News and Notices

Memorial service for Kath Harwood

Tuesday 10 August at 3.00 pm
Christ Church Halton

A memorial service for Kath Harwood will be streamed live to Christ Church Halton for those who wish to attend.

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.

YACR Bell Ringing Open Day

Today, 4.00 pm to 5.30 pm
St Mary’s Church, Whitkirk

Come join us on Yorkshire Day to learn more about our three bells and the art of bell ringing, and even have the opportunity to climb our tower and give it a go yourself!

Choral Evensong

Today, 6.00 pm
St Mary’s Church, Whitkirk

A service of Choral Evensong to end the day, featuring music written by composers born in Yorkshire.

After-service refreshments are back!

We’re delighted to once again invite you 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.

A letter from the bishops

The bishops of Leeds, Kirkstall, Wakefield, Huddersfield, Ripon and Bradford have written an open letter to all on the subject of returning to worship now that restrictions are beginning to be lifted.

You can read the letter on our website.

YACR Bell Ringing Open Day

Sunday 1 August 2021, 4.00 pm to 5.30 pm
St Mary’s Church, Whitkirk

Come join us on Yorkshire Day to learn more about our three bells and the art of bell ringing, and even have the opportunity to climb our tower and give it a go yourself!

Worshipping in person

Following the changes to COVID-19 restrictions on 19 July, the PCC at St Mary’s has reviewed the guidelines and has made some changes to our rules for attending services.

Sharing our Stories

The pandemic, our lives and our faith
Thursday 22 July 2021, 7.30 pm
St. Mary’s Church, Whitkirk

All are invited to this opportunity to meet face-to-face and discuss with others the impact that the pandemic has had on our lives and the way we worship.

YACR Bell Ringing Open Day

Sunday 1 August 2021, 4.00 pm to 5.30 pm
St Mary’s Church, Whitkirk

Come join us on Yorkshire Day to learn more about our three bells and the art of bell ringing, and even have the opportunity to climb our tower and give it a go yourself!

House of Questions

“If you could ask one question of God, what would it be?”
Wednesday 21 July to Thursday 29 July
Church of the Epiphany, Gipton

A unique exhibition that includes an installation by artist Phill Hopkins and reflections by community theologian Dr Charlotte Naylor Davis.

Sharing our Stories

The pandemic, our lives and our faith
Thursday 22 July 2021, 7.30 pm
St. Mary’s Church, Whitkirk

All are invited to this opportunity to meet face-to-face and discuss with others the impact that the pandemic has had on our lives and the way we worship.

YACR Bell Ringing Open Day

Sunday 1 August 2021, 4.00 pm to 5.30 pm
St Mary’s Church, Whitkirk

Come join us on Yorkshire Day to learn more about our three bells and the art of bell ringing, and even have the opportunity to climb our tower and give it a go yourself!

House of Questions

“If you could ask one question of God, what would it be?”
Wednesday 21 July to Thursday 29 July
Church of the Epiphany, Gipton

A unique exhibition that includes an installation by artist Phill Hopkins and reflections by community theologian Dr Charlotte Naylor Davis.

Sharing our Stories

The pandemic, our lives and our faith
Thursday 22 July 2021, 7.30pm
St. Mary’s Church, Whitkirk

All are invited to this opportunity to meet face-to-face and discuss with others the impact that the pandemic has had on our lives and the way we worship.

Reporting on our energy usage

We are in the middle of a climate emergency, and making sure that we know how much energy we’re using and what the emissions are is an important part of reducing our impact.

To help with this we’re sharing the headlines from our 2020 energy footprint report.

In 2020 the energy usage of our buildings was responsible for an estimated 18 tonnes of CO2 being released into the atmosphere.

Our buildings received an A+ rating for emissions per person-hour, but only an F rating for emissions per square metre. We believe we can do better, and over the next year we’ll be working hard to reduce our emissions and improve our grading.

Become a Property Administrator with the Diocese of Leeds

If helping to manage a portfolio of over 400 residential properties and 80 acres of land is something that interests you, the Diocese of Leeds is looking for a Property Administrator.

Choral Evensong

The service of Evensong is rooted in hundreds of years of worship, and is renowned for its choral music and rich language.

Join us online for this evening’s service live at 6.00 pm, or watch again at any time after.

Our East Leeds Foodbank box is back

After a long absence, our donation box for the East Leeds Foodbank returns from this Sunday onwards. If you have any tinned or long-life goods left over from a Brexit or COVID stash that you’re not likely to use, the many users of the foodbank would really appreciate them. If you would like more information on the foodbank, and especially what items they are short of if you’d like to add something into your shopping basket, you can find this on their website.

Be a Festival Angel at Leeds Festival

Leeds Festival is once again returning to Bramham Park in August, and the Festival Angels team are looking for committed Christians to volunteer to help run the prayer cafe and lost property tent, as well as to act as ‘Street Angels’ around the site.

In return for an expected 20 hours of volunteer work between Wednesday 25 and Monday 30 August you’ll get the opportunity to spread the message of Christianity through good works, and a free ticket to the Festival.

If you’d like to sign up and be part of the Festival Angels team, you can find out more and sign up on their website, and if you’re not sure and want to talk to someone about what’s involved then you can email Rev Andy Nicholson with any questions you may have.

Worshipping in person

In line with the Government’s plan for easing lockdown, and based on our own risk assessments, our doors are open for public worship. You must book to attend any of our services in person, and you must follow additional rules around cleaning your hands, covering your face, and maintaining distancing whilst in the church. If you want to attend a service you can either book online, or you can call us on 0113 450 8554.

We will continue streaming all our services, both during this period of limited availability and into the future. You can join us online every Sunday morning at 10.00 am, catch up any time through the week, listen to our services over the phone, or listen using our podcast.

• Read about worshipping in person and book to attend a service
• Read the rules for being in the church

An update on Christian Aid Week

This year – as with last – the ongoing pandemic meant we couldn’t run our usual doorstep collections for Christian Aid. Instead, we set up our own St Mary’s e-envelope for Christian Aid, which allowed people to donate securely online. Through generous donations, this raised a total of £780. Alongside this, Christian Aid envelopes were made available in the church. Despite only limited numbers being able to attend services in person, these envelopes raised an additional £561.

In total, after adding Gift Aid, a stunning £1,341 was raised by the parish of St Mary’s.

It looks unlikely that doorstep collections will return in the future years. Online donations remove the need to handle cash or cheques and simplify the process of counting contributions. However, we will continue to make paper envelopes available in the church for those who prefer to continue giving in this way.

Many thanks to all who donated to Christian Aid, either through us here at St Mary’s or elsewhere. Your gifts are helping to build a safer, healthier, and fairer world for all.

Worshipping in person

In line with the Government’s plan for easing lockdown, and based on our own risk assessments, our doors are open for public worship. You must book to attend any of our services in person, and you must follow additional rules around cleaning your hands, covering your face, and maintaining distancing whilst in the church. If you want to attend a service you can either book online, or you can call us on 0113 450 8554.

We will continue streaming all our services, both during this period of limited availability and into the future. You can join us online every Sunday morning at 10.00 am, catch up any time through the week, listen to our services over the phone, or listen using our podcast.

• Read about worshipping in person and book to attend a service
• Read the rules for being in the church