News and Notices

All Saints' Day

Sung Eucharist for All Saints' Day

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 4 November at 10.00 am

Compline by Candlelight
This Wednesday 4 November at 8.30 pm

Sung Eucharist for Remembrance Sunday
Next Sunday 8 November at 9.30 am · Watch the service · View the order of service

Messy Church
Next Sunday 8 November at 4.00 pm

Do you know someone who could use a 'Listening Ear'?

Following discussions about how we can best offer pastoral support to those in need from our congregation and the broader parish, we have established a group of volunteers who are prepared to act as a ‘listening ear’ for those unable (permanently or temporarily) to attend church. Volunteers will phone those who would like someone to talk to for a chat once a week or so. If you would benefit from this, or if you would like to nominate someone you know, please contact Claire ([email protected]; 0113 531 8141) and she will provide more details.

Advent Court 2026: Art of Advent

This year’s Advent course will be focusing on some of the ways in which the story of the Nativity has been represented in art, and how they help us to think more deeply about the story of Jesus’s birth. To avoid the very busy week of Christmas itself, the sessions will run in the weeks commencing 23 November, 30 November, 9 December, and 16 December. If you are interested in attending, please put your name on the list at the back of church, indicating your availability (please tick _all _the times that you could do) and we will organise groups and times as soon as we can. Thank you!

Advent Candles and Real Advent Calendars

James Black will be selling Advent candles and Real Advent Calendars in the Community Centre this week and throughout November after our Sunday services. The ‘Real Advent Calendar’ contains Fairtrade chocolate and includes an activity booklet that tells the Christmas story.  

St Mary's Posada

Our Posada will once again be making a tour of Whitkirk this December. The Posada is a Mexican tradition, recalling the journey of Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem and their search for shelter and a place for Mary to have her baby. (Posada means ‘inn’ or ‘place of shelter’ in Spanish.) We ask households to sign up to host Mary and Joseph for a night, symbolising our preparations to welcome Christ into the world and into our lives once again this Christmas time. Heather Woodhead will be collecting offers to host the Holy Family after church in the Community Centre throughout November. See her to sign up and be part of the Christmas story.

Pray for the new Bishop-elect of Leeds

The Diocese has asked that this week be a week of prayer for Bishop Toby, as he prepares to step into the role of Bishop of Leeds, and has made resources available on its website to help us to pray through this week. These can be found at wkrk.uk/dwop/nov26. You might like to use the following prayer through this week:

Lord God, we thank you so much for our diocese. We thank you for every single person, every animal, every tree, every part of this wonderful Diocese of Leeds. And we pray for your abundant blessing. We pray for our parishes, our chaplaincies, our Bishop’s Mission Orders, all of the different Christian communities across this wonderful diocese. We pray for everybody who lives here. We pray that you would pour out the abundance of your love, and we pray that our churches would grow, that they would flourish. That we would be part of the transformation of our communities. And we thank you. We thank you that we can pray this in the confidence of Jesus Christ: crucified, risen and ascended, and pouring out His spirit on all of us. And so we pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen

Sung Eucharist for Remembrance Sunday

Next Sunday 8 November from 9.30 am until 11.15 am

Just a reminder that our service on Remembrance Sunday will start at 9.30 am rather than the usual 10.00 am to allow us to get to the war memorial on Selby Road for 11.00 am.  

Christmas Fair

Saturday 28 November from 10.30 am until 2.00 pm
St Mary's Church Whitkirk Community Centre

Our Christmas Fair will be taking place in the Community Centre on 28th November. We are looking for the following items for our stalls:

• prizes suitable for the adult tombola;
• prizes suitable for the children’s tombola;
• items for the raffle;
• toiletries and jewellery
• Jigsaws
• hand-knitted items

All items should be new or as new; all food items and toiletries must be unopened. Please ensure that jigsaws do not have pieces missing. Donations can be left on the stage in the Community Centre after our Sunday Service through October and November.

The last Sunday after Trinity

Sung Eucharist for the last Sunday after Trinity

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

Other services

Memorial Service
Today at 4.00 pm

Said Eucharist
This Wednesday 28 October at 10.00 am

Sacred Space
This Thursday 29 October at 6.00 pm

Sung Eucharist for All Saints' Day
Next Sunday 1 November at 10.00 am · Watch the service · View the order of service

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

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

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.

Do you know someone who could use a 'Listening Ear'?

Following discussions about how we can best offer pastoral support to those in need from our congregation and the broader parish, we have established a group of volunteers who are prepared to act as a ‘listening ear’ for those unable (permanently or temporarily) to attend church. Volunteers will phone those who would like someone to talk to for a chat once a week or so. If you would benefit from this, or if you would like to nominate someone you know, please contact Claire ([email protected]; 0113 531 8141) and she will provide more details.

Advent Court 2026: Art of Advent

This year’s Advent course will be focusing on some of the ways in which the story of the Nativity has been represented in art, and how they help us to think more deeply about the story of Jesus’s birth. To avoid the very busy week of Christmas itself, the sessions will run in the weeks commencing 23 November, 30 November, 9 December, and 16 December. If you are interested in attending, please put your name on the list at the back of church, indicating your availability (please tick _all _the times that you could do) and we will organise groups and times as soon as we can. Thank you!

Memorial Service

Today from 4.00 pm until 7.00 pm
St Mary's Church, Whitkirk

Don’t forget that you can join us – or can invite anyone you know who might find it useful to join us – at our Memorial Service this afternoon, at which we will be remembering, and giving thanks for, those who have died. You are welcome to attend, whether your loss was recent or longer ago. There will be a chance to light a candle and to hear your loved-one’s name read out, if you would like that. Light refreshments will be served in the Community Centre after the service. All are welcome.

Sung Eucharist for Remembrance Sunday

Sunday 8 November from 9.30 am until 11.15 am

Just a reminder that our service on Remembrance Sunday will start at 9.30 am rather than the usual 10.00 am to allow us to get to the war memorial on Selby Road for 11.00 am.  

Christmas Fair

Saturday 28 November from 10.30 am until 2.00 pm
St Mary's Church Whitkirk Community Centre

Our Christmas Fair will be taking place in the Community Centre on 28th November. We are looking for the following items for our stalls:

• prizes suitable for the adult tombola;
• prizes suitable for the children’s tombola;
• items for the raffle;
• toiletries and jewellery
• Jigsaws
• hand-knitted items

All items should be new or as new; all food items and toiletries must be unopened. Please ensure that jigsaws do not have pieces missing. Donations can be left on the stage in the Community Centre after our Sunday Service through October and November.

The Feast of Luke the Evangelist

Sung Eucharist for the Feast of Luke the Evangelist

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

Other services

Said Eucharist
This Wednesday 21 October at 10.00 am

Sung Eucharist for the last Sunday after Trinity
Next Sunday 25 October at 10.00 am · Watch the service · View the order of service

Memorial Service
Next Sunday 25 October at 4.00 pm

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

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.

Do you know someone who could use a 'Listening Ear'?

Following discussions about how we can best offer pastoral support to those in need from our congregation and the broader parish, we have established a group of volunteers who are prepared to act as a ‘listening ear’ for those unable (permanently or temporarily) to attend church. Volunteers will phone those who would like someone to talk to for a chat once a week or so. If you would benefit from this, or if you would like to nominate someone you know, please contact Claire ([email protected]; 0113 531 8141) and she will provide more details.

Memorial Service

Next Sunday 25 October from 4.00 pm until 7.00 pm
St Mary's Church, Whitkirk

Our next memorial service will be held on 25 October at 4.00 pm with refreshments served after the service in the Community Centre. You are invited to come and remember those you have loved but see no more, whether your loss was recent or happened some time ago. Light a candle, pause, remember, and know that you are not alone.

Sung Eucharist for Remembrance Sunday

Sunday 8 November from 9.30 am until 11.15 am

Just a reminder that our service on Remembrance Sunday will start at 9.30 am rather than the usual 10.00 am to allow us to get to the war memorial on Selby Road for 11.00 am.  

Christmas Fair

Saturday 28 November from 10.30 am until 2.00 pm
St Mary's Church Whitkirk Community Centre

Our Christmas Fair will be taking place in the Community Centre on 28th November. We are looking for the following items for our stalls:

• prizes suitable for the adult tombola;
• prizes suitable for the children’s tombola;
• items for the raffle;
• toiletries and jewellery
• Jigsaws
• hand-knitted items

All items should be new or as new; all food items and toiletries must be unopened. Please ensure that jigsaws do not have pieces missing. Donations can be left on the stage in the Community Centre after our Sunday Service through October and November.

The nineteenth Sunday after Trinity

Sung Eucharist for the nineteenth 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 14 October at 10.00 am

Sung Eucharist for the Feast of Luke the Evangelist
Next Sunday 18 October at 10.00 am · Watch the service · View the order of service

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

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!

A huge thank you goes out this week to all those who helped to make last Sunday’s celebration of the Harvest such a success. Thank you to those who prepared and decorated the Community Centre, served the food, helped to clear up afterwards, and came along to support this wonderful community event. Special thanks go to chef Ryan and to Amy and Ellie for all their work in the kitchen.  

My Spirit Sang All Day: A Choral Feast of Romantic Masterpieces

This Saturday 17 October from 4.30 pm until 6.00 pm
St Mary's Church, Whitkirk

Join the St Peter’s Singers for an afternoon of captivating choral music, in church with refreshments in the Community Centre during the interval. Directed by Alexander Woodrow, the concert features Romantic masterpieces by Vaughan Williams, Stanford, Brahms, and Parry. Expect a 90-minute programme blending secular and sacred works. All are welcome. Tickets £10 available on the door or via the St Peter’s Singers website at wkrk.uk/sps.

Sung Eucharist for Remembrance Sunday

Sunday 8 November from 9.30 am until 11.15 am

Just a reminder that our service on Remembrance Sunday will start at 9.30 am rather than the usual 10.00 am to allow us to get to the war memorial on Selby Road for 11.00 am.  

The eighteenth Sunday after Trinity

Sung Eucharist for Harvest (The eighteenth Sunday after Trinity)

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

Other services

Harvest Bangers
Today at 6.00 pm · Watch the service · View the order of service

Said Eucharist
This Wednesday 7 October at 10.00 am

Compline by Candlelight
This Wednesday 7 October at 8.30 pm

Sanctuary
This Thursday 8 October at 6.30 pm

Sung Eucharist for the nineteenth Sunday after Trinity
Next Sunday 11 October at 10.00 am · Watch the service · View the order of service

Messy Church
Next Sunday 11 October at 4.00 pm

Tots' Corner

You may have noticed that Tots’ Corner has had a refurb. This has been made possible by a generous donation made in memory of David and Cynthia Grice. We know how much Cynthia, in particular, loved Tots’ Corner and seeing children in church, and we hope that this is a fitting reminder of her and all that she and David contributed to the life of this church.

Today's collection

In keeping with our Harvest theme, focusing on God’s great generosity and our duty to share the abundance which we enjoy with those most in need, our collection today will be going to support Water Aid, a charity aiming to change the world through water.

Did you know that 96 million people worldwide don’t have clean water close to home, 1.5 billion people don’t have a decent toilet, and 1.7 billion people can’t wash their hands with soap at home? Along with decent toilets and good hygiene, a reliable supply of clean water is essential for health, dignity, and a life full of opportunity.

Working alongside local communities and global allies, Water Aid is determined to reach everyone with clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene. Please help if you can. Our food collection and the collection at tonight’s Harvest Bangers service will go to the foodbank at St Richard’s, Seacroft, as usual.

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

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.

Top ten eco tips

As it’s our Harvest Festival today, we are sharing our Top Ten Eco Tips, as recommended by our Environment Officer, Catherine Sirrell. We hope you find them useful.

1. Try to buy items such as toilet paper and kitchen rolls packed in paper instead of plastic.
2. Try to buy vegetable and fruit that are not prepackaged.
3. Give eco-friendly washing up liquid and dishwasher tablets a try.
4. Think about creating a small pond in your garden to attract wildlife. A shallow tray filled with water works well if you can’t build a pond.
5. Let some of your garden grow wild. See what comes up.
6. Plant bee friendly flowers such as lavender, sunflowers, marigolds, and foxgloves.
7. Start a compost heap for all your fruit and veg peelings and any other plant material, rather than it going to landfill.
8. Attach a water butt to your garage, shed or house. Use this to water garden.
9. Turn off tap when cleaning teeth.
10. Plant a small tree.

Harvest Bangers

Today from 6.00 pm until 7.00 pm
St Mary's Church, Whitkirk

Do you love a good harvest sing-along? Do you remember singing ‘We Plough the Fields and Scatter’, or ‘Cauliflowers Fluffy’, or the ‘Harvest Samba’ at school? Come along to our service of Harvest Bangers today at 6.00 pm (in lieu of Choral Evensong). There will be the chance to sing all your Harvest favourites and maybe to learn some new ones. We will be holding a collection (of food items and/or financial donations) for the foodbank at St Richard’s Seacroft. Don’t miss it!

My Spirit Sang All Day: A Choral Feast of Romantic Masterpieces

Saturday 17 October from 4.30 pm until 6.00 pm
St Mary's Church, Whitkirk

Join the St Peter’s Singers for an afternoon of captivating choral music, in church with refreshments in the Community Centre during the interval. Directed by Alexander Woodrow, the concert features Romantic masterpieces by Vaughan Williams, Stanford, Brahms, and Parry. Expect a 90-minute programme blending secular and sacred works. All are welcome. Tickets £10 available on the door or via the St Peter’s Singers website at wkrk.uk/sps.

The seventeenth Sunday after Trinity

Sung Eucharist for the seventeenth Sunday after Trinity

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

Other services

Said Eucharist
This Wednesday 30 September at 10.00 am

Sung Eucharist for Harvest (The eighteenth Sunday after Trinity)
Next Sunday 4 October at 10.00 am · Watch the service · View the order of service

Harvest Bangers
Next Sunday 4 October at 6.00 pm · Watch the service · View the order of service

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

The Leeds South & East Food Bank continues to be in 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.

Tots' Corner

You may have noticed that Tots’ Corner has had a refurb. This has been made possible by a generous donation made in memory of David and Cynthia Grice. We know how much Cynthia, in particular, loved Tots’ Corner and seeing children in church, and we hope that this is a fitting reminder of her and all that she and David contributed to the life of this church.

Crossgates Methodist Church

You may have heard the sad news that Crossgates Methodist Church is closing. It is holding a final service today at 3.00 pm to which all are invited. It would be nice for some people from St Mary’s to attend, if we can, to support our Methodist friends. Please do keep the congregation in your prayers as they say farewell to their church.

Thank you!

I would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who helped with last weekend’s Heritage Weekend activities. The whole weekend was a great success, and so many people contributed to make it happen that it would be invidious to try to thank all of them individually. Congratulations, once again, to the Heritage team. Thank you, too, to everyone who contributed to the Temple Newsam service, which was another amazing team effort! Your work is very much appreciated.

The Whitkirk Lecture – Sir Arthur Ingram of Temple Newsam: Reputation and Legacy

This Tuesday 29 September at 7.00 pm
St Mary's Church Whitkirk Community Centre

Meet the man who bought Temple Newsam. Sir Arthur Ingram made a fortune, wielded considerable influence and left his mark on Yorkshire. But was he a brilliant financial adventurer, a ruthless businessman, or simply a man determined to get what he wanted?

Join Dorothy Schofield for this year’s Whitkirk Lecture and discover the fascinating story behind Sir Arthur Ingram, Temple Newsam and the legacy he left to Leeds. Free admission; refreshments and bar.

Harvest Lunch

Next Sunday 4 October at 12.00 pm
St Mary's Church Whitkirk Community Centre

Next Sunday, 4 October, we will be celebrating our Harvest Festival. You are also invited to join us for our annual Harvest Lunch which will take place from 12.00 pm in the Community Centre. Tickets are priced at £15 for a three-course meal. The bar will also be open. This will be a joyful opportunity to be thankful for all that God has provided for us, and to share in friendship and fellowship together.

Tickets can be bought from Amy after today’s service and you are welcome to pay by card or with cash. Alternatively email her on [email protected] or visit https://wkrk.uk/harvest. As always, if anyone would like to attend but would find the cost prohibitive, please have a quiet word with Claire and we will support you in paying for your ticket. Coffee will be served after the service as usual, so please do join us for a cuppa even if you are not staying for lunch.

Harvest Bangers

Next Sunday 4 October at 6.00 pm
St Mary's Church, Whitkirk

Do you love a good harvest sing-along? Do you remember singing ‘We Plough the Fields and Scatter’, or ‘Cauliflowers Fluffy’, or the ‘Harvest Samba’ at school? Come along to our service of Harvest Bangers on Sunday 4 October at 6.00 pm (in lieu of Choral Evensong). There will be the chance to sing all your Harvest favourites and maybe to learn some new ones. We will be holding a collection (of food items and/or financial donations) for the foodbank at St Richard’s Seacroft. Don’t miss it!

The Annual Civic Service and Sung Eucharist at Temple Newsam House

The Annual Civic Service and Sung Eucharist at Temple Newsam House

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

Other services

Said Eucharist
This Wednesday 23 September at 10.00 am

Sacred Space
This Thursday 24 September at 6.00 pm

Pilgrims in the Park
This Saturday 26 September at 2.00 pm

Sung Eucharist for the seventeenth Sunday after Trinity
Next Sunday 27 September at 10.00 am · Watch the service · View the order of service

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

The Leeds South & East Food Bank continues to be in 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.

Do you know someone who could use a 'Listening Ear'?

Following discussions about how we can best offer pastoral support to those in need from our congregation and the broader parish, we have established a group of volunteers who are prepared to act as a ‘listening ear’ for those unable (permanently or temporarily) to attend church. Volunteers will phone those who would like someone to talk to for a chat once a week or so. If you would benefit from this, or if you would like to nominate someone you know, please contact Claire ([email protected]; 0113 531 8141) and she will provide more details.

Tots' Corner

You may have noticed that Tots’ Corner has had a refurb. This has been made possible by a generous donation made in memory of David and Cynthia Grice. We know how much Cynthia, in particular, loved Tots’ Corner and seeing children in church, and we hope that this is a fitting reminder of her and all that she and David contributed to the life of this church.

Crossgates Methodist Church

You may have heard the sad news that Crossgates Methodist Church is closing. It is holding a final service on 27 September at 3.00 pm to which all are invited. It would be nice for some people from St Mary’s to attend, if we can, to support our Methodist friends. Please do keep the congregation in your prayers as they say farewell to their church.

The Annual Civic Service and Sung Eucharist at Temple Newsam House

Today at 10.00 am
Temple Newsam House

Our annual Temple Newsam service, marking the 104th anniversary of the acquisition of Temple Newsam by the city of Leeds, will take place on 20 September at the usual time of 10.00 am. The guest preacher at this service will be the Very Reverend Andrew Nunn.

Drivers please note that it is not possible to drive to the car park nearest Temple Newsam House from the Colton Road direction. In order to park in the closest car park, you will need to drive into the park from the Halton direction, past the golf course.

The Whitkirk Lecture – Sir Arthur Ingram of Temple Newsam: Reputation and Legacy

Tuesday 29 September at 7.00 pm
St Mary's Church Whitkirk Community Centre

Meet the man who bought Temple Newsam. Sir Arthur Ingram made a fortune, wielded considerable influence and left his mark on Yorkshire. But was he a brilliant financial adventurer, a ruthless businessman, or simply a man determined to get what he wanted?

Join Dorothy Schofield for this year’s Whitkirk Lecture and discover the fascinating story behind Sir Arthur Ingram, Temple Newsam and the legacy he left to Leeds. Free admission; refreshments and bar.

The fifteenth Sunday after Trinity

Back to school service

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 16 September at 10.00 am

The Annual Civic Service and Sung Eucharist at Temple Newsam House
Next Sunday 20 September at 10.00 am · Watch the service · View the order of service

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

The Leeds South & East Food Bank continues to be in 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

Our children and young people will be playing a leading role in our service today. Please pray for them as they embark on a new school year. Our activities aimed at children and young people continue this year. These include Bears and Prayers (a service for pre-schoolers, held on Tuesdays in term-time at 9.30 am) and Messy Church, every second Sunday, at 4.00 pm in the Community Centre. If you know anyone who might like to come along, please do tell them about these activities. We would love to see them.

To make life easier for the young people leading our prayers, we will not be reading out any names in our intercessions today. Anyone on the ‘Year’s Mind’ list should have been included in the emailed list this week but their names will be read out next week instead. We thank you for your understanding.

Confirmations

All are welcome at St James the Great, Manston, at 6.00 pm this evening, to help celebrate the confirmations of, among others, Emily and Jonny. We would love to have your support at this very special service, but if you are not able to be there, please do pray for Emily and Jonny, as well as for Paul, who is not able to be with us on this occasion, that they might know the touch of the Holy Spirit and the truth of God’s love for them, today and always.

Do you know someone who could use a 'Listening Ear'?

Following discussions about how we can best offer pastoral support to those in need from our congregation and the broader parish, we have established a group of volunteers who are prepared to act as a ‘listening ear’ for those unable (permanently or temporarily) to attend church. Volunteers will phone those who would like someone to talk to for a chat once a week or so. If you would benefit from this, or if you would like to nominate someone you know, please contact Claire ([email protected]; 0113 531 8141) and she will provide more details.

Tots' Corner

You may have noticed that Tots’ Corner has had a refurb. This has been made possible by a generous donation made in memory of David and Cynthia Grice. We know how much Cynthia, in particular, loved Tots’ Corner and seeing children in church, and we hope that this is a fitting reminder of her and all that she and David contributed to the life of this church.

Crossgates Methodist Church

You may have heard the sad news that Crossgates Methodist Church is closing. It is holding a final service on 27 September at 3.00 pm to which all are invited. It would be nice for some people from St Mary’s to attend, if we can, to support our Methodist friends. Please do keep the congregation in your prayers as they say farewell to their church.

Trip to Lichfield and Hoar Cross

This Thursday 17 September at 12.00 am

We are really looking forward to our trip to Lichfield and Hoar Cross this Thursday. There are still a few places on the coach remaining if you would like to come along: please see Joan Williams after today’s service if that applies to you! There will be a chance to explore Lichfield city and/or cathedral (optional Eucharist at 12.30 pm), before we move on 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.

The coach will be departing from outside the Community Centre at 8.30 am prompt. Please be there for 8.15 am so that we can board everyone and ensure that no-one is left behind! We expect to return to Whitkirk by about 6.00 pm although all timings are, of course, dependent on traffic.

Heritage Open Weekend

This 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 Annual Civic Service and Sung Eucharist at Temple Newsam House

Next Sunday 20 September at 10.00 am
Temple Newsam House

Our annual Temple Newsam service, marking the 104th anniversary of the acquisition of Temple Newsam by the city of Leeds, will take place on 20 September at the usual time of 10.00 am. The guest preacher at this service will be the Very Reverend Andrew Nunn.

Drivers please note that it is not possible to drive to the car park nearest Temple Newsam House from the Colton Road direction. In order to park in the closest car park, you will need to drive into the park from the Halton direction, past the golf course.

The Whitkirk Lecture – Sir Arthur Ingram of Temple Newsam: Reputation and Legacy

Tuesday 29 September at 7.00 pm
St Mary's Church Whitkirk Community Centre

Meet the man who bought Temple Newsam. Sir Arthur Ingram made a fortune, wielded considerable influence and left his mark on Yorkshire. But was he a brilliant financial adventurer, a ruthless businessman, or simply a man determined to get what he wanted?

Join Dorothy Schofield for this year’s Whitkirk Lecture and discover the fascinating story behind Sir Arthur Ingram, Temple Newsam and the legacy he left to Leeds. Free admission; refreshments and bar.