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Shelley’s news for week commencing Sunday 31 May

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Dear friends

We continue to explore Pentecost tomorrow and at café church on the 7th June.  We’ll be considering some of the things Peter says in Acts and see what we can learn through his experiences with the help of the Holy Spirit!

There will be no Rock Solid youth groups tomorrow night but it will be on again on the 7th June.  Looking forward to seeing you all there.

Thanks to all those who came to activities last week including housegroups, the paint your own psalms, PACT meeting and craft group.  If you would like a reminder about what happens in the building, you can pick up a leaflet in the foyer.  Or, do email Lesley at admin@moortownbaptistchurch.org,uk if you want to go on the email list, check out the website www.moortownbaptistchurch.org,uk or follow us on facebook.  This week we have shared some artwork created by children, youth and adults at the Create your own psalms art group based on the theme of ‘living water’.  This group meets the last Wednesday of the month at 7pm, all welcome.

Thankyou for joining together last week to pray for Katt who was baptised and for all those who helped in making it such a great morning together. Do keep praying for her and if you would like to be baptised or become a member, get in touch with myself or Lesley.  We are looking at doing an alpha course soon, a couple of you have said you’d like to help if timings work which is great. 

Here’s whats coming up in the week!

Monday 1st June 10-12 Beacon warm welcome café for all. Food pantry available

Tuesday 2nd June 10.00 – 11.30am Stepping Stones for under-fives and their parents and carers.

Tuesday 2nd June bible study 1.00 – 2.30pm in church. See Howard D or Lesley for more information.

Tuesday 2nd June Mission group.  Starting just after 2.30/2.45pm in the meeting room.  See Phil Coates or ask Lesley for more information.

Wednesday 3rd June Lunch Club for those booked on and the volunteer team. Talk to Rachel B for more information or if you would like a place or want to help.

Wednesday 3rd June Bible Study in the Music Room at 7.30pm.  Speak to Andy or Ruth or Shelley or contact Lesley for more information.

Wednesday 3rd June house group with Diane S.  Talk to Diane S for more information.

Thursday 4th June Craft group warm welcome space 2.00 – 4.00pm All welcome to come along and chat, volunteer or make something or learn a new skill – speak to Karen for more information.

Thursday 4th June Bible Study in the Music Room 7.00pm – 9.00pm Speak to Gareth, John C or Lesley

Friday 5th June Bible Study in the Music room – 10.00 – 11.00am speak to Shelley or contact Lesley for more information.

Friday 5th June Parkinson’s Exercise Class in the church building 6.30 – 7.30pm Speak to Phil Commons or Lesley for more information

Sunday 7th June11am Café church with refreshments, breakfast pastries and drinks.

Rock-Solid youth group is back this week. Talk to Martyn, Ruth, Val, Nathan 7-8pm in the ebuilding

Monday 8th June we’ll be joining in with The Big Lunch. Find out more information here The Big Lunch 2026 | Eden Project Communities.  12pm-1pm after Beacon Café, inviting people of all faiths and none to share lunch and get to know each other a bit more.  Lunch is free, if you want to book a place, contact Lesley.  If you are working that day but can nip out for lunch in the middle of the day then do come along, you don’t need to have been at Beacon.  Do pray too that God will help build relationships and an openness to each other.

Deacons and Shelley meet 9th June at 7.30pm in the church building

Stepping Stones take a break the week of the 9th as some of the leaders are away that day.  They are back on the 16th June.

Remember the Gardening Day on the 20th June, all welcome (children need to be supervised by an adult)

MBC’s garden is taking shape, but there’s still more to do – Moortown Baptist Church

Baptist Missionary Society are putting on a zoom webinar on the 10th June on Mission and Community.  Want to see your church and your local community thrive and flourish alongside one another? This webinar will give you a taste of some of the tools being used by Christians across the globe to generate real change that starts within church families and ripples outwards.  Click on the link below to find out more… 

Microsoft Virtual Events Powered by Teams

The next whole church meeting will be after the service on July 5th.  All welcome.

The Alwoodley Parish Council got in touch with us to let us know that they will be hosting an outdoor community event on Alwoodley Village Green (where we held our Easter outdoor worship) on 21st June 2026 1pm-5pm.  The Manhattan Sound Big Band who will be playing from 2:30 – 4:30. They said…”Bring a picnic, bring your family and friends, meet new people, enjoy the live band and discover the amazing community groups that help make Alwoodley a great place to live.  This year we are also celebrating Leeds 400 which marks the moment that Leeds became a city so this is a way to get involved and find out more about our city and Alwoodley.  There is an opportunity to showcase what you do in the community, maybe by having a stall.  If you have an idea you would like to run with or sound out then do get in touch.  I realise there isn’t a lot of time but you never know…otherwise, just turn up.  If anyone knows they are definitely going we can let others know too.

“The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off…” (Acts 2:39)

In Christ

Shelley

Shelley Dring

Minister

Moortown Baptist Church

MRS G (the Moortown Romania Support Group) report on how over the last year they, on MBC’s behalf, have helped our friends in Romania

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We have recently sent our annual financial support to the churches we are linked with in Romania.  This now goes to four churches; Manastur Baptist Church in Cluj, the gypsy church at Floresti in Cluj, the Hungarian Reformed Church in Udvarhely where Zsuzsi and Andor Ferko are pastors, and the Hungarian Reformed church in Cserefalva where Noemi Soos was pastor.  Shortly before the time when we needed to send the money to Romania our bank balance reached the level for us to be able to send the same amount as last year.

We have sent £1,800 to Manastur Church £600 each to be used for people in need, young people’s work and student sponsorships.  We sent £600 to the church in Floresti which is an outreach to the very poor gypsy community and £350 to support the work of Florin and Dana Fodor, who visited us 4 years ago, with Campus Crusade.  We sent £800 each to the churches in Udvarhely and Cserefalva which will be used mainly for young people’s work. This totals £4,350.

In addition we sent £1,000 in the autumn and a further £1,000 recently which was earmarked giving for the needs of the Ukrainian refugees who are still attending Manastur Church in Cluj.  This brings the total amount sent from the church to help the refugees to £19,500. 

Pastor Daniel Lacatos at Manastur Baptist Church in Cluj wrote

We are pleased to let you know that the funds have been received into our account today, and we are deeply grateful for your continued and generous support. We sincerely appreciate the love, care, and financial help you have been offering us. Because of this support, we are able to continue God’s work in many areas and help more people in need. It means a great deal to us and is a real encouragement in everything we do. Thank you once again for your trust and partnership. We wish you good health, peace, and a blessed summer with your loved ones. With gratitude and respect, On behalf of Mănăștur Baptist Church, Cluj-Napoca, Romania

Florin Fodor Elder at Manastur Baptist Church and working for Campus Crusade wrote:

Greetings from Cluj! We thank you so much for your church’s generosity towards our congregation. Your kindness and willingness to stand with us mean more than words can express. May God bless all of you abundantly for your faithfulness and love for us, over the years. We thank God for you. We will use the money as you instructed. With sincere gratitude,

Andor Ferko (who together with his wife Zsuzsi visited us after Easter) wrote from the Hungarian Reformed Church in Udvarhely:

Thank you very much – the transferred amount has arrived. Last week we already spoke with the young people about organising a camp together again this year, and we would like to use this amount to help cover the costs. I will keep you informed of the good use we were able to make of it.  We would also like to sincerely thank the Romanian committee for not forgetting about us year after year, for sharing your blessings with us, and for supporting the mission work here.  May the Lord bless you.    

Előd Marton the new pastor in Cserefalva wrote:

Greetings from Cserefalva Church. God bless you! Thank you very much for your kindness, that you have us, our congregation in your plans and in your soul. Last year we use you financial support at summer children camp and at spiritual days. We organise spiritual days for adults two times in a year, in the spring and in autumn. Last year in December we celebrate our church building existence of 240 years. I mentioned at the last elder assembly about your support plan for this year. The elder groups receive grateful the good news. Thank you very much that your support already arrived. We pray for you, we appreciate very much your support, not only the financial but also the spiritual support. Let us remain in prayer and love above the the borders, above the distance.

Greetings, best wishes.  Előd & family

Thanks to everyone who has given to this work over the last year or supported the fund raising events we have organised.

The big picture at the top of this post shows Ukranian refugees who are now living in Romania. The images in the gallery are (left to right) Cserefalva, the Gypsy Church in Floresti, Pastor Daniel from Manastur Baptist Church, Cluj and the Hungarian Reform Church in Udvarhely where Zsuzsi and Andor work. 

Painting in two very different styles

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Over the last few days, as temperatures soared to record levels a few of us took to recording this somewhat freak phenomenon in a couple of very different ways.

The first, as part of our garden makeover agenda was to begin sprucing up the benches in MBC’s garden. Nothing too demanding, just a quick rub down followed by a couple of coats of fence paint, and hey presto this one looks as good as new.

The second was slightly more cultured and it took place last Wednesday evening when those who attended our mid-week art session turned their minds to cooling down by pondering the subject of ‘living water.’ 

I hope you’ll agree that which ever genre you prefer they both accomplished precisely what they set out to achieve. 

MBC celebrates a Pentecost baptism

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What better time to celebrate a baptism than at Pentecost. And that’s precisely what we did here at MBC last Sunday, Pentecost Sunday when Katt came into membership. 

The festival of Pentecost originates from the Greek word meaning fiftieth and it took place fifty days after Passover. It comes from the Old Testament Feast of Weeks, also known as the Feast of Harvest which in the Old Testament was a day of thanksgiving on which people offered the first fruits of the harvest to God, thanking Him for the wind, rain, grain and provision He had given.

It’s fitting, then, that with Jerusalem packed with people, through driving winds, tongues of fire and the gift of speaking in foreign languages God would choose this precise moment to usher in the Holy Spirit, to enter an upper room and change the exclusivity of Old Testament belief to something new, to something not given to just a few but to all who believe in Jesus Christ.

And it was this belief, that Jesus Christ is her personal saviour that Katt shared with us through the simple act of baptism. 

Welcome Katt, it’s great to have you with us. 

Leeds and Moortown Furniture Store – Summer Open Day, Saturday June 6th

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The Leeds and Moortown Furniture Store are holding their Summer Open Day on Saturday the 6th of June between 9am and 12 noon. 

We’re assured there will be lots of bargains on offer, both pre loved and new. But even if you don’t buy do call in as this will be a wonderful opportunity for you to meet the Store’s manager Rachel, and her team and find out for yourself exactly how this wonderful and very much home grown charity operates. 

 

MBC’s garden is taking shape, but there’s still more to do

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I don’t know if you have noticed, but the area around our paved garden has undergone a quite major renovation. As you can see from the picture above weeds have been dug out, bushes have been trimmed and new plants planted.

However, that doesn’t mean that we no longer need your help which means that the garden makeover day planned for Saturday June 20th between 10am and 1pm is still on.

If you can come along that would be great, and if you could bring your own tools that would be even better as to be honest our selection of spades, forks and hoes etc is quite limited. 

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 

Following Jesus and serving the community

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 weekly worship is Sunday School. Here a small group of young children learn all about Jesus and the love of God.

Rounding off Sunday we have Rock Solid. Meeting between 7 & 8pm and majoring around having fun, 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.

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

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. Our hybrid Housegroup. With half the group meeting at church and the other half online.

Wednesday…  7.30pm – 9.30ish. Ladies Housegroup in the comfort of someone’s home.

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, in church.

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

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

In addition to all this we also host or provide a Pastoral Team, which without overstepping the mark provides confidential support to anyone who needs it, we host a Parkinson’s Exercise Class, two Extend Exercise Classes (ideal for our older friends), Pilates, Pathways, a Christian Counselling team, Leeds and Moortown Furniture Store, PACT (Neighbourhood Policing Teams) and local councillor surgeries. In addition, and particularly at certain times of the year we host special Services such as those associated with Easter, Nativities, Christingles, Baptisms, Mission weekends etc. etc.

For more information about Moortown Baptist Church please email

 admin@moortownbaptistchurch.org.uk

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

www.moortownbaptistchurch.org.uk

Shelley’s news for week commencing Sunday 24th May

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Dear friends

Tomorrow, we look forward to celebrating Pentecost Sunday together, the day we remember the Holy Spirit coming in power to Jesus’ gathered followers.  The sound of the wind and the sight of flames were a sign of the Holy Spirit, God’s presence with them always.  This promise was not only for them but for us today and all those who feel on the fringes..

“The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off…” (Acts 2:39)

We’ll also be celebrating a baptism too, so do come along and be part of this special service.  We start at 11am and there will be cake and drinks after the service.

A reminder that there will be no Rock Solid youth groups tomorrow night. 

Tomorrow is also Global Day of Prayer and there will be a service at Leeds Minister for the city at 6pm – 8pm focusing on prayer for the nations and celebrating our international diversity in Leeds.  This year commemorates 400 years since Leeds first received its royal charter and city status. 400 years on, Leeds is a culturally rich and diverse city. Global Day of Prayer has been invited specially to mark this significant year at the historic Leeds Minster to pray for the many nationalities represented in the city and also different nations and people groups around the world. The Lord Mayor of Leeds and the Anglican Bishop of Kirkstall Arun Arora will be joining for this gathering.  The evening promises to be an exciting multi-generational mix of music, song and prayer which reflects the city’s diversity.  There will be refreshments afterwards.. info here by clicking this link…

Global Day of Prayer 2026 Tickets, Sunday, May 24  •  6 PM – 8 PM | Eventbrite

Next week is bank holiday and half term so some of our groups are taking a break.  Beacon warm welcome café, Stepping Stones and lunch club pause next week but they are back the week after.  Most of the housegroups are on next week but check with the leaders or Shelley if in doubt.  On Wednesday 27th May we also have..

‘Create your own psalm’ art group ( last Wednesday of the month) meet in the meeting area at 7pm.  All welcome even if you haven’t been before, materials provided, come and have a go in a relaxing space.  Be guided with ideas and then have freedom to explore.  No experience needed. Speak to Krys or Cas and…

the next PACT (policing and communities together) meeting will be on Wednesday 27th May too at Moortown at 6.30pm until 7.30pm before the Wednesday house group meet in the music room.  If you live locally or are interested in the local community do consider coming along.  For more information talk to Adam, Lesley or Shelley.

Monday 8th June we’ll be joining in with The Big Lunch. Find out more information here The Big Lunch 2026 | Eden Project Communities.  12pm-1pm after Beacon Café, inviting people of all faiths and none to share lunch and get to know each other a bit more.  Lunch is free, if you want to book a place, contact Lesley.

Remember the Gardening Day on the 20th June, all welcome (children need to be supervised by an adult)

MBC’s garden is taking shape, but there’s still more to do – Moortown Baptist Church

…and the mission group meet on the 9th June at 2.30 in the meeting room.  Speak to Phil Coates, Lesley or Shelley for more information.

Over the last few weeks there have been a number of new stories on the website including information on new art work going up in the meeting area…

Welcome to River City. How one man’s talent not only encapsulates everyday life but serves as a template for our ministry – Moortown Baptist Church

Baptist Missionary Society are putting on a zoom webinar on the 10th June on Mission and Community.  Want to see your church and your local community thrive and flourish alongside one another? This webinar will give you a taste of some of the tools being used by Christians across the globe to generate real change that starts within church families and ripples outwards.  Click on the link below to find out more… 

Microsoft Virtual Events Powered by Teams

The next whole church meeting will be after the service on July 5th.  All welcome.

In Christ

Shelley

Shelley Dring

Minister

Moortown Baptist Church

An invitation to create your own psalm

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At 7pm on Wednesday the 27th of May we are hosting another ‘Create your own psalm’ art group.

Don’t be put off by the fact that you may think that when it comes to sketching or painting Picasso or perhaps Rembrandt were a tad better than you… each to his or her own. 

On the contrary, our art group isn’t seeking to discover hitherto hidden genious, it’s more a relaxing space that no matter what your ability provides the freedom to express and explore.

All materials are supplied, all you need to do is turn up.

If you are interested please speak with Krys or Cas.

Welcome to River City. How one man’s talent not only encapsulates everyday life but serves as a template for our ministry

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River City isn’t real, in fact it’s a figment of one person’s imagination. However, what you see in the six pictures that make up River City is far more real than make believe. 

That’s because in it you’ll find: a road, a river, a circus, a cathedral, a railway station, a wedding reception, Hell’s Angels and a castle. You’ll find people, young and old going about their daily business, traffic moving freely along uncongested roads and a train. In other words some, if not all the stuff  that make up real city, town or village life.  

River City first made its appearance here at MBC in November 2024, when in support of Parkinson’s UK Trisha Bainbridge mounted an exhibition and sale of more than 200 of the paintings her late husband Ralph had produced. *There’s a link back to the original website post HERE. 

In each and every one Ralph’s talent was obvious. Whether it be still life, abstract, landscape or portraiture with a paint brush in his hand he had been a genius. 

One of our members, Haddon Willmer, was so taken by River City, how it not only serves as a memorial to a talented artist but, displayed well, how it could be a focal point for MBC’s ongoing ministry that soon after the event he dashed off the following message to Shelley. 

Six Bainbridge paintings of people in street and by river
 
Installed in Church
Thanksgiving and memorial of the artist
Developing the ministry of the paintings
 
Look and enjoy. Imagine and tell stories of people, what they are doing  – do this individually and in groups. Encourage children to look and talk, and spark Lunch Club into more reminiscence. Appreciating the town, houses and business, church and football club, river and buses and bridge. In groups, write stories, poems, prayers relating the town on the church wall to our life in the city, and to the city of God…. Talk about what the pictures lead us to think and imagine, to lament and be thankful for….
 
Now, I’m delighted to say River City hangs in MBC’s Meeting Area. Six seperate yet interconnected images that flow seemlessly from either left to right or right to left that together embrace life in its fullness. 
 
Many thanks to Tricia and to Haddon for donating the work, having the foresight to realise its potential and for allowing me to write this piece.
 
I’ll close by setting you a challenge. Besides the list of things I’ve mentioned above Ralph has also included in the pictures some quite detailed elements. See how many of them you can spot.
 
Among them are… scouts camping in a field, a boat race (Hilford v Riverbridge), an escaped lion, Morris dancers in the Station Arms car park, Rivertown Utd’s stadium where the home team are beating the visitors 3 – 0, elephants, angry speakers, Romeo and Juliette on a balcony and so much more. 
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