We are delighted to host award winning folk duo Janice Burns & Jon Doran for a festive concert on 29 November 2026 as part of their winter tour. People have always forged customs to survive the winter, with rituals that bring people together and bring light to the dark nights. These rituals have often been born of necessity. Beautiful, colourful, musical traditions, linked by the common cause of sustaining people spiritually, mentally, or financially through a harsh winter.

Readings: Acts 16-14; John 17:1-11 Today’s reflection is by the Vicar, the Revd Canon Jonathan Cain. Citizens of a different kingdom Friends, it was a former Labour Prime Minister, Harold Wilson, who allegedly coined the phrase, A week is a long time in politics. Well, we’ve seen that in the UK over the past few days. Local council elections, mayoral contests, devolved parliament results — all reshaping the political landscape. Questions raised about the suitability of

Readings: Acts 1:1-11; Ephesians 1:15-end; Luke 24:44-end Today’s reflection is by the Vicar, the Revd Canon Jonathan Cain. What were the chances of that? Katherine Brunt, Arran Brindle, Charlotte Edwards, Clare Connor, Lydia Greenway, Isa Guha, Jenny Gunn, Beth Morgan, Laura Newton, Jane Smit, Claire Taylor. The names of eleven women. Do you recognise them? Well, these were the England women cricketers who won the Ashes Series against Australia in 2005. This was the sa

Readings: Acts 17:22-31; John 14:15-21 Today’s reflection is by the Vicar, the Revd Canon Jonathan Cain. People of Woodside! I see that in every way you are very religious. For as I walked around the St James’ campus and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I found the Parish Centre, the Horsforth Shed, the Horsforth Pantry, and this fine building. I even found a banner with this inscription: TRY PRAYING. Now, I’ve borrowed that opening from Paul’s sermon in Athens

Readings: Acts 7:55-end; John 14:1-14 Today’s reflection is by Reader, Pete Gillions. If this passage from John was accompanied with mood music, it would be dark and foreboding because Jesus is well aware that he will soon be facing His death. Jesus is together with His disciples and John gives us a very intimate insight into Jesus trying to assure his disciples. What is very clear to see is that the disciples desperately struggle to understand what is really going on. But i

Readings: Acts 2:42-end; John 10:1-10 Today’s reflection is by Reader, Cal Bailey. Getting to know another person well is both exciting and scary. As I was getting to know Jo, while we were courting, I remember her calling time occasionally by saying “That’s a bit up close and personal.” It was her way of saying ‘We’re going fast enough. Don’t get too close too soon.’ Adam and Eve came to a moment when God was getting up close and personal with them in the garden after

St James' will be running the Start Course on six Monday evenings, commencing 15 June 2026.

Readings: Acts 2:14a,36-41; Luke 24:13-35 Today’s reflection is by the Vicar, the Revd Canon Jonathan Cain: Resurrection faith: open mind, open heart, open eyes Among another stream of crazy international and political news headlines this week, there was a more domestic story that caught my attention; a recent report highlighting the academic underachievement of girls from poorer or, as the report framed it, working class families. Sadly, not perhaps a surprising headlin

We delighted to publish St James' Annual Report for 2025 - a record of another year of church life under God. You can download a copy here and request printed copies from the Church Office. Our annual church meetings will take place in the Parish Centre on Sunday 26 April at 12 noon and all are welcome to join. The agenda and papers are attached below.

Readings: Acts 2:14a, 22-32; John 20:19-end Today’s reflection is by Reader, Pete Gillions: A film called ’ The Man Who Crossed Hitler ‘, set in Berlin in summer 1931 gives a biographical account of one man, Hans Litten, a German lawyer who represented in court opponents of the Nazis. He actually cross-examined Hitler in person, something Hitler never forgot or forgave. Later in 1933 as Hitler came to power he ordered Litten’s arrest. What happened next really challenged m

Readings: Acts 10:34-43; Matthew 28:1-10 Today’s reflection is by the Vicar, the Revd Canon Jonathan Cain: The laughter begins There’s a television show called Last One Laughing. Ten comedians are locked in a room for six hours. Their task is simple: make everyone else laugh while keeping a straight face themselves. The first smile or titter earns a yellow card. A second earns a red card and you’re out. The winner is the last one laughing. During the show, each contestant is

Readings: Isaiah 52:13-end of 53; Psalm 22; John18:1-end of 19 Today’s reflection was prepared by the Vicar, the Revd Canon Jonathan Cain. The cross and the world ‘It is finished’ is what Jesus cries out from the cross. His ordeal is over. He has gone through all human experience, save death which is about to take him. He has walked this sorrowful path with passion and dignity, and it is over. It is finished. And yet there’s more to this. The New Testament writers invite us t

Readings: John 13:1-17,31b-35 Today’s reflection is by the Vicar, the Revd Canon Jonathan Cain: Two birthdays Have you ever wondered why the British monarch has two birthdays? One real, one official. One private, one public. One celebrated quietly, the other marked with ceremony and spectacle. Apparently, the tradition goes back to 1748 and King George II, who shifted his official birthday to the summer months so the celebrations could take place in better weather. The privat

As Easter approaches we are delighted to publish the Spring 2026 edition of the church magazine, St James' Life. The picture shows Year 1 children from Broadgate Primary School learning about the Easter story during a recent trip to St James'.