News items for public viewing
Unless we actually attend, it’s not very often that we get to see exactly what our Thursday afternoon crafters get up to.
Well here, and many thanks to Karen Ross for forwarding these images on to us are three beautiful braclets that have been made right here at MBC.
If you have a gift for crafting (of any description) or maybe you just fancy trying your hand at producing something a bit different then speak with Karen or simply turn up at MBC any Thursday at 2pm.
Dear Friends
I was reminded of this verse on the Caring for life website.
“Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)
Words of Jesus to encourage us that with Him we shine as we do good things. The glow can highlight a way forward in all sorts of different ways. At Caring for life, the support is practical, emotional and spiritual. Having just left the Caring for Life supporters’ day at Crag House Farm I can see some of this first hand in the people I meet and the buildings and goods made. Every year at Moortown Baptist Church we send money and food at Harvest time to support the projects at the farm and I know many of you give other types of support throughout the year as well as enjoying the food in the café or buying things for the garden. If you haven’t heard about the work they do then have a look here at their new introduction video www.caringforlife.co.uk
Another way of shining light is through the Arts. In August there will be the first opportunity to see the musical ‘It is well with my Soul’ in Yorkshire. It’s a dynamic story of celebration, tragedy and hope behind the well-known hymn. The musical was written by a friend of Nathan and I’s, and I spent 4 days choreographing movement last year for its London tour. The nearest show to Leeds is Knaresborough on the 29th August. Do get booked in. If you would like to go but can’t get there let us know. Equally if you can give lifts can you let us know too It is Well with My Soul – Knaresborough at The Frazer Theatre event tickets from TicketSource
On 21st July we will be holding a strawberry tea 3-5pm with money raised going to our link churches in Romania. There will be an opportunity to hear about these links next week in the service on the 14th July. We are looking at following the tea with some games on the field with youth and anyone else who wants to join. If you can help with the tea, either with bringing scones or helping on the day, can you let Karen Ross or Howard Dews know or email/call Lesley in the office on Monday or let me know? Please note that Lesley is on leave from next Tuesday and will return on Wednesday 17th July.
Thanks to those who are helping to do the chairs between services/activities. We don’t have anyone to do this role yet but if you are around on Sunday after church, Monday after Beacon, Wednesday after Lunch Club or Thursday at some point, these are the times we reset the church. Please talk to Karen if you can help with one of these times.
We continue to look at stories Jesus told in Luke on Sundays and Haddon is leading two sessions (both sessions will be the same content) next week about why Luke told the stories he did. The first sessions will be on Monday 8th July at 12.30-2.30 in the music room. Feel free to bring your own lunch and eat at midday together before it starts. The session will be repeated on Tuesday 9th July 7.30-9.30pm in the music room.
A reminder that on Monday 15th July 1-3pm we’ll be hosting a ‘Wise up to Ageism’ course led by a team from Leeds Older People’s Forum. If you would like to attend, please email, or call Lesley or Rachel Beedle. If there are spaces left, we will open the course up to those working locally in our community.
This week we saw a new government elected. Some of you may be interested to read Lyn Green’s thoughts. She is the General Secretary of Baptists Together. See link below. In Lyn’s thoughts she thanks Baptist churches for being involved in building positive relationships in communities. Moortown Baptist Church was a polling station on 4th July and it was a great opportunity for those who were in the building to be open and friendly to those exercising their vote and volunteering on the day. We had several people come and ask questions about church and a thanks to those, including people in craft group, for answering their questions and inviting them to our services and activities. We also take turns to host the Alwoodley Community Forum (Rachel and I attend), the PACT meetings for Moortown as well as other events. Last week I joined the Leeds Inter Faith forum to meet and pray for the new Lord Mayor, Abigail Marshall Katung. I know some of you have other roles in our communities. Do let me know if there is a way we can support you.
Post-Election Mailing to Churches (campaign-archive.com)
Also coming up…
Sunday 7th July All age Café church at 11-12 with refreshments and breakfast bits Luke 14:1-14… hospitality
Sunday 7th July 7-8pm Rock Solid for youth in church
Monday 8th July 10-12 midday Beacon warm welcome café (talk and discussion on Luke in afternoon, see above)
Tuesday 9th July 10-11.30am Stepping Stones for under 5’s and their parents and carers (last one before the summer break)
Tuesday 9th July house group in the music room. See Rod Russell
Wednesday 10th July Lunch Club for those booked in and the volunteers. See Rachel for more information
Wednesday 10th July house group in church 7.30pm -9pm in the music room. See Ruth and Andy Berry
Thursday 11th July Warm welcome craft group 2-4pm
Thursday 11th July Study on evangelism with Gareth Gadd 7-9pm
Friday 12th July Bible study in church at 10-11am. See Shelley for more information.
Friday 12th July House group at 8pm in Adel. See Hilary and Jonathan Darling or Steve or Helen Olijnyk
Sunday 14th July 11-12 service in church with activities in a group for our younger friends (Luke 12:13-21)
Wednesday 17th July Wednesday worship at 1.30pm – 2pm in the music room
Tuesday 10th September 7.30pm Whole church meeting
In Christ
See you tomorrow
Shelley
Shelley Dring
Minister
On Monday the 8th of July between 12.30pm and 2.30 Haddon Willmer will be talking about and then leading a discussion based on the book of Luke.
As we are hearing on Sundays, Luke, in both his Gospel and in the Acts of the Apostles told stories of early Christian faith and life. His stories were targeted invitations and searching provocations to turn from darkness to light.
Join us at MBC for a couple of hours to explore how and why Luke told the story and stories as he did.
Bring your lunch.
This session will be repeated on Tuesday 9th July 7.30pm to 9.30pm for those who would like to come on an evening. Feel free to pass this on to those you think are interested.
Monday 15th July at 1pm in the MBC Music Room ‘Wise up to Ageism’.
The course will be led by a team from Leeds Older People’s Forum and will help us to keep developing as an Age Friendly Church.
There are 20 places and if you would like to attend, please email, or call Lesley Murphy to pass your details on to Rachel Beedle or of course directly to Rachel.
If there are spaces left, we will open the course up to the those working locally in our community. .
Dear Friends
Here’s a quick recap on what going on so far…over the next few weeks!
Sunday 30th June 11-12 Service together in church with a group for our younger friends on a gardening theme.. Luke 13 v 6-9..more stories of Jesus…
After the service there is a get together for the Sunday morning prayer team. Feel free to bring your lunch as you chat.
Sunday 30th June 7-8pm Rock Solid for youth
Monday 1st July 10-12 midday Beacon warm welcome café
Tuesday 2nd July 10-11.30am Stepping Stones for under 5’s and their parents and carers
Tuesday 2nd July housegroup in the music room. See Rod Russell
Wednesday 3rd July Lunch club for those booked in and the volunteers. See Rachel for more information
Wednesday 3rd July house group in church 7.30pm -9pm in the music room. See Ruth and Andy Berry
Thursday 4th July Warm welcome craft group 2-4pm – The music room is being used as a polling station so craft group will happen in a different room but its still going ahead!
Thursday 4th July No group study on evangelism with Gareth Gadd 7-9pm
Friday 5th July Bible study in church at 10-11am. See Shelley for more information.
Friday 5th July House group at 8pm in Adel. See Hilary and Jonathan Darling or Steve or Helen Olijnyk
Sunday 7th July All age Café church at 11-12 with refreshments and breakfast bits Luke 14:1-14… hospitality…
Sunday 7th July 7-8pm Rock Solid for youth in church
Monday 8th July 10-12 midday Beacon warm welcome café
Monday 8th July 12.30-2.30 Talk and discussion led by Haddon. Luke, in his Gospel and the Acts of the Apostles told stories of early Christian faith and life. His stories were targeted invitations and searching provocations to turn from darkness to light. Take a couple of hours to explore how and why Luke told the story and stories as he did. Bring your lunch.
This session will be repeated on Tuesday 9th July 7.30pm to 9.30pm for those who would like to come on an evening. Feel free to pass this on to those you think are interested.
Monday 15th July from 1-3pm in the Music Room ‘Wise up to Ageism’. The course will be led by a team from Leeds Older People’s Forum and will help us to keep developing as an Age Friendly Church. There are 20 places and if you would like to attend, please email, or call Lesley to pass onto Rachel or directly to Rachel. If there are spaces left, we will open the course up to the those working locally in our community.
Please keep an eye on the website or social media on Facebook for what’s happened or what is coming up..
www.moortownbaptistchurch.org.uk
Wednesday 17th July Wednesday worship at 1.30pm – 2pm in the music room
Sunday 21st July 11-12 service with communion and 3-5pm Strawberry tea at church in support of our links in Romania.
Tuesday 10th September 7.30pm Whole church meeting
A few thank-yous
Thank-you to everyone who has been helping with the chairs and set up for church. We will need to do this again tomorrow, but we’ll make sure this is done sensitively and not straight away as the service finishes. Anyone who is able is welcome to help.
Thank you for praying for the deacons and myself for the Away Day in Harewood on Wednesday. Although the time went quickly, we were able to spend time praying for the church and each other, hearing from God and we will share some of this in the next few weeks. We were also blessed with an anonymous donation that was given for our lunch.
Finally, I attended the funeral of a close friend of my family’s yesterday. I was reminded again how every act of love is never wasted and how we all have a role to play in encouraging younger or less experienced generations whether in families, groups, or larger communities. To keep showing up no matter what is incredibly powerful. The friend we remembered on Friday was always up for trying something and getting involved, a playful pragmatic approach that never got stuck on how things should be or look. When I came up with ideas about different ways to worship or reach out to our communities we prayed and worked out a plan to make it happen. It didn’t always go as we expected, but we learnt loads, God moved.
“One generation commends your works to another;
they tell of your mighty acts.” (Psalm 145:4)
Shelley
Shelley Dring
Minister
In Leeds, there is a General Election Prayer Lunch on Thursday 27th June, 12.10-1.30pm hosted by Prayer for Leeds and Leeds Minster. It takes place in Leeds Minster , 2-6 Kirkgate, Leeds, LS2 7DJ
You are encouraged to let them know if you will be coming for catering purposes by email clicking prayforleeds@gmail.com
On Monday 1st July 7.30pm-9.30pm there is a General Election Gathering designed for anyone who wants to hear from Christians who have been involved in the election campaign and how their Christian faith has led them to support the political party they are part of. There will be an opportunity to put questions to the panel.
The current panel is:
Cllr Andrew Scopes from the Labour Party
Cllr Penny Stables from the Green Party
Tim Ward – Member of the Liberal Democrats
Linda Richards – Conservative Party
There will be someone present from the Right Leaning Christians group in attendance.
It will be hosted by Leeds Citizens.
Sign Up here: Please advertise in your church if you can:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/christians-in-politics-leeds-general-election-event-tickets-924231680837?aff=oddtdtcreator
The Joint Public Issues Team (JPIT) is a partnership between the Baptist Union of Great Britain, the Methodist Church and the United Reformed Church. The purpose of JPIT is to help Churches to work together for peace and justice through listening, learning, praying, speaking and acting on public policy issues. They have a briefing covering the six issues that frame JPIT’s work, this resource explains why we as Christians should give serious consideration to these issues and explores how the issues are relevant at this time in the UK. Please click link below:
Microsoft Word – 202405 Election issues briefing designed 2 (jpit.uk)
You may also want to have a look at the following links….
Thinking faithfully about politics – Evangelical Alliance (eauk.org)
NEW: General Election Briefing – JustMoney Movement
Visit the Store’s website at www.leedsandmoortown.org.uk
At our March Church Meeting Chris Hutt, the General Manager of the Leeds and Moortown Furniture Store, and Gareth Davies who like myself is one of its trustees said that anyone who wished to join us would be joining a team that over the next few weeks and months would begin to oversee some of the most exciting changes to have taken place in the charity’s 38 year history.
As a result of that appeal three MBC members stepped forward – two volunteered to be trustees and a third, a former trustee, who is coming back to us as a consultant/advisor. So not only do we really appreciate this response, but in terms of commitment to a long tradition of helping people in need it actually takes on extra meaning when I say that at that March meeting everyone in the room voted to hold on to the 50% share that MBC currently holds in the charity’s trading company: LMFS Trading Ltd.
And that’s one of the main reasons why we aren’t simply sitting back and congratulating ourselves on recruiting some new trustees, but continuing to invite applications from literally anyone who thinks they, in any way shape or form, might be able to come on board and help steer the Leeds and Moortown Furniture Store into the future.
As I’ve just said, of the three who have already expressed an interest two are soon to be added to the Charity Commissions register and the third will be called upon as and when his advice is needed; three more people who together with Chris and Gareth will set the agenda and monitor its progress. Between them there is a wealth of experience, but you know they don’t know, and they can’t be expected to do everything, that’s why if you have any experience at all in areas such as fundraising, in the property rental sector or although we have a fully qualified accountant who looks after our books even in finance these are just a few of the gaps that we need to fill.
So that’s it. Gareth, Chris and I are all around to answer any questions you may have, or if you’d like us to contact you just leave your details with Lesley our Administrator and I promise we’ll get straight back to you.
Thank you
John Sherbourn
Dear Friends
We meet again tomorrow at 11am as we continue the theme of Jesus’ storytelling in the book of Luke. There will be a group for our younger friends too as we look at Luke 11:1-13. We’ll be continuing with the stories of Jesus in Luke until the Summer. For those who would like to know a bit more about the background of Luke, Haddon is leading a session on Monday 8th July at 12.30-2.30 in the music room. Feel free to bring your own lunch and eat it at 12 midday together before it starts. The session will be repeated on Tuesday 9th July 7.30-9.30pm in the music room. More details to come.
It was good to see so many of you at the church meeting joining in with prayer and sung worship, discussion and decision making. There were some healthy discussions on aspects of the constitution and we encourage you to carry on and look at those areas for next time. Do feed anything back in between times via Lesley or direct to myself or the deacons. We also heard updates from myself and Rachel Beedle. Rachel mentioned a course taking place at Moortown Baptist Church called “Wise up to Ageism”. It will take place on Monday 15th July from 1-3pm in the Music Room. The course will be led by a team from Leeds Older People’s Forum and will help us to keep developing as an Age Friendly Church. There are 20 places and if you would like to attend, please email, or call Lesley to pass onto Rachel or directly to Rachel. If there are spaces left, we will open the course up to the those working locally in our community. We also thanked Edward for his work in the church with setting up of the rooms through the week including Sunday mornings. We thank him for his hard work, flexibility, and good nature often behind the scenes. As he finishes his role this week we will need some help in the next couple of weeks before we are able to appoint someone in the role. You may find that after services or some of the groups we may ask for some of those who are able to help a bit with chairs.
On the website this week, there was a post about the elections and guidance for Christians. It included get togethers in the city centre, one based on prayer and the other hearing from Christians in different parties and how their faith is connected to what they do. The link is here.. General Election -Thursday 4th July – Moortown Baptist Church
The week ahead..
Sunday 23rd June 7-8pm Rock Solid for youth
Monday 24th June 10-12 midday Beacon warm welcome café
Tuesday 25th June 10-11.30pm. Stepping Stones for under 5’s and their parents and carers
Tuesday 25th June Afternoon housegroup in the music room. See Rod Russell
Wednesday 26th June Lunch club for those booked in and the volunteers. See Rachel for more information
Wednesday 26th June Deacons and Shelley Away Day
No Wednesday night house group in church this week, the next one is the 3rd July
Thursday 27th June Warm welcome craft group 2-4pm
Thursday 27th June Group study on evangelism with Gareth Gadd 7-9pm
Friday 28th June Bible study in church at 10-11am. See Shelley for more information.
Friday 28th June House group at 8pm in Adel. See Hilary and Jonathan Darling or Steve or Helen Olijnyk
Sunday 30th June Service in church at 11-12midday with group for children meeting during the service.
Sunday 30th June 12.30pm Sunday prayer team get together. See Krys Gadd for details. Bring some lunch after church to eat together.
Sunday 30th June 7-8pm Rock Solid for youth in church
A few more dates for the diary…
Sunday 7th July café church all together with refreshments and breakfast bits
Wednesday 17th July Wednesday worship at 1.30pm – 2pm in the music room
Sunday 21st July 11-12 service with communion and 3-5pm Strawberry tea at church in support of our connected churches and relationships in Romania.
Tuesday 10th September 7.30pm Whole church meeting
For those whom I see and for those whom I don’t see much, maybe because of ill health or other struggles, I pray 1 Thess 2 and 3. Let’s keep watching over each other in love.
“We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers. We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labour prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Amen
Shelley
Shelley Dring
Minister
Last Sunday morning, with the outside air temperature hovering around the 12 to 13 C mark, and a wind blowing that totally redefined my understanding of a light to moderate breeze it was an absolute joy to be in the warm, inside Moortown Baptist Church, to join in the celebrations of not just one, not just two but of three baptisms.
The service was led by MBC’s minister Shelley Dring, however, for the actual baptisms Shelley was joined in the water by her husband Nathan. Shelley’s theme throughout was built around two of the lost and found stories that Jesus tells and that we find in Luke’s gospel. With songs, prayers and of course readings all chosen to underline this theme it was wonderful to hear the three candidates – Diane Argyle, Candice Ng and Mike Shahid each share something of their journey to faith and ultimately to their baptism.
Followed by coffee and cake it was a wonderful morning of celebration and praise. That’s why we ask that God will continue to bless Diane, Candice and Mike as they start out on this, the next step in their journey with Jesus. But likewise we also ask God’s continued blessing on all those of us who either in the room itself or tuning in on Youtube watched them make this bold declaration of faith.
We had such a lovely time on Good Friday walking up to the Swastika Stone that I have decided to organise another walk. This time it will be close to Midsummer’s Day, on Saturday the 22nd of June. Please see further details below the picture:
Meeting Point 1 (for those who are ok with the incline to start with): White Wells Car Park, Ilkley If there are no spaces, then you can park in Darwin Gardens or on Wells Road itself. Time of Meeting: 2pm. Length of walk: 1.5 hours in total (maximum)
Meeting Point 2 (for those wishing to cut out the first incline) – park part way up the Keighley Road. Click here for Meeting Point 2 location
Time of Meeting: 2:15pm (approximately, as you should wait for the first part of the group to meet you there). Length of walk: 1 hour in total
For those wishing to extend the walk beyond the Swastika stone, you can carry on the moor along Millennium way, click here for location.
If you are able to join us, but would like a lift please let Lesley know from where you would like a lift and how many of you. For those who can offer a lift to others please let Lesley know how much room you will have in your car.
The view at the top (near the Swastika stone) is amazing. You can see out to the Dales on a clear day. When we get there, I would love it if we could pause, pray and read out a scripture. Anyone who would like to say a prayer, or share a scripture please let Krys know through Lesley Murphy. You can walk further along the top after that or simply come back down the way we came.
I would suggest bringing a drink and a snack as well as suitable outerwear as it can be a little windy at the top!
