The Sunday next before Lent

Our series of Lent Talks this year will focus on the Lord's Prayer. Explore in more depth the prayer that Jesus taught us, probably the first 'formal' prayer that most Christians learn, a prayer we say, perhaps without really stopping to think about what its words really mean to us. Each speaker will present a personal take on a line of the prayer, with time for questions or reflections. After Easter, there will be the opportunity to hear the Archbishop of York speak about the Lord's Prayer at Wakefield Cathedral on 28 April. You might also want to buy the Archbishop's book about the Lord's Prayer, Praying by Heart: The Lord's Prayer for Everyone. Each of our Lent talks will be followed by a short service of Compline.

• 25 February: Rev'd Brunel James (Project and Secretariat Manager for the Church of England's Racial Justice Unit): 'Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven'
• 4 March: Rev'd Canon Jude Smith (Director of Mission and Revitalisation for the Diocese of Leeds): 'Lead us not into temptation'
• 11 March: Rev'd Andy Muckle (Chaplain to St George’s Crypt & Bishop’s Chaplain to the Homeless in the Diocese of Leeds); 'Give us this day our daily bread'
• 18 March: Very Rev'd Dr Philip Hobday (Dean of Wakefield): 'Our Father'
• 25 March: Rev'd Linda Boon (Harrogate School of Theology and Mission): 'Forgive us our trespasses'

The Leeds South & East Food Bank continues to be in urgent need of donations of food to help feed those in most need. In particular at the moment they are asking for UHT milk, biscuits, custard, cooking sauces and tinned or packet mashed potatoes.

If you are able, you can donate by picking one of these items up in your weekly shop and dropping it in the box at the back of the church. You can find other ways to help, including donating money or your time, on their website at wkrk.uk/fbd. If you need the help of a foodbank yourself, see wkrk.uk/fbh.

Lent begins on Wednesday 18 February. We will be marking this with two Eucharists with imposition of ashes: a said service at 10.00 am and a sung Eucharist at 7.30 pm. Please do try to attend church on Ash Wednesday if you can: it is a hugely important day in the church calendar. For those 'on the go' and to help to explain what Ash Wednesday is all about to those who may not attend church, we will also be offering 'Ashes to Go' in the amphitheatre at Temple Newsam House on Ash Wednesday between 12.00 and 2.00 pm. If you are out and about, do pop by and see us (ashing optional). It would be lovely to see some friendly faces!

If you are wondering about renewing your focus on reading the Bible as a Lenten discipline, why not come along to our friendly Bible Discussion Group which meets every Friday at 6.00 pm in the Smeaton Room? We focus on the readings for the following Sunday's Eucharist, but there are plenty of chances to ask questions (including about other passages or issues), all in a supportive atmosphere where there's no such thing as a 'silly question'. All are welcome; no previous knowledge or experience is expected. 

A date for your diary. Ash Wednesday this year is 18 February, which can mean only one thing... our famous Pancake Social will be on 17 February from 5.30 pm in the Community Centre. Pancake prayers, games and fun, and of course pancakes galore! Don't miss it.