21st June 2009

Tributes to Peter Howdle on his Retirement

(Photo: Peter Howdle & Martyn Atkins. Click to enlarge)

Former Vice-President of Conference, Peter Howdle, retired as Professor of Clinical Medicine in the University of Leeds and as a consultant physician at the end of April this year.  He had been a consultant at St James’s University Hospital in Leeds since 1987 and, apart from a year spent as a Visiting Research Fellow at Harvard University, had actually worked there since he was a junior doctor – a total of 37 years. 

The University gave a dinner to mark his retirement, attended by senior academic and NHS staff together with previous colleagues and also friends from the Methodist Church, including the Vice-President of Conference, Mr David Walton, and the General Secretary, the Revd Dr Martyn Atkins.  Peter’s colleague Professor Sir Alex Markham (also a Methodist) was the principal speaker. Martyn Atkins paid tribute to Peter’s contribution to the life of the Methodist Church and David Walton read a letter of greetings from the President, the Revd Stephen Poxon. 

Professor Howdle said, “It was a very moving occasion, to realise how so many of my colleagues recognised that my professional life and practice have been underpinned by my Christian faith”. 

Dr Atkins said, “The whole evening made clear how Peter is rightly loved and respected by his colleagues, by his patients, and by the Methodist Church.   He blends together work and faith so attractively and effectively, and is a wonderful witness to Christ.”

13th June 2009

LWPT Walk in Knaresborough

About 20 Friends of the Leaders of Worship & Preachers Trust (LWPT), with National Advocate, Phillip Nuttall, as guest, met at the Park Grove Methodist Church, Knaresborough, on 23rd May for a fun day out. Superintendent Minister Jackie Betts gave a talk on rural ministry in five churches in the Knaresborough Circuit, then led a prayer walk in the Scriven area.

Click on the picture to enlarge it

Click here for full report

Click here for report on Local Preacher Sunday

Other Stories:

LWPT Walk
Ministries Affirmed

New LP in Wakefield
Network Summer Festival
Ninety and Nine in Ropewalk

Leeds Methodist Choir New Season

Paul & Sarah Wright, mission-partners in Nepal

Click here for their June 2009 newsletter

Create Project

PowerPoint presentations, handouts and other documents in connection with the Create Project are now available for downloading.

Click here

Riding Lights Theatre Company are looking for actors to join them on their 2010 tour.

Click here for details

13th June 2009

Ministries Affirmed

The Leeds North East Circuit looks forward to two significant events at this year's Methodist Conference—the ordination of the Revd John McNeill, the probationer minster at the Roundhay and Thorner Methodist churches, and the installation of Dr Richard Vautrey as Vice-President of Conference.

At a circuit service on 7th June John gave his testimony of his call to the ministry, and the circuit had opportunity to affirm its support for John and Richard.

Photo: The Revd Dr Jane Craske (Superintendent), the Revd Gilbert Hall (visiting preaching from Cumbria, who had been John's minister in Scotland), Dr Richard Vautrey and the Revd John McNeill.

Click on the picture to enlarge it

9th June 2009

New LP In Wakefield

Sandra Lloyd was admitted as a Local Preacher at a Circuit Service at West Wakefield Methodist Church in the Wakefield Circuit.

Pictured with Sandra are David Curtism the Circuit Local Preachers’ Secretary, and Revd Terry Keen, the Superintendent Minister.

Click on the picture to enlarge it

7th June 2009

Leeds District Network Summer Festival

The Summer Festival this year was held on Tuesday 2nd June at Horbury Methodist Church. The service was led by the outgoing President, Mrs Vera Sudworth, and the new President, Mrs Anne Cooper. The preacher was Mrs Judith Simms of Sheffield, who is the Connexional Network President. The service included the induction of Mrs Anne Cooper as the District President and Mrs Mollie Jefferson as the Vice-President. Over 150 women and men attended. Afternoon tea was served after the service by the Horbury ladies.

The photo shows from left to right: Mrs Judith Simms (Connexional President), Mrs Anne Cooper (new District President), Mrs Vera Sudworth (outgoing President) and Mrs Mollie Jefferson (new Vice-President). Click on it to enlarge it

4th June 2009

Ninety and Nine in Ropewalk

On Monday 1st June a party was given by the Bright Hour to celebrate the birthday of the oldest member of Ropewalk Methodist Church in the Pontefract and Normanton Circuit. Mrs Mary Harris is 99 years young and enjoyed the party, together with members of her family and friends from church.

31st May 2009

Leeds Methodist Choir New Season

This year is the bicentenary of the death of Joseph Haydn, and the Leeds Methodist Choir will mark it with a performance of his great oratorio, 'The Creation', at Leeds Town Hall on Saturday 19th September. Rehearsals are at Oxford Place on Tuesday evenings. New members of the choir will be welcome. For more details, see the choir's website http://www.lmch.org.uk/