News and Notices

The second Sunday of Lent

Sung Eucharist for the second Sunday of Lent

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

Other services

Choral Evensong
Today at 6.00 pm · Watch the service · View the order of service

Bears and Prayers
This Tuesday 3 March at 9.30 am

Said Eucharist
This Wednesday 4 March at 10.00 am

Compline by Candlelight
This Wednesday 4 March at 8.30 pm

World Day of Prayer service
This Friday 6 March at 2.00 pm

Sung Eucharist for the third Sunday of Lent
Next Sunday 8 March at 10.00 am · Watch the service · View the order of service

Messy Church
Next Sunday 8 March at 4.00 pm

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

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.

Lent talks

Our series of Lent Talks this year is focusing on the Lord’s Prayer and continues this week with a talk by Canon Jude Smith, the Diocese of Leeds’ Director of Mission and Revitalisation. Explore in more depth the prayer that Jesus taught us, probably the first ‘formal’ prayer that most Christians learn, a prayer we say, perhaps without really stopping to think about what its words really mean to us. Each speaker will present a personal take on a line of the prayer, with time for questions or reflections. After Easter, there will be the opportunity to hear the Archbishop of York speak about the Lord’s Prayer at Wakefield Cathedral on 28 April. You might also want to buy the Archbishop’s book about the Lord’s Prayer, Praying by Heart: The Lord’s Prayer for Everyone. Each of our Lent talks will be followed by a short service of Compline. Recordings of the talks will be made available online for those not able to attend in person.

• 4 March: Rev’d Canon Jude Smith (Director of Mission and Revitalisation for the Diocese of Leeds): ‘Lead us not into temptation’
• 11 March: Rev’d Andy Muckle (Chaplain to St George’s Crypt & Bishop’s Chaplain to the Homeless in the Diocese of Leeds); ‘Give us this day our daily bread’
• 18 March: Very Rev’d Dr Philip Hobday (Dean of Wakefield): ‘Our Father’
• 25 March: Rev’d Linda Boon (Harrogate School of Theology and Mission): ‘Forgive us our trespasses’

Marmalade and more

Jessie Pickersgill will be holding a sale of marmalade and Easter things on Sunday 8 March 2026, following the service. All proceeds for church funds. She would be grateful to receive any empty jam jars with lids. These can be left in the box at the back of the church. Thank you.

Church cleaning

Could you spare some time to help us keep our beautiful church clean? We are reinstating our church cleaning sessions on the first Wednesday of the month from about 10.45 am (after the midweek Eucharist). We are so grateful for any help received. No experience needed!

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 decided last summer that it would be renewed twice a year. This will happen on the first Sunday of September and on Easter Sunday. 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 (unless you would like a new name to be added): this will continue as usual.

World Day of Prayer service

This Friday 6 March at 2.00 pm
St Mary's Church, Whitkirk

You are invited to a service to mark the World Day of Prayer 2026 on 6 March at 2.00 p.m. Churches Together in East Leeds will be organising this service as part of a global wave of prayer, with churches and Christian organisations around the globe using the same materials, prepared this year by women in Nigeria, to celebrate our oneness in diversity. ​The World Day of Prayer is a global ecumenical movement led by Christian women who invite you to join in prayer and action for peace and justice. The 2026 World Day of Prayer materials from Nigeria bring us a powerful invitation drawn from Matthew 11:28-30. At a time when people worldwide are carrying heavy burdens, our Nigerian sisters offer profound insights into finding rest in God. Through their exploration of different kinds of burdens – shame, systemic oppression, religious persecution, poverty and despair – the writers help us understand both the weight of human suffering and the depths of divine rest. Their work shows us that true rest isn’t just about physical relief, but about transformation through God’s grace and community support. Please join us if you can for this celebration.

Community Centre Spring Clean

Saturday 21 March at 9.00 am

21 March is the first day of spring. Could you spare a little bit of time to help us spring-clean the Community Centre? We will be there from 9.30 am, all equipment provided, all help appreciated. Come for half an hour or for the whole morning, do as much or as little as you are able. Every little helps! Help us keep the Centre spick and span ahead of the busy summer season for bookings. Thank you!

The first Sunday of Lent

Sung Eucharist for the first Sunday of Lent

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

Other services

Bears and Prayers
This Tuesday 24 February at 9.30 am

Said Eucharist
This Wednesday 25 February at 10.00 am

Sacred Space
This Thursday 26 February at 6.00 pm

Sung Eucharist for the second Sunday of Lent
Next Sunday 1 March at 10.00 am · Watch the service · View the order of service

Choral Evensong
Next Sunday 1 March at 6.00 pm · Watch the service · View the order of service

Lent talks

Our series of Lent Talks this year will focus on the Lord’s Prayer. Explore in more depth the prayer that Jesus taught us, probably the first ‘formal’ prayer that most Christians learn, a prayer we say, perhaps without really stopping to think about what its words really mean to us. Each speaker will present a personal take on a line of the prayer, with time for questions or reflections. After Easter, there will be the opportunity to hear the Archbishop of York speak about the Lord’s Prayer at Wakefield Cathedral on 28 April. You might also want to buy the Archbishop’s book about the Lord’s Prayer, Praying by Heart: The Lord’s Prayer for Everyone. Each of our Lent talks will be followed by a short service of Compline.

• 25 February: Rev’d Brunel James (Project and Secretariat Manager for the Church of England’s Racial Justice Unit): ‘Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven’
• 4 March: Rev’d Canon Jude Smith (Director of Mission and Revitalisation for the Diocese of Leeds): ‘Lead us not into temptation’
• 11 March: Rev’d Andy Muckle (Chaplain to St George’s Crypt & Bishop’s Chaplain to the Homeless in the Diocese of Leeds); ‘Give us this day our daily bread’
• 18 March: Very Rev’d Dr Philip Hobday (Dean of Wakefield): ‘Our Father’
• 25 March: Rev’d Linda Boon (Harrogate School of Theology and Mission): ‘Forgive us our trespasses’

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

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.

Bible discussion group

If you are wondering about renewing your focus on reading the Bible as a Lenten discipline, why not come along to our friendly Bible Discussion Group which meets every Friday at 6.00 pm in the Smeaton Room? We focus on the readings for the following Sunday’s Eucharist, but there are plenty of chances to ask questions (including about other passages or issues), all in a supportive atmosphere where there’s no such thing as a ‘silly question’. All are welcome; no previous knowledge or experience is expected. 

Stations of the Lord's Prayer

As you came in today, you should have been given a leaflet about the Lord’s Prayer, inviting you to pause to reflect on this familiar prayer. You can do this at any time when the church is open – before or after a service, after Morning Prayer (when the church normally remains open for about half an hour), before one or more of the Lent talks – but we will be opening specifically for reflection on the Lord’s Prayer on the afternoon of Palm Sunday, when the church will be open from 2.00 pm until 5.00 pm for quiet prayer and reflection. Alternatively, feel free to use the leaflet in your own prayer time in the comfort of your own homes, imagining yourself journeying around the church rather than doing so physically.  

Deanery Evensong

Today at 5.00 pm
St Saviour's Church, Ellerby Road

Please join us for a special service of Evensong for the East Leeds Deanery tonight at 5.00 pm at St Saviour’s, Richmond Hill. The Deanery Evensong which we hosted in July was very well attended, so it would be nice for Whitkirk folk to show their support for this service too. Rev’d Claire will be the preacher at this service, led by Fr Jonathan Fleury.

Bears and Prayers

This Tuesday 24 February at 9.30 am
St Mary's Church, Whitkirk

Rev’d Claire and her trusty assistant Rev’d Bear will be launching ‘Bears and Prayers’ this Tuesday. ‘Bears and Prayers’ is a new initiative for pre-schoolers and the adults who look after them. A short service, featuring songs, stories, prayers and, of course, bears, will be followed by refreshments for adults and children and a chance to chat and play together. The service takes place on Tuesdays in term-time from 9.30 am until 10.30 am. All are welcome. Bring your own bears!

The Sunday next before Lent

Sung Eucharist for the Sunday next before Lent

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

Other services

Said Eucharist for Ash Wednesday
This Wednesday 18 February at 10.00 am

Sung Eucharist for Ash Wednesday
This Wednesday 18 February at 7.30 pm · View the order of service

Sung Eucharist for the first Sunday of Lent
Next Sunday 22 February at 10.00 am · Watch the service · View the order of service

Lent talks

Our series of Lent Talks this year will focus on the Lord’s Prayer. Explore in more depth the prayer that Jesus taught us, probably the first ‘formal’ prayer that most Christians learn, a prayer we say, perhaps without really stopping to think about what its words really mean to us. Each speaker will present a personal take on a line of the prayer, with time for questions or reflections. After Easter, there will be the opportunity to hear the Archbishop of York speak about the Lord’s Prayer at Wakefield Cathedral on 28 April. You might also want to buy the Archbishop’s book about the Lord’s Prayer, Praying by Heart: The Lord’s Prayer for Everyone. Each of our Lent talks will be followed by a short service of Compline.

• 25 February: Rev’d Brunel James (Project and Secretariat Manager for the Church of England’s Racial Justice Unit): ‘Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven’
• 4 March: Rev’d Canon Jude Smith (Director of Mission and Revitalisation for the Diocese of Leeds): ‘Lead us not into temptation’
• 11 March: Rev’d Andy Muckle (Chaplain to St George’s Crypt & Bishop’s Chaplain to the Homeless in the Diocese of Leeds); ‘Give us this day our daily bread’
• 18 March: Very Rev’d Dr Philip Hobday (Dean of Wakefield): ‘Our Father’
• 25 March: Rev’d Linda Boon (Harrogate School of Theology and Mission): ‘Forgive us our trespasses’

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

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.

Lent begins

Lent begins on Wednesday 18 February. We will be marking this with two Eucharists with imposition of ashes: a said service at 10.00 am and a sung Eucharist at 7.30 pm. Please do try to attend church on Ash Wednesday if you can: it is a hugely important day in the church calendar. For those ‘on the go’ and to help to explain what Ash Wednesday is all about to those who may not attend church, we will also be offering ‘Ashes to Go’ in the amphitheatre at Temple Newsam House on Ash Wednesday between 12.00 and 2.00 pm. If you are out and about, do pop by and see us (ashing optional). It would be lovely to see some friendly faces!

Bible discussion group

If you are wondering about renewing your focus on reading the Bible as a Lenten discipline, why not come along to our friendly Bible Discussion Group which meets every Friday at 6.00 pm in the Smeaton Room? We focus on the readings for the following Sunday’s Eucharist, but there are plenty of chances to ask questions (including about other passages or issues), all in a supportive atmosphere where there’s no such thing as a ‘silly question’. All are welcome; no previous knowledge or experience is expected. 

Pancake Social

This Tuesday 17 February at 5.30 pm
St Mary's Church Whitkirk Community Centre

A date for your diary. Ash Wednesday this year is 18 February, which can mean only one thing… our famous Pancake Social will be on 17 February from 5.30 pm in the Community Centre. Pancake prayers, games and fun, and of course pancakes galore! Don’t miss it.

The second Sunday before Lent

Sung Eucharist for the second Sunday before Lent

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

Other services

Messy Church
Today at 4.00 pm

Said Eucharist
This Wednesday 11 February at 10.00 am

Sanctuary
This Thursday 12 February at 6.30 pm

Sung Eucharist for the last Sunday before Lent
Next Sunday 15 February at 10.00 am · Watch the service · View the order of service

Confirmations 2026

In 2026 confirmations in the Leeds Episcopal Area are taking place by Deanery rather than in individual parish churches as was the case last year. The dates for the East Leeds Deanery for 2026 are 17 May at St Peter’s Thorner and 13 September at St James the Great Manston. If you are thinking about being confirmed, have a word with Claire about registering for one of these services.

Lent talks

Our series of Lent Talks this year will focus on the Lord’s Prayer. Explore in more depth the prayer that Jesus taught us, probably the first ‘formal’ prayer that most Christians learn, a prayer we say, perhaps without really stopping to think about what its words really mean to us. Each speaker will present a personal take on a line of the prayer, with time for questions or reflections. After Easter, there will be the opportunity to hear the Archbishop of York speak about the Lord’s Prayer at Wakefield Cathedral on 28 April. You might also want to buy the Archbishop’s book about the Lord’s Prayer, Praying by Heart: The Lord’s Prayer for Everyone. Each of our Lent talks will be followed by a short service of Compline.

• 25 February: Rev’d Brunel James (Project and Secretariat Manager for the Church of England’s Racial Justice Unit): ‘Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven’
• 4 March: Rev’d Canon Jude Smith (Director of Mission and Revitalisation for the Diocese of Leeds): ‘Lead us not into temptation’
• 11 March: Rev’d Andy Muckle (Chaplain to St George’s Crypt & Bishop’s Chaplain to the Homeless in the Diocese of Leeds); ‘Give us this day our daily bread’
• 18 March: Very Rev’d Dr Philip Hobday (Dean of Wakefield): ‘Our Father’
• 25 March: Rev’d Linda Boon (Harrogate School of Theology and Mission): ‘Forgive us our trespasses’

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

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.

Racial Justice Sunday

Today has been designated as Racial Justice Sunday by the Church of England and other churches in the UK. The following prayer has been written by the ecumenical organisation, Churches Together in Britain and Ireland, for the day. You might like to use it today and/or in the days ahead as you pray for racial justice, tolerance and understanding:

God of all creation, gather us in – stranger and friend, bring us into Your loving presence, that we might know that Your love for us never ends and has no terms or conditions.

God of love, on this Racial Justice Sunday, point us towards Your dream for all people, that we might work together in hope, for justice, peace and unity throughout Your world.

Give us grace, show us mercy, that we might live and love in Your name, now and forever. Amen

Pancake Social

Tuesday 17 February at 5.30 pm
St Mary's Church Whitkirk Community Centre

A date for your diary. Ash Wednesday this year is 18 February, which can mean only one thing… our famous Pancake Social will be on 17 February from 5.30 pm in the Community Centre. Pancake prayers, games and fun, and of course pancakes galore! Don’t miss it.

Candlemas

Sung Eucharist for Candlemas

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

Other services

Festal Evensong for Candlemas
Today at 6.00 pm · Watch the service · View the order of service

Said Eucharist
This Wednesday 4 February at 10.00 am

Compline by Candlelight
This Wednesday 4 February at 8.30 pm

Sung Eucharist for the second Sunday before Lent
Next Sunday 8 February at 10.00 am · Watch the service · View the order of service

Messy Church
Next Sunday 8 February at 4.00 pm

Confirmations 2026

In 2026 confirmations in the Leeds Episcopal Area are taking place by Deanery rather than in individual parish churches as was the case last year. The dates for the East Leeds Deanery for 2026 are 17 May at St Peter’s Thorner and 13 September at St James the Great Manston. If you are thinking about being confirmed, have a word with Claire about registering for one of these services.

Lent talks

Our series of Lent Talks this year will focus on the Lord’s Prayer. Explore in more depth the prayer that Jesus taught us, probably the first ‘formal’ prayer that most Christians learn, a prayer we say, perhaps without really stopping to think about what its words really mean to us. Each speaker will present a personal take on a line of the prayer, with time for questions or reflections. After Easter, there will be the opportunity to hear the Archbishop of York speak about the Lord’s Prayer at Wakefield Cathedral on 28 April. You might also want to buy the Archbishop’s book about the Lord’s Prayer, Praying by Heart: The Lord’s Prayer for Everyone. Each of our Lent talks will be followed by a short service of Compline.

• 25 February: Rev’d Brunel James (Project and Secretariat Manager for the Church of England’s Racial Justice Unit): ‘Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven’
• 4 March: Rev’d Canon Jude Smith (Director of Mission and Revitalisation for the Diocese of Leeds): ‘Lead us not into temptation’
• 11 March: Rev’d Andy Muckle (Chaplain to St George’s Crypt & Bishop’s Chaplain to the Homeless in the Diocese of Leeds); ‘Give us this day our daily bread’
• 18 March: Very Rev’d Dr Philip Hobday (Dean of Wakefield): ‘Our Father’
• 25 March: Rev’d Linda Boon (Harrogate School of Theology and Mission): ‘Forgive us our trespasses’

Pancake Social

Tuesday 17 February at 5.30 pm
St Mary's Church Whitkirk Community Centre

A date for your diary. Ash Wednesday this year is 18 February, which can mean only one thing… our famous Pancake Social will be on 17 February from 5.30 pm in the Community Centre. Pancake prayers, games and fun, and of course pancakes galore! Don’t miss it.

The Conversion of Paul

Sung Eucharist for the Conversion of Paul

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

Other services

Said Eucharist
This Wednesday 28 January at 10.00 am

Sacred Space
This Thursday 29 January at 6.00 pm

Sung Eucharist for Candlemas
Next Sunday 1 February at 10.00 am · Watch the service · View the order of service

Festal Evensong for Candlemas
Next Sunday 1 February at 6.00 pm · Watch the service · View the order of service

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

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.

Experience Easter

Have you heard us speaking about the ‘Experience…’ sessions that we run for children from our local primary schools? Would you like to find out more? We will be running our next session, ‘Experience Easter’ on 4, 5, and 6 March. If you would be interested in volunteering to help with these sessions (you don’t need to commit to doing all of them – just one morning or afternoon is fine), just ask Claire for more information.

Parish Giving Scheme

Just a reminder that St Mary’s recently registered for the Parish Giving Scheme (PGS), an alternative method of regular giving. A number of our PCC members have already signed up for this, including your Gift Aid Officer, Shelagh Freer, so if you have any questions, please have a word with her about it.

PGS not only provides a safe way for you to give to our church, it helps everyone involved.

As a giver, you benefit from:

• Flexibility, retaining control of how much you give, how often and to which church
• Certainty, that this simple giving method is helping our church to receive regular financial support.
• Futureproofing, having the option to increase a regular gift annually to protect your gift against inflation
• Anonymity, if preferred
• Security, peace of mind that the Direct Debit Guarantee Scheme protects your regular gifts for all you are able to give to support the life and work of our church.

Did you know that it’s making life simpler for our church finance team too?

• PGS claims eligible Gift Aid from HMRC on our church’s behalf, maximising your gift with no hassle for the gift aid officer.
• PGS processes multiple gifts in a single transaction reducing administration and paperwork.
• Secure access for the gift aid officer to view our church’s monthly and annual statements online
• Saving time, for all those who count the cash given in church

And our church benefits from:

• A trusted mechanism to channel the financial generosity of all givers
• Predictable income that can be dedicated towards our mission and ministry, life and work
• Stable and planned giving makes it possible to plan for the future and to be the church God calls us to be.

To sign up, go to wkrk.uk/pgs or call 0333 002 1271.

Confirmations 2026

In 2026 confirmations in the Leeds Episcopal Area are taking place by Deanery rather than in individual parish churches as was the case last year. The dates for the East Leeds Deanery for 2026 are 17 May at St Peter’s Thorner and 13 September at St James the Great Manston. If you are thinking about being confirmed, have a word with Claire about registering for one of these services.

Assembly Bangers

Today at 4.00 pm
St Mary's Church, Whitkirk

Do you love to sing? Do you remember your schooldays with fondness and nostalgia? Do you need something to bring cheer to a cold January afternoon? Then join us for ‘Assembly Bangers’, a chance to sing all your favourite school assembly hits, old and new. Informal fun for all the family; nostalgic refreshments (jam and coconut sponge, anyone?) available. Tell your neighbours, bring your friends… school uniform not required…

Candlemas Lantern Making

This Saturday 31 January at 3.00 pm
St Mary's Church, Whitkirk

Join us to make and decorate lanterns for Candlemas. Light up the dark winter evening. Share refreshments and crafts. The session will end with a short service of thanksgiving for the light that is returning and a lantern procession around the church.  

Pancake Social

Tuesday 17 February at 5.30 pm
St Mary's Church Whitkirk Community Centre

A date for your diary. Ash Wednesday this year is 18 February, which can mean only one thing… our famous Pancake Social will be on 17 February from 5.30 pm in the Community Centre. Pancake prayers, games and fun, and of course pancakes galore! Don’t miss it.

The second Sunday after The Epiphany

Sung Eucharist for the second Sunday after The Epiphany

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

Other services

Said Eucharist
This Wednesday 21 January at 10.00 am

Sung Eucharist for the Conversion of Paul
Next Sunday 25 January at 10.00 am · Watch the service · View the order of service

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

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.

Baptisms

It is a joy to welcome Elijah, with Oliwia and Daniel, as he comes to be baptised today. Please pray for him and for the whole family as they continue to grow as followers of Christ. Please also keep in your prayers Max, who will be baptised after today’s service, and Ashton, who will be baptised next Sunday after our main service.

Experience Easter

Have you heard us speaking about the ‘Experience…’ sessions that we run for children from our local primary schools? Would you like to find out more? We will be running our next session, ‘Experience Easter’ on 4, 5, and 6 March. If you would be interested in volunteering to help with these sessions (you don’t need to commit to doing all of them – just one morning or afternoon is fine), just ask Claire for more information.

Assembly Bangers

Next Sunday 25 January at 4.00 pm
St Mary's Church, Whitkirk

Do you love to sing? Do you remember your schooldays with fondness and nostalgia? Do you need something to bring cheer to a cold January afternoon? Then join us for ‘Assembly Bangers’, a chance to sing all your favourite school assembly hits, old and new. Informal fun for all the family; nostalgic refreshments (jam and coconut sponge, anyone?) available. Tell your neighbours, bring your friends… school uniform not required…

Candlemas Lantern Making

Saturday 31 January at 3.00 pm
St Mary's Church, Whitkirk

Join us to make and decorate lanterns for Candlemas. Light up the dark winter evening. Share refreshments and crafts. The session will end with a short service of thanksgiving for the light that is returning and a lantern procession around the church.  

Pancake Social

Tuesday 17 February at 5.30 pm
St Mary's Church Whitkirk Community Centre

A date for your diary. Ash Wednesday this year is 18th February, which can mean only one thing… our famous Pancake Social will be on 17 February from 5.30 pm in the Community Centre. Pancake prayers, games and fun, and of course pancakes galore! Don’t miss it.

The Baptism of Christ

Sung Eucharist for the Baptism of Christ

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

Other services

Messy Church
Today at 4.00 pm

Said Eucharist
This Wednesday 14 January at 10.00 am

Sung Eucharist for the second Sunday after The Epiphany
Next Sunday 18 January at 10.00 am · Watch the service · View the order of service

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

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.