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Home , Bishop of Ripon, Jo Cox, Leeds Minster, Wakefield Cathedral

Diocesan News July 2021 www..anglican.org

New priests ordained New Lay across the diocese Ministers commissioned The Diocese of Leeds is for the first time. It was lovely pleased to welcome many to see everyone participating new priests, with ordination and I look forward to what in 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 , Bradford , commissioning vicar Revd Cathedral, Hud- Brunel James, are members dersfield 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 The size of the congregation and presided in the open air is about thirty percent larger at Upper , 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 welcomes priest

I’m writing following the result of The people of the new Upper the & 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 , 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 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 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 News...... News.....News.....News.....News.....NewsDiocesan News - July 2021 The need for Synod learns honest change about Bob Matthews Living in Love Assistant Warden of Readers, 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 , 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 ’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 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.”

IVFor more news, help and advice for parishes, visit www.leeds.anglican.org