All Hallows, Leeds
All Hallows church in Leeds is one of the most inclusive churches I have ever attended. The congregation is gender-diverse and absolutely anyone is welcome. I turned up in female mode and felt completely at home.
From its welcome leaflet:
All Hallows is an inclusive Christian church in inner-city Leeds exploring the meaning of faith in the 21st century. We welcome everyone: people of all genders, colours, sexualities, shapes, sizes, abilities and beliefs. We’re thrilled to have you with us!
All Hallows congregation gather from across the city. We meet up socially and support each other in geographical ‘rainbow groups.’ We also have various Bible study / home groups which meet regularly.
The vicar, Heston Groenewald, grew up in South Africa. He is a joyful person and bubbling with life.
The inside of the building is an open area with a simple altar at the side covered by a rainbow cloth. Tables and chairs stacked at the side are brought out for services. The arrangement works well as the church is used by a number of community groups during the week.
The service I attended looked forward to All Saints later in the week, so focused on themes of life and death. There was some kind of liturgy, freshly put together, but it did not resemble anything in the Anglican authorised services. That made it seem all the more fresh. For communion (with gluten-free bread and non-alcoholic wine), we all stood in a large circle.
It’s the people that make the church, and the people here were all friendly and welcoming. This is another church where everything is done in a spirit of love.
The service content included this poem by Jay Hulme, a trans Christian poet, from his collection The Vanishing Song. It’s based on a verse from scripture – John 13.35.
If there is one thing I can say by
way of my final farewell it is this:
that I have one wish for everyone;
that in my passing each one of you will
come to be your full selves, to know
all of the wonders offered by that
which I have done. That each of you
will become the people that you are
fated to become. Oh! Friends! My
friends! Growing to become beyond disciples
now – I have promised you nothing if
you count promises in riches, but you,
who count not gold or jewels, but have
an endless appetite for the riches of love,
will find yourselves wealthy indeed, for
I have love to give in abundance, in one
life so willingly given up for another.
The noticeboard says it all…
