Welcome to the Enews for July 2

The latest resources, news and more.

Click on headlines or pictures for more details.  

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

Young people in the city of Wakefield are learning more about Jesus as part of a course run through Every Good Work. Every Good Work is a youth project based across multiple parishes in Wakefield aiming to reach young people through the combination of faith and social action. Read more here

Anglicans from across our diocese have been looking at how local churches can best support their communities in bringing people together and working to build bridges where there is division. On Thursday, June 11 in Wakefield, Chine McDonald, Director of Theos, the religion and society think tank, was the speaker at both a study day for clergy and lay leaders and the Rt Revd Malcolm Chamberlain, Bishop of Wakefield's regular series of Follow Me events, which help Christians to think through issues facing the church and the world. Read more here

There’s just one week to go until the Church of England’s RECOGNISE Week, where churches across the country will be celebrating everyone involved in ministry with children, young people and families. The week runs from Monday, July 6 to Sunday, July 12, which will then be a day for churches nationwide to celebrate and thank those involved in this vital ministry. Read more here

The Church of England has apologised for its role in historical adoption practices, particularly in mother and baby homes. Mothers and adoptees who came into contact with these homes have described the profound and lasting impact of these experiences. Read more here

Windrush Day 2026 was marked in Huddersfield with the unveiling of a tapestry sharing the history of African Caribbean people. The Rt Revd Smitha Prasadam, Bishop of Huddersfield, attended the unveiling of the Huddersfield Windrush On Tour Tapestry at the Huddersfield Media Centre on Monday, June 22, where the tapestry was displayed alongside photos, digital archival material and more. Read more here

The Diocese of Leeds' Rural Ministry Forum met at Ripon Cathedral for its biannual meeting recently, looking at how churches can engage with those in rural areas on a variety of topics. The Forum, held on Wednesday, June 3, heard from Dr Vincent Walsh, a leading UK regenerative design expert, farmer, and entrepreneur, as their keynote speaker. Read more here

Bradford Cathedral is delighted to announce the appointment of Dipika Kaushal as its new Chief Operating Officer. Dipika brings more than twenty-five years of senior leadership experience across the charity and public sectors, most recently serving as Chief Executive Officer of Northorpe Hall Child & Family Trust. Read more here

A drama charting the involvement of the Anglican church in the transatlantic slave trade comes to Ripon Cathedral as part of this year’s Ripon Theatre Festival. ‘Incidents in the Life of An Anglican Slave’ is a dramatic play-poem written and performed by Desirée Baptiste, London-based writer and researcher, inspired by a rare letter written in the year 1723 which was discovered in the Church of England Archives within Lambeth Palace Library. Read more here

Wakefield Cathedral is delighted to announce the appointment of John Eager as its new Chief Operating Officer, with John set to take up the role in September 2026. John joins the Cathedral following a career supporting world-leading science, environmental research and complex organisations, including roles with the British Antarctic Survey, the Peak District National Park and the National Centre for Atmospheric Science. Read more here

In 2025, the Diocese of Leeds introduced a new approach to discerning Licensed Lay Ministry (formally Reader ministry), moving from an application process to a registration-based pathway. This change reflects a commitment to deeper, more prayerful discernment, in line with the national Shared Discernment Process for Licensed Ministries.

This renewed approach is shaped by national guidance from the Central Readers’ Council, which encourages dioceses to focus on formation, self-awareness, and vocation as part of a holistic discernment journey. You can explore lay ministry here.

Over the past year, we have been trialling this new process, and it has already proven fruitful.

Last month, the Formation Team held a selection panel at Church House in Leeds for those hoping to join the Licensed Lay Ministry Training Programme. Candidates took part in two reflective conversations: one exploring their ministry experience and sense of calling, and the other focusing on personal experience, self-awareness, and formation. The panel is designed to offer a supportive and reflective space, enabling candidates to engage deeply with their story and their sense of vocation.

This panel forms part of a renewed discernment pathway, now more closely aligned with that used for ordained ministry. Since last September, the process has placed a stronger emphasis on discernment, ensuring that those exploring Licensed Lay Ministry are supported in testing and understanding their calling more fully.

If you, or someone in your parish sense that God may be calling you to Lay Ministry, we warmly encourage you to get in touch with the Vocations Team at vocations@leeds.anglican.org.

You can begin exploring this calling at any point in the year.

Theology is a word that comes from Ancient Greek. It means talking about God. It’s as simple as that. You already do theology, even if you don’t call it that. For example, when you say, ‘God loves you’ to someone, you are making a statement about God. You are ‘doing theology’.

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. All of us are on a journey with God. We are letting God mould us into the person God always meant us to be. We may feel called to a particular ministry. We may just want to know more. Either way, this course is for you!

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.

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.

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.

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 sign up, 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.

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.

Parishes from across the diocese are invited to book a visit to Ripon Cathedral for a Treasures Untold Pilgrimage within the cathedral building for up to 20 people. The pilgrimages will begin with refreshments at 9.30am. There will then be a reflective and prayerful tour around the Cathedral exploring how the historical features of the fabric of the building hep us to express our faith. The pilgrimage will conclude with a Celebration of Holy Communion which will begin at 12pm. The cost of the pilgrimage is £10 per head. All participants will receive a colour brochure of Treasures Untold.

To book please contact governanceofficer@riponcathedral.org.uk.

It may be possible to arrange the Treasures Untold Pilgrimage on other dates to suit. To explore the possibilities please contact Canon Matthew on canonmatthew@riponcathedral.org.uk.

Summer has well and truly arrived at Halifax Minster as it prepares for a festival of music, art, poetry and tours set to bring sunshine to the town.

The popular Minster Summer Festival will get underway again this year from Thursday, June 25, running until Sunday, July 5 with something for everyone – including many free events.

Find out more here.

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.

You’re warmly invited to Prayer & Praise at Trinity Church. A gentle hour of worship, prayer and space to breathe.

If life feels full or heavy, come and hear Jesus’ invitation from Matthew 11: “Come to me… and I will give you rest.”

There’ll be worship, quiet moments, and simple spaces for prayer where you can lay things down or give thanks.

Come as you are. Everyone welcome.

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'.

A large and beautiful icon of ‘St Margaret of the Moor’ will be unveiled at St Margaret’s Church, Ilkley, at their patronal festival celebrations on Sunday, July 19. Written by artist Peter Murphy in the Byzantine style, the icon will be blessed at the High Mass at 10.45 am by the Rt Revd David Hope, former Archbishop of York and former Vicar of St Margaret’s, who will also preach. At 5pm the artist will give an illustrated talk on the history and significance of icons, including the creation of the St Margaret icon, followed by drinks. The day will conclude with Solemn Evensong at 6.30pm, with music from the church choir. All are welcome to all or part of the day. The icon is a gift from a legacy to the church given by two long-standing members of the congregation.

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.

St Hild is offering three short courses, in person or online, starting in September 2026 or January 2027. Click the links in the course title for more information and/or to register:

• Bible in Context - nine sessions in Sheffield at STC on Mondays, 9.30 am -12.30pm, starting in September.
• Mission & Ministry in an Urban Context - six sessions in Sheffield at STC on Mondays, 1.45pm - 4.30pm, starting in October.
• Rural Mission and Ministry - 10 sessions online or a hybrid option in Lincoln, 6.30pm - 9 pm on Thursdays starting January 2027.  

For more information, please click here.

We are excited to offer this opportunity to join our planting team in the new Parish of Swarcliffe and Whinmoor in East Leeds. The role is a key senior leadership position, working alongside the vicar, wardens, and Children’s and Youth Worker to establish the Parish of Swarcliffe and Whinmoor, with two churches re-established in the area. We are looking for someone who could bring creativity, energy and vision, alongside strong organisational and administrative skills. Find out more about this role here

We are looking to appoint a Youth Project Manager, a key role needing passion, management skills, and a clear commitment to young people in this local but wide ranging youth project which has predominantly secular with some Christian activities. The successful candidate will be a motivated and organised individual with the confidence to lead the existing 3 strong staff team and our volunteers delivering a variety of sessions across a range of settings including school based, detached, youth clubs, residentials and trips, for predominately 11-18 year olds within Horbury and the surrounding areas. Find out more about this role here

Ripon Cathedral’s Education Officer plays a vital role in shaping the way children and young people encounter the cathedral. The Education Officer is responsible for developing, delivering and promoting educational programmes that support the cathedral’s mission, heritage and community outreach. The role is responsible for both the formal and informal learning offer at the cathedral, and engaging with schools across the area. Heading up a well-established team of capable and creative volunteers, this creative and mission-led role sits at the heart of the cathedral’s commitment to education, outreach and discipleship. 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 July 16. All news stories to communications@leeds.anglican.org. Many thanks!