Bradford North Circuit

Photograph by Ros Crosland Photography used with permission . Lord God, Father of all, keep us ever mindful of the struggles  and achievements of former generations, and of this place where we make our home, now, and in the days to come. Strengthen our hearts, hands, and minds to work together for peace; to see you in one another; and to seek your kingdom above all things; that your will may be seen to be done and your kingdom come, through Jesus Christ,  the Lord of lords and King of kings. Amen --- We Shall Keep the Faith by Moina Michael, November 1918 Oh! you who sleep in Flanders Fields, Sleep sweet - to rise anew! We caught the torch you threw And holding high, we keep the Faith With All who died. We cherish, too, the poppy red That grows on fields where valor led; It seems to signal to the skies That blood of heroes never dies, But lends a lustre to the red Of the flower that blooms above the dead In Flanders Fi

What a wonderful Circuit Service we had at St Andrew’s on Sunday 20 July! The church was almost full and every church was represented. All our presbyters took part in the service, which lasted for almost 2 hours! Who can believe that? No-one noticed that it was any longer than a usual service. It was one we shall remember for a long time. Rev Nick described the occasion as ‘bitter sweet’. We were bidding farewell to Revs Ian and Sarah (“parting is such sweet sorrow” – the Bard), yet we celebrated their ministry and gave thanks to God for their involvement in the life and mission of the circuit over what has been a difficult time. Ian has contributed such a lot, that it is hard to think he arrived in Bradford only 5 years ago. In contrast, Sarah arrived as a probationer minister 17 years ago, and when she leaves us, she will continue to minister in the city (in Bradford South circuit). We have all been blessed by their gifts and graces, and it was right to thank God for sendi

Monday 7 th July was a lovely sunny morning. People awoke with a sense of excitement. Holiday at Home was here at last. “Where is St. Andrew’s?” people asked. “Will my lift arrive on time?” “Will I enjoy this?” Well, at about 10.15 am, these questions were beginning to be answered. 42 Guests and helpers descended upon St Andrew's Methodist Church . All morning, there was the happy sound of chattering and cups of tea, with cakes and biscuits being devoured. Everyone was warned that diets were strictly to be left at home.  After a wonderful lunch, there was much amusement with musical Bingo and some grudge games of scrabble and dominoes. All too soon it was time to go home. Tuesday 8 th July dawned bright and fair. People were beginning to arrive but where was the coach?  It duly arrived and everyone began to board. Amazingly, we left on time at 9.30 am. First stop the Cherry Lane Garden Centre for loos, drinks and cake. It was like a plague of locusts on the cake

The sun shone for us, as we enjoyed our picnic in the park. It was a great worship and praise celebration time on Pentecost Sunday afternoon and we were very pleased to be joined by friends from our neighbouring St Wilfred's Church. We sang songs of praise accompanied by Calverley Methodist Church's monthly Thursday worship team "Let's Praise Band". Beforehand we had asked our Calverley Junior Church if they would like to pick a hymn or a song for us all to sing together in the park. They chose " The Happy Song " by Pharrell Williams. Our Let's Praise Band didn't feel too confident to actually play the "Happy Song", so we decided to play it from the CD. This song has recently been in the charts. I don't know why, but not many of us Methodists had ever heard it before!!! If you don't know the "Happy Song", it's quite a fast tune with a very catchy chorus, singing over and over the words "I'm happy

The children of the Charlie Wesley Craft and Cooking Club, and a couple of Dads too, turned their hand to pottery, when we created the animals that went into the Ark. The figures were air-dried then fired to bisque, and then they were painted and glazed and re-fired. How do you like the results? Charlie Wesley Craft and Cooking Club at Calverley Methodist Church has developed into a group of 3 to 8 year olds (and mums and dads too) who meet on the first Saturday of the month and cook and craft stories from the Bible. Rodney 

Haworth Road’s Floral Tribute 6th July 2014 arranged by Mrs Jean Mouls A floral tribute showing our gratitude to God for the safe completion of the Tour de France through the beautiful part of England in which we live and enjoy. 

At Calverley, in our publicity material, we always describe ourselves as the "Church in the Garden". Now we can say the prize-winning garden, because we gained a silver award in the Spring judging in The Leeds in Bloom competition. We try to use the garden throughout the year in the Lighthouse Sunday Services and this year we had a mass bulb-planting. You can find pictures on our Facebook page . We held a regeneration service and planted two trees for the future, a plum tree and a family apple tree which has 3 varieties on one tree! At the moment we have 2 plums developing nicely and 14 apples.  We also have the ‘Stand Tall for Jesus’ project. We gave each member of the congregation a sunflower in a pot of soil, and when they had grown to four leaves, we asked them to bring them back to plant in the garden, so they could grow tall for Jesus over the summer months. Rodney

Dear Friends, It is hard to think that Tabitha and I have been in Bradford for 5 years.  At times it seems like just yesterday that we arrived.  At others, it seems like we have been here forever!  In reality of course it is only five years.  But what years! When we arrived the Bradford North Circuit was launched, and we were starting a new adventure.  What does it take to create a new circuit?  Perhaps a lot more than any of us really imagined.  In these five years a lot has happened.  We began life as a new circuit.  We discovered uncomfortable truths that had to be addressed, and addressed them.  We had to rethink how we would have to work in the light of fewer, limited resources.  We have taken time to try and understand what God is calling us to, as local churches that make up the Circuit, in order to discern how best to use the gifts and graces that God has given to us across the circuit as a whole.  We have welcomed new staff and said fond farewells to others.  All of

‘Go well! Stay well!’ These are the English translation of parting words I learnt when living in Zimbabwe. I had no idea, when I arrived in 1997, that Shipley was to be my home for the next 17 years!  And that my desire to follow God’s call to be ‘an ordinary circuit minister’ would be fulfilled in Shipley and Bingley and Bradford North Circuits.  Every ordinary person, however, is special and unique in God’s eyes, ‘I have called you my name you are mine’ (Isaiah 43 1 ) and each of us has a particular God given task to carry out.  Sometimes, it’s only retrospectively that our task becomes clear!  As I prepare to leave, I’ve done some looking back hoping that I have been faithful to God’s will. And the phrase that comes to mind is from John’s Gospel. Jesus says to his followers, ‘I call you servants no longer but friends.’   The time those early disciples had spent with Jesus had changed the nature of their relationship with Him and each other. They’d got to know ea

Dear friends, Each season brings change, whether it’s the leaves falling through Autumn, the year ending and beginning in Winter, or the world waking and giving birth during Spring.  And Summer…… Summer may sometime seem to be the season of contrasting fruitfulness and restfulness, with ripe crops and school holidays, but for us this year it is certainly a season of change. This Summer we bid farewell to ministers Ian and Sarah, and their respective spouses Tabitha and John.  Both colleagues have been here since the birth of the Bradford North circuit, and Sarah a good deal longer.   Both have contributed deeply and significantly to the life of the circuit and its churches, bringing distinctive gifts and personalities through which God has richly blessed us. We are going to miss them muchly!!! At the time of writing, we are still planning their farewell service on July 20 th ; by the time you read this it will have happened and they will be on their way to Abingdon a

Bradford North Circuit needs a full time Children’s Ministry Enabler v Required 37 hours a week, on a 3-year fixed contract v Salary in the region of £19,000-£20,000, dependent on qualifications and experience v The post holder will work individually and in partnership with churches in the Circuit to evaluate and support existing work with children and to investigate opportunities for new work Interested? For an Application Form and Job Description please email: recruitment@bradfordnorth.org.uk for the attention of Mrs. Lynne Keating Deadline for receipt of completed Application Forms: 12 noon on Friday 29 th August 2014 It is a genuine occupational requirement that the post holder is a Christian