National decision makers must create structured solutions to rural education problems and hear the needs of our countryside schools, says Bishop Jonathan Gibbs in an article for the Yorkshire Post.  "We need to be shouting loud and proud about our rural communities, and making sure that people in London are hearing that in the midst of all the noise," Bishop Jonathan said. More here 

The Mothers' Union has embarked on '16 days of Activism', a campaign against gender-based violence. MU  branches across the diocese are joining with others, globally, to raise awareness and call for an end to gender-based violence in all forms and in all societies. Read more here 

A pioneering training project developed in the Ripon Episcopal Area to develop management and leadership skills has seen its first cohort of clergy complete a 14 month course.  The group of twelve 'guinea pigs', were part of a new Clergy Leadership Network (CLN). Learn more here 

Hundreds of visitors from across the diocese have contributed to raising  £22,000 for Ripon Cathedral through this year's Christmas Gift and Food Fair.  With 100  stalls of seasonal gifts and food on display in the ancient building, the crowds who came through the west doors were kept entertained by local music groups. Read more and see pictures here 

The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, is sharing daily online extracts of his chosen Advent book for 2018 'The Art of Advent' to encourage all to know something of the closeness of the Kingdom of God this Christmas.  The Art of Advent is written by Jane Williams and is published by SPCK. More here 

Three winning photos have been chosen for the 'Faithful Friends in Photography' competition that took place during Interfaith week last month.  E ntries were encouraged showing people of different faiths together. See the results here 

Open up the digital Advent Calendar, now on the diocesan website, for a new advent story from across the diocese each day. If you would like to appear on the online calendar send us your stories with pictures. It's not a list of services - for those visit 'A Church Near You' and add yours - but we would like to hear about anything newsworthy. See the Advent Calendar here

50 singers from Skara Cathedral in our Link Swedish diocese will perform a traditional service of light in Wakefield Cathedral tomorrow December 7 at 7pm and Bradford Cathedral on Saturday night, December 8 at 7pm.  It celebrates St Lucia and in Sweden is traditionally regarded as the longest night of the year and a night when extra protection was needed. More here 

Bishop Helen-Ann Hartley, the Bishop of Ripon, says she is really looking forward to leading her first Boxing Day Pilgrimage, December 26, from Ripon Cathedral to Fountains Abbey.  The pilgrimage follows in the footsteps of a group of 12th century Cistercian monks and attracts hundreds from across the diocese. More about the walk here 

Every Parish is encouraged to have a disability representative.  This important training day on January 26 outlines the role of the disability rep and explains the support and information available. The event takes place in Huddersfield, and is open to all, with future training events are being planned in other parts of the diocese. It is for existing reps and those considering the role. Find out more here 

Former Ripon vicar turned bishop, Mark Tanner, is to lead a weekend for men from across the Yorkshire Dales early next year.   Bishop Mark, who is now the Bishop Berwick in the Diocese of Newcastle, but was the Vicar of Holy Trinity Church Ripon will speak at a 'Men of the Dales' weekend from February 1-3  Find out more here 

The names of 21 local servicemen who gave their lives in two World Wars have been inscribed on slates which are being used for a church's refurbishment and extension.  The Eldwick Church's 'Sponsor a Slate' scheme has attracted both church members and those in the wider community and so far 200 slates have been inscribed with the names of the loved ones, families and friends. More here 

Two years after an abandoned baby was left at the door of a Leeds vicarage the priest involved has made a further appeal for the mother top come forward. T he Revd Paul Crabb, the Rector of St Peter's Bramley, found the new born baby boy outside his vicarage in November 2016. The child, wrapped in a towel and a carrier bag from Tesco, was pronounced dead on arrival at hospital. More on this story here 

Songs of praise filled the village church of St Leonard's in the village of Burton Leonard near Ripon as it was rededicated, almost 140 years to the day after it was originally founded . More here 

A special pork pie has been created  to mark Wakefield's 130th anniversary of city status, which it received thanks to Wakefield Cathedral in 1888. Family butchers, Hofmann's, set up eight years later, is helping to mark the city's anniversary. Nigel Hoffman and daughter Emily are pictured with Dean of Wakefield,  Simon Cowling and Wakefield BID manager Elizabeth Murphy. More about the celebrations here 

The Bible Breakfast Club is a new initiative at St John the Baptist Kirkheaton which is drawing in families from the local area.   In this short video, see the Bible Breakfast Club at work as Karen and Ian Atkinson talk how it started.  There's more on Family Ministry ideas and links on a new resource page here.