Watch and Pray this Lent

for 46 days, 21 hours
Shelf: St Michael & All Angels
Carr House Road Shelf Halifax, HX3 7QE, United Kingdom

This Lent we are encouraged to wait expectantly for God to meet us and sustain us through the storms and trials we all face.

The Church of England’s Lent theme for 2024 is Watch and Pray: Wisdom and hope for Lent and life.

On the night he was betrayed, Jesus kneels in darkness in the Garden of Gethsemane. Though he pleads with his disciples, “Stay here with me … Watch and pray,” they all fall asleep, leaving him alone in his hour of deepest suffering.

This Lent all of us are encouraged to draw on the wisdom of Black Spirituality, particularly the practice of “tarrying” (waiting) as a community to draw closer to Jesus and to each other. Combining exuberant singing, fervent prayer and quiet lament, such services typically take place at night and last somewhat longer than the “one hour” Jesus asked of those first followers.

Shelf: St Michael & All Angels

Welcome to St Michael!

We have two Church of England worship centres in this parish, St Michael’s Shelf and St Aidan’s in Buttershaw. Our parish has approximately 22,000 people living in a number of distinct areas, Shelf, Buttershaw, Woodside and Clayton Heights.

Our dedicated team of volunteers makes St Michael’s & St Aidan’s what it is. We are Jesus Shaped with a heart for our communities.

We meet in person each Sunday – at 10.15 Am for a common worship Service. The first Sunday of the month is an all-age service, and we have kids' ministries alongside our services. Most of our Sunday Morning worship is Holy Communion Services, apart from the first Sunday of each, which is the usual service of the word. All are welcome. Our Sunday evening services – Church Live, are informal services with modern songs. On each second Sunday

You can also catch up with what we do join in our various social media. It'll be great to see you.


The parish of Shelf: St Michael & All Angels is committed to safeguarding children, young people and adults. We follow the House of Bishops' guidance and policies and have our own Parish Safeguarding Officer(s), PSOs. The Diocese of Leeds's safeguarding pages contains vital links and information, including contacts for the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor (DSA), who advises our PSOs. If you are concerned that a child or adult has been harmed or may be at risk of harm, don't hesitate to contact the DSA. If you have immediate concerns about the safety of someone, don't hesitate to get in touch with the police and your local authority, Children or Adults Services.


gallery image gallery image gallery image gallery image gallery image gallery image gallery image gallery image gallery image

Get in touch

Rev Chris Enwerem

80 Carr House Road

HALIFAX

HX3 7RJ
Priest In Charge
01274921389
07714291393 - Text

Our website

What's on

Watch and Pray this Lent

for 46 days, 21 hours
Shelf: St Michael & All Angels
Carr House Road Shelf Halifax, HX3 7QE, United Kingdom

This Lent we are encouraged to wait expectantly for God to meet us and sustain us through the storms and trials we all face.

The Church of England’s Lent theme for 2024 is Watch and Pray: Wisdom and hope for Lent and life.

On the night he was betrayed, Jesus kneels in darkness in the Garden of Gethsemane. Though he pleads with his disciples, “Stay here with me … Watch and pray,” they all fall asleep, leaving him alone in his hour of deepest suffering.

This Lent all of us are encouraged to draw on the wisdom of Black Spirituality, particularly the practice of “tarrying” (waiting) as a community to draw closer to Jesus and to each other. Combining exuberant singing, fervent prayer and quiet lament, such services typically take place at night and last somewhat longer than the “one hour” Jesus asked of those first followers.