District News – 11 June 2024

This Week's News

Correction to last week's news

The Menopause Support Group meets at Stainforth Methodist Church in the DoncasterCircuit (not Barnsley!). I must improve my geography knowledge of the District!

District Celebration Service

We held a district service to celebrate all those involved in children, youth, families and schools work at Grove Street Methodist Church, Retford. Volunteers, Lay Workers and Presbyters gathered on Sunday afternoon to recognise the importance of this work and to say thank you for everyone's dedication. You can find out more about what happened (including a short video of the highlights) here: https://www.sheffieldmethodist.org/news/news-stories/district-celebration-service.html

Parson Cross Methodist:

Pioneer Ministry & Community Chaplaincy

We are looking for committed local Christians to join in the Methodist Pioneer Ministry & Community Chaplaincy in Parson Cross. You will be working alongside Nick Waterfield (Pioneer Minister) and Annabel Terry (Deacon) to further develop this ministry based around a model of community chaplaincy.
The Chaplaincy Ministry has been developed over a number of years as a Methodist Church response to reaching out beyond the walls of church buildings to discover God at work and journey alongside people within the local community.
Currently to Chaplaincy ministry works in a range of settings including:

• Social Cafe at Mount Tabor (in partnership with PXI – Parson Cross Initiative)
• Community Allotment (in partnership with PXI – Parson Cross Initiative)
• School Assemblies
• Community Events
• Tuesday morning prayer group
• Monthly communion before the Foodcycle community meal

We are hoping that an expanded team will also enable us to expand the settings we offer chaplaincy in within the community.
We will offer training opportunities to help develop both individual and team ministry skills.
If you're interested and / or want to chat further you can contact Nick on: pxi.nick@gmail.com

Celebration and Thanksgiving service

On the 30th June at 3pm, Walkley Ebenezer Methodist Church will be hosting a service of Celebration and Thanksgiving to mark its decision to cease to meet as a Society. The service will be both a time of reflection on all that is past and a time to anticipate with hope all that is to come. From August, worship will move to mid-week, to include fellowship and food, and the congregation will commit to exploring new ways of being Christian disciples serving the community of Walkley. You are warmly invited to share in this service, and to stay on for refreshments and conversation.
Walkley Ebenezer Methodist Church, Greenhow Street, Sheffield S6 3TP

3Generate 2024

Some updates to share about 3Generate 2024

• Volunteering We've been celebrating everyone who is part of the team at 3Generate during Volunteers Week recently. There are some crucial roles that still need filling. Come and be a village host in the camping area, guide others around the event as a steward or support children and young people with additional needs. You can make a real difference by joining the team.
• Bring a group to 3Generate! Are you keen to bring a group of children and young people to 3Generate 2024? Is it proving difficult to find leaders to come with you? If the answer is yes, then this webinar is for you! There will be top tips and ideas about where and how to grow your team plus we'll hear from others how they made it happen. Join in on Wednesday 19th June at 7pm. Follow the link to book your place today: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJwoc-2vrD4pHNePFCk_IllIE8e65HifmPNd
• Sneak peak of the programme! As the 3Generate 2024 programme comes together, there are some exciting new venues and activities for children and young people to enjoy. Tom Hart, Youth President, will be going live on Facebook and Instagram on June 11th at 7pm sharing a sneak peak of what's on offer! Tune in to hear just some of what there is to look forward to at this year's event.
• Mini 3Generate for 4-7 year olds Did you know that Mini 3Generate for 4 to 7 year olds now have a bigger and better venue at the event? Children in school years reception to year 2 are invited to join in on Saturday 5th October. There's plenty to explore including a climbing wall, silent disco, storytelling and crafting with Forest Church. Find out more here: https://www.methodist.org.uk/.../attending-3generate-2024/4-to-7s-at-3gen/

Why go on a retreat?

Rosie Cole shares her experience of attending the recent Regional Retreat.
North Eastern Regional Retreat May 2024
The recent regional retreat for presbyters, deacons and lay employees took place over three days in May at Wydale Hall, the York Diocesan retreat house near Malton. Wydale offers space for rest, reflection, creativity and inspiration. It is surrounded by beautiful countryside and extensive grounds. As well as rooms for gatherings, Wydale offers plentiful good food, a well-stocked library, an art space and comfortable places to sit for conversation and relaxation.
The retreat this year was led by Nicola Slee who shared with us thoughts, backstories and poems from her most recent book 'Abba, Amma' based on the Lord's Prayer. The sessions were thought-provoking and relevant, and interspersed with times of silence. By the third day it seemed that every one of us had been encouraged and ministered to in various ways, even in this short time together, and so we left refreshed and renewed.
Please do consider making space in your diary for the 2025 retreat which will be held at Wydale from 4th – 6th June next year.
Rosie Coles, Yorkshire North and East District

Fund for Human Need (FHN)

The Fund for Human Need is a small Methodist-affiliated charity established in 1960 to relieve poverty and hunger. Relief payments (once only, up to a maximum of £120) are made, irrespective of faith, ethnic origin or social group to individuals in the UK. Priority is given to those who are destitute or have no income or benefits, to those who are particularly vulnerable and to those where a small amount of money will make a significant difference.
Their latest newsletter, outlining some of the ways in which they have been able to help those in need, can be found here: FNH 2 of 2024

Praying With The Natural World:

Whirlow Spirituality Centre Autumn Retreat

6-8th September 2024 | Parcevall Hall Retreat Centre | £230

During our time together we will use the natural environment for inspiration and prompts for reflection. We will be in silence from the Friday evening until Sunday lunchtime and there will be shared worship and led reflections. This is a retreat for those comfortable with collective and individual silence and wishing to undertake inner exploration.
Full details here: https://www.whirlowspiritualitycentre.org/whats-on/autumn-retreat2024

50th anniversary of MAYC Orchestra and Singers & OneSound

Saturday 6 July at 6:30pm – Coventry Central Hall

Come and celebrate the 50th anniversary of MAYC Orchestra and Singers & OneSound – maybe even don the green and yellow one more time
Past conductors, Craig McLeish (Musical Director of Young Voices since 2000) Paul Leddington Wright, and our very own Matt Beckingham will be leading over 100 ex-members in an evening of music from across the 50 year of O&S. It's sure to be an evening full of memories.
Tickets available here: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/booking/select/sbkSecHEwZXQ

District Safeguarding Update:

Scam Alert

I have been made aware of an email scam doing the rounds, targeting people associated with the Methodist Church. If you have any concerns, please let me know and I will pass them onto the police.
The scammers appear to be targeting members of clergy for financial gain. The stories of hardship are slightly different each time and the person appears to be doing some research online first about the person they are contacting. The scammers appear to have obtained £200 from one minister so far. The names used are – Stephen Hewitson, Lisa Marie Ridley and their son Callum (who they say is 9 yrs. and autistic or aged 7 with ADHD) One phone number that has been used is 07840225070. They ask for the money to come by BACS transfer to a Barclays account.
One known issue has been logged with North Yorkshire Police.

As ever, if you have any questions or concerns, please give me a call on 07483 362 735 or email me at safeguarding@sheffieldmethodist.org
Many thanks
Alison Hill
District Safeguarding Officer.

Events

Positively Rural – A place to call home?

Wednesday 3 July – 7:30pm

Exploring some of the issues around rural housing and homelessness
Positively Rural are running two webinars on aspects of rural homelessness.
The first on 3rd July which is being held during Rural Housing Week will look at the provision of affordable housing, or local needs housing for those who live in our rural communities.
In Spring 2025, we will be looking at rural homelessness and how it manifests itself in rural contexts as so often it is hidden, overlooked and disregarded by many agencies as to its existence.
For this session a small panel of speakers, including Beki Winter from Housing Justice, will share their experiences around some of the issues with rural housing.
Book your place here: https://240703-Home.eventbrite.co.uk
The session will be held on Zoom and the link emailed out to those who have registered nearer the start time.
Positively Rural is an online community hosted by the Learning Network and is open to anyone of any denomination involved in rural ministry, including volunteers, lay workers and clergy

Action for Children Online Forum

Wednesday 10 July – 2:30pm

Action for Children is launching a quarterly online forum for Methodists and other church supporters to hear first-hand about their work and how your support makes a difference. In just under an hour, you can hear interesting updates from their staff who work in frontline services, young ambassadors, and fundraisers. You will also be able to sign up to take part in their petitions and give them direct feedback. Sign up to get invitations to each forum: https://forms.office.com/e/y2701CkN5e

Vacancies

Building Management Coordinator

Emmanuel Methodist Church, Barnsley Circuit

• Are you organised, a people person, and great with numbers?
• Why not apply to be our building management coordinator!

We seek to appoint a person who can work flexibly in serving the needs of the church and the
community through the efficient letting of our church rooms. This will involve using the computerised booking system, ensuring all relevant administration work is completed in a timely and efficient manner, liaising with the existing cleaner and maintenance worker whilst ensuring that the building resources of the church is effectively and efficiently promoted, publicised and maintained.
For an application form, an informal enquiry, or a request for a conversation about the role before making an application please contact the Circuit Administrator, Carole Jewkes, on 01226 321522 or email at circuitoffice@btconnect.com
Closing Date: Noon on 25 June
Interview Date: 5 July

Vocational Opportunity for a Finance Manager in a Therapeutic Community

Holy Rood House, Centre for Health and Pastoral Care, Thirsk, is seeking someone with experience, commitment and a heart for people, to lead our small finance team.
We are a community of residential and non-residential members welcoming people of all ages and backgrounds at a time of need, respite or retreat. Our gentle therapeutic space, including gardens and art room, can help people turn their lives round at a difficult time or simply provide quiet time out of a hectic schedule. The Community is founded on a gentle and inclusive Christian ethos.
This role is for someone who wants to use their skills to help make a difference. Working to our Executive Director, the Finance Manager oversees our finances and budgets, procurement contracts, suppliers, contractors and grant submissions, developing new projects, whilst ensuring compliance.
Although the salary is modest, there are many benefits of life in this Community. The Finance Manager will share in the spiritual life of the Community, becoming part of our developing vision as the place to turn to: www.holyroodhouse.org.uk

Location: – Holy Rood House, 10-12 Sowerby Road, Thirsk, YO7 1HX
Salary: – £23,795 FTE (40 Hours) plus contribution to NEST pension
Hours: – 32 hours, with opportunity for up to 40 hours

If this could be you, please contact: Sue Hammersley, sue@holyroodhouse.org.uk
with your CV and a covering letter.
Closing date for applications, June 28, 2024.
We reserve the right to close applications as soon as we receive sufficient suitable expressions of interest.

And Finally ...

A prayer in time of need

Holy Spirit of God,
You promise to come to us in our need.
When we have been hurt and feel low,
when people take advantage of us for their own ends
it's hard to know that you are there.
We don't always know how to pray to you.
Help us to discover your presence in the pain and confusion.
Give us the hope that comes from realising that you know and understand us,
and that the deepest longings of our hearts
are an unspoken prayer that we might be renewed by your love,
and transformed by your grace.
Amen.
John Hellyer, superintendent, Gloucestershire Circuit and Deputy Chair of the Safeguarding Committee