Claire Honess
LightNews LightNews
revclaireh.bsky.social
Claire Honess
@revclaireh.bsky.social
36 followers 26 following 81 posts
Vicar of St Mary's Whitkirk in the Diocese of Leeds, linguist, Dantist, dog-lover, Cornishwoman. Still working out how this place works!
Posts Replies Media Videos
revclaireh.bsky.social
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
The picture shows a group of people standing in front of an altar with an elaborate reredos. There is a huge stained glass window behind the altar. To the rear of the picture are members of the choir, dressed in red cassocks. In front of them are the serving team, wearing white albs. At the front are (left to right) the deacon, president, and subdeacon, wearing gold Eucharistic vestments.
November 1, 2025 at 8:29 PM
revclaireh.bsky.social
I love Sacred Space at @whitkirkchurch.org.uk @leeds.anglican.org: peace, space, candlelight, gentle music, prayer, no words...
A tea light burns in a darkened church.
October 30, 2025 at 9:46 PM
revclaireh.bsky.social
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

Candles burn after our memorial service today, each one a loved-one remembered. @whitkirkchurch.org.uk @leeds.anglican.org
In a darkened church, a number of tea lights burn on an altar, flanked by altar candles. In the background a stained glass window is visible.
October 26, 2025 at 6:58 PM
revclaireh.bsky.social
Pilgrims in the Park. Walking and talking and praying and thinking about how we can be light in the darker days ahead, as the clocks go back tonight. @whitkirkchurch.org.uk @leeds.anglican.org
A blackboard, flanked by two blue plastic chairs, reads "Pilgrims in the Park". Behind it a ray of sunshine cuts across an avenue of trees whose leaves range from green to gold. Temple Newsam House is silhouetted in the background of the picture. The sky is blue and the sun is directly above the house. In the foreground, a tree has lost most of its leaves, but those still on the branches glow golden in the sunlight.
October 25, 2025 at 3:31 PM
revclaireh.bsky.social
A joyous and Spirit-filled celebration of faith, as we welcomed Bishop Arun to Whitkirk to confirm 10 candidates. In a powerful sermon, Bishop Arun reminded us of God's call to be radical welcomers, creators of a kingdom where there are no outsiders. @whitkirkchurch.org.uk @leeds.anglican.org
12 people stand in a church. Fourth from the left is Claire, a vicar, wearing a red chasuble. On the far right of the picture Bishop Arun wears a gold cope and mitre. He holds an Episcopal staff in his left hand. Everyone is happy and smiling.
October 19, 2025 at 7:14 PM
revclaireh.bsky.social
Vicaring jobs that weren't in the role description #3,487,923: bathing the playmats.
Claire, a vicar, stands next to a bathtub full of wet, brightly coloured children's playmats. She is laughing!
October 3, 2025 at 3:18 PM
revclaireh.bsky.social
A kilner jar about half full of sloes, some of which are floating in a clear liquid. It's not obvious from the photo that the liquid is gin, but it is!
October 2, 2025 at 7:25 PM
revclaireh.bsky.social
Mmm... sloe gin!
A sloe bush with many fat sloes on it against a blue sky.
September 22, 2025 at 1:03 PM
revclaireh.bsky.social
It has been a 'never (for which, read "always") work with children and animals' kind of a weekend. What fun!
Claire, dressed in a red chasuble, introduces the Peace. Glenn holds her book. She is flanked by four adult servers, an LLM in a blue scarf and seven children/young people. Ten humans, nine dogs and an iguana in front of an altar.
September 21, 2025 at 8:42 PM
revclaireh.bsky.social
Things they don't teach you at theological college #3,426,798: blessing an iguana!
Amandine holds Peppermint, a large iguana, while Claire prays a blessing on the relationship between human and pet.
September 20, 2025 at 3:45 PM
revclaireh.bsky.social
Pilgrims in the Park. Launched today at Temple Newsam. A simple service with prayers and a reflection, followed by a walk and a cuppa in the café.
An A-frame blackboard with the words "Pilgrims in the Park" written on it. It is standing on grass and there is a small box of orders of service leaning against one of its legs. A group of people are seated at a cafe table under a green parasol. Teapots and coffee mugs are visible on the table. A group of 9 people stands on a bridge. They are smiling. One wears a clerical collar and a "Pilgrims in the Park" t-shirt. A group of 10 people gathers in a park setting. Four are seated on chairs, one on the floor on a blue blanket, and the rest stand. The vicar, on the left of the picture wears jeans and a black "Pilgrims in the Park" T-shirt with a clerical collar.
July 26, 2025 at 5:37 PM
revclaireh.bsky.social
Ooh! Can't wait to hear how it went. This was my day-off reading!
A book cover. The book is called "Giver of Life: The Holt Spirit in the Creed and the Christian Life Today" by Jane Williams.
July 21, 2025 at 10:14 PM
revclaireh.bsky.social
My vicarage now has a small swimming pool!
A picture of a truly enormous puddle in front of a garage door.
July 21, 2025 at 9:12 AM
revclaireh.bsky.social
Going to this on Saturday. Who's coming?
An advertisement for a service to celebrate Leeds Pride. Saturday 19th July at 4pm at Leeds Minster.
July 15, 2025 at 1:11 PM
revclaireh.bsky.social
Day off joy!
A shot of beach huts taken through the windows of their porches to give a frame effect in many bright colours.
July 7, 2025 at 4:59 PM
revclaireh.bsky.social
Team Whitkirk was well represented at the service and it was a joy and an honour to deacon for these #newrevs
A newly ordained deacon (identifiable by her stole worn diagonally) is flanked by Melvin and Elaine, two churchwardens) on her right and Claire (vicar) and Lynne (LLM) on her left. Everyone is beaming! A packed cathedral. At the front the Bishop prays for the Holy Spirit as an ordinand kneels before him. Deacon and subdeacon stand to his right and left respectively.
June 30, 2025 at 10:03 PM
revclaireh.bsky.social
Here is the lovely Jo, ordained at Allentown Bywater by +Arun.
June 23, 2025 at 10:47 PM
revclaireh.bsky.social
It's grim up north!
A beach with clouds reflected in the shallow water. A headland juts out in the background and a groyne is visible in the foreground. It's sunny.
June 2, 2025 at 11:18 AM
revclaireh.bsky.social
Back from a wonderful few days at #OFMonsite2025 and already looking forward to next year's conference. Catholic, charismatic, inclusive, fun... If those things sound like your kinds of things, why not come along next time?
May 3, 2025 at 11:49 PM
revclaireh.bsky.social
Blessed to be at #OFMonsite2025 #PilgrimPeople.
A cross is covered in fairy lights and draped with gold fabric, with the word "Blessed" illuminated at its centre. A small cairn of stones stands at its foot.
April 28, 2025 at 9:44 PM
revclaireh.bsky.social
Happy Easter! May you be touched today and always by the light of the Resurrection....
Light enters a church from high south windows. Beams are visible in the incense-filled air. One beam alights directly onto a banner that proclaim the Resurrection, reading "He is risen".
April 21, 2025 at 8:54 AM
revclaireh.bsky.social
The empty aumbry giving me all the feels tonight.
April 18, 2025 at 7:49 PM
revclaireh.bsky.social
"It is finished." On this day we remember how Jesus died on the Cross. And then we wait... This is not the end of the story. But it needs to feel like the end...
@whitkirkchurch.org.uk @leeds.anglican.org
April 18, 2025 at 4:12 PM
revclaireh.bsky.social
Tenebrae at @whitkirkchurch.org.uk @leeds.anglican.org
An image of a candlelit church 17 candles burn on an altar. They are on a candle stand that places them at different heights. One candle remains lit on an altar. 16 candles have been extinguished. Unlit candles are only faintly visible in the dark.
April 16, 2025 at 8:46 PM
revclaireh.bsky.social
After yesterday's donkey-related excitement, today featured a small, peaceful, sun-dappled Eucharist and Stations of the Cross, beautifully led by our LLM @whitkirkchurch.org.uk @leeds.anglican.org
A booklet that reads "Said Eucharist: Holy Monday" sits on an altar on which the sun shines through a stained glass window casting multicoloured shadows.
April 14, 2025 at 8:39 PM