Welcome to the Enews for May 7

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 is expanding its support for Children, Young People and Families ministry thanks to recent funding awarded by the national church. This work builds on existing projects, including our work on Growing Faith. Read more here

The Most Revd Stephen Cottrell, Archbishop of York, has been in the Diocese of Leeds recently visiting schools and churches sharing the importance of the Lord’s Prayer, helping people to grow in their discipleship. During 2025 and 2026, Archbishop Stephen has been undertaking a tour across the North of England, sharing the meaning and significance of the Lord’s Prayer as part of a ‘Faith in the North’ initiative. Read more here

Visitors from the Diocese of Hong Kong Island enjoyed a busy programme learning about our region during a recent visit. The Rt Revd Arun Arora, Bishop of Kirkstall, and the Revd Canon Dave Ho Young, Rector of Moor Allerton and Shadwell, visited Hong Kong in January of this year to develop links with the Anglican church there. Read more here

This week is Deaf Awareness Week, and we are sharing some resources and support for churches to help make people in the D/deaf community feel welcome. Deaf people come to our churches each week; some of them are users of British Sign Language (BSL) and others use hearing aids, lip-reading and spoken English. Read more here

St Peter’s Huddersfield will host a UK Minority Ethnic and Global Majority Heritage vocations event with our Diocesan Vocations Team looking to place welcome, listening and understanding at the heart of discernment. The gathering at the church on Saturday, May 30, from 12pm to 4pm, will have a primary focus of creating a hospitable space where people from UKME and GMH communities can explore God’s call to both lay and ordained ministry openly, honestly, and without unnecessary barriers. Read more here

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. Bubble Church is a 30-minute Sunday church service especially for babies, toddlers, and young families, including action songs, a Bible story, puppets and a simple activity. Read more here

Following the attack in Golders Green, the bishops of the Diocese of Leeds sent a message of solidarity to the Jewish community across the diocese and beyond. Their message can be read in our story. Read more here

The Crown Nomination Commission for the Diocese of Leeds will be meeting on Wednesday, May 13 and Thursday May 14, and our cathedrals will be holding prayer vigils to pray for these important discussions selecting the next Bishop of Leeds. On Wednesday, May 13, a prayer vigil will be at Bradford Cathedral, while on Thursday, May 14, one will be at Ripon Cathedral, with all welcome to come along and pray about the choosing of our next bishop. Read more here

Churches across the diocese will have the chance to access national net zero funding by completing the Energy Footprint Tool (EFT). The Church of England’s EFT uses gas, electricity and other fuel bills covering January–December 2025, as well as basic details about church buildings, to build a clearer picture of carbon use and helps all act more strategically. Read more here

Holy Trinity Skipton and Christ Church New Mill have recently completed works on their churches to become greener and more efficient, and are looking to share what they’ve learned as part of a national Demonstrator Church project. These churches have completed their works as part of the national Demonstrator Churches project run by the Church of England. Read more here

The Diocese of Leeds has published new guidance on Quinquennial Inspections, which has been created as part of the work of the Church Buildings Team, drawing on feedback from parishes across the diocese. All churches and many licensed places of worship are legally required to be inspected by a suitably qualified architect or building surveyor every five years. Read more here

One of our Bradford area churches is brighter and greener, thanks to new LED lights supported in part by the Diocese of Leeds. St Andew’s Keighley have recently replaced their old, expensive and unreliable halogen spotlights with some 60 LED spotlights and 2 LED floodlights. Read more here

One of our Leeds area schools has been described as ‘an oasis of calm, care and love within the community which it diligently serves’ in its recent SIAMS inspection. Inspectors highlighted the strong Christian values, warm relationships and inclusive ethos that run through every aspect of school life at Christ Church Upper Armley CE Primary School, a member of Abbey Multi Academy Trust. Read 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.

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.

For strengthening connections between church, home and school. This hub will explore how to run prayer spaces in your local schools. We will consider the benefits of prayer spaces for schools and their wider communities, how to set up initial prayer spaces, build a volunteer team, communicate with staff and parents, and plan helpful followon events. 

In this introductory session, we will explore why prayer spaces are a valuable way to serve your local school community, hear stories from prayer spaces run across our diocese, and share training opportunities to equip you to run prayer spaces in your parish.

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

As a diocese we are exploring how we can support churches in helping people to grow in formation and discipleship. 

All are welcome to join the Rt Revd Malcolm Chamberlain, Bishop of Wakefield, and the Revd Canon Jude Smith, Diocesan Director of Mission and Revitalisation, for an open conversation on Tuesday, May 12 online about what has been fruitful in guiding people to a deeper life of faith. 

This is a facilitated conversation where we are seeking to explore good practice, answer questions together and begin to think about how we as a diocese can help churches increasingly become places where everyone can develop a deep and fruitful relationship with God. 

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

An online training session for PCC members, clergy, churchwardens and anyone involved the care of church buildings. Hosted by the Church Buildings Team, topics covered will include; working with your Quinquennial Inspector, interpreting your inspection report and permissions processes.

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

A day for anyone from the UKME/GMH community wondering whether God is calling them to ministry in the Church of England.

To register interest please email wayne.simmonds@leeds.anglican.org.

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.

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.

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.

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. The total cost will be £400, excluding sundries.

To book your place please email taize@leeds.anglican.org by Sunday, May 31.

Find out more here.

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.

ReSource has a particular calling to support spiritual renewal in 'little, local, ordinary' churches. These churches form the backbone of the Church but sometimes we feel isolated and dry. This day is for anyone who thirsts for more. Led by Revd Jolyon Trickey and others, this day is an opportunity for teams and individuals to:

• worship and encounter God afresh
• renew of faith in the presence and the power of the Holy Spirit
• discern how God is calling us in this particular season

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

A relaxed atmosphere. Drop in and catch up with some stunning history. Free admission; donations welcome.

All proceeds to the Churches Conservation Trust.

Click here to find out more.

A day exploring meditation for absolute beginners, seasoned practitioners and everyone in between.

Rooted in the Christian tradition and open to those of any faith or none. Tea and coffee provided, please bring

your own lunch.

It’s free, while donations towards the cost of the day will be gratefully received. For more information or to book a place please contact Revd Peter Greenwood, peter.greenwood@leeds.anglican.org.

A special evening concert by the Kirkby Lonsdale Band.

Tickets £10.00. Available from Churchwarden Rosemary Hartley by email rosemaryhartley4@gmail.com or pay at the door.

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.

The study day will explore the experiences of the project team (both before and after the rendering) of this King of Prussia award-winning (2025) conservation project, and present an opportunity for architects and surveyors

to reflect on managing changes of appearance to historic churches. DAC members, specialist masons & builders and parish representatives managing damp issues are also welcome.

Tower internal and external tours will be conducted throughout the day by the project’s masons. Appropriate attire and footwear are strongly recommended. Those entering the tower do so at their own risk.

There is no fee for the day. Refreshments and a soup lunch will be provided. Donations will be welcomed.

To book your place please visit our ticketing site here.

For rural Christians, lay and ordained.

“Being inspired by Regenerative Farming and Food Innovation”

Keynote Speaker: Dr Vincent Walsh, Managing Director of Regen Future Co

Workshops include:

• The Church of England National Environment Officer
• An Eco Church case study
• An energy efficient project in Skipton

Refreshments from 9.30am. Lunch will be provided. Finish after lunch.

RSVP by emailng GovernanceOfficer@riponcathedral.org.uk or by clicking here by Friday, May 15.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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

The Diocese of Leeds is looking for a passionate, pastoral and visionary New Congregations Lead to help support, strengthen, and grow new worshipping communities across the Diocese. This is an exciting opportunity to shape the future of mission and discipleship within the mixed ecology of the Church of England. As part of the Barnabas Programme Team, you’ll work with colleagues across mission, discipleship, and leadership development to ensure new congregations have the pathways, resources, and support they need to flourish. Find out more about this role here

The Diocese of Leeds is seeking a passionate and creative Lay Training Officer to join our dedicated team, empowering lay ministry and lifelong discipleship across our diverse and vibrant communities. As part of the Diocesan Lay Training Team, you will play a key role in developing and delivering high-quality training pathways for lay ministers and disciples. You will manage and support volunteer tutors, contribute to innovative learning initiatives—including hybrid and online training—and work collaboratively within the wider Formation Team to encourage Christian confidence in our churches. Find out more about this role here

Wakefield Cathedral and Sheffield Cathedral are looking for a shared, 0.8FTE (28 hours per week) Safeguarding Support Officer to undertake effective administration and liaison about safeguarding practice in both cathedrals. This is a rare opportunity to make a real contribution to two organisations at the heart of their local communities which work with people of all ages and backgrounds. 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 May 21. All news stories to communications@leeds.anglican.org. Many thanks!