Hi everyone,

I love this Picture of Jesus. I wonder if you’ve seen it before?
I hadn’t until this week, in a book which reminded me that although we often think of Jesus as a ‘man of Sorrows,’ as prophesied in Isaiah, he was also a man of joy. He spent time with good friends, so many of his parables or stories read best with sense of humour. How do you fit a camel through the eye of a needle, his first miracle was making wine at a wedding, in fact he was so often eating and drinking with people that some called him a drunkard! This idea of Jesus as a man of Joy is surprising to many.
This drawing by Fred Gerber was made famous when Hugh Hefner came across it. He was so intrigued by the idea of joyful Christianity that he ran it in Playboy.

Joy is at the heart of who we follow, and so also at the heart of church.
And joy somehow lives alongside sorrow. This last Sunday, as we announced the death of a dearly beloved member of the congregation, there was joy as people gave thanks for a life well-lived, and also joy in the gathering of the community to offer support and encouragement, sharing stories and memories with a grieving relative. There were tears and there was laughter, it was beautiful to see.

As we continue to grow into the church we are called to be, it's my prayer that we continue to find ways to be a place of Joy, a place where the source of all Joy is known and loved.

God bless you all this week,
Rev’d Rob

Sunday has moved!
We've started the trial period, so between 5th June - 24th July we'll be meeting at 9:30am for our Traditional Holy Communion Service, and 5pm in the afternoon for our Family Service, including Sunday School most weeks.
If you have any comments on how the services are going at the new times, please do let us know by contacting the [email protected].

Messy Church June!
It’s not too late to book a table for our next Messy Church!
This Saturday, 3–4:30pm in church. To book a table for your family, please contact the [email protected].

Children & Communion Course
This course is for anyone aged 7 or over who would like to take communion, exploring the basic of the church’s faith. We'll be running this at 3:30pm on the 12th & 19th June in Church (just before the 5pm evening services).
Anyone interested (or more likely, your parents!) should speak to Rev. Rob, or email [email protected] for more information.

Start Course & Confirmation Course
Looking ahead, we plan to have a Start/Confirmation course on Tuesday evenings in October–November. This will culminate in a special confirmation service on Sunday 27th November at 10am with the new Bishop of Kirkstall in attendance. If this is something you’d be interested in, please speak to Rev. Rob, or email [email protected] for more information.

Chalice Duties
We are looking for volunteers to help with chalice duties at Sunday services.
If this is something you feel you could do, please speak to Rev. Rob, or email [email protected] for more information.

Flowers
Thank you to the flower team who once again made the church look gorgeous for the Platinum Jubilee & Pentecost Sunday!

Robin’s Book Launch
Having been the ‘guinea Pigs’ for Robin’s excellent recent book, Jesus 100, Robin & Maureen invite all from St. Wilfrid’s to the big launch:
Tuesday 14th June, 7:30pm at St. Augustine’s Church, BD3 0DW.

A Ringing Success!
To celebrate the Platinum Jubilee of H M Queen Elizabeth II, last Friday 3rd June at 3pm, the bell ringers successfully completed a Quarter Peal.
The team consisted of Moira Garscadden (Bingley), Sue Green (Ilkley), Deborah Clegg (Idle), Maurice Calvert (Calverley, Captain), Andrew Sutherland (Ilkley) and Tony Wilson (Saltaire). A great effort by all! If you would like to join the Calverley ringers, please contact [email protected]. Maybe in the future we could have 6 Calverley Ringers ringing a Quarter Peal together!

Sad News
It is with sadness that we announce some bereavements in the church family:

Pat Collinge, 91, died in May following a fall.
A stalwart member of the church and Mother’s Union, Pat was a regular singer and part of a homegroup. A woman of faith, she is much missed.
She leaves children Sally and Jonathan, and grandchildren Lucy and Joe.
Please keep the family in your prayers.
We hope to have Pat’s funeral here at St. Wilfrid’s, details will follow when we have them.

Jim Kendrew also passed away in May.
A long-term Calverley family, his wife Doris is a valued part of T.A.G.
Please let us remember Doris and their family in our prayers.

Christine Robinson also passed away at the age of 100 in May.
Christine had been a faithful member of St. Wilfrid’s Church and the Mother’s Union for many years until moving to join her daughter Celia in Sussex in 2007.
Please hold Celia and the rest of the family in your prayers.