Diocese of Leeds Enews+ October 3

Welcome to Enews+ for October 3

The latest resources, important information and more.

This is for all clergy, Churchwardens, Treasurers and PCC Secretaries, and is your chance to find out what is going on….

In This Edition

From the Desk of the Diocesan Secretary

New from Church House

Books of Condolences after the death of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

Safeguarding Team

Past Cases Review 2 release date

Church Revitalisation

Growing Confidence in Prayer - A Conversation

Children, Young People and Families Team

Resourcing and supporting parishes
Story telling
Staying connected

Church Buildings and Pastoral Reorganisation Team

Autumn Training from the Church Buildings Team

Lay Training Team

Lay training courses

Environment Team

Prayer for action on climate change
The Energy Crisis and My Church Energy Bills: How can the Green Journey Help?

Stewardship and Income Generation Team

Money for Mission: Issue 39

Communications Team

Potential scams around energy for churches
Preparing for Christmas digitally

Resources

Vacancies

Other Useful Links and Information

From the Desk of the Diocesan Secretary

Dear all,

And just like that, September has passed. It has been a very busy month and I know for most of us October is not looking any quieter.

There are big challenges ahead for all of us, and in many cases no answers. We are working hard to ensure as much guidance and input as possible is provided, and I wanted to just flag three things which may be helpful in the coming weeks.

Firstly, we will be releasing details of the ministry hardship scheme this week. Details will be contained in the next Ad Clerum, and the fund will be available to those who are:

i. Stipendiary clergy, including curates

ii. Self-supporting ministers with a provided house (‘House-for-Duty’)

iii. Salaried lay workers employed by the diocese or parishes

iv. Retired clergy carrying out a specific role in support of Diocesan ministry as agreed by or at the request of a Bishop or Archdeacon

We waited until we had as much clarity as possible on what support the government would and would not provide and wanted to make this offer now that the price rise has been implemented. Please do apply (and encourage those eligible) to apply if there is a need.

Secondly, we are running a number of webinars on helping reduce cost in your buildings and how the Green Journey can help reduce your utility costs. Over half of our parishes are currently signed up to fixed tariffs via Green Journey, and we want to make sure everyone knows what is available. Details of all these sessions are below.

Finally, please see the information about Health and Safety support which Ecclesiastical insurance are running with us. This is incredibly important. We have had incidents in the last year in our diocese where injury has resulted following poor health and safety practice. The session will provide guidance on how to effectively risk assess and manage the risks. Further excellent guidance is also available on the Ecclesiastical website and I would encourage those with responsibility for buildings to remind themselves of the guidance.

Thank you for all you have done and continue to do. You are in my prayers.

Jonathan

New from Church House

Books of Condolences after the death of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

The Church of England has offered some guidance around what to do with Books of Condolence after the death of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Books of condolence are a local record of the sentiments expressed by local people on the death of a national figure. As such, they should form part of the church’s or local authority’s archive, so that future generations are able easily to gain access to them and find out the way in which national events were marked in the area. It is recommended churches get in contact with their local authorities to arrange matters.

Past Cases Review 2 release date

The Church of England is expected to release the findings and recommendations of the Past Cases Review 2 (PCR2) on Wednesday, October 5. PCR2 is an independent study of historic safeguarding cases carried out as part of a national church process. The national report will be available on the Church of England's website. The Diocese of Leeds will publish its executive summary on Wednesday, October 5, which will be available on our Safeguarding webpages.

Growing Confidence in Prayer - A Conversation

Monday, November 7, 7.30-9.00pm online

Throughout history, we see a pattern that shows that when we pray, something happens. We are never guaranteed that prayers are answered as we want, but praying together seems to help our churches grow together, grow in faith and grow in impact (and just grow!).

However, we know that many people in our churches (including us) can struggle to feel confident in getting involved in prayer together. I remember the questions in my mind when I first went to a church prayer time: what if I say the wrong thing? What if I start praying at the same time as someone else? What are the right words? Everyone else knows more than me.. what if my stomach grumbles (it was a pre breakfast meeting)..

We want to offer an open invite to a conversation about how we might grow in confidence in prayer. This is for everyone- if you have a story to tell about how you have done it, if you are hoping to start more prayer in the life of the church, if you are looking to help your foodbank team grow in prayer. The conversation is open, and will be hosted by Henriette Howarth and Jude Smith. This is a time to share stories, to listen to each others’ wisdom- and to pray!

If you would like to come along please email Charlie.scott@leeds.anglican.org for a Zoom link.

Revd Jude Smith

Director of Church Revitalisation

Resourcing and supporting parishes

The Children, Young People and Families Team programme this term continues with online workshops covering some diverse topics; on Tuesday, October 18, we have Dealing with Challenging Behaviour and the following day, Wednesday, October 19, is a Toddler Group Teams Gathering . On Wednesday, November 2, we have an evening looking at Resourcing Advent and Christmas for All Ages and then on Tuesday, November 8, Engaging with Christening Families explores the mission opportunities we have supporting and building relationships with families bringing children for baptism. We also have a second opportunity to join Finding Funding for your Church’s Youth Work on Tuesday, November 15.

Story telling

The Children, Young People and Families Team are really pleased to be able to offer a Godly Play Taster Session at St Mary’s, South Elmsall on Tuesday, October 11. Godly Play is an imaginative and engaging way of enabling children to grow spiritually and attend to God; it’s ideal for Sunday groups, Messy Church, After School clubs and so much more. If you’ve never heard of Godly Play, or haven’t considered different ways of engaging children with biblical stories and sacred liturgy, this could be for you.

Staying connected

If you would like to receive the Children, Young People and Family Team newsletter, please subscribe to the Digital Learning Platform here. and be sure to tick the ‘Children & Youth’ and ‘Sign me up’ boxes! In addition we host a Facebook group for anyone involved in children, young people and family ministry where people share details of events, resources, activities and training and also ask questions, debate ideas and learn together. If your parish employs a children, young people and/or families worker we would love to invite them to our Employed Children and Youth Worker Gatherings, please do contact us on childrenyouth@leeds.anglican.org for more information about this or any other topic.

Autumn Training from the Church Buildings Team

Wednesday October 12, 15:00 – 16:00 – Ecclesiastical – Health & Safety (Church House; in-person session)
Wednesday October 19, 18:30 – 19:30 – Ecclesiastical – Health & Safety (Zoom)

Understanding Health & Safety Responsibilities for Churches: Heather Ford, Church Insurance Consultant with Ecclesiastical will be leading this session on Health & Safety. Using easy to understand language, it will explain why managing health and safety effectively is important, provide an overview of health & legislation relevant to churches and offer a step by step guide and the tools to enable churches to feel more confident in managing their health and safety responsibilities.

Wednesday November 2, 18:30 – 19:30 – Heating/Energy Saving(Zoom)
Wednesday November 9, 12:00 – 13:00 – Heating/Energy Saving (Zoom)

Energy saving and heating: This will be a two-part session, firstly covering some tips on quick and easy actions that can be taken to reduce energy use of church buildings and halls, followed by how to plan for the longer term by looking into options for an improved heating system. The first part of the session is intended to both aid PCCs in managing the increased cost of energy as we enter the winter months and to make lasting positive changes for the environment. The second part of the session will start PCCs on the journey towards replacing carbon-hungry heating systems with more sustainable installations.

Wednesday November 16, 15:00 – 16:00 – Climate Resilience (in-person)

Climate Resilience: This session will look at how we can protect our church buildings from harm and the impact of extreme weather, and become a climate resilient church. Church buildings are often solidly built and, when maintained well, have withstood the weather over the centuries. However, as the climate changes, and weather events becomes more extreme, they can become vulnerable. The session aims to help churches prepare for the warmer, wetter winters and hotter, drier summers that climate change is causing, as well as for extreme weather events such as flooding and heatwaves.

Lay training courses

Lay Eucharistic Ministry Training (St John the Evangelist Church Hall, Bradshaw, Halifax)

Monday October 10, 7pm

A two-hour course to enable lay people to feel confident about administering the consecrated bread and wine during a service of Holy Communion.

“Working with young people, children and students – what can your church do? A day for us to share experiences and learn together” (St Peter’s Church Centre, Gildersome)

Thursday, October 6, 10am-2.15pm

Speakers: Bishop of Kirkstall Rt Revd Arun Arora, Liz Morton, Revd Anthea Colledge,

Workshops with members of the Diocesan Youth Team, University Chaplain and URC Chaplain in the morning and afternoon. This is an event for the whole church community, so why not come as a group from your local church? RSVP to Natalya Heap on Natalya.heap@leeds.anglican.org (please note new email address). Lunch will be provided, so please indicate any dietary requirements.

Pastoral Assistant Training (Online) starts January 2023

The course is open to anyone who has a heart for caring for people.

Spiritual Conversations course (Online)

Starts Monday, November 14, 7pm

A two-session introductory course which explores how to have a nurturing and spiritually encouraging conversation with someone.

Leading Intercessions Training (St George’s Church, Barnsley)

Monday, November 7, 7pm

Rearranged from earlier this term due to the funeral of her late majesty, this course offers an opportunity to explore this topic with others in a relaxed informal setting.

Prayer for action on climate change

This summer the UK has felt the very real impact of our changed climate with unprecedented 40 degree temperatures, wildfires and drought. Global action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is imperative and yet individual nations can find it hard to commit to the economic and social polices required. Each year the COP27 international climate change talks try to bring about this collaboration to protect our global home, God’s earth. Join others across the diocese in praying daily for the talks that will be taking place from Sunday, November 6 to Friday, November 18 in Egypt. Sign up to receive our daily prayer bulletin during COP27. Sign up here.

The Energy Crisis and My Church Energy Bills: How can the Green Journey Help?

In this pair of webinars Kevin Lumley and Craig Hogg from Green Energy Consulting will give us a step-by-step guide to the energy markets, government energy price cap and explain the Green Journey package of services. Jemima Parker, Diocesan Environment Officer, will offer advice on how to reduce energy use in your church this winter and how to start to make long-term changes to bring down both financial and carbon costs.

Webinar for existing Green Journey customers: Wednesday, October 19, 5pm - details here

Webinar for anyone: Thursday, October 20, 12pm - details here

Money for Mission: Issue 39

The October edition (Issue 39) of Money for Mission is out now. In this edition, read about Generosity Week highlights, saving energy and money on your church bills and much more

Thinking About Generosity
Generosity Week 2022 events in our Diocese
Green Journey Webinars: The Energy Crisis and my Church Energy Bills
Deadlines for Building Maintenance Grants
The Parish Giving Scheme – How to Register
Changes to Charity Law
Stewardship charity’s free webinar

If you would like to receive Money for Mission directly, you can sign up for direct mailing by clicking the link in the newsletter.

Potential scams around energy for churches

There have been reports of churches being approached by people claiming to be from energy companies or grid providers looking for bank details and bills. We believe these are scams, and if your church is approached by someone looking for this information, please let is know at communications@leeds.anglican.org.

Preparing for Christmas digitally

Thursday, October 6 from 10am – 12pm

On Zoom

An opportunity for clergy, lay leaders and those involved in digital church ministry to explore what online tools and resources are available to help facilitate evangelism and discipleship this Christmas. It will include contributions from the Diocese of Leeds Communications Team, Church of England Digital Team and more. The session will take place over Zoom and include social media tips and how parishes can make the best use of the national Christmas campaign.

To book a place and receive the appropriate details, please send an email to comms.training@leeds.anglican.org with your name, parish and role.

Resources

The Diocese of Leeds has launched its resources to help churches reach carbon net zero by 2030, 'Saving Creation: Strategic Action to Combat Climate Change'. These include a video, toolkit, and case studies, with more to come. Read more here.

The war in Ukraine has triggered the largest war-related migration of people since the Balkan War of the 1990s. We have a website section that contains information for parishes and individuals seeking to respond, from both the Diocese of Leeds and Church of England. Read more here.

The latest edition of the Prayer Diary is now online to download.There are fresh prayers for Sudan as well as prayers for Tanzania. Download prayers here.

For information, resources and more, visit www.leeds.anglican.org

Vacancies

Communications Marketing and Digital Officer - Wakefield Cathedral

The Communications, Marketing & Digital Officer is a key post within the cathedral and works across departments and liaises with internal and external stakeholders. They identify key messages for a wide range of audiences and the most effective ways of communicating with them using a variety of media (digital, social and print) to build, develop and enhance the cathedral’s story, ministry and outreach. Find out more here.

For all other vacancies across the diocese please follow the links below:

For clergy vacancies across the diocese click here.

For educational vacancies across the diocese click here.

For non clergy vacancies across the diocese click here.