There are almost 10,000 Methodist members in the Leeds District, and they belong to 118 local churches, grouped into 10 circuits. The District Chair, the Revd Liz Smith , chairs the District Synod and oversees the life of the District.Leeds Methodist District registered Charity No 1139797 |
 District Prayer Diary
|
Acting Chair Appointed for the Leeds District
A letter has been circulated to all ministers and circuit stewards explaining the arrangements which have been made with the approval of the President of Conference and in accordance with standing orders. The Revd Gareth J. Powell, Deputy Secretary of Conference, says that Mr Creamer has been authorised by the President to fulfil all duties of the Chair of the Leeds District until the meeting of the District Synod on 12th May, at which point the Synod will be invited to appoint him to continue to act as Chair until the meeting of the District Policy Committee on 30th May 2012. The Policy Committee will then be required to reconsider and make an appointment to the role until such time as Liz Smith is able to resume her duties or the Deputy Chair returns from Sabbatical. Methodist in the District will be praying for Liz Smith's speedy recovery, and for Robert Creamer as he takes up her responsibilities, not the least of which is the chairing of the impending District Synod. Methodist Treasures Revealed
During the week a number of places of worship were open to visitors, including the Catholic Cathedral, churches of many denominations, a mosque, a synagogue and a Buddhist centre. Three Methodist churches were open, with special displays, as follows: Lidgett Park Methodist Church: Every weekday from Saturday 28th April to Monday 6th May, 10.00-4.00: flower arrangements and displays on this year's themes of the Olympics and the Queen's Diamond Jubilee. Also for services on Sundays at 10.30 am and 6.30 pm. Roscoe Methodist Church: Saturday 28th April, 6-9 pm: Fashion show with young and old celebrating the Caribbean and African culture of Roscoe in its 150th anniversary year with entertainment and refreshments. Tuesday 1st May & Thursday 3rd May: 11.00-2.00 and 6.00-8.00 pm, and Saturday 5th May 10.00-6.00: The church was open with an exhibition 'I Believe in Chapeltown' - art and poetry from all ages on display plus historical material and photographs. Garforth Methodist Church, Friday 4th May and Saturday 5th May, 10.0 am - 4.00 pm: Display of colourful banners and leaflets about the history and activities of the church. Full details can be found at the Treasures Revealed in Leeds website: http://www.treasuresrevealed.co.uk/discover-explore/leeds/
Nationwide tour of handstitched banners comes to Knaresborough
The banners can be seen at Gracious Street Methodist Church between 10.00am and 4.00pm from Monday 23 April to Saturday 28 April inclusive and the church will also be open from 2.00-4.00pm on Sunday 29 April. Admission is free but there will be opportunity to make a donation towards expenses. The Bridge Coffee Bar will also be open during those hours to serve drinks to visitors. A Northern View of the Health and Social Care BillChurch Leaders in Yorkshire and the Humber have today voiced their concern over the Coalition Government’s Bill to reform the NHS. In an open letter to the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Health, Northern Church Leaders, including our own Chair of District, argue that the Bill’s more market-oriented approach to health care will inevitably leave behind weaker communities and vulnerable people. Senior leaders in the region’s churches point out that health inequality is particularly acute in many of the old industrial cities of the north. In spite of Government assurances to the contrary, they are unconvinced that health inequality will remain a priority in the long term, once the Bill is enacted. The Church Leaders state that they have no confidence in market forces as they are being applied to health care through the Bill. Private enterprise introduces a long term conflict between self-interest and care, and between shareholder expectations and patient needs. They acknowledge that there are difficult, potentially unpopular, decisions to be made over health care now and in the future, but insist that these should be made by political design and intention, rather than by market forces. The open letter is built around the Churches Regional Commission’s recent policy paper, A Northern View of the Health and Social Care Bill, which draws together research on the Bill and expertise from lay Christians in the region who have significant experience in the health care sector. The church leaders conclude by urging the Government to rethink its approach to health care reform.
More Stories
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Visits
|
 |
|
Following on from last year’s successful exhibition of banners based on the Lord’s Prayer, Gracious Street Methodist Church in Knaresborough is mounting another exhibition by the same textile artist at the end of April. A different set off ten high-quality, hand-stitched textile banners created by the Devon-based professional textile artist Jacqui Frost (widow of the late Rev Rob Frost) will be on display in the church and visitors will be welcome. Already widely acclaimed following displays in a variety of English cathedrals and other churches around the country including York Minster, these striking and intensely colourful banners (each one measuring 6ft x 2ft) explore the story of creation as described in the Book of Genesis with the addition of two poems for reflection by singer-songwriter Paul Field.