This morning the All-Age service was about Christian Aid week. The church was adorned with bunting and balloons (which were taken home by the children!) and the service was all about giving others hope.
We learned through a video about Gustavo, a coffee grower in Nicaragua. With the help of Christian Aid, he, and hundreds of other growers, are able to obtain a fair price for their goods. This has been achieved by becoming part of a co-operative able to continue the processing of the beans.
Please, if you have a collection at your house, make a donation to allow people like Gustavo and his community break out of poverty!
During Epiphany, we have been displaying a number of prayer stations from the gifts the Magi gave to Jesus through the Epiphany gospel readings. On Saturday 29th January 2011 from 10am to 12pm, church will be open for quite reflection and prayer at these stations. Refreshments will be served from 11am to 12pm in the Parish Centre.
We have distributed to the congregation an Advent Calendar for St Mary’s. It contains a Bible verse to read and a thought for each day leading up to Christmas. If you weren’t able to pick one up in church, download one here.
The Archbishop of York, John Sentamu, is to post a thought each day in advent on his web site. You can visit the Advent Calendar by clicking here.
Are you looking for something better than what is fed through the wireless and TV? My selection of classical Christmas music should give you something to enjoy, and remember the Christmas story with.
At the 10.30 service this morning we celebrated our new organ. We were delighted to welcome the Lord Mayor of Leeds, Judith Elliott to join in the celebrations with us. As well as using the organ for our worship and hymns, a very rousing singing of Jerusalem concluded the service.
Afterwards, the Lord Mayor decided to have a go at the organ with John Hardcastle our organist:
Lord Mayor, Judith Elliott, with organist John Hardcastle
