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Claire Honess

@revclaireh.bsky.social
55 followers 27 following 179 posts

Vicar of St Mary's Whitkirk in the Diocese of Leeds, linguist, Dantist, dog-lover, Cornishwoman. Still working out how this place works!

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Claire Honess @revclaireh.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
Highlight of my holiday... I saw an otter in the wild. (This is even sweeter because I am always that person who misses the amazing thing that everyone else sees, even when they are pointing at it excitedly, but today I was not that person!)
An otter is visible with the top half of its body emerging from the water. The rocks around it are covered in dark green and yellowish seaweed.
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Claire Honess @revclaireh.bsky.social · 02/08/2026
It has been a busy year so far for weddings at @whitkirkchurch.org.uk. Our warmest congratulations go to all these fabulous couples (photos shared with permission). Thinking of planning a wedding? Find out more on our website at: whitkirkchurch.org.uk/weddings/ @leeds.anglican.org
A photo montage with eight pictures of couples getting married at St Mary's church, Whitkirk.
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Claire Honess @revclaireh.bsky.social · 23/07/2026
Not sure if this is @headlineoftheday.bsky.social -worthy, but it's a fab (see what I did there?) story. That Paul was on the phone to Ringo at the time is just the icing on the cake! 👌🏼 www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Fans on Beatles tour spot Sir Paul McCartney at traffic lights
Beatles fans are thrilled to see Sir Paul McCartney as their bus pulls up next to him in Liverpool.
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Claire Honess @revclaireh.bsky.social · 30/05/2026
Stayed up late writing a sermon last night, and then couldn't sleep because my head was buzzing with thoughts about the Trinity. This is normal, right?
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Claire Honess @revclaireh.bsky.social · 01/05/2026
Happy @whitkirkchurch.org.uk -versary to me! Two years ago today I was interviewed for my post here. Showing me around the church, one of my wise Wardens said "Just stand behind the altar and see how it feels...". Reader, it felt GOOD. There are no words for how much I have come to love this view!
A view of a church, facing west. In the foreground is an altar with two candles and an open Gospel book on it. To the left is a Paschal candle. There are rows of pews, and to the rear an organ loft with organ pipes above it. Light is falling on the altar and making a halo around the organ pipes.
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Claire Honess @revclaireh.bsky.social · 16/04/2026
Receiving an email from @mthrjo.bsky.social apologising for my having been accidentally registered for a(n unspecified) module, makes me *really* want to sign up for a module... any module.
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Claire Honess @revclaireh.bsky.social · 08/04/2026
Belatedly sharing some pics of Holy Week and Easter at @whitkirkchurch.org.uk. What an amazing week! Alleluia! Christ is risen indeed! @churchofengland.org @leeds.anglican.org
A darkened church at the start of a Tenebrae service. There are candles lit on the altar and the nave aisle is lit by lanterns.A large wooden cross stands in a stripped sanctuary. A red stole is draped across the cross.Claire, a vicar, lights a Paschal candle from a fire in a fire pit. It is still dark. Claire wears a white cope with gold fringes.A church interior. There are white banners hanging from the ceiling which proclaim "Alleluia! He is risen!". In the foreground is a Paschal candle with flowers at its base and a wax decoration featuring a cross, a chalice, grapes and grain. To the rear of the picture is a wooden cross draped with a white cloth.
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Claire Honess @revclaireh.bsky.social · 08/04/2026
Very much enjoyed Judith Tutin's Stations of the Cross in Truro Cathedral today.
An image of Jesus being taken down from the cross by Judith Tutin. The predominant colour is red. The dead Jesus is held in the arms of a young woman who appears to be weeping.
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Claire Honess @revclaireh.bsky.social · 03/04/2026
Our beautiful Altar of Repose at @whitkirkchurch.org.uk. All local garden flowers and not a piece of oasis in sight. @leeds.anglican.org @churchofengland.org #sustainableflowers
The night of Maundy Thursday. On an altar stands a ciborium, veiled in white, surrounded by flowers. Behind the altar is a cross veiled with a purple cloth. 9 candles surround the altar. A further candle burns above an aumbry with a brass door set into the wall.
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Claire Honess @revclaireh.bsky.social · 30/03/2026
What an amazing Palm Sunday at @whitkirkchurch.org.uk! Donkeys, water, and a great reading of the Passion Gospel by our friends at @whitkirkartsguild.com. @leeds.anglican.org
Cassie, a skewbald donkey, walks into a church porch. Four servers in white albs look on. The processional cross is veiled with a purple cloth.Blue, a grey donkey, walks behind a church congregation.Seven people stand at the front of a church, reading. Two wear red choir robes.  In the background sit a Licensed Lay Minister wearing a white alb and blue scarf, a vicar wearing a red chasuble, and a server in a white alb who is holding up a book.A crowd of people stands in front of a church. All hold palm crosses and some hold large palm branches. Claire, a vicar, wearing a white alb, a red stole and a red cope, leaps in the air brandishing an aspergillum and laughing.
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Claire Honess @revclaireh.bsky.social · 18/03/2026
This Quiet Day, will give participants space to reflect and explore, it will encourage them to recognise the blessings that God pours out upon them and simultaneously to recognise themselves as bearers of that blessing to others and the world. All welcome! @whitkirkchurch.org.uk @leeds.anglican.org
A poster which reads: Blessing. A Quiet day for Churches Together in East Leeds. St Mary's Community Centre, Whitkirk. Saturday 23rd May, 9.30am-2.30pm. Bring your own lunch. Tea and coffee provided.
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Claire Honess @revclaireh.bsky.social · 05/03/2026
Gool Peran Lowen! The @churchofengland.org may not include it in its calendar (why not? 😢), but I am praying for my home county today, and for Cornish folk at home, up-country, and abroad. Happy St Piran's Day, my lovers!
St Michael's Mount rises from the sea. There are rocks in the foreground. The sky is mostly white cloud with a little blue visible behind.
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Claire Honess @revclaireh.bsky.social · 26/02/2026
Come and hang out at that little bit of the Anglican venn diagram where catholic, charismatic, sacramental, inclusive, and probably a few other things I can't think of right now intersect joyfully...
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Claire Honess @revclaireh.bsky.social · 18/02/2026
Freezing on the outside but warm on the inside from many wonderful conversations as we offered "Ashes to Go" at Temple Newsam this afternoon. @whitkirkchurch.org.uk @leeds.anglican.org
Claire, a vicar, stands next to a sign that says "Ashes to Go". She is wearing a black cloak, under which a purple stile can be seen. On the other side of the sign stand Elaine and Melvin, two churchwardens. Elaine wears a purple coat with the hood up. Melvin wears a blue coat and has an ash cross visible on his forehead. All three look quite cold!!
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Claire Honess @revclaireh.bsky.social · 15/02/2026
Putting our alleluias away for Lent today... @whitkirkchurch.org.uk
The word Alleluia cut out of colourful letters and hanging from a pillar in church.A shoe box with a label that says "Strictly no Alleluias in Lent. NOT TO BE OPENED UNTIL EASTER SUNDAY". Ryan, a very tall server in a white alb, takes down the Alleluia from the pillar while Lynne, an LLM in a blue scarf, reads the label on the shoe box. Two children, and James, another server, look on.Claire, a vicar in a green chasuble, places the Alleluia in the box, assisted by the two children. Lynne and James look on.
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Claire Honess @revclaireh.bsky.social · 14/02/2026
There is sunshine!
A view of a church. Beams of sunlight enter through a stained glass window. In the foreground there is a banner with a triquetra symbol and the words "Holy, holy" [+ holy - the third "holy" isn't visible in the image] on it.
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Claire Honess @revclaireh.bsky.social · 26/01/2026
Assembly Bangers at St Mary's Whitkirk. Safe to say that a lot of fun was had by all!! @whitkirkchurch.org.uk @leeds.anglican.org
A montage of photos showing people singing and waving glow sticks in a church. The vicar wears a mortarboard and some people are dressed in school uniform. There is a man playing the piano and a woman playing guitar.
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Claire Honess @revclaireh.bsky.social · 08/01/2026
Look out Whitkirk! The vicar's star word for 2026 (drawn entirely at random with no cheating) is... 🥁🥁🥁 ... IMAGINATION! Literally anything could happen. Mwahaha! 🤣
A white cardboard star with a string to hang it up by, with the word "imagination" on it.
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Claire Honess @revclaireh.bsky.social · 02/01/2026
Big waves crashing towards a beach with a dark cliff in the background.A wave on the point of breaking. It forms a curved shape. The body of the wave is dark olive green but the top is silvery-white.Waves crash onto rocks. The sun shines in the sea in the background. In the foreground a white wall makes a pentagon shape.Waves crash onto rocks.
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Claire Honess @revclaireh.bsky.social · 25/12/2025
St Mary's Advent Calendar, 2025: Day 25. Happy Christmas! On the last day of our 2025 Advent Calendar, a reminder of a fun-packed Advent. Wishing all our followers joy on this most special of days.
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Claire Honess @revclaireh.bsky.social · 25/12/2025
Raising a glass to any members of #clergymaltclub still standing. (First tasting of this year's sloe gin...!)
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Claire Honess @revclaireh.bsky.social · 24/12/2025
Crib service-ready.... Bring it on!!
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Claire Honess @revclaireh.bsky.social · 24/12/2025
St Mary's Advent Calendar: Day 24. It's Christmas Eve. Mary and Joseph are approaching Bethlehem. The time for her baby to be born is drawing near. @whitkirkchurch.org.uk @leeds.anglican.org
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Claire Honess @revclaireh.bsky.social · 23/12/2025
St Mary's Advent Calendar: Day 23. An image of Sunday's Festival of Lessons and Carols. @whitkirkchurch.org.uk @leeds.anglican.org
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Claire Honess @revclaireh.bsky.social · 22/12/2025
Yesterday we lit the fourth candle on our Advent wreath, as we remembered the Blessed Virgin Mary. Christmas is nearly here. @whitkirkchurch.org.uk @leeds.anglican.org
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Claire Honess @revclaireh.bsky.social · 21/12/2025
The Festival of Lessons and Carols at @whitkirkchurch.org.uk was absolutely awesome. I am a very proud and happy (and a tiny bit exhausted) vicar.
A church seen from above the sanctuary, looking west. In the foreground, Lynne, a lay minister, sits on the left wearing a blue scarf. On the right sits Claire, the vicar, wearing a red and gold cope. At the rear is the choir, robed in red, singing. Giles plays the organ from an organ loft high above the choir's heads. The church is packed.
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Claire Honess @revclaireh.bsky.social · 21/12/2025
St Mary's Advent Calendar: Day 21. O morning star! We explored the great 'O' antiphons of Advent at our Sanctuary service on Thursday. Today's antiphon is 'O oriens' or 'O morning star'. Today is the shortest day. Now the light returns. @whitkirkchurch.org.uk @leeds.anglican.org
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Claire Honess @revclaireh.bsky.social · 20/12/2025
St Mary's Advent Calendar: Day 20. A fun night was had by all last night at the Brown Cow, singing carols with our friends from Altofts and Normanton Brass Band. @whitkirkchurch.org.uk @leeds.anglican.org
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Claire Honess @revclaireh.bsky.social · 19/12/2025
I have four sermons to write, so obviously what I'm doing is decanting my sloe gin...
Bottles of a deep pink liquid sit on a kitchen counter.
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Claire Honess @revclaireh.bsky.social · 19/12/2025
St Mary's Advent Calendar: Day 19. Candles glow and stars are placed on the tree to remember loved ones at our Longest Night service. @whitkirkchurch.org.uk @leeds.anglican.org
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Claire Honess @revclaireh.bsky.social · 18/12/2025
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
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Claire Honess @revclaireh.bsky.social · 17/12/2025
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
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Claire Honess @revclaireh.bsky.social · 16/12/2025
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
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Claire Honess @revclaireh.bsky.social · 15/12/2025
The path to Whamhalla! Thank you Seacroft Hospital...
A hospital waiting room with multiple doors leading away down a corridor.
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Claire Honess @revclaireh.bsky.social · 15/12/2025
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
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Claire Honess @revclaireh.bsky.social · 14/12/2025
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.
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Claire Honess @revclaireh.bsky.social · 13/12/2025
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.
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Claire Honess @revclaireh.bsky.social · 12/12/2025
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
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Claire Honess @revclaireh.bsky.social · 11/12/2025
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
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Claire Honess @revclaireh.bsky.social · 10/12/2025
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
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Claire Honess @revclaireh.bsky.social · 09/12/2025
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
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Claire Honess @revclaireh.bsky.social · 08/12/2025
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
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Claire Honess @revclaireh.bsky.social · 07/12/2025
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.
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Claire Honess @revclaireh.bsky.social · 07/12/2025
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
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Claire Honess @revclaireh.bsky.social · 06/12/2025
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
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Claire Honess @revclaireh.bsky.social · 05/12/2025
@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.
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Claire Honess @revclaireh.bsky.social · 04/12/2025
@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.
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Claire Honess @revclaireh.bsky.social · 03/12/2025
Oh my heart! ❤️ "What gift would you give Baby Jesus?" This from a Year 3 child at Experience Christmas today...
A child's drawing of a cross with a crown above it, surrounded by hearts and lifted up on wings. The child has written "Love" at the top of the page.
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Claire Honess @revclaireh.bsky.social · 03/12/2025
Oops! Forgot to share this yesterday! @whitkirkchurch.org.uk @leeds.anglican.org
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Claire Honess @revclaireh.bsky.social · 03/12/2025
@whitkirkchurch.org.uk @leeds.anglican.org
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