District News – 1 July 2025

This Week's News

The Methodist Conference

Have you been following the Conference on YouTube? You may have spotted our representatives as they speak to various agenda items, or take part in other aspects. They will be giving a report back at our September Gathering as part of the District Synod business – watch this space for more details on that!

RedLineforGaza!

Quakers in Britain has joined with War Child UK, Oxfam, Christian Aid, the Amos Trust, Greenpeace, ActionAid and others in a new UK-based mobilisation campaign highlighting the many red lines breeched by the Israeli government in Gaza and enabled by the UK government.
The campaign will be sharing weekly actions members of the public can take to demand the British government acts to end its complicity in the killing in Gaza:

• Sign a weekly email to your MP demanding they act. Each week will highlight a different red line that's been crossed. Sign this week's email at redlineforgaza.org.uk and opt in to receive a link to the next week's email action.
• For the next three weeks until Parliament rises for summer recess we'll be mobilising every Wednesday at 11am outside Parliament as MPs meet for PMQs. This week's mobilisation will meet at Old Palace Yard, in front of the Jewel Tower, and will focus on the many red lines crossed that have led to mass hunger and starvation. Can you join us? Bring placards eg "Starving Palestinians – a red line crossed" or an empty bowl or plate as a visual representation.
• Can't come to London? Set up Red Line for Gaza mobilisations in your home city, town, or village demanding your MP acts now and share them online at #RedLineforGaza.

More than 80,000 people have been killed in Gaza in the last 21 months, over 15,000 of them children. Every single one of them was someone's universe. Every person killed is a red line crossed!
Jenny Bywaters

Sad News

We were sorry to learn of the death of Deacon Mavis Plater this weekend. We hold her sister, Betty, and all the family in our prayers at this time.

National Churches Survey

We are carrying out a survey to help politicians, the media, and the wider public better understand the challenges churches, like yours, face and to highlight the vital work they do.
If you work or volunteer at a church, chapel, meeting house or cathedral from any Christian denomination in the UK, we want to hear from you. Your response will provide essential evidence to build a clearer picture – to tell a stronger, more informed story about your church, and others like it, so that together we can address some of the biggest challenges facing churches and help ensure their future. and it is going well with around 2,200 responses so far. The Methodist Church though are underrepresented, and we would like to try and do something about that.
The deadline has been extended to Sunday 13 July and you can find out more here: https://www.nationalchurchestrust.org/survey
The Methodist Church is currently underrepresented, so do consider adding you voice to this!

Church Administrators network

The next gathering for anyone involved in church administration (or circuit) will be on Tuesday 8 July at The Vine, St Bart's Church, Primrose Hill S6 2UW. We gather for coffee (other drinks available) from 9am. This is a great time to network, share ideas and generally support each other.
It is organised via UCAN (UK Church Administrators Network) but all are welcome. Please use this link to register so we have a rough idea of numbers.
https://ucan.churchsuite.com/events/kmphy1sv

AI experiences survey

The AI Working Group is charged with identifying the theological and pastoral issues AI raises; exploring how it might support or complicate traditional ministry practices; and report back with both interim guidance and a more comprehensive set of proposals at the 2026 Methodist Conference.
We're asking people from across the Methodist Church to share their experiences and opinions of AI by filling out our survey. This will help inform the Working Group's guidance and final report back to Conference.
Take the survey here

Chaplaincy Gathering

Wednesday 16 July – 7pm

We are holding another gathering for chaplains within the Sheffield District.
Whether you're in a paid or voluntary role, we invite you to join us for a time of networking and sharing.
This is also a time to thank all our chaplains for their hard and valuable work and will take place on Wednesday 16 July from 7pm at Mosborough Methodist Church, Chapel St, Mosborough, Sheffield S20 5BT
Let us know if you plan to attend (for catering purposes) by filling in the form on this page by Friday 11 July : https://www.sheffieldmethodist.org/news/communities-of-practice/chaplaincy-gathering.html

Action for Children

Introducing Action for Children eCards

We're excited to share our new Action for Children eCards with you – a heartfelt way to celebrate life's moments while making a real difference for vulnerable children and families across the UK.
From birthdays and congratulations to simple messages of love, our eCards are perfect for any occasion. Choose from a beautiful selection of designs, including some created by children we've supported thanks to generous supporters like you.
Your eCard will be delivered straight to your recipient's inbox on your chosen date. Every eCard you send is also a donation. Your gift could help put food in the fridge, pay essential bills, or support a child's mental health – all while bringing a smile to someone's day. Browse the Action for Children eCards here.

Events

Calling Justice Seekers!

An "Act Now, Change Forever" mass lobby of Parliament is being planned for Wednesday 9 July. It is organised by the UK Climate Coalition and supported b y all the major NGOs and bodies such as South Yorkshire Climate Alliance. The aim is to remind MPs that the vast majority of people in the UK are looking to them for leadership on climate change. Are you, or someone from your church, ready, with others from your constituency, to arrange to meet your MP in Westminster?
To register go to https://www.theclimatecoalition.org/act-now-change-forever. Please let Jenny Carpenter jennyc106@btinternet.co.uk know your name and your Parliamentary constituency if you intend going in person. It would be great if each of the South Yorkshire, North Derbyshire and North Notts MPs received a delegation calling for vital funding to communities hit hardest by climate change; reduction in energy bills; secure transition to green jobs; a fairer future for all; restoration of biodiversity. Eco churches especially should be rising to this challenge!
Jenny Carpenter (Justice Seekers)

Welcome Service for New District Chair

Sunday 31 August – 3pm

There will be a Welcome Service at Central Methodist Church, Chesterfield to greet our new District Chair, Revd Vicky Atkins. All are welcome! There will be light refreshments after the service.

Liberating Liturgy

July 14-17 – Holy Rood House

A Summer School exploring how the language we use in worship shapes our relationship with God.
Contributors include the Revd Dr Mary Kells, Revd Prof Steven Shakespeare, The Venerable Karen Best and Revd Rory Dalgleish.
Visit their website for more information: https://www.holyroodhouse.org.uk/Groups/426712/Events.aspx

Vacancies

Circuit Administrator/PA

The Sheffield Circuit seek to appoint a Circuit Administrator/PA to provide an excellent level of administrative support to the Sheffield Methodist Circuit and as appropriate and necessary to Circuit Ministers, Stewards, Officers and Lay Staff, and to provide a professional level of PA support to the Circuit Superintendency.
The successful applicant will be an experienced administrator or well versed in office management with a keen eye for detail, able to effortlessly priorities and manage a varied workload.
This is a full-time (37 hours/week) role with a flexible working pattern, to include occasional evening work. Hours are to be worked over 5 days per week, responding to need.

Missional Property Enabler

The Sheffield Circuit seek to appoint a Missional Property Enabler. This is a newly created role.
Purpose of role:-To deal with administrative and logistical tasks relating to property, being the designated first point of contact for all property queries and enquiries.

• To pursue an entrepreneurial, imaginative, prayerful and pioneering approach to the improved use and development of buildings (chapels, manses and other circuit property) ensuring that church properties, wherever possible, combine

Serving the needs of local worshipping communities;
Becoming dynamic mission centres for community/local benefit;
Becoming carbon neutral;
Contributing to significant income generation

• To embrace the possibilities offered in property disposal for renewed missional opportunities, taking into consideration their missional, financial and community value.
• To work well with the Circuit Property Development Group (PDG) and the Circuit Property Consents, Manses and Maintenance Group (PCMMG).

For both roles, enquiries and informal conversations about the role are encouraged. We ask that you direct such contact to Rev Debora Marschner by email.

A completed application form should be returned to hr@sheffieldmethodist.org
Closing date for all applications: Midday – Friday 1 August

Ministry Support Assistant

(General & Lead Recruiter) – ChristChurch Fullwood

We would like to appoint a great administrator to join our team of Ministry Support Assistants. This role covers both varied general tasks that support many of the ministries at CCF, along with the specific duties associated with Safer Recruiting. This appointment is for someone who longs to get involved in gospel work and understands the vital importance of releasing others through serving to carry out their gospel ministries. If you love Jesus, have an eye for detail and are well organised, this job could be right for you!
Full details here: https://www.fulwoodchurch.co.uk/resources/vacancies /

And Finally ...

A prayer for the desire to pray

Prayer is a cry in the dark,
a child's longing for home,
and a hollowed soul's seeking of fulfilment.

Prayer is a two-fingered salute
to the hopeless cynicism of endless false promises
and a bunting-waving celebration of love in action.

Prayer is a sacred space,
found in the midst of the unholiest of battlegrounds
and in the desolation of loss.

Prayer is a memory
of long lost conversations with wise elders
and an exuberance of youthful anticipation.

Prayer is a shared longing,
a whispered dream
and an open conversation.

Prayer is a revolutionary act
It is hope in despair
And a grace-filled weaving of love's intent.

May God bless us with the desire to pray, that we might better act, for the sake of all. Amen.
Michaela Youngson, Assistant Secretary of the Conference