Podcast | Leeds Church Institute

Winter Hook Lecture 2021 – Thinking about Faith and the Climate, What do we want to sustain?

Our Winter Hook Lecture 2021 brought to you with the title of – Thinking about Faith and the Climate, What do we want to sustain? Delivered by Dr Carmody Grey live at Leeds Minster was insightful and thought provoking. This fascinating lecture...

Poetry reading by Diane Pacitti

We were delighted to have Bronte Poetry Award winner Diane Pacitti join us for poetry and a book club discussion on The Ungrateful Refugee. Here Diane shares some of her poems with us in the context of the themes around...

Christianity, Nature & Mental Health: Possibilities and Pitfalls

We were delighted to welcome Tasia Scrutton, Associate Professor at University of Leeds at the School for Philosophy, Religion and History of Science, at our event for Mental Health Awareness Week 2021.  If you missed the event or want to...

Hook Lecture 2021: A New Moral Ecology for a World where Climate Catastrophe is Real

Hook Lecture 2021 We are delighted that this lecture planned for 2020 (postponed owing to the pandemic) was given by Revd Dr Frances Ward, talking on “A New Moral Ecology for a World where Climate Catastrophe is Real”.  The videos below...

Hope and Creativity – with Bird LoveGod and Mike Chesterton

Racism and the Church – Betty, Benji and Judah share their own stories and journeys

Leeds Citizens is a partner organisation of LCI, utilising community organising to work for the common good of the city.  LCI and Leeds Citizens work together to encourage theological reflection and learning on the big social issues faced by Leeds communities...

Hope Expressed Through Gentle Activism: led by Anna Bland

As part of our series exploring Hope throughout Lent for Leeds Lent Prayer Diary 2021, in partnership with Leeds Christian Community Trust, we welcome Anna Bland, Development Officer at Leeds Methodist Mission, Revd Madeleine Andrews, Supernumerary Methodist Minister involved in the work...

Becky Cherriman’s poem “Morality Tale”,

Becky Cherriman’s poem “Morality Tale”, published in the anthology And The Stones Fell Open: A Leeds Poetry Anthology available here, is a prophetic poem and read by the poet herself with a pace and tone that emphasise the powerful ache of...

Dorothy Wilkinson, Suffragette – a poem for International Women’s Day

Richard Wilcocks’s poem “Dorothy Wilkinson, Suffragette” published in the anthology And The Stones Fell Open: A Leeds Poetry Anthology available here is a wonderful poem to share at any time, but we are sharing this to celebrate International Women’s Day on 8th...

Why does Hope endure? A reflection from Revd Phil Arnold, vicar of Christ Church Upper Armley

As part of our series exploring Hope throughout Lent for Leeds Lent Prayer Diary 2021, in partnership with Leeds Christian Community Trust, we welcome Revd Phil Arnold, vicar of Christ Church, Upper Armley in Leeds.  Revd Phil, who has long been...

“Imagine HOPE as a verb” Thomas Jay Oord

For the launch of Leeds Lent Prayer Diary 2021, Thomas Jay Oord asks us to “imagine hope as a verb that calls all of us to join with a God who empowers and inspires us for the good work God...

Rob Kelsey’s “Praying for the Earth: Remembering the Environment in our Prayers of Intercession”

We were delighted to host the launch of Rob Kelsey’s new book Praying for the Earth: Remembering the Environment in our Prayers of Intercession.  If you weren’t able to join us at the launch event, or want to hear Rob’s introduction...

Finding Hope in the Pandemic – a conversation with Liz Mitchell

As part of our series talking to Christians in Education, LCI member Lawrence Cockrill speaks to Liz Mitchell about her experiences as a teacher during the pandemic and Liz offers some reflections on finding hope during challenging times. The Christians...

Emma Storr reads her poem ‘Present’

Emma Storr reads her poem ‘Present’ published in the anthology And The Stones Fell Open: A Leeds Poetry Anthology available here.  Emma has a background in medicine and worked as a GP in Leeds for over 20 years in Harehills and Chapel Allerton after...

Ecumenism, Interfaith & Justice Podcast: Leeds Festival of Kindness Compassion & Wellbeing

Welcome to this podcast on Ecumenism, Interfaith & Justice.  This podcast replaces a Heart Shift Webinar, in partnership with The William Temple Foundation conceived by Joshua Malkin as part of the Kindness Revolution – the Leeds Festival of Kindness Compassion...

Kristina Diprose reads her poem “In which God appears as a busker”

Kristina Diprose reads her poem ‘In which God appears as a busker’ published in the anthology And The Stones Fell Open: A Leeds Poetry Anthology available here.  “Before the pandemic, I commuted into Leeds on the train every day for work. I...

A Matter of Life and Death

In this podcast Dr Lynn Bassett explores the ways our approach to death, dying and bereavement has changed in the context of the global COVID-19 pandemic.   This recording was made as part of a series of online events this...

Abdullah Adekola reads his poem ‘Neighbourhood Library’

Listen to Abdullah Adekola read his poem ‘Neighbourhood Library’ published in the anthology And The Stones Fell Open: A Leeds Poetry Anthology available here.  It’s really important to reflect on Leeds experiences in light of the Black Lives Matter movement....

Jason Allen-Paisant reads his poem ‘Black Walking’

Jason Allen-Paisant reads his poem ‘Black Walking’, published in the anthology And The Stones Fell Open: A Leeds Poetry Anthology available here .  Dr Jason Allen-Paisant is a Lecturer in Comparative Literature at the University of Leeds and his work...

Come the Revolution, by Testament

It feels really important to reflect on Leeds experiences in light of the Black Lives Matter protests.   Playwright and lyricist, Testament, lit up the Minster with his spoken word performance of Come the Revolution, published in the anthology And The Stones Fell Open:...

‘Is it too late to stop climate catastrophe?’

Jen Walper Roberts, a leadership coach and member of the Jewish community in Leeds, considers this question in conversation with her friend Nili Simhai, Director of Outdoor Education for Abundance Farm https://www.abundancefarm.org/, and reflects on the idea of giving the...

Treasure

We are delighted to hear poet Rachel Flint read her poem ‘Treasure’, published in the anthology And The Stones Fell Open: A Leeds Poetry Anthology available here .  In an earlier conversation with LCI Director, Dr Helen Reid, Rachel talked...

Climate Change: Have we left it too late to act?

As we continue with our short podcasts that consider this question, Dr Stefan Skrimshire reflects on what we mean by that and asks in return “…too late for what and for whom?”  Stefan goes on to reflect on what it...

Climate Change: Jewish texts and Jewish tradition

The question a lot of people have been asking is, have we left it too late to act against Climate Change? Is the world set on a course for destruction and there is nothing we can do about it?  In...

“This is treasure”. Dr Helen Reid’s talk from the launch of “And the Stones Fell Open”

This podcast, recorded at the launch of “And the Stones Fell Open: A Leeds Poetry Anthology as part of Leeds Lit Fest 2020, is from our own Director Dr Helen Reid. “At Leeds Church Institute, we talk about seeking the...

Leeds Faith in Schools

This week’s podcast features Ben Lawrence, Team Leader at Leeds Faith in Schools, who talks to us with enthusiasm about the opportunities and realities of their work in being good news to the high schools of Leeds. Leeds Faith in...

Revd Shona Shaw’s reflection from the Leeds Lent Prayer Diary Launch

In our latest podcast, we hear from LCI Council Member, LCI Chaplain and Co-Minister for Moortown Baptist Church. Revd Shona Shaw reflects on the meal in the home of Mary and Martha in Bethany before we all shared the delicious...

Rewilding politics

For Today’s podcast we sat down with Mike Love to talk about the city, politics and how we can rewild politics. You can find more conversations and talks from the Leeds Church Institute here on our blog or by subscribing to...

Stories from the dementia awareness day

Today’s podcast is taken from our recent event for people who live or work with those diagnosed with dementia. We spoke to Jean Tottie from the Life Story Network and Together in Dementia Every Day (TIDE) carer network about their...

Deacon Merry Evans discusses gambling, gaming and casinos

Deacon Merry Evans discusses gambling, gaming and casinos.  For the Autumn 2019 copy of CITYtheology Merry wrote a prose poem about his experiences visiting The Victoria Gate Casino as part of the Leeds Responsible Gaming Forum. We discuss the responsibilities...

How can we fix dementia care?

Today’s podcast is taken from our recent event for people who live or work with those diagnosed with dementia. Neil Courtman from Alzheimer’s Society spoke to us about the Fix Dementia Care campaign. What are Alzheimer’s Society Campaigning for? “It...

Through Whose Eyes?

Kelly Scott from The National Holocaust Museum talks about Eye as Witness: Recording The Holocaust. From 2nd to 13th December LCI has been hosting a new exhibition, co-produced by the National Holocaust Centre and Museum and academics from the University...

A Muslim Perspective On Climate Change

Today’s podcast is taken from our recent Faith Leader’s and Climate Change event where Imam Qari Asim spoke about climate change from an Islamic perspective. Imam Asim talks about how the world was created in balance, and asks how we,...

How can we best support those with dementia and cancer

Today’s podcast is taken from our recent event for people who live or work with those diagnosed with dementia. Professor Claire Surr presents the finding of a study that the Department of Dementia Studies at Leeds Met University recently completed...

How can we celebrate a low carbon Christmas?

At our recent Low Carbon Christmas event, in partnership with Leeds Methodist Mission, we were joined by community leader and Green Party candidate Ed Carlisle who shared some ideas and principles to help us celebrate Christmas without harming the planet....

The disfigurement of the earth is a disfigurement of our own bodies

Today’s podcast is taken from our recent Faith Leader’s and Climate Change event where Dr Carmody Grey spoke about Laudato Si, Pope Francis’ encyclical on the environment and human ecology. Carmody explains that care for the environment has been a...

Christians in Education for Interfaith Week

For today’s Christians in Education podcast, Tim Hobbs spoke to Mike Hainsworth, an RE teacher in North Yorkshire, about Interfaith Week, his work as an RE teacher and how teaching about other faiths has influenced him as he explores his...

A Conversation with Poet and Theologian Hannah Stone

Testament speaks to poet and theologian Hannah Stone about how walking inspired her pen-name, the connections between poetry and theology and how Hannah went from teaching theology to writing poetry. Hannah Stone has published three collections of poetry, and is...

Christians In Education and Black History Month

For today’s Christians in Education podcast Tim Hobbs spoke to Liz Mitchell about her experiences as a Christian in Education and the importance of teaching black history. Liz spoke about how she became a teacher, the importance of learning about...

Poets, Prophets and Protestors: The shape of things to come?

For the 2019 Hook lecture, we were delighted to be joined by Canon Mark Oakley is Dean of St John’s College, Cambridge, who spoke on the topic of ‘Poets, Prophets & Protestors: The shape of things to come? Mark is...

Speaking to organisations at the Seeking Refuge open day

In May of this year, the Leeds Church Institute hosted an open day for those seeking refuge, covering refugees, asylum seekers and migrants. As part of the day, there were workshops for volunteers and activists, as well as those with...

Preach it! Understanding African Caribbean Preaching Book launch (podcast)

LCI was privileged to be joined by author Rev Dr Carol Tomlin for the launch of her book Preach it! Understanding African Caribbean Preaching. We also had reflections from Bishop Dr Delroy Hall, a gospel singer and some delicious Caribbean...

The Leeds Ofrenda visits Shire Oak Primary School (podcast)

Chaplaincy work and inclusivity with Kay Brown (podcast)

For today’s Christians In Education podcast, we spoke to Kay Brown, Chaplain at Abbey Grange Church of England Academy, about her work and how the importance of inclusivity with a special focus on LGBTQ+ pupils. The Christians in Education podcasts...

2018 Year In Review (Podcast)

From our recent 100th Annual General Meeting Doctor Helen Reid, director of the Leeds Church Institute, talks about our activities in 2018. Last year, among other things, we said goodbye to some staff and hello to others, we ran events...

LGBTQ+ Inclusion in Education

Today’s podcast is taken from our recent Christians in Education event looking at LGBTQ+ inclusion. We were joined by Rev. Anthea Colledge, one of the chaplains to the four central universities in Leeds and a member of the board of...

Mental health support for refugees and asylum seekers (podcast)

What are some of the common experiences that can have an impact on the mental health of refugees and asylum seekers and how can we support them?

Making connections; taking solidarity further with Frances Webber (podcast)

Today’s podcast was recorded at our Seeking Refuge event. Our Keynote speech was given by Frances Webber, the Vice Chair of The Institute of Race Relations. Frances is a former barrister specialising in immigration, refugee and human rights law and...

What are the ingredients of life-giving ecumenical mission? (Podcast)

In 2018 Paul Lancaster conducted research into ecumenical mission in Leeds on behalf of the Leeds Church Institute. At the Leeds Lent Prayer Diary launch event, Paul led a workshop based on his research. Subscribe to the LCI podcast here....

Experiences of Pride (podcast)

Today’s podcast was recorded at our recent event A Guide To Pride, Christian Perspectives. We were joined by Sara Gillingham, Lucy Gorman and Luke Dowding who each shared their own experiences of organising a Christian presence at Pride events. Subscribe...