(Photo by Ehimetalor Akhere Unuabona on Unsplash)

If you are into sports, the recent June and July was a wonderful time. Full of exciting sports events, most of them postponed from the last summer due to covid-19. That made them even more desirable and attractive. Wimbledon, Copa America, Euro 2020 and probably many others all around the world. There are always many excitements, anticipations, and debates alongside the big competitions. Can Novak Djokovic catch the two other tennis giants? Can Lionel Messi finally win his first national trophy? And more importantly, is it coming home? or maybe next summer.

After a rough period of endeavour, it would be tremendously heart-warming to reach for national achievements, to be proud of our country; to bring it home for the first time. Well, I do not think we need a trophy to be proud of ourselves. We achieved much more during the lock-down, and It is not about the trophy or title. Feeling the nation’s unity and empathy during the competitions was extremely overwhelming. Unfortunately, she chose Rome instead of home. Suddenly, all aspirations turned into disappointment, then we saw the other side of the coin.

It started with attacking the Italian fans outside Wembley. Then racial abuse toward England's black players, vandalising Marcus Rashford's mural, various nonsense and unfair comments from politicians, comedians, and others in social media; and many other nasty acts of hatred.
Really? After all of that lovely sense of solidarity and integrity? Was it all about football? Or maybe some people were just waiting for an excuse.

That horrible situation did not last long. And it is fair to say the vast majority of citizens disgusted by the incidents. Still, it is not a simple thing to forget soon, even though the distraction is easy, mainly because it is preferable. Sometimes, these famous lyrics from The Cranberries applies to us; “but you see, it’s not me, it’s not my family, …”; then leave it. But the big question is if we do not leave it, what can we do about it?

Maybe some tweets help! Why not? If it is online abuse, let's be an online battle - It is up to you to take the last line seriously or as a joke. What about some actual work? Receiving training about racism is a huge first step. There are several self-funded and charity organisations dedicated to fighting racism and social injustice in any form [1]. There will be many events to raise public awareness and sensitivity in which we can contribute voluntarily or simply attend. A little financial support may be helpful. And those who are well-educated in the subject can step forward to educate others. Any small action, even if affects just one person, can lead to a series of change in a part of the society and eventually improves the whole situation.

Social injustice is not just about the law. It is about the way of thinking and the way of behaving when the opportunity arises. The gradual improvement comes from the collaborative efforts of all individuals. There is no superman or justice league here. But, it can be millions of social justice heroes, each taking care of their own share of responsibility.

Canon Saro

While you're here:
Why not prepare for next Sunday's worship? Our preparation sheet for adults and for children can be accessed by clicking on the Resources tab of this website: https://www.prayerforliverpool.org/prayer-resources.html.

[1] For the sake of impartiality, I do not promote any particular group here. A simple search on the internet brings many available options.

(Photo by Chris Montgomery on Unsplash Thanks to Chris Montgomery on Unsplash)
 
This week for me sees the end of a series of fairly busy weeks – busy in a world which has become all too familiar.  A world of online gatherings, meetings, conferences…..all manner of things conducted virtually, online; all often different – but all pretty much from the same seat in the house!  The seat, desk and location in my house is the same – but the gatherings on screen are different.  All do have value, all bring us together, often across very large distances, in ways which our previous face-to-face meetings perhaps could not.
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Some of you may know, I am a member of the Society of Ordained Scientists (www.ordsci.org). Our annual meeting is actually called the Annual Gathering, for which we come together in a large retreat house or similar, to join in prayer and worship, in friendship and fellowship, for reflection and discussion and of course for the Eucharist.  All was cancelled last year, but this year we ventured into Zoomland (as our Canon Theologian has aptly named it!) to bring our gathering together….at least in virtual space, if not physical space. 

It was different.  Spread out over three days, but with sessions alternating between morning, afternoon and evening, so that members of the society across the globe, from the US, Europe and Australia/NZ could join with at least some convenience with regard to timezones.  A gathering like no other – yes because it was all online, but also since it enabled people to ‘attend’ who would not normally be able to, when we come together in person.  From that perspective, the gathering was very blessed, with some lovely conversations, great presentations and discussions, prayers, laughter and shared memories.  In many senses it isn’t the same, but in many it is – since the people still bring themselves….and as brothers and sisters in Christ, all peoples, we know God is there too.  And perhaps that is why the gathering still retained something very special.

Sunday’s gospel (Mark 6:30-34, 53-end), at the heart of the Eucharist on the special day commemorating the 97th anniversary of the Consecration of our beloved cathedral, opened by describing how the apostles gathered around Jesus and told him all that they had done and experienced – for shortly beforehand, Jesus had sent out the twelve, two by two, into the villages.  The section of scripture in the lectionary has a ‘scene cut’, missing out two of Jesus’ great miracles; the feeding of the five thousand, and Jesus walking on the waters of Galilee.  But the text is still suffused with gatherings of many different types – noting how the people just rush from the whole region to see and hear Jesus, and bring their sick to him to be healed – and he is in the midst of them; Jesus is in the centre of the gathering, however large or small.

And perhaps that’s something we must hold on to, still in these present times.  Even though this is the first reflection after, in England, we have moved into step four of the lifting of restrictions, many (including myself) are still very cautious and perhaps anxious.  As a cathedral community, we honour and respect that, for our basis as a community is that of love for each other; God’s love, with Jesus Christ at the heart.  We still reach out, we still enable people to gather in lots of different ways – online through our live-streaming, in virtual bible study and prayer groups, or safely face-to-face within our prayer, Eucharist and Sepas services; at each persons’ own pace and time, when they feel comfortable in so doing.  Our thoughts and prayers form a common thread through all these gatherings, by God’s love being with us, through Jesus Christ and in the power of the Spirit.  We must not forget that the  gatherings can happen, too, through our prayers for one another – always holding onto each other, never letting go – wherever we might be.
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For all of our encounters, for all of our gatherings, in the past, in the present and in the future times; whether they be in conversation, safely with visitors and our cathedral company within the cathedral, or online still through our loving outreach; whether they be in prayerful joy to share news of God’s blessings, or be in the deep pastoral conversations where we are there to listen and support in any way one can; whether it be a gathering of two hundred or just two, we can be certain that God’s love is at the heart of it, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
 
As always, when we gather together, through our prayers – we do so with Christ’s love; go gently…..

Canon Mike 😊

While you're here:
Why not prepare for next Sunday's worship? Our preparation sheet for adults and for children can be accessed by clicking on the Resources tab of this website: https://www.prayerforliverpool.org/prayer-resources.html.

​Today’s Gospel reading continues our journey through Mark’s Gospel and brings us to the end of chapter 6. Earlier in chapter 6 we have been introduced to Jesus’ rejection in his home town. Throughout his Gospel, Mark draws a clear contrast between the reception given to Jesus by the religious and political leaders and the reception given to him by the common people.  In the previous episode of chapter 6, John the Baptist's execution at the hands of Herod foreshadowed Jesus’ own painful death.  Now, by way of complete contrast, we are shown how the common people flocked around Jesus, to the point that Jesus and his disciples had no leisure even to eat.
 
For those of you who wanted to do some thinking and preparation for today’s service during the preceding week, I invited reflection on the image of fan club. In today’s picture, from his book People Everywhere, Teddy Horsley joins a musical fan club.
 
Lord Jesus Christ,
the crowds came to meet you
and recognised your power.
Make yourself known to those who seek you today,
that your power may be recognised throughout the world;
for you are our God.
Amen.
 
Next Sunday our journey through Mark’s Gospel is interrupted by a reading from John’s Gospel. The lectionary switches our attention to John’s account of the feeding of the five thousand. The image to help us to prepare for next Sunday’s theme is world breads. You can find out more about that theme here https://www.prayerforliverpool.org/prayer-resources.html. We would really appreciate you letting us know how you are using these materials. Please send us your ideas and photos of the things you may create; email them to Nelson.Pike@liverpoolcathedral.org.uk.
 
To read more about People Everywhere and for more adventures with Teddy Horsley, please do visit his page under the Resources section of the St. Mary’s Centre website: http://www.st-marys-centre.org.uk/resources/TeddyHorsley.html, as well as his own website: https://teddyhorsley.org/.
 
You are warmly invited to join us in worship online. We are livestreaming our 10:30am service on both our Facebook and YouTube pages. To stream the service on Facebook, follow this link to our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/LiverpoolCathedral. To stream the service on YouTube, follow this link to our YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/user/LiverpoolCathedral/videos.
 
Teddy Horsley sends his Sunday greetings to all.
 
Canon Leslie

Consecration Sunday is one of the liturgical highlights in the life of Liverpool Cathedral. In 1924 this building was consecrated. To consecrate a building is to set apart the building for God. So for nearly 100 years this building has been set apart as a place of worship to God.
This place, sat on this hill, seen from many parts of the diocese, is a visual symbol of the greatness of God. It is a sacramental place where people come and have come to pray and to reflect on the bigger questions of life for over a hundred years.
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It is a place that offers hospitality, it is a place of encounter. It is a place that offers people a common ground, to come and be and to reflect. It is a place which is open to all of faith and no faith. It is a place for the seeker, it is a place for the committed. It is a place where justice is lived out.

Ninety-seven years ago this place began its witness to something greater than itself and the first Liturgy to consecrate this building speaks about the Cathedrals place in the bigger story of Christ’s resurrection hope to all people.
 
Our Archivist Canon Val Jackson speaks about that first Consecration Sunday and its service to consecrate this building to the Glory of God.

The First Consecration service was held on July 19th 1924 in the presence of King George V and Queen Mary. The service order tells us that it is the “Form and Order of the service that is to be performed and of the Ceremonies that are to be observed in the Consecration of the Cathedral Church of Christ Liverpool.” The service was led by Bishop Albert Augustus. It is recorded that the meaning of the ceremonies should have an inward and spiritual meaning. At the service in 1924 it was the Bishop who traced the sign of Alpha and Omega with his crozier as the choir sang Veni Creator Spiritus. The Holy scriptures were read by members of the Cathedral Chapter at places of dedication. This was followed by the witness of the Consecration on stone and parchment. The Bishop laid his hand on the pillar of consecration and making his mark of consecration said these words. “This dwelling is God’s habitation, it is a possession above all price which may not be spoken against.” The King and Queen witnessed the signing of the Deed of Consecration using ink and quill for the signing , the ladle for the seal and the sand for the signature.  The Bishop having satisfied himself that all is in order signed the Sentence of Consecration before pronouncing the following words.

By virtue of our sacred office in the Church of God we do now declare to be consecrate, and forever set apart from all profane and common uses this House of God, under the dedication of the Cathedral Church of Christ in Liverpool, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen. 

To see the services we will offer this Consecration Sunday, online and in person, check out our website: www.liverpoolcathedral.org.uk/. 

Dean Sue

While you're here:
Why not prepare for next Sunday's worship? Our preparation sheet for adults and for children can be accessed by clicking on the Resources tab of this website: https://www.prayerforliverpool.org/prayer-resources.html.

Fairly early on in Covid, as lockdown was beginning to loom, Jurgen Klopp – the greatest manager of the modern generation, of course – said that football was the ‘most important of the least important things in life’. It was an alternative to Shankly’s football being more important than life and death quip which was no doubt a good joke at the time but hardly fitting for what we were beginning to encounter.
 
And there are times when sport feels the most important thing. The Roy/Buttler run out of Martin Guptill to win the cricket world cup; the Miracle at Medinah to win the 2012 Ryder Cup; the Italia 90 penalties. And of course, Liverpool fans will always have Istanbul. And these times move us and lift us and frustrate us and leave us bereft. But only, as the Leonard Cohen song says, for a while.
 
But this England team has begun to show something beyond the least important things. They have a world view, a social conscience that is appealing. There was a brilliant story in this morning’s The Athletic about Jordan Henderson – who, come on Gareth, has to start in tonight’s final – going to visit one of the LFC support staff when she was off ill. She writes:
 
You’re a role model and a leader — not just at Liverpool but on England duty as well. Young players look up to you and you inspire them.
 
I’ll never forget that day two years ago when you and Adam Lallana turned up at my front door in Anfield. I was suffering from some health problems at the time. I’d had a tough time. I had the shock of my life seeing you two there on the doorstep. I just couldn’t get my words out.
 
Jordan, you came in, put the kettle on and we had a lovely chat. You asked what you could do to help because you didn’t want me to worry about anything. You told me how much all the boys were missing me and they couldn’t wait to have me back in work. That was such a lovely gesture. It’s something I’ll never forget. You really put yourself out.
 
There’s a decency, a humanity to this England squad and their manager. They reach into the more important things of life. But we need to reach beyond even that. However England go tonight there will be an intense feeling of elation or despair, probably for more than a while. But in the end I’m still with St Paul - So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. Or as St Jurgen might put it, we fix our eyes on the most important of the most important things in life.
 
Mike Eastwood
Chief Officer, Liverpool Cathedral
11 July 2021 (six hours before kick off)

While you're here:
Why not prepare for next Sunday's worship? Our preparation sheet for adults and for children can be accessed by clicking on the Resources tab of this website: https://www.prayerforliverpool.org/prayer-resources.html.

​Today’s Gospel reading continues our journey through Mark’s Gospel and stays with chapter 6. Last Sunday at the beginning of chapter 6 Mark relates how Jesus had sent his disciples out on their first missionary journey, instructing them to travel light. After the twelve had been sent out on their missionary journey, Mark tells us nothing about their experiences until they return to Jesus.  Instead Mark inserts this account of the death of John the Baptist.  The point Mark makes is this.  Just as John suffered martyrdom through preaching the Gospel, and just as Jesus suffered death on the cross, so the disciples can expect the same reception for their ministry.
 
For those of you who wanted to do some thinking and preparation for today’s service during the preceding week, I invited reflection on the image of martyr. In today’s picture, from their book, Exploring the Orthodox Church, Rees and Sara are looking for icons of Christian martyrs.
 
Lord Jesus Christ,
John the Baptist suffered martyrdom
in your service.
Stand alongside all those
who suffer in your service today,
that they may witness to your glory;
now and always.
Amen.
 
Next Sunday our journey through Mark’s Gospel takes us to the end of chapter 6 where Jesus is welcomed enthusiastically by the crowds, in stark contrast to his rejection by the religious and political leaders. The image to help us prepare for next Sunday’s theme is fan club. You can find out more about that theme here https://www.prayerforliverpool.org/prayer-resources.html. We would really appreciate you letting us know how you are using these materials. Please send us your ideas and photos of the things you may create; email them to Nelson.Pike@liverpoolcathedral.org.uk.
 
To read Exploring the Orthodox Church, follow this link to the resource on the St. Mary’s Centre website: http://www.st-marys-centre.org.uk/resources/World%20Faiths%20Today%20series/Storybooks%20World%20Faiths%20Today/Orthodox%20Church%20story%20English.pdf. For more adventures with Rees and Sara in the World Faiths Today series, follow this link to the relevant tab of the Resources page of the St. Mary’s Centre: http://www.st-marys-centre.org.uk/resources/worldfaithstoday.html.
 
You are warmly invited to join us in worship online. We are livestreaming our 10:30am service on both our Facebook and YouTube pages. To stream the service on Facebook, follow this link to our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/LiverpoolCathedral. To stream the service on YouTube, follow this link to our YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/user/LiverpoolCathedral/videos.
 
Rees and Sara send their Sunday greetings to all.
 
Canon Leslie

In the autumn of 2019 I encountered the Dean of Liverpool, Dr Sue Jones, in the departures lounge of Manchester Airport. We were part of a cohort of Church of England clergy travelling to Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia, in the Balkans. We would be immersed for a week in hard reflection on the civil war that tore apart the former Yugoslavia in the 1990s. We stayed in a hotel just round the corner from where Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated in 1914, the event that triggered the First World War, the after effects of which still shape our world.
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But the climax of the trip was the day we went to Srebrenica, a small town near the Serbian border, where in 1995 genocide returned to Europe. A United Nations safe haven, it had become a ghetto for thousands of Bosnian Muslims, in territory controlled by their former friends and neighbours, now enemies, Orthodox Christian Serbs. The Dutch UN force was unequal to the challenge of keeping these people safe. In early July the Bosnian Serb forces moved in, separated the men and women, and began systematically murdering thousands of the men and boys, raping the women and girls. It was as bleak as the worst horrors of the Second World War.

The outrage stirred the international community to intervene, and with the imminent end of the fighting the bodies of the dead were hastily unearthed, and reburied. Sometimes this desecration happened again, and again - bulldozers moving the decomposing dead miles from where they had been killed to the front line of the fighting so that it would look as if they had been shot in combat. But they hadn’t reckoned on the developing forensic science of DNA analysis. After an uneasy peace was declared pathologists began analysing bones and other remains, discovering that the torso of a body found in one mass grave matched a skull unearthed many miles away. Convictions followed, but little reconciliation.

Our Cathedral was begun in the days before the First World War, when the world was optimistic, many dreamed of revolution, and people talked disparagingly about the distant medieval past as ‘The Dark Ages’, of barbarism and violence. Little did they know what demons still haunted the human psyche. In our daily prayer and witness, we turn to God, especially in holy communion. Christ, who in offering his broken body, is our only hope, trusting that when he returns as Judge, not one of his children will be forgotten, and that his light will overcome the darkness. Let us remember, and repent.

Canon Philip

While you're here:
Why not prepare for next Sunday's worship? Our preparation sheet for adults and for children can be accessed by clicking on the Resources tab of this website: https://www.prayerforliverpool.org/prayer-resources.html.

Today’s Gospel reading continues our journey through Mark’s Gospel and brings us to chapter 6 when Jesus sends his disciples out on their first missionary journey.
 
In chapter 3 of Mark’s Gospel Jesus appointed twelve ‘to be with him, and to be sent out to preach, and have authority to cast out demons’.  Following their call, the twelve listen to Jesus’ teaching, witness his acts of power, and experience the way in which he is rejected.  Now they are sent out in pairs on their first missionary journey.  The urgency of the task is reflected in the way in which they are to travel light, unencumbered by unnecessary baggage and preparation.
 
For those of you who wanted to do some thinking and preparation for today’s service during the preceding week, I invited reflection on the image of travelling light. In today’s picture, from their book Special People, Aled and Sian are setting out on their journey, travelling light with just the map in their hands.  
 
Lord Jesus Christ,
you taught your followers
to travel light in your service.
Help us to follow in their footsteps,
that we are not weighed down
with the baggage of life;
for you are our God.
Amen.
 
Next Sunday our journey through Mark’s Gospel takes us further into chapter 6 as a dark shadow emerges over the disciples’ missionary journey. They learn about the assassination of John the Baptist at the hands of Herod. The image to help us prepare for next Sunday’s theme is martyr. You can find out more about that theme here https://www.prayerforliverpool.org/prayer-resources.html. We would really appreciate you letting us know how you are using these materials. Please send us your ideas and photos of the things you may create; email them to Nelson.Pike@liverpoolcathedral.org.uk.
 
To read the book, Special People, in its entirety, follow this link to the resource on the St. Mary’s Centre website: http://www.st-marys-centre.org.uk/resources/Exploring%20Our%20World%20Series/Special%20People/Special%20People%20Short%202016%20WEB.pdf. For more adventures with Aled and Sian, you are invited to follow this link to the Exploring Our World series page on the St. Mary’s Centre website: http://www.st-marys-centre.org.uk/resources/Exploring%20Our%20World.html.
 
You are warmly invited to join us in worship online. We are livestreaming our 10:30am service on both our Facebook and YouTube pages. To stream the service on Facebook, follow this link to our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/LiverpoolCathedral. To stream the service on YouTube, follow this link to our YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/user/LiverpoolCathedral/videos.
 
Aled and Sian send their Sunday greetings to all.
 
Canon Leslie

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Saying thank you should be an easy thing to do, but the older I get I realise that being thankful should be about more than verbalising the words. I now understand that being grateful should come from the depths of our being. When I was newly ordained we used to use ‘A General Prayer of Thanksgiving’ after the collects at Evening Prayer (https://www.churchofengland.org/prayer-and-worship/worship-texts-and-resources/book-common-prayer/prayers-and-thanksgivings).

This prayer from The Book of Common Prayer helps us to offer thanks to God for all God’s goodness and loving kindness. The prayer gives thanks to God for our existence and everything God has done for us. The prayer, however, takes us a step further and it also prays that God would give us a ‘due sense of all God’s mercies.’ So thankfulness should not just be words on our lips, but thankfulness should be a true expression of what is in our hearts so influencing the way we live.

On Sunday we are being encouraged by the Churches in Britain and Ireland (CTBI) to support a National Thank You Day.

According to the National Thank You Day website (www.thankyouday.org.uk):

"Over 16 million Brits are planning to take part in the country’s first ever national thank you day on Sunday the 4th of July.
 
"The idea of Thank You Day came from a grassroots campaign to hold the country’s biggest ever thank you party  in our local communities as a way of thanking each other and of building on the community spirit that so many felt during lock down. 
 
"From the idea being launched just a month ago the campaign has won huge support from hundreds of organisations ranging from the NHS to the Scouts and from high profile individuals including Gary Lineker, Michael Sheen, Dame Judi Dench, Raheem Sterling and many more. All events will be in line with current government guidance."

As a Christian community, here in Liverpool, ‘our party’ will be the Eucharist. The work Eucharist means thanksgiving and each week and each day in the Cathedral we have the opportunity to step back from the busy routine of life and say thank you to God for the many good things God gives us.

Being thankful is so much more than words on our lips it about an inner feeling that shows itself in the way will live and the praise we offer. So in praise, I thank God for God’s goodness and mercy seen in the lives of those who have cared and supported us over the past 15 months.

Almighty God, Father of all mercies,
We thine unworthy servants do give thee
Most humble and hearty thanks for all
thy goodness and loving kindness to us and to all people…

Dean Sue

While you're here:
Why not prepare for next Sunday's worship? Our preparation sheet for adults and for children can be accessed by clicking on the Resources tab of this website: https://www.prayerforliverpool.org/prayer-resources.html.

​Today’s Gospel reading continues our journey through Mark’s Gospel and brings us to chapter 5, a chapter concerned with healings. Healing is a central theme in Mark’s account of the ministry of Jesus.  Accounts of healing begin in chapters one and two with a man with an unclean spirit, Peter’s mother-in-law, a leper, and a paralysed man.  Now two healings are presented within one narrative.  The woman who had been suffering from hemorrhages was healed by touching Jesus’ cloak.  Then the most fundamental of healings takes place as Jesus takes Jairus’ daughter by her hand and she is restored to life.
 
For those of you who wanted to do some thinking and preparation for today’s service during the preceding week, I invited reflection on the image of ambulance. Today’s picture is taken from Teddy Horsley’s book, The Broken Leg, when he had to be taken to hospital by ambulance.
 
Lord Jesus Christ,
you brought health to the sick
and hope to the suffering.
Bless those who bring healing
in our world,
that they may work to praise your name;
now and always.
Amen.
 
Next Sunday our journey through Mark’s Gospel takes us into chapter 6 when Jesus sends his disciples out on their first missionary journey. He ordered them to take nothing for their journey except a staff. The image to help us prepare for next Sunday’s theme is travelling light. You can find out more about that theme here https://www.prayerforliverpool.org/prayer-resources.html. We would really appreciate you letting us know how you are using these materials. Please send us your ideas and photos of the things you may create; email them to Nelson.Pike@liverpoolcathedral.org.uk.
 
To find more adventures with Teddy Horsley, you are invited to follow this link to his section of the St. Mary’s Centre website: http://www.st-marys-centre.org.uk/resources/TeddyHorsley.html, as well as this link to his own website https://teddyhorsley.org/.  
 
You are warmly invited to join us in worship online. We are livestreaming our 10:30am service on both our Facebook and YouTube pages. To stream the service on Facebook, follow this link to our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/LiverpoolCathedral. To stream the service on YouTube, follow this link to our YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/user/LiverpoolCathedral/videos.
 
Teddy Horsley sends Sunday greetings to all.
 
Canon Leslie