News and Notices

World Homeless Week

This week

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.

Sharing Our Stories

Wednesday 6 October, 7.30 pm
St Mary’s Church, Whitkirk

As we continue to live through the COVID-19 pandemic, we’re taking some time to talk about how it has impacted us and our faith so far, what we can learn, and how we can make the most of the situation we find ourselves in.

All are welcome to join this conversation and share their own experiences.

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. Please come along, chat to 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.

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.

Temple Newsam Eucharist

This evening, 6.00 pm

When the house and estate at Temple Newsam were acquired by the City of Leeds in 1922, one of the conditions of the sale was that each year a Eucharistic service according to the rites of the Church of England be held to mark the occasion. For almost a century that service has been provided by St Mary’s Church, Whitkirk.

This annual civic service is attended by The Lord Mayor of Leeds and The Earl of Halifax, and the preacher will be The Right Reverend Paul Slater, Bishop of Kirkstall. Although space in the House itself is limited, you can watch the service live on our website:

whitkirkchurch.org.uk/templenewsam

Choral evensong in thanksgiving for
the service of John Holland

Sunday 26 September, 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.

Heritage Open Days

St Mary’s Church
Finishing today

Whitkirk is a place with plenty of history, and we’re once again thrilled to open our doors to share it with everybody as part of Heritage Open Days. Come along see some rare photographs, view our collection of stunning embroideries, and get a good look at our centuries-old architecture.

You can join us today in the church from 2.00 pm until 4.00 pm.

An update on our coronavirus measures

We’re no longer asking people to wear face coverings whilst in our church building, although we recommend that people continue to take precautions such as taking regular rapid lateral flow tests, as well as remaining at home if feeling unwell.

If you’d prefer to continue wearing a mask you are still welcome to, and we encourage everyone to be respectful of other people who continue wearing masks or who might wish to keep their distance. 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 still 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.

The YCCN Relay in Leeds

Friday 17 to Saturday 18 September

The Young Christian Climate Network is taking part in a relay walk from St Ives in Cornwall up to Glasgow in time for the COP26 climate conference. They are travelling, praying, and advocating for climate justice.

If you’d like to join the walk as it heads from Birstall, through Leeds City Centre and on to Aberford – even for a short part – head to their website to find out more.

Prayer in the Square

Leeds City Square
Friday 17 September, 4.30 pm

Coinciding with the YCCN Relay, join with Christians from many different churches as we pray publicly for the Climate Emergency and the success of the COP26 climate conference.

Heritage Open Days

St Mary’s Church
This weekend

Whitkirk is a place with plenty of history, and we’re once again thrilled to open our doors to share it with everybody as part of Heritage Open Days. Come along and listen to a talk on how the Church and the nearby Temple Newsam House have their histories intertwined, see some rare photographs, view our collection of stunning embroideries, and get a good look at some of our centuries-old architecture.

Either join us on Friday at 6.00 pm for our lecture (more details below), or pop along over the weekend to look around in your own time.

Saturday 11 September from 10.00 am until 4.00 pm
Sunday 12 September from 2.00 pm until 4.00 pm

The Country House and the Parish Church

St Mary’s Church
This Friday 10 September, 6.00 pm

To mark the start of this year’s Heritage Open Days, we’ll be hosting a presentation by James Lomax, the former curator of Temple Newsam House.

This event is already starting to fill up, so if you’d like to join us make sure you book either online or by speaking to a steward.

Thank God It’s Friday

Whitkirk Community Centre
This Friday 10 September, 6.00 pm

A space away from the working week, a chance to unwind and meet with other people. Our Community Centre is open, the bar is available to get a drink, we’ve supplied some takeaway menus if you fancy getting something delivered, and there are no plans for the evening other than having a place to relax and be yourself.

You’re even welcome to grab a drink before the Heritage lecture, or come over when the talk is finished to continue the conversation.

Smiles are back at Whitkirk

We’re no longer asking people to wear face masks whilst in our church building.

If you’d prefer to continue wearing a mask you are still welcome to, and we encourage everyone to be respectful of other people who might wish to keep their distance. 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 still 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.

The YCCN Relay in Leeds

Friday 17 to Saturday 18 September

The Young Christian Climate Network is taking part in a relay walk from St Ives in Cornwall up to Glasgow in time for the COP26 climate conference. They are travelling, praying, and advocating for climate justice.

If you’d like to join the walk as it heads from Birstall, through Leeds City Centre and on to Aberford – even for a short part – head to their website to find out more.

Faithbook: Four weeks, four questions

The Brown Cow
Thursdays in September, 7.30 pm until 9.00 pm

Every Thursday in September, a small group will meet in the pub to discuss what it is to be a Christian. Each week has a theme, with a chance to ask questions and explore further. If you’re new to Church and want to ask about the basics, or if you’ve been going for years but always wanted to ask that ‘silly question’, this is for you.

The first week, on 2 September, starts with the simple “who is this Jesus?”.

Heritage Open Days

Whitkirk is a place with plenty of history (almost a thousand years of it), and we’re once again thrilled to open our doors to share it with everybody as part of Heritage Open Days. Come along and listen to a talk on how the Church and the nearby Temple Newsam House have their histories intertwined, see some rare photographs, view our collection of stunning embroideries, and get a good look at some of our centuries-old architecture.

• Friday 10 September from 6.00 pm until 8.00 pm
  The Country House and the Parish Church, a talk by James Lomax, former curator of Temple Newsam House
• Saturday 11 September from 10.00 am until 4.00 pm
• Sunday 12 September from 2.00 pm until 4.00 pm

The Country House and the Parish Church

St Mary’s Church
Friday 10 September, 6.00 pm

To mark the start of this year’s Heritage Open Days, we’ll be hosting a presentation by James Lomax, the former curator of Temple Newsam House.

This event is already starting to fill up, so if you’d like to join us make sure you book online to reserve your spot.

Thank God It’s Friday

St Mary’s Church Whitkirk Community Centre
Friday 10 September, 6.00 pm until 11.30 pm

A space away from the working week, a chance to unwind and meet with other people. Our Community Centre is open, the bar is available to get a drink, we’ve supplied some takeaway menus if you fancy getting something delivered, and there are no plans for the evening other than having a place to relax and be yourself.

Join us after the service for refreshments

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

For the time being we ask you to wear a face covering (unless you are exempt) whilst moving around the building, and to please stay seated whilst enjoying your drinks.

Worshipping in person

You no longer need to book in advance to attend any of our services, although we are keeping some other restrictions in place. We ask that you wear a face covering (unless exempt) whilst worshipping with us, and be mindful of people who may wish to keep some extra space between themselves and others.

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

We hope to see you again in person soon, but if you can’t make it or if you don’t feel comfortable 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.

Faithbook: Four weeks, four questions

The Brown Cow
Thursdays in September, 7.30 pm until 9.00 pm

Every Thursday in September, a small group will meet in the pub to discuss what it is to be a Christian. Each week has a theme, with a chance to ask questions and explore further. If you’re new to Church and want to ask about the basics, or if you’ve been going for years but always wanted to ask that ‘silly question’, this is for you.

The first week, on 2 September, starts with the simple “who is this Jesus?”.

The Country House and the Parish Church

St Mary’s Church
Friday 10 September, 6.00 pm

To mark the start of this year’s Heritage Open Days, we’ll be hosting a presentation by James Lomax, the former curator of Temple Newsam House.

Join us after the service for refreshments

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

For the time being we ask you to wear a face covering (unless you are exempt) whilst moving around the building, and to please stay seated whilst enjoying your drinks.

Worshipping in person

You no longer need to book in advance to attend any of our services, although we are keeping some other restrictions in place. We ask that you wear a face covering (unless exempt) whilst worshipping with us, and be mindful of people who may wish to keep some extra space between themselves and others.

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

We hope to see you again in person soon, but if you can’t make it or if you don’t feel comfortable 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.

How do you like your cuppa?

With the easing of lockdown, we are now serving coffee after 10.00 am Sunday services, thanks to our teams of volunteers.

For various reasons, our teams have been depleted over the last 18 months so instead of six teams we now only have three.

We are looking for more willing volunteers to help ease the burden on our existing teams.

Could you, with a group of friends or family perhaps form a team of two, three or four people to help serve refreshments on a Sunday morning after the service? Coffee and biscuits are provided, it just needs someone to bring along the milk (for which you will be reimbursed). There’s a small bit of work before the service to prepare flasks of coffee, and then at the end of the service the jobs of making tea and serving people. When you’re done the dishwasher does the hard work of washing up!

If you enjoy your cuppa after the service and think this might be something for you then please do consider this plea for help and have a word with Melvin, Matthew or Shelagh.

Could you be a Parish Support Accountant?

The Diocese of Leeds is looking to appoint a new Parish Support Accountant, who will be responsible for supporting parishes in looking after their finances. Find out more and apply online on the Church of England’s website.

Join us after the service for refreshments

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

For the time being we ask you to wear a face covering (unless you are exempt) whilst moving around the building, and to please stay seated whilst enjoying your drinks.

Worshipping in person

You no longer need to book in advance to attend any of our services, although we are keeping some other restrictions in place. We ask that you wear a face covering (unless exempt) whilst worshipping with us, and be mindful of people who may wish to keep some extra space between themselves and others.

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

We hope to see you again in person soon, but if you can’t make it or if you don’t feel comfortable 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.