District News – 11 May 2021

This Week's News

Sad News

We were very sad to learn of the death of the Revd Jen Mullis OBE, who died suddenly and unexpectedly on Sunday morning. Our thoughts and prayers are with her husband, Phil, at this very sad time.

Correction to last week's news

Apologies that the links to the All We Can appeal and the Christian Aid post didn't work.
Here they are again:
All We Can – India Appeal visit: https://www.allwecan.org.uk/indias-coronavirus-crisis-urgent-support-needed/
Christian Aid Busk Aid Videos: https://youtu.be/Y-ysmrk5AJ4
giving page: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/christian-aid-sheffield-busk-aid-2021

District Safeguarding Update

On Monday 17th May at 1.30pm Due Diligence Limited will be leading a training session on how to complete DBS checks:

To ensure you get the most out of the session we will go over a range of DBS topics as suggested below:

• Introductions
• Specifics to be covered
• DBS update
• Eligibility
• Questions

If you would like to attend this session please let me know and I will send you the online link.

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.

Data Protection Checklist Guidance

The first forum focused on the annual data protection checklist. Please click here to access the recording of the presentation which takes you through each of the eleven checks in turn. We hope the video will help Managing Trustees to understand what they need to do to complete the Checklist.A reminder that this checklist does need to be completed by the end of August this year. If you have any questions about this, please contact Katrin, the District Data Champion. Watch this space for details of additional training sessions.

Mission Boost for Rawmarsh

The High Street Centre, Rawmarsh, home to Rawmarsh Methodist Church in the Rotherham & Dearne Valley Circuit, has received a £400,000 facelift in order to expand what it can offer to the local community.

The church building has been undergoing renovations for a number of years whilst retaining its traditional heritage, however thanks to a grant from the District, the Circuit, Connexion and lots of fundraising a major renovation project has now been completed and boasts a new easily accessible entrance and flexible meeting room. Changes have also been made to the access around the building which allows for more multi use and a lot more space for the local community to congregate more freely.

https://www.sheffieldmethodist.org/news/news-stories/mission-boost-for-rawmarsh-thanks-to-major-renovations.html

Candidates' Support Group

The first gathering of this year's Candidates' Support Group will take place via Zoom on Friday 11 June 2021 from 1.30pm – 3.00pm. If you are exploring a call to ordained ministry or are expecting to candidate this coming year you would be most welcome. For more details please contact Graham Jones (jonesg@methodistchurch.org.uk or 07799 902574).

Events

Positively Rural – Festivals as Outreach

Tuesday 18 May from 7:30pm

with speakers Revd Elizabeth Clark and Revd Caroline Pinchbeck

Positively Rural is an online community hosted by the Yorkshire Plus Learning Network, but open to anyone of any denomination involved or with an interest in rural ministry, including volunteers, lay workers and clergy.

We are trying a different time to accommodate those not available during the day.

Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwode6tpzssGtyZH0QZKfrdALCcRw-Cntyk

Ministry with Older People – Whole Person Healthcare

Wednesday 26 May : 1-2:30pm

Our next ministry with older people webinar will be 1 – 2:30pm on Wednesday 26 May. This webinar hosted by Sheffield Methodist District is for anyone of any denomination involved in ministry with older people, including volunteers, lay workers and clergy. It will be an opportunity to share experiences, ask questions, and explore new resources and approaches to support you in your ministry in your context.

We will be joined by Revd Jonathan Edwards, Vice Chair and Advocate for Parish Nursing Ministries UK, formerly the General Secretary of the Baptist Union of Great Britain. Jonathan will help us explore the Parish Nursing approach to caring for people's overall wellbeing, incorporating body, mind and spirit.

Book your space by Sunday 23 May at https://bit.ly/Ministry-Olderpeople

Festival at Home – Cliff College

On Sunday 30th May the District Facebook page will be streaming the live celebration from Cliff College's Festive at Home. Join us at 7pm to share in this worship.
More information on this can be found here: https://cliffcollege.ac.uk/news-events/festival21-update

Eco Church Festival with 'Churches Count on Nature'

Saturday 12th June

The free online festival celebrates God's creation and is linked with 'Churches Count on Nature' week, including sessions for children and young people. It will also provide space to pray and reflect on the climate and nature crises in the lead up to COP26. Interactive workshops and sessions will be of interest to all who wish to actively care for God's creation.
Hosted by Sheffield Diocese, with contributions from Sheffield Methodist District members. Further information and bookings at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/eco-church-festival-with-churches-count-on-nature-2021-tickets-146787807283?aff=ebdsoporgprofile

JPIT Green Conference

Saturday 12 June

If you think that the Climate Change Crisis really is an emergency, and that the Church has an important part to play in helping people transition to new ways of living more gently with God's world, then sign up for the JPIT Yorkshire online conference :

• Climate Change Emergency: Resources for a Green Church
• Saturday June 12th, 2021, 9.30am-3.00pm
• Registration via sue.cutting1209@gmail.com

Inspiring keynote speakers to stimulate your imagination, develop your understanding of the Bible and reinvigorate your worship life. Engaging workshops with pioneers who are already bringing together faith and action for a better world.
Revd Philip Bee
JPIT Yorkshire Convenor

Learning Opportunities

Learn and Develop!

As we gradually open our church doors for worship and activities, once more, we must think about what we must do to ensure that we continue to worship safely and serve our communities and individuals with care and confidence.

Here are some ideas about preparing ourselves, For such a time as this:

• Do you have First Aiders who can be on a list of contacts to help, as and when needed?
• Do those of you who volunteer in kitchens have Food Hygiene certificates?
• Perhaps Church Stewards want an opportunity to remind and refresh their role after being out of our buildings; here is a handbook to help them:
• or do you want to take time to reflect on how we welcome people into our buildings and activities?

Here are some resources which could help you:
https://www.sheffieldmethodist.org/resources/training-development/training-for-being-church-and-circuit/welcoming-and-inclusive.html

... and best of all, there are grants for groups and individuals to help with costs, whether for fees, materials, resources or facilitators.

Completing a simple form could open up Learning and Development opportunities for you, your church and your community:
https://www.sheffieldmethodist.org/what-we-do/finance-fundraising/learning-development-grants.html

Take a moment! Seize the opportunity! Learn and Develop!

Christian Mindfulness Sessions

Anxiety and depression can overwhelm us. With the pandemic, these feelings may have been made worse for some of us.

Join the Doncaster Circuit on this free 6 week Christian mindfulness course, led by prison chaplain and local preacher Jack Key, where you will be guided through various exercises in order to calm your mind and soul, and grow in your relationship with God.

The videos will be uploaded weekly on the Doncaster Circuit Facebook and Youtube pages – starting from 14th April at 7:30.

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/doncastermethodist
YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dF4I--jO_5Y

Lay Leadership Skills

Thursday 25 June 2021 from 10am

A training day exploring leadership for lay people working in the Methodist Church: youth; children; family; and community leaders; class leaders; lay missioners; and local pastors. Exploring the themes of:

• Leadership styles and skills
• Leading meetings
• Managing volunteers and Encouraging participation
• Team and group dynamics

Registration is required: http://bit.ly/LN-layleader
Places will be limited to 20, so please book in early.

Growing through Change and Conflict

Tuesday 8 June – 09:30 to 15:45 on zoom

A one day workshop to consider how conflict works in ourselves and in our church community, and develop some simple tools to transform situations of tension and conflict.

To register for a place : http://bit.ly/LNConflictTraining
Numbers are limited and will be allocated in registration order

Active Listening Skills

Tuesday 22 June – 10am to 12 noon

Listening Skills and Asking Good Questions led byElaine Lindridge and Rachel McCallam
Numbers are limited, book via EventBrite: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/seminar-on-listening-skills-and-asking-good-questions-tickets-152068632373

8th Annual Preachers' Conference

Saturday 13 November – 3-4:30pm – Free Zoom Event

Save the date for what promises to be an exciting event to discover how different church traditions prepare and deliver the Sunday sermon and what we can learn from another preaching tradition. This is truly an ecumenical event that will be given by our guest lecturer Dr Joe Aldred.

Full details can be found here: Preachers' Conference
To register and to find out more information about this free zoom conference pleaseemail: sydenham_ntcog@hotmail.com

Job Vacancies

PERSIAN MINISTRY DEVELOPMENT ENABLER

Doncaster, Hull, Sheffield

DEADLINE EXTENDED

We are seeking a development enabler to lead and grow our established ministry with Persian Christians in Doncaster and Hull and emerging community in Sheffield
Further details at www.sheffieldmethodist.org/recruitment/vacancies.html

Closing date for applications: Monday 24 May

Interviews on or around Friday 4 June

Recruitment Manager

Cliff College, located in the Peak District, has been training people in evangelism and mission since 1903.
Cliff is at an exciting place in its history as it is about to launch Vision 21, a strategy that takes the College on a journey to become a global centre of evangelism and mission. This builds on its tradition and history and focuses on the College as a place of engagement, encounter and equipping.

As part of this strategy, Cliff College is seeking to appoint a Recruitment Manager to join its staff team at this exciting and challenging time. This is a new full-time role, building on the previous Communications and Recruitment role, and we are looking for someone who is willing and able to build on what has already been developed and enable the College to grow its student body.

Full information can be found here: Recruitment Manager