District News – 15 November 2022

This Week's News

Cost Of Living Crisis

• Concerned about the cost of living?
• Worried about rent, food, and fuel prices?

Join a meeting on Mon 28th November 7-9pm at Central United Reformed Church, 60 Norfolk Street, Sheffield S1 2JB

Speak with local MPs and support groups, inculding the Archdeacon of Sheffield & Rotherham and Chair of Sheffield Climate Alliance and find out what you can do!

Book for free now (includes refreshments):
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/sheffield-the-cost-of-living-and-climate-crises-what-can-we-do-tickets-439793513237

Advent and Christmas News

Online Advent Study

Revd Angela Pothecary (Trinity Circuit) will be leading an online Advent Study based on the film "Its a wonderful Life" and using the resource "To live again" by Sheila Jacobs. They will take place on Tuesdays at 7pm, starting on 29 November.
Please email Rev Angela Pothecary if you are interested – to get the link to join.
angela.pothecary@methodist.org.uk

Are any other ministers/churches/circuits planning an online Advent Study? Do let us know so we can help publicise it!

Star Festival

26 & 27 November, 3 & 4 December from 10am to 5pm
Grove Street Methodist Church, Retford (Trinity Circuit)
Free entry; Refreshments, stalls and entertainment.
The festival originated from one of the church's members, with the aim of filling the church with stars and has now become an annual event.

Christian Aid Carol Singing

3 December from 10am, Sheffield City Centre
Christian Aid's annual Carol singing/fundraising event is only 3 weeks away now!
Different groups of singers will be spreading Christmas cheer and raising much needed funds for Christian Aid on Saturday 3rd December on the Moor -- please note this is a different venue from usual.

• Can you help out?
• Are you part of a church choir or any singing group that might like to sing for one of the hour slots?
• Could you help hold a bucket to collect donations?

If so please contact Alison Trezise as soon as possible: jandatrezise@virginmedia.com

Derbyshire Farmers' Carol Service

4 December at 2:30pm
The Derbyshire Farmers' Carol Service is taking place at the Agricultural Business Centre in Bakewell on Sunday 4th December at 2.30 pm.
It will be a wonderful time and opportunity to come together, to sing carols, listen to the choir, hear our local poet's festive poem and reflect on the words spoken by their lead chaplain, Rev'd Alan Griggs.
Everyone is welcome to come along, whether part of the farming community or not.
There is plenty of free parking and refreshments will be served afterwards.

Nativity Festival – Central Methodist Church, Chesterfield

8-10 December, from 10am to 3pm
Nativity Scenes, Children's activities, Music, Refreshments.
All are welcome – free entry!

District Officers' News

District Advent Calendar

We are creating a digital Advent Calendar which will be available on social media each day based on the connexional material There is room ( https://www.methodist.org.uk/our-faith/there-is-room-advent-and-christmas-2022-resources/ ) These videos are being recorded by each Circuit and will also feature District staff and officers and will be available for the whole District to use.

Please watch out for when it begins and share the good news of Advent far and wide.
Sam Roberts – comms@sheffieldmethodist.org

Events

Sheffield Multi-cultural Gospel Festival

Saturday 19 November from 3pm

A partnership of churches/ministries from different backgrounds and expressions coming together in Sheffield to celebrate God in their languages and tongues and sharing food and friendship. Featuring the OUTCRY OF SHEFFIELD and other churches from many ethnic groups.

Christmas Praise in the City

7 December from 7pm – Victoria Hall, Norfolk Street, Sheffield

Begin your Christmas celebrations in style. Join Cliff College, The Foundry, Victoria Hall and the Methodist Church in Sheffield for an evening of Christmas carols, a short message and refreshments.
Book your free ticket now: https://christmaspraise.eventbrite.co.uk.

Vacancies

Due to restructure, the Doncaster Methodist Circuit is are seeking to appoint

Finance & Property Officer

Main responsibilities:

• To enable and support the circuit to effectively manage its finances
• To maintain an overview of circuit finances and assist circuit stewards in managing the budges
• To develop systems to ensure efficient management of Circuit Finance and Property processes
• To work with Circuit Stewards to maintain and oversee circuit properties

Location: Alder Grove Methodist Church
Hours of work: 15 hours per week
Rate of pay: £15/hour

Administration and Governance Officer

Main responsibilities:

• To provide effective and professional administrative support to the Circuit
• To support the Circuit and Churches in fulfilling all governance requirements
• To develop systems to ensure efficient management of Circuit Finance and Property processes
• To develop and implement systems to ensure the efficient management of Circuit administration and all governance processes
• To ensure effective communication across the circuit

Location: Alder Grove Methodist Church
Hours of work: 20 hours per week
Rate of pay: £15/hour

For a job pack, contact Barry Parker by telephone at 01302 850 370 or by email at methodistchurch01@btconnect.com
They will consider applications for both posts form one person, creating a 35-hour a week post. To demonstrate an applicants suitability, and considering the different person specifications for each of the roles, and application form for each job will need to be completed and submitted.
For an informal conversation about the role, please contact the Revd Mick Neal, Superintendent Minister at revmickneal@googlemail.com
Closing Date: 5pm on Wednesday 30 November

Children's and Youth Development Officer (Ref CYDO)

The East Midlands Synod of the United Reformed Church

This post offers a challenging opportunity for an experienced and professionally qualified Children's and Youth Worker with training and development skills. We are looking for an enthusiastic and committed Christian to develop our strategy, serve the churches of the Synod in offering advice, training, and support to those working with children and young people and to work with the wider United Reformed Church. The Officer appointed will be a member of a collaborative Synod team and therefore good team working skills are essential.

This is a full-time post for 37.5 hours/week(including evening and weekends) on a permanent contract.
Salary: £32,796 to £33,624 depending on experience and qualifications
This post is subject to an Enhanced DBS Disclosure

If you share our passion for children and young people playing their part in the mission of God, please contact:
Mrs Chris Willis
Tel: 0115 9609241
E-mail: admin@urc5.org.uk

Closing date for applications: 30th November 2022

And finally...

From the Methodist Prayer Book:

Come, O Christ the Light, and lead us. Come, O Christ the Life, and revive us. Come, O Christ the Physician and heal us. Come, O Christ, the Fire Divine, and kindle in our hearts the flame of your love. Amen.
Dimitri of Rostov (1651-1709)


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