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 cannot bear very much reality’ and I feel I have to be careful to balance news intake which can often be sad and graphic alongside some life affirming news. It is easy for us to switch off the television or radio but for many people caught up in struggles in places like the Ukraine and the Middle East, there’s no button to press. Rather the worry and constant threat on the doorstep lives with you each moment of every day and night. We remember the people caught up in these wars in our prayers of course but sometimes you feel helpless against such powerful forces moulding countries and people’s lives.

When one reads the Bible you find it really brings home to us the reality of the world we live in. Along with wonderful examples of people supporting and caring for one another, we also read about the darker side of humanity and how it can destroy lives and communities.

During Lent we continue our own journey of repentance and self examination and are challenged to look deep into our hearts and lives about how we can help build a better world for all. In many ways it starts with us, and sin at its root cause is alienation from God and each other.  As we journey towards the events of Holy Week which begin on Palm Sunday, 24th March, we shall then listen and reflect on those events that shaped the world. We shall eavesdrop on the events of the Last Supper, sit at the foot of the cross on Good Friday and then come to Easter Day to celebrate and rejoice that Jesus has risen. What an amazing God who comes and shares our lives in Jesus and in doing so invites us into a relationship with him.

Perhaps as preparation for our journey through Holy Week, I would encourage you to spend some time reading one of the Gospel accounts of the events of Jesus’ last week and ask God to speak to you in a deep and meaningful way.

Also whilst writing please continue to pray for the post of associate priest which is now being advertised. The interviews will take place on Tuesday 23rd April and we pray that this time we shall be able to appoint a new team member. Again a big thanks to all who continue to help and support the work and ministry across the benefice.

Take care and God Bless and hope to see you over the Easter period and consider joining us at various services and events.  

Glenn 

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

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 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

Letter for December 2023

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

Letter for October 2023

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

Rob Harper

Letter for July 2023

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

Letter for May 2023

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

Letter for April 2023

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

Letter for March 2023

Dear Friends,   Welcome to the March edition of our benefice magazine which again covers lots of news and activities across our four churches.  We are now in Lent, and over the forty days we will reflect on Jesus’ life in the wilderness and the temptations he faced, and our journey of discipleship.  

Several years ago on a trip to the Holy Land, I decided to scoop up some of the Judean desert and placed it in a jam jar to bring home.  As I went through security in Tel Aviv airport I thought perhaps I should mention it to the security guard.  His response was that people often pinch a bit of desert but there’s plenty to go around so it’s okay. It has served as a visual aid in talks and assemblies for many years and it gives one a little sense of what life in the desert might be like: the contrast between the heat of the day and the coldness of the night, and the sheer bareness of the desert.  Life in the desert would have little in the way of luxury and one would have to focus on the essentials: survival, and what is really important in life.

In the past, Lent for many people has involved going without certain things, but interestingly many contemporary Christians push back against the idea of “giving something up” and instead suggest that we “take something on.”  Rather than seeing Lent as a period of denial and deprivation, they suggest we view Lent as an invitation to commit to positive actions, like volunteering, donating money, or practicing deeper contemplation.  Proponents of this view point out that by virtue of committing to something new, we also give something else up.  We sacrifice our time and commit it to service, or to God.  It may be an approach to consider for us this Lent….

During Lent we shall be holding a series of Lent groups at different times and places across the benefice (see opposite).  In 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.

In other news we shall have Bishop Tony Robinson with us at each of the four Sundays in March, and it will be an opportunity for us to share in worship and have fellowship afterwards.  Further news about the vacancy will follow in due course but 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.

Take care and God Bless, Glenn

Rev Glenn Coggins, Vicar of the United Benefice of Stanley,

Outwood and Wrenthorpe and Alverthorpe

Letter for February 2023

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

Letter for Dec 2022/Jan 2022

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