Dear Friends,   Welcome to our February edition of the North Wakefield Benefice magazine.  Again a big thanks to Ellie for producing the magazine and to our contributors – please keep the items coming in so that we can share our news and advertise up and coming events and social activities.

Looking forward, February begins as usual with the presentation of Christ in the Temple which will be celebrated in our churches on Sunday 4th February.  This is a wonderful service as we eavesdrop on Simeon and Anna as they meet baby Jesus in the temple.  At the service we take one look back at the Christmas and Epiphany tide before turning our gaze upon Lent and our journey towards Holy Week and Easter.  There will be Ash Wednesday services in all the churches on Wednesday 14th February – look at the newsletters for details.

This Lent there is an opportunity to meet up and discover together what does it mean to ‘live a Christian life’.  If you remember last Lent we looked at some of the building blocks of the Christian faith which consist of prayer, bible reading, belonging to church and sharing in worship and holy communion.  When you read the   gospel stories of Jesus, he calls people to follow him and to view the world and   people through his eyes.  It is not always easy following in the footsteps of Jesus but by doing so we discover what it means to live life in abundance and know we are truly loved by God the Father.  You only have to think that at the end of each service we are dismissed with ‘go in peace to love and serve the Lord’ – in other words go and share the good news and work together to transform the world to reflect God’s kingdom values.  Do have a look at the venues and consider joining us as we share and discuss what it means to live a Christian life….

There will be two groups both on a Tuesday starting on the 20th February: 2:30pm in the choir vestry at St Mary Magdalene, Outwood and the other at 7:30pm at Libby’s home in Stanley.  We shall also touch on the material at the mid week communion services at Alverthorpe and Wrenthorpe.

Whilst writing it is lovely to announce that the post of associate priest will be advertised from the 20th February with interviews taking place on Tuesday 23rd April.  Do continue to pray and that this time round we shall fill the vacancy!  Again many thanks to everybody who is helping and supporting the life and ministry of the benefice as we enter into the second year of vacancy.

Take care and God Bless

Rev Glenn Coggins, Vicar of the United Benefice of North Wakefield

Dear Friends,
As another Christmas draws near we turn our thoughts towards the birth of Christ and journey to Bethlehem to hear the wonderful events surrounding his arrival. This year though, we weep with all those who are caught up in the terrible violence and bloodshed in the Middle East. It is hard for us to comprehend what is happening and no doubt like me you wonder how a lasting peace can ever be found.

As usual we shall gather and sing our favourite carols, hear from scripture about Jesus’ birth but this year with our hearts and minds sharing the pain and suffering in the Middle East. So dear friends, let us continue to hold the events in the Middle East in our prayers and we pray that the light of Christ may indeed bring hope and comfort to those caught up in such darkness and pain.

In other news, at the end of December we will say goodbye to Revd Rob Harper who has been on placement with us for three months, and we welcome Revd Diane Komorowski who will be with us for January and February on placement. The current plan is to re-advertise the post of associate priest again in March. Please see Diane’s introductory letter below and I am sure we will give her a good welcome as she begins her time with us in the benefice.

“Hi I’m Revd Diane Komorowski, and I’m currently a curate at St George’s Lupset and St James’s Thornes. I’m going to be joining you for a couple of months from the beginning of January on a placement and I’m looking forward to getting to know you all and seeing what’s going on across the four churches. I’m a mum to two teenage kids and wife to Mick who, because he works til midnight tends not to make it to church.
Before ordination I have had a varied career including multifaith chaplaincy, working for the diocese in the vocations team and working as a legal assistant. I like going for walks with our dog Nico, and working as a chaplain to the Wakefield Air cadets. I also like science and crocheting.
I’m really looking forward to getting to know you and ministering alongside you all over the two months of my placement. Blessings, Diane.”

God’s Blessing this Christmas and all the best for the New Year and thanks again for all your help, love, care and support over 2023 as we journey together in the North Wakefield Benefice, Glenn
Rev Glenn Coggins, Vicar of the United Benefice of North Wakefield