Northern - Report on the Northern Regional Meeting of 23rd June.
The Northern regional meeting on 23rd June was a great reminder of why our churches are so often the best place to be in a heatwave! Leeds Minster was cool and comfortable with the usual fabulous welcome and hospitality, while outside the temperature soared. The pattern of our meeting changed a bit this time, trying out a slightly different routine. We had the joy of sharing in worship together and with the regular community of Leeds Minster as we celebrated Holy Communion.
We had some wonderful conversations together as a group, sharing news of our context and discussing how we best help to support one another and grow the reach of the network across the North.
One really positive outcome of our meeting was volunteers to scope out the role of Diocesan Champions for Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds and Carlisle Diocese and we hope to begin work on this in the Autumn and believe this will help us to develop our ability to be active in advocacy and mentoring throughout the region.
After lunch we were joined by Sir John Robins, Chief Constable of West Yorkshire Police who had taken time out of his day to be with us and share some helpful background to the policing of protest and the helpful role Churches and church leaders can plan in community cohesion. It was wonderful to welcome him and hear his helpful and inciteful presentation and engage in a time of questions and discussion with him.
Dates to note coming up for the North Region:
9th September 11-3.30pm Leeds Minster North Regional meeting of Senior Lay Leader/Ops Managers in Major Churches. Bring your own lunch.
8th October 2026 Day Conference with Counter Terrorism of West Yorkshire Police looking at Martyn’s Law
17th November 2026 11-3.30pm Leeds Minster North Regional Meeting of Clergy. Please bring your own lunch. This meeting will be given over the introducing and piloting some of the material our Training Officer, Adrian Daffern has prepared for the Network. Due to this, it is recommended that this would be a clergy meeting not clergy/lay combined which would be the normal pattern of our meetings.
22nd June 2027 11-3.30pm Leeds Minster North Regional Meeting of Clergy. Bring your own lunch.
6-8th October 2027 Major Churches Conference in Beverley/Hull.
Previous Meetings
Faith in the North Report
On Wednesday 25th February a merry band of leaders from Major churches across the North joined Archbishop Stephen at Bishopsthorpe in York for the day to learn more about Faith in the North and share our experiences of being Major churches.
It was wonderful to see friends and colleagues from around the network but also to meet with colleagues from Major Churches who are not yet part of the network. Hilary Barber, chair of the MCN shared some of our vision and purpose and I was introduced as the new convenor of the Northern group.
We heard from the Faith in the North team about the Pilgrim places resources and support which is available to all churches, and more about their vision to celebrate faith across the Northern Province.
Archbishop Stephen spoke to us all about the value of Major churches in the broader ecosystem of the Church of England. It was encouraging to feel that our specific charism was understood and valued as part of the collective service of the gospel in the country. We were able to worship together, receiving communion in the beautiful 12th century chapel and enjoyed a delicious lunch.
Thank you to Leeds Minster for hosting the last MCN Northern regional meeting in November, It was a lovely day of networking and conversation.
Thursday 18th November 2025, Leeds Minster, LS2 7DJ, 11.00 am – 2.30 pm
Dear Colleagues,
I write to invite you and your colleagues to attend the next meeting of the Northern Group of the Major Churches Network, to be held at Leeds Minster on Thursday 18th November 2025, from 11.00 am to 2.30 pm.
Our time together will be led by Canon Paul Maybury, as I shall be in London meeting with Historic England and the Church Buildings Council on behalf of the Major Churches.
These gatherings are a valuable opportunity not only for clergy but also for lay leaders to meet and share experiences, so please feel free to bring a lay colleague — perhaps your churchwarden, operations manager, or administrator — who would benefit from joining the conversation.
During our meeting, there will be an important discussion about the future shape of our regional network — whether to remain as one Northern Group or to create a new North West Group, potentially hosted by Rachel Shuttleworth at St Helen’s. We will also be seeking your feedback from the recent Conference, as we begin planning for next year’s programme.
Please bring your own sandwiches for lunch; drinks will be provided.
We look forward to another encouraging and engaging gathering in the magnificent surroundings of Leeds Minster.
With every good wish,
The Revd Canon Hilary Barber
Vicar of Halifax Minster
Convener, Northern Group, Major Churches Network