Projects from our Diocese are spreading some magic this Christmas and beyond and have been featured in a special Christmas blog post by the Church of England today...you can read it here....

How inter faith groups are helping refugees, the vulnerable and the isolated over Christmas

Muslim groups in London were in the news this week for donating 10 tonnes of food to help feed the homeless at Christmas in centres organised by the charity Crisis. Here we examine how the faith communities, including Christians and Muslims, are working together over the Christmas period to provide meals and hampers to groups including refugees, the isolated and the elderly and vulnerable. 

Christmas dinner organised by Muslim charities

Muslim charities in Bradford are brightening up Christmas for lonely Christians and being helped by the Bishop of Bradford, the Right Revd Toby Howarth, writes Chris Tate, Director of Communications for Leeds Diocese.

A free Christmas Dinner is being offered to elderly Christians who would otherwise be alone on Christmas Day, said Sofia Buncy, northern community development officer for the charity Muslim Hands.

”The day consists of carol singing, a Christmas meal and seasonal fun at Bradford’s Khidmat centre, where we will be joined by the Bishop of Bradford, Toby Howarth and his family, representatives from the Sikh and Hindu community and of course Khidmat centre volunteers,” she said.

“Christmas is a special time for everyone and it’s awful to think people might be alone.

“And in Bradford the faith communities really do support and help each other  – all the time and with a humbleness.”

In a separate initiative, Christmas hampers are being sent out to refugee and asylum seeker families, so they can have a family meal together with dignity in their homes.

Bishop Toby said he was looking forward to lending a hand in another example of multi-faith co-operation in Bradford.

“There are so many people joining together, simply to do some good in this city and beyond,” he said.

Christmas dinner prepared by an inter faith group of cooks

Every Christmas, the table at All Hallows Leeds groans with food saved from landfill by the Real Junk Food Project or simply left on the vicarage doorstep, like the two ready prepared ducks last Christmas Eve, as if Father Christmas himself had visited.

For there is a touch of magic at work here in this inner city Leeds church. To the outside, they might appear a haphazard group of people thrust together by circumstance and proximity, but look closer and there is deep seated friendship and love. These are refugees from Iran, North Africa, Saudia Arabia and the Mediterranean; students, some Hindus and vulnerable and disadvantaged local people all living alongside the established Muslim community of Hyde Park including  the Syrian community of Leeds. 

Some found their way here looking for a conversation class to improve their English, others because they knew they could get a decent meal five days a week in exchange for washing up in the community cafe or a spot of gardening. 

There was a big impromptu party last week when news that two members of the church family– one Syrian Muslim, one Saudi Arabian Muslim - had finally been granted Leave to Remain after a long ten year campaign. While local people packed into the church to celebrate this joy, many others still wait to hear their future. Joy and sorrow are close bedfellows at All Hallows. 

And on Christmas Day morning, while the church celebrates the birth of Jesus, Muslim, Jewish and Christian friends will be hard at work together in the kitchen chopping and preparing the lunch. For this most special day in the Christian calendar is a day for community, when ten or twelve big tables will be pushed together, 120 chairs nudged up close and the most wonderful feast shared by people from across the miles, across community, across faiths, and across cultures.

Pictured above is Shabab, who, with his wife, Samia and son, Ishmail, they launched their first Punjabi bistro at the community cafe in All Hallows last week - and had a treat in store when the three of them were introduced to the Real Junk Food warehouse to source their ingredients with All Hallows vicar, Revd Heston Groenewald. 

- Jane Bower is part of the communications team in Leeds Diocese

What does 2017 hold for us? Do we approach it with trepidation or with hope? It's a question which is touched on by our bishops in two New Year's messages. 

The Bishop of Leeds, the Rt Revd Nick Baines, who will be on BBC Radio York’s breakfast programme on New Year’s Day looks forward to the coming year:

There are few people who will not be sad to see the back of 2016. It was a traumatic year for many reasons, and brought us face to face with some uncomfortable truths about human nature and behaviour.

But, Christians are a forward-looking people: we look to learn from and build upon the past, but we look to the future. And here we are realists: we are given no guarantees, but we are tempted by hope. It is hope in the risen Christ that draws us through the present and into the future, firing our minds and imaginations to live hopefully even when the world is struggling. And we are committed to get stuck in – in our family, our community, our region and nation, and our wider world.

Whatever 2017 will bring us – for good or ill – we might remember the words of Isaiah who spoke of God having “engraved us on the palms of his hands”. May 2017 be blessed and may we be a blessing to it.

Just returned from visiting the Holy Land, the Bishop of Wakefield, Tony Robinson has written in the January edition of the Leeds diocesan bulletin. He reflects on the Christian hope for the future.

2016 has certainly been a year of highs and lows for the world. We have celebrated the 90th birthday of our monarch; we have a new Prime Minster following the referendum on the European Union, the United States of America has elected a new President for the next four years but the number of conflicts and disputes continues into another year, not least the awful civil war in Syria and the fight against extremists and terrorists.

There will always be challenges facing the world, our country, the Church of England and our own lives. Life has always been so and will be no different in 2017. As usual when you start looking back over every year it is good to focus on the highlights and then, hopefully learn from the lows. Then we need to look forward with hope and faith that 2017 will be a year of adventure, love, happiness, good health and prosperity. We must always hope too that with whatever comes our way we handle it with dignity, strength and pride.

We live in a world of so much hopelessness, despair and depression. It is important to ask what is the basis for our hope. Why do we hope? People can use the word hope in a lot of different ways: "I hope that I get a certain gift for my birthday. I hope that my candidate wins the election. I hope that scientists will find a cure for Alzheimers." We all have different hopes, but what does it mean to have Christian hope?

St. Paul  tells us today that everything in the Bible was written so that we might have hope. By hope we become new men and women. In hope we are saved. To live our lives, we need hope.

Making a wish for the New Year, is the same as having hope.

An unusual exhibition has gone on display at the Washburn Heritage Centre adjoining St Michael and St Lawrence church in Fewston, near Harrogate, documenting a major scientific study of the lives of 154 local people from the 19th century who were buried in the churchyard.

The Bishop of Leeds, Rt Revd Nick Baines opened the Churchyard Secrets Revealed exhibition at the weekend, meeting families and descendants of those who were the subject of  the seven year study by scientists from Durham and York Universities.

Last year a special service (pictured right) was held to mark the reburiel of artifacts and remains known as the ‘Fewston Assemblage’  which has been carefully moved and examined during the building of the Washburn Heritage Centre. Local descendants of those whose remains were discovered, were involved throughout the project and took part in the service  for all those whose remains have now been returned to burial plots beside the church.

As part of the exhibition documenting the findings, a series of illustrated talks will be given over the next three months at the Washburn Heritage Centre by some of the team involved in the research.   Dr Anwen Caffell , a bio-archologist from  York University, will speak on ‘From bare bones to biographies – investigating life in the Valley’ on February 23rd while Drs Camilla Speller, Michelle Alexander and Rebecca Gowland will be explaining about what the research has thrown up about life in the Washburn Valley, in another talk in March, ‘Tales from teeth and toenails’ .

Dr Caffell says the scientific findings, revealed in the new exhibition, were only possible because of the involvement and support of the local community:  “Having the support of the local descendants was very important.  We have been coming back here quite regularly and giving talks about the results of our findings over the past five years, so they have been with us every step of the way. But it’s been a two-way street and they have been telling us information about the local context, there are lots of volunteers here doing historical research on the identified individuals… from our perspective that has been very rewarding.”

The exhibition and talks, as well as an accompanying booklet and short film have been made possible with support from the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Liz and Terry Bramall Foundation.  More information and details at www.washburnvalley.org

The new deaneries of the Bradford Episcopal Area will be officially recognised and celebrated in a service at Bradford Cathedral this weekend.

The map of Bradford Episcopal Area has been redrawn with four new deaneries (or administrative areas) coming into being on January 1st. At Bradford Cathedral this Sunday January 15th at 4pm, the four Area Deans who will have responsibility for each area will be licensed in a special service of celebration.

Leading the service will be the Bishop of Leeds, Rt Revd Nick Baines and the Area Bishop of Bradford, Rt Revd Toby Howarth. Music will be led by Clayton Worship Band and the Cathedral Choir.

From the New Year, Bradford parishes are now  grouped into the deaneries of Inner Bradford (in red on the map), Outer Bradford (in blue), Aire and Worth (in green) and South Craven and Wharfedale (in yellow).

Leading each deanery and being licensed at Bradford Cathedral this Sunday are the four Area Deans: the Revd Canon Alistair Helm, Vicar of Manningham – Deanery of Inner Bradford; the Revd Vaughan Pollard, Vicar of Clayton – Deanery of Outer Bradford; the Revd Sandra Benham, Incumbent of Baildon; – Deanery of Aire and Worth; and the Revd Canon Philip Gray, Vicar, Ilkley St Margaret – Deanery of South Craven and Wharfedale.

The new deaneries replace the five former deaneries of Airedale, Bowling and Horton, Bradford North, Ilkley and Keighley.

The changes will mean similar parishes can work together more effectively, according to the Bishop of Bradford, Rt. Revd Toby Howarth:  “We needed to create a new deanery structure, as two of our existing deaneries had been divided across different episcopal areas and were significantly smaller than the others.

“The new model addresses this issue, but also goes further. The new deaneries are not only geographically focussed, but also offer mutual support in mission to parishes and clergy in similar contexts.”

Deaneries play an important part in the organisation of the church. Defined as a group of neighbouring parishes forming an administrative area, each deanery is overseen by an Area Dean (ordained) and a Lay Chair (not ordained) and has clergy and elected lay representatives from the parishes on the Deanery Synod.  The Deanery Chapter of clergy provides pastoral support and the sharing of ideas while the Deanery Synod is an important forum for exchanging views, electing representatives to the Diocesan Synod and also to the General Synod, the legislative body of the Church of England.

The parishes will be grouped into the new deaneries as follows:

Deanery of Inner Bradford

Bankfoot; St Stephen Bowling; Bowling St John; St Augustine Undercliffe, Bradford; St Clement, Bradford; St Peter, Bradford; Bradford St Wilfrid with St Columba; St Oswald Chapel Green; Frizinghall; St Philip Girlington; Great Horton; St Martin Heaton; St Barnabas Heaton; All Saints Horton; Manningham; St Margaret Thornbury; Toller Lane St Chad; and St James the Great, Woodhall.

Deanery of Outer Bradford

 St Peter Allerton; Bierley; St James with St Chrysostom, Bolton; St John the Baptist Clayton; St Luke Eccleshill; St Saviour, Fairweather Green; Holy Trinity Idle; St John the Evangelist Greengates; Low Moor; Oakenshaw; Holy Trinity Queensbury; Shelf St Michael with Buttershaw St Aidan; Thornton; St John the Divine Thorpe Edge; Tong and Laisterdyke; Wibsey, St Paul; St Cuthbert Wrose; and Wyke.

Deanery of Aire and Worth

Baildon; All Saints Bingley; Holy Trinity Bingley; St Michael and All Angels, Cottingley; St James, Cross Roads cum Lees; Cullingworth; Denholme; Harden; St Michael, Haworth; Ingrow with Hainworth; Keighley; Morton; Oakworth; Oxenhope; Riddlesden, St Mary; St Paul Shipley; St Peter Shipley; St Stephen Steeton; Christ Church Windhill; and Wilsden.

Deanery of South Craven and Wharfedale

Addingham; St John Ben Rhydding; Burley; St John the Evangelist, Cononley with Bradley; Cowling; Ilkley All Saints; St Margaret Ilkley; Kildwick; Christ Church Lothersdale; St John the Divine, Menston with Woodhead; St James Silsden; and St Thomas Sutton.

Bishop Nick, who is patron of St Gemma’s Hospice in Leeds, will be taking part in their Light up a Life Appeal on Sunday 4 December.

The event gives people the opportunity to dedicate a light and pay tribute to someone they love.

St Gemma’s say, “Thousands of lights shine on special trees, each light in memory of those we love who continue to illuminate our lives. You can choose to dedicate multiple lights, each for a donation of your choice. You will receive a memorial card bearing the name of each person remembered in this special way”.

The service takes place in the car park of St Gemma's Hospice on Sunday 4 December. There’s also a second ceremony on Wednesday 14 December, 6.30pm at Immaculate Heart Church, 294 Harrogate Road, Moortown, Leeds, LS17 6LE.

if you are unable to attend, St Gemma’s also have home packs for people to remember a loved one at home. 

For more information please contact Kirsty or phone 0113 218 5506.  Book here

Speaking in today's (Thursday's) House of Lords debate on the "challenges to a liberal international order posed by the development of populism and nationalism", Bishop Nick warned against both a complacent sense of superiority and the corruption of language, and he called for new "narratives of hope."

This House takes note of challenges to the liberal international order posed by the development of populism and nationalism around the world.

This is an important debate because it invites us to go behind the popular terms of discourse and to identify some of the philosophical dynamics at play in contemporary political developments.

The excellent Library Note makes it clear that language matters – that definition of terms is not incidental. Populism is clearly more than a movement of people who listen only to the facts that support the prejudices they have already nurtured; but, it can exploit assertive language in such a way as to obscure truth.

And this is what I wish to focus on here. Whereas others will discuss the importance of a rules-based international order, I want to say something about language in a post-truth or post-factual world, and pose a couple of questions about the assumptions we make regarding history.

The United Kingdom (as illustrated by the unfortunate reference of the Foreign Secretary yesterday) has defined itself by its share in the defeat of fascism in the twentieth century. Have we moved on? If we assume that our domestic order has been defined for ever by a past victory, we should not be surprised when our complacency finds itself undermined by events that are not trapped in that same narrative. Democracy and the rule of law are not natural and immutable givens, but are goals for which we must struggle in each generation.

This is why the narratives that guide our self-understanding as a nation among nations on a very small planet in a very large universe matter so much. It is why the UK seeing itself through the lens of a long-gone empire is so facile. It is why seeing Germany simply through the lens of Adolf Hitler is ridiculous. It is why illusions of power are dangerous when they shape language and rhetoric that are heard differently by other audiences. We need new narratives for the contemporary world – narratives of hope rooted in an authentic anthropology that takes seriously the destructive elements of human nature (what used to be known as ‘sin’).

Western liberalism has become complacent about its own self-evident superiority. It is arguable that the proper balance between individual rights and concerns for the common good has not been established. I would argue that this complacency has contributed to the sense of alienation and detachment being seen in what is being called political populism. Progress is not inevitable; it is not true that things can only get better; human rights cannot be assumed to be self-evidently right. Battles for peace, order and social cohesion are not won once and for ever. The tendency to entropy is powerful and finds it easier to pull down rather than build up.

The sorts of populism we see now (and I am trying not to load the term beyond the observation that certain demagogues claim to speak on behalf of ‘the people’) are destructive precisely because they evidently collude in destruction without a compelling vision for what should be constructed. Hence, we have seen a referendum campaign fuelled by lies, misrepresentation and an easy readiness to abuse language.

Who are the elites? Especially when they are being condemned or ridiculed by public school and Oxbridge-educated journalist-politicians who command six-figure incomes above and beyond their basic salary, and who will, whatever the outcome of Brexit, not suffer greatly? Why does it not matter that promises can be made in a referendum campaign that simply get dismissed within hours of that campaign ending? Can liberal order survive the corruption of language and the reduction of truth or fact to mere political convenience or expediency? It is not a game.

Tomorrow sees the inauguration of a US President for whom truth is a commodity to be traded. Direct contradiction of what is proven fact is loudly asserted without shame or embarrassment. I make no comment or judgement about his ability to govern the United States or contribute intelligently and wisely to the establishment of a just international order; I simply observe that the corruption of language and truth is in itself dangerous for everyone.

This debate is about the challenges to the liberal international order posed by the development of populism and nationalism around the world. The liberal international order is not a natural given or an inevitable right. It begs as many questions (of inherent legitimacy) as it addresses. Populism and nationalism are not new phenomena, and their development is a constant in societies that feel uncertain or have lost the security found in a clear sense of common or mutual identity. The particular danger of today’s developments around the world is that instability is far easier to create than stability; that order is fragile and chaos a tempting attraction; that the spectre haunting Europe and the world has little to do with ‘what the people – whoever they are – want’ and much to do with how they can be manipulated into thinking that what they are told they want is in fact what is good for them. The anti-elitist anti-establishmentarians are perpetrating a fraud in their elitist and self-promoting rhetorics. But, they will not be the people to pay the price.

I suspect that the order of the past is being challenged by the threat or promise of a new order. It is essential that we articulate a compelling vision for an order that serves the common good, shapes a good society and resists the claims of a post-truth rhetoric which tells us lying is acceptable as a means to an end.

On Saturday, Bishop Nick took part in two sessons on the opening day of the year-long Belief and Beyond Belief Festival at London’s Southbank Centre.

The first session was ambitiously titled, “What’s it all about? The search for the meaning of life”.

In a panel chaired by broadcaster Abdul Rehman Malik, Bishop Nick was joined by Mona Siddiqui, Richard Holloway (former Bishop of Edinburgh) and psychiatrist Dr Chetna Kang to discuss "the ways humanity has sought to understand the mysteries of existence and live a good life".

Bishop Nick said a Christian understanding of the meaning of life starts with Genesis 1-11 where order is brought out of chaos, and he said that all Christian ethics start from the belief that humans are made in the image of God – that’s why we have inherent meaning.

In answer to the question, ‘Has religion become ossified?’ he said, “Certainty isn’t the preserve of those who have faith. But while we do have certain fixed points, they shouldn’t constrain us. Everyone has a world view, an understanding of the meaning of life that needs to expand and keep being reshaped – if we don’t change we stagnate.”

He said faith shouldn’t be compartmentalised; it does relate to the world. We need to have the courage to explore and engage with all aspects of life, including politics.

But, using the analogy of jazz music, he said that that exploration still happens within parameters: “Jazz appears free and random, but it isn’t, you need to know the choral framework and who’s leading - it doesn’t just happen”.

Asked about faith in the context of Western capitalism, Bishop Nick said, “I have said to economists, 'when we’ve finished measuring everything, then what? So what?' We need to run counter to an individualistic, materialistic society which sees people merely as commodities.

"At the heart of Christianity is the teaching that you find yourself by giving yourself away.”

The panellists were also asked about their belief about the end of life.

Mona Siddiqui said, “We may have to come to terms with the fact that there are no answers.But I’ve learnt that you don’t experience meaning in life without loss, and that the only thing that really matters in life is relationships. The only thing you leave behind you when you die is not what you said or what you did, but how you made people feel.

“I also gain appeasement from practising gratitude, which doesn’t come naturally, but I think should be practised as a faith discipline".

Richard Holloway (left) said he didn’t know if there was any ultimate meaning, but one of the advantages of faith systems is the notion of confession and self examination. He said, “One of the real tragedies of life is to die without self-knowledge; without really knowing who you are”.

Bishop Nick said, “Judgement is fundamentally about justice: if we’re not accountable, why does anything ultimately matter?”

Q: What do the painter, Ashley Jackson and our own Diocesan Bishop have in common:

A: They are both speakers on an inspirational series of lectures and discussions to be held in Huddersfield for Lent.

Following the success of last year’s joint Lent venture between the town’s Parish church and the University, they have teamed up again with a series of five lectures and discussions that this year will take place every Wednesday through Lent at 3pm in St Peter’s Church and again at Huddersfield University at 5.30pm.

The assistant curate, the Revd Simon Crook said: “Last year's talks were a success, not just in the numbers that came, but in the amount of lively engagement that each speaker produced.

“In teaming up with the University we managed to reach a wider audience; and this year with two convenient time slots for each speaker, we hope that an even greater number of people from across Huddersfield and beyond, and from all walks of life will come,” he added.

The series starts with Yorkshire artist, Ashley Jackson on Wed March 8 on Painting in the cathedral of the great outdoors; Dean Jeffrey John will make sense of Jesus’ miracles on March 15; Bishop John Pritchard on March 22 will look at Education today: Filling a bucket or lighting a fire?  Bishop Nick Baines on March 29 will examine: Working with the Media: playing with fire? And the final lecture of the series on April 5 will feature the Revd Katy Cunliffe on Singing and the soul: why going to the football is better than going to church.

Each lecture will take place at 3pm in St Peter’s church and again at 5.30pm in the University and will be followed by time for questions and debate.

For more contact Simon Crook on revscrook@gmail.com

Today we launch a year-long campaign to celebrate all that we are and all that we do here in the Diocese of Leeds.

Called We Are the Diocese of Leeds, this short film reveals a day in the life of our rich and varied churches as they serve their communities where they are.

Using your responses to last year’s Lent workbook when we asked you to think what Confident Christians; Growing Churches and Changing Communities meant to you in your context, you helped shape the film you see here today:

A pop-up shop in a local shopping centre, a Prize Cup for the best Blue Faced Sheep in your local agricultural show; making bread together with Year 5 pupils; chaplaincy at the local Auction Mart; serving and keeping young people safe at Leeds Fest; fresh expressions of church; craft projects; lots of community meals – and the all important everyday: worship, celebrating our Readers, flower festivals, bellringing; weddings and baptisms.

Despite our differences – from tarn to town and everywhere in between - it is clear that community is at the heart of all we do: serving those around us; whatever their need may be; connecting and showing them a loving God; a God who loves his people where they are.

Bishop Nick said: "This film is a wonderful window into the wide range of life, celebration and work done by thousands of confident Christians in diverse communities across the Diocese of Leeds. We have some inspirational people and places.

"It is hugely encouraging to see the many ways in which our churches are loving, living and learning in their communities."

Please use this film where you can – show it in your churches; your parishes; your schools, your church halls, your house groups, chapters, deaneries...where-ever you can to give people a glimpse of the life of our churches and in our church communities here in this Diocese of Leeds.

And thoughout this year we will upload a new short film every two weeks – to coincide with the e –news – telling some of the stories you see in the film  - and more - from across our Diocese.

From Nick Baines, Bishop of Leeds:

On Friday, the House of Bishops published its report on sexuality. This followed a couple of years of Shared Conversations, careful listening, discussion and debate. It is important to recognise that this process has been conducted with generosity, patience, courage and integrity by many participants. That discipline has been important.

As the report notes, not everybody will read it with agreement. Many will be hurt that their hoped-for resolution has not been commended. Others will be relieved at the line taken by the bishops.

I urge that the report be read in full, and I commend it to clergy and congregations for discussion. Please note that the report is to be debated in February by the General Synod – a debate that promises to be vigorous. It is inevitable that some of those disappointed by the report will feel that they have not been heard; but, not to have been agreed with is not the same as not having been listened to or understood.

The report is not intended to be the last word on sexuality, but to focus the further discussion as the church continues to wrestle with matters that are close to our lives and consciences, bringing theology, biblical hermeneutics, ethics and pastoral relationship together. Holding together the very different perspectives on each of these is not a simple task.

Please continue to pray for the General Synod as it debates the report and the House of Bishops as it considers how to take the next steps. Though contentious, these are aimed at establishing the principle of maximum freedom within the present legal framework. The next steps will involve working out what this might look like.

The bishops believe it is time to produce a new and major piece of work on marriage and relationships. Furthermore, we need to provide guidance to clergy who seek to meet the pastoral needs of LGBT people and same sex couples. We need to reconsider the guidance given to bishops who are required to speak with clergy and ordinands about matters that touch on their personal lives. It is vital that all voices are heard as we proceed.

Please continue to pray for grace and wisdom for all involved in this, especially our LGBT brothers and sisters who will feel most affected by this ongoing conversation.

The Rt Revd Nicholas Baines
Bishop of Leeds

More here.

The new Area Deans of the Ripon Episcopal Area have been welcomed and licensed at a service in Ripon Cathedral  at the weekend led by the Bishop of Leeds, Nick Baines.  

At the service of Evensong, five of the six new Area Deans were welcomed as they received their licenses of office (left to right):  the Reverend Canon Ian Greenhalgh was licensed as  Area Dean of Bowland and Ewecross,  the Reverend John Smith as  Area Dean of Harrogate, the Reverend Yvonne Callaghan as Area Dean of Richmond, and the Reverend Ruth Harris as Area Dean of Skipton. (The Revd Canon Barry Pike, the Area Dean of Ripon was unable to attend the service because of illness.)

One of the Area Deans, the Reverend Michael Hepper (pictured right and below), Area Dean of Wensley was also installed as an Honorary Canon during the service, along with a new Capitular Canon, Mr Andrew Kitchingman who has been appointed as Ripon Cathedral’s Canon Treasurer.   

The two new cathedral canons are pictured outside with the Church in the Dale trailer. Canon Michael Hepper has had a leading part to play in developing the trailer which is now used widely in market towns and at joint church events throughout the Episcopal Area.

At the same service Andrew Norman was welcomed and licensed as the new Diocesan Director of Ministry and Mission – read more here.

Also welcomed to Ripon was the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Personal Representative to Rome, the Most Revd. David Moxon, who paid his respects to the memory of a former Bishop of Ripon and met with supporters of the Anglican Centre in Rome of which he is the Director – more here.

The Archbishop of Canterbury’s Personal Representative to Rome, the Most Revd. David Moxon, was welcomed to Ripon Cathedral at the weekend , meeting with supporters of the Anglican Centre in Rome, and taking part in a service for the Ripon Episcopal Area at which Area Deans were welcomed and licensed.

Archbishop Moxon is the Director of the Anglican Centre in Rome – founded 50 years ago in 1966 by the then Bishop of Ripon, Bishop John Moorman after whom the Anglican Centre’s library is named. 

Pictured are the Dean of Ripon, the Very Revd John Dobson, Bishop of Leeds, Rt Revd Nick Baines, and the Most Revd David Moxon at the memorial to Bishop Moorman in the St Peter’s Chapel of Ripon Cathedral.

Archbishop Moxon met with  supporters and friends of the Anglican Centre and concluded the  informal meeting with a moment of reflection around the memorial to Bishop Moorman.

The Anglican Centre’s library (pictured right) was opened in 1966 by Bishop Moorman, an instrumental force in the setting up of the Anglican Centre. Bishop Moorman was a prominent ecumenist, whose knowledge of Italian, Latin, and Christian history made him the perfect man to be the Anglican observer at the Second Vatican Council.

The Anglican Centre is the permanent Anglican Communion presence in Rome. Describing the Centre, Archbishop Moxon said, “It is the living reality of our Communion’s commitment to the full visible unity of the Church, working collaboratively with all Christians for justice and peace in the world.   The Centre was integral to the establishment of a multi-faith anti-slavery network, working to combat human trafficking, engaging with churches and agencies in Italy … The Centre seeks to bring down barriers of misunderstanding between Anglicans and Catholics; hosting scholars, art exhibitions, specialized courses, creating a space for hospitality and encounter.”

9.30am on 18 March 2017 at Ashville College, Harrogate.

Diocesan Synod.

9.30am on 14 October 2017 at Ashville College, Harrogate.

Diocesan Synod.

Bishop Nick Baines - Working with the media: playing with fire?

3pm St Peter's Huddersfield

5.30pm Huddersfield University

On Sunday, Bishop Nick will help St Peter’s Gildersome celebrate the 10th anniversary of The Funzi & Bodo Trust– a charity (set up by a couple from the church) which runs medical clinics and has built schools in Kenya.

22 years ago Ashley & Sara Peatfield (right) visited the beautiful Funzi Island, but were shocked by the poverty of the local people. Several years later they returned with funds to rebuild the disused medical clinic and employ a nurse. Since then the charity has grown and grown. This month it will open a physiotherapy centre for disabled children, a birthing room and a chicken farm providing eggs for malnourished children.

And in the past 10 years, The Funzi & Bodo Trust has built two clinics, two schools, two libraries, two birthing rooms, a computer training centre and built giant tanks for clean water. This week it has just received a grant to provide the first proper toilets in the village of Funzi .

Keeping the charity going means non-stop fund raising, so Ashley and Sara spend their weekends baking 250 cakes to sell at St Peter’s after the morning service .

Ashley (who is Editor of the religious output on BBC local radio stations), says, “Raising funds is a constant challenge as we are all volunteers and have no paid staff in the UK - that ensures we get the money to where it's intended. We do have 11 local employees and we've been able to help kick start 13 small businesses run by women’s groups using small loans. These range from sea weed farming to a wood cutting business.

“The Trust has done really well, but it faces pressure because of the collapse of tourism which has put many people out of business. They rely on us for health care. This year we saved the life of a small boy needing a heart operation - his Dad had lost his job as a waiter and couldn’t raise the funds needed to save his son's life. 

“So Sunday's service is a time for celebration. St Peter's congregation is very engaged with the charity and they hold many fundraising events from collecting and selling clothing to putting on big concerts. On 11 March, for example, there'll be a big comedy night at the church.”

Vicar of St Peter’s, Canon Felicity Lawson, says, “It’s a stunning story of one couple responding to human need and the fantastic fruit that’s come from that: along with the clinics and schools they’ve set up a birthing room and bought a boat for medical emergencies.”

The charity has also been endorsed by former Blue Peter and Songs of Praise presenter Diane Louise Jordan.  She says, “The Funzi and Bodo Trust baby clinic is doing an amazing job by offering medical care and educational opportunities - which will give children the chance of a better future."

The service takes place on Sunday 19 February at 10am at St Peter’s, Gildersome (LS27 7AF) and will be followed by a shared meal.

If you’d like to support the Funzi & Bodo Trust, go to www.funzi.org.uk or contact Ashley Peatfield, 0113 2526513, who is also happy to talk to church groups.

It was 700 years ago this weekend that the small town of Elland was granted its own Royal Charter by King Edward II.

On 24th February 1317, Sir John de Eland, Lord of the Manor of Eland, (the name meaning ‘cultivated land by the water’), and High Sheriff of West Yorkshire, was granted his Market Charter.

While it was by no means the beginning of recorded history for the township of Elland, with its Roman roots, and Church of St Mary the Virgin dating back to around 1180, it marked a turning point in the town’s fortunes. The Charter granted a regular weekly market and two fairs, and the town flourished, becoming a significant commercial and trading centre.

And this weekend, events to celebrate this historic occasion will take place in the Grade 1 listed St Mary’s Church – the only building still standing from that period – and home to the Charter until 1889.

The vicar of Elland, the Revd Canon David Burrows said: “'The Community of Elland are invited to come together this weekend to celebrate their roots, and to look to the future as the 700th Anniversary of the Town's Royal Charter is marked in St Mary's Church.'

Events planned include historic exhibitions and displays on the past, present and future; a quiz, trips up the tower, refreshments and light lunches.  There will be a talk on the History of the Church and Community on Saturday 25th at 2pm, a Eucharist of Thanksgiving at 11am on Sunday 26th, and then a Civic Songs of Praise with the Bishop of Leeds, Bishop Nick at 4pm, at which we shall be joined by the Lord Lieutenant and the Mayor.  

Thoughts and Prayers for Lent is a daily aid for all churchgoers to stimulate thought, prayer and study throughout Lent.

It has been compiled by clergy across the Huddersfield Deanery Area with the Bishop of Huddersfield, the Rt Revd Jonathan Gibbs and was designed for local churches to use alongside other resources, to enable congregations to participate actively during Lent.

Alongside someone’s daily prayer each ‘thought’ has the potential to stimulate your own study of the readings for any given Sunday. The day by day contemplation could be used in a house group setting or for private prayer and study.

It is hoped that the Sunday readings are read as a reference and then some time of quiet, before using the thought and guided reflection.

For example:

Monday 27 February

How on earth to get through Lent without bragging or wearing a badge saying 'I am a Lent martyr!'

Look at the model of Jesus himself.
His wilderness experience was focussed at
each point on God. Jesus deflects the call to test God or look towards self or something else as divine.

This Lent may you keep focussed on God's call to salvation now and on into the future.

The resources are for anyone to use, and were a joint project between the Revd Sarah Farrimond, the Revd Rachel Firth, the Revd Simon Crook, the Revd David Carpenter, the Revd Canon Simon Moor and the Right Rev’d Dr Jonathan Gibbs

You can find it here…http://www.leeds.anglican.org/sites/default/files/files/Huddthoughtlent1...

LENT TALKS IN HUDDERSFIELD: Please note there is one change to this year’s Lent talks at Huddersfield Parish church and Huddersfield University.  The Revd Dr Tiffany Conlin replaces painter, Ashley Jackson on Wed 8th March. The prison chaplain’s talk will focus on prison as a place of change.  Talks take place every Wednesday throughout Lent at 3pm in church and 5.30pm at the University. For full list see https://huddersfieldparishchurch.org/2017/02/21/lent-speakers-update

Next month, senior bishops from seven countries with partnership links to the Diocese of Leeds will meet together for the first time.

Bishop Nick has invited the church leaders from Sri Lanka, Sudan, the USA, Tanzania, Sweden, Pakistan and Germany to spend 31 March-9 April in the diocese.

He says, “It will be a unique international conference - I’m not aware that any other diocese has done this before. We’ll be celebrating the strength of global Christianity -  a hugely positive message that runs counter to the current narrative of anti-globalisation”.

Along with two diocesan events at Wakefield Cathedral and Leeds Minster, the Bishops will spend five days together on retreat at Parcevall Hall, as well as meeting with parishes and link supporters. 

Bishop Nick adds, “The bishops will pray, study and talk together, learning more about the diversity of our missional contexts and considering how we might optimize the potential for the development of multilateral links. In essence, we will be asking what are our links for, and how might we renew them?

There’ll be a big diocesan welcome at Wakefield Cathedral on Sunday 2 April (3.30pm) and link events the following weekend, including a forum with the Bishops at Leeds Minster on Sunday 9 April (3.30 for 4pm followed by Evensong at 5pm).

On Monday 10 April the Bishops will travel to Canterbury to visit the Cathedral and meet with Archbishop Justin Welby.