Lunch with school pupils and meeting workers at a Leeds Area foodbank formed parts of Revd Canon Arun Arora’s first day in the diocese, following the announcement of his role as Bishop of Kirkstall
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It began with guests including Susan Baker, High Sheriff of West Yorkshire (pictured with Bishop Toby), honorary bishops, clergy and diocesan staff at Holy Trinity, Boar Lane for the 10am announcement.
Bishop Nick welcomed Arun, who told of his faith journey and how he relished the prospect of city ministry and engaging with everyone in all the Leeds civic, faith and social communities.
After a tour of his new office at Church House with Paul Ayers, Archdeacon of Leeds, it was off to Leeds Minster to meet Rector-designate Paul Maybury, who takes on that role in December.
Arun will be consecrated at York Minster in July and is expected to begin work in Leeds in September.
Fish and chips were on the menu at Bishop Young Academy, Seacroft, where Head Teacher Rachael Cole and Paul Cooper, Executive Principal of Abbey Multi-Academy Trust, introduced four leading pupils who told of their positive learning experiences at a school they clearly love.
In an economically-challenged area, the academy provides a calm, caring and disciplined environment and its commitment to Christian ethics was shown by the impromptu arrival of pupils from its Bible study group – keen to meet their bishop-to-be.
People desperate for help queue for hours at the Friday food bank run by All Hallows, Headingley, and Revd Heston Groenewald was chatting to some of those sitting on chairs outside when Arun arrived for a visit.
Some one hundred people begin patiently waiting for access to its donated provisions from 9.30am.
As with many foodbanks in our diocese, they are not simply given a food parcel, but instead have the dignity of choice in selecting what they require, which takes time and the support of volunteer helpers.
Heston explained the project and its history to Arun, who then talked with the members of the All Hallows team about their work and praised them for their enduring commitment in a time of increasing social hardship.
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