Please join us at the Leeds Methodist District Day with Rev. David Gamble and Dr. Richard Vautrey President and Vice President of the Methodist Church of Great Britain  West Wakefield Methodist Church Saturday 13th February from10.00am – 3.30pm ‘Welcoming Church!’ The President and Vice President will each give a keynote address and engage in conversation about the challenges of being a truly welcoming Christian presence to all in our communities. Please bring a packed lunch. Drinks will be provided.

5th February 2010

Leeds Circuits to be Reorganised — But How?

The District Policy Committee (DPC) has the responsibility to oversee the creation of new Circuits within and across Districts under Standing Orders (501[3]). In the Leeds District, the DPC is advised by the District Leadership Team on this issue, as on other strategic matters concerning the life of the District. In both the north and south of the District, proposals for creating new Circuits are developing, but within the centre of the District the picture is more mixed, and no clear and comprehensive way forward is yet emerging. Consequently, the District Leadership Team has been facilitating, through the District Development Enabler, a wider process of conversation and engagement with ‘A Way Forward for Mission’ across the area of the city of Leeds and its more immediate environs.

Two meetings have been held, on 16th July and 16th November. However, as yet no overall plan for this crucial area of the District is beginning to emerge through this process of more informal encouragement, and so the District Leadership Team has decided that it needs to take a slightly more pro-active approach to developments, by providing something of a catalyst to enable real and purposeful discussions to take place about alternative models. The aim is to move beyond helpful conversations, in order to see real progress towards creating new, relevant and sustainable Circuits in this central part of the Leeds District.

The District Leadership Team has therefore agreed that this Consultation paper should be prepared, for consideration by local churches and Circuits in the Leeds City Council area. Responses to the Consultation Paper are requested, by 31 March 2010.

Click here for the Consultation Paper and response proforma

6th February 2010

Reshaping the Mission of Methodism

Professor Peter Howdle, a local preacher and circuit steward in the Leeds North East Circuit, and a former Vice-President of Conference, is one of the contributors to a new book on some of the most creative initiatives in mission in Methodism today. Peter's chapter is on the Anglican-Methodist Covenant.

Click here for more details of the book.

Revd Marlene Wilkinson, Mission Partner, Coming Home

Marlene left Tonga on December 26th for a holiday in New Zealand, where she visited friends and also had a three-day‘tourist break to places she had not previously been to.

On January 9th she flew to the USA to friends in the Mid West to break up the long journey to England. When she arrived there the temperatures were down to -10C, so the cold weather here did not come as much of a shock. She flew back to England on 15th January to be with her sister, then went on to London for sessions with Interhealth, World Church Office.

On 1st February she went on two weeks retreat to Devon, and her Link visits will start in March in Oxford and Cambridge, continue in April in Scotland, and May sees her start her visits to the Leeds District. She will preach at Christ Church, Halton, on Sunday May 9th, the church building anniversary. Marlene was minister at Halton when the building was opened on 9th May 1993, so it is a wonderful coincidence that she will be visiting on that date.

If anyone wishes to write to her, please address letters to 22 Hazel Close, Preston, PR1 0YE. She will of course still be available on her email address marlenewilkinson2003@yahoo.com

More Stories

Circuit Reorganisation Consultation
Reshaping the Mission of Methodism
Mission Partner Comes Home
Leeds Methodist Honoured
Towards an Inclusive Church

Christchurch Ilkley

has a vacancy for a Part-Time Administrator

Click here for details

SING SANKEY
at SANDAL METHODIST CHURCH
This popular annual event in 
aid of Wakefield Hospice will take place on Friday 26 February 
commencing at 7.30 pm. Tickets £5 from 01924 256485, or on admission. 
This will be our 20th Sing Sankey and this year the Hospice celebrates 
its 20th anniversary.

Sat 13th March at 7pm

The Amici Singers present a concert of sacred and secular music,from anthems and spirituals to folk songs at Meanwood Methodist Church in aid of Methodist World Mission Fund.

Tickets £5 available on the door or from Christine Andrews on 0113 2268260

Paul Wheater Country Gospel: Woodlands MC Harrogate
Friday 23rd April 7.30pm

Known as “Yorkshire’s answer to Jim Reeves” Paul’s relaxed style of singing has resulted is packed theatres all over Britain, including the world famous London Palladium.

Thousands love his country music, but Paul says, “Singing in order to spread the Gospel message is the greatest privilege I can imagine”.
Contact Ernest 01423-889560

Click here for details

Mission Shaped Ministry

A year long, part-time course for
lay and ordained who are interested in developing new areas of outreach that engage with those outside the reach of traditional church.

Hosted jointly by the Leeds Methodist District and Ripon & Leeds Diocese on 4 Saturdays, 5 Tuesday evenings and
1 weekend during 2010 starting Sat. 23rd Jan.

At St Philip’s Church, Main Street, Scholes, LS15 4DN.

The cost is £250, grants towards this are available from the District. 

Further information and a booking form can be downloaded from http://www.leedsmethodist.org.uk/temp/MSM.pdf  or contact: Revd. Bev Hollings: beverly.hollings@virgin.net ,
01924 826130.  Booking is essential.