News items for public viewing
You could be mistaken for thinking these pictures were taken at one 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.
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.
It’s really self explanatory, The Art of Prayer is a session designed to combine art and prayer.
To book your place you’ll need to contact Lesley, our Administrator, on admin@moortownbaptistchurch.org.uk
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
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
Dear friends
Greetings to you all on this warm day. Coming up this weekend we have a service at 11am on Sunday with a group for our younger friends to explore the theme together. This week we look at ‘Living Way’. What roads has Jesus opened up to us and how does the Holy Spirit continue to help us on that journey? In the afternoon, 3-5pm, we have the cream tea with any donations going to our friends in Romania to support the work they do there. Here are some recent letters about their work from the website…
A heartfelt thank you from Florin and Dana Fodor in Cluj, Romania – Moortown Baptist Church
In the evening there is a slightly earlier start time of 6.30pm for both Rock Solid Youth groups as they have a creative evening exploring the psalms through colour and pen, no previous experience necessary. They will finish at the usual time of 8pm.
Building work…
It’s very exciting to see that the building work has started on the music room with new lintels, and the scaffolding is up to sort out the roof over the music room and some of the offices. See pictures on the website and facebook. More information about building repairs and improvements were shared at the church meeting last week. The company who are dealing with the roof are very busy over the Summer but they have managed to squeeze us in! If you missed this and want to know more, ask one of the building project group, Jonathan, Geoff, Karen, Rod or Shelley. Thanks to those involved in different ways. We are hugely grateful for your continued financial giving that enables us to be able to do projects like this.
We are not anticipating any groups to be cancelled or postponed.
Inside the building…
More painting work is going on in the corridors and sports hall and preparation in the corner room for a fresh new look. Thankyou! The corner room is now used for a bible study, a quiet space for babies, toddlers and their carers on Tuesdays and for hire as a safe space for Leeds City Council to host their family group work. As you may be aware, the number of council buildings has decreased over the last few years so it’s good to be able to use this room to support vulnerable families in a positive, safe space.
Around the city…
This weekend sees the launch of many Leeds 400 events across the city. We’ll be joining in by including it in our Sunday service, Beacon café and lunch club next week. On the 13th July 2026, Leeds commemorates 400 years since becoming a city able to make decisions on how it is governed, as it received its first Royal Charter from King Charles I. Part of the name Leeds came from the Latin word meaning ‘people of the fast-flowing river’ as it developed around the River Aire. Today we pray for this city and for those who have made Leeds their home. “Seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile…” Jeremiah 29:7
We’ll be featured in the Yorkshire Baptist Association prayer diary the week of the 12th July. Have a look here Prayer & Spiritual Reflections — Yorkshire Baptist Association We have sent some prayer points and thanksgiving prayers. There are many more things we could say but we had to give just a couple. It means that all the churches in the Yorkshire Baptist association and the regional ministers will be praying for us and asking God for His guidance for us over the next week.
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
Coming up…
Monday 13th July 10-12 Beacon warm welcome café for all. (we will be keeping it cool with a warm welcome!) Food pantry available
Tuesday 14th July 10.00 – 11.30am Stepping Stones for under-fives and their parents and carers. Last session before a break in the holidays.
Tuesday 14th July House Group 1.00 – 2.30pm in church. See Howard D or Lesley for more information.
Tuesday 14th July 7.30pm Deacons get together and Shelley.
Wednesday 15th July Lunch Club for those booked on and the volunteer team. Talk to Rachel B for more information.
Wednesday 15th July House Group social. Speak to Andy or Ruth or Shelley/Lesley for more information.
Wednesday 15th July House Group meets, see Diane S for more information.
Thursday 16th 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 16th July Bible Study in the Music Room 7.00pm – 9.00pm Speak to Gareth, John C or Lesley
Friday 17th July Bible Study in the Music room – 10.00 – 11.00am speak to Shelley for more information.
Friday 17th July Parkinson’s Exercise Class in the church building 6.30 – 7.30pm Speak to Phil Commons or Lesley for more information.
Sunday 19th July at 11am ‘Living Bread’ a service with communion for all.
Sunday 19th July 7.00-8pm Rock Solid Youth meet. There will then be a couple of weeks off.
Sunday 26th July at 11am ‘Living Word’ a service for all with a small group for our younger friends.
“Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” – Galatians 5:25
Shelley
Shelley Dring
Minister
Moortown Baptist Church
Just a reminder that whilst the scaffolding or the warning cones are in place down the side of the Music Room you’ll need to take extra care as work goes on to repair the roof and fit new lintels above its windows.
Thanks to Rod for this reminder.
The two black and white pictures in our gallery above show that many years ago MBC’s kitchen had a much more “old fashioned” look about it. Not that those who worked in it didn’t always turn out some amazing meals, in fact almost two decades ago and in addition to our weekly commitment to providing a hot meal for Lunch Club, we ran a number of lovely in-house dinners and an Alpha courses which saw 32 people sit down to a delicious pork caserole, stuffed baked potato and fresh veg (the alternative for those who prefered was vegitarian sausage) and a choice of dessert.
However, as time goes by things need replacing, and this includes cookers and fridges; things we probably all take for granted.
The colour pictures, however, show the kitchen as it is now, resplendent with a multi functional delonghi oven and a cavernous state of the art fridge. As Shelley said at our last Church Meeting the rules and regulations we needed to sign up to in order to buy and fit such devices took an age. But now they’re here they, and our wonderful cooks who use them can ensure that MBC can continue to provide hospitality to young and old alike.
Dear friends and ministry supporters,
I hope this email finds you well and experiencing God’s grace in your week. As we look back at what has been happening through our Teachers Ministry recently, we are so incredibly grateful for your partnership, your prayers, and your heart for this mission.
Because of your faithful support and prayers, we saw a multiplication of our ministry in Romania (new volunteers, new communities, new events, new people reached with the message of hope in Christ.
Thank you very much. You are a vital part of this story, and we wanted to share firsthand the impact you are making.
Florin and Dana (Cluj, Romania).
