Find here reflections written by bishops, members of clergy and laity from across our diocese. Many of these reflections are produced for Leeds Diocesan News, which is released the first Friday of every month.
Monthly reflections
Harvesting anytime | Fiona Schneider | September 2023
Do you ever find the church calendar unhelpful? Or feel stuck in a church season? Ritual and rhythms help our spiritual journey. Anniversaries give opportunities for remembering. But sometimes, I feel a frustration, almost a play acting whilst we wait to celebrate Christmas or Easter morning.
Giving generously | Bishop Arun | September 2023
Later this month we will be embarking on Generosity Week as Stewardship teams across the Church of England remind us of the generosity of God and of our own call to be generous with the gifts He gives to us.
Rooted deeper in God | Revd Joanna Seabourne | August 2023
As I prepare to leave the Diocese to take on a new role as rector of St Giles West Bridgford, I look back with great thanksgiving for the last 17 years and for each of the different roles I’ve held and communities I’ve been a part of. Reflecting specifically on the last five years and my role as Diocesan director of interns I give thanks that the programme is now established and has seen over 64 interns and 16 mission apprentices take part.
Singing in the Rain | Bishop Toby | August 2023
Summer’s here! I know that joyful shout may have been rare in recent wet weeks, but as I write…the sun is shining.
What shall I do with my life? | Revd Canon Derek Walmsley | July 2023
So the annual ordination services have taken place and we have another “batch” of deacons and priests serving in the diocese. Could you be joining them in a few years’ time? What would it take for you to offer yourself to explore ordination?
The passage of time | Bishop Tony | July 2023
I recently came across a book of pictures from my home town of Bedford. It shows many images from 100 years ago in the Edwardian era. One of the pictures shows a family group walking along a street and I reflected on the fact that in their wildest dreams they couldn’t possibly have imagined how that street would look in 2014.
On the shoulders of giants | Bishop Toby | Windrush Day 2023
I’m grateful for the opportunity to speak here this afternoon on this historic occasion when we mark the 75th anniversary of the Empire Windrush docking at Tilbury with that pioneer generation, the giants on whose shoulders we stand.
To fix our eyes on Jesus | Revd Philippa Slingsby-Lunn | June 2023
“Change” is often heard as a negative word for many parishes. Whether it’s because we inherently look for stability in a fragile world, or because our experience of change is often challenging, when that word is uttered it’s almost like a shiver goes through people.
Thank you for the music | Bishop Toby | June 2023
Welcome to June, and we’ve got a busy month ahead of us! Our current deacons will be ordained priest at the end of this month in the Episcopal Areas, and Bishop Nick will ordain this year’s new deacons at Bradford Cathedral on Saturday, July 1.
_1685703887.jpg)
A Christian King serving the good of all | Dean John Dobson | May 2023
Like monarchs before him, back through the centuries to William the Conqueror, King Charles III comes to Westminster Abbey to be crowned. He does so as a twenty-first century Christian King with a clear sense of God’s calling to serve the wellbeing of all within his nations and realms - Christians and people of other faiths, those with no faith and even those not supportive of monarchy.
