Minster Musings
Hello, my name is John Flood and for well over two years, now, I have been a Weekday Chaplain at the Minster, predominantly working on Friday afternoons.
I thought it would be a good idea, before launching into my first formal contribution to this slot, to outline a potted history of my life and how I see the role of Chaplain.
I was born some 8 weeks before the formal ending of WW II, in Europe (V-E Day); although, I was always taught by my parents, that it was 6 weeks before, which was, possibly, when the last shot was fired in anger. That’s the easier part of discussing my birth, the more potentially contentious part of the process, is to answer the question where? Especially when addressing you good folk from God’s Own Country. Yes, as you’ve possibly guessed, I was originally from that other Northern county, just over the Pennines, the one that sports the Red Rose. You’d have thought that, when my hometown, Bury, was absorbed into the new county of Greater Manchester, things might have been different, but that wasn’t to be, as the postal address didn’t change. I’ve got a similar anomaly where I’m living now, in Todmorden. Although the town is at the far Western end of this county and is definitely an integral part of West Yorkshire and Calderdale, its postal address is Lancashire, and it has a Greater Manchester postcode.
Where I lived was very much like many other cotton mill towns on the far side of the backbone of England, but it did have two calls to fame. The first was a mention in at least one of the dialect poems made famous by Stanley Holloway in his well-known homilies and the second was a savoury delicacy made from pig’s blood and sheep’s stomach lining – yes, the much-celebrated Black Pudding. During my childhood and adolescence, it was quite normal for me to be offered a Bury Black Pudding for my tea. Basically though, Bury Puddings were the local street food, and may still be so today. A stall on the open market, served hot puddings, split and held on a roll with a generous lashing of English mustard.
My early education was at LA infant and junior schools, followed by attending the local Grammar School. On leaving school, I started a career in engineering, which involved attending colleges to gain the appropriate higher qualifications. I worked as a draughtsman, technical author and, for the most part, as a commissioning engineer, involved with new power stations in the UK and Europe.
In parallel with my working career, I became aware of what I now recognise as a calling into ministry in the church. This wasn’t something out of the blue, as I feel that seeds had been sown during my formative years. Being born into an Anglican household, I attended church and Sunday school from a very young age. In the fullness of time, during my late teens, I was appointed as Sunday School Superintendent. It would have been at around this time that my parents became rather concerned that I was, in their eyes, becoming too involved in religion and attending church. They did say on one occasion that, if I carried on down the road I was on, I might be in danger of eventually becoming a Vicar and that would be totally beyond the pale. Prophetic words, indeed!!
Returning to my career in engineering, I became attracted to joining a team that commissioned steam generation systems (boilers) in all types of new power stations. Ironically, this helped to boost my faith and church attendance. Over a period of around 25 years, I worked chiefly away from home at various locations in England, Scotland, Wales, the Channel Islands and Spain. I found myself drawn to attend church as often as possible and to get involved in local prayer groups and the like. I also started to use my free time to visit the Leicester Diocesan retreat house, Launde Abbey; often on day retreats, but occasionally longer periods in residence. I gradually developed a deep appreciation of the benefits and strengths of the retreat movement in general and a deep attraction to Launde Abbey itself. After a while, two developments happened together that changed my life at a stroke; I was made redundant and a vacancy notice appeared in The Church Times for a post at Launde Abbey. The rest, as is often said, is history. I joined the resident community at Launde and stayed there for over 12 years, later acting as Warden.
Living in that sort of environment does influence the way one thinks, acts and looks at the world. Faith, beliefs, patterns of worship and living out a spiritual life are more prominent than in other walks of life. All this affected me to a large extent, such that, before long, the seeds planted over the years found themselves in fertile ground and flourished. This included actively considering offering myself for ministry, within the church. Whilst at Launde I was licensed as a Reader (LLM). This was followed, after leaving Launde, by being Ordained at Wakefield Cathedral and Priested in my home parish church in Todmorden. Being Priested relatively late in life and so close to the obligatory retirement age, I was never intending to be stipendiary, but to serve in auxiliary capacities. Much of what I do, therefore, in addition to conducting services, is of a pastoral and listening nature, which brings me on to the role of Chaplains within the church.
The term Chaplain is used widely within the church, to cover a whole range of roles and duties. At Halifax Minster, the duty Chaplains provide a priestly presence whilst it is open to the public, outside service times. In the case of a church only open for services, this role would normally be filled by local clergy, along with their numerous other duties. This would be impractical, in the Minster’s case, because of the length of time it remains open. In effect Chaplains represent The church, and the local clergy, whilst on shift. Their overriding duty is to provide whatever individuals may need. This would normally be of a pastoral nature, allowing people to be heard sympathetically, to have their problems and difficulties discussed, using listening and counselling skills, whenever possible and available. In addition to Chaplains using their personal experience and knowledge when listening and discussing with people, it remains essential that Safeguarding principles are always adhered to.
I hope you have found this of interest, and I look forward to making further contributions in the future.
Revd John Flood
Weekday Chplain
‘Bwana asifiwe!’
In February 2019, I was lucky enough to visit our twin Diocese of Rorya, Tanzania, with a group of other parishioners and clergy from the Diocese of Leeds. During the visit, along with many others, I met with representatives of the Mothers’ Union; Rosie and Benter. At that time, both were working at the theological college attached to Kowak Cathedral, but Benter shared with me her deep calling and resolve to, one day, be priested … something unimaginable generally, with traditional patriarchal views and theological conservatism creating significant barriers to women clergy in the African Anglican Church, and particularly, due to the incumbent Bishop at the time.
However, time passes, incumbents change, and thinking progresses, and I am delighted to inform everyone that Benter George completed her theological training in Kenya and was ordained as a Deacon in August 2025. Last month. Benter was ordained as a Priest in the Anglican Church of Tanzania, Rorya Diocese. She has been appointed as the vicar of a small parish called Nyasoko, within the Kowak Cathedral Deanery.
In keeping with her roots, Benter has also been appointed to the role of Mothers’ Union Secretary in the Diocese.
I received this news on the 4th of August, the same day Sam was licenced at Wakefield Cathedral. What a wonderful time for the worldwide church, welcoming two such dedicated and special women into its clergy. Congratulations and Godspeed to both!
To use the Swahili Christian greeting; ‘Bwana asifiwe!’ Praise the Lord! – often answered with:
AMEN!
Belinda Kerfoot-Roberts, August 2026
August in Pictures
The highlight of this month has been the Choir Tour, to Derby and Lichfield Cathedrals.
Numbers of visitors to the Minster in August has remained high, especially on Yorkshire Day, August 1st where we gave out Yorkshire Tea and Biscuits provided by the Halifax Bid and the Minster bell-ringers successfully rang a peal to celebrate the day. In the evening the Minster hosted a Coldplay tribute concert. Weekly organ recitals have continued and guided tours have been arranged each Saturday with the Friends of the Minster serving Afternoon Teas
We were also visited by the choir of Hexham Abbey as part of their choir tour on Saturday 22nd August and they entertained those enjoying afternoon tea that afternoon….
The Eco Slot
The Eco Slot gives a monthly idea to think about and put into action where you can.
The month ofSeptember has been officially recognised by the global Church as a time to reflect on creation and this year we focus particularly on the theme of “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.
“Swarms of living creatures will live wherever the river flows. There will be large numbers of fish, because this water flows there and makes the salt water fresh; so where the river flows everything will live. […] Fruit trees of all kinds will grow on both banks of the river. Their leaves will not wither, nor will their fruit fail. Every month they will bear fruit, because the water from the sanctuary flows to them. Their fruit will serve for food and their leaves for healing.” (Ezekiel 47:9,12)
Having both experienced and witnessed the extreme effects of global warming both at home and worldwide in recent months, and whether we believe that climate change is a direct result of our actions or ‘simply’ a natural occurrence, as stewards of this world, we still need to continually reflect on how the way we live contributes towards that climate change, rather than just sitting back and saying it’s going to happen anyway.
How much do we want to see Ezekiel’s vision of a healed and renewed earth fulfilled?
What are we prepared to do to help make that vision a reality?
We can start small – how about making just one change each week? It might even save some money!
Here’s a few small, cost free, money-saving ideas to get you thinking:
- Turn off lights in rooms that you aren’t using.
- Turn off standby switches, including unused phone chargers and other plugs – they all use tiny amounts of current, even when not in use.
- Only put as much water as you need in the kettle.
- Do your washing at a lower temperature and hang it outside to dry – weather permitting!!
- Learn how your heating controls work so you can get the best efficiency from them.
- Turn down the thermostat a degree – and layer up instead!
There are loads more ways to become more environmentally friendly and save yourself money – some might involve a small cost initially, but the lasting benefits for yourself and creation will far outweigh that cost. Here’s a very useful blog which is packed with suggestions:
Season of Creation Prayer 2026
Living Water
Holy God, whose Spirit hovered over the waters at the beginning, we gather as part of your community of all creation, thirsty for your grace. We give thanks for the gift of water, the veins of our common home, that sustains the cedar and the whale, the pasture and the city. We are grateful for the local waters that nourish our homelands and our fellow creatures. We give thanks that in your well-watered garden, every drop is a sacred testament to your love.
Yet, we confess that we have treated this gift as a mere commodity. We have choked the seas with our waste and watched the warming tides rise in judgment. We lament the cracked earth of the drought-stricken and the salty tears of the climate refugee. Melt our frozen hearts, O God, and let the waters of repentance flow.
Lord of all Life, you promised that wherever the river flows, everything shall live. Stir in us a calling to care for the waters — to protect the watershed, defend the rights of water, and honour the dignity of the thirsty. May your Word be a spring within us, gushing forth for the healing of the nations.
May God our Father who brought water from the rock sustain us in the desert. May Christ our Lord who is Living Water refresh us for the work of restoration. And may the Holy Spirit carry us on currents of grace until justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream. Amen.
Trish Boyd, Reader
Sunday Worship
Beginning in September through to the end of January, the Minster begins a pilot scheme to encourage people to download the Order of Service for the 10.30am Sung Eucharist onto a digital device ie phone or tablet via a QR code available at the Welcome desk or on the Website. We are following the lead of Westminster Abbey and Southwark Cathedrals in printing less paper as part of our Sustainability Policy. Hard copies will always be available for those who need them, but over time we hope to produce less of these as we get used to a new model. It will mean a unique Order of Service for each week, providing all the hymns and notices for each week, and will mean we will no longer require hymn books or a pew sheet, which will make us much more visitor friendly. An email will be sent out with the link to the Order of Service.
Baptism, confirmation, re-affirmation of faith and admission to communion
If you are interested in being baptised or confirmed, the Minster is offering preparation during September. Children wanting to receive the communion will also be offered some preparation. Please consider over the summer if this is something you would like to take part in and speak with one of the clergy or contact the Minster Office.
Collection for Rev Sam Crook
On Sunday 20th September, we welcome back Rev Sam Crook to our services in order to formally say farewell! Sam is now Associate Priest of Wakefield Cathedral. If you would like to contribute to Sam’s leaving present, please donate via the website, stating it is for Sam, or put your donation in an envelope labelled ‘Sam’s leaving present’ and put it in the Donations Box.
