Young adults from across our region are embarking on an exciting learning journey as they start on our Diocesan Internship Scheme. 
The scheme brings together young people serving in churches across the diocese to stretch and challenge them in discipleship, to grow their gifts and skills and to help them discover more of what God is calling them to.
The new interns are spread over a large area, with interns based at churches in Leeds, Bradford, Huddersfield and Halifax including St Augustine’s Wrangthorn, St Matt’s Burley, Fountains Church Bradford and more.
The interns meet on Mondays at St George’s Leeds for a day of worship, reflection and learning, covering topics including discipleship, encountering God in scripture, spiritual disciplines, leadership, preaching and pastoral care.
Revd Joanna Seabourne, Diocesan Director of Interns, said of the scheme: “We gather together on a Monday, we reflect on what God’s doing in our different placements, we receive teaching from different people and enjoy discovering more of what God has got for each of the young adults, which is a delight to be part of.”
The scheme is mostly financed by Strategic Development Funding (SDF) to the Leeds Episcopal area, while the interns serving in Bradford are funded by a Bradford Area SDF bid.
Individual churches are also involved supporting their interns financially, giving them access to the learning scheme as well as supporting their living costs for the year.
The Intern scheme ties into the wider Diocesan Strategy’s fourth goal of building leadership pathways, which is about having the right mechanisms in place to help support lay people to grow as leaders inside and outside the church. 
Click here to see a video about the scheme.