District News – 1 September 2026

Happy New (Connexional) Year!

A new year, a new start, a fresh start, starting over! What are you looking forward to in the coming months? 

News from across the District

We look forward to hearing what is going on in your churches and circuits. Sharing news is a great way to stay connected, and may also inspire others.

Action for Hope

Sheffield Methodist District is becoming an eco-district – and circuits are following. We want to hear and publicise your great ideas.
As Youth Groups and Brigades, you are probably well ahead of us and could inspire us with your ideas. Can you send us photos
and/or short reports when you:

• Undertake a litter pick
• Have a craft/ maker session using recycled materials
• Do a bird count in the neighbourhood – or make a bird feeder or insect hotel for the church grounds.
• Host a clothing exchange
• Hold a sustainable /vegetarian cooking session (anyone know a good beetroot brownie recipe?).

Potential activities are, we are sure, limitless, but if you are wanting more ideas please try Youth – Eco Church.
We could send you a certificate to recognise and thank you for your great ideas, and your local host churches and others will learn more about what you are already doing. You may discover adults in your local churches who share your passion and undertake joint activities.

Nether Edge Festival

The Nether Edge Festival runs from 12th – 20th September with events including music, dance, food, drink, drama, books, art, walks, talks and more!

Saint Andrews Psalter Lane Church (SAPLC) is proud to be running and hosting several of these events – see here for a taster and here for full details of all our events.

District Updates

District Gathering – Saturday 12 September

It is not too late to book into the District Gathering being held at Broom Methodist Church on 12 September. Within the District Gathering we will hold the life of Methodism across our district in prayer, renew our relationship with our wider Connexional church, and make any formal decisions required of us as a district – the work of the representative synod.
The focus , following the feedback from previous gatherings, is aimed at exploring discipleship and scripture through a number of different lenses, so do join us for a day of learning, sharing and worship, with a buffet lunch provided!

Bookings will close at 2pm on 3 September

Book your place now!

Regional Officer for Safeguarding Updates

This is the third in a series aimed at raising awareness of the changes due to take place on the 1st September 2026.
I recognise that I am repeating previous articles, but I feel its necessary given its holiday time, and people may have missed previous editions of the newsletter.

Regulated activity:

Removal of the supervision exemption comes into force 1 September 2026 (applies to England)

Guidance for schools, colleges and childcare settings to understand what they need to do to comply with the change to regulated activity that will come into force on 1 September 2026. This is due to changes made by the Crime and Policing Act 2026.
The Act changes the definition of regulated activity by removing the supervision exemption. Under that exemption, unpaid activities such as teaching, training, instructing, or caring for or supervising children were not classed as regulated activity if supervised by someone who was in regulated activity (for example, a class teacher).

This means that all such activity is now considered to be regulated activity if it is carried out frequently, or if it meets the period condition. The period condition means:

• on more than 3 days in a 30-day period
•  overnight

The main group affected by the change is volunteers. From 1 September 2026, all volunteers engaging in regulated activity will need to have an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service DBS check with children’s barred list information. Volunteers may not previously have been in regulated activity if they were supervised by a member of staff.

It is an offence for:

• a barred person to engage in regulated activity
• someone to permit a barred person to engage in regulated activity

Organisations need to ensure that any volunteer who is now in regulated activity is not barred from working with children. This change will come into force on 1 September 2026.
Regulated activity: removal of the supervision exemption comes into force 1 September 2026 – GOV.UK

If you have any questions or concerns, please give me a call on 07483 362 735 or email me at hilla@methodistchurch.org.uk
Many thanks
Alison Hill

Other Methodist News

Methodist Housing and Homelessness Gathering (online)

16th September - 10-11.30 a.m.

What is possible!

Join the gathering online to hear about how the Church of England has set up an infrastructure to overcome the barriers to using church land for affordable housing. There will be speakers who will share the story of how a new Church Housing Association, Church Development Agency and a Housing team to support local churches were established.
This gathering also marks the start of the road to Conference 2027, where the Housing Memorial Working Group will report on what needs to change if the Methodist Church is to use land and buildings for affordable and supported housing as a response to the housing and homelessness crisis.
You will be able to find out more on how you can be involved in the work of the Housing Memorial Working Group.

The event is online. To register click here.
(https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/methodist-housing-and-homelessness-gathering-tickets-1998236727844)

Continuing Development in Ministry (CDIM)

Many of these events are currently open for bookings, so do follow the links for more information :

• ACE Conference for Local Lay-Pastors: ACE 2026: The Conference for Local Lay-Pastors – The Methodist Church
• 25+ Years in Ministry retreat: 25 Years+ – for those who have been in Ministry for more than 25 years – The Methodist Church
• Exploring Ordained Ministry: Exploring Ordained Ministry – The Methodist Church
• Retirement courses: Retirement support – The Methodist Church

Upcoming Events

Grand Charity Concert

Sunday 6th September 2026 – 3.30 pm

The Hallgate Chamber Orchestra present a Grand Charity Concert in aid of The Britain-Nepal Otology Service (BRINOS).  Ruth, part of the orchestra, is a member at Tickhill Methodist Church.  She is a surgeon on the BRINOS team who go out to Nepal, perform surgery on the ears of local people and train local people to undertake some procedures.
Soloists include:-  Angela Hartley (Contralto), Anni Nakamura (Soprano), Carolyne Storey (soprano), Gary Rowlands (tenor), Jamie O’Brien (trumpet), Jonathan Reed (trombone) and Owen Havenhand-Smith (oboe).
Tickets are £10.00 and include a presentation of the BRINOS team, a light meal and music.

Tickets available from the church or click the link  https://www.ticketsource.com/the-hallgate-chamber-orchestra/grand-charity-concert/2026-09-06/15:30/t-aazdejm

Carbon Literacy Training Day

10 October at Emmanuel Methodist Church, Barnsley

This is a full day course, offere, free of charge, by the South Yorkshire Climate Alliance, for up to 12 people to learn about:

• why climate is changing;
• the impact this is having on all of us
• and what we, as individuals, families and communities can do about it.

A free lunch has also been donated!

Feedback from people who have previously taken part in the course has been very positive.  Carbon Literacy certificates are available for those who wish to obtain accreditation, but this is not obligatory.    Please get in touch if you are interested in joining in and learning more.
Jan.eldred@icloud.com 

Urban Theology Union

Saturday 24 October 2026 9am to 4pm

We are pleased to announce the Theology Liberation Gathering 2026 to be held at Chapeltown Methodist Church, 5 minutes walk from the station and 2 miles of M1 junction 35
The title for this year is Liberating the Left – Resisting The Far Right
Tickets available on Eventbrite, early bird discounts available now!
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1996127866182?aff=oddtdtcreator

And finally ...

A Prayer for Nepal and Tibet

Loving God,
We pray for all those affected by the floods in Nepal and Tibet.
Be near to those who mourn the loss of loved ones, and to all who wait in uncertainty for news of family and friends.
Hold close those whose homes, livelihoods and communities have been swept away, and all who are shocked, displaced or afraid.
Strengthen rescue workers, local communities, churches and all who are searching, serving and offering care in the midst of this crisis.
Grant courage and resilience to those waiting for news, facing uncertainty, and fearing the days ahead.
As we witness the growing fragility of creation, renew our commitment to care for one another and for the earth of which we are a part.
In the name of Christ.
Amen.