Previous News Items

Anniversary 2009

On Sunday 3rd May we held our Anniversary service. The worship was led by our superintendent minister, the Revd Adrian Burdon, and our invited preacher was Deacon Sue Culver, Warden of the Methodist Diaconal Order. The service was attended by the Lord Mayor of Leeds, Councillor Frank Robinson, and the Lady Mayoress, and the Chair of the Leeds Methodist District, the Revd Liz Smith.

Sue Culver took Feet as the theme of her address using the washing of feet as a a symbol of Christian service. She had selected for her Gospel reading the passage in Luke's Gospel about the woman who washed the feet of Jesus with her tears and dried them with her hair.

During her address a large sequence of pictures of feet and the washing of feet were projected on to the wall behind her. The photographs and drawings showed feet of all sizes, and conditions. She invited us to take off our shoes and socks and look at our feet. And then to look at the feet of a neighbour and to touch them and bless them, and have our own feet touched an blessed by a neighbour.

Feet are not always attractive. We may delight in the feet of babies but as feet get bigger and older they usually become less attractive, calloused, and possibly dirty. Touching such feet, washing them and blessing them is a caring act which recognises the worth of the person whose feet are being touched or washed and should not be thought of as demeaning the person carrying out the act of service.

Each time we as Christians or as a church provide a service in our building or out in the streets of the city we are 'washing the feet' of those we meet and serve. When we come together in worship we are washing the feet of each other.

30th Anniversary Celebration

On Sunday 1st February, Oxford Place Church celebrated the 30th Anniversary of the congregation's return after the conversion of its building from a 2000 seater place of worship to a smaller worship space surrounded by meeting rooms and offices – the Oxford Place Centre. Since 1979 the building has been further modified in a number of stages.

The celebration took the form of worship followed by a lunch for the church family and friends who had been part of Oxford Place in 1979, but who have since moved away.

Unfortunately, the Revd Richard Davison, who was superintendent minister from 1974 to 1989, was unable to be with us because of a problem with his train. However, we were pleased to welcome Sister Ruth Baudains (deacon at the time), Joan Oliver (who was involved in the planning for the return and later became our first lay worker), the Revd Albert Jewell (university chaplain) Ken Wilson (who oversaw the reconstruction work and became our first administrator, Marie and Frank Hudson (Frank was the first caretaker of the new Oxford Place Centre), and several other friends.

Some photographs...

This celebration is the first of a series of events that will conclude with the celebration of the 175 years since the church was originally opened in 1835.

Street Chaplains – on the streets again

Now looking for volunteers for January, February and March. [More...]

On Friday 22 November from about 11.00pm until 1.30am in the early hours of Saturday, several small teams of Street Chaplains could be seen in Leeds between the Corn Exchange and the rail station.

The volunteers from a number of the city centre churches gathered in the café at Holy Trinity Church in Boar Lane at 10.15pm to be briefed by the Revd Adrian Burdon who is the link with Safer Leeds, West Yorkshire Police, and British Transport Police.

High visibility tabards with STREET CHAPLAIN on the back were handed out to most of the volunteers. There weren't enough to go round as more had turned up than had been anticipated. Telephone numbers were given out so that we could report serious incidents, but the strong advice was not to get involved if there was violence and to call the emergency services if necessary.

The two Police Community Support Officers who patrolled the area introduced themselves and gave out a contact telephone number.

Out on the streets there were groups of mainly young men and women, inadequately dressed against the cold wind, making there way to clubs and bars. Near the entrances the clubs (entrances which are often no more than a door leading down into a basement underneath the neighbouring shops and restaurants) there were small crowds waiting to go in, smoking, chatting, occasionally shouting.

The traffic was light – dozens of taxis, the occasional bus, one or two private cars.

The rail station was busy with people in more suitable clothing looking to get a train. Away from Boar Lane, Duncan Street and the area around The Calls and Call Lane the streets were quieter.

Each team stayed out for about 40 minutes, returning to base for a hot coffee or cup of tea and maybe a biscuit provided by the base team before returning to the cold street. Most teams went out three times before we gathered together at 1.30am before going home.

The teams had not gone unnoticed. Every team had spoken with someone. Often it was no more than to give directions or exchange an brief greeting. One team had encountered someone who needed to talk, another had helped someone find and get into a taxi. The view of the PCPOs was that it was rather quiet for a Saturday night.

The group was probably too big, and five on-the-street teams too many. The Street Chaplains will be out again on 12 and 19 December, and it is hoped that there will be 12 volunteers on each occasion with three teams on the streets.

Adrian would like to have a number of such groups of 12 who would each go out once a month throughout the year. If you would like to become involved please get in touch with Adrian.

An earlier item on street chaplains ...

Visit to Brno in the Czech Republic

Our superintendent minister, Adrian Burdon, and Ken Tait were part of the delegation from Leeds to Brno in the Czech Republic. The visit (from 20th September to 23rd September) was organised by Leeds City Council as part of the twinning relationship between Brno and Leeds.

The delegation was led by the Lord Mayor of Leeds, Councillor Frank Robinson, and other members of the group included the Leeds-based band, Bassa Bassa.

Jana and Adrian

On the Sunday of the visit, Adrian and Ken attended worship at the Evangelické Církve Metodistické when Adrian preached the sermon and Ken gave a short presentation about Oxford Place. Later they shared a meal with members of the congregation at the home of the pastor, the Revd Dr Jana Krížová. On other days Adrian and Ken joined in parts of the civic programme including an exhibition by the East Street Arts group and a concert by Brno schools which was followed by a reception. More about this visit can be found in the Autumn issue (97) of Life and Work.

New Administrator

Trevor Parker took up his appointment as Mission Administrator at Leeds Methodist Mission on 1st September 2008.

Trevor has been a member of Leeds Parish Church for the past twenty years and presently serves as their Hon. Treasurer. He comes from an employment background of Human Resources Management, having worked principally with HBOS.

Note

Our Charity of the Year

Our Charity of the Year for 2008-2009 is Leeds Asylum Seekers Support Network. LASSN was set up in 1999. It has offered support to over 700 refugees and asylum seekers. These people experience isolation, loneliness, and suffer from the effects of a negative media profile. Many fear what may happen to them and their families.

A small group has been set up to coordinate our efforts to raise money and offer support in other ways to this organisation.

During the year to the end of March 2008, LASSN has helped many people:

• 394 ShortStop guests
• 112 Befriended asylum seekers and refugees
• 45 English at Home learners
• 132 Destitute asylum seekers supported through our Hardship Fund payments
• 24 refugee community organisations assisted through the Leeds Refugee Forum
• 1 Community Centre opened for refugee community organisations with 281 people through the door in just one month

New responsibilities for our Superintendent

The Methodist Conference at its July 2008 meeting in Scarborough appointed the Rev Dr Adrian Burdon to be Titular Superintendent of the Leeds (West) Circuit with effect from 1 September 2008.

This position is to be held concurrently with his appointment as Superintendent of the Leeds (Mission) Circuit.

A Titular Superintendent is a person appointed to hold the title of Superintendent of the Circuit for the purposes of:

• undertaking the legal functions of Superintendency,
• the giving of ministerial leadership
• and the encouragement of mission and ministry in the circuit.

In order to make space for this additional work, and minimise the impact of it upon his ministry at Oxford Place, Adrian has relinquished some of his Connexional responsibilities.

If anyone has any questions about this appointment then please feel free to make contact with Adrian directly.

Visit of the President of Conference

The President of the Methodist Conference, the Revd Stephen Poxon will preach at the our 10.30am morning service on Sunday, 14th December.

In the afternoon at 4.00pm there will be an opportunity to meet the President, and then at 6.00pm there will be a Leeds District Service led by the President.

Leeds Churches Street Chaplains

Leeds Churches Street Chaplains are becoming active again. We will be out on the streets on 21st November between 10.00pm and 2.00am.

After months of uncertainty it seems that the time is now right and our ministry is being encouraged. We will be supported by West Yorkshire Police and British Transport Police in Leeds City Centre and by the Leeds City Council (Safer Leeds).

Over the coming months they will help us to develop our ministry with funding and provision of training opportunities. The City Council, through the Safer Leeds organisation will be arranging insurance cover and will supply us with "Party-goers survival kits". These kits can be distributed to the people we meet and will give us an reason to approach them.

Although we have lost momentum over the past months we are now ready to get back with renewed vigour.

If you would like to participate in this project whether out on the street or at our base in Holy Trinity Church on Boar Lane, please contact our superintendent minister, Adrian Burdon.

Earlier news item ...

173rd Church Anniversary
& 25th Anniversary of the Children's Centre

The sanctuary of church was almost full for for our Anniversary service of worship and thanksgiving. In addition to our usual congregation we were joined by many who have supported and continue to support the work of the Children's Centre. We also welcomed a number of past ministers and lay workers. The Revd Richard Davison (Superintendent Minister, 1974-1988) read the first lesson. The other lessons were read by Mrs Irene Hebden (Church Steward) and Mrs Jill Jewell (Secretary to Children's Centre Management Committee).

The sermon was given by Mr John Bell, a past-president of the Methodist Conference, and he took 'Change' as his theme, advocating living in the present and working for the future.

Our young children worked quietly at the front of the sanctuary during the sermon and produced a large (A3) 25th Anniversary card to give to the Children's Centre.

Later in the service the Lord Mayor of Leeds, Councillor Brian Cleasby, brought greetings from the City of Leeds and he was followed by the Revd Dr Liz Smith who, as its Chair, brought greetings from the Leeds Methodist District.

Our Superintendent Minister, the Revd Dr Adrian Burdon, responded on behalf of the Leeds Methodist Mission.

The prayers of Thanksgiving and Intercession were led by the Revd Nick Baker (Universities Chaplain) and Deacon Ruth Hinch (Oxford Place).

After the service we heard more about the Children's Centre from Christine Pattison (Manager of the Childrens's Centre until last year) and Josie Burdon (Leeds District Network President) who stood in for Pam Turner (the National President) who was unable to be with us. The Lord Mayor proposed a toast to the Children's Centre and anniversay cakes were cut by Margaret Padgett (a volunteer in the Children's Centre for all of its 25 years) and John Bell, before we enjoyed a buffet lunch and an opportunity to catch up with old friends and talk with new ones.

Street Chaplains

Since this article was written the Street Chaplains have been out again (7th December) and are planning to venture forth again. The 29th February had been chosen as the next occasion, but for various reasons this has not proved practical. Nevertheless, discussions with the police have confirmed their support for the project and this should allow the team to be out on a more regular basis. This will require more volunteers, so spread the word. [11th February 2008]
Anyone can find out more by contacting our Superintendent Minister

At 9.30pm on Friday 9th November sixteen volunteers from different churches and denominations along with representatives of similar local schemes gathered at Holy Trinity Church in Boar Lane. After an introduction by our superintendent minister, the Revd Adrian Burdon, and advice from the police we divided up into two teams of three, two teams of four, leaving two of us to hold the fort and prepare tea and coffee.

About 11.00pm the four teams set out along with two Police Community Support Officers who would be available if needed.

Each team stayed out for up to an hour at a time, coming back at intervals for relief and refreshment, and at half-past one we all gathered to talk about what had happened and make suggestions for what we might do in the future.
more ...

Read the article in the Yorkshire Evening Post (Saturday, 10th November 2007)

Setting off along Boar Lane

Time to Talk

In September 2007 we reviewed our experience of Café Worship and came to the conclusion that it was the opportunity to talk that we most valued. We, therefore, made the decision to change the format and the title. It is now called Time to Talk. It is still worship, but there is more time to share our thoughts and ideas. It has also moved to the later time of 6.30pm, still on the third Sunday of each month.

Charity of the Year 2007-2008

From the beginning of September our Charity of the Year will be the Bethlehem Bible College. The college is an interdenominational Christian Bible college located in Bethlehem, Palestine. It seeks to train and prepare Christian servant-leaders for the churches and society within an Arab context. The college is registered as a charity in the UK No:328456

Treasures Revealed in Leeds

For a week during May 2007 Oxford Place took part in Treasures Revealed in Leeds. Throughout the week there was an exhibition of photographs and other items. Here is a small sample of what you could have seen:

The Brunswick Communion Set, The Oxford Place Love Feast Set and the Oxford Place Communion Set

An early 20th century photograph of Oxford Place Chapel

The interior of Oxford Place Chapel in the 1970s

The Samuel Chadwick Memorial window which is still part of the building.

Church Anniversary 2007

The Rt Revd John Packer, Bishop of Ripon and Leeds, preaching at our Anniversary Service on 6th May 2007.

The Deputy Lord Mayor, Councillor Jack Dunn brought greetings from the City of Leeds.

Mike Ganfield, representing HM Courts Service, read from the Acts of the Apostles, part of which was used by the Bishop of Ripon as his text for his sermon.

A presentation was made to the Revd Michael Townsend, Chair of the Leeds Methodist District, as an expression of thanks from Oxford place for all his help and sypport during his period of office which ends on 31st August. The Revd Townsend also led our prayers.

Chatting in the foyer before lunch.

Methodist City Centre Network Conference

Adrian in a group discussion

Leeds Methodist Mission is a recognised city centre church and project. This makes it a member of the Methodist City Centre Network (MCCN). Adrian Burdon and Ken Tait attended the MCCN Conference held at the Hayes Conference Centre at Swanwick in March.

The theme of the conference was Stones, Bones and Mobile Phones. The main speaker was the Revd Chris Baker, Director of the William Temple Foundation. Chris facilitated discussion about the changing patterns of populations in city centres and how the church might best respond to them.

Although the discussion at the conference was wide-ranging and shared experiences from many town and city centres, it was almost reassuring that no one was offering quick-fix answers to the challenges that result from maintaining a Christian presence in the centres of our towns and cities.

Our Charity of the Year 2006-2007

This year our chosen charity is the Emmaus Leeds Community based in the previous St Charles Catholic School in Burmantofts, Leeds 9.

Emmaus Leeds is a charitable business which helps homeless young people – known as Companions – to help themselves by providing a home, and work in a supportive environment.

The Leeds Community opened in November 2003, although the work of fund raising and finding a suitable building to convert had started five years earlier.

From their premises Emmaus run a quality second-hand furniture store, outreach cafe, hire out a meeting/leisure room and computing facilities with accredited training, and offer a community recycling facilities.

As well as a wide range of furniture the shops sells books, pictures, small electrical appliances, bikes, pianos and seasonal products. Some of the Companions are also developing skills towards completing the Basic food Hygiene certificate, and First Aid at Work certificates, European languages, and computing skills.

Full article...

Courts Lent Lecture: Respect for Privacy in the 21st Century

The second biennial Courts Lent Lecture will be given on 27th March 2007 at the Oxford Place Centre at 5.30pm. The speaker will be the Right Hon. Sir Paul Kennedy, HM Commissioner for the Interception of Communication. Sir Paul is a former Lord Justice of Appeal and Vice President of the Queen's Bench Division.

Full information about the lecture may be viewed or downloaded (PDF).

To view this PDF file you will need to have Adobe Reader installed – this can be obtained at no cost.

Neither Leeds Methodist Mission nor Oxford Place Church is responsible for the content of external sites.

Guide Dogs Challenge

On Saturday 28 October 2006, in atrocious weather conditions, we completed the sponsored challenge fundraising event for Guide Dogs for the Blind.

Adrian, Hannah, Robert and David, completed the course and got absolutely wet through and covered in good Yorkshire mud! We participated in clay pigeon shooting, archery, orienteering, bridge-building and driving (blind-folded!)a series of Land Rovers over a variety of challenging courses.

With your help, we have raised just over £2000 for the work of Guide Dogs. Thank you so much to those of you who have sponsored us.

Change at Leeds Methodist Mission

Leeds Methodist Mission – the Methodist Church at Oxford Place – is a circuit with a single church. Most Methodist Circuits have a number of churches.

In September 2006 we changed the way we are organised so that we will become more closely linked to the Leeds District of the Methodist Church, and with our neighbouring circuits in Leeds. There are few immediately obvious consequences of these changes and day to day life at Oxford Place carries on much as before.

At the moment the responsibilities for financial and property management are the responsibility of the people of Oxford Place. From September these will be shared with representatives of the Leeds District who will join the new Management Committee (which replaces the Circuit meeting). Church life will continue to be responsibility of the church family at Oxford Place with the main decision-making body being the Church Council.

In order for these changes to occur it has been necessary to await the approval of new Standing Orders by the Methodist Conference (which met recently in Edinburgh) and its agreement that they be applied to Leeds Mission Circuit.

A new member of the Circuit Team

From the beginning of September the Revd Dr Philip Bee will be a member of our Circuit Team. His appointment to the circuit is a 'sector appointment' as he is to take up the full-time post of Director of the Centre for Faith, Work and Economic Life. This is based at the Leeds Church Institute.

The Revd Pat Creamer, who is a counsellor with Mind, has been a sector minister in our circuit for some years.

Café Worship

Update In September 2007 we reviewed our experience of Café Worship and came to the conclusion that it was the opportunity to talk that we most valued. We, therefore, made the decision to change the format and the title. It is now called Time to Talk. It is still worship, but there is more time to share our thoughts and ideas. It has also moved to the later time of 6.30pm, still on the third Sunday of each month.

Adrian telling us a tale about a coconut

On Sunday 21st May 2006 we held our first hour or so of Café Worship. Most of those present were regular members of our morning congregation, but we were pleased to welcome a small number of other friends.

As intended our worship was relaxed and informal, particularly when we had the occasional technical hitch. It was also sincere and worthwhile.

Afterwards there was a sense of achievement that we had managed it and a little relief that we had avoided major problems.

Church Anniversary

The Deputy Lord Mayor, Ann Castle with the Revd Adrian Burdon and the Revd Neil Richardson

Neil started by asking why there are churches in the centres of our cities. He spoke of the church as a listening and sharing church, listening to people, listening to the heartbeat of the city and sharing by responding to the needs of the city and its people.

Not only is the church listening to people, but it is listening for God, for the Word. This means that when the church sees need and injustice in the city the church cannot remain silent. The gospel requires that the church speak out and, like a good friend, the church should tell the truth.

He urged us to remember that '...God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, ...' and that He loves the city, He loves each person, He will never despair.