We shall be sharing some of the Good News Stories from around Yorkshire
- so if you have any please contact the Synod Office
 

THE UNITED REFORMED CHURCH IN SOUTH LEEDS.

Solid Silver Celebrations as

New Members Renew Marriage Vows

On December 23^rd two of our newest members, Terry and Doris Maher,

 celebrated their Silver Wedding Anniversary by renewing their marriage vows.

They were married in the old building at Belle Isle on this date twenty five years ago, have been attending worship regularly since our new premises were opened, and recently were received into church membership.

It was good to share this special service, and a champagne reception afterwards with Terry, Doris and their family, and we are delighted that they are now so much a part of the church family in South Leeds which continues to grow.

Four new members have been welcomed by St Andrew’s, Roundhay, United Reformed Church in Shaftesbury Avenue in Roundhay in Leeds, during Sunday morning service on 4 December. At the same service Elders were inducted to serve in the years ahead.

Rev David Pickering, Minister of St Andrew’s explained:

“Mark Scott-Taylor, Rita Hayes, Justyna Balmforth and Chris Helme have taken the special step of membership to follow Jesus through the life and fellowship of St Andrew’s. Each has been worshipping here for some time. Chris grew up in junior church at St Andrew’s. Membership is a two way commitment. It is accepting God in Christ as host for life and promising to be a disciple of Christ in welcoming others home too.

“Mark, Rita, Justyna and Chris affirmed their ‘faith in one God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit …’ at the service. The whole congregation then welcomed the new members by promising to support them as members and in their faith. The new members each received a certificate and a prayer handbook - and warm greetings from everyone in the congregation. We thank God that St Andrew’s is growing. There’s an open invitation to everyone to join St Andrew’s in loving God, following Jesus and serving the community.

“At the same time Karen Lamb was inducted to serve as an Elder for the next three years and David Robinson was inducted to serve as church secretary. The congregation promised to support them and we prayed for God’s blessings on them. Then we celebrated Holy Communion.”

Revd David Downing

On Sunday 30^th October 2011, IGWI Coffee was launched at Little Lane Church LEP in Bradford. The event was designed to promote a Fairtrade Coffee (www.fairtrade.org.uk) from Costa Rica, which is now being imported regularly for the first time into the UK.

Revd David Downing who is running IGWI said:
"The coffee is fantastic - and that’s not just me saying that, the people at the event said it. But also, behind the flavour is the way IGWI is trying to make sure all profits from the coffee go back to the workers in Costa Rica.  Coffee in this country is often roasted and then ground in the EU, whereas IGWI is paying people I have met in Costa Rica to do this. This maximises their skills, their work, and their income.”

The event was the first time this coffee has been sold by IGWI. In the run up to Christmas it is hoped that IGWI can offer a good way to buy a great coffee with a strong social conscience, going beyond that of many other Fairtrade coffees available.

Revd David Downing was in Costa Rica two years ago and the coffee farmers there were so thankful for the difference that Fairtrade had made. The premium that is paid through Fairtrade really does benefit humble coffee farmers, their families and their communities. David was very moved and impressed by what he saw and has started IGWI to see how we can share in their passion for coffee. To be able to do good by buying this special coffee is amazing.

IGWI is continuing on a series of launch events as it looks to promote both the whole bean and the ground coffee that it sells. More information about the coffee, can be found at www.igwicoffee.org.uk, or on Facebook at IGWI.

Awards for Boys’ and All!

On Sunday 9^th October the Halifax Boys’ Brigade were more than happy to make a number of presentations as part of their Founders Day Service which was held at Carlton United Reformed church.

Each year the 12 Boys’ Brigade Companies come together and celebrate the ‘founding’ of the Boys’ Brigade on the 4^th October 1883 and this year Battalion Chaplain Paul Jagger took the service.

This year there were a number of presentations made to a group of young people along with another presentation to Candlelighters.

Unfortunately a member of the 12^th Halifax BB (New Hope) lost his life to Cancer. Jonny Bramley was a dedicated member of the Boys’ Brigade and continued to show great courage during the final months of his illness. It was decided that an appeal should be run in his memory and the charity ‘Candlelighters’ was suggested due to their efforts to make the final weeks of Jonny’s life the best they could be.

Throughout the year there have been a number of fundraising events held by the Battalion. One of the biggest efforts has come from the Company that Jonny was a member of - the 12^th Halifax BB.  They have raised over £500 alone through their hard work and by doing so have raised the profile of Candlelighters who were really pleased with the work that the Halifax Boys’ Brigade had carried out through the year.

Candlelighters is a small Charity that depends on donations from organisations like the Boys’ Brigade. Sally Amos from the Candlelighters thanked the good work that the Boys’ had carried out and said that it is greatly appreciated.

The other presentations made on the day were for the Presidents and Queens Badges. These badges are the two highest awards in the Boys’ Brigade. Battalion President Andrew Rawnsley was more than pleased with the hard work the boys had shown and said that they are a true credit and a shining example to their Companies.

12 boys were awarded their Presidents Badge and 7 boys were presented with their Queens Badges. It is now hoped that these 7 young men will stay with the Brigade and put some time back into the organisation that has offered them endless opportunities over the many years they have been members.

The Spen and Calder Enterprise of Churches in West Yorkshire held a Rainbow Prayer Lunch on Sept 11th.  The Congregation from Highfield Church are amalgamating with its sister church Longcauseway Church(United Reformed and Methodist) but the building isn't going to be sold. A group from the SPACE churches are working to find a new way of being Church in the village of Earlsheaton where Highfield is situated; and for community use as well. The Prayer Lunch was for members to pray about the aspects we are thinking about such as Families, Pilots, the men of the village, etc. The photo shows the Prayer Stations as well as bunting made by the children.

Highfield Church
part of the Spen and
Calder Enterprise
(SPACE)
Group of Churches

Summer Fair at The United Reformed Church
South Leeds

The new building at South Leeds continues to attract much attention with the local community showing great willingness to take part in events such as the Summer Fair held at the end of July

Read Diane Maxwell's review of this happy day.

Historic Day for Brackenhall United Reformed Church

After many years of planning and praying work has started on the new Community Centre and Church at Brackenhall, Huddersfield.
The symbolic 'sod cutting' ceremony took place on 11th July, watched by numerous representatives and members of the local community - all bedecked in high visibility jackets!
Joan Mallinson is shown wielding the spade alongside Andy Briggs of the Deighton & Brackenhall Initiative.

The full report from the Huddersfield Examiner can be read here.

A landmark occasion for church life in South Leeds took place on the 11^th and 12^th  of June when the new church building of the United Reformed Church in South Leeds opened its doors to visitors from near and far.  The URC in South Leeds was formed in 2002 from the former Salem Chapel in Hunslet, the Dewsbury Road URC, where there is still an active and well-used building, and Belle Isle URC, where the former church building was demolished a few years ago, the congregation meeting and worshipping in the adjoining Over 55 Club Day Centre.

The new church building was celebrated by a weekend open church with cream teas and a flower festival based on the Rainbow theme, incorporating the seven colours in flowers and accompanying words.  The response both from the local community of Belle Isle and Middleton and from churches right across Leeds was quite magnificent, several hundred people coming to the new church, both to see the modern and attractive building itself and to enjoy the splendid flower displays.  One notable visitor was Revd Graham Cook of the United Reformed Church, a former Minister of Salem Chapel and of the South Leeds Team Ministry.  The weekend concluded with an enjoyable Songs of Praise led by Revd Jean Mortimer, during which prizes for the rainbow art exhibits were presented.

Although the present congregation is quite small numerically, the vigour and enthusiasm with which the members undertook the large task of overseeing the project should be a lesson to all local churches about what can be achieved in the name of Jesus Christ and for God’s glory.

Meersbrook Park, Sheffield

2010 was a dramatic year for Meersbrook URC as their old and crumbling building was demolished and replaced by a modern, purpose built church and centre.
Follow the transformation here

Wigton Moor, Leeds

El Calvario to La Resurreccion

Wigton Moor URC in Leeds is in the process of raising the £55,000 needed to rebuild “El Calvario” Episcopalian Church, Luyano, Havana. The Revd Peter Clarkson visited Cuba in March 2011 as part of the Belonging to the World Church programme. During the early part of his stay he received a call from Christ to rebuild El Calvario which had been destroyed during a hurricane over 20 years earlier. The El Calvario site is situated in one of the oldest and neediest parts of Havana. Currently the Church meets in crowded conditions next door in the front room of the Pastoral House. 

The love of Jesus spans
4,500 miles
between churches in
Havana, Cuba and
Wigton Moor, Leeds

The Church in Luyano should have the new multi-purpose building within 2 years because Wigton Moor, together with other friends and contacts raised £29,000 through sacrificial giving in just 4 weeks -
“for El Calvario by Calvario” (Good Friday) according to the call of Christ which Peter received.  El Calvario will be duly renamed La Resurrecction, and the new building will provide the space to meet many of the spiritual, social, educational and medical needs within the community. It will also be a great asset to the ecumenical movement in Cuba. Thanks and glory be to God! For further details of this exciting vision and amazing testimonies please contact Rev Peter Clarkson on 0113 2660340 or email: peterclarkson@btinternet.com