District News – 03 May 2022

This Week's News

Spring Synod

Thank you to all those who attended the Spring Synod and have already completed the Feedback form. The comments received have been very constructive and will help us plan our future Synods.
If you have not yet given your feedback, you can do so here: https://forms.gle/PAifX7r4eHe1PU3a8

HMS Sheffield Testimony

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the sinking of HMS Sheffield in 1982.
Steve Martin, a member of Brimington Hall Road Methodist Church, talks about being a Christian in the Royal Navy where he served until 2006.
You can watch the video on our YouTubechannel.
https://youtu.be/F8wlwsgWjGo

Being church in a digital world

Almost all of us live out our discipleship in a partially digital world. When we receive and send emails, for example, we are digital disciples. This applies to what we do as groups of disciples (churches) too. How can we take necessary next steps towards more fruitful digital ministry and mission in a time and resource constrained context?
CLICK HERE for some questions to help focus your "what next".

Solidarity with Ukraine.

Following on from last week's article from Derbyshire North East Circuit, we've heard about how other churches are offering continued support to the Ukraine.

St Paul's in Dronfield, Sheffield, have been holding a weekly vigil for Ukraine on a Sunday afternoon and now this is developing into a friendship and support hub for local Ukranian guests and their sponsors. They've also been working with community members, groups and charities through the Churches Together partnership in Dronfield and District.

Hathersage Methodist Church in the Peak Circuit, has been offering the local community as well as church members an opportunity to express their solidarity and love for those who are suffering. Over the past few months a prayer has been displayed outside the church and several hundred yellow and blue ribbons have been tied to a cross to represent a prayer for Ukraine. The Messy Church group has created a yellow and blue heart shaped prayer wall and a drop in for a time of reflection, prayer and solidarity was also held in partnership with the Anglican church. Around 40 people attended to light candles, hear readings and recorded music from the Kyiv Chamber choir. The afternoon was very moving especially after one of the Ukrainian residents of the village read several poems in Ukrainian, which were also read in English too.

If you have any more stories you'd like to share please email comms@sheffieldmethodist.org

Christian Aid Week

Christian Aid week runs from 15th to 21st May this year and there are lots of ways to get involved which do NOT involve house-to-house collections. Click on the link here for worship resources and many other great suggestions as to how we can help our neighbours in the developing world have life in all its fullness, as God intended.

New DLT Members Wanted

If you watched or attended the Spring Synod, you would have heard McCauley Allcock tell his story about become a member of the District Leading Team, and how valuable he has found the experience.
We are seeking two more Lay members to join the team. Full details can be found here: District Leading Team

Events

An Introduction to Eco Church

Date: 14/05/22 10:30
Location: St Andrew's Psalter Lane Church, 31 Psalter Lane, SHEFFIELD S11 8YL
Description: St Andrew's Psalter Lane Church presents 'An Introduction to Eco Church' Open morning .
This open morning is for churches of any denomination interested in considering, getting started, or already involved in the Eco Church movement. An opportunity to ask questions, hosted by a local church holding an Eco Church Silver Award.

• What difference does being an Eco Church make in practice?
• How to get started?
• How to overcome common challenges?
• How can we better support and encourage each other?

If you missed out on our successful event last November, now's your chance to have your questions answered!
Fair Trade refreshments will be provided.

Contemporary Exploration

Date: 15/05/22 18:00
Location: Central Methodist Church, Chesterfield, S40 2UH
Description: Derbyshire North East Circuit are delighted to launch a new venture exploring forms of contemporary worship!
They will meet once a month as a fellowship to discover how music, story-telling, art, drama, poetry, dance and many other forms of artistic expression can be used in worship.
Why not to join them on this exciting journey?

"Community engagement made simple" webinar

26 & 27 May 2022

Are you seeing lots of need in your community, but you're not sure how to respond? Maybe you're wondering whether you have the skills, volunteer time and money to offer effective help. In this national webinar, which is offered twice for your convenience, local Methodist pioneer and social activist, Mark North, explains how the Freedom Community Project makes community engagement simple. With just a laptop, a smartphone and an internet connection, you can connect desperate people in your community with people who have the training to help.
More information, including how to register, HERE

School Chaplaincy & School Ministry Training Course

Date: 22/06/22 10:00
Location: to be confirmed
Description: Chaplaincy does life with people where they are. Life is often messy, rough edged, conflicted. Chaplaincy is where Christians need to be, sharing the journeys people are on. It is particularly valid when it comes to serving young people. Over 95% of young people are not in church. They are, however, in school, so to 'do life' with this generation, to serve, help or invest in them we need to be where they are -- in schools. School chaplaincy does life with young people in schools.
Christians & Sheffield Schools, The Diocese of Sheffield and The Methodist Church run a training course for those interested in school chaplaincy. The programme will include topics such as: understanding chaplaincy; school expectations and boundaries; children & spirituality (SMSC); characteristics of Generation Z; chaplaincy in a multi-faith setting; safeguarding; mental health; loss and bereavement; identity matters and more.
The 2022 course will be taking place in person on 22nd-23rd and 29th-30th June, from 10am to 3pm, venue to be confirmed.
Full details including how to book can be found here: https://www.cass-su.org.uk/school-chaplaincy-course

Circuit Steward Training

Are you new to circuit stewarding or preparing for the role or looking for a training refresher?

Join the Learning Network for 4 weekly training sessions on the roles, responsibilities of serving in this area of leadership.

Each session will offer opportunities to explore ideas and share experiences, as well as identify areas for further action, ongoing learning & development needs in these areas:

14th June – Calling and Role of the Circuit Steward
21st June – Distinctively Methodist
28th June – Positive Working Together
5th July – Continuing to learn

Visit www.bit.ly/circuitstewardtraining to book in or find out more.

Job Vacancies

Mission Pioneer (One Program Leadership (OPL))

OPL is investing in young adults giving them opportunities to grow in leadership and flourish in exciting faith-sharing projects. The roles are for ages 18-30 in churches and projects across Britain.
Four years ago the The Hub was formed at Hope Methodist Chapel as a pioneer church reaching out to walkers, cyclists and families that wanted to explore faith in the outdoors. This vision also fitted the desire of the Circuit within its rural setting to seek 'new places for new people'. The Hub has grown even through the challenges of Covid to include up to 8 families of all ages, retain the Chapels older members and through invites often has visitors to join in activities.

You will be joining a team of pioneering spirited people that love to be creative in seeing Jesus at work in his world.

About the Role

• Help develop/plan and evaluate Forest Church and other outdoor styles of indoor/outdoor worship.
• Participate, develop and evaluate small group discipleship for the growing church community.
• Being part of the outdoor community in Hope through activities, such as: walking, mountain biking, climbing, reflective art and crafts through creation.
• Help develop new ways of growing disciples within the missional context of evangelism and growth in an outdoor church focused setting.

For an informal discussion with a member of the team contactJonathan Brook on 07908161518 or email jonathanthehubhope@gmail.com

More information including how to apply here: https://methodist.current-vacancies.com/Jobs/Advert/2640267

Chief Operations Officer

Cliff College

Cliff College are seeking a full-time Chief Operating Officer to provide leadership and oversight of the College's operations.
The role includes responsibility for areas of the College including catering, estates, finance, hospitality, marketing, recruitment and conferencing. We are seeking a person who has experience of operational and financial management and is willing to play an active role in the life of the Cliff community.
This role is a full-time, permanent position.

Salary: £40,000-£45,000 depending on experience
Closing date: 15 May 2022
Interviews: 30 May 2022
The job pack and application details can be found here.

Chaplaincy: South Yorkshire Integrated Care System Development Officer (SYICS)

Accepting applications until: 08 May 11:59pm

Fixed Term: 12 months, part-time 22.5 hrs pw

Salary: £25,655 – £31,534 pa/ pro rata for part time staff, Yearly, NHS AfC: Band 5

Location: STH, with travel to other chaplaincy Trusts within SYICS required.

The Chaplaincy Department is responsible for facilitating the spiritual, pastoral and religious care of patients, staff, students and visitors of STH; and for providing specialist knowledge and expertise in matters relating to spiritual and religious beliefs, experiences and practices at all levels in the Trust.
As various services within Trusts and hospices have been working in integrated care systems (ICS), chaplaincy has yet to connect on ICS level. The person appointed shall be employed by STH chaplaincy, but working and responding to SYICS collaborative to develop professional working relationships around staff support during the pandemic.
Applicants do not need to be a chaplain/ordained to apply. A detailed Job Description and Person Specification is to be found at the following Link:
Chaplaincy SYICS Development Officer | Job advert | Trac

Methodist News

Net Zero Guidance

As part of working towards our goal of becoming net carbon zero, we will be focusing on various guidance and initiatives to help support churches. We have created Net Carbon Zero Guidance for churches as well as a practical checklist for reviewing your building(s). The guidance is broken down into 4 key steps:
1. Assess Your Building
2. Take First Steps
3. Make a Bigger Impact
4. Down to Net Zero
For more information about the wider issues of environment and climate change:
Click here