News and Notices

The thirteenth Sunday after Trinity

Sung Eucharist for the thirteenth Sunday after Trinity

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

Other services

Said Eucharist
This Wednesday 2 September at 10.00 am

Compline by Candlelight
This Wednesday 2 September at 8.30 pm

Sung Eucharist for the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Next Sunday 6 September at 10.00 am · Watch the service · View the order of service

Festal Evensong for the Blessed Virgin Mary
Next Sunday 6 September at 6.00 pm · Watch the service · View the order of service

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

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

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.

Today's service

Have you ever wondered why we do what we do when we gather for worship? Why do we wear specific colours? What’s the point of incense (clue: it’s not just to make you all cough)? What’s with all the lifting up and putting down and ringing of bells? Why do we pray? And who is Gloria anyway? Today’s service will start to answer some of these questions and more…

The service will have a slightly different format from our usual Sunday services, but all the usual elements will be there. We hope that today’s service will be useful to you, whether you have been attending church here since the time of Paulinus or you have joined us today for the first time.

Pet blessing service

This Saturday 5 September at 2.00 pm
Whitkirk Vicarage Garden

Following the success of last year’s service, we will once again be holding a pet blessing service in September. If you have a pet, or if you know anyone who has a pet and would like to bring it for a blessing, all are welcome, from puppies to ponies, and from iguanas to guinea pigs… Small animals must be safely contained in boxes or cages; large animals on leads. All are welcome. Tell your friends and neighbours.

Community Centre Autumn Clean-Up

Saturday 12 September at 9.00 am
St Mary's Church Whitkirk Community Centre

Come and help us spruce up the Community Centre after the busy summer period, ahead of our Autumn and Winter bookings. We’d love you to help us clean the Community Centre, which is such a vital asset to our work as a Church here in Whitkirk and beyond. No need to stay all morning: pop in for as long as you can spare and we will find you a job. All contributions are welcome and many hands will make light work!

Back to school service

Sunday 13 September at 10.00 am
St Mary's Church, Whitkirk

We will once again be holding a ‘back to school’ service, where our children and young people play a leading role in September, as they begin their new school year. Sign-up sheets are available at the back of church for anyone who would like their child(ren) to take part, or simply email Claire on [email protected] for more information. Roles for all ages will be available… Last year everyone found this a fun and uplifting service and we are so grateful to have our children and young people as part of our church community.

Trip to Lichfield and Hoar Cross

Thursday 17 September at 12.00 am

You are invited to join us on Thursday 17th September for a parish trip to Lichfield, where there will be a chance to explore the city and/or the cathedral (optional Eucharist at 12.30pm), and to the beautiful Church of the Holy Angels at Hoar Cross, where we will enjoy a guided tour of the church. The church at Hoar Cross has a connection to Whitkirk through the Hon. Emily Meynell Ingram, who commissioned George Bodley to build the church as a memorial to her late husband. We will enjoy refreshments at Hoar Cross before returning to Whitkirk. There will be time to buy lunch, or to eat a packed lunch, in Lichfield.

We can now confirm that that cost of this trip will be £25 per person, which will include coach travel and the guided tour of Hoar Cross. Please see Joan Williams in the Community Centre after today’s or next week’s service to pay for your ticket.

As always, we do not want anyone who would like to come on this trip to be prevented from doing so by questions of cost. If you would like to come but would struggle to pay for a ticket, please have a quiet word with Claire after today’s service.

Heritage Open Weekend

Saturday 19 September

Join us over the weekend of 19 and 20 September for our Heritage Open Weekend. This year’s events will celebrate the 400th anniversary of the city of Leeds receiving its charter and our theme will be ‘Going to Church in 1626’. The church will be open from 10.00 am till 4.00 pm on the Saturday and from 2.00 pm till 4.00 pm on the Sunday and all are welcome.

As well as the usual displays, there will be short talks on this subject at 11.00 am and 2.30 pm on the Saturday and at 2.30 pm on the Sunday, and a service of Holy Communion will be celebrated according to the Book of Common Prayer at 4.30 pm on the Saturday afternoon. 

There will be an animal trail and quiz for children and young people, and we will also be holding an art competition. Images of the church or anything related to it can be submitted on either day and prizes will be awarded in three categories (10 and under, 11-16 years, and 17 and over). Submissions must have the name and contact details of the entrant on the back and judging will take place when the church closes on the Sunday.

The twelfth Sunday after Trinity

Sung Eucharist for the twelfth Sunday after Trinity

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

Other services

Said Eucharist
This Wednesday 26 August at 10.00 am

Sacred Space
This Thursday 27 August at 6.00 pm

Pilgrims in the Park
This Saturday 29 August at 2.00 pm

Sung Eucharist for the thirteenth Sunday after Trinity
Next Sunday 30 August at 10.00 am · Watch the service · View the order of service

Heritage Open Weekend and Temple Newsam Service

More details will follow in the weeks ahead, but do keep the weekend of 19 and 20 September free for our Heritage Open Weekend and annual Temple Newsam Service. The Heritage Open Weekend this year will celebrate the 400th anniversary of the city of Leeds receiving its charter and our theme will be ‘Going to Church in 1626’.

As well as the usual displays, there will be short talks on this subject throughout the day, and a service of Holy Communion will be celebrated according to the Book of Common Prayer at 4.30 pm on the Saturday afternoon. On the Sunday, the preacher for our annual Temple Newsam Service will be the Very Reverend Andrew Nunn. It promises to be a wonderful weekend.

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

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

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 from Revd Claire

A huge thank you to everyone who helped cover during my holiday, and especially to the churchwardens, to Rev’d Rosemarie for presiding on both Sundays, to Rev’d Gordon and Rev’d Robin for presiding at our midweek services, and to Adam Kelly for preaching. I really appreciate your support.

Play Music on the Porch for Peace

This Saturday 29 August at 4.15 pm
St Mary's Church, Whitkirk

29 August is International Play Music on the Porch Day and this year musicians worldwide will be playing music on their porches for world peace. Our very own Heather Woodhead will be playing and singing in the church porch from 4.15 pm and you are invited to come and listen and maybe light a candle and say a prayer for peace.

Pet blessing service

Saturday 5 September at 2.00 pm
Whitkirk Vicarage Garden

Following the success of last year’s service, we will once again be holding a pet blessing service in September. If you have a pet, or if you know anyone who has a pet and would like to bring it for a blessing, all are welcome, from puppies to ponies, and from iguanas to guinea pigs… Small animals must be safely contained in boxes or cages; large animals on leads. All are welcome. Tell your friends and neighbours.

Community Centre Autumn Clean-Up

Saturday 12 September at 9.00 am
St Mary's Church Whitkirk Community Centre

Come and help us spruce up the Community Centre after the busy summer period, ahead of our Autumn and Winter bookings. We’d love you to help us clean the Community Centre, which is such a vital asset to our work as a Church here in Whitkirk and beyond. No need to stay all morning: pop in for as long as you can spare and we will find you a job. All contributions are welcome and many hands will make light work!

Back to school service

Sunday 13 September at 10.00 am
St Mary's Church, Whitkirk

We will once again be holding a ‘back to school’ service, where our children and young people play a leading role in September, as they begin their new school year. Sign-up sheets are available at the back of church for anyone who would like their child(ren) to take part, or simply email Claire on [email protected] for more information. Roles for all ages will be available… Last year everyone found this a fun and uplifting service and we are so grateful to have our children and young people as part of our church community.

Trip to Lichfield and Hoar Cross

Thursday 17 September at 12.00 am

You are invited to join us on Thursday 17th September for a parish trip to Lichfield, where there will be a chance to explore the city and/or the cathedral (optional Eucharist at 12.30pm), and to the beautiful Church of the Holy Angels at Hoar Cross, where we will enjoy a guided tour of the church. The church at Hoar Cross has a connection to Whitkirk through the Hon. Emily Meynell Ingram, who commissioned George Bodley to build the church as a memorial to her late husband. We will enjoy refreshments at Hoar Cross before returning to Whitkirk. There will be time to buy lunch, or to eat a packed lunch, in Lichfield.

We expect to leave Whitkirk at about 8.30am and to return for around 6.00pm and we expect the cost to be between £20 and £25 per person, depending on numbers. If you are interested in joining us for this trip, please register your interest in the Community Centre after today’s service (or in the next few weeks), or online at wkrk.uk/hc. Once we have an idea of numbers, we will finalise all details.

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 19 August at 10.00 am

Sung Eucharist for the twelfth Sunday after Trinity
Next Sunday 23 August at 10.00 am · Watch the service · View the order of service

August holidays

Please note that there will be no Daily Prayer in church between 3 August and 17 August. Daily Prayer will be back as usual at 8.30 am and 5.30 pm from 18 August. Don’t forget that you can download the Daily Prayer app or find Daily Prayer from the Church of England online in both written and audio formats at wkrk.uk/cedp. Our Friday Bible Discussion Group continues as usual, as does our Wednesday midweek Eucharist.

Heritage Open Weekend and Temple Newsam Service

More details will follow in the weeks ahead, but do keep the weekend of 19 and 20 September free for our Heritage Open Weekend and annual Temple Newsam Service. The Heritage Open Weekend this year will celebrate the 400th anniversary of the city of Leeds receiving its charter and our theme will be ‘Going to Church in 1626’.

As well as the usual displays, there will be short talks on this subject throughout the day, and a service of Holy Communion will be celebrated according to the Book of Common Prayer at 4.30 pm on the Saturday afternoon. On the Sunday, the preacher for our annual Temple Newsam Service will be the Very Reverend Andrew Nunn. It promises to be a wonderful weekend.

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

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

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.

Pet blessing service

Saturday 5 September at 2.00 pm
Whitkirk Vicarage Garden

Following the success of last year’s service, we will once again be holding a pet blessing service in September. If you have a pet, or if you know anyone who has a pet and would like to bring it for a blessing, all are welcome, from puppies to ponies, and from iguanas to guinea pigs… Small animals must be safely contained in boxes or cages; large animals on leads. All are welcome. Tell your friends and neighbours.

Back to school service

Sunday 13 September at 10.00 am
St Mary's Church, Whitkirk

We will once again be holding a ‘back to school’ service, where our children and young people play a leading role in September, as they begin their new school year. Sign-up sheets are available at the back of church for anyone who would like their child(ren) to take part, or simply email Claire on [email protected] for more information. Roles for all ages will be available… Last year everyone found this a fun and uplifting service and we are so grateful to have our children and young people as part of our church community.

Trip to Lichfield and Hoar Cross

Thursday 17 September at 12.00 am

You are invited to join us on Thursday 17th September for a parish trip to Lichfield, where there will be a chance to explore the city and/or the cathedral (optional Eucharist at 12.30pm), and to the beautiful Church of the Holy Angels at Hoar Cross, where we will enjoy a guided tour of the church. The church at Hoar Cross has a connection to Whitkirk through the Hon. Emily Meynell Ingram, who commissioned George Bodley to build the church as a memorial to her late husband. We will enjoy refreshments at Hoar Cross before returning to Whitkirk. There will be time to buy lunch, or to eat a packed lunch, in Lichfield.

We expect to leave Whitkirk at about 8.30am and to return for around 6.00pm and we expect the cost to be between £20 and £25 per person, depending on numbers. If you are interested in joining us for this trip, please register your interest in the Community Centre after today’s service (or in the next few weeks), or online at wkrk.uk/hc. Once we have an idea of numbers, we will finalise all details.

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 12 August at 10.00 am

Sung Eucharist for the eleventh Sunday after Trinity
Next Sunday 16 August at 10.00 am · Watch the service · View the order of service

August holidays

We will be taking a bit of a break during August, and the following regular services and activities won’t be happening. They will all be back in September as usual:

• Messy Church
• Sanctuary
• Colton Lodges service

In addition, there will be no Daily Prayer in the church until 17 August. Daily Prayer will be back as usual at 8.30 am and 5.30 pm from 18 August. Don’t forget that you can download the Daily Prayer app or find Daily Prayer from the Church of England online in both written and audio formats at wkrk.uk/cedp.

Our Friday Bible Discussion Group continues as usual, as does our Wednesday midweek Eucharist.

Heritage Open Weekend and Temple Newsam Service

More details will follow in the weeks ahead, but do keep the weekend of 19 and 20 September free for our Heritage Open Weekend and annual Temple Newsam Service. The Heritage Open Weekend this year will celebrate the 400th anniversary of the city of Leeds receiving its charter and our theme will be ‘Going to Church in 1626’.

As well as the usual displays, there will be short talks on this subject throughout the day, and a service of Holy Communion will be celebrated according to the Book of Common Prayer at 4.30 pm on the Saturday afternoon. On the Sunday, the preacher for our annual Temple Newsam Service will be the Very Reverend Andrew Nunn. It promises to be a wonderful weekend.

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

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

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.

Pet blessing service

Saturday 5 September at 2.00 pm
Whitkirk Vicarage Garden

Following the success of last year’s service, we will once again be holding a pet blessing service in September. If you have a pet, or if you know anyone who has a pet and would like to bring it for a blessing, all are welcome, from puppies to ponies, and from iguanas to guinea pigs… Small animals must be safely contained in boxes or cages; large animals on leads. All are welcome. Tell your friends and neighbours.

Back to school service

Sunday 13 September at 10.00 am
St Mary's Church, Whitkirk

We will once again be holding a ‘back to school’ service, where our children and young people play a leading role in September, as they begin their new school year. Sign-up sheets are available at the back of church for anyone who would like their child(ren) to take part, or simply email Claire on [email protected] for more information. Roles for all ages will be available… Last year everyone found this a fun and uplifting service and we are so grateful to have our children and young people as part of our church community.

Trip to Lichfield and Hoar Cross

Thursday 17 September at 12.00 am

You are invited to join us on Thursday 17th September for a parish trip to Lichfield, where there will be a chance to explore the city and/or the cathedral (optional Eucharist at 12.30pm), and to the beautiful Church of the Holy Angels at Hoar Cross, where we will enjoy a guided tour of the church. The church at Hoar Cross has a connection to Whitkirk through the Hon. Emily Meynell Ingram, who commissioned George Bodley to build the church as a memorial to her late husband. We will enjoy refreshments at Hoar Cross before returning to Whitkirk. There will be time to buy lunch, or to eat a packed lunch, in Lichfield.

We expect to leave Whitkirk at about 8.30am and to return for around 6.00pm and we expect the cost to be between £20 and £25 per person, depending on numbers. If you are interested in joining us for this trip, please register your interest in the Community Centre after today’s service (or in the next few weeks), or online at wkrk.uk/hc. Once we have an idea of numbers, we will finalise all details.

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 5 August at 10.00 am

Sung Eucharist for the tenth Sunday after Trinity
Next Sunday 9 August at 10.00 am · Watch the service · View the order of service

August holidays

We will be taking a bit of a break during August, and the following regular services and activities won’t be happening. They will all be back in September as usual:

• Choral Evensong
• Compline by Candlelight
• Messy Church
• Sanctuary
• Colton Lodges service

In addition, there will be no Daily Prayer in church between 3 August and 17 August. Daily Prayer will be back as usual at 8.30 am and 5.30 pm from 18 August. Don’t forget that you can download the Daily Prayer app or find Daily Prayer from the Church of England online in both written and audio formats at wkrk.uk/cedp.

Our Friday Bible Discussion Group continues as usual, as does our Wednesday midweek Eucharist.

Heritage Open Weekend and Temple Newsam Service

More details will follow in the weeks ahead, but do keep the weekend of 19 and 20 September free for our Heritage Open Weekend and annual Temple Newsam Service. The Heritage Open Weekend this year will celebrate the 400th anniversary of the city of Leeds receiving its charter and our theme will be ‘Going to Church in 1626’.

As well as the usual displays, there will be short talks on this subject throughout the day, and a service of Holy Communion will be celebrated according to the Book of Common Prayer at 4.30 pm on the Saturday afternoon. On the Sunday, the preacher for our annual Temple Newsam Service will be the Very Reverend Andrew Nunn. It promises to be a wonderful weekend.

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

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

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.

Hot drinks in the church

Please take great care if bringing hot drinks into the church and when consuming hot drinks provided during or after our services or events. In particular, be aware that cups can easily be knocked off the narrow pew shelves and that those seated in front may not be aware that they are there. Thank you for helping to make St Mary’s a safe place for all.

Church Cleaning

This Wednesday 5 August at 10.30 am

Can you spare a few minutes after our midweek Eucharist on Wednesday to help keep our church spick and span? Join our wonderful churchwardens to help sweep, dust, and polish. Do what you can. Stay for as long as you can. We are grateful for any help.

Pet blessing service

Saturday 5 September at 2.00 pm
Whitkirk Vicarage Garden

Following the success of last year’s service, we will once again be holding a pet blessing service in September. If you have a pet, or if you know anyone who has a pet and would like to bring it for a blessing, all are welcome, from puppies to ponies, and from iguanas to guinea pigs… Small animals must be safely contained in boxes or cages; large animals on leads. All are welcome. Tell your friends and neighbours.

Back to school service

Sunday 13 September at 10.00 am
St Mary's Church, Whitkirk

We will once again be holding a ‘back to school’ service, where our children and young people play a leading role in September, as they begin their new school year. Sign-up sheets are available at the back of church for anyone who would like their child(ren) to take part, or simply email Claire on [email protected] for more information. Roles for all ages will be available… Last year everyone found this a fun and uplifting service and we are so grateful to have our children and young people as part of our church community.

Trip to Lichfield and Hoar Cross

Thursday 17 September at 12.00 am

You are invited to join us on Thursday 17th September for a parish trip to Lichfield, where there will be a chance to explore the city and/or the cathedral (optional Eucharist at 12.30pm), and to the beautiful Church of the Holy Angels at Hoar Cross, where we will enjoy a guided tour of the church. The church at Hoar Cross has a connection to Whitkirk through the Hon. Emily Meynell Ingram, who commissioned George Bodley to build the church as a memorial to her late husband. We will enjoy refreshments at Hoar Cross before returning to Whitkirk. There will be time to buy lunch, or to eat a packed lunch, in Lichfield.

We expect to leave Whitkirk at about 8.30am and to return for around 6.00pm and we expect the cost to be between £20 and £25 per person, depending on numbers. If you are interested in joining us for this trip, please register your interest in the Community Centre after today’s service (or in the next few weeks), or online at wkrk.uk/hc. Once we have an idea of numbers, we will finalise all details.

The eighth Sunday after Trinity

Sung Eucharist for the eighth Sunday after Trinity

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

Other services

Said Eucharist
This Wednesday 29 July at 10.00 am

Sacred Space
This Thursday 30 July at 6.00 pm

Sung Eucharist for the ninth Sunday after Trinity
Next Sunday 2 August at 10.00 am · Watch the service · View the order of service

Confirmations: 13 September 2026

Confirmations for the East Leeds Deanery will be taking place at St James the Great Manston on 13 September. I am aware of two potential candidates for confirmation at that service. If you are considering being confirmed, or if you would like to know more, please contact Rev’d Claire. It would be good to have a joyful Whitkirk contingent at this service.

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

The Leeds South & East Food Bank continues to be in urgent need of donations to help those in most need. In particular at the moment they are asking for UHT milk, tea and coffee, rice pudding, packet custard, cooking sauces, tinned potatoes and tinned fish.

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.

August holidays

We will be taking a bit of a break during August, and the following regular services and activities won’t be happening. They will all be back in September as usual:

• Choral Evensong
• Compline by Candlelight
• Messy Church
• Sanctuary
• Colton Lodges service

In addition, there will be no Daily Prayer in church between 3 August and 17 August. Daily Prayer will be back as usual at 8.30 am and 5.30 pm from 18 August. Don’t forget that you can download the Daily Prayer app or find Daily Prayer from the Church of England online in both written and audio formats at wkrk.uk/cedp.

Our Friday Bible Discussion Group continues as usual, as does our Wednesday midweek Eucharist.

Heritage Open Weekend and Temple Newsam Service

More details will follow in the weeks ahead, but do keep the weekend of 19 and 20 September free for our Heritage Open Weekend and annual Temple Newsam Service. The Heritage Open Weekend this year will celebrate the 400th anniversary of the city of Leeds receiving its charter and our theme will be ‘Going to Church in 1626’.

As well as the usual displays, there will be short talks on this subject throughout the day, and a service of Holy Communion will be celebrated according to the Book of Common Prayer at 4.30 pm on the Saturday afternoon. On the Sunday, the preacher for our annual Temple Newsam Service will be the Very Reverend Andrew Nunn. It promises to be a wonderful weekend.

Thank you!

Sue Butcher would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who donated to her sponsored walk in aid of Parkinson’s UK. With your help, she and her family raised around £750 for this amazing cause. Thank you so much for your support.

National Emergency Briefing

This Friday 31 July at 7.00 pm
St Mary's Church, Whitkirk

On Friday 31 July, St. Mary’s Church is hosting a screening called the National Emergency Briefing. This important film has been shown across the country, and uses up to date scientific evidence to show how serious the climate and nature crisis is. We at St Mary’s are already trying our best to become carbon neutral by 2030, and have come a long way. Come along and see how we all have a role to play.

Pet blessing service

Saturday 5 September at 2.00 pm
Whitkirk Vicarage Garden

Following the success of last year’s service, we will once again be holding a pet blessing service in September. If you have a pet, or if you know anyone who has a pet and would like to bring it for a blessing, all are welcome, from puppies to ponies, and from iguanas to guinea pigs… Small animals must be safely contained in boxes or cages; large animals on leads. All are welcome. Tell your friends and neighbours.

Back to school service

Sunday 13 September at 10.00 am
St Mary's Church, Whitkirk

We will once again be holding a ‘back to school’ service, where our children and young people play a leading role in September, as they begin their new school year. Sign-up sheets are available at the back of church for anyone who would like their child(ren) to take part, or simply email Claire on [email protected] for more information. Roles for all ages will be available… Last year everyone found this a fun and uplifting service and we are so grateful to have our children and young people as part of our church community.

Trip to Lichfield and Hoar Cross

Thursday 17 September at 12.00 am

You are invited to join us on Thursday 17th September for a parish trip to Lichfield, where there will be a chance to explore the city and/or the cathedral (optional Eucharist at 12.30pm), and to the beautiful Church of the Holy Angels at Hoar Cross, where we will enjoy a guided tour of the church. The church at Hoar Cross has a connection to Whitkirk through the Hon. Emily Meynell Ingram, who commissioned George Bodley to build the church as a memorial to her late husband. We will enjoy refreshments at Hoar Cross before returning to Whitkirk. There will be time to buy lunch, or to eat a packed lunch, in Lichfield.

We expect to leave Whitkirk at about 8.30am and to return for around 6.00pm and we expect the cost to be between £20 and £25 per person, depending on numbers. If you are interested in joining us for this trip, please register your interest in the Community Centre after today’s service (or in the next few weeks), or online at wkrk.uk/hc. Once we have an idea of numbers, we will finalise all details.

The seventh Sunday after Trinity

Sung Eucharist for the seventh Sunday after Trinity

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

Other services

Said Eucharist
This Wednesday 22 July at 10.00 am

Pilgrims in the Park
This Saturday 25 July at 2.00 pm

Sung Eucharist for the eighth Sunday after Trinity
Next Sunday 26 July at 10.00 am · Watch the service · View the order of service

Confirmations: 13 September 2026

Confirmations for the East Leeds Deanery will be taking place at St James the Great Manston on 13 September. I am aware of two potential candidates for confirmation at that service. If you are considering being confirmed, or if you would like to know more, please contact Rev’d Claire. It would be good to have a joyful Whitkirk contingent at this service.

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

The Leeds South & East Food Bank continues to be in urgent need of donations to help those in most need. In particular at the moment they are asking for UHT milk, tea and coffee, rice pudding, packet custard, cooking sauces, tinned potatoes and tinned fish.

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.

August holidays

We will be taking a bit of a break during August, and the following regular services and activities won’t be happening. They will all be back in September as usual:

• Choral Evensong
• Compline by Candlelight
• Messy Church
• Sanctuary
• Colton Lodges service

National Emergency Briefing

Friday 31 July at 7.00 pm
St Mary's Church, Whitkirk

On Friday 31 July, St. Mary’s Church is hosting a screening called the National Emergency Briefing. This important film has been shown across the country, and uses up to date scientific evidence to show how serious the climate and nature crisis is. We at St Mary’s are already trying our best to become carbon neutral by 2030, and have come a long way. Come along and see how we all have a role to play.

Pet blessing service

Saturday 5 September at 2.00 pm
Whitkirk Vicarage Garden

Following the success of last year’s service, we will once again be holding a pet blessing service in September. If you have a pet, or if you know anyone who has a pet and would like to bring it for a blessing, all are welcome, from puppies to ponies, and from iguanas to guinea pigs… Small animals must be safely contained in boxes or cages; large animals on leads. All are welcome. Tell your friends and neighbours.

Back to school service

Sunday 13 September at 10.00 am
St Mary's Church, Whitkirk

We will once again be holding a ‘back to school’ service, where our children and young people play a leading role in September, as they begin their new school year. Sign-up sheets are available at the back of church for anyone who would like their child(ren) to take part, or simply email Claire on [email protected] for more information. Roles for all ages will be available… Last year everyone found this a fun and uplifting service and we are so grateful to have our children and young people as part of our church community.

The sixth Sunday after Trinity

Sung Eucharist for the sixth Sunday after Trinity

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 15 July at 10.00 am

Sung Eucharist for the seventh Sunday after Trinity
Next Sunday 19 July at 10.00 am · Watch the service · View the order of service

Confirmations: 13 September 2026

Confirmations for the East Leeds Deanery will be taking place at St James the Great Manston on 13 September. I am aware of two potential candidates for confirmation at that service. If you are considering being confirmed, or if you would like to know more, please contact Rev’d Claire. It would be good to have a joyful Whitkirk contingent at this service.

Sue Butcher is walking to raise money for research into Parkinson's Disease

On Saturday 18 July, Sue Butcher is walking six miles at Temple Newsam to raise money for research into Parkinson’s Disease. If you would like to sponsor her in aid of this worthy cause, please see her, or follow this link to sponsor her. Any donation you can make would be hugely appreciated. You can donate online at wkrk.uk/sbpw.

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

The Leeds South & East Food Bank continues to be in urgent need of donations to help those in most need. In particular at the moment they are asking for UHT milk, tea and coffee, rice pudding, packet custard, cooking sauces, tinned potatoes and tinned fish.

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.

Intercessions and GDPR

We have been asked to clarify the reasons why, in our intercessions, we use only first names for those for who are unwell or in long-term care. The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), with which, by law, we have to comply, places strict restrictions on sharing personal information, including information about someone’s health. This is particularly important in our case, because our services are live-streamed and the recording made available after the service via our website and YouTube, meaning that a lasting record of the names of those prayed for is available online. 

The only basis on which we could share someone’s full name as part of our prayers for the sick is with their explicit, informed consent. This consent would need to be obtained directly from the sick person themselves (a friend or family member cannot give consent on their behalf) and a record of this would need to be kept. In practice, most prayer requests do not come from the individual concerned but from a friend or family member (or they are received anonymously via the cards left at the back of church). In these cases, it is not possible to share the person’s surname. The PCC has given this very careful consideration, and believes that it is better to be consistent and to treat all those prayed for equally (as we are all equal before God), using first names only. Please rest assured that God will know who we mean.

While our intercessions are addressed to God, who knows all our needs, it is true that as a Church we ought also to care for those who are sick or in any kind of need. Although I know that this is a church where people show their love for their neighbours in many ways, caring for, visiting, and supporting one another in many ways, there is always scope for us to do better in this respect. A team of volunteers is being set up to follow up any specific pastoral needs and provide support. A separate process by which individuals or their friends or family members can flag up the need for this sort of support will be put in place, completely separately from the intercessions. If you would be interested in being part of this team, do contact Claire.

August holidays

We will be taking a bit of a break during August, and the following regular services and activities won’t be happening. They will all be back in September as usual:

• Choral Evensong
• Compline by Candlelight
• Messy Church
• Sanctuary
• Colton Lodges service

National Emergency Briefing

Friday 31 July at 7.00 pm
St Mary's Church, Whitkirk

On Friday 31 July, St. Mary’s Church is hosting a screening called the National Emergency Briefing. This important film has been shown across the country, and uses up to date scientific evidence to show how serious the climate and nature crisis is. We at St Mary’s are already trying our best to become carbon neutral by 2030, and have come a long way. Come along and see how we all have a role to play.

Pet blessing service

Saturday 5 September at 2.00 pm
Whitkirk Vicarage Garden

Following the success of last year’s service, we will once again be holding a pet blessing service in September. If you have a pet, or if you know anyone who has a pet and would like to bring it for a blessing, all are welcome, from puppies to ponies, and from iguanas to guinea pigs… Small animals must be safely contained in boxes or cages; large animals on leads. All are welcome. Tell your friends and neighbours.

Back to school service

Sunday 13 September at 10.00 am
St Mary's Church, Whitkirk

We will once again be holding a ‘back to school’ service, where our children and young people play a leading role in September, as they begin their new school year. Sign-up sheets are available at the back of church for anyone who would like their child(ren) to take part, or simply email Claire on [email protected] for more information. Roles for all ages will be available… Last year everyone found this a fun and uplifting service and we are so grateful to have our children and young people as part of our church community.