What time makes you happy?
1:50pm, apparently.

Have you ever noticed that watches and clocks in adverts are often set to ten past ten, or ten to two? Apparently, this angle looks just enough like a smiling face that our brains, wired as they are to recognise faces, respond in a happy way and are more likely to make a purchase.

However, the times that make us happy at church are more complicated...
When is the best time to do church, especially if you do two services?
This has been the great experiment we've been conducting of the last couple months, and the results are in! It had been a privilege to read the many returned surveys, your description of what works and doesn’t, and what you are looking for from our gatherings. They will shape the way we worship in the coming seasons. It turns out, the best way to give most of us what will work best is pretty much what we had before!

Starting Sunday 11th September, we will be meeting twice on Sunday mornings, at 9:15am and 11am.

The 9:15am service will be our Traditional Service. 9:15am gives us just a bit more to get there for those of us who struggle in the morning, and also allows enough time between the services for the two services to mingle and catch up over coffee & biscuits, something which emerged as a priority time and again in the surveys.

The 11am will be our Family Service, with Sunday school most weeks except for holidays and the 1st Sunday of the month, to give our leaders and young people a chance to be with us all, to be valued and part of the whole community. This will still be Communion Service on 1st & 3rd Sundays, and a Worship Service on 2nd & 4th.

Every 5th Sunday, major festivals, and the summer holidays, we’ll gather for 'All-In @ 10' – a joint service at 10am.

I know this won’t be what everyone wants, but I firmly believe it gives as many of us as possible what we need and value. All the research shows that growing churches try things, and I also believe that churches should be places where everyone feels safe, but rarely comfortable. If it’s doing something that works for everyone, there will be something that each of us find difficult – but in the rubbing along and bearing with each other, in cherishing what others need, the Great Potter slowly builds us into who he calls us to be.

I am enormously thankful for a community so willing to engage graciously with this important part of working out together how Sunday worship best serves our call to Love God, Love Calverley, and Grow Together.

Blessings,
Rob

Sunday Service Times
This Sunday, and throughout August we'll be having just the one Sunday Service at 10am. This will be an intergenerational service with the kids staying in, and this week there are baptisms!

St. Wilfrid’s, Calverley Beer Festival
Saturday 8th October, Save the Date!
To help the event be a great success, we're looking for sponsorships.
Whether you’re a local business, an individual, or a family group, we have varying levels of sponsorships available. For further information please contact [email protected].

Dogs
The question of dogs attending Sunday services was raised and taken to the PCC, and the decision was made that dogs will not be allowed in church during Sunday services unless they are an assistance dog or therapy dog.
This is to allow all those attending Sunday services to feel at ease and comfortable. We hope you understand our reasoning and continue to come without your dogs. We will sometime in the future have a Special Pet Service where all God’s creatures will be made very welcome!

Richard Crooks’ Funeral
Richard’s family write the following:
Dad's funeral will be at 11am on 9th August 2022 at St. Wilfrid’s Church, Calverley. Friends from St. Wilfrid's are more than welcome to attend the service. We also extend an invitation to join us at Calverley Golf Club afterwards for a light lunch. I would be grateful if you could let me know if you are attending (the service and more importantly the lunch), by emailing me (Tom) on [email protected], so that we have an idea of numbers for the church and lunch afterwards.

Leeds Pride
Sunday 7th August is Leeds Pride and Revd. Rob will be showing his support by attending the parade in the city centre with the group Christians at Pride.
If you’d like to join him, please meet in Dortmund Square at 2pm.
We will also be holding a Vigil for Pride on the evening of Saturday 6th August, where all are welcome.

God is Love, and those who live in love live in God,
the Bible tells us.

We look forward to a truly inclusive church,
Where prejudices and barriers are torn down,
And all feel welcome in His house.

We celebrate the diversity of mankind,
and the rich tapestry which God has woven.

Whoever you are, wherever you’re coming from, whatever your journey with faith and church, you are welcome to join us between 7-9pm to pray, chat, light a candle, receive a blessing, or simply to find a moment of quiet.

Foodbank Donations
We continue to support The Bradford North Foodbank based in Eccleshill.
If you would like to donate, food can be dropped at church on Fridays during coffee shop or between our Sunday services. Requests this month:
• Juice, long life – urgently needed
• Preserves - jams, honey, peanut butter - urgently needed
• Steamed Puddings - urgently needed
• Deodorant - urgently needed
• Tinned Fish
• UHT Milk
• Instant Mashed Potato
• Milk Powder
• Halal/Vegetarian tinned food items
• Shampoo

T.A.G (Tuesday Afternoon Group)
The next T.A.G. will be in church on Tuesday 2nd August at 1.30pm.
Please feel free to come and join the group.

Indoor Tabletop Sale – Saturday 17th September, 9am – 1pm
Do you have lots of items that are too good to put in the bin?
Toys, clothing, household items. Sell your items at our tabletop sale and make some money whilst helping us to raise some money too.
Tables £10. No food to be sold, and no businesses allowed.
To reserve a table, please contact [email protected].

Job Vacancy – Missional Buildings & Events Manager
Come and join our team! We are looking to recruit a Missional Buildings and Events Manager. This is a part time role, initially for 5 hours a week and as a trial for one year, but with the hope to make permanent.
We need someone to help us make the most of our two fabulous buildings week-in week-out to help share the Joy of the Kingdom of God in Calverley.
The role involves dealing with furniture, thinking creatively about how we can use the buildings, booking events, and being part of our staff team.
Is God calling you to this? Please click here to visit our website to learn more, read the full Job Description, and download an Application Form.
Please submit completed Applications by 31st July 2022.

Holiday Club
Bookings are still open for our Summer Holiday Club!
Monday 1st - Friday 5th August. 9am-12pm, in Church, for children in Reception to Year 6. The cost is £7 per child per day, £6 per day for siblings.
If you would like your child/children to attend, please click here to visit our website for more information, registration form, and online payment.