Welcome to the Enews for July 16

The latest resources, news and more.

Click on headlines or pictures for more details.  

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

Ten new deacons were ordained at a joyous service at Bradford Cathedral on Saturday, July 4, and began their ministry at churches across the diocese. The new deacons were ordained by the Rt Revd Toby Howarth, Acting Bishop of Leeds and Bishop of Bradford, who started the service with a welcome to the congregation, made up of friends, family members and more. Read more here

Our Diocesan Interns and Mission Apprentices celebrated their year of service at a gathering at St Matts Burley on Wednesday, July 8. The gathering brought together the interns, Mission Apprentices, people from their churches and their friends and families to mark the end of their time with us, commissioning the interns and second year Mission Apprentices to go out into the world. Read more here

The tragic deaths of 139 miners in Thornhill were marked with the unveiling of a restored mining wheel in Thornhill Rectory Park and a community gala on Saturday, July 4. The Thornhill disaster happened on July 4, 1893, where 139 men and boys between the ages of 12 and 70 died following an explosion and being subsequently trapped. Read more here

General Synod members have approved a new annual Festival of Creation in Christ and considered a major new teaching document from the House of Bishops at the most recent session in York. At the heart of the discussions was ‘Hope for All Creation: A Theological Response to the Environmental Crises’, a landmark teaching document authored by the Faith and Order Commission and adopted by the House of Bishops. Read more here

A new Church Army Evangelist serving ministries in the diocese has been commissioned at a service recently. Angela Jones, from St John’s Dewsbury Moor, was commissioned as a Church Army Evangelist during the Church Army's Admission and Commissioning Service at Sheffield Cathedral on Saturday, July 11. Read more here

This July a group of twelve from the Diocese of Leeds will travel to Tanzania in East Africa to spend time in our link dioceses of Mara, Rorya and Tarime. The trip, from Tuesday, July 21 to Thursday, August 6, will be the first trip from the Diocese of Leeds since 2020. Read more here

Some 300 pupils from Rawdon St Peter’s Church of England Primary School in the Leeds area celebrated St Peter’s Day by hosting a massive school picnic before a ‘clipping the church’ ceremony, a tradition dating back to Anglo-Saxon times. On Monday, June 29, pupils from the school gathered for an open-air picnic on the Rawdon Billing, the hill in the area. Read more here

Children from Hawes Primary School in Upper Wensleydale in the Ripon area commemorated the 500th anniversary of William Tyndale printing the Bible into English by reading Mark's gospel together in St Margaret's Hawes. On Tuesday, July 7 people gathered at the church to hear the young people read the whole of Mark’s gospel read without interruption. Read more here

Abbey Grange Church of England Academy recently held a Culture Day to celebrate all the cultures of people at the school, attended by the Rt Revd Arun Arora, Bishop of Kirkstall. Bishop Arun said it was a joyous occasion to see young people celebrating their own culture and that of everyone around them. Read more here

Pride Church Leeds will mark the 20th anniversary of Leeds Pride Festival next week with a special celebration at Leeds Minster. The third annual Leeds Pride Celebration service will be held on Friday, July 17, beginning with a drinks reception at 7pm. Read more here

Abbey Grange Church of England Academy in the Leeds area is celebrating a highly positive Ofsted inspection outcome, with inspectors recognising the school’s strong standards, inclusive culture and ambitious provision for all pupils. Following an inspection in May 2026, the school achieved six “Strong Standard” judgements and one “Expected Standard” judgement, with all safeguarding standards successfully met. 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.

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.

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.

Parcevall Hall are running a variety of retreats.

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

The Angel’s Question (Monday, September 28 to Wednesday, September 30) led by Revd Dilly Baker 

‘Where have you come from and where are you going?’ This timeless question posed by the angel to Hagar in the desert forms the backdrop for our retreat. We will reflect on our life journeys to date and consider who we are becoming. We will discover some practical tools to help us move forward. 

Cost: £235 

Deep and Diverse Prayer Retreat (Friday, October 23 to Sunday, October 25) led by Revd Henriette Howarth, and Revd Paul and Karen Wheelhouse 

If you long to pray more and experience the divine Love more deeply, this retreat is for you. Finding our inspiration in the scriptures and Christian tradition, we will practice different ways of prayer including silence, contemplation and the Ignatian way, with the assistance of music, nature and images. Henriette, Paul and Karen together bring experience from ordained and lay ministry. 

Cost: £198 

Inwardly Digest - Reading Retreat (Friday, November 20 to Sunday, November 22) led by Dr Helen Reid, Director of Parcevall Hall 

This retreat is for people who love reading and talking about books. There will be time to read in quiet and conducive surroundings, as well as to share your thoughts and theological reflections on your reading with others. This is a retreat to experience grace through words at a perfect time of year for staying indoors and reading. 

Cost: £198 

Singing Through Advent Retreat (Monday, November 30 to Thursday, December 3) led by Revd Mike Leigh 

Come for a relaxing time at the beginning of Advent when Mike will lead an exploration of the themes of Advent through music and reflections. During the retreat, there will be teaching, rest, and a chance to sing Advent songs old and new. There will be worship services each day as we prepare for the great festival of Christmas. 

Cost: £315 

Christmas Houseparty and Retreat (Wednesday, December 23 to Sunday, December 27) 

Spend a traditional Christmas in the warm and welcoming surroundings of Parcevall Hall. There will be home-cooked food, traditional games, times for reflection and services in the chapel, all shared in good company to help us truly celebrate Christmas. 

Cost: £460 

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.

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.

National Estate Churches Network (NECN) supports people active in Christian ministry on social housing estates in England and Wales. We do this via a network of local groups plus conferences, estate-specific resources, helpful e-mails and social media, strategic representation and much more.

NECN is an ecumenical network, our membership includes church and community leaders and workers, clergy, residents and others who live, work and serve God on housing estates across England and Wales.

Find out more and sign up here.

We'd love for you to join us at the Good News People Conference! We are sensing a fresh openness to Jesus in this season, and our heart is to see every Christian equipped and inspired to share their faith naturally with the people in their everyday lives.

We are thrilled to welcome Gavin Calver, CEO of the Evangelical Alliance and Natalie Williams, CEO of Jubilee+.

Gavin is co-author of the book Good News People and is a powerful storyteller. Natalie is the author of several books, including Invisible Divides and 'Tis Mercy All.

Our prayer is for a day of encounter, encouragement, and equipping-three things we all need right now.

We hope to see you there!

Find out more and sign up here.

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.

LoveRural is a national gathering for anyone passionate about seeing rural churches and communities flourish.

Hosted by a partnership of denominations and mission agencies, the conference brings together clergy, lay leaders, pioneers, chaplains, church members and rural mission practitioners from across the UK to learn, pray, encourage one another and share practical ideas for mission in the countryside.

Over two inspiring days, delegates will:

• Hear stories and insights from those serving in rural ministry.
• Explore fresh approaches to disciple-making and church planting.
• Connect with others engaged in rural mission across different denominations.
• Be encouraged through worship, prayer and shared learning.

Find out more and sign up 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.

Fountains Church is seeking a highly organised, proactive, and detail‑driven Operations Manager to ensure our worship, ministry, and commercial activities run smoothly, safely, and effectively. This vital role supports the clergy, Business & Operations Director, staff, and volunteers by overseeing finance, HR, facilities, systems, compliance, and day‑to‑day organisational administration. 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 30. All news stories to communications@leeds.anglican.org. Many thanks!