District News – 15 August 2023

This Week's News

Becoming an accessible hybrid church

The story of how Brimington Methodist Church went hybrid, allowing those who cannot physically attend the building still be part of the worshipping community.
https://www.methodist.org.uk/about-us/news/the-methodist-blog/becoming-an-accessible-hybrid-church/

Eco Festival in Barnsley

Saturday 2 September

We believe this is the first Community ECO Festival in Barnsley and have received an enthusiastic response from many groups and organisations as well as our local politicians.
The event is free for stalls and the public; donations will be invited for refreshments. Funds raised will be shared between Toilet and Tap Twinning and ECO activities at Emmanuel Church.
We have activities for children and young people; packs to inspire crafting as well as opportunities for free food from Olio!

Whirlow Autumn Retreat

The God Of Surprises: Finding God In The Unexpected

Friday 29th Sept – Sunday 1st October
Held at St Oswald's Community just 4 miles from Whitby, this mostly silent retreat will be led by experienced retreat leader Jacky Stride and Whirlow Chaplain Alison Richards. There are optional opportunities to share experience in threes, and join in the rhythm of prayer of St Oswald's three times a day. Suitable for new and experienced retreatants.£175 full board in single occupancy rooms.

Free piano (and music)

We have been asked if anyone is interested in a late-Victorian Broadwood piano, free to a good home. Also a collection of the leaflets published for the Whitsuntide Sings in the various parks, dating back to the thirties. The older ones included the four singing parts in 'sol fa' as well as ordinary musical notation.

District Office News

A reminder that there will be no District News next week, as I will be in a field just outside Kettering with very limited internet.
I will be sending a reminder out to all those who have not yet responded to the email sent asking for confirmation or corrections to the information we hold on our database. It is important that our records are accurate. There are a number of online forms on the District Database that can be used to let us know about new church and circuit roles.
It is also important that we are kept informed about the lay employees in our churches and circuits, not just when a new person starts, but also when folk leave or their role changes.
These can all be found here: https://www.sheffieldmethodist.org/contact/forms.html Please do use them – it does make life simpler!
Many thanks
Katrin Hackett – District Administrator

Events

District Gathering

Saturday 9 September

It in not too late to register to to join us for a day of learning, sharing and worship – with a buffet lunch! The deadline for is 31 August.
Within the District Gathering we will hold the life of Methodism across our district in prayer, renew our relationship with our wider Connexional church, and make any formal decisions required of us as a district – the work of the representative synod.
Our five expert speakers will explore perspectives on how we extend Christ's invitation by embedding evangelism in our daily lives through an interactive panel discussion.
"Next Steps in .." workshops will explore practical suggestions and advice for you and your church in more detail. All participants will have the opportunity to attend two workshops.
Full details, including how to get tickets here: https://230909-SteppingOut.eventbrite.co.uk

Exploring Digital

Saturday 30 September, 10am to 3:30pm

A day online exploring the digital world for Methodist Churches and communities.

Join together with Methodists from all over Britain for a special digital gathering. Learn from key individuals who've mastered the digital world on how to connect and share the Gospel online. The event will feature insightful keynotes, group discussions and an expert panel. Don't miss this chance to enhance your church's online presence and explore faith in the digital era!
Where: Online, so you can join wherever you are.
Cost: We are providing this day free of charge.

We'll be sharing further information about speakers, topics and resources closer to the event. st to avoid missing out and join us on Saturday 30 September for a day of exploration into the digital world and the opportunities it holds for the Methodist Church.

Crackin' Good Church: Finding the Treasure in Church at the Margins

Saturday 14 October, Methodist Central Hall, Manchester

... is a gathering to promote new Christian Communities at the margins
... will be fun, interactive and consultative
... is a free event, with time for fellowship, free food (a hot meal) and refreshments

A gathering to promote a movement of new Christian communities amongst people at the economic margins, for anyone who is or wants to be part of a community at the margins.
Listening to the stories told will be representatives from the Methodist Church and politics, including Vice President Deacon Kerry Scarlett and Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester.

Contact the district office (admin@sheffieldmethodist.org) for information about free travel.

Book your place here https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/crackin-good-church-finding-the-treasure-in-church-at-the-margins-tickets-639335609017

Vacancies

Property Manager

Nether Green – Sheffield Circuit

Nether Green Methodist Church seek to appoint a part-time Property Manager who will be responsible for all aspects of property management on behalf of the church and who will be the agreed point of contact for property related matters.

Key areas of responsibility include:

• Maintaining all health, safety, and risk assessment documentation, processes and policies within the church and to update and implement change as necessary and appropriate.
• Ensuring that all mandatory, regulatory, and recommended safety and quality checks are undertaken within the church using certified and established trades people whilst maintaining an up to date and quality checked list of appropriate service providers.
• Supervising the lettings process of the church property increasing usage and income and to be the point of contact for existing premises users and hirers.
• Ensuring all buildings are maintained to a required standard and that they meet all legal requirements relating to public building usage.

Hours: 7.5 Hours per week (Worked flexibly to meet the needs of the project).
Rate of pay: £16 per hour.
Home based with the requirement to visit the church on a regular basis and to attend meetings in person as necessary.
Next steps: For an application form or for an informal conversation about the role please email Philip Godfrey at philip@ashbydental.f9.co.uk
Closing date: 31st August 2023
Interviews: w/c 4th September 2023

District vacancies

There are a number of District Roles which have (or are about to) become vacant.

Manses Committee Secretary (volunteer position)

We are looking for a new Manses Committee Secretary to work within the Sheffield Methodist District.

• Have you got great organisational skills?
• Do you enjoy writing reports?
• Are you able to lead a group of people?

If so this role could be for you.
More details can be found here: https://www.sheffieldmethodist.org/recruitment/vacancies/manse-committee-secretary.html

Lay Stationing Representative

We are looking for a new Lay Stationing Representative to work within the Sheffield Methodist District from August 2024.

• Have you for an interest in people and their situations?
• Are you a good listener and do you have a genuine concern about presbyters and deacons fulfil their calling and reach their potential in the right "station"?

If so – this role could be for you. https://www.sheffieldmethodist.org/recruitment/vacancies/lay-stationing-representative.html

And finally ...

From the Methodist Prayer Handbook

A Prayer in Manx Gaelic – with translation:

Dy row Oo bannee shin as soilshey Dty eddin y yeeaghyn dooin mleeaney O Hiarn, choud's ta shin strepey dy chur graih Dhyt lesh ooilley nyn gree, as lesh ooilley nyn annym, as lesh ooilley nyn niart, as lesh ooilley nyn aigney, as dy niartaghey yn kiangley ain Mayrt. Dy row shin shooyl ayns Dty raaidyn as geiyrt er Dty chesmaydyn.

May you bless us and make your face shine on us this year O Lord, as we strive to love you with all our heart, all our soul, all our strength and all our mind and to deepen our relationship with you. May we walk in your ways and follow in your footsteps. Amen.
Jonathan Ayres