Dear Friends, Welcome to our October benefice magazine as we continue our journey through church events across the autumn. Many thanks again to all who have contributed and to Ellie for kindly pulling all the information together. At the moment there’s nothing much to report on filling the post of a new associate priest so please keep on praying.

On a positive note we welcome Revd Rob Harper with us from 1st October on a three month placement—please read Rob’s introductory letter below and I am sure we will give him a good welcome as he begins his time with us in the benefice:

“My name is Revd Rob Harper, and I am currently a Curtate at St John’s Wakefield. I studied at St Hilda’s college at Mirfield and prior to being ordained I worshipped at Holy Trinity Rothwell for many years; over the years I have worshipped in a very broad range of churches. I have started my fourth year of a part time curacy as a self-supporting Minister. As part of my curacy, I am starting a placement with you in October, and I am looking forward to meeting you all.
I have two grown up children; Ben is 22 years old, and Susie is 19 years old. I enjoy baking, travel, reading and outside activities. I also enjoy art and watching films. I have recently returned from a family holiday to Northumberland where I walked barefoot to Holy Island following the traditional route from the mainland. Rooting ourselves in the past helps us to know where we should be looking forward to.
I’m hoping to support Glenn in the four churches and serve you in the best way that I can. You may not see me every week and I am terrible at remembering names; however, I am sure there will be opportunities to get to know you all.
Best wishes, Rob.”

In other news we are working on a leaflet that will detail the projects we are progressing across the benefice; for example a team will look at how we take care and minister to families who approach us for a baptism. Discussions are also under way to hold another bereavement course in November and full details will be published in due course. Things are happening all the time so please keep up-to-date with the weekly newsletters.

God Bless and take care and please keep praying for an associate priest to join us. Glenn
Rev Glenn Coggins, Vicar of the United Benefice of North Wakefield

Dear Friends, Welcome to a bumper edition of the Benefice magazine which covers  both July and August – again thanks to all who have contributed.

I have always been a keen tennis fan; I played for many years but also enjoy        following the game as it circumnavigates the globe during the year.  When you play   singles it is quite a lonely experience as you pit yourself against the other player as you seek victory.  There were never any crowds or coaches offering advice at my level!     Anyway I was thinking about tennis singles, and how you are own your own, and how it compares to life in church.  There are many examples in the Bible about how we are called to work together and share our gifts to build up the body of Christ. It is when we work together and share in worship and prayer that we realise we can do far more together than on our own.

This working together was very much in evidence on Saturday 17th June when we gathered as a benefice in St Peter’s Church, Stanley, to hear from each church about their life and ministry. For me it was very uplifting to hear about the number of  projects that are on the go across the four churches, and to see the energy and enthusiasm on show.  We also met in different groups to think about areas of our shared lives that we could develop. Lots of good ideas came out of the groups, but of course, we can’t work on everything at the same time!  However, all the suggestions have been noted down and the next stage will be to discuss over the summer how some projects could be launched in the autumn. Here’s a flavour of some of the ideas we shall be taking forward:

1. On Tuesday 11th July from 7pm there is a meeting at the Alverthorpe vicarage for fellowship, and to discuss house groups, prayer groups and outreach.  Also, see the St Anne’s page for details of a new women’s group starting 16th September. 

2. We will look at how some key church services could be joint services for the      benefice e.g. Ash Wednesday, Ascension Day etc.  Also look at the formation of a worship group that could deliver key services like Harvest across the benefice.

3. Social events: maybe each church could organise a social event during the year.

4. We have a number of children and young people’s groups—we could meet up now and then to share good practice etc.

Overall, the challenge is to discover areas of life we can share that is sustainable, measured and responsible. Sadly, church life across the board is facing financial pressures, and with few clergy as well as decreasing numbers in our pews, we face a challenging future. God hasn’t given up on us though!  Just read the story of Jesus feeding the 5,000 and see what he can do with just a few loaves of bread and fish!  It will be through prayer, openness to God’s Spirit and working together that God will continue to bless us as we seek to be a beacon of light and hope to those we serve and live.

So dear friends, please keep praying, and watch this space for more details about our plans for the future.  Also keep praying for a new Associate Priest to join us. 

God Bless and take care, Glenn

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

Dear Friends,   Welcome to the May edition of our benefice magazine which again covers lots of news and activities across our four churches. It is good to report that we are now currently advertising for a new associate priest to join the benefice. If all goes to plan we shall be interviewing prospective candidates on Monday June 5th and any news of an appointment will be shared after this.  Please continue to pray for all involved in the interview process and for any prospective candidates.  Whilst writing can I say a very big thank you to various people from across the benefice who have worked together extremely well with Peter Townley our archdeacon to produce a very professional brochure and advert.

Turning now to the Coronation when on Saturday 6th May His Majesty King Charles III is crowned.  The Coronation will be a historic moment in the life of our nation, a time to reflect on our history, reflect and celebrate something of who we are, and look forward.  The coronation is steeped in this country’s traditions and filled with great symbolism. It is essentially a consecration to service.  Happening within a Eucharist, the most basic and the central act of Christian worship, it includes oaths, regalia and crowning. Through it we receive from Jesus the one who comes to us as a servant; the one who is the king of Kings. 

There will be additions to the service from the one in 1953 and these will reflect the rich cultural and religious diversity of our national life. For instance faiths other than Christian will play a part which reflect the King’s commitment to respecting all faiths.  Also we shall all be encouraged to cry out and swear allegiance to the King and female clergy will play an active part. Justin Welby said the coronation was ‘first and foremost an act of Christian worship’ and that his ‘prayer is that all who share in this service, whether they are of faith or no faith, will find ancient wisdom and new hope that brings inspiration and joy”.

So dear friends, however you choose to mark the Coronation weekend, I hope this will be a time celebrating God’s love and generosity, and making that love known in our communities and national life I leave you with a prayer that will be used at church services throughout the land….

Almighty God, the fountain of all goodness, bless our Sovereign Lord, King Charles, and all who are in authority under him; that they may order all things in wisdom and equity, righteousness and peace, to the honour of your name, and the good of your Church and people; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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

Welcome to the April edition of our benefice magazine which again covers lots of news and activities across our four churches.  I am sure we are all looking forward to Easter Day on 9th April, when after the long period of Lent we can gather in our home churches and say together “He is risen, He is risen indeed!”.  What a glorious and majestic God we meet in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus.  We are very much Easter People and through the resurrection, Jesus meets us by his spirit in our daily lives and offers us hope that nothing can separate us from his love.

With regards the vacancy for a new Associate Priest, it is very good to report that work has been progressing in the background putting together a benefice brochure, role description and person specification. It is planned to advertise the post in April throughout the Leeds Diocese and also at national level as well. There has also been work taking place on the Wrenthorpe vicarage where the new person will live. In the meantime please pray for the benefice and for those involved in the day to day running of the benefice during the vacancy – many thanks. 

Also, I offer you this prayer for your personal use…..

Almighty God,
We thank you for the life and ministry of the North Wakefield Benefice.
We thank you for the blessings and love we receive from you our heavenly Father and for all that we share together in worship, social events and in many other ways as part of your family.
As we look to the future for a new associate priest to join our family here in the benefice, we pray that your Holy Spirit would guide and bless us as we advertise the post and in the process to appoint the new priest.
We ask that you would prepare the heart of the right person to join us here in the benefice so that together we can continue to share our lives and the good news of Jesus across the benefice.
We ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Take care and God Bless, Glenn

Rev Glenn Coggins, Vicar of the United Benefice of Stanley, Outwood and Wrenthorpe and Alverthorpe

Looking back it was good to gather on Sunday 8th January at St Mary’s in     Outwood for Fr Jonathan’s farewell service, presentation and refreshments.  Many thanks to all those who were involved in the service and for putting on such a    wonderful tea afterwards.  By the time you are reading this, Fr Jonathan will have been licensed to his new team of churches and will have begun his new life and ministry in the Batley team of churches.  We do continue to give thanks for his ministry here in the North Wakefield Benefice and pray for him and Jo in their new life together in Batley.

Bishop Tony has confirmed that Fr Jonathan will be replaced and it is planned that the new priest will be with us in the summer.  Please pray for the benefice as we and the wider church begin the appointment process and for those involved in the day to day running of the benefice during the vacancy – many thanks.

Looking forward, February begins as usual with the presentation of Christ in the temple which will be celebrated in our churches on Sunday 5th 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 a look back at the Christmas and Epiphany time before turning our gaze upon Lent and our journey towards Holy Week and Easter. There will be Ash Wednesday services in all the churches see below for details about our Ash Wednesday services.

All Ash Wednesdays services are on Wednesday 22nd February

• 11am at St Paul’s, Alverthorpe
• 2.15pm at St Anne’s, Wrenthorpe
• 7pm at St Mary Magdalene, Outwood
• 7.30pm at St Peter’s, Stanley

In Lent we shall be holding a series of Lent groups at different times and places across the benefice. During Lent, we shall journey with Jesus into the wilderness and explore how his relationship with his Father sustained him and blessed him.  All of us at some stage in our lives have wilderness experiences and the Lent groups will look at different aspects of our faith and how they sustain and support us at these times.  Further details of the Lent course will be available shortly.

Finally many thanks to you for all for your fellowship over Christmas and     Epiphany and for the many people who offer their gifts in different ways across the benefice.  Take care and God Bless, Glenn

Rev Glenn Coggins, Vicar of the United Benefice of Stanley, Outwood and Wrenthorpe and Alverthorpe

Dear Friends,

Well, it is finally happening! Next month, a moving van will arrive to take Mother Jo and I to our new home in Batley, and a new start for me as priest-in-charge of four churches: All Saints’ Batley, St Thomas’ Batley, St Andrew’s Purlwell and St Paul’s Hanging Heaton. It will be a big change and a big challenge. We have been blessed to get to know so many people in our six years in Outwood and Wrenthorpe. You have welcomed us into your homes and shared your lives with us, and we have been so grateful for the love and hospitality you have shown us.

There are two things that I think make for a healthy church: taking what we do seriously and also being serious about the people we do it for. I believe in a welcoming church which expects and plans for people of all ages and backgrounds to come along, as well as in a church which is faithful to the traditions that have shaped us as Christians and which we hope to pass on to the next generation. That is the kind of ministry I have tried to have in St Mary Magdalene’s, St Anne’s and the wider North Wakefield Team, and which I hope to carry to Batley. The challenge is a big one: all four of my new churches are small, with an average of only around 80 or 90 people going to church across the team. The team covers a diverse area, with many families who trace their roots to India and Pakistan, but there are healthy interfaith links and lots of community work going on.

One of the things which encourages me most about the North Wakefield Team as I leave it is that there is so much good which has been done in the last year, and a great deal of it has been led by the people of our churches, rather than the clergy. Whether its the Youth Drop in at St Anne’s, the Drop-In and Lunch Club in St Mary Magdalene’s, the reopened Ark in St Peter’s or the Warm Spaces initiative in St Paul’s, there is so much going on which comes about because of the hard work of parishioners. I hope and pray all these things carry on and grow in the coming years – it was very encouraging to discover the Gardening Club in St Mary Magdalene’s had been awarded a large grant from the Bishops’ Development Fund to continue its work.

Of course, the clergy DO have a role to play, and I shall miss the company and fellowship of Glenn, David and Stuart, as well as all the lay ministers. I have learned a lot in my time with you all and I wish you all every blessing in the months and years to come.

So it’s farewell from me, good luck for the future, and the blessing of God almighty go always with us.

Father Jonathan Bish is priest of Outwood and Wrenthorpe churches in the North Wakefield Benefice

This month we launch our North Wakefield Benefice newsletter, this letter from Glenn was from the inaugural edition.

Dear Friends,  It is lovely to welcome you to the first edition of our very own North Wakefield Benefice monthly magazine.  Many thanks to Ellie at St Peter’s, Stanley who has found time in her busy schedule to put together this edition and for those who have contributed articles from each of the four churches. The benefice magazine will of course evolve over time so please pass onto Ellie or myself any comments and feedback on this edition and future ones.

It is hoped that our benefice magazine will help us stay in contact with each other by allowing us to share our lives, events, stories and prayers and in doing so encourage each other in our own Christian journey.  The magazine is very much a shop window for each church to share their events and activities and what is encouraging and blessing them at the present time.  You will see when you read these pages that across the four churches there is a great number of activities taking place and we are all thankful to those who contribute to church life in any way.  Do have a read and consider supporting an event or activity in another church in the benefice.

It is now reckoned that around three quarters of the churches in the Church of  England are in some form of a benefice or team.  In each case there is no set formula for how a benefice should organise itself but at the heart is a requirement for good relationships, trust and a common vision.  Creativity is very much the name of the game and  listening, supporting and praying together will help guide us into the future.

To help us grow together these are some of the areas the benefice is working on:

1. Our church wardens had their first joint meeting with the clergy in June and another one is arranged for early October.  These meetings allow church wardens and clergy to share together common themes across the churches and encourage one another.

2. The quarterly meetings between clergy and Readers are continuing and at these meetings service planning takes place and we support one another.

3. David Payne at St Anne’s is heading up a benefice prayer meeting and the next meeting is Saturday 24th September from 10am—11.30am at St Paul’s.

4. On Saturday 29th October at St Mary’s, Outwood, we shall be holding an open meeting from 9:30am until around 12 noon.   The meeting will help congregations have an opportunity to hear what is taking place across the benefice and will include worship, tea/coffee and each church will have an opportunity to share news and there will be input about the life of the benefice and possible group work.

5. We are also thankful to Dave Florence who has arranged our benefice logo, which we hope builds up our common life together.

Take care and God Bless, Glenn

Rev Glenn Coggins, Vicar of  the United Benefice of Stanley, Outwood and Wrenthorpe and Alverthorpe.

Dear Friends, On Sunday 17th July at 3pm we will gather on the field at St Peter’s Church for our second Pet Thanksgiving Service. I have been involved in Pet blessing services for many years and have always found them a real opportunity to give thanks to God for our animal companions and the joy and friendship they bring to our lives.  Pet services can have their moments though and for several years whilst I was at St Michael’s, East Ardsley we had Morley Exotic Animal Rescue with us. At one of the visits we ended up with a Komodo dragon  joining us along with some tarantulas.  I think it was one of the quietest services ever as all the dogs and cats looked on as if to say “What on earth is that walking around?  We don’t normally see one of these on our daily walk or in our garden!”

Our friends Dave and Marion at St Peter’s are currently training Esme the Labrador to be a Guide Dog.  It is quite a considerable undertaking but we all know what a valuable help and companion a guide dog can be to a blind or partially sighted person. The dog will help their owners remain mobile, independent, safe and secure.

It goes without saying that animals can be very therapeutic and help us in many ways in our own daily lives.  I know of a man who after various sad events in his life, retreated very much to his house and lost all interest in going out and engaging with the wider world. Family and friends were very concerned about his mental health until somebody suggested getting a dog. Well, to say it transformed his life is an understatement.  After several weeks his mood had changed; he now had a   focus to his life and on his daily walks he made several friends with other dog walkers and enjoyed chatting away to them.     

In our service we will say this prayer together which will also remind us of our great responsibility to look after God’s creation:

Generous God, whose own self-giving is reflected in the love and devotion of these animal companions; bless them with your Spirit, and make us mindful of the great responsibility we bear for all creatures dependent upon us for their welfare; help us to use our power over them for their own benefit and never selfishly for our own gain.  Amen. 

So dear friends, do consider joining us on Sunday 17th July at 3pm on the field for our special pet blessing service. We will also be joined by the Leeds, Wakefield and District RSPCA who will have an information stall.  I look forward to seeing you there or at any other service or event we are holding over the summer months – take care, God bless and hope you have a good summer.

Rev Glenn Coggins, Vicar of  the United Benefice of Stanley, Outwood and Wrenthorpe and Alverthorpe.