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Getting to know you… MBC serves up a warm and inviting welcome lunch

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Last Sunday, that was the 5th of October, we hosted our second Welcome lunch for people either new or relatively new to MBC. 
 
In total, around 30 volunteers and guests got together to mingle and mix over a lunch of jacket potatoes, salads and samosas all rounded off with homemade cakes. 
 
How effective this particular form of evangelism is we may never know, but from both the comments we received on the day and these two follow up notes it certainly seems to have been a success. 
 
Good afternoon Pastor, Deaconate, and the entire team.  I just want to sincerely thank you all for the warm welcome and the wonderful time at the new members’ lunch today. It was such a beautiful experience filled with love, joy, and a true sense of family. I’m so grateful for the opportunity to be part of this amazing church community.
Thank you for all the effort, thoughtfulness, and genuine care that went into making today special. God bless you all abundantly. 
 
And…
 
Thank you for making my parents feel so welcome, that was the first time my dad has been to church for a long time and I was so grateful with the welcome he received.
 
Of course none of this could take place without some people giving their time and  others accepting the invitation. So to you all we say a heartfelt thankyou.
 
Oh, and in case you missed out on this one, a heads up that we’re planning to do another Welcome lunch early next year. 
 
 
 
 

“A wonderful response” as the total raised at MBC’s Craft Fair approaches £2,000

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Once again our annual Craft Fair was a huge success. So much so, says organisor Krystina Gadd, “that the grand total raised is fast approaching £2,000.” 

Many thanks then to those who took tables; those who not only displayed and sold a whole array of wares but also kindly donated raffle prizes. Thanks also to those of you who gave us your support by bravely enduring the might of storm Amy.  But perhaps extra special thanks ought to go to a lady called Stephanie Poloubinski. Stephanie, who in the world of crafting is nothing short of a genius had lovingly made and then donated the fabulous throw you can see above; this in itself, and in a separate raffle raised over £600.

The cause, as in previous years was our support for a women’s and girls hostel in Kandy, Sri Lanka. This vital project, without which many would struggle to survive, not only provides the girls with emotional and physical support but also teaches them a raft of practical skills. 

So once again, thank you to all concerned. 

 

Shelley’s update for week commencing 5th October – our Harvest weekend

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Dear friends

We look forward to joining with you on Sunday for our all-age Harvest Festival at café church at 11am in the building.  There will be drinks, pastries and fruit to share and we will be exploring the theme of fruitfulness.  We will be collecting for Caring for life www.caringforlife.co.uk and the North Leeds and West Foodbank Leeds North & West Foodbank | Helping Local People in Crisis .  Here is a reminder from last week about the most needed items..

The foodbank has asked specifically for..

  • Tinned Soup
  • Cereal
  • Tinned Tomatoes
  • Jars of curry sauce
  • Tinned Potatoes

Caring for life has asked specifically for..

  • Tinned foods: Meat Meals & Veg, Puddings and Fruit, Soup/Beans
  • Dried pasta and rice
  • Pasta sauce in jars
  • Biscuits and chocolate
  • ​Tea/coffee
  • Cereals
  • Long life milk
  • Pot noodle, cup-a-soup

If you have some fresh fruit that you have grown in your garden and would like to share with the community on Sunday, then we’d love it if you could bring it along to share on the day too.  You may even have made jams or chutneys.. there’s a challenge for Sunday!

The service will be live on youtube so do get your drinks and croissant ready to join in online. 

After the service, the Welcome lunch will take place for those who are newer at Moortown and then Rock Solid youth groups meet 7-8pm.

The week looks like this from tomorrow…

Saturday 4th October Craft Fair 10.30am – 2.30pm in the building.  All Welcome, £1 entry going to the Sri Lanka girls refuge project.  See link here Coming up soon, a Craft Fair in support of a girls refuge in Kandy, Sri Lanka – Moortown Baptist Church  Homemade crafts and gifts for sale.  Cake and drinks available!  Thanks to all involved.

Sunday 5th October Harvest Festival all together at 11am

.. followed by Welcome lunch

7-8pm Rock Solid in the building

Monday 6th October 10-12midday Beacon Warm welcome café in the building.

Tuesday 7th October 10-11.30 Stepping Stones for under 5’s and their parents, grandparents and carers.  See Diane, Hilary, or Lesley for more information.

Tuesday 7th October afternoon bible study in church See Howard or check with Lesley
7th October Overseas mission meeting at 2.45 in the building.

Wednesday 8th October Lunch club for all attendees and lunch club volunteers.  Speak to Rachel or Lesley for more information.

Wednesday 8th October 7.30pm Bible study in church.  Speak or Ruth or Andy Berry, or contact myself or Lesley

Thursday 9th October 2.00 -4.00pm Craft group and warm welcome space in church building.  Do pop in and say hello.  Speak to Karen, Lesley or myself for more information or if it’s something you might be able to join or support.

Thursday 9th October Bible Study led by Gareth 7.00 – 9.00pm in church building.

Friday 10th October Bible Study 10.00am – 11.15 in church.  See Shelley for more information.

Friday 10th October House Group 8.00pm – 10.00 with Jonathan and Hilary D and Steve and Helen O.  Do speak to them or ask Lesley or I for more information.

Sunday 12th October 11am church service Fruitfulness: shared stories Colossians 1:3-14

Sunday 12th October after church, bring your lunch.  Discovering prayer group.  All welcome even if you haven’t been before.  See Krys or Shelley for more information.  Theme is ‘unanswered prayer’.

Beyond..

Tuesday 14th October Deacons and Shelley meet 7.30pm in the building

Wednesday 15th October Wednesday worship 1.30-2pm in the building

Wednesday 22nd October is the next Psalm Writing/drawing workshop at 7.30pm in the building.  See Krys or myself for more information.

“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last…”

(John 15: 16)

Shelley Dring

Minister

Moortown Baptist Church

MBC HARVEST – Thank you all for your gifts

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This coming Sunday, that’s 5th October is our harvest thanksgiving Café Church.

For your delight there will be a selection of breakfast pastries, fruit and drinks, and as in previous years two local charities – Caring for Life and the North Leeds and West Foodbank plus on this occasion our own Lord’s Pantry will be the beneficiaries.

To help you, here’s a list of things CFL and the food bank have requested… 

The foodbank has asked specifically for..

  • Tinned Soup
  • Cereal
  • Tinned Tomatoes
  • Jars of curry sauce
  • Tinned Potatoes

Caring for life has asked specifically for..

  • Tinned foods: Meat Meals & Veg, Puddings and Fruit, Soup/Beans
  • Dried pasta and rice
  • Pasta sauce in jars
  • Biscuits and chocolate
  • ​Tea/coffee
  • Cereals
  • Long life milk
  • Pot noodle, cup-a-soup

There will of course also be an opportunity to give money to either or indeed both of these charities; more details about that on the day. 

A series of three booklets in which John Whitehead asks… Is The Bible True?

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“I never meant to write a book,” says John. “In fact, I did not think I was capable of it. As an engineer by profession I wanted to look for the truth, subjecting the Bible to the findings of science, archaeology, cosmology and history, leading to a logical and reasonable conclusion.

I started writing this as a challenge to myself, but the more my writing progressed the more I realised this could be useful not only to other Christians who wanted to establish a more firm foundation for their faith, but also to enquirers into the Christian faith and even a challenge to those who are sceptical. 

Part one is the first in a three part series of booklets, titled Is the Bible True? Using the analogy of a lighhouse, Part one looks at the foundations, Part two the building blocks – the characters who contributed to the narrative and Part three the light, seeing Jesus  as the Light of the World.

Writing these booklets has strengthened both my own bible knowledge and also my own faith. When, or indeed if you yourself read them I trust they will do the same for you.” 

John Whitehead. 

Next week we are hoping to start serialising John’s books here on the MBC website. However, should you want your own copies all you need to do is to email John on  jdwhitehead1938@gmail.com and he will arrange everything for you.  

Special training course brings MBC’s first aiders up to speed

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A couple of weeks ago Rachel Beedle, MBC’s Seniors’ Worker organised a Level 3 Emergency First Aid at Work course. Led by Matt from MR Safety Training it covered, amonst other things, such potentially dangerous situations as burns, stemming bleeding and knowing what to do when someone is choking. It also looked at the best way to deal with someone in shock.

Twelve people attended the course (the maximum allowed) and as our pictures show it was a real hands on affair with all trainees lapping up the chance to apply slings, resuscitate – in this case a dummy, and even give mouth to mouth. 

As John Clark, our Health and Safety Deacon told a recent Church Meeting there’s much more to keeping us all safe than meets the eye, it’s far more than knowing where the elastoplasts are kept and being able to say “now, now come on you’ll be alright.”

So the next time you’re in church, please have a good look round. You’ll find First Aid boxes clearly marked and spreadout through the building and our own defribulator in the Meeting Area.  

More Encounters and Journeys, a lifetime of adventures – a second book from Jane Coates

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Troughout her lifetime Jane Coates travelled far and wide. As the map above shows Jane, who at the age of 74 so sadly died last April, there wasn’t much of the world that either on mission, on business or on holiday hadn’t been touched by what son John calls mums “humanity, humility, her listening skills or her presence.”

The map itself which features in Jane’s second  book More Encounters and Journeys was lovingly created by Laura and  Lucy, and in pin-pointing places as far apart as China and Chile serves as a permanant reminder of a life well lived. 

That Jane’s book is available so soon after her death isn’t simply a matter of good fortune. No, as Phil explains in its introduction that was what Jane was like, everything was ready. In fact short of ordering them into book form the posts were complete, yet his wife of almost 54 years who, in hospital and just hours away from death was still insisting that he emailed out what was to prove to be her final Thoughts and Prayers.

For those of you unfamiliar with Monday Thoughts and Prayers, they were as the name suggests a collection of engaging and inspiring articles, always posted on a Monday, often based on personal experience but always underscored by the Word of God.

This second book, which incidently was officially published on what would have been Jane’s seventy fifth birthday is now available from Moortown Baptist Church. It doesn’t have a price tag, if you want a copy please, just help yourself.  That said, if anyone would like to make a donation rest assured it will, in memory and honour of both Jane and Jane and Phil’s daughter Charlotte who before her death in 2014 had worked at the hospice be sent on to Wheatfields.  

An update on MBC’s summer exhibition. See your “unique” take on the Fruit of the Spirit

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Every year the Royal Academy in London mounts a special summer exhibition. The purpose being to encourage people to think about a specific topic in a new way. You can find out all about this year’s exhibition by visiting https://www.royalacademy.org.uk/exhibition/summer-exhibition-2025

Taking a leaf out of the Royal Acedemy’s book we too are mounting a summer exhibition, based on The Holy Spirit, the very same theme we are exploring in our Sunday services.

And in what some might consider to be a rather rash move we are asking you to contribute by submitting your very own take on what you imagine the Fruit of the Spirit – that’s love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control to be like.

You can approach this in which ever way you want: by painting, drawing, photography, writing, crafting, doodling – in fact you name it and it’s fine with us. 

With all ages and all levels of expertise invited to take part, few of us have any excuses for not joining in. In fact as Shelley said in one of her recent emails “half an explored idea is good too.” 

So, as and when you’ve finished your entry please hand it to Shelley or to Lesley and they’ll take it to the next stage. 

Shelley’s news, w/c Sunday 28th September

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Dear friends

We look forward to joining with you tomorrow as we reflect on our theme of the Holy Spirit’s fruit and look again at Galatians 5:22-24.  During this time or through tomorrow’s service you may have some thoughts for yourself based on what you feel God is saying or what you are learning or experiencing.  Some of these thoughts may be for others too.  If you discern that you may want to share something that may be for others too, then do let me know as there will be an opportunity in early October.

We will have a group for our younger friends tomorrow with the same theme.  Prayer available after the service.

Next Sunday it’s our All-Age Harvest Festival café church with fruit, breakfast pastries and drinks.  These will be provided for free.  We will also be collecting food and money to give away as a Harvest gift to Leeds Northwest Foodbank, ‘Caring for life’ and to support our own informal food pantry known as ‘The lord’s pantry’. 

The foodbank has asked specifically for..

  • Tinned Soup
  • Cereal
  • Tinned Tomatoes
  • Jars of curry sauce
  • Tinned Potatoes

Caring for life has asked specifically for..

  • Tinned foods: Meat Meals & Veg, Puddings and Fruit, Soup/Beans
  • Dried pasta and rice
  • Pasta sauce in jars
  • Biscuits and chocolate
  • ​Tea/coffee
  • Cereals
  • Long life milk
  • Pot noodle, cup-a-soup

We will sort the food and money at the end of the Harvest festival and deliver to where it needs to go, if you want to help with this do get in touch with me or Lesley.  For more information online look at Harvest Appeal | Caring For Life and Donate food | Leeds North & West Foodbank

We also welcome Rachel White who has worked with overseas mission and joins in with sharing in a creative way for café church.

Here’s what’s happening over the week…

Sunday 28th September 7-8pm Rock Solid in the building. Do ask if you want more information.

(meeting from 5pm for older youth leaders)

Monday 29th September 10-12midday Beacon Warm welcome café in the building.

Monday 29th September 3pm Health and safety meeting in the building.

Tuesday 30th September 10-11.30 Stepping Stones for under 5’s and their parents, grandparents and carers.  See Diane, Hilary, or Lesley for more information.

Tuesday 30th September afternoon bible study in church See Howard or check with Lesley
Wednesday 1st October Lunch club for all attendees and the lunch club volunteers.  Speak to Rachel or Lesley for more information.

Wednesday 1st October 7.30pm Bible study in church.  Speak or Ruth or Andy Berry, or contact myself or Lesley

Thursday 2nd October 2.00 -4.00pm Craft group and warm welcome space in church building.  Do pop in and say hello.  Speak to Karen, Lesley or myself for more information or if it’s something you might be able to join or support.

Thursday 2nd October Bible Study led by Gareth 7.00 – 9.00pm in church building.

Friday 3rd October Bible Study 10.00am – 11.15 in church.  See Shelley for more information.

Friday 3rd October House Group 8.00pm – 10.00 with Jonathan and Hilary D and Steve and Helen O.  Do speak to them or ask Lesley or I for more information.

Saturday 4th October Craft Fair 10.30am – 2.30pm in the building.  All Welcome, £1 entry going to the Sri Lanka girls refuge project.  See link here Coming up soon, a Craft Fair in support of a girls refuge in Kandy, Sri Lanka – Moortown Baptist Church  Homemade crafts and gifts for sale.  Refreshments available.

If anyone would like to make a cake to go alongside the teas/coffees at the craft fair, could you let Krys or Shelley know please? Thanks so much! (no fresh cream or nuts)

Sunday 5th October All Age Harvest Festival café church at 11-12 midday.

Sunday 5th October Warm Welcome lunch after café church for those who feel they are new to Moortown and want to find out more or get to know some other people.  Speak to Mandy, or contact Shelley or a deacon and they will point you in the right direction to book on.

Sunday 5th October 7-8pm Rock Solid for youth in Church.

A couple of other things going on in Leeds…

Prophet or Provider: the Hook Lecture “How to be a prophetic voice for change while meeting the needs of those at the margins”

Prophet or Provider: The Hook Lecture 2025 Tickets, Tue, Oct 21, 2025 at 7:00 PM | Eventbrite

Day conference on Isaiah: Discover the Hope of Gods promise with Rev Jon Swales

Conferences – Leeds School of Theology

At Moortown Baptist Church…

7th October Overseas mission meeting at 2.45 in the building.

12th October after church, bring your lunch.  Discovering prayer group.  All welcome even if you haven’t been before.  See Krys or Shelley for more information.  Theme is ‘unanswered prayer’.

15th October Wednesday worship 1.30-2pm in the building

22nd October is the next Psalm Writing/drawing workshop at 7.30pm in the building.  See Krys or myself for more information.

Thanks to all who came to be part of last week’s meeting and AGM.  Do keep praying about what was shared and look out for what God maybe saying.  If there is something you want to chat about, do get in touch and we’ll find a time.  Also, if you or anyone you know connected to church would appreciate a visit, do let me know.

In Christ

Shelley

Minister MBC

Shelley’s news for w/c Sunday 21 September

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Dear friends

We look forward to joining together in person or online at 11am as we continue our theme of the person of the Holy Spirit.  Currently we are exploring the fruit the Holy Spirit produces in our lives. This is the time of year when some people reap a harvest in their gardens or green houses, fruit including apples, tomatoes and plums being grown and shared with others.  You may have been blackberry picking as Rachel was sharing about at Wednesday Worship.  People are making pies, crumbles or simply enjoying the fruit as it comes.  It’s such a good picture of how the fruit of the Holy Spirit is shared and passed on in lots of different ways, forms and combinations to produce energy, enjoyment and nourishment.

This week..

Sunday 21st September 11am Service with communion.  Fruit of the Spirit: Self Control.  There will be a group for our younger friends to explore the theme creatively together after the first introduction to the theme.  Prayer available after the service. 

Sunday 21st September 7-8pm in church building, Rock Solid for young people.  Do ask if you want more information.

Monday 22nd September 10-12 midday Beacon warm welcome café in the building

Tuesday 23rd September 10-11.30 Stepping Stones for under 5’s and their parents, grandparents and carers.  See Diane, Hilary or Lesley for more information.

Tuesday 23rd September afternoon bible study in church See Howard or check with Lesley
Tuesday 23rd at 7.30pm AGM and church meeting in church 7.30pm.  Everyone welcome.  If you are unable to make it but want to be part of the meeting, a zoom link will go out on the day.  Please have your cameras on if you are voting.

Wednesday 24th September Lunch club for all attendees and the lunch club volunteers.  Speak to Rachel or Lesley for more information.

Wednesday 24th September 7.30pm Bible study in church.  Speak or Ruth or Andy Berry, or contact myself or Lesley

Wednesday 24th September 7.30pm Creative Psalm Writing/Drawing group.  See Krys or ask Lesley for details.  In church.  All welcome.

Thursday 25th September 2.00 -4.00pm Craft group and warm welcome space in church building.  Do pop in and say hello.  Speak to Karen, Lesley or myself for more information.

Thursday 26th September Bible Study led by Gareth 7.00 – 9.00pm in church building.

Friday 27th September Bible Study 10.00am – 11.15 in church.  See Shelley for more information.

Friday 27th September House Group 8.00pm – 10.00 with Jonathan and Hilary D and Steve and Helen O.  Do speak to them or ask Lesley or I for more information.

Sunday 28th September Church with group for children to explore the theme creatively.  The Fruit of the Spirit:  Galatians 5: 22-24

Sunday 28th September 7-8pm Rock Solid for youth in Church.

Beyond…

Saturday 4th October Craft Fair See link here Coming up soon, a Craft Fair in support of a girls refuge in Kandy, Sri Lanka – Moortown Baptist Church  If anyone would like to make a cake to go alongside the teas/coffees at the craft fair could you let Krys or Lesley know please? Thanks so much! (no fresh cream or nuts)

Sunday 5th October café Church Harvest festival.  More information to come next week.

Sunday 5th October Welcome lunch for those who feel they are new to Moortown and want to find out more or get to know some other people.  Speak to Mandy or contact Lesley or Shelley and they will point you in the right direction.

A couple of other things going on in Leeds…

Prophet or Provider: the Hook Lecture “How to be a prophetic voice for change while meeting the needs of those at the margins”

Prophet or Provider: The Hook Lecture 2025 Tickets, Tue, Oct 21, 2025 at 7:00 PM | Eventbrite

Morning course supporting children and young people’s leaders

Ministry with Children and Young People – Pudsey Parish Church – Diocese of Leeds Learning

Day conference on Isaiah: Discover the Hope of Gods promise with Rev Jon Swales

Conferences – Leeds School of Theology

Thanks to all those who qualified as a First Aiders and completed the course today.  We’ll make sure there is a list on the wall.  Thanks for giving of your time to serve in this way so that we can be a safer place to be!

In Christ

Shelley Dring

Minister

Moortown Baptist Church

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