Denise is from Armley where she has lived all her life. She first became a Christian as an 18-year-old attending Christ Church in Armley. From here she moved to St Matt’s Church in Burley where she has been a member for 35 years. Denise has been training for ordination at St. Hild College in Mirfield for the last 2 years and is now in her 3rd and final year. As part of her training, she has been on placement at St. Johns, Wortley and Farnley. She told us that this is an “immersive placement” which requires her to spend a number of hours each week at St Johns. Here she been preaching once a month, at the 9am and 10:30am services. She was also involved with online preaching at 10am during the pandemic. She recalls that this was hard work, as some days she had to preach at 9am in person, 10am online and 10:30am in person again! Once a month she leads the service at St. John’s. She also runs Messy Church and has started up Messy Vintage, a craft session aimed at older people. Denise will be ordained as a Deacon at Bradford Cathedral on 1st July and will start working in our Benefice some time that month as a self-supporting minister. During her visit on the 30th Rev. Patrick asked her what her favourite Bible passage was. Denise said that she has always loved the Book of Genesis, as she has a passion for creation and protecting our planet. During her time at St. Matt’s she took on the role of Parish Environment Officer helping the church work towards the Bronze Eco Church Award. She also adores the Gospel story of the lost sheep. That even one sheep is so important to the Shepherd that he would leave all the others to find it has always struck a chord with her. She concluded that her very favourite book is Psalms, as there is a psalm for every situation: being upset, angry, sad, angry with God and wanting to praise God. Patrick finished by asking members of the Benefice to come out and pray for Denise at the front of the church. We wish Denise all the best with her remaining studies and very much look forward to her joining us in July. Click here to see the full stream of the service
Many of us will have sorely missed being able to attend Bible Study groups during recent years as a result of the pandemic. Some groups may have carried on doing their own meetings over Zoom, however have not had the benefit of the Church's support or guidance. Now that control measures are gradually being relaxed, we feel it is time to start meeting up in small numbers again to talk about God's word together. Even if the situation escalates again, we would be able to move over to digital platforms more confidently now that people have grown more experienced with them. Our new groups will be called 'Connect Groups'Bible Study groups have always been an important part of Church Family life. They bring us together in an informal setting to discuss aspects of scripture and reflect on the different perspectives that each of us has to offer. This is invaluable as it brings us closer together under God's guidance and allows us to see things in ways that we may not have previously considered. We might even get a cuppa and a slice of cake out of it! If you have previously been part of a group, or would be interested in joining one, please pass your name on to David Townsend or Christine Lonsdale
In the next few months new windows will be installed to replace the 30 year old wooden ones on the south side of the corridor. This will cost £16,000, if anyone wishes to make a special donation to this project, this can be done in a variety of ways: · By direct transfer to the church bank account using the reference “Windows” to Gildersome Parochial Church Council, sort code 60-14-34, account no. 58267417 · By a gift aid envelope from church · Via the Tap & Go reader by the church door For any enquiries about donations please talk to Helen Butterworth or email treasurerstpeters@hotmail.com
Welcome to 'Meeting Place', formerly known as 'The Friendship Group'. The group has run for many years under the faithful watch of a dedicated team of friends. They have now handed over the reins to a new team of volunteers and we hope to carry on with the support and friendship that they have provided to the community. The session is moving to a weekly basis instead of a monthly meeting. The idea that this would provide a routine where one missed session does not result in an 8 week wait for the next. We realise that during the recent pandemic that friendships and the company of others has been in short supply What to expect Well, a warm welcome first of all. We all know how formidable it can be joining a new group. The idea is that it should be a ‘drop-in’ kind of group and also a friendly group that you can introduce a friend to. Refreshments will be provided including cakes and biscuits. There will be some activities on offer both weekly and monthly for those who want them; if you don’t then that is fine too. There is no pressure. If chat is all you want then there will be plenty of that too! If you are thinking of coming along but the thought of entering alone is making you hesitant then all you have to do is contact Lorraine, on 07540 333463, who will arrange for someone to meet you at the door.
