New Administrator

Trevor Parker takes up his appointment as Mission Administrator at Leeds Methodist Mission on 1st September 2008.

Trevor has been a member of Leeds Parish Church for the past twenty years and presently serves as their Hon. Treasurer. He comes from an employment background of Human Resources Management, having worked principally with HBOS.

At the same time Peter Gambles retires after 12 years as Mission Administrator.

We will express our thanks and good wishes to Peter at our morning service on Sunday 14 September at 10.30am.

Our Charity of the Year

Our Charity of the Year for 2008-2009 is Leeds Asylum Seekers Support Network. LASSN was set up in 1999. It has offered support to over 700 refugees and asylum seekers. These people experience isolation, loneliness, and suffer from the effects of a negative media profile. Many fear what may happen to them and their families.

A small group has been set up to coordinate our efforts to raise money and offer support in other ways to this organisation.

During the year to the end of March 2008, LASSN has helped many people:

• 394 ShortStop guests
• 112 Befriended asylum seekers and refugees
• 45 English at Home learners
• 132 Destitute asylum seekers supported through our Hardship Fund payments
• 24 refugee community organisations assisted through the Leeds Refugee Forum
• 1 Community Centre opened for refugee community organisations with 281 people through the door in just one month

New responsibilities for our Superintendent

The Methodist Conference at its July 2008 meeting in Scarborough appointed the Rev Dr Adrian Burdon to be Titular Superintendent of the Leeds (West) Circuit with effect from 1 September 2008.

This position is to be held concurrently with his appointment as Superintendent of the Leeds (Mission) Circuit.

A Titular Superintendent is a person appointed to hold the title of Superintendent of the Circuit for the purposes of:

• undertaking the legal functions of Superintendency,
• the giving of ministerial leadership
• and the encouragement of mission and ministry in the circuit.

In order to make space for this additional work, and minimise the impact of it upon his ministry at Oxford Place, Adrian has relinquished some of his Connexional responsibilities.

If anyone has any questions about this appointment then please feel free to make contact with Adrian directly.

173rd Church Anniversary
& 25th Anniversary of the Children's Centre

The sanctuary of church was almost full for for our Anniversary service of worship and thanksgiving. In addition to our usual congregation we were joined by many who have supported and continue to support the work of the Children's Centre. We also welcomed a number of past ministers and lay workers. The Revd Richard Davison (Superintendent Minister, 1974-1988) read the first lesson. The other lessons were read by Mrs Irene Hebden (Church Steward) and Mrs Jill Jewell (Secretary to Children's Centre Management Committee).

The sermon was given by Mr John Bell, a past-president of the Methodist Conference, and he took 'Change' as his theme, advocating living in the present and working for the future.

Our young children worked quietly at the front of the sanctuary during the sermon and produced a large (A3) 25th Anniversary card to give to the Children's Centre.

Later in the service the Lord Mayor of Leeds, Councillor Brian Cleasby, brought greetings from the City of Leeds and he was followed by the Revd Dr Liz Smith who, as its Chair, brought greetings from the Leeds Methodist District.

Our Superintendent Minister, the Revd Dr Adrian Burdon, responded on behalf of the Leeds Methodist Mission.

The prayers of Thanksgiving and Intercession were led by the Revd Nick Baker (Universities Chaplain) and Deacon Ruth Hinch (Oxford Place).

After the service we heard more about the Children's Centre from Christine Pattison (Manager of the Childrens's Centre until last year) and Josie Burdon (Leeds District Network President) who stood in for Pam Turner (the National President) who was unable to be with us. The Lord Mayor proposed a toast to the Children's Centre and anniversay cakes were cut by Margaret Padgett (a volunteer in the Children's Centre for all of its 25 years) and John Bell, before we enjoyed a buffet lunch and an opportunity to catch up with old friends and talk with new ones.

Street Chaplains

Since this article was written the Street Chaplains have been out again (7th December) and are planning to venture forth again. The 29th February had been chosen as the next occasion, but for various reasons this has not proved practical. Nevertheless, discussions with the police have confirmed their support for the project and this should allow the team to be out on a more regular basis. This will require more volunteers, so spread the word. [11th February 2008]
Anyone can find out more by contacting our Superintendent Minister

At 9.30pm on Friday 9th November sixteen volunteers from different churches and denominations along with representatives of similar local schemes gathered at Holy Trinity Church in Boar Lane. After an introduction by our superintendent minister, the Revd Adrian Burdon, and advice from the police we divided up into two teams of three, two teams of four, leaving two of us to hold the fort and prepare tea and coffee.

About 11.00pm the four teams set out along with two Police Community Support Officers who would be available if needed.

Each team stayed out for up to an hour at a time, coming back at intervals for relief and refreshment, and at half-past one we all gathered to talk about what had happened and make suggestions for what we might do in the future.
more ...

Read the article in the Yorkshire Evening Post (Saturday, 10th November 2007)

Setting off along Boar Lane

Time to Talk

In September 2007 we reviewed our experience of Café Worship and came to the conclusion that it was the opportunity to talk that we most valued. We, therefore, made the decision to change the format and the title. It is now called Time to Talk. It is still worship, but there is more time to share our thoughts and ideas. It has also moved to the later time of 6.30pm, still on the third Sunday of each month.