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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.

Cubs – Brownies – Scouts and Guides. Another look back in time

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It seems like only yesterday that I was dropping our two young childern off for cubs or brownies. Sadly, some might say, at MBC cubs, brownies nor scouts or guides exist. 

Our first venture into what became know as our “uniformed organisations” was in 1956 when a cub pack was formed. This led throughout the sixties, seventies, eighties and nineties to literally hundreds of children and young people spending a couple of hours a week making new friends and being awarded badges by mastering skills such as learning to tie a whole raft of knots, model making  or building camp fires. In addition they went camping, the younger ones in dormatories the older ones in tents. And of course there were monthly Parade Services at which each group would select a flag bearer and two escorts. 

The picture above shows just a few of the many volunteer leaders; some of whom are still around who year after year shared their time and their talents.

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 27th September

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Dear friends

Here’s a reminder about what’s going on…

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 Rachel B will also be sharing about the heart and work behind the charity Faith in Later Life.

Sunday 27th September Rock Solid Youth Group 7-8pm in the church building

Monday 28st September Beacon Café and warm welcome space 10.00 – 12.00 midday with food pantry available.

Tuesday 29th September Stepping Stones for under 5’s and their parents and carers.  10.00 – 11.30am.  All welcome.

Tuesday 29th September Bible study in the music room – 12.30 -2.30 Please check with Howard, Lesley or Shelley if you want more information.

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

Tuesday 29th September Safeguarding leads, Shelley and Rachel B meet for safeguarding update at 8pm in the music room.

Wednesday 30th September Lunch Club 10.00 – 1.30.  Talk to Rachel B, Lesley, Shelley for more information, if you want to join or help.

Wednesday 30th September Bible study in the music room and on zoom at 7.30pm.  Talk to Andy, Ruth or Shelley.  All welcome.

Wednesday 30th September House group in the corner room at 7.30pm.  See Diane S.

Wednesday 30th September Psalms art group takes place at 7pm in the sports hall.  See Krys or Cas for more information or just turn up.

Wednesday 30th September 6.30-7.15pm PACT meeting takes place in the music room.  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.

Thursday 1st October Craft Group and warm welcome space 2.00 – 4.00pm ask for more information if you have questions or see Karen.

Thursday 1st October Bible Study in the music room 7.00 – 9.00pm Talk to Gareth, John C, Lesley or Shelley

Friday 2nd October Bible study in music room 10.00 – 11.30am Talk to Shelley for more information

Friday 2nd October Friday night house group in Adel.  See Jonathan, Hilary, Steve or Helen, or asl Shelley or Lesley for more information.

Friday 2nd October Parkinson’s Exercise Class in the sports hall 6.30 – 7.30pm.  See Phil or ask Lesley or Shelley.

Our All Age Harvest Festival takes place at café church on 4th October at 11am.  ‘Why Psalms?’ Part 3. Psalms, harvest and creation 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.  Lesley sent out a specific email this week about ideas of things to bring, do check your inbox.  Thankyou.

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.

Sunday 11th October Psalms part 3: psalms and imagination

Sunday 18th October Psalms Part 4: what is it about psalm 23?

A big thank you to all those who shared, prayed and listened to what people had to say about the work of the church over the last year at our annual general meeting and church meeting on Tuesday night.  A huge amount of work goes into the annual reports and helps us to take a moment together to recognise what has been happening and to pray about the future.  We heard a specific mission update about what is happening both in and out of the building including mission abroad as well as on our own doorstep at Beacon and in our local community.   

“I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.”

Shelley

Shelley Dring

Minister

Moortown Baptist Church

MBC says a fond farewell to Bela and Chris

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Bela and Chris Singh, who first came to Moortown Baptist Church in 1993 left us at the weekend to begin a new life in Rugby. 

With two grown-up children, one living in the Midlands, the other in London and with three grandchildren this seemed, says Bela the ideal time to move nearer to our family. 

That, however, doesn’t mean that Chris is giving up his job with WEC (Radio Worldwide) where he is a trainer. In fact, he’s already committed to three overseas trips in the first part of 2027; one to South Africa, one to the Netherlands and one to Ireland. 

When asked if he had any thoughts on retirement Chris was swift to point out that although he had already reached retirement age, with WEC “it wasn’t simply a matter of leaving on a certain date, you left when God told you it was the right time”. 

We wish Chris and Bela every blessing for their move to Rugby, and we made clear to them that they would be welcomed back to Moortown any time they liked. 

MBC Choir trips… 1959 and 1973

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Nowadays MBC’s Worship Band can consist of as many as seven musicians; singers, a key board player, guitarists, bass players, clarinets, flutes, an occasional trumpeter and of course drums. However, back in the day it was a very different story.

That’s because whilst in the fifties, sixties and seventies all the above named instruments were in common use, at Moortown they were rarely seen or heard.

Instead, our choir was accompanied by an organ, whether that be the massive pipe organ that between 1969 and 1993 completely covered our back wall or by one of the smaller, electronic models that proceeded and succeeded it. 

Having said that, certainly throughout the first thirty or so years of its life, the choir’s talents weren’t reserved exclusivelely for our Sunday services. Indeed not, throughout the whole of that time MBC’s choristers also performed in numerous concerts and shows.  

One highlight, however, that needs special mention is something that took them all away from Moortown, and that was the annual choir trip. And above you can see two pictures, the top one taken in 1973 at the Blue John Mines in Castleton, the bottom at High Force way back in 1959 which show just how popular these family outings were. 

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

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. 

 

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