District News – 11 February 2025

This Week's News

President and Vice President's Visit

We were delighted to welcome the President and Vice President of the Methodist Conference to the district at the weekend.
Revd Helen Cameron, President, visited the Peak Circuit including Hathersage, The Hub at Hope and Litton on Saturday. The on Sunday she travelled to Sheffield to preach at Brimington, visit the Urban Theology Unit and joined in a celebration service at Victoria Hall in the evening to present them with the Church of Sanctuary certificate.
Carolyn Godfrey, Vice President, spent Saturday at Wydale Hall in Scarborough where more than 30 young people and leaders were on retreat. On Sunday she led worship at South Anston Church in the Trinity Circuit, then in the afternoon she met with Chaplains from around the district and beyond as they discussed the challenges of their roles.
You can listen again to Revd. Cameron on BBC Radio Sheffield as she talks about her Week in Faith and how her heart sings when she comes home to Yorkshire.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0kkv84z – fast forward to 1:16:50

Sad News

We were extremely sorry to learn of the death of Jeremy Pullan, husband of the Revd Jill Pullan, a presbyter in the Sheffield Circuit. Jeremy died very peacefully at home on Sunday, surrounded by family.
We give thanks for Jeremy's life of faith and witness, of love and laughter, family and fun rejoicing that he was stoic, brave and such a beautiful soul to the end.
We hold the whole family in our prayers at this time.

Baby Basics – Doncaster

Baby Basics Doncaster opened in 2021 and is based in Sprotbrough Methodist Church. It provides items to facilitate the first days of a newborn. The volunteers liaise with partners to provide clothing and essentials for the babies and their mothers.
Emerging from the unexpected stillness of the COVID-19 lockdown, Baby Basics Doncaster represents a compassionate community response to supporting families facing financial hardship.
What makes Baby Basics truly special is its community-driven approach. Donations pour in from local residents, with new mums often passing things on and community members eager to help. The organisation receives support from various sources, including knitting groups who regularly contribute handmade blankets, cardigans and patchwork quilts.
You can read the full story here: Baby Basics Doncaster

All We Can

As you may know, recent decisions regarding the U.S. governments aid cuts, have triggered significant changes in the global development landscape. This shift has far-reaching implications, especially for countries and communities that rely heavily on international aid to drive sustainable development, alleviate poverty, and strengthen local infrastructures.
In light of these changes, CEO David Thomson had the opportunity to sit down with key figures in the All We Can movement -- including local partner Fabio in Uganda (Executive Director of Fabio, Joy Kawanguzi) and All We Can's Country Representative for Uganda (Mwesigye Kwarimpa-atim), who are witnessing the direct impact of these shifts.
The interview highlights All We Can's critical role in ensuring that communities continue to receive the support they need -- no matter what. In this ever-changing landscape, your support is more crucial than ever. Watch the full interview here :

Changemakers Conference 2025

Join us in Sheffield to watch the live stream of our annual Changemakers conference.
We'll be focusing on the incredible difference Christian Aid's partners are making around the world with stories and fundraising resources for Christian Aid week 2025.
The programme will include input from Christian Aid staff and our partner in Guatemala.
There will also be updates on our humanitarian and campaign work too.
The conference is live-streamed, but by meeting together locally we'll have time to meet other local Christian Aid supporters to share fundraising ideas and discuss our approach to Christian Aid Week.
There will be a light lunch provided from 1pm
When: Saturday 8 March 2025 10am to 1.45pm
Where: St Gabriel's Greystones, Dobbin Hill, Sheffield, S11 7JB
Book online: caid.org.uk/conference
For more information contact: sjmeyers@christian-aid.org

Action for Children

Count Your Blessings through Lent

Lent is only a few weeks away. We know some of you are keen to take part in Count your Blessings, daily reflections and short stories about our work with opportunities to make small donations during Lent.
The 2025 leaflet, newsletter and contact sheet are now available to download from our website. Just go to this page: actionforchildren.uk/faithFR – and scroll to the "Count Your Blessings" section.

Stephenson Awards – nominate a shining star

Our annual Stephenson Awards are back and the deadline for nomination is this Friday, 14th February. The Stephenson Awards celebrate the shining stars in the Action for Children family.
Do you know an Action for Children supporter or staff member who deserves recognition for exemplary service to the charity? Then, nominate them for a Stephenson Award and let us celebrate the shining stars in the Action for Children family.
More information and details on how to nominate someone can be found on our website.

Faith Space – 12th March

We're looking forward to our first Faith Space event of 2025, which will be held from 2:30 – 3:30pm on 12th March.
The government's forthcoming Child Poverty Strategy is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform child poverty in the UK. Alice Woudhuysen, Head of Campaigns & Public Affairs at Action for Children, will give you a sneak preview of the charity's new campaign – which aims to influence the strategy – ahead of our campaign launch on 19th March.
There will be other guest speakers too!
Sign up here

District Office News

The 2025 Annual Data Protection Checklist

It is coming up to that time of the year when church and circuits will be required to submit their Data Protection Annual Checklist. As with previous years, the deadline for submission is 31 May 2025.
Each Managing Trustee body needs to complete and submit one Checklist confirming the steps that they have taken to comply with the data protection responsibilities placed on them by data protection legislation. So if you are a single Local Church worshipping across multiple sites, then only ONE Checklist needs to be completed on behalf of the Church Council.
I will be writing separately to the person who completed the checklist in 2024 with more details, but this is something that all managing trustees should be aware of.
Please be aware that compliance with Data Protection legislation is not an option for Managing Trustees; it is a legal obligation.

Events

Urban Theology Union – Women's Caucus

Wednesday 19 February from 1:30pm on Zoom

The Urban Theology Union's Women's Caucus is about raising the profile and voice of women in UTU.
But essentially this is not a project or another task on the interminable to-do list but a place to be: a place to be women who are community activists, church leaders, professionals with other roles, theologians, mothers, carers, supporters, nurturers. We meet together to share stories, to realise we are not alone, we are not unique in our struggles and failures, to encourage and inspire each other with insight and example. Our experience is that out of the simple act of being together things grow and things happen.
Do you want to join us for an hour on Wednesday,19th February 1.30-2.30pm on Zoom? Just bring yourself. You will hear women sharing their stories, and you can share your own, or as much of your own as you wish. And together we may be surprised at the wisdom that transpires.
If you have not already requested the Zoom link and would like it, please contact:
Jill (office@utusheffield.org.uk)

Mental Health and Christianity Conference

Explore and Reflect on how we can support others and ourselves

On Saturday 22nd March 2025 from 9.30 a.m. to 3.30 p.m. at Wesley Hall Methodist Church, Crookes, Sheffield, S10 1UD
The Conference is aimed at all those, ordained or lay, who are working or volunteering with people in churches and Christian organisations. However, it is open to anyone who is interested. The Conference aims to deliver a high standard of information based upon both science and experience while respecting and incorporating the Christian faith. We will do this through our choice of speakers and workshop leaders who will offer both practical and academic information. We hope participants will find information and inspiration during the Conference that will help them support others and themselves.
Lunch and refreshments will be provided throughout the day.
There will be a safe space and a Mental Health First Aider/Chaplain available during the day.
https://MHandCConference.eventbrite.co.uk

Cliff Festival 2025:

23-26 May at Cliff College in Derbyshire

We're looking forward to gathering at Cliff Festival 2025 for a weekend of worship, learning, prayer and fellowship.
This year our Bible studies will be taught by Ben Pugh, and we're excited to welcome evening preachers including Andy Fyall, James Alaradin and Rachael Heffer.
Discounts are available for groups of 10 or more – and, as always, entry to Cliff Festival is free for under-18s.
Read more on the Cliff College website.

And finally ...

A prayer that God may broaden our horizons

God of infinite wonder, whose love has no horizon and whose grace has no border, we open ourselves to your presence this day.
God of the minutiae, in whose company 'insignificant' has no meaning, we receive your blessings this day.
Raise our eyes from only that which is in front of us.
Lift our heads, that our vision may be broader and longer.
Sow seeds of passion in our hearts and lay embers of hope in our lives that we may never accept the concept of inevitable, but instead cultivate communities of peace that live a language of possibility.
Helen Kirk, District Chair, Chester and Stoke-on-Trent District