District News – 11 October 2022

This Week's News

New Christian Communities in Derbyshire North East

Pioneer Minister Jonathan Hood has been working with two communities near Chesterfield, find out more about his story so far including family picnics, delivering food parcels, offering pastoral care and plans to create a warm space this winter.
https://www.sheffieldmethodist.org/p/news/news-stories/new-places-for-new-people-in-derbyshire.html

Celebration of Chaplaincy

8 November from 7:30pm

We know that being a chaplain can feel a bit lonely sometimes, supporting people on the fringes. This event is just for you, to celebrate the work you do with others who do the work you do too. You're not on your own, you are valued, and your call to chaplain is worth celebrating. So why not join us for an hour on 8 November, 7.30pm for prayer, music and conversation.

Book here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/connecting-chaplains-with-the-president-and-vice-president-of-conference-registration-408613462867

Mesopotamian Civilization and the Origins of the New Testament

Bible study day – 12 November from 10-1:15

New and exciting insights about the ways in which Mesopotamian cultures influenced the writing of the New Testament. For anyone, Lay orOrdained, with an interestin the Bible, how it cameto be, and what it mightmean for us today.

Led by Prof Robin Baker, Emeritus Professor ofOld Testament andAncient Near EasternStudies at the Universityof Winchester.
For further details see the online event page: LNStudyDay12Nov.eventbrite.co.uk

Urban Theology Union

Annual General Meeting – Saturday 12 November from 2-4:30pm

Guest speaker: Revd Dr Rob Hochspeaking onShock Trauma: Contextual Readingsof Scripture for Preaching
Join on Zoom or in person at Victoria Hall, Sheffield.
Email office@utusheffield.org.uk for more details.

Podcast Interview

Listen to a stimulating podcast interview with Lord David Blunkett, former MP for Sheffield, Brightside, and Hillsborough, Baltimore (Maryland, USA) Councilmember Kristerfer Burnett, and Rev. Zaidie Orr minister for seven years in the Sheffield Central United Reformed Church. Rob Hoch, with the Urban Theology Union of Sheffield, moderates a conversation that ranges how we might face the serious questions of our political life with joy, how churches are transforming from inward looking institutions to outward facing communities that contribute to the flourishing of society, and the challenges and opportunities of our human diversity.

https://www.buzzsprout.com/2038362/11407657

Real Living Wage update

The Living Wage has been updated. The new rate is £10.90 an hour, or £11.95 in London.

We hope that all churches will prioritise paying this new rate as soon as possible, given the challenges faced especially by people on low incomes during this cost of living crisis.

District Officers News

Safeguarding update

Domestic Abuse Posters

The Domestic Abuse Planning Group have been working hard to continue to try and highlight the issue of domestic abuse. With this in mind a proposal was put forward for posters and stickers to be produced.
The intention of the posters and stickers is to make clear the church's commitment to highlighting the dangers of domestic abuse, in all its forms, and where people can find support to protect themselves. The stickers are intended for display behind toilet doors which has been found to be an effective and discrete place to share important information.
These have been posted out to the Circuit Offices for distribution to the churches. A pdf version of the poster can be downloaded from the connexional website here

Domestic Abuse Webinar – 24 November 2022

The third Domestic Abuse Webinar will be held on Thursday 24th November at 10.00 am. The theme is 'The Hidden Victims of Domestic abuse' and, with this in mind, presentations will include domestic abuse amongst older people, young people and within ministerial families. The webinar is scheduled to finish at 11.45 am and will include a 10-minute break. Speakers include Veronica Gray from Hourglass (Formerly Action on Elder Abuse), Maggie Wilkinson from Broken Rites, and Beckie Wood from What's the Debate. A Q&A sessions is also planned.
More details will be available on the webinar page of our website: Save the date: The Hidden Victims of Domestic Abuse Webinar – 24 November 2022 (methodist.org.uk)

Signs and Indicators of child sexual abuse (Webinar for DSOs/CSOs) – 15 November 2022

Research shows that the majority of children and young people will not tell anyone at the time of their abuse, and if they do, they are much more likely to tell friends or family than someone in a professional role. The CSA Centre have developed a range of tools to help professionals address this.
In this webinar, aimed at safeguarding officers, CSA Deputy Director Anna Glinksi will be discussing the wider signs and indicators of sexual abuse and sharing the details of the Centre's research to assist professionals to respond to concerns of child sexual abuse.
Register here

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.

Property and development

Community of practice

I'm excited to start and offer a new Community of practice for those of have interests in property and the development of them, either as paid staff or property stewards.

This group will enable access to training, help, advice and networking with others in similar roles. This is meant to be informative, efficient, and effective sessions. There will be time for Q&A but these will be broad questions that may need to be followed up with more tailored advice out of session.
30 minutes of simple training and time for questions after, aiming for a 60-minute session with some follow-up if needed. We want to hear what is needed and plan accordingly. We have some plans of what we want to cover but if something is nagging you it's properly an issue for others as well. All the sessions will be recorded if you need to catch up after or listen on a lunch break.
The first session on18 Octoberwill be a time to share challenges and training that we want to cover who resources we need or could share. Please do pass this on others who you think may be interested.
Futures dates:

• November 1st 2 – 3 PM
• December 6th 10 – 11 AM
• January 10th 2 – 3 PM
• February 7th 10 – 11 AM
• March 7th 2 – 3 PM
• April 4th 10 – 11 AM
• May 2nd 2 – 3 PM
• June 6th 10 – 11 AM

The session will be held on zoom, contact me for the line. This will stay the same so just add it to your calendar or if helpful I can add you to the calendar event, so you always have it.
Tom Rattigan
Missional Property Enabler – mep@sheffieldmethodist.org

Events

Farmers' Harvest Service

Sunday 16th October at 2.30 pm

We welcome Rev'd Canon Alan Robson as the guest speaker. Alan is Agricultural Chaplain in Lincolnshire, founding member of the Lincolnshire Rural Support Network and a Fellow of the Royal Agricultural Societies in England.
Also taking part is Derbyshire Poet Philip Holland, Bel Canto, and St Anne's Church Choir from Baslow
Full details can be downloaded here: Harvest Service
You can read a harvest reflection by Revd Stella Mills here

Church Action on Poverty

40th Anniversary Pilgrimage and Conference in Sheffield

The growing cost of living crisis and poverty in Sheffield will be put under the spotlight when Church Action on Poverty stages a Pilgrimage and Conference in the city on Saturday October 22.

The event marks the 40th anniversary of the founding of the national ecumenical Christian social justice charity committed to tackling poverty and is open to anyone who wants to expand their knowledge of how poverty is affecting people in Sheffield and how various organisations are endeavouring to reduce its impact.

The Pilgrimage starts at 09:30 from Sheffield Canal Basin and will cover a course of just over two miles to Burngreave
Full details in the flyer here: Sheffield Pilgrimage

Labyrinth Quiet Day – Whirlow Spirituality Centre

Saturday 29th October

Following the successful quiet day last year, Judith Jessop is returning to Whirlow to lead a day's retreat to help us explore the changing season as British Summer Time comes to an end and we move towards Hallowe'en and All Souls through the use of labyrinths.

For more details and to book a place visit the Whirlow events page.

Walking with Micah Conference

Thursday 3 November, Birmingham

After a year of conversations about what it means to be a justice-seeking church, you are invited to shape the recommendations of the Walking with Micah project.

The day will be hosted by the President of the Conference, Revd Graham Thompson, and we will share in worship, challenge and inspiration. The central purpose of the day will be to share the emerging foundations of the project and together to shape what is offered to the Methodist Conference in 2023
You can book your place here.
If you have insights you would like to share but are unable to attend, contact Neil Harland mission@sheffieldmethodist.org

Rural and Rooted

19 October from 7pm

This webinar will reflect on how might being church with/without a building look in your local community? Hear some examples – join the conversation & network.

It will be hosted by Andy Fishburne & Sarah Hulme from the E&G team, with guests from rural chapels involved in small church groups.

All welcome from across the Connexion, but this webinar is particularly aimed at people looking to pioneer/ reimagine small rooted church in their rural communities, explore how a Methodist Way of Life might be used in this context, and join a supportive termly network.

Bookings: rural & rooted – small church Tickets, Wed 19 Oct 2022 at 19:00 | Eventbrite

Rural Mission – regenerative agriculture, regenerative church?

8 November from 7pm

What can we learn from regenerative agricultural principles as we seek justice & care for creation personally, as church & as communities?
This webinar is a conversation aimed at people looking to understand some of the basics around regenerative agriculture, broader environmental issues, and what we as individuals & churches can be involved in as part of our mission (whether we're rural, urban, or suburban).

The webinar will be focusing on the areas of:

• What is regenerative agriculture & what can the wider church learn from these principles?
• Care for creation – Are there missional steps we can take as church/ individuals?
• What wider support is on offer to churches & individuals?

Bookings: rural mission – regenerative agriculture, regenerative church? Tickets, Tue 8 Nov 2022 at 19:00 | Eventbrite

Dreaming Beyond – Social Prescribing

16 November from 7:30pm

• What is social prescribing, and how can churches and faith groups get involved?
• With the cost of living crisis as it is, are foodbanks the answer? Or is there another way?

Contributors include Peter Jones, Chair of Growing Compassionate Communities, Sarah Hulme, Rural officer for the Methodist Church, as well as representatives from Food Hubs from across the Connexion.
Blog link: https://learningnetsi.org.uk/events/dreaming-beyond-for-small-and-rural-churches
Bookings via Eventbrite: Dreaming Beyond – for small and rural churches Registration, Wed 16 Nov 2022 at 19:30 | Eventbrite

Rural Mission – pilgrimage

23 November from 7pm

A conversation exploring what pilgrimage can look like, and how to engage our wider community in journeying with us into encounter.

All welcome from across the Connexion, but this is aimed at people looking to gather outdoors; to explore, encounter & journey together, reimagine pilgrimage & develop mission in their rural communities, pioneering new ways of being church.

Bookings: rural mission – pilgrimage Tickets, Wed 23 Nov 2022 at 19:00 | Eventbrite

Job Vacancies

Youth & Children's Worker

Burley-in-Wharfedale Methodist Church, Yorkshire West District

Do you have the desire and gifting to reach out to the young people in our church and local community, to share God's transforming love with them?

We are a welcoming church in the lively, community-minded village of Burley-in-Wharfedale, which is set close to the beautiful Yorkshire Dales. It is our vision to find a passionate, dynamic Youth & Children's Worker to expand and develop our work with young people.

Salary £20,930 – £23,660 per annum, dependent on qualifications and experience
35 hours per week
Initial 3-year fixed term contract

For more information or to request an application pack, please email: rev.tim.perkins@btinternet.com
Closing Date: Monday, 17th October 2022 at 12noon
Interview Date: Tuesday 1st November 2022

Youth and Children's Outreach Worker

Emmanuel Church Waterthorpe

A 1-year post is available at Emmanuel LEP Church, Waterthorpe, Sheffield, for someone to support and develop the current youth and children's work through outreach into the local school and wider community.

The position is for 22 hours per week, and the rate of pay is £12.30 per hour.
The main focus of the job is develop work in the on-site schools alongside working with and supporting our volunteers in our mid-week Junior and Senior Youth Clubs. The core hours are on Tuesdays and Thursdays (school day and fortnightly evenings) and Sunday mornings (twice a month).

The person appointed will demonstrate Christian beliefs, and be qualified and experienced, with understanding of the needs of children and young people as well as those who lead this work. There will be regular reporting to management team meetings that will include the Methodist Circuit and URC Synod Youth Workers, and a named church Line Manager.
The post is subject to an enhanced DBS check.

Application packs are available from:
Heather Rotherham, Methodist Circuit Office Email: admin@sheffieldcircuit.org.uk, Phone Number: 0114 272 6561
The closing date will be Monday 31st October 2022 at 12.00 noon,
with interviews on Thursday 17th November 2022.

ACADEMIC CO-ORDINATOR

Yorkshire Theological Education Partnership

• Do you want to support theological education across Yorkshire?
• Are you highly organised with an eye for detail?
• Are you a self-starter, able to work flexibly and on your own initiative?
• Do you have great people skills with the ability to co-ordinate academic processes which put learners first?
• Are you a team player able to nurture team culture and working practices with colleagues and partners who are working at a distance?

Reporting to the Chair of the YTEP Common Awards Management Committee, the post of Academic Co-ordinator is key to the support and co-ordination that we offer to the teaching and learning of our partners.

For more information on the role, please see the job pack.  
If you have any questions, or you would like to request an informal conversation please email gary.wilton@churcharmy.org