John Sherbourne

There was a warm, and somewhat energetic welcome today (Sunday 1 Sept) for James Wilde as he officially took up his new position as MBC’s Pioneer Youth Lead.

James joins us with all sorts of imaginative plans in mind as besides his work with our young people he seeks to take his ministry into some of our local High Schools.

Moving from his home in the North East and into a flat at the end of the week this is an exciting time for both him and for the church.

God bless you James, may your move to Leeds go smoothly and we pray that your work here be both rewarding and fruitful.   

If on what may turn out to be the hottest August Bank Holiday on record you find yourself with time on you hands, why not beat the rush and head over to the Cancer Research charity shop in Wetherby and buy your Christmas cards. 

Yes that’s Christmas cards! But hey ho, such is life.

Please note the change of venue. The service will now be held at Guiseley Baptist Church, Oxford Road, Guiseley, West Yorkshire, LS20 9AS

There was standing room only last Sunday when once again we had the privilege of sharing in the joy of baptism. Surrounded and supported by family and friends Amelia Dobson-Bond (above) and Kamala Sunnassay took to MBC’s baptistery alongside Abi Tilley and Rev Shona Shaw. May the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with them evermore.   

James Wilde who by the time he starts work with us on September 1st will be 26 comes from Middlesbrough, where he currently lives. He has been a Christian since the age of 17, and since then has served on a number of mission projects in Teesside and in the United States.

James has a degree in Sports Coaching and has just completed a second degree in Theology, Ministry and Mission at Durham University.

James’ first meeting with our young people will be this coming Sunday when weather permitting he will be joining them for an end of term get together at Golden Acre Park. 

Speaking after the appointment was confirmed MBC Co-Minister Graham Brownlee said: “Long term James senses a call to church ministry, and he demonstrates a clear commitment to young people and evangelism. He has already worked on a number of sports and evangelism related programmes and we look forward to welcoming him to Moortown. 

Meanwhile James, who at present is a member of Teesside Vineyard shared his “excitement at being offered a job at MBC” on Facebook by adding “the Lord’s provision just amazes me every time, and I can’t wait to get started with this new chapter in Leeds”. 

Join us this Sunday for a morning of variety, worship, praise and joy. 

At 9.30am, with it being the third Sunday of the month we are having breakfast together in the Music Room and this will be followed at 10.45 by a service that will include two baptisms. 

You are most welcome to join us for either or indeed both of these services and to share with us but particularly with Kamala and Ameila the joy of baptism.  

MBC Co-Minister Graham Brownlee is never one to duck a challenge; its just a pity then that he couldn’t duck this playful attack by seven month old Aaron Gerald.

Traditionally, as part of a dedication service a minister takes hold of the child and whilst doing so asks his or her parents a number of questions. And it was at this point, with Gerald and Namita out of reach that Aaron struck! 

Fortunately no harm was done and soon the whole Johnson family were sharing some splendid refreshments with family and friends. 

There’s a gallery of pictures taken at the service below. If you would like to see a larger version of any of them simply click on the image. 

An open Church Meeting last week voted to retain, with some revision our current Sunday morning programme of two different Services. 

A show of hands indicated that there was overwhelming support for what up until now has been an experiment to be made permanent. There were, however, still some quite serious concerns about the final third of our second Service, the “So What” section. 

After a lively open mic session in which a whole raft of different opinions and feelings were expressed Graham and Shona promised to carry out further work on this particular part of the Service in order to make the break from worship to debate and socialisation more fluid. 

So that means that from here on in there will be two Services every Sunday morning; except of course when marathons, triathlons etc. disrupt things. The first of these has a focus on prayer and reflection and begins at 9.30am  in the Music Room. The only exceptions being the third Sunday of each month when instead of an early Service breakfast is served.

The second Service, with a 10.45am start follows a more familiar pattern: half an hour or so of worship, praise and  followed by a time of teaching, preaching and prayer. Then at around 11.45 we are invited to help ourselves to tea or coffee and continue either individually or in small groups to unpack any issues the previous hour may have presented us with. Of course during the final hour of the second Service our children and young people will be in their own groups.

Again, the only exception to this routine is on the third Sunday of each month when this second Service will provide an opportunity for us all to gather around the Lord’s table for Communion. 

Following the debate MBC Members took part in a Deacon’s election at which Michael Grayson (pictured above) was elected to serve on the Leadership Team.