News and Notices

The fourth Sunday after Trinity

Sung Eucharist for the fourth Sunday after Trinity

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

Other services

Said Eucharist
This Wednesday 1 July at 10.00 am

Compline by Candlelight
This Wednesday 1 July at 8.30 pm

Sung Eucharist for the fifth Sunday after Trinity
Next Sunday 5 July at 10.00 am · Watch the service · View the order of service

Choral Evensong
Next Sunday 5 July at 6.00 pm · Watch the service · View the order of service

Open Church and Summer Concert Series

Our beautiful church will be open to the public every Saturday afternoon, 2.00 pm until 4.00 pm throughout the summer from Easter through to the end of September. Please do tell your friends and neighbours about this and encourage them to come and have a look around their church. Our final spring-summer concert will be on 11 July, by our very own Giles Taylor. Not to be missed!

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 Hook Memorial Lectures 2026

The Hook Memorial Lectures 2026 will be taking place at All Souls’ (Hook Memorial) Church, Blackman Lane on Mondays through June at 7.00 pm. This year’s lectures focus on the four Gospels and some of the speakers may be familiar to you. The lectures are free and open to all interested parties.

• 29 June: The ‘fifth Gospel’ (Canon Ann Nicholl)

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

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.

Uncovering history

You may be wondering what is happening to the wall at the back of church, next to the ‘Sorrowing Lady” monument.

During the works in the church last year to deal with problems of damp, some of the plaster came off the wall to reveal a part of a wall painting.

Last week we had a specialist Conservator working on the wall to see what might lie underneath. Part of a pattern has been uncovered, which possibly dates back as far as the 15th century.

Do have a look at the wall to see if you can make out a design. There are more investigations to follow in the coming months.

Church Cleaning

This Wednesday 1 July at 10.45 am

Can you spare a little time on Wednesday to help us keep our church spick and span? Starting after the midweek Eucharist we will do a little sweeping and polishing! If you’re a dab hand with the duster or dustpan, please just come along at 10.45 am (or come to the Eucharist and stay to help – all are always welcome). Thank you!

Summer Fair

This Saturday 4 July at 11.00 am
St Mary's Church Whitkirk Community Centre

Don’t miss our Summer Fair, taking place in (and, weather permitting, outside) the Community Centre on 4 July between 11.00 am and 2.00 pm. Brass band, stalls, games, cafe, and lots of fun for all the family.

We are looking for donations of new toys or other suitable tombola prizes, which can be brought into church at any time between now and the day itself. Contributions of cakes for the cake stall or cafe would also be very welcome on the day. Thank you.

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.

The third Sunday after Trinity

Sung Eucharist for the third Sunday after Trinity

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

Other services

Said Eucharist
This Wednesday 24 June at 10.00 am

Sacred Space
This Thursday 25 June at 6.00 pm

Pilgrims in the Park
This Saturday 27 June at 2.00 pm

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

Open Church and Summer Concert Series

Our beautiful church will be open to the public every Saturday afternoon, 2.00 pm until 4.00 pm throughout the summer from Easter through to the end of September. Please do tell your friends and neighbours about this and encourage them to come and have a look around their church. Our final spring-summer concert will be on 11 July, by our very own Giles Taylor. Not to be missed!

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 Hook Memorial Lectures 2026

The Hook Memorial Lectures 2026 will be taking place at All Souls’ (Hook Memorial) Church, Blackman Lane on Mondays through June at 7.00 pm. This year’s lectures focus on the four Gospels and some of the speakers may be familiar to you. The lectures are free and open to all interested parties.

• 22 June: The Gospel of John (Rev’d Dr Claire Honess)
• 29 June: The ‘fifth Gospel’ (Canon Ann Nicholl)

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

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.

Christian Aid Collection 2026

This year we managed to raise a total of £1,201 (including Gift Aid) to support the work of Christian Aid. Many thanks to everyone who contributed to this very worthwhile cause.

Uncovering history

You may be wondering what is happening to the wall at the back of church, next to the ‘Sorrowing Lady” monument.

During the works in the church last year to deal with problems of damp, some of the plaster came off the wall to reveal a part of a wall painting.

Last week we had a specialist Conservator working on the wall to see what might lie underneath. Part of a pattern has been uncovered, which possibly dates back as far as the 15th century.

Do have a look at the wall to see if you can make out a design. There are more investigations to follow in the coming months.

Concert: Rothwell Temperance Band

This Saturday 27 June at 7.00 pm
St Mary's Church, Whitkirk

Join us for a concert by the award-winning Rothwell Temperance Band. Tickets £10, under 16s free. Lynne will be selling tickets in the Community Centre after church today.

Summer Fair

Saturday 4 July at 11.00 am
St Mary's Church Whitkirk Community Centre

Don’t miss our Summer Fair, taking place in (and, weather permitting, outside) the Community Centre on 4 July between 11.00 am and 2.00 pm. Brass band, stalls, games, cafe, and lots of fun for all the family.

We are looking for donations of new toys or other suitable tombola prizes, which can be brought into church at any time between now and the day itself. Contributions of cakes for the cake stall or cafe would also be very welcome on the day. Thank you.

The second Sunday after Trinity

Sung Eucharist

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 17 June at 10.00 am

Sung Eucharist
Next Sunday 21 June at 10.00 am · Watch the service · View the order of service

Open Church and Summer Concert Series

Our beautiful church will be open to the public every Saturday afternoon, 2.00 pm until 4.00 pm throughout the summer from Easter through to the end of September. Please do tell your friends and neighbours about this and encourage them to come and have a look around their church. Our final spring-summer concert will be on 11 July, by our very own Giles Taylor. Not to be missed!

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 Hook Memorial Lectures 2026

The Hook Memorial Lectures 2026 will be taking place at All Souls’ (Hook Memorial) Church, Blackman Lane on Mondays through June at 7.00 pm. This year’s lectures focus on the four Gospels and some of the speakers may be familiar to you. The lectures are free and open to all interested parties.

• 8 June: The Gospel of Matthew (Rev’d Dr Jo Logan)
• 15 June: The Gospel of Luke (Very Rev’d Andrew Nunn)
• 22 June: The Gospel of John (Rev’d Dr Claire Honess)
• 29 June: The ‘fifth Gospel’ (Canon Ann Nicholl)

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

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.

Christian Aid Collection 2026

This year we managed to raise a total of £1,201 (including Gift Aid) to support the work of Christian Aid. Many thanks to everyone who contributed to this very worthwhile cause.

Rock Mass!

Next Sunday 21 June

Our friends at Holy Nativity church in Mixenden (near Halifax) run a monthly Rock Mass (strapline: ‘For those who like to worship LOUD’). Claire will be attending on 21 June and is happy to take anyone else from Whitkirk who would like to experience ‘something completely different’, in the form of a Eucharist but with a very different musical accompaniment… If more people want to come than can fit in Claire’s car, we can try to arrange shared lifts. Please contact Claire directly if you’d like to attend.

Concert: Rothwell Temperance Band

Saturday 27 June at 7.00 pm
St Mary's Church, Whitkirk

Join us for a concert by the award-winning Rothwell Temperance Band. Tickets £10, under 16s free. Lynne will be selling tickets in the Community Centre after church today.

Summer Fair

Saturday 4 July at 11.00 am
St Mary's Church Whitkirk Community Centre

Don’t miss our Summer Fair, taking place in (and, weather permitting, outside) the Community Centre on 4 July between 11.00 am and 2.00 pm. Brass band, stalls, games, cafe, and lots of fun for all the family.

We are looking for donations of new toys or other suitable tombola prizes, which can be brought into church at any time between now and the day itself. Contributions of cakes for the cake stall or cafe would also be very welcome on the day. Thank you.

The first Sunday after Trinity

Sung Eucharist

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

Said Eucharist
This Wednesday 10 June at 10.00 am

Colton Lodges (service of hymns and prayers)
This Thursday 11 June at 10.30 am

Sanctuary
This Thursday 11 June at 6.30 pm

Sung Eucharist
Next Sunday 14 June at 10.00 am · Watch the service · View the order of service

Messy Church
Next Sunday 14 June at 4.00 pm

Open Church and Summer Concert Series

Our beautiful church will be open to the public every Saturday afternoon, 2.00 pm until 4.00 pm throughout the summer from Easter through to the end of September. Please do tell your friends and neighbours about this and encourage them to come and have a look around their church, and perhaps come along to one of our Concert Season performances:

• 13 June: Altofts and Normanton Brass Band
• 11 July: Giles Taylor, organ

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 Hook Memorial Lectures 2026

The Hook Memorial Lectures 2026 will be taking place at All Souls’ (Hook Memorial) Church, Blackman Lane on Mondays through June at 7.00 pm. This year’s lectures focus on the four Gospels and some of the speakers may be familiar to you. The lectures are free and open to all interested parties.

• 8 June: The Gospel of Matthew (Rev’d Dr Jo Logan)
• 15 June: The Gospel of Luke (Very Rev’d Andrew Nunn)
• 22 June: The Gospel of John (Rev’d Dr Claire Honess)
• 29 June: The ‘fifth Gospel’ (Canon Ann Nicholl)

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

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.

Rock Mass!

Sunday 21 June

Our friends at Holy Nativity church in Mixenden (near Halifax) run a monthly Rock Mass (strapline: ‘For those who like to worship LOUD’). Claire will be attending on 21 June and is happy to take anyone else from Whitkirk who would like to experience ‘something completely different’, in the form of a Eucharist but with a very different musical accompaniment… If more people want to come than can fit in Claire’s car, we can try to arrange shared lifts. Please contact Claire directly if you’d like to attend.

Concert: Rothwell Temperance Band

Saturday 27 June at 7.00 pm
St Mary's Church, Whitkirk

Join us for a concert by the award-winning Rothwell Temperance Band. Tickets £10, under 16s free. Lynne will be selling tickets in the Community Centre after church today.

Trinity Sunday

Sung Eucharist for Trinity Sunday

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

Other services

Compline by Candlelight
This Wednesday 3 June at 8.30 pm

Sung Eucharist with Benediction for Corpus Christi
This Thursday 4 June at 7.30 pm · Watch the service · View the order of service

Sung Eucharist
Next Sunday 7 June at 10.00 am · Watch the service · View the order of service

Choral Evensong
Next Sunday 7 June at 6.00 pm · Watch the service · View the order of service

Open Church and Summer Concert Series

Our beautiful church will be open to the public every Saturday afternoon, 2.00 pm until 4.00 pm throughout the summer from Easter through to the end of September. Please do tell your friends and neighbours about this and encourage them to come and have a look around their church, and perhaps come along to one of our Concert Season performances:

• 13 June: Altofts and Normanton Brass Band
• 11 July: Giles Taylor, organ

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 Hook Memorial Lectures 2026 (starting this week!)

The Hook Memorial Lectures 2026 will be taking place at All Souls’ (Hook Memorial) Church, Blackman Lane on Mondays through June at 7.00 pm. This year’s lectures focus on the four Gospels and some of the speakers may be familiar to you. The lectures are free and open to all interested parties.

• 1 June: The Gospel of Mark (Rev’d Canon Amos Kasibante)
• 8 June: The Gospel of Matthew (Rev’d Dr Jo Logan)
• 15 June: The Gospel of Luke (Very Rev’d Andrew Nunn)
• 22 June: The Gospel of John (Rev’d Dr Claire Honess)
• 29 June: The ‘fifth Gospel’ (Canon Ann Nicholl)

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

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.

Sung Eucharist with Benediction for Corpus Christi

This Thursday 4 June at 7.30 pm
St Mary's Church, Whitkirk

On Thursday we will be celebrating the feast of Corpus Christi, or the Day of Thanksgiving for the Institution of the Holy Communion. This festival goes back to the 13th century, but it celebrates something far older: the institution of the Sacrament of Holy Communion at the Last Supper. For centuries, the festival was celebrated with a Eucharistic procession, in which the Blessed Sacrament was carried throughout the town, accompanied by hymns and prayers. The faithful would venerate the Body of Christ as the procession passed by. In recent years, this practice has almost disappeared, though some parishes still hold a short procession around the church.

At the end of this Eucharist, we will hold our own short procession around the church, before the congregation is blessed with the sacrament (Benediction). During the service we will also pray for those who distribute communion in church and to those who are housebound and for all who serve in the sanctuary or in the sacristy. We hope that you will enjoy this service, celebrating the Eucharist, which is always at the heart of our worship. As always, all are welcome.

Italian Night

This Friday 5 June at 7.00 pm
St Mary's Church Whitkirk Community Centre

Join us in our Community Centre for an evening of food and fun. £7.50 per person for lasagne, garlic bread, salad and tiramisù, plus a quiz and lots of fun. See Tony Mills or Amy Lyons to book a place, or book online at wkrk.uk/italy.

Concert: Rothwell Temperance Band

Saturday 27 June at 7.00 pm
St Mary's Church, Whitkirk

Join us for a concert by the award-winning Rothwell Temperance Band. Tickets £10, under 16s free. Lynne will be selling tickets in the Community Centre after church today.

Pentecost

Sung Eucharist for Pentecost

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

Other services

Said Eucharist
This Wednesday 27 May at 10.00 am

Sacred Space
This Thursday 28 May at 6.00 pm

Pilgrims in the Park
This Saturday 30 May at 2.00 pm

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

Open Church and Summer Concert Series

Our beautiful church will be open to the public every Saturday afternoon, 2.00 pm until 4.00 pm throughout the summer from Easter through to the end of September. Please do tell your friends and neighbours about this and encourage them to come and have a look around their church, and perhaps come along to one of our Concert Season performances:

• 13 June: Altofts and Normanton Brass Band
• 11 July: Giles Taylor, organ

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 Hook Memorial Lectures 2026

The Hook Memorial Lectures 2026 will be taking place at All Souls’ (Hook Memorial) Church, Blackman Lane on Mondays through June at 7pm. This year’s lectures focus on the four Gospels and some of the speakers may be familiar to you. The lectures are free and open to all interested parties.

• 1 June: The Gospel of Mark (Rev’d Canon Amos Kasibante)
• 8 June: The Gospel of Matthew (Rev’d Dr Jo Logan)
• 15 June: The Gospel of Luke (Very Rev’d Andrew Nunn)
• 22 June: The Gospel of John (Rev’d Dr Claire Honess)
• 29 June: The ‘fifth Gospel’ (Canon Ann Nicholl)

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

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.

Christian Aid Week

Envelopes are still available in the church today if you would like to donate to this worthy cause. Please take one and return it to the church during the month. If you could take additional envelopes for family, friends or neighbours that would be really appreciated. If you are unable to get to Church you can donate online at caweek.org/give.

Italian Night

Friday 5 June at 7.00 pm
St Mary's Church Whitkirk Community Centre

Join us in our Community Centre for an evening of food and fun. £7.50 per person for lasagne, garlic bread, salad and tiramisù, plus a quiz and lots of fun. See Tony Mills or Amy Lyons to book a place, or book online at wkrk.uk/italy.

The seventh Sunday of Easter

Sung Eucharist for the seventh Sunday of Easter

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

Other services

Said Eucharist
This Wednesday 20 May at 10.00 am

Sung Eucharist for Pentecost
Next Sunday 24 May at 10.00 am · Watch the service · View the order of service

Open Church and Summer Concert Series

Our beautiful church will be open to the public every Saturday afternoon, 2.00 pm until 4.00 pm throughout the summer from Easter through to the end of September. Please do tell your friends and neighbours about this and encourage them to come and have a look around their church, and perhaps come along to one of our Concert Season performances:

• 13 June: Altofts and Normanton Brass Band
• 11 July: Giles Taylor, organ

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 Hook Memorial Lectures 2026

The Hook Memorial Lectures 2026 will be taking place at All Souls’ (Hook Memorial) Church, Blackman Lane on Mondays through June at 7pm. This year’s lectures focus on the four Gospels and some of the speakers may be familiar to you. The lectures are free and open to all interested parties.

• 1 June: The Gospel of Mark (Rev’d Canon Amos Kasibante)
• 8 June: The Gospel of Matthew (Rev’d Dr Jo Logan)
• 15 June: The Gospel of Luke (Very Rev’d Andrew Nunn)
• 22 June: The Gospel of John (Rev’d Dr Claire Honess)
• 29 June: The ‘fifth Gospel’ (Canon Ann Nicholl)

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

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.

Christian Aid Week

Envelopes are still available in the church today if you would like to donate to this worthy cause. Please take one and return it to the church during the month. If you could take additional envelopes for family, friends or neighbours that would be really appreciated. If you are unable to get to Church you can donate online at caweek.org/give.

Annual Parochial Church Meeting

This Tuesday 19 May at 7.30 pm
St Mary's Church Whitkirk Community Centre

This is your chance to find out all that has been going on over the last year and our plans for the future, to vote for members of our Parochial Church Council (essentially, our governing body), or even to stand for election yourself. Papers for the meeting can be found on our website at wkrk.uk/apcm or can be picked up from the back of church in a hard copy if you prefer. If you are interested in standing for election but would like to find out more about what’s involved, do speak to Rev’d Claire or to a churchwarden.

The meeting will be preceded by a short said Eucharist in church at 7.00 pm. Gather around the Lord’s table, before we gather for our meeting.

Trip to Lincoln

This Thursday 21 May

If you have not yet paid for your tickets to Lincoln and would like to come on the trip, please see Joan Williams after today’s service. If you would like to come but are struggling to pay, please have a quiet word with Rev’d Claire after the service. We strongly believe that no-one should be prevented from taking part in church activities because of cost and we will be happy to help.

The coach will depart from Whitkirk at 8.45 am prompt. Please arrive at around 8.15 am to allow time for everyone to board the coach. The coach will leave Lincoln at 4.00 pm with an estimated arrival time back in Whitkirk of around 6.00 pm.

Quiet Day: Blessing

This Saturday 23 May at 9.30 am
St Mary's Church Whitkirk Community Centre

‘The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace.’ You are invited to this Quiet Day, led by Rev’d Claire on behalf of Churches Together in East Leeds, which will explore the notion of blessing, taking the so-called ‘Aaronic blessing’ as a starting-point. Allowing participants space to reflect and explore, it will encourage them to recognise the blessings that God pours out upon them and, simultaneously, to recognise themselves as bearers of that blessing to others and to the world. There is no charge for attendance. Please bring your own lunch. Tea and coffee provided. RSVP to [email protected] to give us an idea of numbers.

The sixth Sunday of Easter

Sung Eucharist for the sixth Sunday of Easter

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 13 May at 10.00 am

Colton Lodges (service of hymns and prayers)
This Thursday 14 May at 10.30 am

Sanctuary
This Thursday 14 May at 6.30 pm

Sung Eucharist for Ascension Day
This Thursday 14 May at 7.30 pm · Watch the service · View the order of service

Sung Eucharist for the seventh Sunday of Easter
Next Sunday 17 May at 10.00 am · Watch the service · View the order of service

Open Church and Summer Concert Series

Our beautiful church will be open to the public every Saturday afternoon, 2.00 pm until 4.00 pm throughout the summer from Easter through to the end of September. Please do tell your friends and neighbours about this and encourage them to come and have a look around their church, and perhaps come along to one of our Concert Season performances:

• 13 June: Altofts and Normanton Brass Band
• 11 July: Giles Taylor, organ

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 Hook Memorial Lectures 2026

The Hook Memorial Lectures 2026 will be taking place at All Souls’ (Hook Memorial) Church, Blackman Lane on Mondays through June at 7pm. This year’s lectures focus on the four Gospels and some of the speakers may be familiar to you. The lectures are free and open to all interested parties.

• 1 June: The Gospel of Mark (Rev’d Canon Amos Kasibante)
• 8 June: The Gospel of Matthew (Rev’d Dr Jo Logan)
• 15 June: The Gospel of Luke (Very Rev’d Andrew Nunn)
• 22 June: The Gospel of John (Rev’d Dr Claire Honess)
• 29 June: The ‘fifth Gospel’ (Canon Ann Nicholl)

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

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.

Christian Aid Week: 10—16 May

Envelopes will be available in the church from today and for the next two weeks. Please take one and return it to the church during the month. If you could take additional envelopes for family, friends or neighbours that would be really appreciated. If you are unable to get to Church you can donate online at caweek.org/give.

Sung Eucharist for Ascension Day

This Thursday 14 May at 7.30 pm
St Mary's Church, Whitkirk

Please note that there is a special Eucharist for Ascension Day on Thursday at 7.30 pm. This means that there will be no Sanctuary Eucharist this month. Sanctuary will be back in June.

Annual Parochial Church Meeting

Tuesday 19 May at 7.30 pm
St Mary's Church Whitkirk Community Centre

This is your chance to find out all that has been going on over the last year and our plans for the future, to vote for members of our Parochial Church Council (essentially, our governing body), or even to stand for election yourself. Papers for the meeting can be found on our website at wkrk.uk/apcm or can be picked up from the back of church in a hard copy if you prefer. If you are interested in standing for election but would like to find out more about what’s involved, do speak to Rev’d Claire or to a churchwarden.

Trip to Lincoln

Thursday 21 May

If you have not yet paid for your tickets to Lincoln and would like to come on the trip, please see Joan Williams after today’s service. If you would like to come but are struggling to pay, please have a quiet word with Rev’d Claire after the service. We strongly believe that no-one should be prevented from taking part in church activities because of cost and we will be happy to help.

Quiet Day: Blessing

Saturday 23 May at 9.30 am
St Mary's Church Whitkirk Community Centre

‘The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace.’ You are invited to this Quiet Day, led by Rev’d Claire on behalf of Churches Together in East Leeds, which will explore the notion of blessing, taking the so-called ‘Aaronic blessing’ as a starting-point. Allowing participants space to reflect and explore, it will encourage them to recognise the blessings that God pours out upon them and, simultaneously, to recognise themselves as bearers of that blessing to others and to the world. There is no charge for attendance. Please bring your own lunch. Tea and coffee provided. RSVP to [email protected] to give us an idea of numbers.