Welcome to the Enews for February 12

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 was pleased to host the Church of England’s online service to mark Racial Justice Sunday on Sunday, February 8. Racial Justice Sunday is a day when all churches and communities are invited to reflect on the importance of racial justice; to give thanks for the gifts and beauty of human diversity, and to commit to end racism and acts of discrimination. Read more here

People spent the morning of Friday, January 30 learning about how pilgrimages can help them engage with their communities and beyond at a Pilgrimages Day at Ripon Cathedral. Organised in collaboration with Faith in the North, the morning event offered a chance to hear from churches that are already using pilgrimage routes to build relationships, as well as learning about the Pilgrim Places initiative and the resources available to support pilgrimage. Read more here

Some 70 people gathered at St Richard’s Seacroft recently to have meaningful conversations about the topic of migration. The event, ‘Migration: What’s Next?’, brought together political representatives from all political parties, as well as Christian and Muslim leaders, to speak together about the challenges and opportunities that migration brings to the city of Leeds. Read more here

People will gather at Leeds Minster on Tuesday, February 10, to explore how we hear from God and our sense of calling. ‘Calling – How Do I Know?’ at Leeds Minster is the first of our programme of Exploring Vocations Together events, events run by the Diocesan Vocations Team to help people investigate when God might be calling them to new things. Read more here

St Agnes’ Burmantofts came alive as they celebrated Racial Justice Sunday with a special service on Sunday, February 8. The church was filled with energy, warmth, and hope as people came together to mark the day. Read more here

Holy Trinity Skipton have successfully secured funding from the Church of England to help them on their way to net zero carbon. The church has been given funding for capital works as part of the Church of England’s Demonstrator Churches project, which helps the highest emitting churches across the country pay for items such as solar panels, heat pumps, insulation, secondary glazing, LED lighting and infrared heating systems. 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.

This new workshop is available for a variety of contexts to support people wanting to follow safe practice in their mission and ministry with children, young people and families. Please contact childrenyouth@leeds.anglican.org if you are interested.

Led by Bishop Smitha Prasadam. An opportunity to pray and reflect during Lent.

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

"Praying the Penitential Psalms" - led by Bishop Malcolm Chamberlain. A day for refreshment and guided reflection in the peaceful, meditative surroundings of Mirfield. All are welcome. Tea and coffee provided, bring your own lunch.

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

Join us for a relaxed and inspiring free Learning Breakfast designed for church leaders, current volunteers and those thinking about getting involved, across the Diocese of Leeds.

Whether you’re from a large urban parish or a small rural congregation, Growing Better Together is a chance to pause, reflect and grow in how your church connects faith, social action and discipleship.

Come enjoy good food, rich conversation and shared learning in the company of others who care about what it means to be the church in today’s world.

To find out more please click here.

Led by Bishop Toby Howarth. An opportunity to pray and reflect during Lent, including both private prayer and collective worship.

To find out more and to book, please click 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, March 4 – Wakefield Cathedral
• Wednesday, May 13 – Bradford Cathedral
• Thursday, May 14 - Ripon Cathedral

Led by Revd Janet Williams, Vice Principal of St Hild College. This Quiet morning will include some reflections on finding every day a ‘holy day’, on being held by God in season and out of season, and on the transfiguration of time. You are encouraged to bring whatever helps you reflect – such as a journal, knitting, or doodle pad.

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.

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 during Lent.

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

Life in its fulness Lent Retreat

Monday, February 23 to Thursday, February 26

Led by Dean John Dobson

In seven addresses over the four days of this Lenten retreat, Dean John will help us to explore how the words of Jesus speak directly to us now, inviting us to enjoy his gift of life in its fulness. Cost: £297

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

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.

The Osian String Quartet, formed in 2023 by Kirin Howat and Jacob Wright, is a chamber quartet that came together to provide high-quality concerts to a diverse audience in the North of England. Founded at the Royal Northern College of Music, the Osian Ensemble have received coaching and lessons with many highly respected international musician tutors including Levon Chillingarian, Susie Meszaros, Donald Grant and Leanord Elschenbroich. The collective take part frequently in competitions and performance opportunities in and around the college and have performed in a diverse number of concerts, presenting an array of repertoire - they performed recently in a fashion show in an old, abandoned warehouse. For their concert here, they will be playing a programme of music by Dmitri Shostakovich and Antonin Dvorak.

Mass is sung by the Horsforth Choral Society. Followed by a reception in church.

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 4: Revd Canon Jude Smith (Director of Mission and Revitalisation for the Diocese of Leeds): 'Lead us not into temptation'
• Wednesday, March 11: Revd Andy Muckle (Chaplain to St George’s Crypt & Bishop’s Chaplain to the Homeless in the Diocese of Leeds); 'Give us this day our daily bread'
• 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'

God always reaches out in love to humankind, calling us and journeying alongside us. Jesus Christ says, 'Come and follow me' into life in all its fullness. For some, their fulfilment is found in the ordained ministry. Might you be called by Jesus to follow him in this challenging and exciting vocation?

A day conference for 18-30 year olds.

Find out more here.

Anyone who is interested in affirming and developing an inclusive vision for the Church is welcome to join us in Leeds Diocese Together Network.

You can join us via Facebook here.

And/or contact us at: catherine.Shelley@leeds.anglican.org.

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.

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

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.

Can you handle a diverse workload? Do you inspire confidence in colleagues? Do you want a new challenge? The Diocese of Leeds is looking for a Parish Support Administration Officer to join our Stewardship team who will: provide administrative support to Parish Support Officer to ensure the smooth running of the Parish Share Agreement; be flexible, organised, positive and with a ‘can-do’ attitude; and provide general administrative support to the Finance and Stewardship teams. Find out more about this role here

The Yorkshire Theological Education Partnership (YTEP) is a partnership between Church Army, St Hild, The College of the Resurrection, and the York Diocesan School of Ministry. The role of YTEPs Academic Registrar sits right at the centre of our organisation – leading the academic and registration service that we offer to our Partners and their learners; facilitating our relationships with the Church of England’s National Ministry Team and Durham University’s Common Awards Team; and providing administrative and advisory support to the YTEP Trustees. 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 26. All news stories to communications@leeds.anglican.org. Many thanks!