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the Diocese of Ripon and LeedsNews from TogetherTogether

Inside this month’s Together:p II £40k grantp III Rural challengep IV Lent prayer diaryp V Agents for Changep VI St Wilfrid lecturesp VIII New MU president

Caring for the children of asylum seekersBishop John part of Parliamentary Inquiry visit to Children’s Society project in Leeds

Vicar takes on Archdeacon role

Nicholas steps in

www.riponleeds.anglican.org

february 2013

Bishop John Packer and Sarah Teather MP were in Bramley, Leeds, last month as part of a Parliamentary Inquiry into asylum support and its effect on children’s welfare. The inquiry, which is being sup-ported by the Children’s Soci-ety, is being led by a group of cross-party MPs and peers and aims to explore how children are supported under the Home Office system for asylum.

Members visited the Children So-ciety’s LEAP (Listening, Empow-erment, Advocacy and Participation) programme in Bramley with Programme Manager Judith Shalkowski (pictured left), who heads up the project helping refugee and asylum-seeking families get the help they are entitled to. Bishop John said, “We have been hearing stories of

the delays in the system and the difficulties people are having. It is uplifting to hear how welcoming and helpful the people of Leeds have been to asylum seekers. We have heard how much children of asylum seekers rely upon voluntary agencies, and in par-ticular the churches.” Several Leeds churches are currently

supporting projects to help asylum seekers including St George’s Leeds, St Edmund’s Roundhay, Pafras at St Aidan’s and the Manuel Bravo project at Christ Church Upper Armley.

(Continued on Page 2)

From February 1st, Revd Nicholas Henshall, Vicar of Christ Church Harrogate, will be the Acting Archdeacon of Richmond. A permanent suc-cessor to Ven Janet Henderson as Archdeacon of Richmond, who is to be the next Dean of Llandaff, will only be ap-pointed following a decision on the Dioceses Commission proposals.

Nicholas, 50, has been in Harrogate since 2008, moving from Derby where he was Canon Precentor of Derby Ca-thedral, and will remain vicar of Christ Church, whilst in the temporary role.

In a letter to parishes, Bishop John said it would be (Continued on Page 2)

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told Together, "Everyone at St Wilfrid’s is overjoyed and perhaps just a little bit stunned at the wonderfully gener-

ous grant from the National Churches Trust. The extent of the work to our much loved church has taken us all a little bit by surprise and this

News......News.....News.....News.....News.....News

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Asylum New acting Archdeacon

Delight at grant for arts and crafts church A Leeds church has received an unexpected present of £40,000 following an award from a national charity for essential repairs. St Wilfrid’s Church in Halton, Leeds, a Grade 2 listed build-ing, is to receive a £40,000 National Churches Trust Cor-nerstone grant to help fund essential repairs.

Designed by Arthur Randall Wells using concrete vaulting, and built between 1937 and 1939, the church is currently on the English Heritage ‘At Risk’ register. Revd Darren Moore, Priest in Charge of St Wilfrid's

money will make such a huge difference in getting that work completed so that the building can once again be used for the

community."

Claire Walker, Chief Executive of the National Churches Trust said: “The National Churches Trust is delighted to be providing funding to St Wilfrid Church in Halton, Leeds. A £40,000 National Churches Trust Cornerstone Grant will help to fund essential

repairs to this nationally sig-nificant 20th century church which deserves to be restored to its original splendour as soon as possible.”

(Continued from Page 1) inappropriate at this stage to make a new appointment. “When, and if, a new diocese is created, the Ven. Paul Slater will become the Archdeacon of Richmond and Craven since much of his present Arch-deaconry will be incorporated in that area.”

Meanwhile, Nicholas (pic-tured) will be responsible

(Continued from Page 1)Ms Teather, the Liberal Demo-crat MP for Brent Central, who is leading the inquiry said, “We have heard some harrowing stories today from families living in Leeds and what they have been through. Many simply cannot return home.” Families, she added, have fled terrifying situations in countries such as Ghana and are now living in Leeds, with support from the LEAP programme. Asylum support has fallen below intended lev-els and in some cases is 50 per cent lower than mainstream benefits.

for essential aspects of the archdeacon’s duties, meeting

with senior staff, the DAC, appoint-ments, ministerial development meet-ings and working with parishes and Area Deans. “As a relative new-comer,” he told Together, “I know Harrogate and Ripon Deaneries fairly well, but I

know Wensley and Richmond more as a hillwalker, so I do want to make time actually to meet with clergy and other church leaders on their ‘turf’.”

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Bishop’s rural church challenge

New Racial Justice Officer

The Bishop of Knaresborough says that small rural churches have a vital role to play in their communities and can set an example of imaginative think-ing, participation and community impact that should challenge many larger suburban and urban churches.

Bishop James, who takes a lead role in the Church of England on rural issues, was giv-ing the annual Advent Lecture at Ripon Cathedral. Rural churches he said, often felt small and vulnerable but he argued that small could be more effective: "Small is

beautiful, not least because worship can work on a more intimate, more engaging level."

Rural churches, he argued, have unique opportunities to encourage community participation by responding

to the needs of the local area. But he warned "...we must be well-informed about the issues that are affecting farmers and

agriculture if we are to show that worship is real and not sentimentality." He spoke of the need for churches to have a clear sense of their identify, to ask the question "What is the local church known for?". He told the Cathe-dral congregation, "The church is on show in rural communities where it is often hidden in the city or

the suburb, and so can show what it is about to the whole community." Read the full lecture at www.riponleeds.anglican.org/news-512.html

Pictured (right) is the Revd Amos Kasibante, Priest in Charge of St Stephen and St Agnes, Burman-tofts and St Cyprian Harehills who has been licensed as the new Diocesan Racial Justice Officer. Amos, (pictured with his wife Sonia), was licensed at St. Stephens church by Bishop John Packer and welcomed by fellow clergy and members of the community including representatives of the police and Leeds City Council.

In his licensing sermon Bishop John said, “We look to you,

with the Racial Justice task group... to challenge the struc-tures of our church.”

Leeds City Councillor for Bur-mantofts and Richmond Hill,

Cllr Asghar Khan spoke at the service and said he was delighted by the appointment of someone who was already build-ing bridges across the community. Commu-nity Police Officer, PCO Mark Reedman also came forward during the service to welcome Amos to his new role.

Amos said his past experiences had helped prepare him for the task - and he looked forward to working with the Racial Justice group.

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New joint Lent prayer diary

Bishop John writesAgents for Change

The Leeds Lent Prayer Diary, now in its fifth year, features more than fifty ecumenical projects and mission initia-tives across the city with more than twenty new initiatives in this year’s collection of testimonies, prayer requests and general information.

Leeds Churches Together in Mission have produced three thousand free copies of the diary and hope that congrega-tions will take advantage of the offer. Sue Hoey of Leeds Churches Together said, “The diary gives readers the op-portunity to work their way through Lent praying for a different project each day.”

Copies are available to bulk order for congregations and groups and are provided free of charge, via prayerdiary@leedschurchestogether.org.uk ,or www.leedschurchesto-gether.org.uk

The Agents for Change pro-ject, of which more opposite, springs from the Lay Confer-ence of October 2011 when we reflected on vision and encouragement of positive change, with a memorable contribution from our Dioc-esan Secretary, Sue Proctor, on ‘It doesn’t have to hurt’!We explored together the ways our lives, our faith and our churches had changed in our experience, and rec-ognised ways in which we needed help to continue to grow. The free DVD coming to every church community is one result. Do use it!

Change can often seem threatening. We value what we know and are often reluctant to slip outside it. Yet we know that if our faith and our churches are to grow they need to change. Some-times that will be in terms of our public worship. There are exciting developments of fresh expressions throughout the diocese. When Archbishop Sentamu visited us recently he experienced and commended ‘Fun-Key’ at Richmond and ‘Gather’ at Meanwood for example. We have new church communities such as Kairos in Harrogate and Riverside in Leeds. These open up worship to different people alongside our valuing of that which has

sustained us over the years in our own faith and mission.

Sometimes the changes will be in the way we respond to the community we seek to serve in God’s name. That welcoming of change needs two further elements. One is being prepared to take risks! I remember a well-intentioned after-school worship group which collapsed because of bus times. The DVD gives ex-amples of risk taking includ-ing some which didn’t work.

Second, and most crucially, we never face change alone. God is unchanging, in his love and the strengthening of the Holy Spirit. That is why change is possible and indeed welcome as we grow in Christ and spread his love. Use the DVD and, more crucially, think and pray through how you can so embrace change that others may come to know Jesus in their lives too.

+John

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Agents for Change

A new double DVD resource for churches is soon to be distributed to every parish in the diocese. Agents for Change explores issues around how individuals and churches deal with change with topics includ-ing facing change, the process of managing change, leading change and opposition to change. The ma-terial has been researched and written by a team of seven lay people and can be downloaded and used by small groups in church.

The group material is supported by a video of peo-ple talking about change – the changes they have faced and how they have met that change. The team travelled the diocese, filming from Richmond in the north to Allerton Bywater in the south; from a catho-lic traditional parish to another with more evangeli-cal roots; from change associated with liturgy and services to change of vicar and the expansion of the number of parishes in a benefice. Some twenty-one parishes or groups were interviewed for the project.

Liz Williams, Director of Lay Development, said “These video clips will be there to help illustrate some of the written material – helping us all to put change and the issues around change, into ‘real-life’ situations that can then speak to us all.”

Free to every parish, Agents for Change has been paid for from the Inglefield Fund and the Diocesan Lay Development budget. It will be distributed by

post to every parish in the diocese, and the pack will include an ‘Introduction and how to use’ leaflet suggesting

how groups might begin to use this material. The units are presented so that groups can either work through the material themselves alone, or can ask for help with the delivery.

The first disc contains nine units which can be used on a ‘pick and mix’ basis. Liz Williams told Together, “It is up to groups to identify which unit or units might best help them in their con-text.” Each unit has input and practical exercises based on the material presented, Bible studies, and links to a second DVD which contains clips of people from across the diocese talking about their experiences of change.

In DVD 2, there are stories of changes faced and met by churches and individuals. People speak of their understand-ing of what the change meant to them, with opens and honesty about the feelings and reactions to change – some describing anger, resentment, hurt, or jealousy. However, says Liz, “no one we interviewed felt the clock should go back, nor that change had not achieved a great deal.”

The DVD also contains talks with powerpoint presentations by Diocesan Secretary Sue Proctor and Bishop John. And a drama group convey, in a short and humorous sketch, how PCCs shouldn’t approach change.

Talking with children about faith: Hand in Hand events

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News... News... News... News... News... News...Who is my neighbour? - Wilfrid lectures

Refuel - new venue, new plans

Two free afternoons are tak-ing place this month to help parents, children’s leaders and clergy explore the tricky subject of talking with children about faith and spir-ituality in the home. How can the church help parents to talk about God, faith and spirituality in the family set-ting? To help with these ques-tions the Mothers’ Union have produced a set of resources called ‘Hand in Hand’.

The Children and Youth team have joined with the Mothers’ Union to offer two

Hand in Hand afternoons: Sat 9 February, 1.30pm at the Chantry Hall, Bedale or Sun 10 February, 1.30pm – 4pm at Hollin House, Leeds. The resources will be introduced

by Catherine Kyte of the MU. Book in via annecleeds@riponleeds-diocese.org.uk or graham.richards@riponleeds-diocese.org.uk

The Bishop of Oxford and a former government minister will be among the speakers in this year’s St Wilfrid Lecture series at Ripon Cathedral. The theme for 2013 is “Who is my

neighbour? Expressions of 21st Century Community” and as in previous years, lectures will be free and always begin on a Thursday at 7pm.

The first lecture will be on February 28th and given by Kathy Galloway (pictured) who will speak on global com-munities and lessons learnt from her experience as a mem-ber of the Iona community. She will be followed by Pro-fessor Margaret Harris, John Denham, the former Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, and John Pritchard, Bishop of Oxford. More at www.riponcathedral.org.uk

Refuel, the exciting once-a-term gathering and celebra-tion for 7 to 11 year olds is on the move. Next month, on March 2nd at 4pm- 6pm, Refuel will be held at its new home - the St George’s Centre next to St George’s Church, Leeds. It is still for children from any church and any denomination, but, says leader Anne Carter “it gives us lots of rooms and space to use, and is right in the

centre of the city.” Anne told Together, “We would love to hear from anybody who

would like to join the Refuel Team. Could you help with our PA, setting up, catering or activities? Students - this is a great place to develop your

skills!” To find out more, offer help or book yourself and children from your church in contact Anne (0113) 8800 133 or book at www.refuelleeds.org.uk

y Diary Dates Your guide to events

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Candlemas Sung Eucharist and Candlelit Procession. 7.30pm – 8.30pm Ripon Cathedral

Treasuring the little people in God’s Story. An ecumenical evening for children’s workers and leaders to explore resources and good practice. Organised jointly with Bradford and Wakefield dioceses , Catholics, Methodists and URC churches. 7.15pm, Keighley Shared Church, Church St, Keighley BD21 5HT. £7. Book via (0113) 261 8040

Diocesan Synod – Dioceses Commission meeting. Holy Trinity, Ripon, 7pm

Inspiring Churches - Practical resources for church projects, with Maggie Durran. 10am-4pm, St George’s Leeds, £10. Book (0113) 2000 540

Sign language workshop, 10am - 4pm, St Peter’s Gildersome. www.signsofgod.org.uk

Hand in Hand - A free afternoon for parents, children’s leaders and clergy. Catherine Kyte of The Mother's Union introduces new resources to encourage faith and spirituality in the home. 1.30pm – 4pm. 9th at the Chantry Hall, Bedale, DL8 1AA. 10th Hollin House, Leeds, LS16 5NG. Book in via graham.richards@riponleeds-diocese.org.uk

Shrove Tuesday – Pancake races at Ripon Ca-thedral from 11am. Afternoon Pancake Racing, Leeds Minster

Interns evening, St George’s Church Centre, Leeds – an evening for anyone interested in taking part in the one-year Intern scheme based at St George’s starting August 2013. 7.30pm. kim.mason@stgeorgesleeds.org.uk or visit www.stgeorgesleeds.org.uk

Ash Wednesday – WYEC gather for launch of a statement condemning far –right organiza-tions – 12.30pm, Dewsbury. More information, Revd Dr Clive Barrett (0113) 2618053

Ebor Lecture – Theology & Public Life. The place of religion in public life – Professor Lord Bhikkhu at York St John University, 7pm ebor-lectures@yorksj.ac.uk (01904) 876474/624624

Faith in Scholarship Conference, Horsforth. A Christian postgraduate leadership confer-ence organized by West Yorkshire School of Christian Studies. Details at www.wysocs.org.uk/faith-in-scholarship/index.php

A ‘How to’ Morning: How To Chair A Meet-ing and How to Build Trust With Others. An opportunity for ordained and lay to consider how chairing a meeting well can influence the outcomes. Alongside this, a chance to examine how to build trust to enable others to grow in discipleship. Hackforth Village Hall, near Bedale, 10am -12.30pm Repeated...Saturday 23rd - Hampsthwaite Parish Rooms, near Harrogate. To book contact Carol Stenner (0113) 200 0558 carol.stenner@riponleeds-diocese.org.uk

Fairtrade Fortnight begins – More resources at step.fairtrade.org.uk

Bishop’s Council, 7pm, Thorpe Prebend, Ripon

St Wilfrid Lectures - new series, “Who is my neighbour? Expressions of 21st Century Com-munity” Kathy Galloway on issues relating to aid, global communities and lessons learnt from the Iona experience. 7pm, admission free. Information and free ticket reservation (01765) 603462

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Moves and Appointments

Ros Dobbin – new Mothers’ Union President

David Brighton Editor(0113) 2000540, email:Together @riponleeds-diocese.org.uk

John Carter Managing Editor(01423) 530369, email: jhgcarter@aol.com

Cost and delivery enquiries:Julie Milbourne, Ripon & Leeds Diocesan Office, (0113) 2000540

In January, Ros Dobbin became Ripon and Leeds Mothers’ Union President for a three year term, succeeding Carolyn Peulevé. With one thousand members and 42 branches across the Diocese, the Mothers’ Union makes a significant contribution to parish and diocesan life. But it’s a contribution that Ros says she would like to increase, as Together found out.

Ros Dobbin has been a member of Mothers’ Union branches in various parts of the country for 25 years. She moved to Ripon and Leeds twelve years ago when her husband, Revd Canon Charles Dobbin, was appointed Team Rector of Moor Allerton & Shadwell Team Ministry in north Leeds, joining her local branch of more than sixty members, one of forty two branches across the diocese.

Now Ros has been appointed the new President of the Diocesan Mothers’ Union and says that recruiting will be one of her priorities. “I am both delighted and honoured to be taking on my new role as Dioc-esan President. I look forward to increasing awareness of the Mothers’ Union in our parishes

and to promoting the excellent resources we already have, as well as encouraging new people to be members.”

The organisation, says Ros, has a vital role to play at local, diocesan and national levels. “The Mothers’ Union is here to make a difference, to put faith into action, and is underpinned by prayer . It has a vital role to play in supporting family life. ”

Revd Nicholas Henshall, vicar of Christ Church, Har-rogate, to be also acting Arch-deacon of Richmond - based at Christ Church. nicholas.henshall@riponleeds-diocese.org, (01423) 883390 / 530750

Revd Nigel David Beer, Team Vicar in the Moor Allerton and Shadwell Team Ministry; to be Vicar in the Benefice of Stanwix (Carlisle).

Diocesan projects include providing holidays by the sea for families who need a break, collecting food for the growing number of local food banks, and helping at prison visitors centres in both Leeds and Wetherby. There are strong worldwide links to dioceses in Uganda, Nigeria and Australia.

At a national level the MU is influential and active in creat-ing resources for churches and MU members. This month, for example, national officer, Catherine Kyte, will be in the diocese, presenting ‘Hand in Hand’ a new set of resources to encourage faith and spiritu-ality in the home (see page 7).

For more information about the MU go to their diocesan web-page www.muriponleeds.org

Revd Alistair Kaye, Priest in Charge of St Luke Beeston Hill and Holbeck with St Peter and St Cuthbert Hunslet Moor; to also be an Honorary Canon of Ripon Cathedral.

Revd Canon Alan Leonard Taylor, who retired on 31st December 2012, to become a Canon Emeritus of Ripon Cathedral