Yorkshire Baptist Association

09/09/2026

Regional Minister Alex Harris has been reflecting on AI, mission and the questions people are already asking. He writes:

The AI Guidelines for Christian Ministry is a thoughtful and helpful contribution to an important conversation. Its emphasis on the irreplaceable nature of human relationships is particularly valuable. It rightly encourages churches not simply to ask, “How can we use AI?” but also, “When should we not use AI?”

Click here to read the whole article: https://www.yba.org.uk/blog/ai-guidelines

07/09/2026

The new brochure for the Blackley Centre is now available! Have a look out for courses and quiet days from this month onwards.

We’re excited to share our new Blackley Centre brochure & programme for 2026/27. You’ll notice we’ve added a number of new events: some themed retreats, workshops, online training and even a concert!

Everything in the brochure is also on our website – so grab a cuppa and have a browse!

Here's the link -https://blackleycentre.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Blackley-Centre-Brochure.pdf

07/09/2026

What steps can you take to value and save water?

Read information and reflections on this important subject from the BU: https://www.baptist.org.uk/Articles/745252/Living_water_and.aspx

If your church would like to engage with the Season of Creation you can access resources here: https://ow.ly/ESOO50ZJpYP

What steps can you take to value and save water?

Our prayer diary this week highlights Season of Creation, an annual global time of prayer and action for the environment.

This year the theme is Living Water - exploring Ezekiel 47:9 and 12 as a powerful biblical vision of hope and ecological healing. Set amid exile and loss, the image of living water flowing from God’s sanctuary reveals divine healing that renews land, water, biodiversity, and human responsibility towards the whole creation.

Hannah Gray, who coordinates BUEN - Baptist Union Environment Network in Eastern Baptist Association UK has shared the following short reflection with us to coincide with the beginning of Season of Creation.

Global demand for freshwater will outstrip supply by 40 per cent by 2030, she writes. One way of connecting with this year's Season of Creation is being more intentional in how we use our water:https://ow.ly/Imse50ZJpYR

Access Season of Creation resources here: https://ow.ly/ESOO50ZJpYP

Our weekly prayer diary can be found here: https://ow.ly/5rQB50ZJpYQ

04/09/2026

Fires, including those caused by arson, are a concern and a risk to churches, so it is worth reviewing Baptist Insurance’s arson prevention checklist – you can find it here:
https://www.baptist-insurance.co.uk/media/x02btokd/arson-prevention-checklist.pdf.

And for further information: https://www.baptist-insurance.co.uk/risk-management/arson/

01/09/2026

Sunday August 9th was a very joyful morning at Blackley Baptist Church, as people gathered to celebrate the baptisms of Joan, Jamie and Vish. The baptistry is in the hall beneath Blackley Chapel and it had not been used for baptisms since 2019. The congregation of about 50, comprising regulars, relatives, friends and visitors, were delighted and moved by the baptisms. You can read the full article from Revd Andy Williams on the YBA website: https://www.yba.org.uk/around-the-church

01/09/2026

Many of us can remember what it was like returning to school after the long summer holiday. Let's remember to pray for families and children for whom this season is particularly difficult.

28/08/2026

A Liturgy for the North is a great resource we'd like to share with you!

The Baptist Everyone Everywhere movement, Faith in the North and Roy Searle have worked together to produce a liturgy for the North, useful for churches and individuals to pray that everyone, everywhere in the north and beyond might have access to the gospel and a flourishing, authentic church expression.

"... Call us afresh into the adventure of pilgrimage, sharing the good news with everyone, everywhere. Raise up pioneers and planters, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, missionaries, abbots and abbesses. Pour out your gifts on your people for the renewing and reimagining of your Church and the coming of your kingdom ..."

The full liturgy can be found here: https://faithinthenorth.org/a-liturgy-for-the-north/

27/08/2026

Closed churches are visited less often, and this can make them more susceptible to damage from arson, theft and vandalism. The Baptist Insurance Company has a guide that can help you with your unoccupied buildings – just follow the link:
https://www.baptist-insurance.co.uk/media/4dfmjlqv/bic-unoccupied-church-buildings.pdf

26/08/2026

Join with BMS World Mission in their prayer prompts for believers all over the world.

Pray for wisdom and discernment for the staff and faculty of the Arab Baptist Theological Seminary as they prepare courses and materials and interact with students through residentials and online.

25/08/2026

Dr Alex Harris of St Hild Centre for Church Planting and Regional Minister here with the YBA, together with others, will be offering input to shape discussions at two New W**e Church Planting events.

These days are for churches wishing to explore what it might mean to plant a new church or bring to life a church that is no longer sustainable. Whether you have a clear plan or not these days will help you in your thinking. So why not bring your team?

The northern gathering is on 23rd September in Sheffield: https://nwln.churchsuite.com/events/e0q2kh19

The southern gathering is on 1st October in London: https://nwln.churchsuite.com/events/cyfv43rt