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Shelley’s news for w/c Sunday 20th September

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Dear friends

Here’s the week ahead…

Sunday 20th September Church service with younger group following the same theme 11.00am.  Psalm 139. We start a new mini series called ‘Why Psalms?’  What are they about, do they have relevance today and how can they help us and others grow and connect at any age. It’s also communion and there will be some activities for our younger friends.  It’s Bela and Chris’s last service tomorrow so we will have cake and drinks afterwards, all welcome.  If you can bring a cake/buns to share then do bring it on the day (no fresh cream or nuts). If you could label the cakes/buns that would be much appreciated. Please put cakes on the hostess trolley outside the kitchen.

Sunday 20th September Rock Solid Youth Group 7-8pm in the church building

Monday 21st September Beacon Café and warm welcome space 10.00 – 12.00 midday with food pantry available.

Tuesday 22nd September Stepping Stones for under 5’s and their parents and carers.  10.00 – 11.30am.  All welcome.

Tuesday 22nd September Bible study in the music room – 12.30 -2.30 Please check with Howard or Lesley to see if its on as they sometimes don’t have a group on a church meeting week.  A reminder from Howard..

“The Tuesday daytime housegroup coordinated by Howard is taking Paul’s letter to the Romans as its theme this autumn.  Howard says “We have recently looked at Acts of the Apostles and thought it would be good to follow this by examining Paul’s teaching.  We meet at 12.30 for a sandwich and a time of informal fellowship before moving into a bible study and then a prayer time. If you are interested in joining us then the group would welcome new members.”

Tuesday 22nd September 7.30 in church building (and zoom link for those who cannot get to the building) Church meeting and AGM (annual general meeting) Do come along, share and pray.  It’s good to take stock and see what God has been doing through His church in 2025-26.  The church is the people, as we know.  We thank God for what He has done and we look to Him again for the next few years. Documents have gone out on email.  If you have anything to share or any other business please let me, Lesley or a deacon know as soon as you can but definatly by 20th September.  There will be a particularly focus in the church meeting on mission.  Thankyou

Wednesday 23rd September Lunch Club 10.00 – 1.30.  Talk to Rachel B, Lesley, Shelley for more information, if you want to join or help.

Wednesday 23rd September at 1.30-2pm Wednesday worship in the music room.

Wednesday evening house group not meeting this week.  Back the week after.

Thursday 24th September Craft Group and warm welcome space 2.00 – 4.00pm ask for more information if you have questions

Thursday 24th September Bible Study in the music room 7.00 – 9.00pm Talk to Gareth, John C or Lesley or Shelley

Friday 25th September Bible study in music room 10.00 – 11.30am Talk to Shelley for more information

Friday 25th September Friday night house group in Adel.  See Jonathan, Hilary, Steve or Helen, or asl Shelley or Lesley for more information.

Friday 25th September Parkinson’s Exercise Class in sports hall 6.30 – 7.30pm.  See Phil or ask Lesley or Shelley.

Sunday 27th September Church service with younger group following the same theme 11.00am. ‘Why Psalms?’ Part 2.  Praying the psalms. Psalm 143:1-10

Sunday 20th September Rock Solid Youth Group 7-8pm in the church building

The mission group meet at 2.30pm on 29th September in the church building.  See Phil Coates for more information.

The next psalms art group takes place on 30th September at 7pm in the sports hall.

The next PACT meeting takes place on 30th September 6.30-7.15pm.  This is the Police and Communities Together for Moortown. There will be local police and councillors on hand.  Anyone can go.  Also helps us to pray and discern well.

Our All Age Harvest Festival takes place at café church on 4th October at 11am.  ‘Why Psalms?’ Part 3. Harvest! psalm 1: 1-3 This year we are bringing produce and sending money to support our food pantry, the local food bank and Caring for Life local charity.

Follow this link for suggestions of food donations at Caring for Life..Harvest Appeal | Caring For Life

Leeds North and West Foodbank are needing at the moment…tinned fruit, jam and other spreads, tinned potatoes and instant mash, rice pudding custard.  More information can be found here Donate food | Leeds North & West Foodbank

A list of suggested items for our food pantry is on the box in the foyer in church but I have asked Lesley to send an email version out on Monday.

Sunday 4th October Rock Solid Youth Group 7-8pm in the church building.

If you are interested in baptism, membership, joining a group or anything else then do get in touch with myself, Lesley, a deacon, a leader of a group or someone you feel comfortable asking and we can chat or point you in the right direction.

Two weeks ago, we looked at how God speaks through creation.  Therefore, I wanted to let you know about a film that is being shown locally that takes this a bit further looking at the climate crisis.  Gateway Church are showing the People’s emergency briefing film at 7.30pm on 24th September.  Its open to all who are intrigued and want to know more, age 16 plus suggested.  The film shows that despite the seriousness of the situation, effective action is possible.  Please click on this link for more information People’s Emergency Briefing (24-Sep-2026) · ChurchSuite Events More information on network Leeds or Gatewayleeds website.

“Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.  Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” Col 4:5-6

In Christ

Shelley

Shelley Dring

Minister

Moortown Baptist Church

Harvest Festival Sunday October 4th

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Our All Age Harvest Festival takes place at café church on 4th October at 11am.  ‘Why Psalms?’ Part 3. Harvest! psalm 1: 1-3 This year we are bringing produce and sending money to support our food pantry, the local food bank and Caring for Life local charity.

Follow this link for suggestions of food donations at Caring for Life..Harvest Appeal | Caring For Life

Leeds North and West Foodbank are needing at the moment…tinned fruit, jam and other spreads, tinned potatoes and instant mash, rice pudding custard.  More information can be found here Donate food | Leeds North & West Foodbank

A list of suggested items for our food pantry is on the box in the foyer in church but I have asked Lesley to send an email version out on Monday.

Well fancy meeting you here – Dame Kelly Holmes and Shelley at the Great North Run

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With more marathons, half marathons and fun runs under her belt than any other person I know, our Minister Shelley recently came face to face with one of Britain’s all time athletics icons… Dame Kelly Holmes. 

“We met” says Shelley “after the Great North Run run, while I was queuing for crisps and she was brilliant”. 

Sadly, Shelley didn’t get to meet another “celebrity” – Prime Minister Andy Burnham. She did, however, complete the 13.1 mile course four minutes quicker than he did. 

Well done Shelley – keep on running. 

Men’s Circle, Spring 1959. My, haven’t things changed

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Imagine it to be Thursday January 1st 1959. You’ve seen in the New Year, and although January the 1st didn’t become an official Bank Holiday until 1974 I’d like to think that what ever you had to do that day wasn’t too strenuous. But even if it was, and provided you were up for two fun nights in a row you’d no doubt have been looking forward to being “heartily welcomed” at the Moortown Baptist Church, Men’s Circle Games Evening. 

The following Thursday MBC’s then Minister, Rev. F. W. Bond was delivering one of his Men of the Bible talks – this one featuring Jeremiah – later in the term he would focus on Peter and Paul.

I must admit though that some of titles attributed to these weekly gatherings have left me somewhat flummoxed. While on March the 12th An Officer of the N.A.B talking about National Assistance is more or less self explanatory, some other topics such as “Soaring Flight” on Jan 15th, “Push Button” on February 12th and “Winged Travellers” the following week almost make me wish I could have been there. 

 

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 

It would be nigh on impossible to list everything that goes on here at MBC in just one post as very often we host special one offs – such as Plant Sales, Craft Fairs, Cream Teas and the like. Here, however, are what you might call the basics i.e. the things that take place either on a regular or a semi permanant basis. 

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 worship is Sunday School which sees a small group of young children learning all about Jesus and the love of God.

Rounding off Sunday we have Rock Solid. Meeting between 7 & 8pm and majoring around having fun. Youth Club style 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 which runs in conjunction with The Lord’s Pantry, a project that within limits distributes free food and toiletries etc. to people in need.

Tuesday…    Stepping Stones, a toddler group 10 to 11.30am. Term time only. 

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. A hybrid Housegroup with half the group meeting in our Music Room and others online.

Wednesday…  7.30pm – 9.30ish. Ladies Housegroup. This group meets in our Corner Room at Church from 7.30pm till 9.30ish.

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 and prayer in our Music Room.

Friday…            10am to 11am. A second Bible Study, again in church.

Friday…            And finally, between 8pm – 10pm, another Housegroup, again in someone’s home.

On top of all this we also have a Pastoral Team which offers confidential support to anyone who needs it. A Parkinson’s Exercise Class. An excellent worship band that plays regularaly in our Sunday services. Two Extend Exercise Classes (ideal for our older friends). Pilates. Pathways a Christian Counselling Service. Huge input into the Leeds and Moortown Furniture Store. Masses of home and overseas Mission work. PACT (Neighbourhood Policing Teams) and local councillor surgeries.

And of course at certain times of the year we also host some special services such as Baptisms, Easter, Harvest and Christmas.

For more information about any of these please email Moortown Baptist Church on admin@moortownbaptistchurch.org.uk

Moortown Baptist Church. 204 King Lane, Leeds LS17 7AA

www.moortownbaptistchurch.org.uk

Shelley’s news for w/c Sunday 13th September

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Dear all

Here is the next week…

Sunday 13th September Church service with younger group following the same theme 11.00am.  Last session in the series of ‘A listening life’.  Exodus 3:1-14 A look over the last few weeks and some practical steps forward.

Sunday 13th September Rock Solid Youth Group 7-8pm in the church building.

Monday 14th September Beacon Café and warm welcome space 10.00 – 12.00 midday with food pantry available.

Tuesday 15th September Stepping Stones for under 5’s and their parents and carers starts again 10.00 – 11.30am

Tuesday 15th September Bible study in the music room – 12.30 -2.30 A reminder from Howard..

“The Tuesday daytime housegroup coordinated by Howard is taking Paul’s letter to the Romans as its theme this autumn.  Howard says “We have recently looked at Acts of the Apostles and thought it would be good to follow this by examining Paul’s teaching.  We meet at 12.30 for a sandwich and a time of informal fellowship before moving into a bible study and then a prayer time. If you are interested in joining us then the group would welcome new members.”

Wednesday 16th September Lunch Club 10.00 – 1.30.  Talk to Rachel B, Lesley, Shelley for more information, if you want to join or help.

Wednesday 16th September House Group in the music room (and a zoom link to join online) 7.30pm See Andy or Ruth B or Shelley for more information or pop along.

Thursday 17th September Craft Group and warm welcome space 2.00 – 4.00pm ask for more information if you have questions

Thursday 17th September Bible Study in the music room 7.00 – 9.00pm Talk to Gareth, John C or Lesley or Shelley

Friday 18th September Bible study in music room 10.00 – 11.30am Talk to Shelley for more information

Friday 18th September Parkinson’s Exercise Class in sports hall 6.30 – 7.30pm

Sunday 20th September Church service with younger group following the same theme 11.00am.  We start a mini series on ‘Why Psalms?’  What are they about, do they have relevance today and how can they help us grow and connect. It’s also communion and there will be some activities for our younger friends.  After the service we will have cake and drinks, all welcome.  It’s Bela and Chris’s last service so it will give us a chance to get together with them.  If you can bring a cake/buns to share then do bring it on the day (no fresh cream or nuts) If you could label the cakes/buns that would be much appreciated.  If you want to volunteer to help with the hospitality then please speak to Jilly or Michelle or contact myself or Lesley who will pass them a message to get in touch with you.

Sunday 20th September Rock Solid Youth Group 7-8pm in the church building

The next church meeting is the AGM (annual general meeting) and the meeting of the church.  Do come along, share and pray.  It’s good to take stock and see what God has been doing through His church in 2025-26.  The church is the people, as we know.  We have many areas that we work across and many people we reach out to, often this is not seen by all.  We thank God for what He has done and we look to Him again for the next few years. Documents have gone out on email.  If you have anything to share or any other business please let me, Lesley or a deacon know as soon as you can but definatly by 20th September.  There will be a particularly focus in the church meeting on mission.  Thankyou

The next Wednesday worship is the 23rd September at 1.30pm.

The mission group meet at 2.30pm on 29th September.  See Phil Coates for more information.

The next psalms art group takes place on 30th September at 7pm in the sports hall.

The next PACT meeting takes place on 30th September 6.30-7.15pm.  This is the Police and Communities Together for Moortown. There will be local police and councillors on hand.  Anyone can go.  Also helps us to pray and discern well.

All Age Harvest Festival takes place at café church on 4th October at 11am.  This year we are bringing produce and sending money to support our food pantry, the local food bank and Caring for Life local charity. An email will be sent out in the week as to the kind of things needed.  It will be a great time to say thank you to God together for all He gives us! Also, we’ll consider positive practical differences being made, connected to the words of Jesus in Matthew 25:40. We’ll be sharing what God has been doing to help us at the church meeting (and Harvest festival) and what the teams involved are noticing and praying about, and giving you chance to go and pray/think about all this too.

If you are interested in baptism, membership, joining a group or anything else then do get in touch with myself, Lesley, a deacon, a leader of a group or someone you feel comfortable asking and we can chat or point you in the right direction.

“Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” (Eph 5:1-2)

In Christ

Shelley

Shelley Dring

Minister

Moortown Baptist Church

A look back to Super Saturday

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The 29th of August or Super Saturday as we named it saw MBC members hosting three very different events. Firstly, there was the Men’s Breakfast that John C organised, Nathan spoke at and which by all accounts was a great success.

Then, at 1pm, meeting in City Square there was the second of Howard D’s walks along the Leeds waterfront. Sadly, cut short by torrential rain and an unfortunate fall by one of the walkers this took in much of the new development to the south side of Wellington Street, and had the weather been better would have continued all the way along the banks of the River Aire to the Leeds Armouries. In fact, here’s a brief account that Howard sent me…

Nine church members and other friends set off from City Square on the walk despite the somewhat mixed weather forecast.  One person enjoyed last year’s walk so much he came again! Umbrellas were needed as we approached the south side of the station!  We followed the same route as last year and could see some changes in the Leeds skyline and some buildings now occupied which were then under construction.  Perhaps we’ll have to go back and complete the part we missed next year!  Clearly more people are going to be living in the centre of Leeds in the years to come.  We wondered how their lifestyles will differ and how churches can best minister to these new communities?

Thirdly, also in the afternoon but here at church Krys G was leading an Art of Prayer session. As you can see from the pictures in the gallery above there was certainly no shortage of either.

June 4th 1955. The Opening of Moortown Baptist Church

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Knowing it as we do today, it’s hard to imagine that on the 4th of June 1955 when Moortown Baptist Church was officially opened only Phase one had been completed. That consisted of the present vestibule, the Church Hall, cloakrooms and the old kitchen. 

As building work had gone more slowly than anticipated, prior to that, in fact from April 17th MBC’s first minister Rev. F.W. Bond had made arrangements for the church to worship in Moor Allerton Memorial Hall, which was then at the end of Stonegate Road. It is recorded that on that first Sunday, in our temporary home 70 people attended the morning service and 50 the evening. 

The images in the gallery above are scanned copies of the opening day’s Order of Service. 

The following day, Sunday June 5th, and even before the first of two services had begun there was at 10am MBC’s first Sunday School. 

Like so many of the “memories” we have recently shared it seems to me that whilst over the last 70 or so years lots of things have changed, one thing that hasn’t is its underlying spirit of warmth, friendship and fellowship.  

ENGAGE features the Change Agents of Sierra Leone

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In its 66th issue, ENGAGE, the BMS World Mission magazine once again brings us news from all around the world. 

For instance, amongst other stories there’s an update about the help your support has provided in Ukraine and there’s a similar report about Gaza, whereas the cover story takes us to Sierra Leone and tells the story of one church and three women.  

There are many ways that we as individuals can support BMS – from joining the Birthday Scheme and making a gift on your birthday to remembering them in your will. 

If you would like to know more then either have a word with Roger Robson, I know he would be delighted to hear from you or visit www.bmsworldmission.org where you will find a whole raft of ways you too can ENGAGE.

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