What’s the best bit of church? For me it’s a toss-up between the coffee time before/after the services and passing the peace. As a keen musician, I always enjoy the music and a good worshipful moment brings a tear to my eye or puts a lump in my throat. I can’t remember the last time I listened to a whole sermon though! It’s the community and people I enjoy the most.

At work we’ve recently looked at what makes us all tick. We used a tool called Emergenetics which turned out to be really good, better than expected. It looks at behaviours and thinking patterns to see how we are all made up, and allows us to understand our differences and how to work better together. It confirmed that my thinking preferences are “social” and “conceptual” rather than “analytical” and “structured”. My behaviours are more flexible and expressive and less assertive. No wonder Steve never turns up for church on time - I hear you thinking! It helped me understand how different I am from some of my colleagues, and explained some the challenges of working together.

“Inclusion and Belonging” - or “I&B” as it’s known - is a big area of focus for most employers now. One my recent roles at work is as an “I&B Champion”. We quite rightly consider many aspects of equality, diversity, and fairness across areas such as gender, race, sexuality, culture, and neuro-diversity. It's always a challenge to think through the complex issues at stake, and it helps to be able to call on core values rooted in faith.

One feature of all workplaces is that we are, by necessity, all of working age. My colleagues are as young as 20, but hardly any are older than 60. Not many are older than me! And it’s interesting that, whilst many other areas of difference are discussed, age isn’t. I wonder if employers struggle not having the wider perspectives of older, wiser or younger, future looking people? When I come into church though I see young, old, and middle-aged (yes I am gradually coming to terms with it) all in the same place. The only other place this happens is in a family setting. For me, Church and Family have always felt synonymous.

So when we come into church, regardless of our age, we all have a lot to give to each other and a lot to take, and not just the peace!

Steve Simkins

Sunday 5th November
On Sunday, our services are back to their usual times of 9:15 & 11AM.
As we continue our journey with the Israelites in Exodus, we're thinking this week about what it means to keep the 4th Commandment, and wondering how we bear the image of God in our lives.

Remembrance
Next Saturday 11th November the Calverley & Rodley Branch of The Royal British Legion will be holding a service of Remembrance at Calverley Cenotaph. Please meet at 10:45am for a short service led by John Corbin.
Then, next Sunday 12th November we hold our annual Remembrance Service in church, beginning at 10:30am. We will give thanks and ensure the sacrifices of those who served are never forgotten. At this special service we welcome local members of The Royal British Legion, young people from our uniformed organisations, and local councillors. No booking required.

Christmas 2023 Services
New leaflets showing services over the Christmas period are now available in church. Please take a few and pass on to family and friends!
If you can help out at any of our Christmas services with readings, prayers, chalice etc, please contact [email protected]

Friday Coffee Shop
Please note that Friday Coffee Shop will now be closing at 11:30am, it will continue to open at 9am. Coffee Shop is now also taking a break for the autumn holidays - it will be back open on Friday 10th November, 9-11:30am.

Generosity Forms
It’s not too late to fill in one of our Generosity Forms - you’ll find them at the back of church or here online to print at home. How can you contribute to the ministry of St Wilfrid’s, in time and service, in prayer, and financially?
Of course, there’s never a deadline for generosity. Hand it in whenever you are next with us, or chat to Rob or Lizzie. Thank you!

Christmas Tombola
Susan & David Jubb are holding a Christmas tombola in church on Saturday 18th November to raise money for church funds. They're still looking for donations of prizes. All prize donations should be Christmas related, so Christmas foods like puddings, biscuits, cakes and chocolate, toiletry/beauty sets, maybe Christmas socks and gloves - you get the idea! We ask that shelf-life dates are long and items are in new condition. There will be a box for donations in church on Sunday. On the day, tickets will be £1 and everyone wins a prize! Any leftover food prizes will be donated to the local foodbank.

Choral Evensong for Advent
On Sunday 3rd December at 6:30pm we will hold a Service of Choral Evensong for Advent, with beautiful advent hymns & refreshments of mulled wine and mince pies available afterwards. Information about singing in the choir for this service is below, but do come along and invite any friends or family who might appreciate the reflective and anticipatory atmosphere of a Traditional Advent Church service.

St. Wilfrid’s Singers
Rehearsals are starting soon for the next 2 engagements for the St Wilfrid’s singers – Choral Evensong on Advent Sunday 3rd December @ 6:30pm and the Traditional Carol Service on Christmas Eve. All are welcome, whether you have sung with us before, or not! Psalm 100 tells us to "Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands. Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing." So, let’s do it! Hopefully, a musical noise!
Rehearsals will be in church, 6pm-7pm on Wednesday 8th, Thursday 16th, Wednesday 22nd, and Wednesday 29th November with December dates to follow. You are not expected to be able to attend all of these. Any questions feel free to contact [email protected]

Bradford North Foodbank
The Foodbank Have Asked For Donations Of The Following Non-food Items:
• Deodorants
• Shampoo/Shower Gel
• Soap
• Nappies - Size 4, 5, 6
• Toothbrushes
• Toothpaste
• Washing Powder/Pods/Tablets

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.