District News – 13 May 2025

This Week's News

New Beginnings grant

Dunsville baby and toddler group

Doncaster Circuit Lay Pastor Liz Worsley noticed the lack of transport and of groups in the village whilst speaking with families seeking baptisms for their babies. She brought this observation and how the church might respond to the church AGM, which was met with enthusiasm and members of the (presently) small congregation volunteering to serve refreshments and talk with the adults and children attending the new group.
Weekly sessions will include a quiet time, introducing songs and prayer to both adults and children. Church members will chat to parents/ carers, and offer a listening ear, and prayer if wanted, while also asking if the adults would consider coming to either a curated monthly space a café style church. The church will then offer this next step into relationship with God later in the year, in a form shaped by these conversations.

Could a New Beginnings grant help you be church differently for new people? https://www.sheffieldmethodist.org/what-we-do/finance-fundraising/new-beginnings.html

Take me down to Paradise Square

Saturday 17 May at 7pm

The Metal Methodists are meeting to give thanks where Wesley preached in Sheffield! Join them on Saturday 17 May 2025 at 7pm Paradise Square, Sheffield, S1 2DE.

Paradise Square is near Sheffield Cathedral. There is on-street parking in the surrounding area, for example on Campo Lane, Hawley Street and Queen Street. If you're travelling to Sheffield by bus, the free Sheffield Connect SC1 bus runs up to 7pm from Sheffield Interchange to High Street. Paradise Square is a short walk from this stop.
Do contact Kate the Metal Methodist Development Worker by email on katemetalmethodist@outlook.com if you want any more information or have any questions about the Metal Methodists.

Peak Circuit Service

with special guests David Juliano and Jorge Acevedo from USA

Sunday 1st June 2025, 6:30pm, at Bakewell Methodist Church
The Peak Circuit will be welcoming special guests, David Juliano and Jorge Acevedo, from Florida , USA, at their Circuit Service on Sunday 1st June, 6:30pm Bakewell Methodist Church. David will be preaching and Jorge a testimony. Both David and Jorge are visiting the UK and undertaking the Peak Wesley Way.
David is lead pastor at Sebring Methodist Church, Florida, U.S.A, ( https://www.firstsebring.org ), and is a respected and gifted pastor and teacher. His sermon, entitled "An Unfinished Task", will take inspiration from Dr. W. E. Sangster's book "Methodism: Her Unfinished Task."
Jorge founded a multi-site church called Grace Church in the Fort Myers area of Florida ( https://www.egracechurch.com/ ) . He now undertakes a teaching and mentoring role, particularly for pastors seeking to develop new forms of church, especially multi-site churches ( https://www.jorgeacevedo.com ) . Jorge will give a short testimony to the goodness of God.
"This promises to be an exciting, stimulating and rare opportunity to share worship with two experienced, Godly, mission-minded Methodist pastors" (Rev'd Martyn Atkins).
All are welcome to join us.

The Spirit and the Church: Community-Forming Power

Saturday 7th June 10-12.30

Totley Rise Methodist Church (Sheffield) invite you to join them for a morning of exploring the work of the Holy Spirit in the book of Acts, led by Dr Ben Pugh, lecturer at Cliff College. There will be two sessions, the first one asking the question, how is community formed? And the second session asking, how is community grown? We will discover that there is far more to these two simple questions than meets the eye.
For further information please contact Rev Phill Borkett,revphillb@outlook.com.

Whirlow Spirituality Centre

Ever thought about hiring Whirlow Spirituality Centre for your quiet day/ prayer group/parish away day? This summer could be a perfect time to try it out! Saturdays in July and August just £60 per half day (9am-1:30pm / 1:30pm – 6pm) to hire the Centre. Contact events@whirlowspiritualitycentre.org for more information.

Springs Dance Company

Springs Dance Company are delighted to be touring our popular Christmas production again this advent. Loved by everyone for the enjoyable, nostalgic, easily relatable story and outstanding performances by our world class dancers.
Journey of the Magi is a professional production of dance, theatre, song and poetry. It is a family show: accessible for all, fun and thought-provoking, full of warmth, hilarity and delight. It offers a wonderful opportunity to laugh, reflect and refocus during advent.
Now available for churches to book between 21st November – 22nd December 2025.
Further information can be found on the Springs Dance Company website page: https://springsdancecompany.org.uk/productions/journey-of-the-magi/ by emailingtouring@springsdancecompany.org.ukor by calling 07775 628442.

District Office News/Updates

GDPR Checklist

A reminder that the checklist for this year needs to be completed by 31 May.
You can find the online form on the District Website here: https://www.sheffieldmethodist.org/what-we-do/data-protection/gdpr-checklist-report.html
As in previous years, there are just 7 questions to answer, so it should not take long to complete.

ONE Opportunity Programme

Calling all 16-23 year olds, could you be on our interns from September?
Applications are now open for the ONE Opportunity Programme 2025/26.
Up to ten interns can be selected to for a paid role of three hours per week to create and deliver a project which enhances the mission and life of the church.
Find out more about this exciting opportunity and how to apply on our website.
https://www.sheffieldmethodist.org/what-we-do/children-and-youth/one-opportunity-programme.html

Events

Ebor Lecture – 21 May 2025

From Silencing to Strength: Addressing Spiritual Abuse and Abuses of Power

You are invited to attend the forthcoming Ebor Lecture by Lisa Oakley (From Silencing to Strength: Addressing Spiritual Abuse and Abuses of Power) on Wednesday 21st May 2025 (from 7-9pm) in York Minster.
Prof Lisa Oakley (C.Psychol) SFHEA (Senior Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy) acted as a core participant in the independent inquiry into child sexual abuse and chaired the national working group for child abuse linked to faith and belief. Her research interests are primarily focused on safeguarding in faith contexts, including the development of an understanding of spiritual abuse and how to create healthy safe cultures.
Full details, including booking a place, can be found here: Ebor Lecture – 21 May

MWiB Quiz and Social

Tuesday May 27th in the Narthex St Andrews Psalter Lane.

From2.30pm -4pm with several rounds of quizzing plus scones cakes and tea and coffee.
This event is open to all genders-husbands are particularly welcome. It has been suggested that people arrive from 2pm to have a look round the church which is one of the country's most beautiful Methodist churches (now of course an Anglican Methodist LEP)
For those wanting to use public transport, there is a half hourly bus service along Psalter Lane, the 218, between Sheffield Interchange and Bakewell.

Edward Rogers Memorial Lecture

Thursday 5 June, 3.15pm

Join us either in-person or online for the Edward Rogers Memorial Lecture: on the theme The Spirit that Crosses Borders given by Bishop Minerva G. Carcaño on Thursday 5 June 2025. The lecture title is The Virtues of Compassion, Mercy & Justice Must Shape the World We Will Live In.
In 2004, Bishop Carcaño became the first Hispanic woman to be elected to the episcopacy of The United Methodist Church, the second-largest Protestant denomination in the USA. Throughout her ministry she has been a consistent advocate for the rights of the poor, the marginalized, and the excluded.
Her lecture will highlight how forced migration continues to inflict great danger and death to many around the world. With some exceptions, countries where migrants land are becoming increasingly hostile towards the migrant. While people of faith and good will continue to work in their communities to welcome the migrant, and to reform unjust immigration policies, the forces of religious and Christian nationalism and political authoritarianism bring further harm to migrants and communities. Given that migration will not cease in our lifetime, how we live together with migrants will depend on our commitments to the virtues of compassion, mercy and justice, and a spirit of welcome to migrants who come our way.
Full details including how to book a place, can be found here:
https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/wesley-house/the-spirit-that-crosses-borders/e-bvjooy

National Day of Street Worship (Pentecost Weekend)

Saturday 7 June 12:00 pm

This summer, Worship On The Streets, along with other UK-based street worship ministries, are hosting the annual "National Day of Street Worship". The event will take place on Saturday 7th June, (Pentecost weekend), where they are encouraging Christians and churches to go into their villages, towns, or city centres at 12pm to sing or play the "The Blessing" out in public as a united declaration of God's love over the UK, followed by a time of street worship for as long as they like. Last year, 34 groups took part around the UK, 7 of which had never done street worship before.
If you would like to join in with the National Day of Street Worship in your own village, town, or city, please could you fill out this form so that they can stay in touch with everyone who is taking part: https://forms.gle/NoTtVNZ9AF4oBFYD7.
If you would like further information about Worship On The Streets, or the day itself, please email Aaron at info@worshiponthestreets.co.uk.

Open Farm Sunday

8 June 2025

Reconnect with your local food producers-dig out your wellies & head for a Sunday – afternoon outing to a farm.
Open Farm Sunday is an opportunity to discover the crucial work farmers do producing food, nurturing nature, and protecting the environment for future generations. Sign up to visit a local farm & have the opportunity to talk with farmers, hear their stories and discover how they are working for a more sustainable future whilst producing food you can trust.
Why not organise a visit & invite your eco-church/ social justice group, toddler group families, warm space users, uniform groups, food pantry team...
For further details and to find a local Open Farm, please visit Homepage – Open Farm Sunday

And finally ...

A prayer that we may see God in others

Teach us, Lord, to seek your face in those who think they are faceless;
your word among those who are voiceless;
and your transforming presence among those who feel powerless.
Draw us to yourself that we may be active contemplatives in the heart of your world,
discovering afresh the presence of Jesus wherever it is disguised
and honouring you in the face of the neighbour,
the lowly appearance of bread and wine,
and the walk of daily service,
that we might follow where you lead and respond
with warmed hearts and active hands. Amen.
Inspired by Mother Teresa of Calcutta and Karl Rahner
Richard Andrew, District Chair, Darlington District