District News – 11 March 2025

This Week's News

Bible Month – Training day

Saturday 15 March from 10am

We are offering Broom Methodist Church (S60 3NR) again as a hub venue for the Bible Month training day on John's gospel on Saturday 15th March from 10am. If anyone from your Circuit would like to join us please let me know. Bring a packed lunch is the other information you need.
Revd Dr Andrew Fox – revdocfox@gmail.com

Being Missional Today

Tuesday 10 June, Coventry Cathedral

A festival of missional thinking exploring the impact of disruptions in church and world, the liminality of this current season, and the role of reconciliation practices.
A chance to hear from voices historically marginalised in mission dialogues, creating a more globally connected and inclusive conversation, exploring perspectives beyond current dominant models. Speakers include: Bishop Guli Francis-Dehqani, Al Barrett, Carlton Turner, Catherine Okoronkwo, Charlotte Gale, David Brubaker, Gale Richards, Harvey Kwiyani, John Witcombe, Martin Robinson, Peniel Rajkumar, Robert Beckford, Rosy Fairhurst, Ruth Harley, Sharon Prentis, Victoria Turner and Alastair McKay
Bookings at https://reconciliation-initiatives.org/being-missional-today/ Contact Neil Harland mission@sheffieldmethodist.org if you are interested in going as a district group to access discounted tickets.

LWPT Tuition Grants

The Leaders of Worship and Preachers Trust (LWPT) offer grants for Methodists who want to study further for Bible-based church ministry. Up to £2,000 for tuition and £500 for books/resources are available.
Whether you choose to study for certificate or diploma course or an undergraduate degree, please apply.
All we ask is that your studies benefit church-based ministry and you plan to study at a UK-based institution. Your application needs to be received by LWPT by the 3rd of May or the 3rd of October.
Download an application form here.

Urban Theology Union

Join us for Module 3 of Mission 3vangelical. Our topics will include conversation within a theological framework outlined by indigenous experience of spirituality and missions alongside reflection on the life and work of Simone Weil, particularly her insistence that she understood that God had called her to not be a member of the church and she therefore rejected baptism as an expression of her conversion experience -- she explains that she belongs to the church by right (because Jesus welcomes the marginalised) but that church in fact rejects those she respects and values, including people of colour, atheists, other religions and so on.
What would it look like to practice unbaptised speech as evangelists of Jesus' radical hospitality?
We will be joined by Rev. Dr Neil Johnson who will share his work with the Street Banquet in Birmingham.
Contact office@utusheffield.org.uk for more details

Whirlow Spirituality Centre

Upcoming Events

Seeing the World Aright – reflections in Lent
Our five sessions of reflection in Lent will use some of the writings of Thomas Traherne, the 17th Century Anglican clergyman, poet and mystic. A contemporary of John Donne and George Herbert, Traherne's writings remained relatively unknown until the 20th Century. We will be drawing on writings contained in the collection Centuries of Meditations, and handouts will be provided of all the material that we use.
Please note, sessions will usually be on Wednesday evenings from 12th March – 9th April, but will not be on March 26th, but instead on Thursday March 27th.

The Promise of Life – a Quiet Day in Lent: Led by Mark Brown and Alison Richards on 5th April from 9:30 to 3:30 – a day to be quiet and reflect at the Spirituality Centre. We will use scripture and creative resources to explore the promises God gives that bring genuine life and hope. There will be short times of prayer and guided reflection during the day and plenty of unprogrammed time to be still, creative and to walk in the surrounding area if you wish. Hot drinks provided, please bring your own lunch. Book tickets here.

Holy Week at Whirlow
Join us this Holy Week as we make the Journey of the Cross together. Throughout the week we will display prints of the paintings by the artist Sieger Köder (1925-2015), a German Roman Catholic priest who fought in the Second World War and brought his experience of Nazism and the holocaust into his artwork. You are welcome to spend time with the paintings throughout the week when the Chapel is free, and they will be the focus for a Stations of the Cross shared prayer walk on Good Friday from 10am – 11:30am – PLEASE NOTE THE CHANGE OF TIME FOR THIS EVENT.
On Maundy Thursday evening you are invited to join us from 6pm as we share a simple meal (Agape), retell the story of the final night of Jesus' earthly life, reflect on its meaning for us today and finally join in a silent vigil as we watch and pray together. Numbers are limited for the meal, so please book promptly if you wish to attend.
On Easter Day we follow in the steps of Jesus' friends and disciples and gather early in our garden at 6am and light the first candle of Easter in celebration of the resurrection. In hope and joy we will then celebrate together with a reflective communion service. Following this we will share breakfast together.
All events are available to book via our website .
For our full programme of events, please visit our website What's On -- Whirlow Spirituality Centre

District Safeguarding Update

'May I...?' Leaflets about touch in church

In early February, I attended the Connexional Safeguarding Conference which took place in Swanick, Derbyshire. As part of her presentation Rev'd. Karen Jobson included a short interview with someone who had experienced sexual trauma. She chose to go by the name of 'Eve'. Following participating in the interview, Eve felt that she wanted to help educate church people on why asking permission before hugging or touching others is important. She produced some resources to help that conversation that were shared at the conference and here. The resources are available via from the ' Support for Survivors ' Methodist Church webpage, and we will also be providing hard copies for all Presbyters and Lay Pastors etc at the District Gathering in April 25.

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

Metal Methodist March Meet Up

Saturday 15 March 3:00 pm

The Metal Methodist's next meet up will be on Saturday 15 March 2025 at 3pm at St Paul's Methodist Church, Dronfield. Come along to find a spiritual space with metal, rock and alternative vibes. This event will also be streamed via the Metal Methodist Facebook and YouTube pages. Please contact Kate on katemetalmethodist@outlook.com if you have any queries.

The Promise of Heaven: A concert given by Steel City Clerks

29th March 2025| 7-8:30pm | £12 | Whirlow Spirituality Centre

An evening of sacred music by composers from the 16th to 21st Century expressing lament and delight interspersed with readings from poets and writers that complement these themes. Steel City Clerks are the adult choir that sing alongside Steel City Choristers. The concert will include an interval with refreshments.
Tickets are £12 (including a glass of wine/soft drink and nibbles). All profit from the concert will go to Steel City Choristers, a charity offering musical education and the opportunity to sing in the cathedral tradition to children and young people in and around Sheffield.

District Youth Day

Come along on Saturday 12th April at the District Youth Day at Hesley Woods Scout Activity Centre, Chapeltown. Join us for workshops, worship and onsite activities including zipline, archery, crate stacking and much more as we explore how to be a Justice Seeking Church. This event is for anyone aged 8 -18, but they must attend with a Youth Leader/Minister. Subway lunch is included. Bookings close on the 9th April at 1pm. £10 per person – leaders free.
Book here Youth Day @ Hesley Woods

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.

FAITH THAT LASTS A LIFETIME – THE WELL CONFERENCE 2025

Kents Hill Park Conference Centre, Milton Keynes

11am Friday 13 June to 4pm Saturday 14 June 2025

The key contributor for the two days will be John Roberto ( () () () () , one of the world's leading thinkers when it comes to the subject of 'lifelong faith' and author of books including Lifelong Faith: Formation with All Ages and Generations and Reimagining Faith Formation for the 21st Century. He'll be flying in from America especially to offer his wisdom and insight, as we consider what effective ministry and discipleship with the younger generations looks like.
The Well Conference will run in a unique co-lab style, with a rhythm of input from John, followed by small groups where you have the chance to share your own knowledge and experience, reflect together on the learning and consider how you might apply it in your own contexts. As participants you will be inspired and equipped to build on these ideas and to think about some practical steps you might take as a result.
Who is this event for?
The Well Conference is aimed at those who are employed, or who have a key strategic role, in children's, youth or family ministry in the Methodist Church, whether that be at a local, circuit or district level.
If you have any questions about the event, please email Lynne Norman (normanl@methodistchurch.org.uk)

Vacancies

Finance Manager

Cliff College

To act as our internal management accountant, we seek to appoint a qualified and experienced Finance Manager to support the Head of Finance and line manage our Finance Assistant.
We welcome applications to work on a part-time basis.
Key responsibilities:-To support the Head of Finance to deliver the financial strategy required for the flourishing of the College.

• To manage accounting, monitoring, and reporting systems including the production of monthly management accounts, with comparison to budgets.
• To oversee the College payroll, PAYE and pension payments and compliance.
• To lead on annual external audits (both with the Methodist Church and External Auditors).
• To produce and submit quarterly VAT returns.
• To produce and submit annual Gift Aid returns.
• Line management responsibility for Finance Assistant

We encourage enquiries and questions about the role. For an informal conversation about the vacancy contact Michelle Foulkes by email at m.foulkes@cliffcollege.ac.uk Note that applications sent directly to this email address will not be considered.
To make an application you must complete an application form and return to
reception@cliffcollege.ac.uk before Midday, 24th March 2025.

Derby Methodist Circuit

The Derby Methodist Circuit is seeking to appointa Supernumerary Minister part time(0.49 of a full ministerial appointment).
Remuneration £15,670 pa.

We are looking for a Supernumerary Minister (Presbyter) to join our ministry team for an initial two years, September 2025 – August 2027, with the possibility that the appointment may be extended.

The Supernumerary Minister will join a team of Presbyters, Local Lay Pastors and lay Pioneer Missioners working across 17 churches and a city centre mission. They will be given delegated authorisation to work in and with the churches at Spondon, Borrowash and Draycott, in a suburban area of the circuit.
The role will incorporate pastoral care, leading worship, and leadership within the churches, in consultation with the Superintendent and the Circuit Leadership Team.
For more information about the circuit, see our website at https://derbymethodists.org.uk/
If you sense God may be calling you to this exciting opportunity, please contact our Circuit Administrator at office@derbymethodists.org.uk for an information pack.
Closing date for expressions of interest is 7 April 2025, but we may close earlier if we have sufficient people interested.
Expressions of interest are also welcome from retired clergy of other denominations.

Children, Youth & Families Worker

in the church and the community in Stocksbridge, Sheffield

A five year post to develop both church-based and secular work with children, young people and families.

• to support two churches which have existing children's work
• Junior Church in one and Children's Club in the other
• to develop activities of wider interest and support to young families

The new post will work in two churches, in Stocksbridge, near Sheffield.

• Christ Church, a URC/Methodist LEP, with a wide range of church and community activity and a newly created children and families suite. A URC Child-Friendly Certified Church.
• The Stocksbridge Christian Centre, a Methodist/Anglican LEP which hosts the Food Bank, the Community Outlet and a new family learning space.

35 hours a week, £25,116 per year. Full-time 5-year Fixed Term Contract
Information Sheet, Background Paper and Application Form can be downloaded from the Christ Church website at www.christchurchonline.org
Applications must be returned to ianlucraft@btinternet.com by 9.00 am on Monday 7th April 2025
Informal prior enquiries or a request to discuss the post by phone, can be made to Rev Ian Lucraft, minister for both churches, by email: ianlucraft@btinternet.com

Residential Building Supervisor and caretaker

Central United Reformed Church, Sheffield:

comprises 1.5 full time equivalents.
Ideally, we would wish to appoint a couple to fill the posts, although single people are welcome to apply. Applicants should be suitably qualified, preferably with a practical trade background.
Main duties include ensuring the security and cleanliness of this city centre church, helping to prepare the church and its facilities for use, and assisting in the lettings of community rooms.
Salary for the full- time post is £21,000 per year plus £10500 for the part time post.
The successful candidates will be provided with an attractive, modern, two- bedroom flat, with its
own private outdoor space, on the second floor of the church building which is accessed via stairs. Running costs of the flat will be covered by the church.
For a recruitment pack, or to arrange an informal discussion, including with the retiring building supervisor and caretaker, please contact: treasurer@centralurc.org.uk or by post to: Treasurer, Central United Reformed Church, 60 Norfolk Street, Sheffield, S1 2JB.
Closing Date: 31st March 2025
Short listing: Early May 2025
Interview Date: Week commencing 2nd June 2025
Anticipated Start: 1st August 2025

And finally ...

From the Methodist Handbook

Loving God, help me feel connected to you so that you may use me where you have placed me.
Help me draw close enough that I may see with your eyes,
hear with your ears and think with your mind,
because you are a just God and justice is a part of loving.
Let me support victims who aren't recognised and people excluded from the accepted circle.
Enable me to help people who are suffering because others seek to increase their wealth.
Empower me to advocate for children who cannot fulfil their potential or for those whose voices aren't heard.
Bring me out from my comfort zone.
Stop me just acting in my own interests.
Let me do right!
Amen.
Margaret Lee, steward, Borders Mission Circuit