Diocesan Enews
Welcome to the Enews for 7 May

Welcome to the latest Enews with resources, news and more.
Click on headlines or pictures for more details.  
Contact  enews@leeds.anglican.org  with your news. 
News
VE Day will be marked in many ways across the diocese and our three cathedrals will hold online events to mark the 75th anniversary of the end of the Second World War in Europe. Prayers and readings will be offered during the individual digital broadcasts. Bishop Nick is to provide an address for the short services on Friday, May 8. Read more here
The Archbishop of York will speak at a virtual service from Ripon Cathedral to mark the 75th anniversary of VE Day on Friday morning. The Most Rev Rt Hon Dr John Sentamu, will give a brief reflection and a blessing and said: “I hope that we can use this opportunity to remember all those who have made sacrifices during past and current conflicts across the globe."  Read more here
Bishop of Ripon, the Rt Revd Dr Helen-Ann Hartley is urging us all to “spare a prayer” for our Link dioceses during the COVID-19 crisis. As Chair of the Diocesan Links oversight group Bishop Helen-Ann watches over all the work that goes on in the diocese involving our connections to dioceses across the world.  Read more here
The Diocese is proud to announce it has achieved its Bronze Eco Diocese Award. The diocese is the eighth in the country to achieve the award, thanks to our wide range of mission aimed at caring for God’s creation. Diocesan Bishop the Rt Revd Nick Baines said: “Many thanks for the commitment and hard work which is recognised by this award." Read more here
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, has launched a free national phoneline as a simple new way to bring worship and prayer into people’s homes while church buildings are closed because of the coronavirus. Daily Hope, which is now available, offers music, prayers and reflections as well as full worship services from the Church of En gland at the end of a telephone line. Read more here
A virtual big breakfast is being cooked up at a church near Bradford in support of Christian Aid Week. While the coronavirus pandemic means that Christian Aid Week, taking place on Sunday, May 10 to Saturday, May 16, will be different, churches across the diocese are being invited to stand in solidarity with the world’s most vulnerable people in new and innovative ways. Read more here
A Harrogate church has kept people fed during the lockdown, with 1000 hot meals served in April alone. St Peter’s Harrogate has been serving food from the West Door of the church, making sure folk can have a hot breakfast and, since lockdown began, an evening meal. Read more here
A message of hope has been shared by folk from St John’s Yeadon, in the form of a congregational collage. The church wanted to do something together to keep alive the sense of being a family and to encourage one another, and that could be used as a way of proclaiming God’s love to the local community. Read more here
Christian leaders including Bishop Toby and Dean of Bradford Cathedral, Jerry Lepine have written a letter of support to Bradford's Muslim community at the start of Ramadan. COVID-19 social distancing rules mean iftars, the traditional mass family gatherings to mark the end of the day's fasting, should not currently take place. Read more here
Lay and clergy from across the diocese came together to take part in an online Q & A, offering people the opportunity to ask digital related questions and share how their church has adapted to the computer screen during the COVID-19 pandemic.  Read more here
Eldwick Church’s lawn has been turned into a prayer field to help provide spiritual and emotional support for the area. A container of knitted blooms made by members of the congregation is available, and anyone passing can “plant” a flower as a prayer for themselves, family, or friends.  Read more here
VE Day - Bishop Nick Baines
75 years ago, on 8 May 1945, the Second World War ended with the unconditional surrender of the fascist Nazi regime. It brought to a conclusion a conflict that cost the lives of an estimated fifty million people. The war continued in the Far East, but the consequences of this most appalling conflict were suffered for many years into the future.

It is right that we celebrate the sacrifice, courage and determination of those who fought, who kept the country running, and who made the really hard political and military decisions when they had no guarantee of victory or vindication.

What is clear is that those emerging from the war did not romanticise the past. Bloodshed and sacrifice left no one with the luxury of wishing they could go back to some golden era of 1930s freedom. They knew what the first decades of the twentieth century had bred, and they knew that the task now was to give birth to a new world. The ending of the war became the beginning of a new challenge, and everyone had to play their part in shaping what was to come.

Many people had to shape this new world without the securities of familiarity or certainty. Many came back wounded in body or mind by what they had experienced. Husbands, wives and children had been killed. Yet, those who emerged from the horrors took responsibility for what would come next. And that included forming alliances that bound countries and people together in a common commitment to peace.

This year we mark VE Day in the midst of a virus pandemic. The challenge might be different, but there are similarities in terms of how we respond. When we read the Bible we see accounts of people who set out into the unknown, following the call of God. No guarantees, no certainties … other than that God would be faithful and we must work with reality (not some fantasy or regret).

It is too early to say what will happen next. But, we can mark VE Day with confidence that with God there is always “newness after loss”.


Rt Revd Nicholas Baines
Bishop of Leeds
Events
On our website we have made a list of the church services and events being live streamed across our diocese. This is so anyone in our area is able to find their neares t live streamed Sunday service or prayer meeting. Follow this link to vie w the list and email communications@leeds.anglican.org if you want your church to feature.
An exchange trip, taking young people from Leeds to visit the link Diocese of Southwestern Virginia in the USA, will be taking place in July and August 2021. It is a great opportunity to meet other young people and participate in a variety of different experiences. Young people should be aged between 16-18 and it requires fundraising of £1500. To apply please follow this link and i f you have any questions, please email: virginiayouthexchange@leeds.anglican.org
Practical Tips on Video Presentation
On Thursday, May 21 at 10am there is an opportunity for clergy and lay leaders, involved in delivering online services, to join a Zoom Q & A offering practical tips on video presentation. The session will feature Robin Gamble, Church Growth Adviser for the diocese, who has lots of experience when it comes to featuring on camera. To book a place please send an email to communications@leeds.anglican.org
On Wednesday, May 20 at 7.30pm there is an opportunity for those involved in maintaining an online presence at their church to join a Zoom Q & A. Organised by our social and digital media officer, it will offer a space to ask and discuss questions. Topics discussed will include live streaming, social media and the use of websites. To book a place please send an email to communications@leeds.anglican.org
The Diocese of Leeds Communications Team are offering a series of online training courses, starting on May 14th. Sessions exploring social media and the use of video were originally plann ed to take place at Church House and have now been taken online in light of the pandemic. Follow this link to find out more and book a place.
Resources
The Diocesan Education Team have been involved in the new national Church of England initiative, Faith at Home. The campaign is aimed at equipping households to ex plore and grow in faith through inspirational experiences grounded in the new daily normal of the home. It will support school leaders, church leaders and parents by providing experiences, resources and guidance. It can be accessed here.

The 11 week programme will explore themes including Hope, Love, Humanity including one which Leeds DBE have contributed to the resourcing of on Courage.  The Education Team are also providing fortnightly ‘mini training’ communications to schools, to support staff and governors. The first one launched this week, foregrounds Faith at Home and can be found here.
Our Children, Young people and Families Team have gathered a number of great resources on the Digital Learning Platform, to support and equip parents, children, young people and church youth leaders during this time of physical distancing. Find and access the resources here.
Christian Aid Week 2020 goes digital. Since 1957 the week has brought communities together in action and prayer and while the coronavirus pandemic means Christian Aid Week 2020 (May 10-16) will be different, churches across the diocese are being invited to stand in solidarity with the world’s most vulnerable p eople in new and innovative ways. Follow this link to find their virtual fundraising resources.
Thy Kingdom Come is a global prayer movement that invites Christians around the world to pray for more people to come to know Jesus. This year it will be taking place for 11 days from Thursday, May 21 to Sunday, May 31. Follow this link to find out more about the ways your church can get involved this year.
The latest edition of Money For Mission, produced by our stewardship, income generation and finance teams is now available. Here they hope to answer some of the questions you may have around church finances and provide useful resources and information. Follow this link to read it.
A new COVID-19 web page, designed to give easy access to information and resources regarding coronavirus, has now been created on our website. It can be accessed via the banner on the home page and contains links to Church of England advice for parishes, clerg y and worshippers, plus downloadable material from the national church. Read more here
Due to overwhelming demand, Spring Harvest are pleased to announce that they will continue to provide as much content as possible from Spri ng Harvest Home through their YouTube channel , at least until the end of May, and all still for free. They really hope that it will be a blessing to you, your families and churches.
A great variety of resources, online training and learning communities can be found on the Diocese of Leeds Digital Learning Platform - and you ca n join up now by visiting it and registering here
The latest edition of the Prayer Diary is now online to download.There are fresh prayers for Sudan as well as prayers for Tanzania. Download prayers here.
Media
 .. .is the name of Bishop Nick's blog and his most recent entries can be viewed here .
Lighthouse is a fresh expression of church based in the centre of Leeds, which reaches out to those battered and bruised by the storms of life. Here is a video, offering a glimpse into all the amazing work they have continued to do to serve and support people during the COVID-19 pandemic. Watch it here
Sunday, May 3rd was Vocation Sunday in churches worldwide. Here is a message from Derek Walmsley, ou r Diocesan Director of Ordinations and Vocations. Watch the video here
Here is a video from St Matts, Leeds who are playing their p art in the Burley community of Leeds to support those in need during COVID-19. Watch their video here
Here are some top tips from our Digital and Social Media Officer, Richard, on how to live stream effectively at home . Watch their video here
Robin Gamble, the Bishop's Advisor for Church Growth in the Diocese of Leeds, has started a new series of Youtube talks looking at the stories and life of Jesus, and how it resonates with us at this cornavirus time.  View the most recent one here.
Vacancies
The Governors at Hipswell Church of England Primary School wish to appoint an inspirational Headteacher for this rewarding leadership role. The school is seeking a strong leader and team player who will build on existing strengths to ensure the school achieves its ambitions for excellence and success at every level.  Find out more here
Useful links & Information
For safeguarding issues, contact: 
Jenny Price 07800 740001 
Jenny Leccardi  07872 005189 or
 Narinder Lyon  07872 005309
Moves and Appointments

Revd Amanda Grant to be Interim Priest-in-Charge of Shelley and Bishop of Huddersfield’s officer for work with children and young people.

Revd Dr Erik Peeters to be Priest in Charge of the Parish of Christ the King, Battyeford (0.7) in the Huddersfield EA and a Lay Training Officer (0.3).

Rev’d Tom Bates-Bourne to be Associate Priest in the Benefices of Grimethorpe with Bierley, Ryhill and South Kirby (Wakefield EA).
Useful Contact Details
The Who's Who directory lists clergy & diocesan staff (email addresses & phone numbers). Access it here  
Contact us with your news
Please contact the Communications Team with your news for future editions. The e-news is published twice a month. The next edition will be sent out on May 21. Area news stories to enews@leeds.anglican.org   
© Anglican Diocese of Leeds, 2020
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