Curate to join St Mary's team

St Mary's Church Web Portal • 21 October 2019

WE ARE PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE A NEW CURATE WILL BE JOINING US IN JULY 2020.

Jonathan Brennan will be ordained Deacon on Saturday 4th July 2020 and will start his post as Assistant Curate here at St Mary’s on Sunday 5th July. His time here will be the final stages of his training (his curacy) in readiness for him taking on a post of responsibility elsewhere, three to four years later.

He will work alongside our Rector, Revd Jane Brown, who is looking forward to his appointment:

“I am very excited that Jonathan will be joining us. Garforth is such a great place to minister and we have a lot to offer him, as a place of learning and exploration. I am sure he will also make a great contribution to our work as we seek to grow our church in numbers, faith and service to our local community. He brings wide-ranging skills and experience, plus a passion for sharing the love of Christ.”

Jonathan writes:

“It is a pleasure to introduce myself as your new Curate. My name is Jonathan, and I have been married to Diane for 32 years and we have two grown-up children and a Collie-Labrador cross called Ben. I have spent nearly all of my working career in the legal profession, whilst remaining an active member of All Saints Parish Church in Normanton. At Normanton, I was Church Warden on three separate occasions and for a total of sixteen years, and also actively involved in the Music Group. With Diane, I led a Pathfinder Venture for ten years, which was an amazing opportunity to share my faith with young people and my passion for rock climbing and kayaking. I believe that I recognised a calling to the ministry some time ago but felt this was for ‘later in life’. When I eventually did reach that later life, I explored the calling a little deeper and was subsequently accepted for Ordination training. I am very excited to be coming to serve you at St Mary’s. I have a real passion to share the Gospel and to come alongside people to see their lives transformed through the love of Jesus, so that we can make a difference in our community.”

It's a long way ahead but keep the 4th July 2020 free. It would be good for some of us to celebrate Jonathan’s ordination with him!

Maurice Norman on Remembrance Day 2025

by Witsend3 • 10 November 2025
Maurice recalled how very fortunate he was to survive while friends of his did not

After the licensing service, a light supper was held in the Parish Centre

by Witsend3 • 8 November 2025
St Mary’s Churchwardens, Alyson & Avis, before the festivities began! Alyson baked a celebration cake which looked amazing.

Revd Andie's Licensing Service & Celebration

by PH825839 • 8 November 2025
The licensing service was very well attended and was a joyful occasion for everyone. After the licensing service, a light supper was held in the Parish Centre

Revd Andie's Licensing

by PH825839 • 8 November 2025
Bishop of Kirkstall and St Mary’s new Rector - Revd Andie Shaw.

Celebrating our childrens faith

by St Mary's Web Portal • 16 May 2022
On Sunday 15th May, we had a very special Family Communion service, as welcomed three of our children to receive the sacrament of Holy Communion for the first time. Imogen, Isabel and Jack had all spent time preparing for this special day and we were delighted to welcome them into this new stage of their life of faith. Children are invited to participate in our separate FunDay Sunday activities at 10.15am on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month and attend our more family-friendly services on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month (5th Sundays vary).

Welcome to our new robed Choir

by St Mary's Web • 13 February 2022
It was such a joy to have the Choir leading our singing again today. We welcomed back many of our former Choir members with the addition of several new members. The Choir will sing at our more traditional services of Holy Communion at 10.15am on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month.

St Mary's supports 'Rise to the moment' Campaign for COP26

by St Mary's Online Network • 4 September 2021
Christian Aid will be making a display of boats at COP26 climate summit in Glasgow. Everyone is invited to contribute a boat, with a prayer or message to world leaders. There will also be a display in Leeds, to which MPs will be invited. Here, at St Mary’s, we have decided to join in with this important installation to demonstrate the depths of people’s concern about the climate change emergency and, as Christians, to stress the responsibilities we share as stewards of God’s creation. So we will be providing opportunities at Church events to make your boat, but we have also included details below if you would rather make one at home. You could also sign the Christian Aid climate justice petition here: www.christianaid.org.uk/get-involved/campaigns/climate-justice-2021

Keeping Church Open

by St Mary's Web Portal • 18 July 2021
You may not have realised it, but a dedicated group of volunteer supervisors have been enabling us to open Church to provide a place for people to come to pray, to weep or to give thanks, for the last year (whenever restrictions have allowed). Apart from a few regulars, we have seen many members of the wider Garforth community come in, often in times of desperate need. It has been such an important service to local people, so thank you to everyone who has been involved. Tomorrow, 19th July, we will be able to resume our practice of having Church open every day from Monday to Saturday, 9am-3pm. Please do come into Church at any time during these hours, if you need a space to be quiet, to open your heart to God, to pray or light a candle. All are welcome.

Belated Ordination Gift For Revd Jonathan

by St Mary's Web Portal • 18 July 2021
In our main service today, we presented Revd Jonathan for the gift from St Mary’s in celebration of his ordination to the priesthood on 26th June. The chalice, paton and candleholder had been specially made for him and inscribed underneath with the words ‘Ordained Priest 26/6/21’. It may have been 3 weeks late, but we hope it was worth the wait! Congratulations Jonathan and thank you for your ministry here over the last year.

REVD JANE OFFERS REVIEW OF 2020

by St Mary's Web Portal • 1 May 2021
At our Annual Parochial Church Meeting on 25th April, Revd Jane offered a review of 2020 and encouraged us to look forward with hope and confidence. A copy of the full text may be downloaded HERE .