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Parish notices: 28 November 2021

Reintroducing the Common Cup

From today, you can once again choose to take communion as both bread and wine. You can read our full update on this, or watch the video.

If you would prefer to only receive communion in one kind (as bread only) this is also considered to be full communion by the Church of England.

Real Advent Calendars

We’re once again selling the only Advent calendars to tell the Christmas story – Real Advent Calendars. Available from James for £4.50 each.

You can also pick up one of our selection of books, or an Advent candle to mark the days as we approach Christmas.

Our Christmas services

As we rapidly approach the season of Advent, it’s time to let everyone know about our Christmas services! Take a look at our Christmas Services page to see what’s happening when and where.

Messy Church Christingle service

Sunday 12 December at 4.00 pm
Starting in Whitkirk Community Centre

Come along to this traditional celebration – suitable for all ages – and turn a humble orange into the light of the world!

Coming up at Whitkirk Community Centre

Christmas Not-Just-A-Coffee Morning

Saturday 4 December at 10.00am

It’s not a full-blown Christmas Fair, but it’s so much more than a coffee morning! Come join us for a cuppa and some cake, or if you’re feeling a touch more festive you can enjoy our mulled wine. Browse a selection of stalls perfect for smaller gifts and stocking fillers, take your chance with our famous Christmas Raffle, and sing your favourite carols around the piano.

The Sword in the Scone

Wednesday 8 to Saturday 11 December at 7.15 pm
Great seats available Wednesday and Thursday, only a few seats left Friday and Saturday

Whitkirk Arts Guild give the legend of King Arthur a twist in their annual family pantomime. Complete with knights and a king, a witch and a wizard, a dragon, and oversized baked goods. Book your tickets online, pick up a flyer in the Community Centre, or call 0113 212 0066.

Continue reading “Parish notices: 28 November 2021”

Reintroducing the Common Cup

Matthew talks about reintroducing the Common Cup to our worship at St Mary’s

From Advent Sunday (Sunday 28 November) we’ll be reintroducing the Common Cup at Whitkirk. This means that if you want to you’ll be able to take communion in both kinds – both bread and wine – as part of taking communion during our services.

If you’d like to take communion in both kinds, we’d appreciate it if you could mention this to one of our stewards so that we can consecrate the right amount. Don’t worry if you forget, this is just to help us get a better idea of numbers.

If you’d still rather take communion in one kind only, you can continue to do so and this is still considered by the Church of England to be taking communion in full. All you need to do is take the bread as you usually would, and then return to your seat.

You are free to start or stop taking communion in both kinds whenever you want. As with all changes to our worship during the pandemic, we’re keeping a close eye on things like infection rates as we make our decisions, and we may make further changes in the future.

An update from your PCC: November 2021

The Parochial Church Council meets regularly throughout the year to discuss and make decisions on all kinds of issues relating to the Church at Whitkirk.

We think it’s essential that the parish know what their PCC is talking about, which is why we’ll be sharing these updates after each meeting. We won’t go into the nitty-gritty details of what we discussed but will give you an overview and a summary of decisions. This is a summary of the meeting held on 16 November.

  • We decided to reintroduce the Common Cup from Advent Sunday, with it being made clear that people do not have to take part if they do not feel comfortable.
    • This decision has been temporarily paused due to the latest infection rates and emergence of a new variant of concern.
  • We made some updates to the contract for maintaining the Church’s grounds, increasing fees in line with inflation and clarifying how often we review things.
  • We agreed to invest in some new secured equipment storage.
  • The Church’s finance team gave us an update on our income and expenditure, along with some estimates and targets for the year ahead.
  • Updated text for our new Environmental Policy was proposed and approved, and this policy has been adopted by the PCC.
  • We heard an update from our safeguarding officer about adopting the latest version of our Safeguarding Policy, and on some updated training which PCC members must complete.
  • We looked at an updated structure for the PCC and its various subgroups, and continued to work towards a revised structure following the upheaval of the pandemic.
  • We discussed upcoming events and courses.
  • A note of thanks was discussed and agreed on for West Yorkshire Police for their assistance with road closures for this year’s Act of Remembrance.
  • Thanks were passed on to members of the PCC and congregation who have donated items towards the Christmas “Not Just A Coffee Morning” raffle and stalls.

If you have any comments, or if you’d like to raise an issue for the PCC or one of its committees to discuss, then please let us know!

Parish notices: 21 November 2021

Real Advent Calendars

We’re once again selling the only Advent calendars to tell the Christmas story – Real Advent Calendars. Available from James for £4.50 each.

You can also pick up one of our selection of books, or an Advent candle to mark the days as we approach Christmas.

Our Christmas services

As we rapidly approach the season of Advent, it’s time to let everyone know about our Christmas services! Take a look at our Christmas Services page to see what’s happening when and where.

Coming up at Whitkirk Community Centre

Christmas Not-Just-A-Coffee Morning

Saturday 4 December at 10.00am

It’s not a full-blown Christmas Fair, but it’s so much more than a coffee morning! Come join us for a cuppa and some cake, or if you’re feeling a touch more festive you can enjoy our mulled wine. Browse a selection of stalls perfect for smaller gifts and stocking fillers, take your chance with our famous Christmas Raffle, and sing your favourite carols round the piano.

The Sword in the Scone

Wednesday 8 to Saturday 11 December at 7.15 pm
Last few tickets on Friday and Saturday!

Whitkirk Arts Guild give the legend of King Arthur a twist in their annual family pantomime. Complete with knights and a king, a witch and a wizard, a dragon, and oversized baked goods. Book your tickets online, pick up a flyer in the Community Centre, or call 0113 212 0066.

Continue reading “Parish notices: 21 November 2021”

Parish notices: 14 November 2021

Real Advent Calendars

We’re once again selling the only Advent calendars to tell the Christmas story – Real Advent Calendars. Available from James from today for £4.50 each.

Coming up at Whitkirk Community Centre

Christmas Coffee Morning

Saturday 4 December at 10.00am

It might seem a bit early to be talking about Christmas, but we want to make sure you had time to pop this one in your diary! Although we sadly can’t run a full Christmas Fair this year, we didn’t want to leave you without a chance to share a cuppa (or a glass of mulled wine), a slice of cake, and the chance to sing some carols around the piano.

The Sword in the Scone

Wednesday 8 to Saturday 11 December at 7.15 pm

Whitkirk Arts Guild return to the stage with their annual family pantomime, giving the legend of King Arthur a twist. Book your tickets online, pick up a flyer in the Community Centre, or call 0113 212 0066.

Continue reading “Parish notices: 14 November 2021”

Parish notices: 7 November 2021

Sung Eucharist for Remembrance Sunday

Next Sunday, 14 November at 9.30 am

Our annual service to mark Remembrance Sunday, concluding with a procession to the War Memorial and Act of Remembrance.

This service will begin at 9.30 am.

Real Advent Calendars

We’re once again selling the only Advent calendars to tell the Christmas story – Real Advent Calendars. Available from James from today for £4.50 each.

An update on our coronavirus measures

In light of the current increase in cases, we want to remind people that we continue to recommend the wearing of a face covering if you are able whilst in church and moving around our Community Centre. We also suggest that you continue to take precautions such as taking regular rapid lateral flow tests, 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.

Living in Love and Faith

A four-part course on Christian teaching and learning about identity, sexuality, relationships, and marriage.

Anyone is welcome to join in with these conversations: this whole course is about bringing together different voices, experiences, and worldviews, to learn and flourish together.

Continues Thursday 11 November at 7.30 pm.

Coming up at Whitkirk Community Centre

Strictly in Sequence

Starting Monday 8 November at 1.00 pm
Then every 1st and 3rd Monday of the month

A chance for experienced dancers and total beginners alike to step onto the floor as Keith and Roxanne host this sequence dancing session. With a mix of old favourites and new, you’ll soon be floating across the floor.

£5 per session, including tea and coffee.

Christmas Coffee Morning

Saturday 4 December at 10.00am

It might seem a bit early to be talking about Christmas, but we want to make sure you had time to pop this one in your diary! Although we sadly can’t run a full Christmas Fair this year, we didn’t want to leave you without a chance to share a cuppa (or a glass of mulled wine), a slice of cake, and the chance to sing some carols around the piano.

The Sword in the Scone

Wednesday 8 to Saturday 11 December at 7.15 pm

Whitkirk Arts Guild return to the stage with their annual family pantomime, giving the legend of King Arthur a twist. Book your tickets online, pick up a flyer in the Community Centre, or call 0113 212 0066.

Continue reading “Parish notices: 7 November 2021”

Parish notices: 31 October 2021

Real Advent Calendars

We’re once again selling the only Advent calendars to tell the Christmas story – Real Advent Calendars. Available from James from next Sunday for £4.50 each.

An update on our coronavirus measures

In light of the current increase in cases, we want to remind people that we continue to recommend the wearing of a face covering if you are able whilst in church and moving around our Community Centre. We also suggest that you continue to take precautions such as taking regular rapid lateral flow tests, 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.

Living in Love and Faith

A four-part course on Christian teaching and learning about identity, sexuality, relationships, and marriage.

Anyone is welcome to join in with these conversations: this whole course is about bringing together different voices, experiences, and worldviews, to learn and flourish together.

Continues Thursday 4 November at 7.30 pm.

Interment of Pauline Keenan’s ashes

A short service of interment will be held in the cemetery on Sunday 7 November at midday for those who were unable to attend Pauline’s funeral and who may wish to say farewell.

Service for All Souls

The Commemoration of the Faithful Departed
Tuesday 2nd November at 7.30 pm

A list of names to be remembered at this service is available in the church this morning.

Coming up at Whitkirk Community Centre

Strictly in Sequence

Starting Monday 8 November at 1.00 pm
Then every 1st and 3rd Monday of the month

A chance for experienced dancers and total beginners alike to step onto the floor as Keith and Roxanne host this sequence dancing session. With a mix of old favourites and new, you’ll soon be floating across the floor.

£5 per session, including tea and coffee.

Christmas Coffee Morning

Saturday 4 December at 10.00am

It might seem a bit early to be talking about Christmas, but we want to make sure you had time to pop this one in your diary! Although we sadly can’t run a full Christmas Fair this year, we didn’t want to leave you without a chance to share a cuppa (or a glass of mulled wine), a slice of cake, and the chance to sing some carols around the piano.

The Sword in the Scone

Wednesday 8 to Saturday 11 December at 7.15 pm

Whitkirk Arts Guild return to the stage with their annual family pantomime, giving the legend of King Arthur a twist. Book your tickets online, pick up a flyer in the Community Centre, or call 0113 212 0066.

Continue reading “Parish notices: 31 October 2021”

An update from your PCC: September 2021

The Parochial Church Council meets regularly throughout the year to discuss and make decisions on all kinds of issues relating to the Church at Whitkirk.

We think it’s essential that the parish know what their PCC is talking about, which is why we’ll be sharing these updates after each meeting. We won’t go into the nitty-gritty details of what we discussed but will give you an overview and a summary of decisions. This is a summary of the meeting held on 21 September.

  • The Church’s finance team presented an update on our financial position. The effects of the Coronavirus pandemic are still being felt, but the Church is able to increase its parish share contribution.
  • We talked about the pattern of services we offer and how best to expand these as we recover from the pandemic. As the situation is uncertain as we head into winter, we will stick with our current weekly pattern of eucharistic services and review this decision in six months. We will, however, be reintroducing morning and evening prayers and are currently putting the finishing touches on how this will work.
  • There was a lengthy discussion about the precautions we take to keep people safe. At the moment, communion will remain as bread only with the congregation invited to stand around the altar. We are aiming to reintroduce the Common Cup as we enter the season of Advent. We are also keeping the current handshake-free approach to the Peace, and we are not holding a collection during services. All changes to our precautions are based on current infection rates and guidance, so this plan may change.
  • A proposal to add bike racks to our car park was discussed. Although the PCC agreed in principle, they didn’t feel the plan in its current state was ready. A revised plan will be looked at in the next meeting.
  • Our current policy of not hiring the Community Centre on Sundays was revisited, and several points were made both for and against keeping this policy. Currently, this policy remains in place, but we’re doing some more research on demand and costs, and will revisit this at the next meeting with more information.
  • We’re updating some of our safeguarding training and materials, and the PCC will be told about any changes needed at their next meeting.
  • We discussed upcoming events, and our Social and Events Team’s provisional plans for activities in 2022.
  • A proposal was made to adopt a new environmental policy. The PCC requested some amendments, and a revised policy will be presented at the next meeting.
  • Finally, we agreed to request some updates to our license for servers and administrants.

If you have any comments, or if you’d like to raise an issue for the PCC or one of its committees to discuss, then please let us know!