin Barry, PA to the Trustees via Martin.Barry@stgeorgescrypt.org.uk. The deadline for applications is Monday, August 31. 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 June 18. All news stories to communications@leeds.anglican.org. Many thanks!