I have spent three days this week at the Leeds Clergy Conference, which happens every few years. I don’t know what you think 400 vicars of different ages, traditions, styles, and preferences would be like, but it certainly wasn’t boring! It’s a good sign, I think, that a few days full of vicars, chaplains, bishops, and such left me uplifted, encouraged, provoked, refreshed, enthused, and optimistic. When I was first working out how to preach, one bit of advice I had was to share whatever was feeding me, and so here are a few take aways from this week:

While I think it is true to say that God is eternal and unchanging, John Bell showed us ways that the Bible points to God as dynamic - He changes and moves and lives, or at least, the way God reveals himself to us does.
How do we see these changes and join in?

Various non-Christian speakers encouraged us to be bold and honest and weird, to own the distinctive story of the Gospel, and not shy away from our call to bring a moral voice to the world.

Archbishop Stephen Cottrell reminded us – for we all need reminding – of the great danger of putting ourselves at the centre of our worlds.
He also reminded us of the joy of discovering that when we put Jesus at the centre of our lives, he puts us at the centre of his.

Finally, having drummed and sang alongside other Christians, I have been powerfully refreshed, making beautiful music together with organ, drum, cello, flute, four-part choir, guitar...

It’s good to be back.

Every blessing,
Rob

Special Service of Commemoration - Sunday 11th September
Join us as we process and reflect upon the death of Her Majesty the Queen at this special commemorative service tomorrow evening. Beginning at 6pm, we will gather to worship and give thanks for the life of the Queen with prayer, readings, and organ music including some of her Majesty’s favourite hymns.

Sunday Service Times
This week we begin our new service times:
9:15am will be our Traditional Communion Service and the 11am will be our Family Service, with Sunday school most weeks. The 11am will still share communion on the 1st & 3rd Sundays, and a worship service on the 2nd & 4th.
Every 5th Sunday, major festivals, and the summer holiday, we’ll all gather for an 'All-In @ 10' joint service.

Heather & Geoffrey Barton
This Sunday is Heather & Geoffrey’s last one at St. Wilfrid’s before they leave to be near family down south. They have been long standing members for over 50 years and have served in many capacities. They will be sorely missed.
Please remember them in your prayers as they begin a new chapter.
We would like to present Heather & Geoffrey with a parting gift.
If you would like to add to the collection, please see Sandra or Sally.

Heritage Events 2022
Following the sad death of HM Queen Elizabeth, regretfully, it has been decided to cancel our Heritage Open Days on Sunday 11th & Sunday 18th September, in order that the church can be available for members of the community to pray, mourn, and remember the Queen.

Church Mission Society – Azaria
We continue to support Azaria as a mission partner for the Church Mission Society in Guatemala. Her latest blog post can be read on her new website here: https://azaria.blog/real-relationships
Time permitting, we hope to have a visit from Azaria early next year.
Please pray for Azaria as she seeks God’s guidance and peace during a few challenges she faces.

Confirmation Start! Course
God, Jesus, and the journey of life in six sessions.
We will be meeting at 6pm on Tuesdays in church to eat together and explore questions about faith, life, and Jesus, and this is open to everyone!
The dates for the course are Tuesday 4th, 11th, & 18th October and 1st, 8th, 15th, & 22nd November, culminating in a special confirmation service led by the new Bishop of Kirkstall on Sunday 27th November at 10am.
If this is something you’d be interested in, please chat to Rev. Rob or email [email protected] for more info.

Ladies Coffee Morning – Wednesday 14th September
Calling all ladies! You are invited to come along to our coffee morning, in church on Wednesday 14th September 11am-1pm.
This is a continuation of the inter-faith outreach started by The Ahmadiyya Muslim Women's Association in Bradford South.
It would be great to grow this group.
Join us for refreshments and a chat about faith and life.
We hope you can make it and please spread the word, the more the merrier!

Tabletop Sale – Saturday 17th September, 9am – 1pm
We still have a couple of tables available, don’t miss out!
To reserve a table please contact [email protected].
Tables are £10. No food to be sold & no businesses please.
If you have an odd item to sell why not donate it to St. Wilfrid’s table? All proceeds to go to church. Please see John or Pauline Corbin on the day.

Raffle Prizes
We're also collecting prizes for the raffle at the Tabletop Sale.
Please pass any donations on to Susan Jubb or Sally Corbin-Smith.

St. Wilfrid’s, Calverley Beer Festival -  8th October, 11am – 10pm
Tickets £10 (pre-booked) or £12 (on the door), includes 4 half pint beer tokens & commemorative glass. For further information and to book tickets, please visit calverley.church/beer

We need your help!
To help the Beer Festival be a success, we're looking for sponsors and volunteers to help on the day. Whether you’re a local business, an individual, or a family group, we have varying levels of sponsorships available.
For further information about sponsorships & volunteering, please contact [email protected]

Sunday Service Rotas
The rota for September has been sent out to all who help.
Paper copies are also available at the back of church.
There is room for people to join the rota to read at the 11am services, and also to serve coffee.
If you think this is something you could do, please contact [email protected]