Choral evensong in thanksgiving for
the service of John Holland

This afternoon, 3.00 pm
St Mary’s, Kippax

John Holland has faithfully served the deanery and diocese over many years. We had hoped to mark his retirement last year but in the circumstances the event had to be postponed. Thankfully, albeit belatedly, we are now able to gather at his home church at Kippax with choirs from Kippax, Swillington and Whitkirk to worship, pray and to give thanks.

The service will be followed by light refreshments.

Environment activity morning

Saturday 2 October, 10.00 am until 1.00 pm
Whitkirk Community Centre

Our planet is in trouble, but you can help. Come along and find ways you can support local wildlife with bird boxes, ponds and bug hotels. Learn about the mysteries of beekeeping or making the most of kitchen scraps with the art of composting. Discover how to cut your energy usage, reduce your carbon footprint and save money.

Silver Lining Lunch Club is back…
and needs your help!

On Tuesday 5 October the Silver Lining Lunch Club restarts. Silver Lining is a valuable opportunity for older and more vulnerable members of our community to come together once a week to meet, chat and hopefully a good time whilst sharing a hot meal.

The team who run it could do with a few volunteers to help set up the hall by putting up tables and then at the end taking them down. You will need to be reasonably fit, but if you can spare a bit of time on the occasional Tuesday we’d love to hear from you! Please give Jean Bradley a ring on 0113 260 2762 or email her on [email protected] if you can help.

World Homeless Week

Sunday 3 to Monday 11 October

World Homeless Week is a time to reflect on the plight of those affected by homelessness and poverty; an estimated 1 in 200 people in the UK were homeless in 2019, with the pandemic since leaving many more people living below the breadline. Although many homeless individuals are invisible to us – sleeping on friends sofas or in temporary hostels – we can help shed light on their struggle by telling their stories, praying for them, and of course supporting them to rebuild their lives.

Church Homeless Trust is a small charity that supports thousands of homeless individuals throughout England to get back on their feet. Find out more and donate to support their work at churchhomelesstrust.org.uk.

Our bar is missing something: you

Saturday 9 October at 7.30 pm
Whitkirk Community Centre

We are inviting people to come along for a social evening and find out how you might be able to support the Church in a whole new way: by volunteering at the bar in our Community Centre.

You might want to see if you can pull a perfect pint, or serve a crisp gin and tonic. If serving drinks isn’t for you, there’s plenty more you could offer your time to help with. From the smiling faces behind the bar on an evening to the team supporting them with clean glasses, and throughout the week making sure our stock is ready to go or putting the shine back on the pumps with a quick clean, there’s a role for everyone.

Please come along, chat with our existing staff and find out more. If you’ve got someone in mind who might enjoy volunteering, bring them along as well or let them know.

An update on our coronavirus measures

We recommend that you continue to take precautions such as taking regular rapid lateral flow tests, wearing masks if you are able, keeping your distance and being respectful of the wishes of others. You’ll still need to sanitise your hands as you enter the building, avoid handshakes during the Peace, and communion remains bread only for the time being.

If you have any symptoms of COVID-19, remember that you must self-isolate and get a PCR test. As always, we will continue to stream all our services live on our website and YouTube channel, as well as making them available to listen to later by phone or podcast.

We are still keeping a close eye on things such as infection rates, and may make other changes to our rules in the future.

Join us after the service for refreshments

You are warmly invited to join us after the service for refreshments in our Community Centre.


The Church family

For your prayers

The sick

  • Pat Hyde
  • Beryl Laverick
  • Ginny Camponi
  • Tom Heaphy
  • Alan and Mavis Cross
  • Christine Oates
  • Thomas Hadley
  • Jeff Blowers

Those in long-term care

  • Mary Metcalfe
  • Doreen Haw
  • Margaret Burton
  • George Brown
  • Jennifer Moad

Recently departed

  • Albert Thorp