I always wanted to be the life and soul of the party, the witty raconteur everyone loves at the centre of a circle of laughing guests, a charming old-school conversationalist. Sadly, it just doesn’t come naturally to me.
I get a bit nervous, and either run out of things to say or say all the wrong things, forgetting that I’d rather be kind than funny and needing to apologise afterwards. It’s not easy – even Cary Grant apparently wanted to be Cary Grant. Wouldn’t life be great if we all had a scriptwriter and director following us around!

But I was reminded of a rule I’d forgotten this week, something that came into play at two events that I had back-to-back that didn’t look, at first, like they had much in common. I went from a meeting of The Royal British Legion with some of the venerable community-minded citizens of Calverley straight into Youth Drop-In at church. And I had some great conversation at both.
Not because I’m so very funny and clever - I’m really not.
No, because I instead remembered that the best conversations I ever have are the ones with people who seem to care. People who ask questions and listen to the answers. People who approach me with compassion, curiosity, and delight. Turns out that’s true whoever you’re speaking to.

So that’s my challenge for us all next week – can we ask better questions?
Can we see those around us with love and curiosity, image bearers of God, with something to teach us? I wonder what the best questions are?
Do let me know - answers on a post card please, as they say.

Cheers!
Rob

Sunday 18th June Services
Join us at one our services this week, 'The 9:15' – our more traditional service with communion, or 'The 11' – our all-age contemporary service, this week with communion and children’s groups. We’d love to welcome you!

Songs of Praise - Sunday 25th June, 6pm
Come and sing some of your favourite hymns, augmented by or St. Wilfrid’s singers! It's lovely way to spend a summer’s evening. Afterwards, refreshments will be served. This is a free event and no booking is required.
Rehearsals for the choir will be 6-7pm in church on Tuesday 13th June & Thursday 22nd June. Please contact [email protected] with any questions.

Calverley Parkside Primary School
Are holding a summer fair on 1st July to raise money through the PTA.
Unfortunately, they're still short of several volunteers, and they were wondering if any members of the church community would be free to help?
The time slots are 11am-1pm and 1pm-3pm. Please email Beth Mendoza via [email protected] if you can help. Thank you!

Small Groups
Church comes in many different shapes & sizes, and as well as Sunday worship, there are a number of Small Groups that meet regularly on weekdays.
These Groups enable members of Calverley Parish to spend time exploring faith deeper and truly connecting with others.
Our desire is for as many people as possible to be part of a Small Group.
If you have any other questions or would like to join a Small Group, please contact Victoria via [email protected]

The Barn
Planning a Birthday Party, Exercise Class, Meeting or Community event?
The Barn is the perfect space and is available to hire!
For more information, please email [email protected]

ChurchSuite
A huge thanks to everyone who has provided us with their details via our new ChurchSite data management platform. It is going to help us contact people when we need to, whether that’s for rotas, or for pastoral reasons.
The pandemic taught us all how important that was!
For more information and to sign up, please click here, and help us be the strong connected community we're called to be.

Go Deeper - Live!
We have two dates for your diary - 9th July with guest worship leader Derek Walmsley and 17th September with Marcus Green. Both evenings begin at 6:30pm with contemporary worship music, prayer, and teaching.
Do join us to Go Deeper with God!

Summer Holiday Club
We're pleased to announce that we hope to be running another Summer Holiday Club from Monday 24th – Friday 28th July 2023!
For further information and to register your interest, please click here.

Youth Drop-in
Continues to meet on Wednesday afternoons during term-time in church.
If you're in High School Years 7-10 and want to come and hang out, get toasted snacks, and catch up with each other in a safe space, we’re open between 3:30-4:30pm. This next half term we’re welcoming Y6 too - Come and get to know some people before the big move to wherever you’re going next year!

Tuesday Afternoon Group
The next meeting for T.A.G. will be Tuesday 20th June, for faith, fun and friendship. If you would like to find out more about the group, please contact Sue Ward.

Confirmation & Communion Courses
Our next course is for anyone aged 7 or over who would like to take communion, exploring the basic of the church’s faith.
We will be running this from 12:30-2:30pm on 9th & 16th July in Church.
We're also planning to have confirmations this year - if you are ready for either of those steps, or would like to know more about it, please speak to Rev Rob or email [email protected]

Please send any items to be included in our weekly Family Newsletter to [email protected]

The work and ministry of Calverley Parish Church is supported by the generous giving of the church community, and we receive no outside funding.
You can make a donation or sign up to regular giving, including Gift Aid, via our Parish Giving page online here.
Thank You for your support.