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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. 

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. 

Rock Solid try their hand at writing their own psalms

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A couple of weeks ago Rock Solid, our Sunday evening youth group had a go at following in the footsteps of the psalmists.

Whether or not their words of wisdom will be around as long as the originals is something that time alone will tell.

But how good is it to see them taking on such an excercise. Well done to you all. 

All our yesterdays. MBC’s first diaconate 1956

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Digging back even further into our archive I’ve come across this picture of our first Minister, Rev F W Bond with what I believe to be our first diaconate. It was taken in 1956. 

The first to give me a full left to right (your answer please to mbcnewspics@gmail.com) will either have asked someone else or will have the satisfaction of knowing they have a wonderful memory. 

A date for your diary

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While we’re sweltering in what we’re told is the third heatwave of the year, October 31st may seem a long way off. But unlike some churches who leave things to the very last minute we thought we’d give you plenty of notice about Krys Gadd’s 2026 Craft Fair. 

For more information you can contact Krys direct on krystyna.gadd@icloud.com 

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