District News – 05 April 2022

This Week's News

Spring Synod

Thanks to all who took part in our Spring Synod at Cliff College on Saturday. The majority of the day was also streamed to YouTube and you can watch again here: Synod at Cliff. There are some sound issues, but it does give some idea of what happened.

National Methodist Choir of Great Britain – Jubilee choir of choirs

You and your choir, school, church, and community group, are invited to join in singing one of HM the Queen's favourite hymns; 'Praise, my soul, the King of Heaven' as part of the Jubilee Celebrations. Bringing together individuals and congregations, schools and choirs, we will create a virtual choir of choirs, coming together with one voice! All the details on how to get involved are at nmcgb.org/jubilee
NMCGB was created during the Covid pandemic and is led by Matt Beckingham from our Doncaster Circuit

President of Conference visit

We will be delighted to welcome the Revd Sonia Hicks, President of the Methodist Conference, to the Sheffield District in May. A number of visits to different projects are being planned, including a Service of Celebration at 10:30 on Sunday 15 May at The Grove Methodist Church in Retford marking 200 years of Methodist Worship on the current site. All are welcome to attend!

Church Items seeing a new home

Following the closure and sale of Barlow & Cutthorpe Methodist Chapel, the following items may be of interest to a church, or churches:

• A small table-top font, with lid, in oak. Generally in good condition except for a small split to the base. It stands approximately 1 ft. / 30 cm high.
• A Communion set, comprising a tray for 40 glasses, 45 glasses (5 spare in box), silverplated chalice and plate, small glass jug with glass saucer and a number of white embroidered cloths to cover the elements; all contained, except for the tray, in a wicker basket.
• A pair of wooden Offertory Plates

If interested, please contact Ian Sawyer directly via: Tel: 01142890366 / Mob: 07989347890 / email: ian.sawyer@live.com

Methodist Tapestries Project

The Weardale Museum, in Ireshopeburn, County Durham, is promoting the Methodist Tapestries Project, which will show the history and heritage of Methodism via the medium of embroidery. Relating stories not only local to the Museum but those of regional, national and international interest, the Project currently has forty-nine panels at various stages of construction and is looking for volunteers to take on further designs. Images of some of the current panels can be seen on the Museum's website, including in the Gallery section which showcases different panels every few weeks : https://weardalemuseum.org.uk/methodist-tapestries-project. They would value input and involvement from Methodist Communities and you can find out how to take part here: https://weardalemuseum.org.uk/about-methodist-tapestries

Church at the Margins: Community of Practice

What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? Micah 6:8 (NRSV)

• Are you passionate about working amongst people who are economically marginalised?
• Do you seek to enable and encourage people who are economically marginalised to grow and thrive in their discipleship and leadership?
• Are you part of a church community which serves an economically marginalised community?

If you have ever thought that you would appreciate support, value a place to share ideas and good practice in this area then the new Yorkshire Plus Church at the Margins Community of Practice (CAM COP) is for you!
We are planning to gather practitioners, lay and ordained, from across the Yorkshire Plus region whose ministry is amongst CAM. We will meet termly, online, for 90 minutes. We hope that this community of practice would be a place that provides mutual support, a space to share good practice and give opportunity to reflect on issues relating to CAM ministry. Our first meeting will be on Monday 9th May 2022, 7.30pm-9pm. Book your place via Eventbrite:
https://yp_220509_camcop.eventbrite.co.uk

For more information about CAM, including its vision, values and theological foundations, please read the introductory leaflet: church-at-the-margins-leaflet.pdf (methodist.org.uk).

Events

Cliff College Trek

11th-14th April 2022

Join Cliff College as they retrace the route of the last Cliff Trek from 1960. In partnership with the Lancashire Methodist District, the Trek will start in Leyland and finish in Morecambe, visiting 10 churches in total.

To join us for some or any of the Trek, visit cliffcollege.ac.uk/news-events/cliff-trek-april

Threads through Creation

Threads through Creation' is an extraordinary, uplifting art exhibition at Southwell Minster, on show from 4th March until 24th April.
The show consists of twelve beautiful silk panels reimagining the story of creation from Genesis. They're huge (2.7m high, up to 3.5m wide) and quite awe-inspiring.
It took artist Jacqui Parkinson (widow of Rob Frost) three years, and eight million stitches!
See www.creation-threads.co.uk for more information.

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.

Creating Welcoming Churches for those Leaving Prison

11 May – 1pm

In partnership with 'The Welcome Directory', Learning Network Yorkshire Plus is offering the opportunity to learn more about how we might welcome into our church those leaving prison. Jesus spent a lot of time hanging about with people who are on the margins of society and He asks us specifically to love those we find difficult. How might we be able to do that, and to do it safely? What do people leaving prison need? How might we offer not only support, but a loving faith community they can be welcomed into? What safeguarding do we need to be aware of?Register here: https://220511welcomechurch.eventbrite.co.uk

Sharing Stories to Bring Wellbeing

17th June 2022, 10am--1pm

People make meaning and find connection through stories. We also find wellbeing through relationship and play. In this interactive webinar we will offer ideas of multi-sensory approaches and techniques that make sharing stories accessible to people living with dementia. We will consider ways of building community and using stories as a springboard for creativity.

Download a poster with more information : Sharing Stories

To book your place: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/sharing-stories-to-bring-wellbeing-tickets-265060201197?aff=ebdssbeac

Worship: Leading and Preaching Summer School

1 – 5 August 2022

This intensive week course gives those already training to be worship leaders and local preachers in the Methodist Church the opportunity to do the 'Explore' sessions from the course together as part of an encouraging and supportive community from around the country. There will also be opportunities for discussion about building portfolios and other aspects of the course, and we will share worship and fellowship together.
Find out more and book your place now at www.cliffcollege.ac.uk/wlp-summer-school

Ukraine

There is now a detailed toolkit of practical advice and support for churches who wish to offer the gift of sanctuary to people fleeing the war in Ukraine.

As well as comprehensive guidance on all aspects of helping Ukrainian refugees, the toolkit offers prayers, hymn selections and more. Access the Ukraine Toolkit here

God of all peoples and nations,
Who created all things alive and breathing,
United and whole,
Show us the way of peace that is your overwhelming presence.
We hold before you the peoples of Ukraine and Russia,
Every child and every adult.
We long for the time
When weapons of war are beaten into ploughshares
When nations no longer lift up sword against nation.
We cry out to you for peace;
Protect those who only desire and deserve to live in security and safety
Comfort those who fear for their lives and the lives of their loved ones
Be with those who are bereaved.
Change the hearts of those set on violence and aggression
And fill leaders with the wisdom that leads to peace.
Kindle again in us a love of our neighbour,
And a passion for justice to prevail
and a renewed recognition that we all play a part in peace.
Creator of all, hear our prayer
And bring us peace. Make us whole.
Amen.