Shelley Dring – Moortown Baptist Church

Shelley’s update – 6th September

September 6, 2025September 6, 2025 by Shelley Dring

Dear friends

Today is the start of the National Week of Prayer in the UK. God loves us to pray to him and listen at anytime in all sorts of different ways. Sometimes there are initiatives that we feel we could join in with that join us with more people all at the same time. This is one of them. There are prayer cards in church and on our website to help you pray through the themes through the week. See the link here to our website National Week of Prayer 2025 starts Saturday September 6th – Moortown Baptist Church

There is also an opportunity to join a whats app call just for this week. At 9pm each night there will be a call on the whats app and there will be opportunity to pray with other, say something or simply listen and pray along. It’s an audio call not a video call. You don’t have to join every day. If you have a smartphone you can join the group on this link: https://chat.whatsapp.com/IgQB0xCP9jMAaqo7iQlNxu Lesley sent an email out about this this week.

Once you are added to the whats app it is still up to you at 9pm to answer the group call or not. For more information, please speak to Mandy or Krys tomorrow at church or send one of us a message or call Lesley on Monday. The National Week of Prayer is also having a zoom and you tube prayer session every day at midday. This is for the whole of the UK. Do click on the link here National Week of Prayer and look to the top of the page.

We also encourage you to pray with others. We’ll let you know of other opportunities to pray together throughout the week. If you are doing something that others may like to be part of then do let me know and we can pass this on.

Please add your prayer too to the physical prayer book in church.

The Holy Spirit art wall is continuing this week so do bring your pictures, drawings, words, photos, paintings to church. I have had a couple given this weekend so I will make sure they are up for the week of prayer. Thankyou.

Tomorrow its café church at 11am with snacks, pastries and drinks. The focus is Faithfulness. The reading will be Acts 11:19-30. Linsey will be referring to a story in the service that speaks about faithfulness. If you want to hear the full story you can watch it here! https://youtu.be/p-0x8jvT80U What do you think God is saying through it about faithfulness?

After church there is a get together with Mandy for all those helping with welcome meals.

In the evening there will be Rock Solid for youth in the church building 7-8pm.

Looking ahead…

Monday 8^th September Beacon café and warm welcome space 10-midday

Tuesday 9^th September Steppingstones for under 5’s, parents and carers. It’s back! (Do pray for them as they start again)

Tuesday 9^th September afternoon bible study in church See Howard or check with Lesley

Tuesday 9^th September Deacons meeting 7.30pm in church

Wednesday 10^th September Lunch club for all attendees and the lunch club volunteers. Speak to Rachel or Lesley for more information.

Wednesday 10^th September 7.30pm Bible study in church. Speak or Ruth or Andy Berry, or contact myself or Lesley

Thursday 11^th September 2.00 -4.00pm Craft group and warm welcome space in church building. Do pop in and say hello.

Thursday 11^th September Bible Study led by Gareth G 7.00 – 9.00pm in church building.

Friday 12^th September Bible Study led by Brenda Friday 10.00 – 11.15 in church. See Brenda or Shelley for more information.

Friday 12^th September House Group 8.00 – 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 14^th September Church with group for children to explore the theme creatively. The Fruit of the Spirit: ‘gentleness’ 11-12pm.

Sunday 14^th September ‘unanswered prayer’ course written by Pete Greig and led by Krys G after church. There is video to watch as part of the course. Bring your lunch if you want. Anyone can come whether you have been before or not.

Sunday 14^th September 7-8pm Rock Solid for youth in Church.

Beyond…

Wednesday 17^th September at 1.30pm until 2pm Wednesday Worship in the music room

Tuesday 23^rd September at 7.30pm AGM and church meeting in church 7.30pm

Saturday 4^th 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

Sunday 5^th October café Church Harvest festival

There are some new articles again on the website this week including a story about Beacon café receiving the Leeds City Council Owl award as a thankyou for being open for the people of Leeds.. thanks to all who help in this team, give food and go along to share and chat. Follow the link here Two young visitors to Warm Space pictured with the “owl” trophy MBC jointly won in the Leeds Compassionate City Awards – Moortown Baptist Church

“God’s Spirit makes us loving, joyful, peaceful, patient, kind, good, faithful, gentle, and self-controlled. There is no law against behaving in any of these ways.” Galatians 5:22-23

In Christ

Shelley

Minister

Moortown Baptist Church

Shelley’s update for w/c 1st September, just days away from the National Week of Prayer

August 31, 2025August 31, 2025 by Shelley Dring

This week…

Monday 1^st September Beacon café and warm welcome space is back 10-midday

Tuesday 2^nd September. No ‘Steppingstones’ for under 5’s, parents and carers. This group begins again on the 9^thSeptember 10-11.30am

Tuesday afternoon bible study – check with Howard or Lesley for this week.

Tuesday Shelley helping lead a funeral in Rawdon and Middleton (10-3pm)

Wednesday 3^rd September Deacons away Day 10am-3pm in Harewood

Wednesday 3^rd September Bible study in church 7.30-9.15. Speak to Ruth or Andy or Lesley.

Wednesday 3^rd September Lunch club for all attendees and the lunch club volunteers. Speak to Rachel or Lesley for more information.

Wednesday 3^rd September 7.30pm House Group led by Diane S, please speak to Diane or Lesley for more information.

Thursday 4^th September 2.00 -4.00pm Craft group and warm welcome space in church building. Do pop in and say hello.

Thursday 4^th September Bible Study led by Gareth G 7.00 – 9.00pm in church building.

Friday 5^th September Bible Study led by Brenda Friday 10.00 – 11.15 in church. See Brenda or Shelley for more information.

Friday 5^th September House Group 8.00 – 10.00 with Jonathan and Hilary D and Steve and Helen O. Do speak to them or ask Lesley for more information.

Sunday 7^th September Café Church ‘faithfulness’ 11-12pm

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

Beyond…

Tuesday 9^th September Deacons and Shelley meet in church 7.30pm

Sunday 14^th September Church Service at 11am with group for children exploring the theme.

Sunday 14^th September after church ‘Unanswered prayer’ course written by Pete Grieg of 24/7 prayer and led by Krys. All welcome whether you have been or not been before.

Tuesday 23^rd September at 7.30pm AGM and church meeting in church 7.30pm

Prayer Week

The National Week of Prayer is taking place the week of 6-14^th September which is a call for National and Spiritual renewal. It involves many UK Christian organisations including Christians in Politics, Christian Emergency Services, Spring Harvest, Gather25, Pray for Scotland, Evangelical Alliance, 24/7 Prayer and Open Doors amongst many. There has been several prayer gatherings over the end of the Summer and over the next few weeks for the UK and beyond and we thought this would be another opportunity for people to come together to pray with others across the land. A few weeks ago, Howard led a walk on the waterfront in Leeds City Centre that linked in so well with prayer for the city. There are lots of ways to pray.

Attached to the top and bottom of this email is a postcard and a note that has been put together by Krys and Mandy with prayer points for each day. These cards are also available in church so do pick one up. There will also be a whats app group that will come together for a short call of about 15 mins each night that week that Mandy will initiate. Do ask Krys/Mandy, myself, or Lesley if you would like to join or you are interested but don’t know how to do it. There is also a QR code you can also use to join. There will be a couple of other things going on too, I know some housegroups will be picking up the theme that week, so I will send those out too over the next week and if you have any other things you would like to initiate following on from this week then do come talk to me or send Lesley or I an email. We have a book that we will leave in church that week too so if you would like to write a prayer or thought from God in it, draw a picture or add something you have written from home then do add it to the book.

National Week of Prayer

We pray this week for all those going to school for the first time, for those going back, teachers, staff and volunteers.

Thankyou’s

We had a number of activities take place last week again. Thanks to all those who came to the Lunch Club volunteer training on Wednesday, it was a really useful session and a good time of fellowship over food. Thank you Rachel B, for planning all the training and refreshment. The Wednesday evening ‘make your own psalm book’ was a wonderful creative time together too, thanks to all those who came and we look forward to sharing more psalms and songs as they speak of what God is saying to us now.

Thank you to those who have served through leading worship, readings and prayers, groups, new activities and visiting over the Summer. We pray many of you have discovered more of God in the adventures of Summer and some have enjoyed a change from usual routines. Do continue to bring your art, photos, words, poems for the fruit of the spirit art wall. We will put those things up next week that have been brought this week.

In Christ
Shelley

Shelley Dring

Minister

Moortown Baptist Church

It says in Matthew 18:20 “Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven”.

In this National Week of Prayer 2025, we have an opportunity to pray collectively as a church and as a nation. Take time to reflect and pray each day about the topics in the list we have put together. You may wish to journal, paint, draw or write what God might be saying to you in your times of prayer.

Date	Prayer Points
6^th September	The World – the planet, environmental issues
7^th September	The World – wars, disasters, opportunities and consistent prayer
8^th September	The world and the global church
9^th September	Europe in general and our place in Europe
10^th September	Great Britain –the nations and being part of the UK, the Baptist Union of Great Britain
11^th September	Leeds – people who are marginalised, disabled, homeless, unemployed, refugees, physical and mental illness. Opportunities and noticing where God is at work.
12^th September	Moortown and MBC – the communities we are involved in the surrounding area. What God is doing near to you and how you could be involved.
13^th September	Our family and friends, neighbours locally and far away
14^th September	Us and our relationship with God

At the end of the week please reflect on which prayer(s) you would like to share. Then simply write it or them out and paste them into our Book of Prayer.

Shelley’s Bank Holiday update

August 23, 2025 by Shelley Dring

Dear friends

“But what happens when we live God’s way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely…”

Galatians 5:22-23

We have been exploring the person of the Holy Spirit and the fruit that comes from a life where we allow the Spirit of God to lead us. As we look around our communities and our world, we want to see this fruit, but we know that we can’t pray for something ‘out there’ if we don’t want it to be something that doesn’t happen ‘in here’ in our own lives too. The two go together. Over the next few weeks, we have put some opportunities in place including one off sessions and groups that are starting again after the Summer so that we can push further into prayer and awareness of how God is working and our role in that. More information on whats going on in September next week. Do keep adding to the Art wall too and sharing together.

It was great to meet at the lunch club and rock solid get together on Wednesday, a lovely atmosphere as all ages came together to meet and chat and eat which is really important. Thanks to all those who came and for those who did all the planning beforehand.

We also had the Wednesday worship Songs or Praise last week, a privilege to hear people’s encouragements and challenges around their favourite hymns. Rachel has arranged the dates for the next term and leaflets are now in church.

Sunday 24^th August 11am Service with creative group for kids ‘Kindness’

Monday 25^th August – no warm welcome café/beacon this week. If you know someone who needs the lord’s pantry as any point do let us know.

Wednesday 27^th August ‘Make your own psalm book’ with Krys Gadd. 7.30pm in church building. All materials provided. There may be one space left so do talk to Krys or Lesley if you want to come.

Wednesday 27^th August – training and get together for lunch club helpers – see Rachel B for more information.

Thursday 28^th August ‘Craft group and welcome Space’ 2-4pm

Thursday 28^th August 7pm bible study with Gareth G in church

Sunday 31^st August 11-12 Service with creative group for children. Fruit of the Spirit: Goodness

Sunday 31^st August Rock Solid and friends social get together! 6pm meet at church, outdoor activities and then barbecue. Finishes at 8pm. Do talk to youth leaders, contact Lesley or myself for more information. Emails gone out to all parents on the list but if you would like to come and you aren’t currently on the youth list then do let them know.

The next whole church meeting and AGM is still booked for the 23^rd September at 7.30pm.

A craft fair organised by Krys G and friends is taking place on 4^th October. More details next week.

In Christ

Shelley

Shelley Dring

Minister

Moortown Baptist Church

Shelley’s update for week commencing Sunday 27 July

July 25, 2025 by Shelley Dring

Dear friends.

Here are a few ‘keeping in touch’ things for the next few weeks.

We meet again on Sunday at 11am to continue with our theme of Fruit of the Spirit: love, looking into Acts 2. There will be a group for our younger friends. A live stream will also be available.

A word of warning… there may be local disruption for some on Sunday 27th July due to the Ironman event in North Leeds so check your routes here: https://www.ironman.com/races/im-leeds/traffic-impact You might want to cheer them on (I’m not doing this one!)

All the information for Summer was sent out last week and is available both in last week’s Newsletter (under the heading) Shelley’s update for 20th July – setting out the summer – Moortown Baptist Church and in a seperate post in this week’s issue. There are also paper copies in church, just ask the welcome team. There is also a few new articles including news from the Romanian churches we support.

If you know someone in church who is ill and needs a visit do let Lesley know and she will contact those who support us with pastoral work. This is something we will be in touch about more in a few weeks.

Looking ahead..

You’ll also see on the website a flyer from Krys about the craft fair coming up in October.

Finally, I want to share a statement with you from Baptists Together, BMS and Baptist Union of Wales. Some of you may, like me be finding it hard to put into words and prayers the devastation we are seeing in Gaza at this time. Whilst we acknowledge there are many conflicts in the world right now, most with complex roots, I find it hard not express my heartache when I hear what is going on from organisations such as BMS and Embrace the Middle East about people of all faiths and none suffering in unimaginable ways. Please have a look at the statement and consider finding out more and making a response in prayer or action.

Statement Concerning Gaza, Israel, The West Bank and East Jerusalem

War Child UK who are working in many broken places around the world with children, have a slogan at the moment saying ‘Hold onto Hope’. They say that in the face of suffering, holding onto hope is a rebellious act as they work for peace. We read this too in the bible, Hebrews 10:23 says “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess” or as the message version says, “Let’s keep a firm grip on the promises that keep us going. He always keeps his word. Let’s see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out..”

In Christ

Shelley Dring

Minister

Moortown Baptist Church

Shelley’s update for 20th July – setting out the summer

July 20, 2025 by Shelley Dring

Dear friends

This week we continue to explore the Holy Spirit as we start a series about Fruit of the Spirit, taking us through the summer months. We hope that it is something that you can explore afresh or for the first time over the Summer wherever you are and whatever age. John 15:16 reminds us that Jesus said,

“You did not choose me, I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit, fruit that will last”. Some of you may know that I always carry a banana around with me. I call it my emergency banana and its helpful for those moments I suddenly feel hungry. I realise as I look around the world how grateful I am to have an emergency banana. However, as many of you know, a banana doesn’t last for long. It soon starts to go brown and mushy. The fruit that God wants us to produce is intended to not have a shelf life, it’s intended to go on long after the seed was planted and the fruit has grown. The bible talks about the fruit of the Spirit in the book of Galatians chapter 5 and as we discover the fruit in practice in the bible and in our world, one thing to ponder and pray about is how this fruit might last and develop, how will it go beyond us and the immediate that we see? How can we plan for this? What difference does it make? We start tomorrow at 11am in church and in Sunday school as on our YouTube channel. We’ll also share communion together.

Every year the Royal Academy in London hosts a summer exhibition based on a different theme each year to encourage people to think about a topic in a new way. This year we would like to host our own summer exhibition by exploring the theme of the Holy Spirit. This may be through painting, writing, music, photography, doodling, crafts, reading, words and more. Please hand anything to me, Lesley or Linsey and we will put them up or can be incorporated in what we do. Don’t feel you have to have a perfect ‘thing’, half an explored idea is good too, all ages and experiences welcome. You may want to do it on your own or with others in a group. Let’s pray that we have open eyes and hearts as we respond to Him! This one way we can all share ministry together.

As the school’s finish and the summer starts, there is a temporary change in what we do as a church, but we wanted to be intentional about the change of pace providing opportunities to pray and worship, allowing time for holiday and creating new ways to connect and explore. Thankyou to all those who are contributing to this. Below you will find a list of all the summer activities including regular groups and one-off events. This is also available on the MBC website and reminders will be posted on social media throughout the summer. Paper copies will be in church from next week.

Monday 21^st July Health and Safety meeting at 3pm in church building (do get in touch with John C or myself if you think you would like to help with any aspect of health and safety in the building)

Tuesday 22^nd July Toddler tidy up and social at 10am starting in the church building

Sunday 27 July 11am service with children’s group Fruit of the Spirit ‘love’ Acts 2:38-47

Sunday 3^rd August 11am café church Fruit of the Spirit ‘Joy’

5^th August 7.30pm Deacons meeting in the church building.

“But what happens when we live God’s way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard…”Gal 5:22 (The message version)

Blessings

Shelley

Shelley Dring

Minister

Moortown Baptist Church

Catch up with all the news with Shelley’s update for w/c 18th May

May 17, 2025 by Shelley Dring

Dear friends

A big thankyou to all those involved in the plant sale last week! About £1000 was made on plants and another £160 on refreshments with money going to the Sri Lanka Women’s refuge and Caring for life more locally. Thanks so much to Jenny and her team of green fingered and not so green fingered helpers and Gwynneth and team for the refreshments.

The Leeds and Moortown Furniture Store featured in the YBA news this week. Do have a look at the link here and thanks to the new trustees. Do pray for them in their hearing from God and planning for the furniture store in this new season. Have a look at the picture here to see who’s involved and if you want to pass on your encouragement From One Act of Kindness to a Citywide Impact — Yorkshire Baptist Association Thanks to those who have supported this project in the past.. the story continues and builds on the work and prayers of those who have gone before.

Thankyou to those who took part in the church meeting on Tuesday. In the meeting, we elected Jonathan as a new church deacon/trustee. Do pray for Jonathan as he begins his role. We also prayed for the work in the church building and carpark each day, we thanked God for who is coming through the doors and for those who are stepping forward to develop the building and the people. This is an ongoing project, but we are excited for God is doing to prepare us for the next season. There was positive news about financial giving too.

Thankyou to those who went on safeguarding level 2 training this week. Do let us know how you got on if you haven’t already.

On Thursday 22^nd May we will be hosting the Thanksgiving Service for the life of Jane Coates in church. The plan of the day looks like this..

10.45 Video tribute in church

11-12.30 Celebration of the life of Jane

1pm lunch together and time to meet each other in church

3.15pm Cortege leaves for Rawdon Crematorium

4pm Cremation Service at Rawdon.

All of you are welcome. The family have said that you do not need to wear dark colours so feel free to wear something colourful.

Through the week..

Saturday 17^th May Tech and worship play day in church 10.30 until 2.30pm including lunch for those on these two teams. See Andy Berry for more information or if you are interested in finding out about getting involved.

Sunday 18^th May 11am church service with communion and group for younger friends to explore the theme Acts 1:1-9 and John 15:26-27

Sunday 18^th May Discovering Prayer group with Krys in the music room. After church until about 2pm. All welcome to come along whether you have been before or never been. Feel free to bring your lunch

Sunday 18^th May 7-8pm Rock solid for youth in the building

Monday 19^th May Beacon warm welcome café 10-12 midday

Tuesday 20^th May 10-11.30am Stepping Stones for under 5’s and their parents and carers

Tuesday 20^th May afternoon bible study in church

Wednesday 21^st May lunch club trip out. See Rachel B or Lesley for information about lunch club

Wednesday 21^st May Bible study in church at 7.30pm See Ruth and Andy. Also Wednesday night house group, see Diane S

Thursday 22^nd May Warm welcome craft group is postponed this week due to the thanksgiving service.

Thursday 22^nd May Thanksgiving Service of Jane Coates (see details above)

Thursday 22^nd May 7pm bible study in church

Friday 23^rdMay 10-11.15 bible study in church

Friday 23^rd May 8pm House group See Jonathan and Hilary or Steve and Helen

Sunday 25^th May 11am service with communion with group for our younger friends

Sunday 25^th May 7-8pm Rock Solid Youth in church

Coming soon…

If you are aged around 11 to 35, are a parent/grandparent/carer who want to encourage young people you know in their walk with Jesus, you are a young person’s group leader, or simply want to pray for young people to be encouraged to live a life for Jesus then come along with us to the Send worship night at North church 7-9.30pm on 5^th June. Get Tickets – SEND Experience Night Leeds – North Church You can book your tickets here. If you are a young person who would like a lift or have a young person who would like a lift, then let your youth group leader know or myself. We will have a group going from MBC and will have a meet up point at Moortown and then at North Church. Following this gathering, there will be a larger gathering and worship night at Leeds Arena on November 22^nd 2025.

Prayer and worship Day Saturday 7^th June Save the date for now…

“And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.” (Romans 5:5)

In Christ

Shelley

Minister

Moortown Baptist Church

Shelley’s message for w/c Sunday May 4

May 3, 2025 by Shelley Dring

Dear friends

From the despair of Good Friday, the joy of Easter Sunday and the confusion of the days that followed, we were reminded last week that Jesus is with us in our grief and anxiety and walks with us as we journey along the road. We talked about ‘hope on the horizon’. This Sunday at café church we look at what happened when the disciples’ recognised Jesus was with them again. What difference does resurrection make? What does Jesus’ resurrection mean to us? We start at 11am for about an hour, all ages together with breakfast snacks and drinks.

Here’s what’s coming up in the next week..

Sunday 4^th May 11am café church Luke 24: 36-49 ‘Hope in the House’

Sunday 4^th May 7-8pm Rock solid for youth in the building

Monday 5^th May No beacon café this week (bank holiday) Back the week after.

Tuesday 6^th May 10-11.30am Stepping Stones for under 5’s and their parents and carers

Tuesday 6^th May afternoon bible study in church

Wednesday 7^th May lunch club. See Rachel B

Wednesday 7^th May Bible study in church 7.30pm

Thursday 8^th May Warm welcome craft group 2-4pm in the building

Thursday 8^th May 7pm bible study in church

Friday 9^th May 10-11.15 bible study in church

Saturday 10^th May 1-3pm House, bedding and perennial garden plants and more. Tea, coffee and cake too. Cash only. All proceeds go to charity to support Caring for life locally and the Sri Lanka women’s project.

Sunday 11^th May 11-12 Service in church with small group for our younger friends. Looking at Luke 24:50-52 ‘Hope on the hill’

Sunday 11^th May 7-8pm Rock Solid for youth in the building

Monday 12^th May 10-12 Warm welcome space Beacon café, everyone welcome

Coming soon…

Tuesday 13^th May at 7.30pm is the next church meeting including deacons’ elections. An email went out this week to share the agenda, minutes, and details of any nominations. If didn’t get it or can’t access emails, please call the office on Tuesday or email admin@moortownbaptistchurch.org.uk We’ll make sure we get something to you. Please continue to pray for all those who are the church at Moortown including all those who lead areas or ministries.

Wednesday 14^th May at 1.30 is Wednesday worship. It will be a Songs of Praise! If you have a song you would like to sing with others on that day then can you let Rachel know, or let Lesley know and she can pass it on for you. You may want to say a few words about it.

Worship and tech team Play Day on 17^th May 10.30-2.30 in church. This day is for anyone on the tech or worship teams to explore the new sound system and try things out together. Details have been sent out to those who are already in these teams. If you are interested in finding out more about the teams then get in touch with Andy B or myself.

Prayer and worship Day Saturday 7^th June Save the date for now…

I will be on a conference next Monday and Tuesday so will not be in the building on those days.

Thursday 8^th May marks the 80^th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day. Although we will not be holding an official gathering for this, it maybe a good day to pray for peace, thank God for the peacemakers and to pledge ourselves again to being peacemakers in our everyday lives. Leeds Minister will be holding a VE/VJ evening on May 10^th with proceeds going to the British Legion Poppy Appeal. Tickets are available here for £5 concessions are free http://www.leedstickethub.co.uk/whatsonevent/80th-anniversary-of-ve-vj-day-commemoration-concert/

A reminder that the 11^th May is the Rob Burrows Leeds Marathon starting at 9am in Headingley, going into Leeds city centre and out of the city up the Otley Road. The Marathon raises huge amounts of money for Leeds Hospitals Charities and the MND Association. Please check the marathon map if you live further over towards West Leeds as your journey may be affected www.runforall.com/events/marathon/leeds-marathon/

Many of you will know that one of our church family, Jane, sadly died on Monday following her admission to hospital when the aggressive tumour that was thought to be clearing had in a very short timeframe spread. Jane’s journey with cancer became something she would reflect on in a weekly piece of writing she would call ‘Monday thoughts and prayers’. These thoughts and prayers were initially written by Jane to encourage the pastoral team she led, but over time, they went further afield, were turned into a book and regularly appeared on the website. Jane even made sure that Phil sent her Monday thoughts and prayers out this week despite her hospital admission and you can read them here on the website at www.moortownbaptistchurch.org.uk Do continue to hold Jane’s family in your prayers.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

In Christ

Shelley

Shelley Dring

Minister

Moortown Baptist Church

Shelley’s update for w/c Sunday 27 April

April 26, 2025 by Shelley Dring

Dear friends

Happy Easter!

It was good to join with so many of you through holy week as we remembered the journey of Jesus and joined in worship and prayer, towards Good Friday and Easter Sunday and into this week. We prayed outside and inside, gave out seed crosses and celebrated baptisms and welcomed new families into membership. If that’s something that has prompted you to want to do either of these then do get in touch with me this week. A church is a community and there were many conversations and prayers and cups of tea going on that are not so visible as we walk alongside each other. On the theme of ‘walking alongside’, we move on to look at Luke 24:13-35 this week as the disciples continue to work out what was happening that first Easter. There will be a group for our younger friends, and there’ll be the opportunity to share communion.

The week ahead

Monday 28^th April Beacon warm welcome café today 10-12 midday

Tuesday 29^th April Stepping Stones for under 5’s and their carers 10-11.30 in church.

Tuesday 29^th April House group in church in the afternoon. See Lesley or Howard for more information.

Wednesday 30^th April Lunch club, see Rachel B

Wednesday 30^th April Bible study in church, see Andy or Ruth B. There’s a Wednesday house group too, see Diane S. They meet fortnightly and are currently following the prayer course.

Thursday 1^st May 2-4pm Craft group welcome space in church, see Karen or Diane

Thursday 1^st May 7pm bible study in church with Gareth G

Friday 2^nd bible study in church 10-11.15 See Shelley for more details

Friday 2^nd May 8pm House group see Jonathan or Hilary D

Sunday 4^th May All age café church.

Coming up

The next church meeting is Tuesday 13th May 7.30pm including deacons’ elections. A reminder that the last date to nominate a new deacon is Sunday 27^th April. Please email them to Lesley or post paper copies to Lesley’s office.

The plant sale takes place at MBC at 1pm on Saturday 10th May! An email went out this week with all the details. Do let Jenny D or Lesley know if you would like to help. If you have any boxes or big bags for people to put plants in can you please bring them to Lesley during the week or bring them to church on Sunday and put them in the music room and we will move them through. The plant sale will support both a local and abroad charity. That’s currently being decided by those involved and deacons.

Worship and tech team Play Day on 17^th May 10.30-2.30 in church. This day is for anyone on the tech or worship teams to explore the new sound system and try things out together. Details have been sent out. If you are interested in finding out more about the teams or want to be involved, then get in touch with Andy B or myself.

Prayer and worship Day Saturday 7^th June Save the date for now…

If you are aged around 11 to 35, have a heart for young people, parent/grandparent/carer, a group leader or want to simply pray and support young people to be encouraged to live a life for Jesus then come along with us to the Send worship night at North church 7-9.30pm on 5^th June. Get Tickets – SEND Experience Night Leeds – North Church You can book your tickets here. If you are a young person who would like a lift or you have a young person who would like a lift, then let your youth group leader know or myself. We will have a group going from MBC and will have a meet up point at church and then at North Church. Naomi Fennell, the Yorkshire Baptist Association young adults and youth lead, is working on an optional meeting point for young people to meet with others from Yorkshire Baptist churches on the night, so we are working together. Following this gathering, there will be a large gathering at Leeds Arena on November 22^nd 2025.

We are aware that our journey continues alongside all the events going on in our world and our lives. As we think about journeys, I was struck by a picture of Pope Francis in 2008 when he was Cardinal Bergoglio, travelling on the subway in Buenos Aires in 2008. You may be able to ‘google it’ or we may share tomorrow. No one person is perfect and there are those who share criticisms, but many have commented on the Pope’s humility and down to earth nature in his ministry, from choosing a more modest apartment in the Vatican whilst he was alive, to his choice of burial place. How we journey and who we share our journey with is important. He talked about those in pain through poverty, or illness or war and we hear stories of how he practically reached out, often unknown to the world. In his final address on Good Friday, it was written,

“All those who put their hope in God, place their feeble hands in his strong and mighty hand; they let themselves be raised up and set out on a journey. Together with the risen Jesus, they become pilgrims of hope, witnesses of the victory of love and of the disarmed power of Life.” Pope’s final address, Easter Sunday April 20^th 2025.

We continue the journey…

In Christ

Shelley

Shelley’s friendly update for w/c March 16th

March 15, 2025 by Shelley Dring

Dear friends

We are now nearly halfway through lent but there is always still time to dip into something new. Here’s a reminder of some resources that are around…

40 ways to give in lent and a devotional for everyday…

40acts: Do Lent generously

40 things to do in lent for all ages outside

Exploring Lent with Younger Kids – 40 Nature Activities Printable.pdf – Google Drive

40 acts youth wallchart

Youth_Wallchart_A4_Black_and_White.pdf

Leeds lent prayer diary 2025..we have some free paper versions in church for you to pick up.

The lectio 365 prayer app (download on your phone) is doing a lent series now. Do ask if you need a hand with the app.

Some of the church are gathering for a prayer whats app call at 9 o clock pm on Sundays, Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays for the world, the church, ourselves. Do ask Mandy, Adam or Krys if you want details.

If you would like to try a group during lent then you’d be very welcome. We learn from each other.

Tomorrow we continue in Luke 6:12-15.

This week..

Sunday 16^th March 11am service with group for young ones and communion

Sunday 16^th March The group who went through the ‘why pray course’ recently with Krys meet tomorrow after church to talk about ‘hearing from God’. Feel free to bring your lunch. Anyone welcome, in the music room for an hour or so.

Sunday 16^th March 7-8pm Rock Solid youth in church

Monday 17th March 10-12 midday Beacon warm welcome café. *DEFINATELY MONDAY, NOT TUESDAY AS IT SAYS IN MY EMAIL.

Tuesday 18^th March 10-11.30 Stepping Stones for under 5’s and parents and carers

Tuesday afternoon house group, see Howard Dews

Wednesday 19^th March lunchclub, see Rachel B or send a message to Lesley in the office (this week contact me)

Wednesday 19^th 7.30-9pm house group in church, see Ruth/Andy Berry, also one in Alwoodley, see Diane S

Thursday 20^th March 2-4pm warm welcome space craft group in church, see Karen or Diane S

Thursday 7pm bible study with Gareth

Friday 21^st March 10am Bible study in church, any questions, chat with myself

Friday 8pm house group, see Jonathan and Hilary or Steve or Helen

Sunday 23^rd March 11am service with group for younger friends

The next church meeting is Tuesday 25^th March 2025. Agenda came out this week. Do get in touch if you have any questions or AOB.

On Easter Sunday we’d love to baptise those who feel they want to be baptised or feel God is ‘nudging’ them about it. Do get in touch with me if you want a quick chat. Details of Easter week are being arranged. We know that we’ll be meeting on Good Friday too in church and joining with local churches on Alwoodley village green in the afternoon of Good Friday. The egg hunt will also return. Thanks to those offering to put it together. If you would like to contribute anything, then do get in touch.

Lesley and Rachel B are unavailable this week so do get in touch with me, a deacon or relevant group leader for immediate questions. For anything non urgent feel free to contact Lesley on admin@moortownbaptistchurch.org.uk as usual.

“..They pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him…” (Luke 5:11)

In Christ

Shelley

Advent 2. Shelley keeps us up to date as the big day gets ever closer

December 14, 2024December 5, 2024 by Shelley Dring

Dear friends

Tomorrow we light our next Advent candle, another light in the darkness as we journey towards Christmas and celebrate Jesus’ arrival. As we shared last week, Advent means ‘coming’ or arrival and some say for the follower of Jesus, there are three advents; the coming of Jesus in Bethlehem that we celebrate at Christmas, the coming of Jesus individually to each of us as we recognise who Jesus is in our lives as Lord, saviour and friend, and Jesus coming again when …..

This weekend we have a great opportunity to share the hope of Christmas with others at the Carnival Christmas at 1.30-3.30pm, do pop down and again tomorrow morning at 11am in our Advent 2 service and then at 3pm with the Toddler Nativity. Do pray for all those coming as well as all those who have been planning over the last few weeks and helping over the weekend.

You can pick up a Christmas Card in church to take home and give to friends and family with some of our Christmas gatherings on. Do check out the website www.moortownbaptistchurch.org.uk for a full list.

This week looks like this..

Sunday 8^th December Advent 2 Continuing the theme of ‘Down to earth’ 11am service with a small group so that younger ones can explore the story creatively

Sunday 8^th Stepping Stones Nativity 3-4pm do come along and support them and welcome all those who come on a Tuesday with their little ones.

Sunday 8^th December Rock Solid group for youth is earlier this week as many are involved in the Toddler nativity. They’ll meet after the nativity at 4.30 for a Christmas Escape Room and pizzas at 5.30pm

There’s beacon café, housegroups, lunch club, Stepping Stones Christmas Party and Wednesday Worship Christmas special on Wednesday 11^th at 1.30pm. Craft group is on 2-4pm in the building. There will be no Friday morning housegroup next week. All the others are on as usual.

On Thursday the funeral of Julie Ridsdill takes place at Lawnswood Crematorium at 11.30am and at Moortown Baptist Church at 12.30pm with refreshments to follow. You are invited to come along. Julie’s favourite colour was purple so you may want to wear something with purple on.

Next Sunday we have our Advent 3 service with a separate group for younger ones, followed by carol singing (see Rachel) with a small group visiting a local home for elderly people. Then at 3pm it’s the wreath making workshop. Its filling up so if you would like to come or bring others then do book in advance with Lesley next week by calling or emailing as we can’t guarantee a place on the day as we like to make sure you have all the resources you need. £10 a wreath

We have a church nativity on Sunday 22^nd December, if you would be up for being involved can you let me know! More news to come.

See you soon

In Christ

Shelley