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Shelley’s news 7th August

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Dear friends

We are officially in the Summer months and have started a new series called ‘A listening life: Hearing the God who loves us’. So far, we have dipped into how God speaks through the bible and this week we look at dreams and visions.  We have a group for our younger friends they can explore the theme creatively together and we start at 11am as usual.

Next week….

Monday 10th August 10-12 Beacon warm welcome café for all.  Food pantry available. We will be adding some all-age craft activities through the summer for anyone to have a go at.    

Tuesday 11th August Check with Howard D or Lesley to see if bible study is on this week House Group Usually 1.00 – 2.30pm in church. 

Tuesday 11th August 6.00pm – 7.00pm Pilates email plantlet44@googlemail.com

Wednesday 12th August No Lunch Club this week but we have a friendly film for all!  Come and watch ‘The Young Ones’ and enjoy a choc ice in the interval.  1.45-4pm. About the film… “Youth club members and aspiring singer Nicky and his friends try to save their youth club in the West End from unscrupulous millionaire property developer Hamilton Black by putting on their own show to raise funds!”  There’s lots of singing and dancing. 

Wednesday 12th August Wednesday night bible study social night.  Contact Ruth or Andy or ask Lesley for more information.

Thursday 13th August Craft group warm welcome space 2.00 – 4.00pm All welcome to come along and chat or to make something or learn a new skill – speak to Karen for more information.  This week we made it a cool space but with a warm welcome! 

Thursday 13th July Bible Study in the Music Room 7.00pm – 9.00pm Speak to Gareth, John C or Lesley                                                                            

Friday 14th August Speak to John C or ask Lesley to pass a message on if you are interested in coffee, breakfast and a chat at a local café with other men.  Feel free to bring a friend.

Sunday 16th August at 11am All age Service with communion A Listening Life Part 3: Hearing from the God who loves us.  This week we think about how we hear from God in community. 

A special notice about Communion..

We could do with a couple more people to help prepare and give communion in the service.  It’s a wonderful way of serving others and is part of our worship and if you feel that could be something you could do then can you let Trisha, Shelley, Lesley or a deacon know please and know and we’ll happily talk to you about what is involved.   

Also in the Summer…

Deacons’ meeting Tuesday 18th August at 7.30pm in the music room.

Join Blossom for their Self-Defence Free Taster Session for women at Moortown Baptist Church on 27th August from 1:30pm-4:30pm This friendly, session focuses on building confidence, awareness, communication skills, and simple self-defence techniques that anyone can learn. No experience required.  Whether you’re looking to feel more confident in everyday situations or simply want to try something new, Blossom would love to welcome you.  Book your place today at https://blossom-uk.co.uk/courses/ola/services/self-defence-taster-session-moortown-leeds-27th-aug-11

Saturday 29th August Men’s Breakfast in the morning 10-12 midday in the church building.  A chance to eat breakfast, get to know each other, bring a friend, hear someone share… pick up a leaflet in church or ask John C, Jonathan, Andy or Nathan for more information.

Saturday 29th August Art workshop: The art of Prayer 1.30pm to 3.30pm.  Materials provided; no artistic experience needed. Children, please bring an adult.  Book your place with Lesley.  More info from Krys G.

Look at the website..

Moortown Baptist Church – Loving God, living generously, following Christ.  On here you will find a copy of my latest email, events around the area and latest news stories connected to MBC both here and abroad.  These include Phil’s latest visit to China and Haddon’s reflections on how we are called to serve one another in the week he celebrates his diamond wedding anniversary with Hilary.  Please see John S if you have something to contribute to the website. Also following us on facebook!

Summer series on Sundays at MBC.. ‘A listening life!’  following our series post Pentecost about Holy Spirit and how the Holy Spirit brings things to life, we’ll be exploring how God wants to speak to us through words and whispers, what this looks like in both the Old and New Testament and how it includes us now.  We’ll be looking at how God speaks and what this tells us about ourselves, our communities and creation.  There will be accompanying children’s groups on the 2nd and 4th Sundays in the holidays as well as all age activities in the service on the 1st and 4th Sundays.

The next lunchclub will be on Wednesday 26th August.  Following lunchclub there will be a Wednesday Worship Songs of Praise 1.30-2pm in the music room.  All are welcome to this and if you have a song or hymn you would like to suggest, please let Rachel B know or send a message to Lesley to pass on.  If you have a reason why that song speaks to you or is memorable then do pass that on too.

There will be no Beacon café on Monday 31st August and no craft group on Thursday 27th August.

Thankyou to those who have recently stepped in to help at lunchclub, the prayer team and on tech desk.  If you want to talk more about discipleship and opportunities to get involved in any area of the church, do get in touch or email Lesley who will pass on the message and we’ll find a time to get together.

Around the city…

Gateway Summer Bible School.  Anyone is welcome to Gateway Church’s Summer Bible School but they will need to sign up on the links below. You can attend individual sessions or the whole thing. The two different themes that will be covered are New Creation: Hope for our Suffering Earth and Exploring Ezekiel.  The Summer Bible School will take place on Wednesdays and Thursdays in the evenings for four consecutive weeks at Gateway at St Mark’s Church, St Mark’s Road, LS2 9AF. The first session was on 29th July 7:45pm – 9:30pm. 

New Creation: Hope for our Suffering Earth sign up here.

Exploring Ezekiel sign up here.

Pray for Leeds (P4L) / Prayer Lunch Students Focus
Prayer Lunch – Student Focus, Wednesday 16th September, 12:10pm to 1:30pm, venue to be confirmed.
The organisation Fusion will be sharing about their student mission bus which will be touring different campuses, including in Leeds, in the New Year. This will give us an opportunity to pray for students at the start of term and for the work of Fusion.
Please note; participants of UCCF who oversee the Christian Unions in Leeds and Transformations Leeds will also be invited to share briefly.  

Christians in Politics (Leeds) Meeting
A provisional date has been set for Tuesday 29th September, 7:30pm to 9:30pm.
The former Lord Mayor and Councillor for Alwoodley Dan Cohen will be being interviewed regarding how his Jewish faith helps to impact his politics. There will also be people from the Christian community sharing from different political parties.
Venue to be confirmed.

We have been invited to two events organised locally by Leeds Jewish Housing Association with local partners in the community.  The leaflets are attached to this email.  Do share with others and come along!

Do have a chat with me if you would like to baptised, become a member or both. We be looking at another baptism service after the Summer.

Roadworks…

There seems to be a lot of roadworks going on at the moment around the city.  On Monday, the junction where Stonegate Road meets the roundabout outside the church at Moortown will be closed temporarily for between 1 and 3 days.  All the other junctions to the roundabout are open, but there maybe a little more traffic on those days. 

The Lords Pantry..

This was the name affectionately given to the food, drink and household goods that we give out to those who need them.  People in church and out of church donate products or give money each week and we are really grateful for this giving.  We have some good news stories about how the products have helped people in difficult times in their lives.  Moortown Baptist Church has also been in receipt of funding from the government over the last year, that we have put towards the Lord’s pantry.  This fund has recently finished.  There is a new fund coming out that we are confident we will be able to share in but we haven’t received it yet.  In the meantime, we wondered if you could give something to the lord’s pantry over the next couple of weeks.  A list of helpful items will be given out on Sunday and there is a box in the foyer at church.  Thankyou.

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.  I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. (John 10:27-28)

In Christ

Shelley

Shelley Dring

Minister

Moortown Baptist Church

A memorable experience in a Chinese church. By Phil Coates

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I was privileged to be in China again in mid July, in Beijing and Chengdu, for work reasons – but of course so many of the Chinese have been like family to Jane and myself over many years.  On the Sunday I was in Chengdu, where we have many friends in Sichuan University, I again went to the Enguang church, one of the ‘overground’ churches i.e. approved by the state, accompanied by a young professor from the University who had been helping me with various aspects of my visit.  This was my third visit over several years (on my first visit they had a bible bookstall and I was able to buy a bible for the professor friend who came with me on that occasion, with his warm approval.  

I can follow the service by using WeChat (a powerful extension of WhatsApp, used very extensively in China) to translate Chinese text on the displays in the church.  It was again somewhat like stepping back in time: older hymns – Jane treasured her Chinese hymnal – and a choir, with a piano despite it being a large church (the Chines love singing), including the extensive and enthusiastic gospel preacher taking about an hour (!) as we sat on hard wooden benches.  It still felt good and right to be there, and good for my colleague to be with me.  Across the front of the church my friend explained the symbols spelt out ‘Emmanuel’ – God with us.   At the end of the service, most people began to leave, but then the lady who had led the service began to pray, and others stood, arms open to do so.  I was so moved that the small, elderly lady who was sitting next to me, had knelt on a high kneeling stand, hands open to God, praying silently.  I put my hand on her shoulder to bless her, and then stood to pray with open hands too.  It felt such a privilege to share with Chinese Christians.  That lady had probably seen a lot of Chinese history, living through some very challenging times.  But she was there.  I had a real sense of God’s kingdom being everywhere, not just in Moortown.

I have great respect for the Chinese overground and underground Christians (I do not have any direct contact with the latter) but I know that God is at work in this country, where it is suggested that there are millions of Christians.  Jane had previously attended Shanghai Grace Church where they had simultaneous translation and over a thousand people in the congregation – I also joined her there.  Reports (e.g. by a Sky journalist) have highlighted persecution of Christians in China. I have not witnessed that first hand, but I do know that God is at work there in the hearts of His people.  I really felt Jane’s heart of love for the Chinese on this visit, but also that sense that God has his faithful people, like the lady next to me in Enguang Church, and will build his church. 

May we remember our family around the world in prayer and love, and be open to the call of God in our own lives to be good and faithful servants, followers of Jesus.

As the Willmers walk through ‘Golden Wedding Land’ Haddon reflects on how we are all called to serve one another

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Hilary and I are now walking through Diamond Wedding Land – ‘pilgrims on a journey, and companions on the road’. Mostly, we stroll joyfully, gratefully under a gentle warm sun of love, but the road is rocky, we trip and stumble. A song comes alongside inviting us to sing ourselves into its spirit, its way, its discipline:

Brother, sister let me serve you. 
Let me be as Christ to you; 
pray that I may have the grace to 
let you be my servant too. 

So one promises the other: ‘I will hold the Christ-light for you in the night-time of your fear’.  The ‘I will’ in a wedding sixty years ago is now reiterated:

I will weep when you are weeping; 
when you laugh I’ll laugh with you; 
I will share your joy and sorrow
till we’ve seen this journey through. 

Walking together we ‘learn Christ’, live realistically even in this world where Christ suffered, and, living, walking on the hard earth with Christ, find treasure in heaven:

When we sing to God in heaven 
we shall find such harmony, 
born of all we’ve known together 
of Christ’s love and agony. 

(Note: this does not say we will get adequate compensation for all we suffer in this life, but rather, we share the love God has in living on earth, the Master serving others.)

This ‘brother-sister’ song is not just for siblings, or married couples or close friends. God is Father, so we all are brothers and sisters, whatever our creed or colour. Some see that, some don’t. Some hug God’s grace for themselves (like the old woman in Dostoyevsky’s The Brothers Karamzov who insisted, ‘It’s my onion’  – unsharable). It is better to go with Charles Wesley, believing that ‘the arms of love that compass me would all the world embrace’. What would the world be like if we could sing, with truthful hope, ‘Brother Donald, let me serve you, let me be as Christ to you….’ or ‘Brother Vladimir….’? If only we could pray safely for ‘grace to let them be our servant too’ …. The prayer, Your kingdom come…’ would then be finding some real fulfilment.

Read and sing the whole hymn for yourselves at
https://christianwebresources.co.uk/hymns/hymn/511/. 

‘We are pilgrims on a journey, 
and companions on the road; 
we are here to help each other 
walk the mile and bear the load. 
 
I will hold the Christ-light for you 
in the night-time of your fear; 
I will hold my hand out to you, 
speak the peace you long to hear. 
 
I will weep when you are weeping; 
when you laugh I’ll laugh with you; 
I will share your joy and sorrow
till we’ve seen this journey through. 
 
When we sing to God in heaven 
we shall find such harmony, 
born of all we’ve known together 
of Christ’s love and agony. 
 
Brother, sister let me serve you. 
Let me be as Christ to you; 
pray that I may have the grace to 
let you be my servant too.’

1983 – how many of these young faces do you recognise?

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The year is 1983. That was the year that although they had been fitted into new cars for the past eleven years, the wearing of seatbelts became compulsory in the front of all passenger cars. And TVam was broadcast for the first time. It was also the year in which the one pound coin was introduced in England and Wales. In politics Margaret Thatcher won a landslide victory in the general election with a majority of 144 seats. A new Ford Fiesta is launched, while in the world of pop, at number 68 in the year’s best selling hits was one I’ve never heard of and that’s Siouxsie and The Banshees singing Dear Prudence. 

Anyway, all that’s by the by because while for some these events may seem like yesterday whereas to others they’re ancient history. But if you can find time try and spot some familiar faces, some still here at MBC, others elsewhere. 

Men’s Breakfast – 29th August

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Here at church, between 10am and 12.00 on Saturday August 29th we are hosting a Men’s Breakfast. 

Billed as “Breakfast – Friendship and Inspiration” our Guest Speaker is none other than our own Nathan Dring who’s topic is “Not the plan” a story about the things you don’t choose, and the one thing that held. 

Please do come along, eight or so years ago when we last  lauched such a venture we held it in the Queen’s Arms pub on Harrogate Road and it was great.

Maybe as time goes by we might do the same again. 

Who, what, where and when? A guide to all that’s happening here at MBC in 2026

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If you are viewing this post via the MBC Newsletter we need to point out that it’s possible that at this time of year some of the items listed below may be taking a break.  So as not to disappoint, can we suggest that you take a look at Shelley’s News post that is at the top of this newsletter. 

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

Gravel spreading and roof lining – a somewhat different way to honour God

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There are many ways you can honour God, through prayer, and praise for instance or perhaps by rolling your sleeves up and helping out at one of our many community projects. But last weekend a small band of gravel spreaders came together to do precisely that – to spread gravel across MBC’s carpark and to appreciate the Music Room’s new roof. 

Thanks to Rod, Paul, David and Jonathan for giving up your Saturday morning for what in the great scheme of things may seem a thankless task… but not to  everyone.

Shelley’s news – 24th July

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Dear friends

Here’s what’s coming up…

Saturday 25th July. Rod and volunteers spreading gravel in the carpark, talk to Rod if you can help or turn up at 10 o clock.  They will be there for an hour or so.

Sunday 26th July 11am Service with the focus on ‘Living Word’ with a separate group for younger children to explore the theme creatively together.

Deacons’ meet up and prayer time after the service.

Monday 27th July 10-12 Beacon warm welcome café for all.  (we will be keeping it cool with a warm welcome!) Food pantry available. We will be adding some all age craft activities through the summer for anyone to have a go at.  

Tuesday 28th July Check with Howard D or Lesley to see if bible study is on this week House Group Usually 1.00 – 2.30pm in church. 

Wednesday 29th July No Lunch Club this week.  Back on the 5th August.

Wednesday 29th July Creative Psalm art group at 7.00pm in the church building.  All welcome.  See Krys G for more information. Do come along whether you have been before or whether you have never been.

Thursday 30th July Craft group warm welcome space 2.00 – 4.00pm All welcome to come along and chat or to make something or learn a new skill – speak to Karen for more information.  This week we made it a cool space but with a warm welcome!  Meet in the Sanctuary (large room we meet in on Sundays.                                                                                            

Thursday 30th July Bible Study in the Music Room 7.00pm – 9.00pm Speak to Gareth, John C or Lesley                                                                            

Friday 31st July Parkinson’s Exercise Class in the church building 6.30 – 7.30pm Speak to Phil Commons or Lesley for more information.  This is the last one before September.

Sunday 2nd August at 11am Café church service with breakfast snacks and drinks for all ages.  A Listening Life Part 1.  We start our summer series all about hearing God in words and whispers.  More information to come this week!

Building work…

Thank you for your patience as the roof over the music room was been repaired.  The scaffolding will be going down over the next few days.  There are still a few more jobs to do on the roof so we will keep you posted.  Do ask Shelley, Karen, Geoff, Jonathan or Rod as they make up the ‘building’ sub team, if you have any questions.  The overview was also given in the last church meeting.  

Communion..

We heard last week in the service that we could do with a couple more people to help prepare and give communion in the service.  It’s a wonderful way of serving others and if you think that could be you then can you let Trisha, a deacon or Lesley know and we’ll fill you in on what it looks like on a Sunday.  Thankyou.

Summer activities at MBC so far..

Wednesday 12th August Film Show in the music room with ice-creams.  Please see Rachel B, Lesley or Shelley for more information. 12.30 – 4.30 everyone welcome.. it’s looking likely to be the Cliff Richard film ‘The Young Ones’, youth club members and aspiring singer Nicky and his friends try to save their youth club in the West End from unscrupulous millionaire  property developer Hamilton Black by putting on their own show to raise funds!

Wednesday worship 26th August 1.30-2pm in the music room.  All welcome

Join Blossom for their Self-Defence Free Taster Session for women at Moortown Baptist Church on 27th August from 1:30pm-4:30pm This friendly, session focuses on building confidence, awareness, communication skills, and simple self-defence techniques that anyone can learn. No experience required.  Whether you’re looking to feel more confident in everyday situations or simply want to try something new, Blossom would love to welcome you.  Book your place today at https://blossom-uk.co.uk/courses/ola/services/self-defence-taster-session-moortown-leeds-27th-aug-11

Saturday 29th August Men’s Breakfast in the morning in the church building.  A chance to eat, get to know each other, bring a friend, hear someone share…  More details to come.

Saturday 29th August Art workshop: The art of Prayer 1.30pm to 3.30pm.  Materials provided; no artistic experience needed. Children, please bring an adult.  Book your place with Lesley.  More info from Krys G.

Look at the website..

Moortown Baptist Church – Loving God, living generously, following Christ.  On here you will find a copy of my latest email, events around the area and latest news stories connected to MBC both here and abroad.  Also following us on facebook!

Summer series on Sundays at MBC.. ‘A listening life!’  following our series post Pentecost about Holy Spirit and how the Holy Spirit brings things to life, we’ll be exploring how God wants to speak to us through words and whispers, what this looks like in both the Old and New Testament and how it includes us now.  We’ll be looking at how God speaks and what this tells us about ourselves, our communities and creation.  There will be accompanying children’s groups on the 2nd and 4th Sundays in the holidays as well as all age activities in the service on the 1st and 4th Sundays. More details to come this week.

Around the city…

Christians in business zoom call on Thursday 30th July, 7:30am to 8:30am (1 hour meeting). Andrew Cussons will be sharing how his Christian Faith has helped him navigate the world of business and led him to do his vocation now, which is focused on business training with K90 project. He’ll also be giving some practical tips on how Christians can develop their work in the sphere of business. If you would like the Zoom link for this please email christiansbusinessleeds@gmail.com

Gateway Summer Bible School.  Anyone is welcome to Gateway Church’s Summer Bible School but they will need to sign up on the links below. You can attend individual sessions or the whole thing. The two different themes that will be covered are New Creation: Hope for our Suffering Earth and Exploring Ezekiel.  The Summer Bible School will take place on Wednesdays and Thursdays in the evenings for four consecutive weeks at Gateway at St Mark’s Church, St Mark’s Road, LS2 9AF. The first session being on New Creation Wednesday, 29-Jul-2026 7:45pm – 9:30pm.  New Creation: Hope for our Suffering Earth for which you can sign up here.

Exploring Ezekiel for which you can sign up here.

Pray for Leeds (P4L) / Prayer Lunch Students Focus
Prayer Lunch – Student Focus, Wednesday 16th September, 12:10pm to 1:30pm, venue to be confirmed. The organisation Fusion will be sharing about their student mission bus which will be touring different campuses, including in Leeds, in the New Year. This will give us an opportunity to pray for students at the start of term and for the work of Fusion. Please note; participants of UCCF who oversee the Christian Unions in Leeds and Transformations Leeds will also be invited to share briefly.  

Christians in Politics (Leeds) Meeting. A provisional date has been set for Tuesday 29th September, 7:30pm to 9:30pm. The former Lord Mayor and Councillor for Alwoodley Dan Cohen will be being interviewed regarding how his Jewish faith helps to impact his politics. There will also be people from the Christian community sharing from different political parties. Venue to be confirmed.

Do have a chat with me if you would like to baptised, become a member or both. We be looking at another baptism service after the Summer which is very exciting.

“Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” – Galatians 5:25

Shelley

Shelley Dring

Minister

Moortown Baptist Church

A hot mid-summer gig for Andor and Zsuzsi

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You could be mistaken for thinking these pictures were taken at one of the great British Festivals: Glastonbury, Reading, Leeds et al.

But you’d be wrong, they were taken in Georgeni, a town in eastern Transalvania about thirty miles from where our friends Andor and Zsuzsi Ferko live and work. 

Aparantly this annual Festival doesn’t have a name but many thanks to Rod for forwarding these lovely pictures on to us. 

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