Monthly reflections - Diocese of Leeds

The Year of the Snake begins | Revd Dave Ho Young | February 2025

On Wednesday, January 29 , many Chinese and East Asians in this country and abroad celebrated the Lunar New Year. Here in our diocese, there were a number of celebrations. At the beginning of February, nearly 700 people gathered in Leeds Minster to attend a Lunar New Year Market where the richness of Chinese culture was on display.

Place yourself at the centre of love | Bishop Anna | February 2025

When I was twelve years old a large envelope thudded through the letter box. It was Valentine’s Day, and I was excited and nervous to know who this card was from. There was no clue. Whoever sent it had painstakingly cut letters from newspaper headlines to tell me of their undying love and devotion. A mystery.

Bradford: heaven on earth | Bishop Toby | January 2025

Happy New Year and welcome to Bradford 2025: UK City of Culture - we’ve arrived! First it was the months of pulling together our bid, then that riotously joyful moment in City Park I remember so well when we heard that Bradford had been selected.

A New Year, a new DAWM | Revd Julie Clarkson | January 2025

What’s in a name? Can I really be a priest, a vicar and now a DAWM? The answer of course is yes, and I am not alone. I am one of five DAWMs, otherwise known as a Diocesan Adviser in Women’s Ministry. Our team is headed up by Bishop Anna Eltringham and we were commissioned at Bradford Cathedral in May last year at a service that celebrated the 30th anniversary of women priests. A proud day!

Yule never walk alone | Bishop Nick | December 2024

I have just seen an advert for a red Christmas jumper with the words “Yule Never Walk Alone”. Now, I know this is a bit of a niche interest – basically only Liverpool fans are likely to buy one – but it hits the Christmas spot for me.

Waiting for God | Revd Canon David Gerrard | December 2024

Yesterday I ordered my ‘Real Advent Calendar’ (OK, I ordered 4 of them, but they’re not all for me - honest!). I’m sure many of you are familiar with them - Advent calendars telling the Nativity story and containing delicious Fairtrade chocolate. One of a number of ways in which we mark the progression of Advent.

The ways people come to worship | Revd Marianne Clough | November 2024

What brings someone to Christ, to church and what helps them stay? How would you answer regarding your own journey with Him? I’m fascinated what we communicate to people, in our words and actions, and how it’s received. What motivates people to give God a go?

Parish ministry is based on love and trust | Revd June Cockburn | November 2024

It was with exhilaration and trepidation that I stepped into the role of Vicar of Beeston in January this year. The privilege and responsibility of this sacred calling weighs heavily on me. At times it can be quite overwhelming, however, I am blessed to be ministering in a diocese where diversity and inclusion are very much present; and here in Beeston I have found a reassuring openness and a warm welcome.

Faith in the Park | Derek Twine | October 2024

“The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.” The Yorkshire Dales National Park is akin to Eden: wild animals and livestock, seeds and plant, trees and meadows, hills and streams. Generations before us have worked it: farmers, miners, weavers and more. It is a beautiful God-given landscape blessed with and amazing heritage and wonderful people.

For God so loved the world, and so must we | Bishop Anna | October 2024

Remember those long summer days of June now already fading into a distant memory? In the middle of that month, hundreds of local churches and people joined in with the annual Churches Count on Nature and Love your Burial Ground week, to celebrate and seek to protect the flora, fauna and wildlife found in our churchyards. The results are both sobering and joyous.