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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

YTV’s Calendar features the Leeds & Moortown Furniture Store to highlight furniture poverty

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The Leeds and Moortown Furniture Store was formed here at Moortown almost forty years ago. Since then a constant stream of MBC members have served it in one capacity or another, in fact even as I write five of our members are trustees while numerous other people help as volunteers.
 
As one of Leeds’ most valuable and respected charities LMFS is at the forefront of the battle against furniture poverty. Hence the reason YTV chose to visit its Seacroft warehouse and also why shortly after the feature was aired Rachel Dodson, the Store’s General Manager took to social media… here’s what she wrote.
 
On Tuesday January the 20th ITV Calendar, that’s Yorkshire Television’s regional news programme featured a piece on furniture poverty and how some local authorities are cutting the welfare scheme that supports people living in crisis with furniture. If you would like to watch it it’s 14.54 mins in and available on ITVX).
 
As a charity the Leeds and Moortown Furniture Store supports 100’s of people a month that cannot access this scheme and with other items that this scheme does not offer.
 
The referrals for furniture are increasing and any support you can give us with furniture donations, volunteering or raising funds to buy furniture is always very much appreciated.
 
You can get in touch with us by calling 0113 273 9727 or by emailing info@leedsandmoortown.org.uk

Shelley’s message for w/c Sunday 18th January

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Dear friends

Here is the week ahead…

Sunday 18th January  Church service with Communion and group for our younger friends to explore the theme together 11.00 – 12.00pm.  We’ll be starting a new short series looking at ‘whole life worship’.

Sunday 18th January Rock Solid youth groups in the church building 7-8pm

Monday 19th January Beacon Warm Welcome Space and Lord’s Pantry  10.00am – 12.00pm  Everyone welcome

Tuesday 20th January Stepping Stones For the under 5’s and their parents and carers 10.00 – 11.30am (speak to Diane or Hilary if interested)

Tuesday 20th January House Group in the Music Room  12.30 – 2.30 speak to Howard Dews

Wednesday 21st January Lunch Club  10.15am  – 1.15pm Speak to Rachel or Lesley if you want more information as you need to be booked on.

Wednesday 21st January Wednesday worship for all 1.30-2 in the music room.  The theme is Awakening.

Wednesday 21st January  PACT Meeting  6.30 – 7.15pm – Police and Communities Together for Moortown.  Everyone welcome.

Wednesday 21st January House Group Music Room 7.30 – 9.30pm Speak to Andy or Ruth for more information.

Thursday 22nd  January  Warm Welcome Space Craft Group 2.00 – 4.00pm Contact Karen if you want to know more.

Thursday 22nd January  Women’s Self Defence Group 1.00 – 5.00pm Sports Hall.  All women are welcome to book a free place.. See attachment to this email or ask Shelley or Lesley.

Thursday 22nd January  Bible Study  in the Music Room 7.00pm – 9.00pm Speak to Gareth, John C or Lesley

Friday 23rd  January  Bible Study in the Music Room 10.00 – 11.00am Speak to Shelley for more information.

Friday 23rd  January Parkinson’s Exercise Class  6.30 – 7.30pm Speak to Phil Commons or Lesley for more information

Friday 23rd January House group at 8pm in Adel See Jonathan, Hilary, Steve or Helen.

Sunday 25th  January Service 11.00 – 12.00pm with a group to explore the theme with our younger friends.

Sunday 25th January Rock Solid Youth group 7-8pm in the church building

Also…

Wednesday 28th January  Creative Psalm Writing  7.00 – 9.00pm in the Sports Hall.  Everyone is welcome and you can bring your own paper and resources or just use what we have here (we have pastels, pens, colouring pencils and art paper..)

Well done!

Well done to all those who completed the erecting scaffolding course on Friday and passed with flying colours!  We are committed to looking after our volunteers and passing on skills so we are very grateful for those who gave up their time to do this and the money from church to support the training.

Last week myself, Deacons Andy, Krys, Mandy, John along with Rachel our Seniors worker went to the Fresh Streams leadership Conference in Staffordshire.  We’ll be passing on helpful learning and training in the next month as there were many different workshops alongside the main sessions.  In the meantime, if you would like to watch the main seminars for free they are all available online on their youtube channel at FSLC26 – Awaken – Session 6 – Holding Space for Encounter The theme for the Conference was Awaken. 

Soon Krys and Bela will be visiting the women’s refuge in Sri Lanka.  If you want to find out more then have a look at our website here Women’s Development Centre. Krys Gadd makes her annual visit to Sri Lanka, only this time her support team is considerably bigger. Read on to find out how you can help. – Moortown Baptist Church

Church meetings dates will be confirmed this week.

Funerals

I now have some more information about two funerals taking place at Moortown Baptist Church over the next few weeks.  The thanksgiving service for Robert Owen will take place at 11.30am on Friday 30th January in the church building followed by refreshments in the church.  All who would like to come and remember Robert and support Carol are welcome to all of this.  Carol has said that you do not need to wear dark clothes on this occasion.

The thanksgiving service for Jean Hiley will take place in the church building at 2pm on Thursday 5th February.  More details to come.

Finally, a big thank you

A big thank you to everyone who came to celebrate my birthday after church last week.  I was really touched by your fantastic cards and things and many kind greetings.  It was a special time together and massive thanks too to all those who made cake, decorated and supported tea and coffee making throughout the afternoon!  You have kicked off the year for me well!

In Christ

Shelley

Shelley Dring

Minister

Moortown Baptist Church

Fresh Streams – a leadership conference attended by Shelley and five of our members

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Fresh Streams is a leadership conference held last week in Staffordshire. It was attended by Mandy, Andy, John, Krys, Shelley and Rachel and its theme was Awaken.

Over the next few weeks our team, besides telling us about some of the things they got up to will also be passing on lots of learning and training tips.  However, if you can’t wait and you want to get a flavour of the event right now you can by following this direct link https://freshstreams.net

 

 

 

Surprise birthday lunch for Shelley, well let’s be honest, it’s not every day your’e 50

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Usually at MBC, if it’s your birthday you get to choose from a jar of sweets. Occasionally, but that’s only if it’s a big birthday you might just get a gift. Today, however, was something different, as tomorrow our minister Shelley reaches the grand old age of 50!

Quite how much Shelley new about this “secret” surprise I’m not at liberty to say, but with the Sports Hall suitably decked out with banners and balloons and with a lovely spread laid out before us it’s fair to say that she, Nathan, Rowan and Daisy certainly lapped it up.

On behalf of us all, thank you Shelley for who you are and for everything you do. 

May God bless you and yours. 

 

Better safe than sorry!

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You could be forgiven for thinking that the last thing a church member needs is a qualification in how to erect scaffolding.  

But that’s precisely what Martyn, Rod and Paul learned last week when it was deemed prudent that the ability to safely scale heights hitherto unexplored should be studied and added to the seemingly endless list of safety first protocols. 

Anyway, well done chaps, at least we’ll all now know who to come to when we next need a qualified scaffolder. 

Women’s Development Centre. Krys Gadd makes her annual visit to Sri Lanka, only this time her support team is considerably bigger. Read on to find out how you can help.

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The pictures above are some that Krys brought back from last year’s trip to Kandy.
 
Following on from her previous trips to Sri Lanka, Krys Gadd will very soon be setting off on a return visit. The purpose of Krys’ journey is once again to provide support to women and girls living in a refuge which is run by Women’s Development Centre (WDC) and is based in Kandy.
 
This year, however, alongside Krys will be four other people who will in their own specialist field pass on their expertise. They are: Tonie, an ex-head of special needs from a primary school now retired, who will be looking at how she can help/advise the teachers and parents of children in the WDC special needs school. Karen, a keen walker and fundraiser who will be able to see first hand what monies will need to be raised. Bela, our very own super crocheter, who went out with Krys last year and taught the girls to make some beautiful items that they were able to sell. And Jo, an ESOL (English as a second language) teacher and ex head of languages at a secondary school, who will be helping to improve the girls English and also help their teachers to teach more effectively.
 
In a letter she is circulating around church Krys writes…
 
“This year we have been asked to buy some underwear (with a high percentage of cotton) for the girls. It will be a really lovely way to bless the girls, who have so little, to have new underwear. These are the sizes they need: Pants 10, 12, 14, 16 (they are quite petite so more of the smaller sizes please). And bras sized 32A, 32B, 34A, 34B, 36A and 36B.”
 
HOW YOU CAN HELP: you can buy bras and pants and leave them with Lesley in the office, at the latest by SUNDAY 18th OF JANUARY. Or you can donate some money to MBC church (referencing Sri Lanka) and then we can buy some and take them with us. For this to work we need your donations at the latest by SUNDAY 11th JANUARY.
 
Krys ends her message by adding this “If anyone else thinks they might have skills/gifts they could share and want to know more about maybe joining a trip in 2027 then please get in touch with me at: Krystyna.gadd@icloud.com.” And also by inviting you to find out more about the WDC itself at https://womendev.org/
 
 

Self confidence through self defence.

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There will be four women’s self defence classes taking place at Moortown Baptist Church over the next couple of months.  They are being funded by a local community grant.  They are open to women in the local community, and this includes those who are connected to Moortown Baptist Church.  You will find information in the flyer above and so do spread the word to those in your groups or people who live locally who might want to book on.

Hi, Shelley’s message for week commencing Sunday 11th of January

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Dear friends

Blessings at the start of January 2026

Here are the main things going on next week…

Sunday 11th January 11am Service with group for our younger friends followed by cake and drinks for everyone!  Service focus follows on from last week with Matthew 2: 13-23

Sunday 11th January 7-8pm Rock Solid youth group in church. 

Monday 12th January Beacon Warm Welcome Space 10.00am – 12.00pm – everyone welcome.  The Lord pantry will be available during this time.

Just to let you know that at the same time as Beacon café we will be hosting Ed Whiting, Leeds City Council Chief Executive – 10.00 – 10.15am as he meets Leeds City Council employees in the Moortown area.

Tuesday 13th Tuesday Steppingstones Group for under 5’s and parents and carers – 10.00 – 11.30am, speak to Diane S or Hilary D.

Tuesday 13th January House Group in the music Room 12.30 – 2.30pm, speak to Howard Dews

Tuesday 13th January Living Local Hub Craft Group 1.00 – 3.00pm in the meeting area.  We are hosting this group for a couple of weeks whilst the roof is repaired at Living Local Hub.  It’s an open group so any of you are welcome to go along.

Wednesday 14th January Lunch Club for those in the club and volunteers 10.15am – 1.15pm speak to Rachel or Lesley for more information.

Wednesday 14th January House group in the church building and on zoom 7.30 – 9.30pm Andy B and Ruth B can give more information if you are interested.

Thursday 15th January Warm Welcome Craft Group in the music room 2.00 – 4.00pm Contact Karen R or Lesley/ Shelley for more information.

Thursday 15th January Bible Study in the music room 7.00pm – 9.00pm Speak to Gareth, John C or Lesley for more information.

Friday 16th January Bible Study in the music room 10.00 – 11.00am – talk to Shelley for more information

Friday 16th January House group at 8pm See Jonathan, Hilary, Steve or Helen O

Sunday 18th January Service with Communion and creative group for our younger friends 11.00 – 12.00pm

Sunday 18th January Rock Solid Youth Group 7.00 – 8.00pm

Also coming up…

Wednesday 21st January – PACT Meeting (Policing and Communities together, Moortown area) 6.30 – 7.15pm in the music room.  All welcome to share and hear what’s going on in our community in terms of concerns and positives in the local area.

Wednesday 21st January Wednesday worship at 1.30-2pm

Thursday 22nd January  LJHA Women’s Self Defense Group –  1.00 – 5.00pm Sports Hall Do ask Lesley or Shelley for more information.

Wednesday 28th January Creative Psalm Writing  7.00 – 9.00pm in the Sports Hall in the church building.  See Krys and Cas for more information.  Anyone welcome, you don’t need to feel you are creative or an artist but do come and be open with a guided workshop using image and words. All resources provided.

A couple of you have mentioned some UK prayer initiatives in January…

Turn the Battle A national 3 days of prayer and fasting supported by the Evangelical Alliance and others including the Send, HTB… see here.. Team — Turn the Battle

And

A month of prayer organised by National Day of Prayer and Worship.  Click at the link below..

NDOPW – National Day Of Prayer and Worship

Church meeting dates are being finalized and will be out for the year in the next 2 weeks.

Next Monday to Wednesday, myself and some of the deacons will be at Fresh Streams Leadership Conference in Staffordshire.  We will be praying for the church as we did last Tuesday at our deacons meeting and looking to learn and share with others over the next few days.  You can find out more about the conference here Awaken Leadership Conference 2026 — Fresh Streams | Rooted. Alive. Together – Giving Courage!

There have been many things going on in our world locally and globally that we will be praying about, weeping over and asking for Gods wisdom on. This is as well as all the joys we see, the moments we are grateful for, every act of love and there is often more of this than we will ever know. We seek God’s face intentionally in 2026 and look to Jesus as we follow Him this year.

“This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary.”

Hebrews 6:19

In Christ

Shelley

Shelley Dring

Minister

Moortown Baptist Church

At the start of a new year, a timely reminder that as followers of Jesus its not just Him, but we too who need to bring light to the world

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As the old year made way for the new our last Sunday service of 2025 reminded us that what we had just celebrated wasn’t simply the update of an age old tradition in which for many people Mary and Joseph, a bunch of shepherds and three learned stargazers have all but given way to the “joy” of exchanging Amazon vouchers, Pokemon and Secret Santas. No, what we were being reminded was that what we had all so recently celebrated was, is and always will be the day Jesus was born; Jesus – the light of the world. 

To demonstrate this seemingly simply yet enigmatic truth, Cas, in typical Cas style, set about creating a picture by squirting a single blob of white acrylic onto the top right hand corner of an inky blue canvas and randomly brushing shards of “light” into the dark world. 

Either side of Cas’s contribution were songs, readings and prayers all making the overriding message of the service as plain as the nose on your face: yes Jesus is the light of the world but as His followers we too need to be beacons of grace, hope and most especially light.

The service also featured a video about a renowned sculptor called Nic Fiddian – Green. Fiddian- Green excels in two fields. Firstly he’s an expert in sculpting horses heads, and secondly for crafting and casting personal depictions of how throughout his life Jesus might have looked and felt anytime, anywhere and in any particular circumstance.   

There are a couple of links here which I would encourage you to look at. The first is to the short video that was shown in church about the sculptor https://vimeo.com/1129579468?fl=pl&fe=sh   and the second is to MBC’s YouTube channel on which you can watch our entire service https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qHz5u4vFTIs&t=1826she

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