Diocesan News April 2019 www.leeds.anglican.org Persian language Holy Communion has national launch at Wakefield Cathedral Wakefield Cathedral has hosted a special service to launch the Church of England’s first Persian language translation of Holy Communion to further engage with the growing numbers of Iranians in our congregations. Some 500 Iranians from across the country packed into the cathedral, one of three in the Diocese of Leeds, and were welcomed by Dean Simon Cowling and Subdean Tony Macpherson. Iranian family Sara, Mohsen and baby Jesus at the service in Wakefield Authorised by the House of Bishops, the publication of in services. The Bishop of Loughborough, the Farsi language service the Rt Revd Guli Francis- affirms the presence of Iranians At a special celebration service Dehqani, who came to the in churches as a gift, and in Wakefield Cathedral, the UK from Iran with her family demonstrates commitment to Bishop of Bradford Toby when she was just 14-years-old, welcoming them into the life of Howarth and the Bishops of presided at the celebration and the Church of England. The new Loughborough and Durham conveyed messages from the liturgy is designed to be used used the wording for the Archbishops of Canterbury and alongside English language first time. Members of York. liturgy, with both languages congregations from churches printed side by side, enabling across England, including Bishop Toby spoke of the people to follow and participate British, Iranian and other Iranians coming to our churches nationality Christians, as something God is doing attended the event across our churches and across which included the the world: “We are not just the singing of hymn Church of England, we are the verses in English church of God and we want and Farsi alternately people to be able to worship in and prayers in both their own language alongside languages. each other.” I Fresh hope for Honorary all at Easter Canons take Bishop Toby Howarth their places at Wakefield At a time when tragic street At Wakefield, I was struck by Cathedral violence as well as fears the amazing new communion WAKEFIELD The following over Brexit have dominated of people now sharing their people were installed as much of the news agenda, different pasts and places honorary canons by the Bishop it is important to find signs under our roof, brought of Kirkstall, the Rt Revd Paul of hope for our apparently together by Jesus Christ. Slater on Sunday February 24: fragmenting society. Mohsen, a surveyor from Iran, Jane Evans is a retired when asked why he and wife communications director who At Wakefield Cathedral, I Sara, practising Christians in serves on the Leeds Diocesan was privileged to witness Iran, had chosen to join the Board, and is an elected that wonderful public space Church of England, replied: member of Diocesan Synod. packed with worshippers “Because it is the Church of from Iran, the UK and other England, England’s church and backgrounds. We were England welcomed me and celebrating the translation of my family.” the Holy Communion service into Farsi. Many who came When immigrants to the USA had made costly decisions gain the right to stay, no one to follow Christ, sometimes questions their swift and losing businesses and family, grateful loyalty to the Stars and enduring horrendous and Stripes. And similarly, I Irving Warnett has served journeys to escape believe we can take real hope on the Board of Trustees of persecution. Those I met were from the Persian and other Opera North, is a Trustee of delighted, committed and families who are committing the Leeds Diocesan Board, and intensely serious about their to worship in our churches; Chair of the Finance, Asset and faith in Jesus. they too are committed Investment Committee. to bringing their skills and Sandra Benham is currently Bishop Guli from energy, playing a full part in Vicar of Baildon and Area Dean Loughbrough, for example, our communities. of Aire and Worth Deanery. who presided at the Eucharist, Before ordination Sandra was a has told how her own brother These people are real gifts to Church Army Officer. Bahram was murdered just our churches and parishes, Rachel Firth is Vicar of a month before her family and remind us how at Easter, Lindley, Huddersfield Advisor fled to safety in England in God brings new life and for Women’s Ministry, and 1980. For many, it has been reconciliation from the most Bishop’s Advisor for Community Christians and churches surprising situations. Engagement (Kirklees). who have offered care and Vaughan Pollard is Vicar at St love along their journeys to + Toby John’s Clayton and the Area freedom. Bishop of Bradford Dean of Outer Bradford and has served as Chaplain of Huddersfield Town FC. II Bradford Cathedral welcomes Face up to “Ambassadors for the Diocese” farming issues BRADFORD Honorary Canons life to the Cathedral and I look RIPON Bring Parliament to are faith ambassadors for forward to working with them the Dales to learn the tough the Diocese and its three and getting to know them realities of Northern farming, cathedrals, said Dean of better over the coming years,” says Bishop Helen-Ann Hartley, Bradford, Jerry who speaks for the Diocese on Lepine: “I am rural issues. In the full version delighted to of an opinion piece published in welcome four new the Yorkshire Post, the Bishop Canons - Revd of Ripon writes: Kathia Shoesmith, Revd Phil Stone, “My father once told me a story Revd Mike Cansdale of going into a field after it had and Revd Michael been ploughed and looking at Wood,” said Dean the furrows, and seeing them Jerry, after they were installed said Dean Jerry, pictured centre as if the earth were improvising last month. left. “Each cathedral is having with itself through the work of new canons installed in 2019 the farmer: the rows of tilled They are pictured above, with and they will undoubtedly soil, and the back and forth Bishop of Kirkstall Paul Slater bring new life and vitality. A pattern which is similar, but not who officiated at the service. canon is an ambassador for repetitive. Farming works with the Cathedral and makes a the seasons and rhythms of the “Each of them brings a lot of contribution to the life of the year.” experience of ministry and Cathedral.” New service for deaf Christians Social media HUDDERSFIELD Deaf Vicar, Revd John Hellewell said: LEEDS A Tweet Up of social Christians and hearing friends “The first service was fantastic! media users from churches have launched a new service There was a great sense of and cathedrals across the led entirely in British Sign togetherness and fun, and we diocese took place at Church Language, can’t wait till House to encourage those but the next one. seeking to make the most translated of Facebook, Twitter and and voiced “It’s been Instagram. The event, hosted into English a real joy by the communications for hearing having deaf team, brought together people. members as church-goers who had an important attended previous courses, There was part of our to listen to speakers who a good congregation. gave presentations about turnout at the first event held online interaction and at Christ Church, Pellon, Halifax, “It’s great that they are now the use of social media. which will now be repeated on taking a lead in designing a Speakers included Revd David the second Sunday evening of regular service that meets their Robertson, vicar of South every month. needs whilst building links with Ossett and author of What the hearing members.” would Jesus post? III News......News.....News.....News.....News.....NewsDiocese of Leeds news New Archdeacon for Richmond Fact-finding and Craven joins our Diocese at trip to Ripon Cathedral Hanover A delegation from our diocese has just returned from a bridge-building trip to Hano- ver, Germany. Bishop of Ripon, Dr Helen-Ann Hartley, along with the Revd Dr Hayley Matthews, Diocesan Director of Lay Training, and the Revd Derek Jones, curate The Ven Jonathan Gough, Reading on Nineveh, from the in Little Horton, Bradford, former Assistant Chaplain book of the prophet Jonah. General to the Army, has been In the absence of Bishop Nick installed as the new Archdeacon Baines, who is on sabbatical, for Richmond and Craven. Bishop Paul led the service in At a service presided over which he welcomed Jonathan by Bishop of Kirkstall, the Rt to his role in our young diocese. Revd Paul Slater, Archdeacon Drawing on the reading from Jonathan swore oaths of assent Jonah, he joked: and allegiance before family, friends, clergy and the Diocesan “This is a big area to cover - I Secretary, Debbie Child. don’t know if you could walk across it in three days or not. travelled to Hanover for a Speaking afterwards, four-day exploratory visit, “It’s not got a Nineveh... Jonathan said: “I’m looking getting to know the context of although it does have forward to meeting and the Church there and meeting Harrogate!” working with people in this lay and clergy representatives. wonderful area. Bishop Paul said how the “My wife and I have lived here “glorious Archdeaconry of Founded on a long-standing twice before, and when this Richmond and Craven” was friendship between Bishop opportunity arose I had to looking forward to Jonathan Nick and Ralf Meister, the answer a calling.” bringing a new stability and Bishop of Hanover and an Pictured above with Bishops urged everyone to cherish honorary canon of Ripon Paul, Toby, Helen-Ann and Dean him and Flora as they progress Cathedral, this new link repre- John, he is married to Canon both its identity and that of the sents an exciting opportunity Flora Winfield, the Archbishop Diocese of Leeds.