The worship space at All Hallows

A flexible space

We are fortunate to have a large, wide, spacious worship area with a wonderful window looking over the city of Leeds. It is a flexible space that can be used in lots of different ways.

During the week all the chairs are cleared away so that the space is uncluttered and welcoming. There is a small ‘shrine’ of icons and candles in front of the altar, and near the font a collection of plants and stones surrounding a small water feature. All sorts of people come in and use the space as they want to, for prayer and reflection, or simply to enjoy its silence. At certain times the space is used to provide activities involving community projects.

On Sundays the space is also used in different ways. The 9.15 service is held near the font, with a small circle of chairs around a table. At the main morning service at 10.30 we normally have two rows of chairs in an arc, with a centre space, allowing for movement; but from time to time we put the chairs in a large circle, which brings a sense of belonging and community. The evening services use just a few chairs and cushions in front of the altar or by the outward-looking window.

Interesting features

The very vertical stained-glass window behind the altar shows Christ with hands outstretched in blessing, and modern versions of the symbols of the four gospel-writers; right at the top — and easy to miss — is a star. Click on each oval for an enlarged view in a separate window.

The scroll lights on the east wall consist of three texts. Below each light is a picture. Click on the images for larger versions in a separate window.

Through him thou hast created	Through him thou didst redeem
Design by Phil Gardner 2000	Black ‘Madonna and Child’, by Ken Evans 1977
Through him thou hast made us for thyself
The eminent Polish artist Bohdan Piasecki’s painting of the Last Supper as a Jewish Passover meal with women and children present — as would almost certainly have been the case. For more information see the BASIC website.

To the right of the altar is a candle stand where people can light a candle and offer a prayer. You can write the names of people you want to ask prayer for on a piece of paper and pin it on a nearby board; these prayer requests are also put in the weekly bulletin.

Near the candle stand are:

a circular chart of the church year, showing each Sunday in its liturgical colour
the Festival Year — a multifaith spiral calendar of festivals (Baha’i, Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Jain, Jewish, Muslim, Rastafarian, Shinto, Sikh, Taoist and Zoroastrian)

On the north wall is a memorial panel, dedicated by the Bishop of Ripon on 17 July 1991 in memory of Leigh Russell, a member of this church 13 January 1974 to 10 August 1990.

Click on the image to display a larger version, with a key and explanatory text.

This page was last updated on Monday, 23 November 2009

home | about all hallows | what’s on | worship and prayer | discussion and reflection | action in the community | projects | an open, welcoming … | weekly bulletin | site map | search site | admin |