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Who, what, where and when? A guide to all that’s happening here at MBC in 2026

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www.moortownbaptistchurch.org.uk 

Following Jesus and serving the community

Lasting for just over an hour our Sunday Service starts in church and on YouTube at 11am. The first Sunday of each month is Café Church and on the third Sunday we celebrate Communion.

An important part of our weekly worship is Sunday School. Here a small group of young children learn all about Jesus and the love of God.

Rounding off Sunday we have Rock Solid. Meeting between 7 & 8pm and majoring around having fun, Rock Solid regularly sets our teenagers some serious and not so serious challenges and tasks.

Monday…    Our free Warm Space Beacon Café, 10am to 12noon.

Tuesday…    Stepping Stones, a toddler group 10 to 11.30am.

Tuesday…   The first of our Housegroups, only this one is in church between 12noon and 2pm.

Wednesday… 10.30am – 2pm. Lunch Club, games, quizzes and always a hearty lunch for our seniors.

Wednesday… 7.30 to 9.30pm. Our hybrid Housegroup. With half the group meeting at church and the other half online.

Wednesday…  7.30pm – 9.30ish. Ladies Housegroup in the comfort of someone’s home.

Wednesday…  7.30 to 9pm. Country Dancing.

Thursday…      2pm to 4. Open Door Craft Group. Our second Warm Space of the week. No experience needed, Free refreshments and always lots of chat.

Thursday…      7pm to 9pm. Bible Study, in church.

Friday…           10am to 11am. A second Bible Study, again in church.

Friday…           And finally, between 8pm – 10pm, another Housegroup, again in someone’s home.

In addition to all this we also host or provide a Pastoral Team, which without overstepping the mark provides confidential support to anyone who needs it, we host a Parkinson’s Exercise Class, two Extend Exercise Classes (ideal for our older friends), Pilates, Pathways, a Christian Counselling team, Leeds and Moortown Furniture Store, PACT (Neighbourhood Policing Teams) and local councillor surgeries. In addition, and particularly at certain times of the year we host special Services such as those associated with Easter, Nativities, Christingles, Baptisms, Mission weekends etc. etc.

For more information about Moortown Baptist Church please email

 admin@moortownbaptistchurch.org.uk

Moortown Baptist Church. 204 King Lane, Leeds LS17 7AA

www.moortownbaptistchurch.org.uk

LMFS – volunteers needed – help us to turn houses into homes

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The Leeds and Moortown Furniture Store is looking for volunteers.

The roles would require someone to work in the warehouse, pick stock and load onto vans and then travel with the driver to unload at various properties.

They would have to be reasonably fit and strong to help move furniture around – including carrying items up staircases at people’s properties.

Rachel Dodson, the Store’s General Manager would consider anyone who could commit to one or days per week (whatever time they can afford to give us).

We do pay expenses up to £10 per day – bus tickets, sandwiches etc.

Also, there is an Open day on Sunday 29th March at 10.00 – 13.00 – which we know clashes with church. Unfortunately, that was the only day that the staff and volunteers could do.

If anyone can offer some help then please get in touch with me, Gareth Davies by email gareth@daviesmarsh.co.uk

Shelley’s news for week commencing 8th March

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Dear friends                                   

Here is the week ahead, we’d love to see you.

Sunday 8th March 11am Service all together.  Exploring God through John’s eyes; The healing by the Pool (John 5:1-15) There is a Sunday school during the message so that our younger friends can explore the story creatively together.

In the evening Rock Solid youth groups meet in church building. All youth welcome! Talk to Martyn, Ruth, Val, Nathan 7-8pm

Monday 9th March 10-12 Beacon warm welcome café for all.  Food pantry available. 

Tuesday 10th March Stepping Stones for under-fives and their parents and carers.

Tuesday 10th March in the afternoon, house group in church.  See Howard D or Lesley for more information.

Tuesday 10th March Deacons meeting and Shelley 7.30pm in the church building.

Wednesday 11th March Lunch Club for those booked on and the volunteer team.  Talk to Rachel B for more information. 

Wednesday 11th March House Group in the Music Room at 7.30pm carrying on with Zechariah.  Speak to Andy or Ruth or Shelley/Lesley for more information.

Thursday 12th March Craft group warm welcome space.  All welcome to come along and chat or to make something or learn a new skill. 

Thursday 12th March Bible Study in the Music Room 7.00pm – 9.00pm Speak to Gareth, John C or Lesley

Friday 13th March Bible Study in the Music Room 10.00 – 11.00am exploring Ephesians. Speak to Shelley for more information.

Friday 13th March Parkinson’s Exercise Class in the church building 6.30 – 7.30pm Speak to Phil Commons or Lesley for more information

Friday 13th March House group at 8pm in Adel. See Jonathan, Hilary, Steve or Helen.

Sunday 15th March 11am Service all together.  Exploring God through John’s eyes: feeding the five thousand (John 6:1-14) There is a Sunday school during the main talk so that our younger friends can explore the story creatively together.

In the evening Rock Solid youth groups meet in church building. All youth welcome! Talk to Martyn, Ruth, Val, Nathan 7-8pm

Every Sunday a small group meet together to pray for Sunday morning and all that is involved.  They meet about 10.40 in the music room. It includes the musicians and often those who pray or lead but it is open to anyone who would like to support in prayer.

If you would like to know more about any of the groups, getting involved, giving resource/money to support the work at MBC and in its community do ask a deacon, a group leader or myself or send a message to Lesley.

A few of the men in church are meeting to share and pray after church for half an hour or so over the next couple of weeks.  They are looking at how they can encourage men in the church and beyond the building and it’s starting with prayer.  Following last Sunday’s service they named themselves the Lazarus group.  If there are other men who want to join, then turn up after the service in the corner room or chat to John C.   

We are looking forward to welcoming new members at Easter.  If you’d like to know about membership and joining them then do ask one of us. 

Also are you thinking about being baptised but not sure what to do next? Come and talk to me tomorrow or send me a message this week (or ask Lesley to pass on a message and I’ll get back asap!)  

Looking ahead…

On the 25th March we have..

Wednesday worship 1.30-2.00 in the music room.  Come and join others to sing, pray, share and gather together.

And in the evening…

The ‘Create your own psalm group’ meet (always the last Wednesday of the month) in the music room at 7pm.  All welcome even if you haven’t been before, materials provided, come and have a go in a relaxing space.  You will be guided with ideas and then have freedom to explore.  No experience needed. Speak to Krys or Cas.

Saturday 28th March Creative workshop We are very pleased to welcome Liz Pattinson to lead us in a couple of hours of reflection before we enter Holy Week. Liz, a retired art teacher of many years who loves encouraging people to be creative, will be leading people into a time of reflection and creative activity. Liz attends Leeds Vineyard Church and over the last 3 years has been leading a group called “Creating with God”.

The art session will be centred on reflecting on Holy Week, the last 7 days that Jesus Christ was on the earth. His entry into Jerusalem, the last supper, His crucifixion and resurrection.

There are a wealth of images and symbols, which can be used either realistically or in an abstract way. Materials will be provided and no previous artistic experience required.

When: Saturday 28th March 1:30pm – 3:30pm

Where: Sanctuary, Moortown Baptist Church, 204 King Lane, Moortown, Leeds

What: Come relax, contemplate and be creative as we step into Holy Week

Who: Everyone welcome, whatever age – young, middle or mature!!!

Please book your place by emailing Lesley on admin@moortownbaptistchurch.org.uk as places are limited to 20.

Young children please bring an adult

We are still finalising Holy week and Easter but so far, we know…

Friday 3rd April Good Friday Service 10-10.45 in the church building.

Then a half an hour open-air service on Alwoodley Green at 2.30pm joining with other local churches.  We’ll be by the park.  It was good to worship outside and have the opportunity for others who wouldn’t usually come into a church building to join and hear.  Please bring your own fold up chair if you would prefer to sit down.  Last year we made crosses out of seed paper to give out.  Of you would like to help with that or have any other ideas then do let me know before Thursday.

Sunday 5th April Easter café church for all starting at 11am.  With Easter treats and breakfast pastries, fruit and drinks. 

Sunday 12th April 11-12 We welcome friends and leaders of churches in Romania who have relationship with us here in Moortown, as they share worship, prayer, stories and time with us over a few days.

Sunday 19th April 11-12 We welcome Helen Harris, Director of Fundraising and Communications for the Baptist Missionary Society to share stories of God at work worldwide in our service.

Sunday 3rd May 11am Cafe church

Sunday 24th May Pentecost Sunday service at 11am.

We had great feedback from all those who went to the free women’s half day self-defence class last Sunday organised with our local community.  Funded as part of the mayor of West Yorkshire’s Safer Communities Fund and Leeds City Council Inner North Community Committee with Leeds Jewish Housing Association.  Its for women and girls of all ages.   

See the link here Instagram Many in the group asked if we could maybe have a full day session (this will be a weekend in June) so we are looking at dates!  In the meantime, there is another half-day session on 16th April, 1pm – 5pm.  To book please contact Lesley or go directly to  enquiries@blossom-uk.co.uk Please look at our website about last Sunday.. Be Well and Be Strong… self defence for women and girls. – Moortown Baptist Church

Around the city…

North Church are hosting ‘Care for the Family’ on Wednesday 18th March called ‘Tweens and Teens: what every parent needs to know’ Book a ticket at the link here Tweens and Teens: What every parent needs to know – Leeds Tickets, Wed, Mar 18, 2026 at 7:30 PM | Eventbrite

Prayer for Leeds on Saturday 21st March 9:30am and 6pm. This will be hosted by/held at Bridge Community Church. More information coming soon.  For more information follow the link here Day of Prayer for Leeds – Network Leeds

Global Day of Prayer will take place at Leeds Minster (Kirkgate, LS2 7DJ) on Pentecost Sunday, 24th May, 6pm – 8pm. A flyer will follow shortly

Do check out the website for all the latest news and stories.  We are sharing prayers for the middle east, lent and our community on facebook. If you want to join with others to pray or share then do let me know and we can help.

“Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book.  But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.”  (John 20:30-31)

Shelley

Shelley Dring

Minister

Moortown Baptist Church

Reflect on Holy Week. A creative and reflective art session as we prepare for Holy Week. Saturday 28th March.

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On Saturday the 28th of March, we are very pleased to welcome Liz Pattinson to lead us in a couple of hours of reflection before we enter Holy Week. Liz, a retired art teacher of many years who loves encouraging people to be creative, will be leading people into a time of reflection and creative activity. Liz attends Leeds Vineyard Church and over the last 3 years has been leading a group called “Creating with God”.

The art session will be centred on reflecting on Holy Week, the last 7 days that Jesus Christ was on the earth. His entry into Jerusalem, the last supper, His crucifixion and resurrection.

There are a wealth of images and symbols, which can be used either realistically or in an abstract way. Materials will be provided and no previous artistic experience required.

When: Saturday 28th March 1:30pm – 3:30pm

Where: Sanctuary, Moortown Baptist Church, 204 King Lane, Moortown, Leeds

What: Come relax, contemplate and be creative as we step into Holy Week

Who: Everyone welcome, whatever age – young, middle or mature!!!

Please book your place by emailing Lesley on admin@moortownbaptistchurch.org.uk as places are limited to 20.

Young children please bring an adult

Looking forward to seeing there

God Bless

Krystyna Gadd

Last week’s Cafe Church was a very different type of service in that it revolved around Blanket, a sculpture which when complete will “send a message of hope in a fractured world.”

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At our last Cafe Church we had the pleasure of welcoming to Moortown artists Rev David Hawkins and Pippa Hale.  In collaboration with Leeds Art Gallery, Yorkshire Sculpture Park and St George’s Crypt David and Pippa are leading on an arts project called Blanket. Blanket is described as a ‘bold compassionate sculpture sending a message of hope in a fractured world’ and when complete will be placed in Leeds city centre as a tribute to the extraordinary artistic talents of  just some of the many people who through no fault of their own find themselves living on its margins.  

Be Well and Be Strong… self defence for women and girls.

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A word of thanks from our friends at the Leeds Jewish Housing Association.
 
Thank you to everyone who attended Moortown Baptist Church for the first of our self-defence and empowerment session held on Sunday. Thank you to Maddie and Amelia from Blossom for leading the session.
 
The session formed part of our ‘Be Well and Be Strong’ Project to develop creative and empowering solutions to make women and girls feel confident in dealing domestic abuse and harassment. The project is funded by the Mayor of West Yorkshires’ Safer Communities Fund as well as Leeds City Council’s Inner North East Community Committee.
 
One participant said: “I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed Blossom Self Defence today! I felt so empowered and cared about. I thought I would feel triggered and scared (due to my childhood trauma) but I left feeling safe and like I could protect myself if I were to be attacked. I also felt like I was a part of a community. Unfortunately violence against women and girls had probably happened to everyone in the room, and although this is so sad it has also brought us closer together. I am so grateful that you organised this, so thank you 🙂 If you ever get chance to organise another one, please message me as I would love to go to it again and further develop my skills as well as refresh the skills I learnt today.
 
The details of the next session will be promoted in due course”.

LMFS adds another string to its bow

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When say a loved one moves into a care home, or sadly dies and it falls upon you to clear their home you may find yourself not knowing which way to turn.

To keep things simple, can we suggest that if you do ever find yourself in that situation you contact the Leeds and Moortown Furniture Store, a registered charity with forty years experience of fighting furniture poverty. 

That’s because the way LMFS operate is when someone asks for their help they send out not just one van but two; one to bring anything that their clients might be in need of back to the Store’s Seacroft hub – the other van to take away and responsibly dispose of the rest.

As you can see on the image above this isn’t a completely free service, no even the most well meaning charity has to cover its costs. But what this new initiative does provide is a). a value for money job that not only relieves you of a problem but b). allows the Store to keep up with the never ending demand for the everyday things so many of us take for granted, things such as tables, chairs, wardrobes and beds.

You can contact LMFS by filling in a donations form on their website www.leedsandmoortown.org.uk by emailing info@leedsandmoortown.org.uk or by phone by calling 0113 2739727

 

Shelley’s news for week commencing March 1st

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Dear friends

Last Sunday we started to look at who God is in the book of John.  We see some of this in the miracles, or as John called them, ‘signs’.  We will be exploring some of these over the next few weeks as we journey towards Easter.  The signs are not merely about power but about God’s identity.  What do the signs and the circumstances around them tell us about Jesus and what does that say about our identity too?  How can that speak into our lives and our world today?  Last week we looked at Jesus turning water into wine and this week we look at the raising of Lazarus as Jesus brought him back to life.  It’s a reminder of what John says right at the end of his gospel..

“Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples…But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” (John 20:30-31)

We start at 11am for all age café church with pastries, fruit and drinks.  There will be things for our younger friends to join in with.

We also welcome artists Rev David Hawkins and Pippa Hale who are leading on an arts project called Blanket in collaboration with Leeds Art Gallery, Yorkshire Sculpture Park and St George’s Crypt.  It’s described as a ‘bold compassionate sculpture sending a message of hope in a fractured world.’ 

After church will be the women self defence class starting at 1.30pm to 4.30pm in partnership with our local community and Blossom self-defence.  More info about what they do here Instagram

In the evening Rock Solid youth groups meet in church building. All youth welcome! Talk to Martyn, Ruth, Val, Nathan 7-8pm

Monday 2nd March 10-12 Beacon warm welcome café for all.  Food pantry available.  A reminder that a police community support officer is often present to listen to any concerns you may have, offering support, advice and crime prevention information.

Tuesday 3rd March Stepping Stones for under-fives and their parents and carers.

Tuesday 3rd March in the afternoon, house group in church.  See Howard D or Lesley for more information.

Tuesday 3rd March Mission Group meet at 2.45-4pm in the church building.  Do get in touch with Phil C or myself for more information.

Wednesday 4th March Lunch Club for those booked on and the volunteer team.  Talk to Rachel B for more information.  This week Rachel also welcomes members of the Yorkshire air ambulance team to share.

Wednesday 4th March PACT meeting open to all.  PACT stands for Policing and Communities together and its a chance to hear about and feed into crime prevention and what’s happening in the ward. Come to the music room.

Wednesday 4th March House Group in the Music Room at 7.30pm carrying on with Zechariah.  Speak to Andy or Ruth or Shelley/Lesley for more information.

Thursday 5th March Craft group warm welcome space.  All welcome to come along and chat or to make something or learn a new skill. 

Thursday 5th March Bible Study in the Music Room 7.00pm – 9.00pm Speak to Gareth, John C or Lesley

Friday 6th March Bible Study in the Music Room 10.00 – 11.00am exploring Ephesians. Speak to Shelley for more information.

Friday 6th March Parkinson’s Exercise Class in the church building 6.30 – 7.30pm Speak to Phil Commons or Lesley for more information

Friday 6th March House group at 8pm in Adel. See Jonathan, Hilary, Steve or Helen.

The ‘Create your own psalm group’ met last Wednesday in the music room at 7pm.  They meet again on the last Wednesday of the month on March 25th and all are welcome, materials provided, come and have a go in a relaxing space.  You will be guided with ideas and then have freedom to explore.  No experience needed. Speak to Krys or Cas.

Every Sunday a small group meet together to pray for Sunday morning and all that is involved.  They meet about 10.40 in the music room. It includes the musicians and often those who pray or lead but it is open to anyone who would like to support in prayer.

If you would like to know more about any of the groups, getting involved, giving resource/money to support the work at MBC and in its community, about membership or baptisms then do get in touch with myself, a deacon or Lesley, who will pass on a message and arrange a time to get together. 

Around the city…

North Church are hosting ‘Care for the Family’ on Wednesday 18th March called ‘Tweens and Teens: what every parent needs to know’ Book a ticket at the link here Tweens and Teens: What every parent needs to know – Leeds Tickets, Wed, Mar 18, 2026 at 7:30 PM | Eventbrite

There will be a Day of Prayer for the City of Leeds on Saturday 21st March with provisional times being between 9:30am and 6pm. This will be hosted by/held at Bridge Community Church. More information coming soon.

Looking ahead…

Thanks to everyone who came to the church meeting in the room or on zoom.  The minutes will be out shortly.  We made some important decisions regarding the future in terms of budgets as well as hearing and sharing some encouraging and informative updates from other areas of the church.  The minutes will be out shortly.  We keep thanking God for his faithfulness and look for His continued guidance.    

Sunday 8th March at 11am service with a Sunday school to explore the main theme creatively, we continue to explore God in John: Healing by the Pool (John 5:1-15)

Sunday 15th March at 11am service with a Sunday school to explore the main theme creatively, we continue to explore God in John: Feeding the five thousand.  We’ll also share communion together.  All welcome.

Please put the date of 28th March in your diary for now as we look to offer a creative workshop as we begin Holy week.

We’ll be having a service on the morning of Good Friday and then at 2.30pm we’ll be joining with other local churches on Alwoodley Green for a short service to share worship and readings. More information to come.  Some other ideas for holy week are being explored as we speak so I we’ll be able to firm this up by next week.  On Easter Sunday we will come together for all-age Easter café church starting at 11am.  After Easter we will be welcoming some of the leaders of the churches in Romania who have relationship with us here in Moortown and hearing some of their stories.

On Sunday 19th April we welcome Helen Harris, Director of Fundraising and Communications for the Baptist Missionary Society to share stories of God at work worldwide, in our service.

Do check out the website for all the latest news and stories.

In Christ

Shelley

Shelley Dring

Minister

Moortown Baptist Church

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