News and Notices

Harvest Festival

Sung Eucharist for Harvest Festival

Today at 10.00 am · Watch the service · View the order of service

Other services

Songs of Praise: Whitkirk's Top Ten Hymns
Today at 6.00 pm · Watch the service · View the order of service

Said Eucharist
This Wednesday 8 October at 10.00 am

Sanctuary
This Thursday 9 October at 6.30 pm

Sung Eucharist for the seventeenth Sunday after Trinity
Next Sunday 12 October at 10.00 am · Watch the service · View the order of service

Messy Church
Next Sunday 12 October at 4.00 pm

Christmas Cakes

We are looking ahead to our Christmas Fair on 29 November where, as usual, there will be a Christmas Cake stall. We are looking for donations of the following ingredients so that the baking can commence: mixed dried fruit, ground almonds, medium/large eggs, self-raising flour, dark brown sugar, marzipan and icing. There is a box at the back of the church for your donations. Thank you for your generosity.

The Leeds South & East Food Bank: What's Needed in October

The Leeds South & East Food Bank continues to be in urgent need of donations of food to help feed those in most need. In particular at the moment they are asking for UHT milk, biscuits, custard, cooking sauces and tinned or packet mashed potatoes.

If you are able, you can donate by picking one of these items up in your weekly shop and dropping it in the box at the back of the church. You can find other ways to help, including donating money or your time, on their website at wkrk.uk/fbd. If you need the help of a foodbank yourself, see wkrk.uk/fbh.

We are pleased to support the foodbank at St Richard’s, Seacroft with our Harvest Donations today

Interested in helping with our work with children and young people?

In the New Year we are looking at setting up two new initiatives aimed at younger children (and their parents) and at teenagers.

‘Bears and Prayers’ will take place on a weekday morning and will consist of a short service with stories, songs and prayers, led by Reverend Bear (and her human helpers). Children will be encouraged to bring their teddies along. There will be tea, coffee, squash and biscuits served in church after the service. In order to run this service we will need at least two volunteers per session to support Claire in running the service.

A ‘Youth Cafe’ will take place in the Community Centre after school (perhaps 3.30-5.30) on a drop-in basis. It will be open to young people between the ages of 12 and 16. Again, we can only run this if we have volunteers prepared to help. The cafe will provide hot and cold drinks, biscuits and snacks, but will not involve organised activities (at least in the first instance).  

It remains to be decided whether these activities will run weekly, fortnightly or monthly: to some extent this will depend on the availability of volunteers.  

If you think that you might be willing to help (no firm commitment needed at this stage) with either of these activities, please could you put your name on the list that is available at the back of the church today (and will be available for the next few weeks)? Many thanks.

Thank you!

As the Open Church season draws to a close, a big ‘thank you’ is due to all those who have given up their time to keep the church open to the public through the summer. This is a vital way of engaging with our broader community and engaging those who may not come to church on a Sunday morning, and your contribution is appreciated.

Harvest lunch

Today
St Mary's Church Whitkirk Community Centre

Tea and coffee will be available after today’s service as usual in the Community Centre, but served from the bar, rather than from the kitchen area, to accommodate the Harvest Lunch. Please try to keep the area set up for the lunch as free as possible while you have your drinks. The kitchen is strictly out of bounds to everyone except those involved in preparing the lunch.

If you have a ticket for the Harvest Lunch, food will be served at around 12.30pm. We hope you will have a wonderful time as we celebrate all the good things that God has given us and enjoy one another’s company.

Songs of Praise: Whitkirk's Top Ten Hymns

Today at 6.00 pm
St Mary's Church, Whitkirk

The votes are in, the final shortlist has been drawn up. Don’t miss our Songs of Praise service this evening at 6.00 pm when we will find out which hymn is Whitkirk’s Number One! This will be a beautiful service, with a chance to sing all your favourites!

Parish Pilgrimage to Ripon Cathedral

Saturday 1 November

Another date for your diary. On 1 November we will be holding a parish pilgrimage to Ripon Cathedral. The theme of the day is ‘Treasures Untold’, and this will involve a coach to Ripon, refreshments on arrival, a guided pilgrimage, some quiet time for reflection, and a sung Eucharist to conclude. There will also be some free time to explore Ripon afterwards. Cost £12 per person.

The fifteenth Sunday after Trinity

Sung Eucharist for the fifteenth Sunday after Trinity

Today at 10.00 am · Watch the service · View the order of service

Other services

Said Eucharist
This Wednesday 1 October at 10.00 am

Compline by Candlelight
This Wednesday 1 October at 8.30 pm

Sung Eucharist for Harvest Festival
Next Sunday 5 October at 10.00 am · Watch the service · View the order of service

Songs of Praise: Whitkirk's Top Ten Hymns
Next Sunday 5 October at 6.00 pm · Watch the service · View the order of service

The Leeds South & East Food Bank: What's Needed in September

The Leeds South & East Food Bank continues to be in urgent need of donations of food to help feed those in most need. In particular at the moment they are asking for UHT milk, biscuits, custard, cooking sauces and tinned or packet mashed potatoes.

If you are able, you can donate by picking one of these items up in your weekly shop and dropping it in the box at the back of the church. You can find other ways to help, including donating money or your time, on their website at wkrk.uk/fbd. If you need the help of a foodbank yourself, see wkrk.uk/fbh.

Christmas Cakes

We are looking ahead to our Christmas Fair on 29 November where, as usual, there will be a Christmas Cake stall. We are looking for donations of the following ingredients so that the baking can commence: mixed dried fruit, ground almonds, medium/large eggs, self-raising flour, dark brown sugar, marzipan and icing. There is a box at the back of church for your donations. Thank you for your generosity.

Harvest lunch

Next Sunday 5 October
St Mary's Church Whitkirk Community Centre

Our Harvest Festival will be taking place this year on Sunday 5 October and will be followed, as usual, by our Harvest Lunch. Join us for a wonderful feast with friends as we give thanks for all that God provides for us. £10 for adults, £5 for children. Bar open. Tickets can be purchased in the Community Centre after today’s service. Vegan and gluten-free options will be available.

Songs of Praise: Whitkirk's Top Ten Hymns

Next Sunday 5 October at 6.00 pm
St Mary's Church, Whitkirk

On the same day as the Harvest Lunch, we will be holding a Songs of Praise service in lieu of our usual Choral Evensong. There will be a chance to vote for your favourite hymn and to see if it makes the Top Ten which we will sing on the day. Today is the last day you can vote, so be sure to either pop your vote in the box at the back of the church or drop a comment on our Facebook page. One vote per person only, please!

We will also be looking for a few volunteers to say why they chose a particular hymn. If you would be willing to do this on the day, please tick the box on the voting form.

Parish Pilgrimage to Ripon Cathedral

Saturday 1 November

Another date for your diary. On 1 November we will be holding a parish pilgrimage to Ripon Cathedral. The theme of the day is ‘Treasures Untold’, and this will involve a coach to Ripon, refreshments on arrival, a guided pilgrimage, some quiet time for reflection, and a sung Eucharist to conclude. There will also be some free time to explore Ripon afterwards.  

Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist

Sung Eucharist for Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist

Today at 10.00 am · Watch the service · View the order of service

Other services

Said Eucharist
This Wednesday 24 September at 10.00 am

Sacred Space
This Thursday 25 September at 6.00 pm

Pilgrims in the Park
This Saturday 27 September at 2.00 pm

Sung Eucharist for the fifteenth Sunday after Trinity
Next Sunday 28 September at 10.00 am · Watch the service · View the order of service

The Leeds South & East Food Bank: What's Needed in September

The Leeds South & East Food Bank continues to be in urgent need of donations of food to help feed those in most need. In particular at the moment they are asking for UHT milk, biscuits, custard, cooking sauces and tinned or packet mashed potatoes.

If you are able, you can donate by picking one of these items up in your weekly shop and dropping it in the box at the back of the church. You can find other ways to help, including donating money or your time, on their website at wkrk.uk/fbd. If you need the help of a foodbank yourself, see wkrk.uk/fbh.

Christmas Cakes

We are looking ahead to our Christmas Fair on 29 November where, as usual, there will be a Christmas Cake stall. We are looking for donations of the following ingredients so that the baking can commence: mixed dried fruit, ground almonds, medium/large eggs, self-raising flour, dark brown sugar, marzipan and icing. There will be a box at the back of church for your donations from next week. Thank you for your generosity.

Heritage Weekend: Thank You!

A huge thank you to everyone who helped in any way with the Heritage Weekend last weekend, including the Temple Newsam service. Every aspect of the weekend was beautifully planned and executed and everyone who visited the church received a warm welcome. Thank you all so much.

This morning's service

Our children and young people will be helping us to lead today’s service. As the new school year begins, we pray for them, for their friends and families, and for the schools in this parish, and ask God’s blessing upon them. A huge thank you to them and to their parents and carers for their enthusiastic participation in our worship today.

Coffee Morning

This Friday 26 September at 9.00 am
St Mary's Church Whitkirk Community Centre

Come and join us for a coffee morning! £3 for bottomless refreshments, and tasty cakes on sale – perfect for a Friday morning break.

Open Church

This Saturday 27 September at 2.00 pm
St Mary's Church, Whitkirk

Don’t forget that St Mary’s is open every Saturday afternoon until the end of September for anyone to come in and look around. This may be an easy way for you to invite friends and neighbours who are not churchgoers to come in and find out more, so please do spread the word and encourage people to pop in. Refreshments will be available.

Open Church

This Saturday 27 September at 2.00 pm
St Mary's Church, Whitkirk

Don’t forget that St Mary’s is open every Saturday afternoon until the end of September for anyone to come in and look around. This may be an easy way for you to invite friends and neighbours who are not churchgoers to come in and find out more, so please do spread the word and encourage people to pop in. Refreshments will be available.

Pilgrims in the Park

This Saturday 27 September at 2.00 pm
The Lodge Car Park, Temple Newsam

We are so blessed to have the beautiful setting of Temple Newsam on our doorstep. This is a chance to make the most of it together, while giving thanks to God for the wonders of the natural world and for each other. Meet at the lodge car park at 2.00 pm. We will begin with a very short reading, reflection and prayer, and then we will head off for a walk (at a gentle pace) to talk and reflect together, ending at the cafe for post-pilgrimage refreshments. If walking is a challenge, why not catch up with us at the cafe and join us for a cuppa and a catch-up?

Harvest lunch

Sunday 5 October
St Mary's Church Whitkirk Community Centre

Our Harvest Festival will be taking place this year on Sunday 5 October and will be followed, as usual, by our Harvest Lunch. More details to follow soon, but keep the date free for a wonderful feast with friends as we give thanks for all that God provides for us.

Songs of Praise: Whitkirk's Top Ten Hymns

Sunday 5 October at 6.00 pm
St Mary's Church, Whitkirk

On the same day as the Harvest Lunch, we will be holding a Songs of Praise service in lieu of our usual Choral Evensong. There will be a chance to vote for your favourite hymn and to see if it makes the Top Ten which we will sing on the day. Voting slips are available in the church today and you will also be able to vote via our Facebook page. One vote per person only, please!

We will also be looking for a few volunteers to say why they chose a particular hymn. If you would be willing to do this on the day, please tick the box on the voting form.

Parish Pilgrimage to Ripon Cathedral

Saturday 1 November

Another date for your diary. On 1 November we will be holding a parish pilgrimage to Ripon Cathedral. The theme of the day is ‘Treasures Untold’, and this will involve a coach to Ripon, refreshments on arrival, a guided pilgrimage, some quiet time for reflection, and a sung Eucharist to conclude. There will also be some free time to explore Ripon afterwards.  

The annual Sung Eucharist at Temple Newsam House

The Annual Civic Service and Sung Eucharist at Temple Newsam House

Today at 10.00 am · View the order of service

Other services

Messy Church
Today at 4.00 pm

Said Eucharist
This Wednesday 17 September at 10.00 am

All Creatures Great and Small: Pet blessing service
This Saturday 20 September at 2.00 pm

Sung Eucharist for the fourteenth Sunday after Trinity
Next Sunday 21 September at 10.00 am · Watch the service · View the order of service

The Leeds South & East Food Bank: What's Needed in September

The Leeds South & East Food Bank continues to be in urgent need of donations of food to help feed those in most need. In particular at the moment they are asking for UHT milk, biscuits, custard, cooking sauces and tinned or packet mashed potatoes.

If you are able, you can donate by picking one of these items up in your weekly shop and dropping it in the box at the back of the church. You can find other ways to help, including donating money or your time, on their website at wkrk.uk/fbd. If you need the help of a foodbank yourself, see wkrk.uk/fbh.

The Annual Civic Service and Sung Eucharist at Temple Newsam House

Today at 10.00 am
Temple Newsam House

For more than a century St Mary’s has led this service at Temple Newsam House to mark the City of Leeds acquiring the estate. Please note that there is no service at St Mary’s this morning. Unfortunately, we are unable to livestream this service, but a recording will be made available on our website and YouTube channel after the event.

Open Church

This Saturday 20 September at 2.00 pm
St Mary's Church, Whitkirk

Don’t forget that St Mary’s is open every Saturday afternoon until the end of September for anyone to come in and look around. This may be an easy way for you to invite friends and neighbours who are not churchgoers to come in and find out more, so please do spread the word and encourage people to pop in. Refreshments will be available.

All Creatures Great and Small: Pet blessing service

This Saturday 20 September at 2.00 pm
Whitkirk Vicarage Garden

Join us with your furry (or feathery or scaly) friends for a special service to celebrate the pets with whom we share our lives. Whether you have a donkey or a stick insect, all are welcome. Weather permitting, we will meeting in the vicarage garden (in the church, if wet) to sing, pray and praise God for the wonderful animals who keep us company, with a special blessing for pets and their owners. Please keep dogs (and larger animals) on a lead and have smaller animals in a basket or carrier, and come prepared to clean up after your pet.

Coffee Morning

Friday 26 September at 9.00 am
St Mary's Church Whitkirk Community Centre

Come and join us for a coffee morning! £3 for bottomless refreshments, and tasty cakes on sale – perfect for a Friday morning break.

Harvest lunch

Sunday 5 October
St Mary's Church Whitkirk Community Centre

Our Harvest Festival will be taking place this year on Sunday 5 October and will be followed, as usual, by our Harvest Lunch. More details to follow soon, but keep the date free for a wonderful feast with friends as we give thanks for all that God provides for us.

Songs of Praise: Whitkirk's Top Ten Hymns

Sunday 5 October at 6.00 pm
St Mary's Church, Whitkirk

On the same day as the Harvest Lunch, we will be holding a Songs of Praise service in lieu of our usual Choral Evensong. There will be a chance to vote for your favourite hymn and to see if it makes the Top Ten which we will sing on the day. Voting slips are available in the church today and you will also be able to vote via our Facebook page. One vote per person only, please!

We will also be looking for a few volunteers to say why they chose a particular hymn. If you would be willing to do this on the day, please tick the box on the voting form.

Parish Pilgrimage to Ripon Cathedral

Saturday 1 November

Another date for your diary. On 1 November we will be holding a parish pilgrimage to Ripon Cathedral. The theme of the day is ‘Treasures Untold’, and this will involve a coach to Ripon, refreshments on arrival, a guided pilgrimage, some quiet time for reflection, and a sung Eucharist to conclude. There will also be some free time to explore Ripon afterwards.  

Patronal Festival

Sung Eucharist for the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Today at 10.00 am · Watch the service · View the order of service

Other services

Festal Evensong for our Patronal Festival
Today at 6.00 pm · Watch the service · View the order of service

Said Eucharist
This Wednesday 10 September at 10.00 am

Sanctuary
This Thursday 11 September at 6.30 pm

The Annual Civic Service and Sung Eucharist at Temple Newsam House
Next Sunday 14 September at 10.00 am · View the order of service

Messy Church
Next Sunday 14 September at 4.00 pm

Heritage Weekend

Join us on the 13 September from 10.00 am until 4.00 pm, or the 14 September from 2.00 pm until 4.00 pm, as we celebrate our heritage. Explore the architecture of our church building, the history of people connected to St Mary’s, our collection of fine embroideries and more!

Renewal of the prayer list

Our prayer list has been renewed as of today. If you want to add a name to the prayer list at any time, please just contact Claire or leave a prayer on one of the cards that are always available at the back of the church. Don’t forget to ask for names to be removed if the person is recovering or a moment of crisis has passed. As well as those remembered by name, we always also pray for any others who are in need of our prayers, so please be assured that no-one will be left out. God knows our needs and the needs of those who are on our hearts, even when we do not articulate them in so many words. 

The Leeds South & East Food Bank: What's Needed in September

The Leeds South & East Food Bank continues to be in urgent need of donations of food to help feed those in most need. In particular at the moment they are asking for UHT milk, biscuits, custard, cooking sauces and tinned or packet mashed potatoes.

If you are able, you can donate by picking one of these items up in your weekly shop and dropping it in the box at the back of the church. You can find other ways to help, including donating money or your time, on their website at wkrk.uk/fbd. If you need the help of a foodbank yourself, see wkrk.uk/fbh.

Thank you!

Thank you to everyone who helped to give Adam Kelly a wonderful Whitkirk send-off last week, and to all who contributed to his presents. Special thanks to those who worked so hard in the kitchen and behind the bar on the day. Your work is very much appreciated.

Junior Choir

Our Junior Choir is being relaunched for the new school year, and will meet on the following dates in the Community Centre at 4.00 pm. This is a fun way to make music together, with opportunities to sing in church on an occasional basis. No experience needed, no need to be able to read music… just come and enjoy singing. Sessions will take place on: 9 September, 23 September, 7 October, 21 October, 4 November, 18 November, 2 December and 16 December. Open to children in Years 3 to 6.

The Annual Whitkirk Lecture: The view from the tower

This Friday 12 September at 7.30 pm
St Mary's Church Whitkirk Community Centre

This year’s lecture explores the history of places you can see from our church tower, covering subjects including the Knights Templar, one of the oldest railway lines in the country, and a lost sporting venue.

The Annual Civic Service and Sung Eucharist at Temple Newsam House

Next Sunday 14 September at 10.00 am
Temple Newsam House

For more than a century St Mary’s has led this service at Temple Newsam House to mark the City of Leeds acquiring the estate. Please note that there is no service at St Mary’s this morning. Unfortunately, we are unable to livestream this service, but a recording will be made available on our website and YouTube channel after the event.

All Creatures Great and Small: Pet blessing service

Saturday 20 September at 2.00 pm
Whitkirk Vicarage Garden

Join us with your furry (or feathery or scaly) friends for a special service to celebrate the pets with whom we share our lives. Whether you have a donkey or a stick insect, all are welcome. Weather permitting, we will meeting in the vicarage garden (in the church, if wet) to sing, pray and praise God for the wonderful animals who keep us company, with a special blessing for pets and their owners. Please keep dogs (and larger animals) on a lead and have smaller animals in a basket or carrier, and come prepared to clean up after your pet.

Coffee Morning

Friday 26 September at 9.00 am
St Mary's Church Whitkirk Community Centre

Come and join us for a coffee morning! £3 for bottomless refreshments, and tasty cakes on sale – perfect for a Friday morning break.

Harvest lunch

Sunday 5 October
St Mary's Church Whitkirk Community Centre

Our Harvest Festival will be taking place this year on Sunday 5 October and will be followed, as usual, by our Harvest Lunch. More details to follow soon, but keep the date free for a wonderful feast with friends as we give thanks for all that God provides for us.

Songs of Praise: Whitkirk's Top Ten Hymns

Sunday 5 October at 6.00 pm
St Mary's Church, Whitkirk

On the same day as the Harvest Lunch, we will be holding a Songs of Praise service in lieu of our usual Choral Evensong. There will be a chance to vote for your favourite hymn and to see if it makes the Top Ten which we will sing on the day. Voting slips are available in the church today and you will also be able to vote via our Facebook page. One vote per person only, please!

We will also be looking for a few volunteers to say why they chose a particular hymn. If you would be willing to do this on the day, please tick the box on the voting form.

Parish Pilgrimage to Ripon Cathedral

Saturday 1 November

Another date for your diary. On 1 November we will be holding a parish pilgrimage to Ripon Cathedral. The theme of the day is ‘Treasures Untold’, and this will involve a coach to Ripon, refreshments on arrival, a guided pilgrimage, some quiet time for reflection, and a sung Eucharist to conclude. There will also be some free time to explore Ripon afterwards.  

The eleventh Sunday after Trinity

Sung Eucharist for the eleventh Sunday after Trinity

Today at 10.00 am · Watch the service · View the order of service

Other services

Said Eucharist
This Wednesday 3 September at 10.00 am

Compline by Candlelight
This Wednesday 3 September at 8.30 pm

Sung Eucharist for the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Next Sunday 7 September at 10.00 am · Watch the service · View the order of service

Festal Evensong for our Patronal Festival
Next Sunday 7 September at 6.00 pm · Watch the service · View the order of service

Renewal of the Prayer List

Praying for those who are sick and in long-term care, or in any other kind of need, is central to our mission and it happens daily at Morning and Evening Prayer, and also at our Sunday Eucharists. In order to ensure that the prayer list remains up-to-date and manageable, however, we have decided to renew it twice a year. This will happen on the first Sunday of September and the first Sunday of March. A list is now available at the back of church for you to add the names (first names only, please, for data protection reasons) of anyone for whom you would like us to pray for. It is of course fine to add names at any time by contacting Claire or leaving a prayer on one of the cards that are always available at the back of the church, but please do also remember to ask for names to be removed if the person is recovering or a moment of crisis has passed. As well as those remembered by name, we always also pray for any others who are in need of our prayers, so please be assured that no-one will be left out. God knows our needs and the needs of those who are on our hearts, even when we do not articulate them in so many words. There is no need to renew the list of those whose year’s mind we remember: this will continue as usual.

The Leeds South & East Food Bank: What's Needed in August

The Leeds South & East Food Bank continues to be in urgent need of donations of food to help feed those in most need. In particular at the moment they are asking for UHT milk, biscuits, custard, cooking sauces and tinned or packet mashed potatoes.

If you are able, you can donate by picking one of these items up in your weekly shop and dropping it in the box at the back of the church. You can find other ways to help, including donating money or your time, on their website at wkrk.uk/fbd. If you need the help of a foodbank yourself, see wkrk.uk/fbh.

Heritage Weekend

Join us on the 13 September from 10.00 am until 4.00 pm, or the 14 September from 2.00 pm until 4.00 pm, as we celebrate our heritage. Explore the architecture of our church building, the history of people connected to St Mary’s, our collection of fine embroideries and more!

Open Church

This Saturday 6 September at 2.00 pm
St Mary's Church, Whitkirk

Don’t forget that St Mary’s is open every Saturday afternoon until the end of September for anyone to come in and look around. This may be an easy way for you to invite friends and neighbours who are not churchgoers to come in and find out more, so please do spread the word and encourage people to pop in. Refreshments will be available.

Concert Season: Smeaton String Quartet

This Saturday 6 September at 2.15 pm
St Mary's Church, Whitkirk

The Smeaton String Quartet return as part of our 2025 Concert Season. All are welcome. Free Admission with a retiring collection. Refreshments will be available.

The Annual Whitkirk Lecture: The view from the tower

Friday 12 September at 7.30 pm
St Mary's Church Whitkirk Community Centre

This year’s lecture explores the history of places you can see from our church tower, covering subjects including the Knights Templar, one of the oldest railway lines in the country, and a lost sporting venue.

The Annual Civic Service and Sung Eucharist at Temple Newsam House

Sunday 14 September at 10.00 am
Temple Newsam House

For more than a century St Mary’s has led this service at Temple Newsam House to mark the City of Leeds acquiring the estate. Please note that there is no service at St Mary’s this morning.

All Creatures Great and Small: Pet blessing service

Saturday 20 September at 2.00 pm
Whitkirk Vicarage Garden

Join us with your furry (or feathery or scaly) friends for a special service to celebrate the pets with whom we share our lives. Whether you have a donkey or a stick insect, all are welcome. Weather permitting, we will meeting in the vicarage garden (in the church, if wet) to sing, pray and praise God for the wonderful animals who keep us company, with a special blessing for pets and their owners. Please keep dogs (and larger animals) on a lead and have smaller animals in a basket or carrier, and come prepared to clean up after your pet.

Harvest lunch

Sunday 5 October
St Mary's Church Whitkirk Community Centre

Our Harvest Festival will be taking place this year on Sunday 5 October and will be followed, as usual, by our Harvest Lunch. More details to follow soon, but keep the date free for a wonderful feast with friends as we give thanks for all that God provides for us.

Songs of Praise: Whitkirk's Top Ten Hymns

Sunday 5 October at 6.00 pm
St Mary's Church, Whitkirk

On the same day as the Harvest Lunch, we will be holding a Songs of Praise service in lieu of our usual Choral Evensong. There will be a chance to vote for your favourite hymn and to see if it makes the Top Ten which we will sing on the day. Voting slips are available in the church today and you will also be able to vote via our Facebook page. One vote per person only, please!

We will also be looking for a few volunteers to say why they chose a particular hymn. If you would be willing to do this on the day, please tick the box on the voting form.

The tenth Sunday after Trinity

Sung Eucharist for the tenth Sunday after Trinity

Today at 10.00 am · Watch the service · View the order of service

Other services

Said Eucharist
This Wednesday 27 August at 10.00 am

Sacred Space
This Thursday 28 August at 6.00 pm

Pilgrims in the Park
This Saturday 30 August at 2.00 pm

Sung Eucharist for the eleventh Sunday after Trinity
Next Sunday 31 August at 10.00 am · Watch the service · View the order of service

The Leeds South & East Food Bank: What's Needed?

The Leeds South & East Food Bank continues to be in urgent need of donations of food to help feed those in most need. In particular at the moment they are asking for UHT milk, biscuits, custard, cooking sauces and tinned or packet mashed potatoes.

If you are able, you can donate by picking one of these items up in your weekly shop and dropping it in the box at the back of the church. You can find other ways to help, including donating money or your time, on their website at wkrk.uk/fbd. If you need the help of a foodbank yourself, see wkrk.uk/fbh.

Renewal of the Prayer List

Praying for those who are sick and in long-term care, or in any other kind of need, is central to our mission and it happens daily at Morning and Evening Prayer, and also at our Sunday Eucharists. In order to ensure that the prayer list remains up-to-date and manageable, however, we have decided to renew it twice a year. This will happen on the first Sunday of September and the first Sunday of March. A list is now available at the back of church for you to add the names (first names only, please, for data protection reasons) of anyone for whom you would like us to pray for. It is of course fine to add names at any time by contacting Claire or leaving a prayer on one of the cards that are always available at the back of the church, but please do also remember to ask for names to be removed if the person is recovering or a moment of crisis has passed. As well as those remembered by name, we always also pray for any others who are in need of our prayers, so please be assured that no-one will be left out. God knows our needs and the needs of those who are on our hearts, even when we do not articulate them in so many words. There is no need to renew the list of those whose year’s mind we remember: this will continue as usual.

Adam Kelly

Adam’s last service at Whitkirk before he leaves us to start his training for ordination will be on Sunday 31 August. We would like to invite you to celebrate all that Adam has brought to Whitkirk at a bring-and-share lunch after the service on that day. Food contributions can be left in the fridge in the Community Centre before the service. Please do stay and celebrate with Adam if you are able to do so.

Teddy Bear's Picnic

This Saturday 30 August at 12.30 pm
St Mary's Church, Whitkirk

Well-behaved bears and their humans are welcome at this event, especially suitable for under-10s. Bring your own picnic and we will provide drinks and treats. Teddy Zip Wire, Teddy Bear Trail, Treasure Hunt, games and loads of fun.

Open Church

This Saturday 30 August at 2.00 pm
St Mary's Church, Whitkirk

Don’t forget that St Mary’s is open every Saturday afternoon until the end of September for anyone to come in and look around. This may be an easy way for you to invite friends and neighbours who are not churchgoers to come in and find out more, so please do spread the word and encourage people to pop in. Refreshments will be available.

Concert Season: Smeaton String Quartet

Saturday 6 September at 2.15 pm
St Mary's Church, Whitkirk

The Smeaton String Quartet return as part of our 2025 Concert Season. All are welcome. Free Admission with a retiring collection. Refreshments will be available.

The Annual Whitkirk Lecture: The view from the tower

Friday 12 September at 7.30 pm
St Mary's Church Whitkirk Community Centre

This year’s lecture explores the history of places you can see from our church tower, covering subjects including the Knights Templar, one of the oldest railway lines in the country, and a lost sporting venue.

All Creatures Great and Small: Pet blessing service

Saturday 20 September at 2.00 pm
Whitkirk Vicarage Garden

Join us with your furry (or feathery or scaly) friends for a special service to celebrate the pets with whom we share our lives. Whether you have a donkey or a stick insect, all are welcome. Weather permitting, we will meeting in the vicarage garden (in the church, if wet) to sing, pray and praise God for the wonderful animals who keep us company, with a special blessing for pets and their owners. Please keep dogs (and larger animals) on a lead and have smaller animals in a basket or carrier, and come prepared to clean up after your pet.

Harvest lunch

Sunday 5 October
St Mary's Church Whitkirk Community Centre

Our Harvest Festival will be taking place this year on Sunday 5 October and will be followed, as usual, by our Harvest Lunch. More details to follow soon, but keep the date free for a wonderful feast with friends as we give thanks for all that God provides for us.

Songs of Praise: Whitkirk's Top Ten Hymns

Sunday 5 October at 6.00 pm
St Mary's Church, Whitkirk

On the same day as the Harvest Lunch, we will be holding a Songs of Praise service in lieu of our usual Choral Evensong. There will be a chance to vote for your favourite hymn and to see if it makes the Top Ten which we will sing on the day. Voting slips are available in the church today and you will also be able to vote via our Facebook page. One vote per person only, please!

We will also be looking for a few volunteers to say _why _they chose a particular hymn. If you would be willing to do this on the day, please tick the box on the voting form.

The ninth Sunday after Trinity

Sung Eucharist for the ninth Sunday after Trinity

Today at 10.00 am · Watch the service · View the order of service

Other services

Said Eucharist
This Wednesday 20 August at 10.00 am

Sung Eucharist for the tenth Sunday after Trinity
Next Sunday 24 August at 10.00 am · Watch the service · View the order of service

The Leeds South & East Food Bank: What's Needed?

The Leeds South & East Food Bank continues to be in urgent need of donations of food to help feed those in most need. In particular at the moment they are asking for UHT milk, biscuits, custard, cooking sauces and tinned or packet mashed potatoes.

If you are able, you can donate by picking one of these items up in your weekly shop and dropping it in the box at the back of the church. You can find other ways to help, including donating money or your time, on their website at wkrk.uk/fbd. If you need the help of a foodbank yourself, see wkrk.uk/fbh.

Renewal of the Prayer List

Praying for those who are sick and in long-term care, or in any other kind of need, is central to our mission and it happens daily at Morning and Evening Prayer, and also at our Sunday Eucharists. In order to ensure that the prayer list remains up-to-date and manageable, however, we have decided to renew it twice a year. This will happen on the first Sunday of September and the first Sunday of March. A list is now available at the back of church for you to add the names (first names only, please, for data protection reasons) of anyone for whom you would like us to pray for. It is of course fine to add names at any time by contacting Claire or leaving a prayer on one of the cards that are always available at the back of the church, but please do also remember to ask for names to be removed if the person is recovering or a moment of crisis has passed. As well as those remembered by name, we always also pray for any others who are in need of our prayers, so please be assured that no-one will be left out. God knows our needs and the needs of those who are on our hearts, even when we do not articulate them in so many words. There is no need to renew the list of those whose year’s mind we remember: this will continue as usual.

Adam Kelly

Adam’s last service at Whitkirk before he leaves us to start his training for ordination will be on Sunday 31 August. We would like to invite you to celebrate all that Adam has brought to Whitkirk at a bring-and-share lunch after the service on that day. Food contributions can be left in the fridge in the Community Centre before the service. Please do stay and celebrate with Adam if you are able to do so.

Open Church

This Saturday 23 August at 2.00 pm
St Mary's Church, Whitkirk

Don’t forget that St Mary’s is open every Saturday afternoon until the end of September for anyone to come in and look around. This may be an easy way for you to invite friends and neighbours who are not churchgoers to come in and find out more, so please do spread the word and encourage people to pop in. Refreshments will be available.