District News – 16 August 2022

This Week's News

District Newsletter

There will be no newsletter next week, as Katrin will be enjoying her busman's holiday, volunteering at the Greenbelt Festival. But do send in stories and events ready for the next connexional year!

Offer a Warm Space This Winter

Webinar 7pm Monday 5 September

We have been greatly encouraged to hear of churches already making plans to offer warm spaces this winter as a practical response to the desperate cost of living crisis. Please do get in touch with Neil Harland mission@sheffieldmethodist.org if you are thinking about this.

You can also join this Connexional webinar hosted by Deacon Tracey Hume (Newcastle Methodist District), Paul Morrison (JPIT) and Eunice and Emma from the Evangelism & Growth team to hear how Warm Spaces have taken off in Gateshead and how your church or circuit could join in.

Anna Chaplaincy

Webinar 7:30pm Tuesday 27 September

Did you know that there are now more people over 60 than under 18 in the UK? Anna Chaplains care spiritually for older people, whether they're affiliated to the church or not. In this webinar, Gary Hopkins and Emma Nash from the Connexional Team talk to the Anna Chaplaincy team about what they do, why they do it, and how Methodist churches can get involved.
Register here to attend

Whirlow Spirituality Centre

Joy and Judith worked hard last week dusting down and maintaining the Whirlow library, which extends from the lounge into the quiet room.

Did you know the quiet room can be booked for times of prayer or as a peaceful place to read? To book e-mail admin@whirlowspiritualitycentre.org

Urban Theology Union – AGM

Saturday 12 November 2022 at 2pm

Speaker: Revd Dr Rob Hoch on"Shock Trauma: Contextual Readings of Scripture for Preaching"
More details to follow nearer the time

Events

Parish Nursing Ministries UK – Explore Online

30 August and 23 November

Join on Zoom to find out about parish nursing, what it is and how it works with no strings attached. Hosted by our Regional Nurse Coordinator Dawn Stephens with input from parish nursing services around the country, explore what parish nursing could offer to your local community. Further details here: Parish Nursing
You can also hear more about Parish Nursing and other approaches to whole person healthcare on this recording from our ministry with older people community of practice.

Great Big Green Week:

24 September – 2 October

The Great Big Green Week is the UK's biggest ever celebration of community action to tackle climate change and protect nature. Their resources page https://greatbiggreenweek.com/resources/ has some excellent practical suggestions for activities that churches could use to engage with people from their neighbourhoods. Plus transferable tips on how to get local politicians and others on board and tools to easily create good quality publicity materials.
Could this be an easy way for your church to start conversations about what matters most with new people?

Green Christians: Finding our way and walking gently together

Saturday 3 September 2022 at Dronfield Baptist Church.

Spend the day with Green Christians as we seek ways to care for creation and to make the necessary lifestyle changes both as individuals and as nations. The day will include sessions on Joy in Enough and The Green Christian Way of Life. Further details at https://greenchristian.org.uk/on-the-road-together-in-dronfield/

Christians on Ageing conference

Wednesday 21 September

"Older people need the best: supporting faith and care"
Christians on Ageing are holding their annual national conference on at Central URC in the heart of Sheffield. Open to anyone engaged in or considering work with older people, speakers will include Rev Dr Keith Albans, Pastoral Director at Methodist Homes. Details of other speakers and how to book at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/christians-on-ageing-annual-conference-tickets-382758239197

Hagg Farm Retreat

19 – 23 October 2022

This is for any children, families, youth or schools volunteer or worker across the Sheffield District. Come for a day, a couple of nights or the whole thing. Whatever you can manage.

At just £15pppn (donation for day visits) it's too good to miss!

Contact Victoria Loveday on cy@sheffieldmethodist.org for more information or
Book your places here: https://forms.office.com/r/yFmA1mXZGK

City Wires and Networks: How Christians Navigate Them.

Urban Theology Union

City Wires and Networks: How Christians Navigate Them.
Join us by Zoom at 4-5.30pm on Wednesday: 28 September 2022 for a rich conversation between:

• Lord David Blunkett, former MP for Sheffield Brightside and Hillsborough;
• Councilmember Kristerfer Burnett of Baltimore, Maryland (USA);
• and Rev Zaidie Orr, minister of Central United Reformed Church in Sheffield.

Our conversation will be moderated by the Rev. Dr Rob Hoch, UTU's Director of Theological Exploration
Use the following Zoom link to join in: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83289648804

Job Vacancies

PART TIME PRE-TEEN & YOUTH WORKER

at Wesley Hall, Crookes, Sheffield

Wesley Hall is a dynamic welcoming community-focused Methodist Church. We are looking for someone with the passion and expertise to work with us in developing our mission and ministry to young people aged 11-18, building on the success of existing children and youth programmes and providing the necessary specialist expertise not currently available within the congregation.

As our pre-teen and youth worker you will:

• Bring expertise to the church leadership as we develop our pre-teen and youth programme and team
• Lead and organise a programme of activities including community-building, faith-sharing and Christian nurture
• Walk alongside young people journeying from attendance at church-run events into discipleship
• Work in partnership with the families and community co-ordinator, centre manager, minister and congregation

Part time: 14 hours per week
Salary: Up to £9,036 per annum (£25,810 full time equivalent) at £12.41 per hour,
plus option to join contributory pension scheme

Applications by 12noon on Monday 5th September with interviews on Tuesday 13th September (subject to candidate availability) and a start date to be agreed with the successful candidate.

For information and applications, please contact Matt Irons 07582 855 409 or matt.irons@wesleyhall.org.uk.

There is a genuine occupational requirement that the post-holder be a practising Christian.

And finally

Goodbye Val

The District Staff team were joined by other present and former Sheffield Methodist District and regional colleagues as we said goodbye and thank you to Val Higgins after 24 years of providing wonderful administrative support to the District.
We will miss her!