Diocesan News July 2021 New priests ordained across the diocese - Diocese of Leeds
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
Diocesan News
July 2021 www.leeds.anglican.org
New priests ordained New Lay
across the diocese Ministers
The Diocese of Leeds is for the first time. It was lovely
commissioned
pleased to welcome many
new priests, with ordination
to see everyone participating
and I look forward to what
in Cleckheaton
services taking place across ministry here will bring.”
the whole diocese this past A Lay Pastoral Minister and
weekend. Worship Leader have recently
been commissioned at St
The new priests were or- John’s Church, Cleckheaton.
dained as such after being
ordained deacons last year, in Richard Bentley and Robert
services taking place at Leeds Cave, both pictured with their
Minster, Bradford Cathedral, commissioning vicar Revd
Wakefield Cathedral, Hud- Brunel James, are members
dersfield Parish Church and St of St John’s Church and joined
John’s Bilton. others across the diocese who
have completed the three
One of those was the Revd stage pathway this year.
June Cockburn who was or-
dained priest at Leeds Minster The size of the congregation
and presided in the open air is about thirty percent larger
at Upper Armley, where she for outdoor services each
will be serving as curate. week, and people walking
have come and joined in too.
Christ Church Upper Armley The new approach is going
is currently having all its ‘in to be trialled throughou the
person’ services outdoors summer. Speaking about his journey
when the weather allows. This to becoming Lay Pastoral
enables more to attend, along Revd Phil Arnold, vicar at Minister, Richard said, “I
with socially distanced sing- Christ Church, said, “Worship- strongly recommend the lay
ing, picnic blankets and space ping outside is both practical pastoral assistant and minister
for children to relax and bring and one way of taking church courses to anyone who has a
their pets to church. into the community. We love inclinations towards a pastoral
the opportunity to worship and caring vocation, because it
Revd June said, “It was an outdoors, breaking down bar- offers invaluable training.”
honour to be able to preside riers as we do it.”
I
A time for New benefice
hope in the Dales
Bishop Jonathan Gibbs
welcomes priest
I’m writing following the result of The people of the new Upper
the Batley & Spen by-election. Aire Benefice (Gargrave,
As Bishop of Huddersfield, I had Coniston Cold, and Kirkby
the sad duty of trying to support in Malhamdale) were in
that community following the celebratory mood when
murder of its MP Jo Cox. Bishop Helen-Ann came to St
“The Church’s vision for public Michael the Archangel, Kirkby
Together with our clergy, lay life, flowing from the Christian Malham, to license Revd Sue
leaders and parishes, we did all understanding of the life, death McWhinney as their new
we could to give help and above and resurrection of Jesus Christ, is Associate Priest.
all hope in a very dark time. one where the common good is
And it’s the power of faithful hope served such that all communities,
that I’m thinking about today. of whatever culture, ethnicity,
Hope has risen and fallen, ebbed religion or belief, can flourish
and flowed during the pandemic together.”
and now we look forward to the
return of longed-for freedoms After the election, let us hope
that are expected to be confirmed and pray everyone will serve the
this month. Perhaps “expected” is common good in that spirit. The
too strong. story of Exodus tells us of joyful
release from captivity, just as
We hope for social reunions, for Easter speaks of Jesus’ release
physical worship – and singing – in from the bonds of death, but
churches and for absences to be after both God’s people still faced Sue will be based in Kirkby
ended. The pandemic has created uncertainty as they sought to Malham and will also be
physical and emotional divisions create a “new normal”. working across the Benefice
and barriers, and in doing so has with Revd Andrew Steer,
reminded us of the power of Faithful hope sustained them and Priest in Charge.
natural forces beyond control. has sustained Christians through
a thousand new normalities since Revd Sue described a
There are of course, other darker then, whether after tempest, war clear sense of call to come
forces which seek to sow division or pandemic. and serve the people of
and to build barriers. Malhamdale and the wider
So, let us focus on the sure hope benefice.
Despite the tragic political history that we have through Christ, as
in Batley & Spen, ugly voices and we look forward to seeing each “I can see lots of potential
attitudes were aired on its streets other soon - in church and with for growth and resourcing of
before the election, to which joyful songs on our lips. Alleluia! all three churches through
Bishop Nick responded with these this new team ministry. I am
strong words: +Jonathan feeling really positive about
Bishop of Huddersfield the future for us all.”
II
Use Minecraft to explore New disability
faith with our Children and resource pack
Youth Team produced
How the PC game Minecraft At All Saints Church in Ilkley A new resource pack to help
can be used to explore young people recently used churches better support
faith will be the topic of an Minecraft to help explore people with disabilities has
upcoming showcase from the Easter story. recently be produced by the
the diocese’s Children, Young diocese and churches across
People and Families Team. Ollie Greenfield, All Saints the British Isles.
Young People and Families
Working with Missional Worker, said: ‘’In our most The resource pack, called ‘A
Generation, a Welcoming Church’, has been
charity supporting produced by the Diocese of
youth leaders in the Leeds in collaboration with
region, the diocesan Dublin and Glendalough Youth
team are inviting Officer Susie Keegan, and
leaders and parents The Church of Ireland Youth
to explore what Department.
Minecraft is and how
it can help look at It aims to help churches think
Christianity in a new about how they might better
way. support people with different
They will be
demonstrating what Minecraft recent link up, Ben Jones
is, what it looks like and what from Missional Generation
it could look like for churches joined our youth gaming
to use Minecraft within their group to play Minecraft.
work with children and young
people. “Ben challenged us to build
the story of Easter into a
The session will include Minecraft world. Witnessing disabilities in the church
information on building, the pride our youth took in environment.
adventures with young people bringing the Bible, the Easter
around topic and themes and story, to life in Minecraft was Katherine-Alice Grasham,
how it can be used to explore so uplifting.They were able Diocesan Disability Officer,
seasonal times of the year. to engage with the Bible in a said: “We’re really hoping
way they never have before, that this new resource will
The team want to grow and I cannot wait to do this be a way to start parishes
parents’ confidence in the again.” thinking about small changes
benefits of Minecraft, why it is that they can do to make a big
exciting to children and young The diocesan showcase difference to disabled people.
people, how it can be used will be taking place on
positively and the benefits of September 14 from 7pm You can find the resource at
the game. until 8.30pm. www.awelcomingchurch.com.
III
Diocesan News - July 2021
News......News.....News.....News.....News.....News
The need for Synod learns
honest change about
Bob Matthews Living in Love
Assistant Warden of
Readers, Ripon Area
and Faith
As I look out from my garden, However I cannot ignore Personal stories of modern
I can see glorious views across Jeremiah’s warning to Judah, Christian relationships
Wensleydale and Coverdale in 6:14 featured in a special
and thank God for the 14 They dress the wound of presentation on Living in Love
glorious dales in which I live. my people and Faith given to the June
I can sit here and ignore the as though it were not meeting of Synod.
pandemic and the crisis which serious.
has swept across the world ‘Peace, peace,’ they say,
for the past eighteen months when there is no peace.
because it has passed me by. I
can quote Psalm 91: Covid 19 seems to have
1 Whoever dwells in the highlighted many weaknesses
shelter of the Most High in our world and society
will rest in the shadow of which we have been ignoring The Bishop of Ripon, the Rt
the Almighty.[a] for years and need attention, Revd Dr Helen-Ann Hartley,
2 I will say of the Lord, “He is whether the underfunding of led the hour-long session
my refuge and my fortress, care-homes or pollution from on the Church of England’s
my God, in whom I trust.” package holidays and cruises. invitation to all worshippers
3 Surely he will save you to consider questions of
from the fowler’s snare The Church of England sexuality, gender and identity.
and from the deadly similarly exhibits such signs
pestilence. e.g. difficulties in paying Backed by a book, courses
4 He will cover you with his parish share, or the age profile and a library of more than 300
feathers, of many of our congregations. resources, Bishop Helen-Ann
and under his wings you will Seen from my pew rather described how Living in Love
find refuge; than continue to ignore them and Faith (LLF) is a radical new
his faithfulness will be your or expect them to be sorted approach. “The Bible has a lot
shield and rampart. by others we all need to admit to say about what it means
that all is not well and we to be human, but so do other
I could be optimistic and say should ask ourselves what is disciplines therefore LLF takes
that in this area the level of God’s view. I suggest that we a multidisciplinary approach
vaccinations is high and the who fill pews need to come in (Bible, theology - but also
level of infections is low and prayer and ask what changes sociology, biological sciences,
soon we will be able to return we individually have to make. history) which enriches our
to normal. understanding.”
For more news, help and advice for parishes, visit www.leeds.anglican.org
IV
You can also read
