District News – 16 December 2025

This Week's News

Hallmaster Venue Management System

Those of you who receive the Property Support email from the Methodist Church may have already seen the upcoming event being organised by the National Churches Trust to introduce the Hallmaster system.
Most churches rent out their halls or buildings for events, community activities, and even local businesses. But managing scheduling, payments, and inquiries can be challenging with limited staff and volunteers.
Hallmaster takes care of it all giving you a seamless booking process. Join the NCT & Hallmaster UK to discover how this tool can simplify your operations and save time.
Date: Tuesday, 20th January 2026
Time: 2pm – 3pm
Venue: Online
For more information about this session and to book your ticket – click here

Neil Harland has already heard many good things about this system, and would encourage any church or circuit to sign up to learn more about this system. Do please let us know if your church or circuit are considering exploring this further, so we can share knowledge and support.

Derbyshire Rural Chaplaincy

The licensing service of our new lead agricultural chaplain, Revd Phil Michell, will take place in the conference room at the livestock market in Bakewell on Monday 19th January 2026 at 10.00am, and you are very welcome to attend. The service will be led by the Right Reverend Libby Lane, Bishop of Derby, and light refreshments will be available afterwards.
The full address is below, along with a “What 3 Words” link showing the location of the Agricultural Business Centre:
Agricultural Business Centre
Agricultural Way
Bakewell
Derbyshire
DE45 1AH
https://w3w.co/breath.puncture.offerings
There is plenty of parking available on site, however parking charges do apply so if you will be using the Agricultural Way car park please let me know and I will email a parking pass that you can print out and leave on your dashboard.
If you are able to attend, I would be grateful if you could reply to let me know so that we have an idea of numbers for seating and catering purposes.
Clergy friends: please note that due to the nature of the venue, robing is not required.
Please reply to Nicola Theakston (nicola@derbyshireruralchaplaincy.og.uk) if you would like to attend.

Positively Rural – Being Present in Schools

Tuesday 3 February 2026@1:00pm

In this session, we will be sharing how local rural practitioners have developed presence in rural schools with stories of lived experiences and good practice. We will cover both Primary and Secondary Schools, as well as having opportunities for those attending to share their own stories. As always, there will also be opportunities to share your own experiences in smaller break-out groups.
The deadline to register is 31 January 2026 at mid-day.
Book your place here: https://260203Schools.eventbrite.co.uk

Joined Up Conference

Saturday 7 March 2026@9:45am – 4:00pm

The 11th Joined Up Conference for children’s, youth and schools workers in and around South Yorkshire.
The Joined Up Conference is hosted by: The Diocese of Sheffield, Sheffield Methodist Circuit, Sheffield Methodist District and United Reformed Church.
They’re planning a great day with Lisa Campbell as the keynote speaker, workshops, SubWay lunch and short stories to inspire your creative energy!
Full details can be found here: https://joinedupconference.com/

Safeguarding Update

Advanced Module Training – online

There are still plenty of places available for the online version of the Advanced Module training. The deadline to book onto the gathered session dates is 30 days beforehand, to check for viability and to allow time for material to sent out and the individual study to be completed. There does need to be at least 8 people registered for the event to go ahead, and some of the dates are only just above this threshold. So if you know of anyone due to renew their training, or who may need to do this for the first time, please encourage them to sign up.
https://2025-26AdvancedOnline.eventbrite.co.uk

Events

The Longest Night – a carol service with a difference!

Saturday 20 December 6:00 pm

Join the Metal Methodists and the team at St Paul's Church, Norton Lees, Sheffield, on Saturday 20 December 2025 for The Longest Night. You can expect a carol service with metal music, laying burdens down and finding hope in the noise. Refreshments at 6pm and the service at 6.30pm. All welcome!
Please contact Kate on katemetalmethodist@outlook.com for further information.

Are you pondering the future of your local rural churches?

Struggling to lead through a season of great change?

Why not join us on the Rural Mission & Ministry Course

• 6-8 Feb 2026 at Cliff College, S32 3XG
• 19-20 May 2026 at Yarnfield, ST15 0NL

Come and gather with other ecumenical rural leaders to explore what community, mission, evangelism & leadership can look like in rural contexts.
For further information & to book, please visit: https://arthurrankcentre.org.uk/ruralministrycourse/
£250 bursary for Methodists – please contact Sarah Hulme, rural mission & ministry officer via hulmes@methodistchurch.org.uk for further details.

Regional Retreat – The woman at the well

The next Regional Retreat for presbyters, deacons and lay employees will be held at Wydale Hall from 20-22 May 2026.
Donna Worthington (Retreat Leader) will be leading our time together when we will explore: The Woman at the Well: an invitation to journey to the well, to Christ the Living Water. Donna is an experienced retreat giver trained in Ignatian spiritual direction, labyrinth walking and storytelling.
More information and booking details can be found via EventBrite: https://260520RegionalRetreat.eventbrite.co.uk
Bookings close on 18 February

And finally ...

God of generosity,
You come to us not in excess,
but in vulnerability, simplicity, and love.

Help us to make space,
space for generous love,
for welcome,
for listening,
for attention to one another.

Free us from the story that tells us
that giving is about spending,
that generosity can be measured by what we buy.
Remind us that we are called
to give time, presence, patience, and care.

Shape us into generous people
in the way we inhabit the world
mindful of the earth we share,
attentive to those whose labour is unseen,
and honest about the cost borne by others
for our comfort and convenience.

May our giving be just and ethical,
rooted in compassion rather than obligation,
and reflective of the love
you give freely.

As we wait for Christ’s coming,
teach us again what it means
to live gently,
to give wisely,
and to love well.

Amen.
Revd Vicky Atkins