Events Programme
The Art Theology Festival from Leeds Church Institute
1st-22nd May 2025
This year, the theme of the Art Theology Festival is ‘Wisdom: Rooted in Place’, exploring what it means to belong to a place either spiritually, physically or emotionally, and how being creative can help us talk about the social injustices faced by marginalised communities here in our city.
The aim of ‘Wisdom: Rooted in Place’ is to create a spirit of hope in the city as we journey together through our core values of faith, learning, cooperation and justice.
‘Wisdom: Rooted in Place’ draws upon theological insights to address themes of marginalisation, belonging and embodied wisdom.
Get inspired to use art as a conduit for learning about faith, a tool for social change, and a reflective practice for everyone to engage with.
Prophet or Provider?
A conversation for Christian Leaders
Thursday 15th May, 11am-2pm, Rainbow Junktion, 24 Regent Terrace, LS6 1NP
All too often churches are working on the frontlines meeting the urgent need in our communities. But how do we balance that with the Christian call to be a prophetic voice for change?
Are handouts really the answer? How do we find time while pulling people out of the river, to go upstream and find out who is pushing them in?
At this lunchtime gathering, Jon Kuhrt will join us to bring together Church and Christian leaders from different contexts in Leeds, to share experiences and grapple with the realities of ministry in an urban context.
Reclaiming Histories
Slavery, Race and the Churches
Thursday 5th June, 10am-4.30pm, Baines Wing, University of Leeds, LS2 9DA
Understanding the histories of the Church, the transatlantic slave trade and racism is a painful but vital process. In our contemporary context, defined by the murder of George Floyd and the resurgence of the Black Lives Matter movement, there is an urgent need for deeper and more informed learning and discussion about racism within churches.
Join us for a one-day workshop examining the historical and present-day realities of racism within the churches. Hear about the experiences of Caribbean clergy and theologians working daily with the challenges that Caribbean Christian history poses to their identities and work. Connect with others committed to racial justice and help to plan and strengthen ongoing initiatives in Leeds and beyond.
This is a free event. Lunch and refreshments will be provided. Booking is required.
This is a joint event funded by the Centre for Religion and Public Life at the University of Leeds, The Leeds Church Institute and USPG.
Esther’s Revenge
An immersive true story theatre performance where you are the jury…
Wednesday 18th June, 6.30pm, Leeds Minster, Kirkgate LS2 7DJ
Written and directed by Kenneth Uphopho
Get ready for a gripping theatrical experience as Esther’s Revenge takes the stage at Leeds Minster as part of the third edition of the Leeds International African Arts Festival LIAAF 2025!
This intense drama performed by Bola Atitebi tells the story of Esther, a woman driven by a quest for justice and truth against the systems that have wronged her. Esther had loaned money to her lover Mark who in turn marries his British lover. In the ensuing confrontation Esther killed him. As the plot unfolds, secrets are revealed, and the lines between truth and deception are blurred.
With its unique blend of African storytelling and theatrical physicality, Esther’s Revenge is a must-see for fans of gripping drama and social commentary.
6.00pm Doors open and bar available
6.30pm Performance begins
7.30pm Light Food available
8.00pm Q & A
Learning from Esther’s Revenge
A day of creativity and dialogye with Leeds Church Institute
Thursday 19th June, 11am-2pm, Leeds Minster, Kirkgate LS2 7DJ
Learn what it takes to bring a story like Esther’s to life, and reflect on how the story mirrors the Book of Esther in the Hebrew scriptures, exploring the performance through the lens of this stunning venue.
Everyone is welcome to join us for all or part of the day. If you haven’t seen the performance you’re still welcome to attend.
11am Meet the Writer
Meet Kenneth Uphopho and hear more about hte process of creating Esther’s revenge
12pm Lunch provided free of charge
1pm The Book of Esther
Explore links between the performance and the biblical story from an interfaith perspective
Our City, Our Lives, Our Stories
The first anthology of writing about life in Leeds written entirely by writers of African descent.
Thursday 19th June, 6pm-8pm, Compton Road Library, Harehills Lane, LS9 7BG
Join Leeds International African Arts Festival and Leeds Lit Fest for a celebration of a city and its people.
With a Pan-African outlook, this anthology includes narratives from people born in Kenya, Nigeria, Angola, and Zimbabwe, as well as those born, raised or living in Yorkshire of African diasporic descent. From St. Kitts to Chapeltown, Guinea-Bissau to Alwoodley, the stories within reflect a diverse range of perspectives about what makes Leeds unique.
Join the Leeds African Diaspora Writers in peeling back the layers of multicutural Leeds, and take a bite!
Featuring Nana-Essi Casely-Hayford, Suely Correia, Dr Babatunde A. Gbolade, Adam Lowe, Lalinca Lunga, Jeniffer Makau, Sai Murray, Ndidi V. Nkwopara, Taiwo Ogunyinka and Joe Williams. Compiled by Ndidi V. Nkwopara. Edited and designed by Adam Lowe. Foreword by Kadija Sesay.
The Hook Lecture 2025
Prophet or Provider?
Tuesday 21st October, 7pm, Leeds Minster, Kirkgate, LS2 7DJ
Churches are increasingly being called upon to meet the urgent needs in our communities. But how do we balance this important work with the Christian call to be a prophetic voice for change?
Are handouts really the answer? How do we find time while pulling people out of the river, to go upstream and find out who is pushing them in?
For this year’s Hook Lecture, we welcome Jon Kuhrt to Leeds to explore our theme: is the church called to be ‘Prophet’ or ‘Provider’?
Jon Kuhrt is the Chief Executive of Hope into Action, a national Christian charity partnering with churches to provide homes for people who have been homeless.