-
Letter for December 2024/January 2025
Dear Friends, By now most people will know that Angela and myself will be leaving the benefice at the end of February 2025. My actual last day of full time ministry will be on Friday 28th February after nearly thirty years serving in various churches around the country. Looking back it’s hard to believe that…
-
Letter for November 2024
“No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. “ John 15:13 (NRSVA) It’s been a real joy since I arrived with you nearly two months ago to worship in all of the churches and to begin the process of getting to know you all. As I write I’ve…
-
Letter for October 2024
Dear Friends, It was wonderful to gather at St Mary Magdalene in Outwood on last month for Rev Diane’s licensing to serve here in the Benefice. It has been a long journey since Fr Jonathan left in January 2023 with a lot of extra work to cover, and therefore we are very appreciative of the…
-
Letter for September 2024
“For in the one Spirit we were all baptised into one body” 1 Corinthians 12: 13 I’m Diane, the soon-to-be Associate Vicar here in the North Wakefield Benefice and I’m really excited that I’m going to be joining you permanently this month. My family and I are currently settling into the vicarage in Wrenthorpe, slowly…
-
Letter for Jul/Aug 2024
Many years ago I can remember talking to a man who said he had been asked several times if he would stand as a local councillor. He had never taken up the invitation as he wanted to have a quiet pint in his local after a long day at work. He thought that as a…
-
Letter for June 2024
I wonder if you are a ‘Swiftie’? This is the name is given to fans who follow the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift who is an extremely gifted, popular and very successful pop star. She is only in her thirties but has been writing songs for many years that come from her heart about her feelings,…
-
Letter for May 2024
Dear Friends, As I pen this letter, it is wonderful to report that on Sunday 28th April it was announced across the Benefice that Revd Diane Komorowski will be joining us this summer as our new Associate Priest. For the past three years, Diane has served as curate in Lupset and Thornes and spent a…
-
Letter for April 2024
I recently visited Wakefield Theatre Royal to watch a play entitled ‘Something About George’ which focused on George Harrison’s life after the Beatles’ split up. The evening told the truly remarkable tale of one of music’s most understated icons, and addressed the question: “Where does life take you after being in the greatest band in the…
-
Letter for March 2024
Dear Friends, I don’t know if you, like me, sometimes find it hard to watch or listen to our rolling news coverage. These days we have 24 hours news and with such detail and analysis it can be painful to always keep abreast. I am reminded of the quote by TS Elliot who said ‘humankind…
-
Letter for February 2024
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…