This has been a tough week for many in Calverley. We buried a friend who was far too young, and I spoke to someone facing a similar situation in their family. Too often the cry of all our hearts is ‘it’s not fair.’

I wonder if people expect a theological feat of acrobatics to help them see that it is, in fact, fair. We’d feel better then, wouldn’t we?
I wonder about that.

But that’s not what I believe Jesus offers us, at least, not before the New Creation. Ultimately yes, justice. Yes, fairness. Yes, peace.
But that’s not much help here and now!

What helps me is to know that Jesus gets this. He saw friends suffer and even die before their time, and he wept. And then he went to a state-sanctioned execution he never deserved. He knows injustice, and yet before and during that death, he spoke words of comfort to those he loved.
In the unfairness, and our rage against it, we are not alone.

And more than this, he calls us to be part of the solution with him – to offer comfort to those on the wrong end of life’s unfairness, and to work against whatever systems are at the heart of injustice. To fight systems which see the poorest unable to pay heating bills and offered the least help, which see those in need of homes away from war and persecution judged and marginalised, which see people cast out and cut off for who they are.

It's not fair, no.

But we have a Lord who cares and comforts, because he’s been there and he loves us.

And who call us to work with him to forge a Kingdom where this heart-rending cry is heard less and less.

Blessings,
Rob.

Sunday Service Times
This Sunday, and throughout the rest of 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!

From Sunday 11th September – 9:15am & 11am
The 9:15am will be our Traditional Service with communion, and the 11am will be our Family Service, with Sunday school most weeks except for holidays and the 1st of the month. This will still be communion 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.

Pride
Last weekend saw the 17th Leeds Pride March, this year’s chapter in a story going back to New York of 1969, a time when the LGBTQ+ community faced outright hostility from the mainstream and marched to proclaim their humanity and dignity, to reclaim their safety.
This year 70,000 people lined the streets of Leeds with flags and rainbows and joy, and some of us were among them.
Things have come a long way since then, although there is still work to be done.
It was a joy to host our first Vigil for Pride last Saturday evening – prayers were said and written, conversations had; our welcome and God’s love for all was proclaimed.
Thanks to all who came, all who helped organise it, and all who prayed.

New Faith & Work Series
As you’ll no doubt have seen already, we are taking the chance during our break from Wednesday Morning Prayer videos to explore Faith & Work in a series of conversations. The first one went out last week, featuring Rob and Richard (click here), and the 2nd is out now - featuring Fiona Knowles!
(click here) We hope this helps you think about how your faith and work interact. And don’t worry, we plan to speak to people with all sorts of roles – retired folks, those who work in the home etc.

Foodbank Donations
“The foodbank was there when we really needed it, it was a lifeline.”
We don’t think anyone in our community should have to face going hungry.
So we continue to support The Bradford North Foodbank based in Eccleshill, working to combat poverty and hunger.
If you would like to donate, food can be dropped at church on 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

New Bishop of Kirkstall
This is an invitation to the service of welcome for Bishop Arun, who has been appointed as the new Bishop of Kirkstall in the Anglican Diocese of Leeds!
Bishop Arun warmly invites you to his service of welcome on Saturday 10th September, 3pm at Leeds Minister, followed by light refreshments.
For Catering purposes, Please RSVP to [email protected].

T.A.G (Tuesday Afternoon Group)
The next T.A.G. will be in church on Tuesday 16th August at 1.30pm.
Please feel free to come and join the group for faith & fellowship.

Ladies Coffee Morning – Thursday 15th September
Calling all ladies! You are invited to come along to our coffee morning, in church on Thursday 15th September at 11am.
Following on from the outreach by the Muslim Women’s Association, we are hosting this coffee morning to continue to build on this relationship.
All ladies welcome.

Heritage Events 2022 – 11th & 18th September
St. Wilfrid’s will host two events as part of the National Heritage Week 2022.
The theme is 'Outstanding Inventions' and what better outstanding invention can there be than our recently-restored Binns organ, hand-built by J. J. Binns himself! On Sunday 11th September, there will be a talk and exhibition by Mark Woods, who restored the organ, followed by refreshments, before Jonathan leads a Songs of Praise at 6pm. If you would like to offer any suggestions of hymns, please email [email protected].

The second event on Sunday 18th September will be a guided Heritage Trail at 2:30pm, or you can take a booklet and follow the trail at your own pace.
There will be costumes for children to borrow if they wish. If you enjoy crafts, why not create your own stained glass window or maybe your own coat of arms! The event ends at 4:30pm.

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].

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].