Claire Honess
@revclaireh.bsky.social
Vicar of St Mary's Whitkirk in the Diocese of Leeds, linguist, Dantist, dog-lover, Cornishwoman. Still working out how this place works!
St Mary's Advent Calendar: Day 18. On Saturday, members of St Mary's church choir were delighted to sing 3 carols at the concert by Svitoch Ukrainian Chamber choir. You can hear the choir again at our Festival of Lessons and Carols on Sunday 21st at 7pm. @whitkirkchurch.org.uk @leeds.anglican.org
December 18, 2025 at 8:02 AM
St Mary's Advent Calendar: Day 18. On Saturday, members of St Mary's church choir were delighted to sing 3 carols at the concert by Svitoch Ukrainian Chamber choir. You can hear the choir again at our Festival of Lessons and Carols on Sunday 21st at 7pm. @whitkirkchurch.org.uk @leeds.anglican.org
St Mary's Advent Calendar: Day 17. Yesterday the Silver Lining Luncheon Club members enjoyed their Christmas party, with a visit from Santa....
@whitkirkchurch.org.uk @leeds.anglican.org
@whitkirkchurch.org.uk @leeds.anglican.org
December 17, 2025 at 8:02 AM
St Mary's Advent Calendar: Day 17. Yesterday the Silver Lining Luncheon Club members enjoyed their Christmas party, with a visit from Santa....
@whitkirkchurch.org.uk @leeds.anglican.org
@whitkirkchurch.org.uk @leeds.anglican.org
St Mary's Advent Calendar: Day 16. We had a lot of fun at our Messy Christingle service on Sunday. Everyone built a Christingle in the hall and then brought it into church where we thought about Jesus, the light of the world. @whitkirkchurch.org.uk @leeds.anglican.org
December 16, 2025 at 8:09 AM
St Mary's Advent Calendar: Day 16. We had a lot of fun at our Messy Christingle service on Sunday. Everyone built a Christingle in the hall and then brought it into church where we thought about Jesus, the light of the world. @whitkirkchurch.org.uk @leeds.anglican.org
The path to Whamhalla! Thank you Seacroft Hospital...
December 15, 2025 at 12:21 PM
The path to Whamhalla! Thank you Seacroft Hospital...
St Mary's Advent Calendar: Day 15. Yesterday we lit the third candle on our Advent wreath, remembering John the Baptist, the precursor. @whitkirkchurch.org.uk @leeds.anglican.org
December 15, 2025 at 8:56 AM
St Mary's Advent Calendar: Day 15. Yesterday we lit the third candle on our Advent wreath, remembering John the Baptist, the precursor. @whitkirkchurch.org.uk @leeds.anglican.org
St Mary's Advent Calendar: Day 14. Rejoice! The third Sunday of Advent, or "Gaudete Sunday", is a time of rejoicing in the anticipation of the one who is to come, as a mark of which we wear pink vestments and light the pink candle on our Advent wreath, in which some pink flowers have appeared.
December 14, 2025 at 1:45 PM
St Mary's Advent Calendar: Day 14. Rejoice! The third Sunday of Advent, or "Gaudete Sunday", is a time of rejoicing in the anticipation of the one who is to come, as a mark of which we wear pink vestments and light the pink candle on our Advent wreath, in which some pink flowers have appeared.
St Mary's Advent Calendar: Day 13 Yesterday we had the joy of welcoming Years 5 and 6 from Templenewsam-Halton Primary School for a carol service, in the course of which the Knit-ivity made its first appearance of the season.
December 13, 2025 at 10:53 AM
St Mary's Advent Calendar: Day 13 Yesterday we had the joy of welcoming Years 5 and 6 from Templenewsam-Halton Primary School for a carol service, in the course of which the Knit-ivity made its first appearance of the season.
St Mary's Advent Calendar: Day 12. Yesterday a small group of parishioners and choristers, with Giles, our director of music, went to Colton Lodges care home for their Christmas Carol Service. Sharing the good news of Christmas, in church and out. @whitkirkchurch.org.uk @leeds.anglican.org
December 12, 2025 at 8:23 AM
St Mary's Advent Calendar: Day 12. Yesterday a small group of parishioners and choristers, with Giles, our director of music, went to Colton Lodges care home for their Christmas Carol Service. Sharing the good news of Christmas, in church and out. @whitkirkchurch.org.uk @leeds.anglican.org
St Mary's Advent Calendar: Day 11. A real treat today. Last night we were privileged to host the choir of Colton Primary School for their Christmas concert, and there was some pretty funky headgear on show... as well as some amazing singing. 🎵 🎶 @whitkirkchurch.org.uk @leeds.anglican.org
December 11, 2025 at 11:01 AM
St Mary's Advent Calendar: Day 11. A real treat today. Last night we were privileged to host the choir of Colton Primary School for their Christmas concert, and there was some pretty funky headgear on show... as well as some amazing singing. 🎵 🎶 @whitkirkchurch.org.uk @leeds.anglican.org
St Mary's Advent Calendar: Day 10. An angel tells Mary that she has been chosen to bear Gods own son. @whitkirkchurch.org.uk @leeds.anglican.org
December 10, 2025 at 8:20 AM
St Mary's Advent Calendar: Day 10. An angel tells Mary that she has been chosen to bear Gods own son. @whitkirkchurch.org.uk @leeds.anglican.org
St Mary's Advent Calendar: Day 9. On Sunday evening we held our Advent Carol Service, watching and waiting with singing and readings as the light gradually returned. @whitkirkchurch.org.uk @leeds.anglican.org
December 9, 2025 at 12:30 PM
St Mary's Advent Calendar: Day 9. On Sunday evening we held our Advent Carol Service, watching and waiting with singing and readings as the light gradually returned. @whitkirkchurch.org.uk @leeds.anglican.org
St Mary's Advent Calendar: Day 8. Yesterday was the second Sunday of Advent, and we lit the second candle on our Advent wreath, thinking of the prophets, whose words point to Jesus. @whitkirkchurch.org.uk @leeds.anglican.org
December 8, 2025 at 2:12 PM
St Mary's Advent Calendar: Day 8. Yesterday was the second Sunday of Advent, and we lit the second candle on our Advent wreath, thinking of the prophets, whose words point to Jesus. @whitkirkchurch.org.uk @leeds.anglican.org
The Christmas story is the story of an unmarried mother; of a couple with nowhere to sleep, dependent on the goodwill of strangers; of a family forced to flee to a foreign land because of terrible, politically-motivated violence; it is good news for all outsiders... and for all, without exception.
December 7, 2025 at 10:51 PM
The Christmas story is the story of an unmarried mother; of a couple with nowhere to sleep, dependent on the goodwill of strangers; of a family forced to flee to a foreign land because of terrible, politically-motivated violence; it is good news for all outsiders... and for all, without exception.
St Mary's Advent Calendar: Day 7. At the end of our Experience Christmas activities, the children laid their gifts before the Christ-child in the manger. Today we will present and bless them at the altar. @whitkirkchurch.org.uk @leeds.anglican.org
December 7, 2025 at 7:42 AM
St Mary's Advent Calendar: Day 7. At the end of our Experience Christmas activities, the children laid their gifts before the Christ-child in the manger. Today we will present and bless them at the altar. @whitkirkchurch.org.uk @leeds.anglican.org
St Mary's Advent Calendar: Day 6. Just as the wise men considered what gifts to give the new baby king for whom they were searching, so the children who visited us this week thought about what they would give the new baby. @whitkirkchurch.org.uk @leeds.anglican.org
December 6, 2025 at 8:18 AM
St Mary's Advent Calendar: Day 6. Just as the wise men considered what gifts to give the new baby king for whom they were searching, so the children who visited us this week thought about what they would give the new baby. @whitkirkchurch.org.uk @leeds.anglican.org
@whitkirkchurch.org.uk @leeds.anglican.org St Mary's Advent Calendar: Day 5. "You are the salt of the earth". Thinking about God's invitation to Mary, the children who come to Experience Christmas considered how God can take something ordinary and make it into something extraordinary.
December 5, 2025 at 8:00 AM
@whitkirkchurch.org.uk @leeds.anglican.org St Mary's Advent Calendar: Day 5. "You are the salt of the earth". Thinking about God's invitation to Mary, the children who come to Experience Christmas considered how God can take something ordinary and make it into something extraordinary.
@whitkirkchurch.org.uk @leeds.anglican.org This week we are welcoming children from all our primary schools into church for "Experience Christmas" activities. In this activity they think about how we can prepare our hearts, as well as our homes, to meet Jesus.
December 4, 2025 at 11:34 AM
@whitkirkchurch.org.uk @leeds.anglican.org This week we are welcoming children from all our primary schools into church for "Experience Christmas" activities. In this activity they think about how we can prepare our hearts, as well as our homes, to meet Jesus.
Oh my heart! ❤️ "What gift would you give Baby Jesus?" This from a Year 3 child at Experience Christmas today...
December 3, 2025 at 4:13 PM
Oh my heart! ❤️ "What gift would you give Baby Jesus?" This from a Year 3 child at Experience Christmas today...
Oops! Forgot to share this yesterday! @whitkirkchurch.org.uk @leeds.anglican.org
December 3, 2025 at 8:20 AM
Oops! Forgot to share this yesterday! @whitkirkchurch.org.uk @leeds.anglican.org
December 3, 2025 at 8:19 AM
December 1, 2025 at 11:57 AM
Shoutout to these wonderful human beings who have done so much to ensure that the culture at @whitkirkchurch.org.uk is a safe and welcoming one for all. 👏🏼 Janet and Tony 👏🏼Marking Safeguarding Sunday, because this will *always* be a priority for us. @leeds.anglican.org
November 16, 2025 at 9:37 PM
Shoutout to these wonderful human beings who have done so much to ensure that the culture at @whitkirkchurch.org.uk is a safe and welcoming one for all. 👏🏼 Janet and Tony 👏🏼Marking Safeguarding Sunday, because this will *always* be a priority for us. @leeds.anglican.org
It was good to be joined by our local MP and councillors, as well as Guides, Brownies, Rainbows, representatives of the emergency services, the St John's Ambulance, and other local groups for today's Act of Remenbrance. @whitkirkchurch.org.uk @leeds.anglican.org
Today I joined the moving Remembrance Sunday service at Whitkirk Cenotaph.
I laid a wreath for all those from East Leeds who lost their lives in war. We remember them, the grief of their loved ones, and continue to seek a world of peace, free from the pain and horror of war.
I laid a wreath for all those from East Leeds who lost their lives in war. We remember them, the grief of their loved ones, and continue to seek a world of peace, free from the pain and horror of war.
November 10, 2025 at 12:00 AM
It was good to be joined by our local MP and councillors, as well as Guides, Brownies, Rainbows, representatives of the emergency services, the St John's Ambulance, and other local groups for today's Act of Remenbrance. @whitkirkchurch.org.uk @leeds.anglican.org
Parish Pilgrimage to Ripon Cathedral. Treasures Untold... architectural, human, and spiritual. Thank you to all at Ripon Cathedral for your hospitality. @whitkirkchurch.org.uk on tour! @leeds.anglican.org
November 1, 2025 at 8:29 PM
Parish Pilgrimage to Ripon Cathedral. Treasures Untold... architectural, human, and spiritual. Thank you to all at Ripon Cathedral for your hospitality. @whitkirkchurch.org.uk on tour! @leeds.anglican.org
I love Sacred Space at @whitkirkchurch.org.uk @leeds.anglican.org: peace, space, candlelight, gentle music, prayer, no words...
October 30, 2025 at 9:46 PM
I love Sacred Space at @whitkirkchurch.org.uk @leeds.anglican.org: peace, space, candlelight, gentle music, prayer, no words...