District News – 03 January 2023

Happy New Year!

We hope you all had as good a Christmas as is possible. 2023 may bring new possibilities, challenges, joys and sorrows, but we can face anything knowing that God is by our side!

Sad News

We were so sorry to learn of the death on 23 December of the Revd Diane Hare, a former presbyter in Chesterfield. Diane had had a stroke whilst working there and in the end was unable to return to Ministry because of this. She had moved to Norfolk to be nearer her sister (Revd Jackie Goddard) and we hold the whole family in our prayers.

Brian Brown "Apartheid South Africa! Apartheid Israel?"

January 24th, Tuesday, at 7.00pm via Zoom

How do current policies in the Holy Land mirror South Africa's era of apartheid?
Rev Brian Brown is a retired Methodist minister who has lived in South Africa. He is a leading theologian and long term anti-apartheid campaigner. From his experience over many years, he will consider how the policies of the State of Israel, in violently dispossessing Palestinians of their land, nationality and human rights, replicate policies of South Africa.
More details including how to register can be found here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/apartheid-south-africa-apartheid-israel-tickets-474765966787

Organised by Kairos Sheffield, part of the Sheffield Coalition Against Israeli Apartheid. We recognise the issues highlighted in "Israel's apartheid against Palestinians", a recently published report from Amnesty International. Kairos Sheffield is a Sabeel-Kairos community https://www.sabeel-kairos.org.uk/

New Christian communities gathering

2pm Saturday 4 February

A gathering for anyone involved in leading (in any capacity), or preparing to lead, a new Christian community within our district. For teams as much as for "the person in charge" or "pioneer". Meet people from other new Christian communities to share, learn and celebrate . With Matt Finch, Connexional Pioneering and Church Planting Officer.
Further details and register your free place at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/new-christian-communities-gathering-tickets-496243105487

District Safeguarding Update

LGBT+ Safeguarding webinar (Zoom)

Tuesday 24 January, 11am – 12:30pm

In this webinar, we will explore how we in the Methodist Church can safely welcome people who identify as LGBT+ into our church communities. We will look closely at the decisions arising from the God In Love Unites Us movement and the statement from the Constitutional Practice and Discipline of the Methodist Church that: "Within the Methodist Church ... marriage is understood in two ways: that marriage can only be between a man and a woman; that marriage can be between any two people. The Methodist Church affirms both understandings and makes provision in its Standing Orders for them"

Speakers include:

• Revd Ashley Cooper – Methodist minister:

God in Love Unites Us Part 1, acceptance that traditionalists have hurt people who identify as LGBT+, the distinction between theological conviction and homophobia, how traditionalist Methodists can continue to live their life, trying to follow Jesus alongside liberal Methodists

• Revd Delyth Liddell – Methodist minister:

God in Love Unites Us Part 2, the toll taken on LGBT+ people's mental health by coming to church, living with contradictory convictions, how liberals "have not arrived lightly at their ideas that traditional teaching needs to change. They are not careless about scripture. They do not reject Christ. But they have come to a different view on sexuality after long prayer, deep study and reflection on understandings of human nature" (Justin Welby)

Advance Registration is essential
https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_MXdwYgvyQuewwgzwE_8cpQ

As ever, if you have any questions or concerns please give me a call on 07483 362 735 or email me at safeguarding@sheffieldmethodist.org

Many thanks
Alison Hill
District Safeguarding Officer

Events

Church at the Margins Community of Practice

Wednesday 11th January 2023, 7.30pm-9pm

Conversation focus: What is change? (facilitated by Paul Bridges)
Zoom: https://zoom.us/j/93324395880?pwd=RENRSUVrOHp4VzFHaFUwVDVQOHRUUT09

Meeting ID: 933 2439 5880
Passcode: 231149

The Church at the Margins Community of Practice (CaM COP) is aimed at individuals ministering alongside financially marginalised people. It meets four times each year and seeks to be a safe space to share joys, concerns and learning. It is a place to consider and promote good practice and provide opportunity to raise awareness and conversation around pertinent issues.

Talking Climate Justice

Sunday 22 January at 6:15pm

Sheffield Christian Aid committee have arranged a 'Talking Climate Justice' event for the evening of Sunday 22nd January 2023 at 6.15pm at Victoria Methodist Church, Stafford Road.
Please do come along to hear about how you can get your church involved in taking action for climate justice. Feel free to bring along anyone else from your church who might be interested. It would really help us to plan the event if we knew how many to expect; you can book in 2 ways – either by using the details on the poster or by using this EventBright link.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/talking-climate-justice-tour-tickets-474199121337
Alison Trezise (Chair of Sheffield CA committee) jandatrezise@virginmedia.com

Positively Rural – Opportunities of Rural Chaplaincy

Tuesday 17 January from 7:30pm

A webinar exploring different models of rural chaplaincy and the support offered in rural communities.

At the webinar we will have 2 speakers who have diverse experiences of Rural Chaplaincy. We will explore about what is involved in chaplaincy and our role in supporting it and playing our part in it.

Speakers: Rev Maggy Ellison a chaplain at York Auction Mart and Deacon Maggie Patchett who has been involved in various rural chaplaincies

Link to register: https://PositivelyRural230117.eventbrite.co.uk

Positively Rural is an online community hosted by the Yorkshire Plus Learning Network, but open to anyone of any denomination involved in rural ministry, including volunteers, lay workers and clergy.

Whirlow Spirituality Centre

Resource Evenings for Spiritual Accompaniers

18th January, 28th March, 24th May
Each evening will include any/some of the following;

• conversation around a particular topic of interest to spiritual accompaniers
• listening practice in triads, including feedback
• an element of peer/group supervision

For more information, visit the what's on page

Vacancies

Admissions Officer (15 hours per week)

Cliff College is seeking to appoint a new part-time role of Admissions Officer.
Working with the Recruitment Manager and the Academic Administrators, the Admissions Officer will support the application and admissions process for all programmes at Cliff College that are validated by the University of Manchester. The decision to apply for a validated programme of study at Cliff College is a significant one, and the role of the Admissions Officer is to support applicants through this process with care, attention to accuracy and detail, and professionalism, ensuring an excellent impression and experience of the College. The Admissions Officer will be responsible for assisting applicants in their journey from first contact to enrolment.

More information from their website: https://www.cliffcollege.ac.uk/news-events/hiring-admissions-officer

Salary: £26,000 pro rata
Closing date: 12 noon on Tuesday 10th January 2023
Interviews: Thursday 19th January 2023

Applications are welcomed on a College application form or through a CV with covering letter, outlining suitability for the criteria required.
For more information or to arrange an informal conversation about this post please contact Michelle at m.foulkes@cliffcollege.ac.uk or 01246 584200.

URC East Midland Synod – Safeguarding Officer

The East Midlands Synod of the United Reformed Church is seeking to appoint a Synod Safeguarding Officer (Ref SSO). This is a part-time post for 17.5 hours per week (including evening and weekends) on a permanent contract. Salary is £38,239 pro-rata (actual salary £17,845). This post is subject to an Enhanced DBS Disclosure.

Safeguarding children and adults at risk is a core part of the Church's mission, and the Synod Safeguarding Officer is essential to promoting that mission. Working within the structures of the United Reformed Church, their role is:

1. To lead on safeguarding matters and be a trusted advocate for safeguarding in the Synod.
2. To advise and support the synod and local Churches in child and adult protection matters.
3. To ensure that disclosures and allegations of harm, abuse or neglect are appropriately referred to the statutory authorities and that appropriate advice and support is given to survivors of abuse
4. To manage safeguarding cases including liaison with other relevant agencies and services such as the police, children, probation and adult social care services
5. To ensure regular safeguarding training for ministers, workers and those responsible for the care of children and/or adults at risk in the synod and the local churches
6. To keep accurate records, data and information and produce relevant reports.
7. To keep abreast of developments in safeguarding within and outside the URC and maintain appropriate links

For an application pack (no CVs) please contact:

Mrs Chris Willis, East Midlands Synod Office
1 Edwards Lane, Sherwood Nottingham, NG5 3AA
Tel: 0115 9609241 Email: admin@urc5.org.uk

Closing date for applications: 28th February 2023
Interviews to be held: 30th March 2023

Volunteer roles

Chair of Trustees – The Foundry Sheffield

Since 2015, The Foundry Sheffield CIO has been responsible for the historic Grade II Victoria Hall Methodist Church premises, in Sheffield's city centre. During this time it has begun an extensive programme of renovations, opened the building up to many more people, and set a path towards a sustainable and purposeful future.
The current Chair is retiring this summer and they are therefore seeking a replacement.
More information can be found in the information pack here: Chair of Trustee Recruitment Pack
For an informal conversation, contact Phill Borkett: revphillb@outlook.com