Here’s the second part of Krystyna Gadd’s report on her recent visit to Kandy. If you would like to find out more, or particularly if you might be interested in accompanying her on her next trip you can either have a word with her in church or email her on krystyna.gadd@icloud.com
Dear friends
Here’s what’s coming up…
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. We’ll also share communion.
In the evening Rock Solid youth groups meet in church building. All youth welcome! Talk to Martyn, Ruth, Val, Nathan 7-8pm
Sunday 22nd March 11am Exploring God through John’s eyes; perfume and Palm Sunday (John 12: 1-19) 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 16th March 10-12 Beacon warm welcome café for all. Food pantry available.
Tuesday 17th March Stepping Stones for under-fives and their parents and carers.
Tuesday 17th March in the afternoon, house group in church. See Howard D or Lesley for more information.
Wednesday 18th March Lunch Club for those booked on and the volunteer team. Talk to Rachel B for more information.
Wednesday 18th 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 19th March Craft group warm welcome space. All welcome to come along and chat or to make something or learn a new skill.
Thursday 19th March Bible Study in the Music Room 7.00pm – 9.00pm Speak to Gareth, John C or Lesley
Friday 20th March Bible Study in the Music Room 10.00 – 11.00am exploring Ephesians. Speak to Shelley for more information.
Friday 20th March Parkinson’s Exercise Class in the church building 6.30 – 7.30pm Speak to Phil Commons or Lesley for more information
Friday 20th March House group at 8pm in Adel. See Jonathan, Hilary, Steve or Helen.
Every Sunday a small group meet together to pray, about 10.40am in the music room, for Sunday morning and all that is involved. All welcome to join in prayer.
Lazarus group meet to pray after the Sunday service for half an hour in the corner room. This is for men and John C is your contact
We are looking forward to welcoming new members at Easter and celebrating a baptism!
If you’d like to know about membership and joining them then do ask one of us.
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!)
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.
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 (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. Be guided with ideas and then have freedom to explore. No experience needed. Speak to Krys or Cas.
Friday 27th March Funeral and Thanksgiving service for the life of Audrey Elise Cooper (Steve’s mother) at 1.30pm. Audrey used to be in the lunch club at Moortown. If you can help with welcoming friends and family on that day, please let me or Lesley know.
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 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
Wednesday 1st April Space to worship together with songs and silence. You can draw, write, pray, read, move or just be. 7.30pm – 9.30pm in the Sanctuary. Come for all or part of this. Talk to Andy B, Ruth or Shelley for more info.
Friday 3rd April Good Friday Service 10-10.45 in the church building.
Friday 3rd April Good Friday Half an hour open-air service on Alwoodley Green at 2.30pm joining with other local churches and those who want to pop by. We’ll be by the park. Please bring a fold up chair if you would prefer to sit down.
Sunday 5th April Easter café church with Baptism, membership and refreshments for all starting at 11am. With Easter treats and breakfast pastries, fruit and drinks. If you can bring a cake to share then can you let Karen or Lesley know please. Thankyou
Tuesday 7th April Deacons meeting and Shelley 7.30pm in the church
Sunday 12th April 11am service. 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.
Monday 13th April 10-12am Easter Beacon café with easter themed craft and snacks
Thursday 16th April Free women and girls self-defence class 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.1pm-5pm in the sports hall.
See the link here on Instagram To book please contact Lesley or go directly to enquiries@blossom-uk.co.uk Please look at our website about a previous workshop.. Be Well and Be Strong… self defence for women and girls. – Moortown Baptist Church
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.
Whole Church meeting dates…
Tuesday 12th May (deacons elections), Sunday 5th July (after church) Tuesday 22nd September (AGM), Tuesday 10th November.
Please do pray and ask people who you sense God is prompting you about being a Deacon for the next season of church.
Claire T is looking to arrange an Easter café eggstravanza on Saturday 4th April between 10 and 12am. If you are interested in helping or finding out more please get in touch with her or contact Lesley and she will pass on a message.
Some of the operational team having been working to paint walls and fix areas of the church. We are really grateful for all they do. If you notice something or would like to help with any of this do let Karen know. Also, we have one off things happening around the building, ares of tidying etc, if you have a spare hour you’d be really welcome to come along and help.
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
One of our mission partners, Mark Hotchkin is having a heart operation on Monday 16th March. Please pray for him and Andrea. If all goes well, they are hoping to return to their work in Bardai Chad in 6 weeks, after the operation.
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
This week and next, following on from her recent visit to the Women’s Development Centre in Kandy, Sri Lanka, Krystyna Gadd tells us how her third trip went and also how she got involved in the project in first place.
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
A few weeks ago we featured MERF, the Moortown Emergency Relief Fund, and we told you a little bit about the support the project is providing for the village of Jhum Para in Bangladesh.
This week by way of an update Rod Russell has forwarded a picture of a new house that is currently being built in Jhum Para at a cost – wait for it – of just £3,000.
The charity’s trustees, that’s Rod, Phil Commons and Martyn Gray would love to speak with you if you would like to support this project.
An online short course through April and May exploring the history and the principles of the Baptist movement. To find out more email
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
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.
