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Showing posts from March, 2013

Always Connected - April Prayer Column

Always Connected The rising generation is always connected.  You see it wherever you go: heads down, thumbs active, eyes glued, ears wired.  It’s true they sometimes don’t seem so much in touch with others around them, but they’re plugged in and switched on.  I’ve been wondering about 3G (always connected) prayer.  It isn’t new, of course.  Jesus said we ought always to pray and not lose heart (Lk 18:1), and Paul urged it often: ‘Pray without ceasing’ (Ro 12:12; Eph 6:18; Col 4:2; 1 Thes 5:17).  There is much to be learned from teenage dedication, but with one or two major differences. In prayer we’re not connecting to some remote system of machinery for as long as our credit lasts, but with the Father God in the control room of creation, to whom we have been granted (through Jesus, in the Spirit) 24/7 access – wherever, whenever, whoever, and forever.  It’s a pretty good contract.  And the purpose of getting connected is for help in time of need to be more in touch with tho

Pentecost Praise - 19 May

Pentecost Praise The Christian Church throughout the city coming together to worship, celebrate and proclaim the Good News. There is growing excitement throughout Bradford’s churches at the suggestion that we all come together on Pentecost Sunday 19 th May in the City Park (3 – 6pm). The plan is to stage a colourful, welcoming and very joyful event. Things will start gradually in the afternoon with music, street entertainment, face-painting, café, arts and crafts and lots of conversations etc. At tea-time, we all sit down for a grand picnic, and then the day comes to a climax with worship, prayer and proclamation (5 – 6pm). We want to create an event that Christians will find both enjoyable and deeply significant - one that we can invite friends to and that will engage with the passing public. We want to bring a warm, buzzing and welcoming Christian experience into the heart of the city. Pentecost Praise is about ·        Unity ·        Empowerment ·        Praying

Benefit Cuts and Changes - 11 April 2013

Benefit Cuts and Changes Their Effect upon People and Communities Faith Community Leaders and Workers Event Thursday April 11 th 2013 at the Thornbury Centre, Leeds Old Road BD3 8JX  2 pm to 4 pm (Refreshments from 1.30 pm) Speakers:           Nick Hodgkinson – Bradford Advice Network                              Lisa Cumming – Community Associate Bradford University                              Dave Dickens  - Director of Incommunities Chair:                   Nick Baines – Bishop of Bradford ·        Understand the new benefit cuts and changes, ·        Recognise their impact on people and communities, ·        Explore how we can respond to them. Open to all leaders of Faith Communities, or who work on their behalf in  Bradford and Keighley. Booking is essential – to judith.hudson@bradford.anglican.org  This event is being organised/sponsored by Touchstone Methodist Centre, Prayer for Bradford, Bradford Council of Mosque

Impossible God

Impossible God - The Passion Play The death and resurrection of Jesus as experienced by those who were there Impossible God is a one-man passion play written by Frank Topping Performed by Mark Topping Tuesday 26th March 7.30pm at Trinity Methodist Church, Lilycroft Road, Manningham, BD9 5AB Wednesday 27th March 7.30pm at St Andrews, Otley Road, Undercliffe, BD2 4QP Tickets are £5.00 and can be obtained from the Bradford North Circuit Office on 01274 597790 or the Bradford South Circuit Office on 01274 724321

Chair needed for the Universities' Chaplaincy in Leeds Trust

Chair, the Universities’ Chaplaincy in Leeds Trust An experienced and committed Chair is being sought for the  Universities’ Chaplaincy in Leeds Trust.  The Chaplaincy serves two large, dynamic and differing  institutions, the University of Leeds and Leeds Metropolitan  University. The Chaplaincy Trust has responsibility for oversight,  management, encouragement and support of an ecumenical  chaplaincy team of full-time and part-time chaplains representing  eight Christian denominations. As Chair, you would provide active leadership of the Trust and be  the main point of contact with denominational leaders and the  senior management of the universities. You would have empathy  for Christian Chaplaincy and understanding of the Higher  Education context. You would bring strategic awareness,  leadership and team-building skills. The commitment is likely to be  around 15-20 voluntary (part) days per annum. For more details of this rewarding and challenging position, email  th

Volunteers needed - Bradford Court Chaplaincy Service

Bradford Court Chaplaincy Service (BCCS) Do you relish a challenge? Would you like to become one of our Volunteers? Are you: Ø   A good listener? Ø   Able to keep a confidence? Ø   Broad minded? Ø   Caring? Ø   Energetic? Ø   Friendly? Ø   Non-judgmental? Ø   Outgoing? Ø   Patient? Ø   Reliable? Ø   Sensitive and Supportive? Ø   Sympathetic? Ø   Trustworthy? Ø   Willing to complete our training course? Do you have time on your hands? Are you willing to commit up to one morning or afternoon each week (3 - 4 hours) for a minimum of 12 months to help others? If you can say “Yes” to all of the above, you may be just the person we are looking for. Our three part-time Chaplains, need help from suitable and willing volunteer of all faiths and none to help deliver free, confidential, and sensitive support to a wide variety of people at the Bradford Magistrates’ and Combined Courts Centre.  The work is challenging , demandi

Welsh Hymn Singing Festival - 11 May 2013

Welsh Hymn Singing Festival (Cymanfa Ganu, Yorkshire and the North East) CALVERLEY METHODIST CHURCH Carr Road (A657) and Chapel Street Calverley, Pudsey LS28 5NE Saturday 11th May 2013 at 2.00 - 3.30 and 4.45 - 6.30 pm Leader: Gwynn Evans Organist: David Wilberforce (Tea & coffee between and after services) Car Park ~ Bus route 760 All Welcome

March Prayer Column

Prayer: cloudy or fair? Some time ago I was taking a photo of a scene I wanted to draw.  To my surprise, I was verbally abused by a passer-by, (a) for indulging is such a time-wasting pursuit as photography, and (b) because he didn’t want to be in the frame as he walked on ahead of me (so he isn’t).  It took quite a lot longer to say than that may imply, but, well, you let these things pass.  We all have our off days.  Soft answers turn away wrath, and all that. But then a few days later on the way into Bradford he got on the bus (I’m almost sure it was the same guy), and proceeded to have a serial row with the driver: jumping the queue for a ticket when the person ahead was taking a bit of time; calling the driver names when asked to keep in line, making rude assertions, loudly; and at the end of it all (would you believe) promising to pray for him as he was so obviously in the grip of Satan!  Understandably, I felt, the driver declined his offer: “I have no need of your p