St Mary's Advent Calendar: Day 13 Yesterday we had the joy of welcoming Years 5 and 6 from Templenewsam-Halton Primary School for a carol service, in the course of which the Knit-ivity made its first appearance of the season.

St Mary's Advent Calendar: Day 12. Yesterday a small group of parishioners and choristers, with Giles, our director of music, went to Colton Lodges care home for their Christmas Carol Service. Sharing the good news of Christmas, in church and out. @whitkirkchurch.org.uk @leeds.anglican.org

St Mary's Advent Calendar: Day 11. A real treat today. Last night we were privileged to host the choir of Colton Primary School for their Christmas concert, and there was some pretty funky headgear on show... as well as some amazing singing. 🎵 🎶 @whitkirkchurch.org.uk @leeds.anglican.org

St Mary's Advent Calendar: Day 10. An angel tells Mary that she has been chosen to bear Gods own son. @whitkirkchurch.org.uk @leeds.anglican.org

St Mary's Advent Calendar: Day 9. On Sunday evening we held our Advent Carol Service, watching and waiting with singing and readings as the light gradually returned. @whitkirkchurch.org.uk @leeds.anglican.org

St Mary's Advent Calendar: Day 8. Yesterday was the second Sunday of Advent, and we lit the second candle on our Advent wreath, thinking of the prophets, whose words point to Jesus. @whitkirkchurch.org.uk @leeds.anglican.org

The Christmas story is the story of an unmarried mother; of a couple with nowhere to sleep, dependent on the goodwill of strangers; of a family forced to flee to a foreign land because of terrible, politically-motivated violence; it is good news for all outsiders... and for all, without exception.

St Mary's Advent Calendar: Day 7. At the end of our Experience Christmas activities, the children laid their gifts before the Christ-child in the manger. Today we will present and bless them at the altar. @whitkirkchurch.org.uk @leeds.anglican.org

St Mary's Advent Calendar: Day 6. Just as the wise men considered what gifts to give the new baby king for whom they were searching, so the children who visited us this week thought about what they would give the new baby. @whitkirkchurch.org.uk @leeds.anglican.org

@whitkirkchurch.org.uk @leeds.anglican.org St Mary's Advent Calendar: Day 5. "You are the salt of the earth". Thinking about God's invitation to Mary, the children who come to Experience Christmas considered how God can take something ordinary and make it into something extraordinary.

@whitkirkchurch.org.uk @leeds.anglican.org This week we are welcoming children from all our primary schools into church for "Experience Christmas" activities. In this activity they think about how we can prepare our hearts, as well as our homes, to meet Jesus.

Oh my heart! ❤️ "What gift would you give Baby Jesus?" This from a Year 3 child at Experience Christmas today...

Oops! Forgot to share this yesterday! @whitkirkchurch.org.uk @leeds.anglican.org

@whitkirkchurch.org.uk @leeds.anglican.org

@whitkirkchurch.org.uk @leeds.anglican.org

Shoutout to these wonderful human beings who have done so much to ensure that the culture at @whitkirkchurch.org.uk is a safe and welcoming one for all. 👏🏼 Janet and Tony 👏🏼Marking Safeguarding Sunday, because this will *always* be a priority for us. @leeds.anglican.org

It was good to be joined by our local MP and councillors, as well as Guides, Brownies, Rainbows, representatives of the emergency services, the St John's Ambulance, and other local groups for today's Act of Remenbrance. @whitkirkchurch.org.uk @leeds.anglican.org

Parish Pilgrimage to Ripon Cathedral. Treasures Untold... architectural, human, and spiritual. Thank you to all at Ripon Cathedral for your hospitality. @whitkirkchurch.org.uk on tour! @leeds.anglican.org

I love Sacred Space at @whitkirkchurch.org.uk @leeds.anglican.org: peace, space, candlelight, gentle music, prayer, no words...

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Candles burn after our memorial service today, each one a loved-one remembered. @whitkirkchurch.org.uk @leeds.anglican.org

Pilgrims in the Park. Walking and talking and praying and thinking about how we can be light in the darker days ahead, as the clocks go back tonight. @whitkirkchurch.org.uk @leeds.anglican.org

Excellent open letter from @inclusivechurch.bsky.social re LLF. I've signed, please do the same if you can. www.inclusive-church.org/llf-open-let...

A joyous and Spirit-filled celebration of faith, as we welcomed Bishop Arun to Whitkirk to confirm 10 candidates. In a powerful sermon, Bishop Arun reminded us of God's call to be radical welcomers, creators of a kingdom where there are no outsiders. @whitkirkchurch.org.uk @leeds.anglican.org

Vicaring jobs that weren't in the role description #3,487,923: bathing the playmats.

Mmm... sloe gin!

It has been a 'never (for which, read "always") work with children and animals' kind of a weekend. What fun!

Things they don't teach you at theological college #3,426,798: blessing an iguana!

If you haven't been to @whitkirkchurch.org.uk before and are wondering if you'd be welcome and what to expect, we've added a helpful guide to our website. whitkirkchurch.org.uk/welcome/

Excellent words here from Bishop Arun. At St Mary's, we proudly fly the flag of St George from our flagpole beside Selby Road. We are the Church of England: here for everyone in England, regardless of background. ✝️

Pilgrims in the Park. Launched today at Temple Newsam. A simple service with prayers and a reflection, followed by a walk and a cuppa in the café.

Going to this on Saturday. Who's coming?

Day off joy!

Excited to launch "Sanctuary" with a special service for Pentecost this Thursday.

This was such a joyful service! I am so lucky to minister in this wonderful place, among these fabulous people...❤️🔥🕊️❤️

It's grim up north!

Back from a wonderful few days at #OFMonsite2025 and already looking forward to next year's conference. Catholic, charismatic, inclusive, fun... If those things sound like your kinds of things, why not come along next time?

I have had the BEST time at #OFMonsite2025 and it was a privilege and a joy to preach at the closing Eucharist today. #PilgrimPeople

Blessed to be at #OFMonsite2025 #PilgrimPeople.

Just a few more days until we gather for #OFMonsite2025 #PilgrimPeople! Do pray for the team as we sort out the last few practicalities (alongside busy day jobs and/or post-Easter tiredness). It will all be well worth it! And if you're coming along, feel free to say hi on here...

Happy Easter! May you be touched today and always by the light of the Resurrection....

"It is finished." On this day we remember how Jesus died on the Cross. And then we wait... This is not the end of the story. But it needs to feel like the end... @whitkirkchurch.org.uk @leeds.anglican.org

Love is not complicated. I really think this is true.

"By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another". Could I love this church and its people any more? I think not...

Tenebrae at @whitkirkchurch.org.uk @leeds.anglican.org

After yesterday's donkey-related excitement, today featured a small, peaceful, sun-dappled Eucharist and Stations of the Cross, beautifully led by our LLM @whitkirkchurch.org.uk @leeds.anglican.org

What an amazing day! What a privilege to be the vicar of this wonderful church! Onwards... to Holy Week and beyond! @leeds.anglican.org @churchofengland.org

Cassie and Blue take a bath ahead of leading our Palm Sunday procession at @whitkirkchurch.org.uk

So looking forward to this. Welcome to Bluesky @onfiremission.bsky.social!

And, in tonight's episode of "Vicar Life Is So Varied", working behind the bar...

A joy to welcome Year 5 from Colton Primary School to @whitkirkchurch.org.uk. Fab message from their teacher: "From the moment we arrived, we felt truly welcomed. The warmth and care you all showed made a real impact on both children and adults." @leeds.anglican.org