The angels are gathered 
labelled ready to put them out around the church and on the main street in Armley. The k
nit and natter group at Wesley Road Chapel are pictured here with the throng of angels around the Christmas tree. It is encouraging to see folks from around the circuit, both church and non-church members that have joined in to make the angels – St Andrew’s Beeston, Hunslet, St Mark’s, St Andrew’s Bramley, Headingley to name a few – and there may be more to include in the list. We shall be distributing them next week after the 18th December. For those wishing to keep up with news of the Christmas angel bombing around the country, go to Twitter #xmasangels
Deacon Pam
Christmas Angels Update
Christmas Angel Yarn Bombing #xmasangels
Aim
To share God’s love and to bless the community in public places and community spaces with a Christmas message.
Knit on your own, with friends, at a cafe or even in church. You could even teach someone else to knit.
I hope those who are knitting angels are enjoying this missional activity. I know that folks from at least 5 churches and their surrounding community are taking part. The aim is to collect in the angels before 18th December, then yarn bomb from 19th December onwards, when the angels will be placed around the community for folks to find. Below are some of the messages received following previous years of angel yarn bombing:
From Twitter
#XmasAngels sending love to #Glasgow. Make the small things count.
Message
As I walked on with my angel in my hand I turned the label over which read ” Don’t give up” it really felt like a message from her. I finished my walk in tears and my lovely angel is now hanging on my tree.
From Twitter
Thank you whoever gave us a Christmas Angel. A lovely surprise this morning #xmasangels
From Facebook
Thank you so much for all the beautiful Angels that you left in Seaton Delaval. It was magical seeing the children’s faces as they took them from the trees and railings on there way to school. The adults loved them too. Merry Christmas to everyone involved in this. XXXX
From Twitter
Behold! There appeared a mighty throng at the station #tynedale #xmasangels
From Facebook
I knitted just one angel for a special little boy, who was taken into hospital just before Christmas. I felt called to knit one for him on Christmas Eve and after a difficult week, and much prayer, he was allowed home this morning. God is good. Thank you for the idea x
Message
Just given 2 angels to a family… they lost their son this morning…a pink one for his sister and a blue so she can place it with him… truly humbled…thankyou to everyone who has been part of this
From Facebook
What a lovely surprise – l love the little angel and will treasure it! Happy Christmas to you all and thank you.
This is an excellent way to connect with our local communities whilst sharing the real meaning of Christmas. For those interested in numbers, in 2014 2,870 Angels were knitted and in 2015 the number increased to 20,586 in total.
Christmas Angels
If you or members of your church are interested in knitting you might like to look at this site. A group of people in North Shields have been knitting Angels to leave out in the street for passers by.
If you would like to be involved in doing something similar in our area then please start knitting. Please see Pam Luxton for More details.
Prayer Walks
The circuit Servant Evangelism and Mission (SEAM) group are planning prayer walks around the circuit. Prayer walks will be for an hour on Saturday morning, and will follow a pre-planned route which will be decided with the help of the local church in the chosen area. The first walk is on Saturday 5 th November, 10 to 11am based at Hunslet Methodist Church.
Contact Deacon Pam Luxton for more information deacpam@gmail.com
United in Rhythm - Echo Fox
Have a look to see the drumming workshop in action on our South Leeds Oasis facebook page.
New Circuit Plan published
The Dec - Feb plan is now available.
View your copy here to see who, when and where worship is to be held across our area.
Click here to see it>>
Additionally please see our Extra Christmas services not listed on the plan
United in Rhythm - Echo Fox
Saturday 29th October -
South Leeds Oasis at Hunslet Methodist Church
Samba-Reggae beat, drumming and percussion instrumental fun for all ages and abilities. 11am - 2pm including lunch.
This is a free event, to book contact Erica or Cathy on 0113 279 4816 email:admin@lswmethodists.org.uk
Circuit considers new targets for the future
The 1st draft of Tending. Teaching, Trusting for discussion is published for trustees to consider.
The final version of agreed targets from the circuit meeting will be available soon.
Circuit's Response to
a new Private Members' Adult Club in Armley
Radio Leeds recently featured the Rev Tim Boocock
and his response to the newly proposed Private Members' Adult club in Armley
Read the full objection here Planning objection.doc
New Circuit Plan published
The Sep - Nov plan is now available.
View your copy here to see who, when and where worship is to be held across our area.
Click here to see it>>
Vacancy
Children and Families Development Worker.
Full time, Fixed Term 2 years from September 2016, closing date 8/8/16
Click here to fill in the application form and read more information:
Children & Families Development Worker Advert >>
Job description >>
Baqoun Dance - From Bethlehem with Love
Palestinian Christian Dance Group visiting Yorkshire and London.
Visit www.baqoun.org for more information
New Circuit Plan published
South Leeds Oasis - Why God's people sing?
More than 80 people attended this event and enjoyed a good evening listening to both John's dry humour and his profound insight into the reasons for singing.
A number of new songs were shared and sung from around the globe. John's tales included some very emotional and inspiring stories which provided much food for thought regarding how we use our hymns to express ourselves today in a modern world and how our history has shaped some of the traditional material we have previously used.
New Circuit Plan published
The March - May plan is now available.
View your copy here to see who, when and where worship is to be held across our area.
Click here to see it>>
Click here to see plan for period December - February >>
Called to preach?
A new Training programme is launched for worship leaders and Local preachers
It is estimated that (overall) about 60%-70% of Methodist services of worship on Sundays are conducted by Local Preachers. Local Preachers are at the heart of our existence as a Church. Methodists encounter God in their experience of worship and preaching. This is a great privilege for Local Preachers and a great responsibility too. Indeed, becoming a Local Preacher might seem too daunting, were it not for the preacher’s constant dependence upon the grace of God.
Our Circuit is delighted that we have 10 local preachers currently testing the call to preach and they will be given the opportunity to use the new course or continue on their existing pathway. Worship leaders take the first 4 modules and then can choose to continue to study the next 4 modules to become local preachers.
We are always happy to see more people answer the call. Maybe the new course inspires you to test the waters in worship leading??
Is "Citizens" the new ecumenism?
At a packed hall (700+ people) in Beeston, people from a wide range of churches, mosques and schools, with trades unionists and universities' representatives, business leaders, Council leaders and politicians - people of diverse faith perspectives and none and including representatives from our circuit - came together for the amazing first Leeds Citizens Assembly.
10 years on from the awful events of 7/7, this was a huge affirmation of community building / rebuilding not only in Beeston but across the city. Could Citizens bring real observable changes in debt, wages, public transport, dementia and depression care... ?
Methodist, Baptists, and the URC were all prominent, as well as Anglicans, Catholics and the New Testament Church of God. This was the churches, in partnership with others, organizing for social change. Is this the new ecumenism?