District News – 16 January 2024

This Week's News

Sad News

We were very sorry to learn of the death of Richard Park, husband of Revd Jenny Park, who dies last Monday. We hold Jenny and the family in our prayers at this time.

Methodist Chaplains

As a District, we want to support our Methodist chaplains. If you work as a chaplain in the life of your circuit (voluntary or paid) could you please contact McCauley Key (mccauley.key@nhs.net) with your name, email address, and job title, to receive chaplaincy reflections/news and to be invited to celebration events, where we recognise the hard work that you do in your context.
If you know a chaplain in your Circuit who we could support, please encourage them to get in touch.
Please get in touch by 14 February, so we can start to plan an event to celebrate this aspect of ministry.

Did you spot this??

Metal Methodism as a Methodist Way of Life

Music and song are part of the Methodist tradition and thanks to Revd James Morley, it is the case for Methodists who enjoy metal music. The Metal Methodists had their own worship service at 3Generate 2023 and have a regular online Compline service of evening prayer.
Read the full story on the Methodist Church website here: https://www.methodist.org.uk/.../metal-methodism-as-a-methodist-way-of-life/

Lent guided retreat day

10 February 2024 – Cliff College

Join us for a retreat to reflect on the season of Lent. This guided day retreat will start at 10am (arrivals from 9:45am) and finish with an evening meal at 5:30pm. The day will include a mixture of guided sessions and space for individuals to pray, reflect and spend time listening to God. The cost of £40 per person covers lunchtime and evening meals, refreshments throughout the day and all retreat materials. Bed and breakfast at Cliff College is available to book separately for the Friday and/or Saturday nights.
Book at https://www.cliffcollege.ac.uk/.../lent-retreat-2024

The search is on for Britain's best church magazine.

Entries are now invited for the annual competition run by the Association for Church Editors (ACE), which is an independent, not for profit organisation that celebrates its 25th anniversary this year.

"Judging from the number of brochures and leaflets that land on our doormats and the array of magazines in newsagents, other organisations still value printed material," says Sally Churchus, Chair of the national organisation, "so we are keen to encourage church editors everywhere".
For the coming 2024 competition, which closes on Tuesday 2nd April, awards will be made for any size of magazine using colour printing. The Gold Award winner will receive the John King Trophy, to be held for one year, while Silver and Bronze Awards will receive an inscribed trophy to keep, together with a Certificate of Excellence for display.
A panel of judges assesses each magazine, giving points for various aspects including cover design, headlines and clarity of the Christian message. The prize-giving will take place on Saturday 28th September in Westminster Central Hall, London, and is open to everyone.
The meeting will include an address by our Keynote Speaker, Neil Pugmire, (author of 100 Ways To Get Your Church Noticed), and talks on various ways to improve church magazines.
https://churchmag.uk/2024-awards/

PHD "Tasters" @ UTU

Have you ever considered a PhD?

Attending a seminar gives you an invaluable first-hand taste of what the PhD experience with UTU might look like for you. During seminar, PhD students and supervisors share reflections on God and life, our projects, proposals, challenges, and discoveries. Annual supervision, one on one, also takes place with individual guidance for students. A seminar would be a great opportunity to meet our PhD family, including myself, Rev. Dr Neil Johnson (PhD supervisor), and others -- you will find that we are approachable, capable and enthusiastic about helping you achieve your scholarly goals.
Rev. Dr Rob Hoch (Yidokodiltona)
Director of Theological Studies -Urban Theology Union

District Office updates

District Safeguarding Update – Hidden Harms

From Revd Susan McIvor, Notts and Derby District Safeguarding Officer:

Abuse can occur at any age and is often under reported when it related to adults over the age of 65.
Safeguarding often considers 'carer's stress' when incidents occur, and while one-off events do happen, it needs to be explored to see if there are any patterns or history. Based on the power and control wheel as adapted by Dewis Choice, the aim of this short animation is to help support practitioners and families start a conversation with an older adult.
We know from research that this is a very sensitive topic to talk about. Older adults may be more reluctant to talk about problems at home due to experiential, cultural, and social factors, and this combined with ageing and subsequent care needs leaves them vulnerable to having domestic abuse overlooked.
The Hidden Harms animation has been co-created by survivors aged between 60 and 93 years old from Dewis Choice, who are now in recovery and living free from harm, fear and abuse. Talking to someone about the behaviour will not mean having to make decisions you are not ready for, but it will create options to help you get the support you need to feel safer and happier.
Hidden Harms animation https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kTfoixKLw1g
A link to this animation has been added to our updated Domestic Abuse resources page, where you will now find a variety of other Domestic abuse resources.

As ever, if you have any questions or concerns, please give me a call on 07483 362 735 or email me at safeguarding@sheffieldmethodist.org
Many thanks
Alison Hill – District Safeguarding Officer.

Events

National Methodist Youth Brass Band concert

Saturday 24 February – 7pm

Chapeltown Church as part of our building 30th Anniversary, are delighted to be hostingthe concert. It is free to attend but with seats limited please go to EventBriteto book your seat : https://www.eventbrite.com/e/national-methodist-youth-brass-band-concert-tickets-760292173357
Come along – It will be a great evening!

Lay Employee Community of practice zoom gathering

Wednesday 31 January from 10:30-11:15
This is a more informal "drop-in" basis rather than having a focused theme. A chance to catch up with each other over coffee. Smaller work-based break-out groups can be facilitated if wanted. No registration is necessary, just follow the link to join in:
https://zoom.us/j/96876583162?pwd=MXh6dkJ2SWhrSjY5dXBPWUN3TGJ4dz09

New Christian Communities gathering

10am – 1:30pm Saturday 24 February

Our next gathering for anyone involved in leading a new Christian community will be on the morning of Saturday 24 February, concluding with lunch. The Metal Methodists will be our hosts, and Rev Dr Martyn Atkins (writer on evangelism, former Principal of Cliff College) will be our guest speaker.
Leading or birthing a new Christian community can be a joyous but also exhausting and isolating experience. This morning is an opportunity for you to spend quality time with our growing network of people following similar callings. Register your free place at https://buytickets.at/sheffieldmethodistdistrict/1096686

Administrators/Office based workers!

Thursday 15 February starting at 9am

Join the South Yorkshire UCAN Local Group, as we gather to pray, share resources and encourage each other in our ministry!
Our next meeting is on Thursday 15 February when we will be looking at Churchsuite and Planning Centre – How? Why? What? Stephanie (Operations Manager at All Saints) will be demonstrating how she makes use of Churchsuite and Planning Centre to organise Sunday services, maintain databases, create events and manage bookings.
If you already use Churchsuite and or Planning Centre come along and bring some of your top tips to share with the group. If you don't, but want to know more, come along and learn something new, and if neither of those apply you can still come along and spend a morning with your fellow Admins to have a nice cuppa and a chat!
Our hosts will be the Sheffield Circuit office, The Furnival, 199 Verdon Street, Sheffield S3 9QQ. There is a small carpark below the building, and you can usually park on the street as well.
Arrive from 9.00am for a 9.15am start. As usual, there will be some pastries, fruit, tea and coffee for breakfast.

Sign up here if you would like to come: members and non-members both welcome! https://ucan.churchsuite.com/events/boijqenf

Lay Employees Retreat -- Yorkshire Plus and North East Districts

10-12 April 2024 -Wydale Hall, near Scarborough

"Hidden Treasures"
Finding and celebrating the hidden treasures and riches in ourselves and our surroundings. A range of sessions are planned to help rediscover a sense of hope about what lies ahead and find a renewed calling to see where God is at work in and with us.
As with last year's retreat, there will be a variety of options from quiet reflective to more active sessions, as well as space for one-to-one conversations, personal reflection and crafting!
Cost: £240 A subsidy of £120 may be available from your District towards this. If this has been confirmed, it will be automatically deducted from your invoice. A deposit is required to confirm your registration
Book early via EventBrite https://202404hiddentreasure.eventbrite.co.uk by 7 February.

Retreat for Presbyters, Deacons and Lay Employees

Abba Amma: Improvisations on the Lord's Prayer

with Nicola Slee at Wydale Hall from 7-9 May.

The Lord's Prayer, or the Our Father, is a prayer text and practice that unites Christians worldwide and puts us in touch with Jesus and Christians throughout the ages. People of other faiths and traditions are also drawn to this prayer. But how do we pray this prayer today, in light of our growing awareness of the dangers of patriarchal and monarchical language and thinking? On this retreat, Nicola Slee will share something of her own journey with the Lord's Prayer and suggest that we are called, not so much to repeat the prayer unvaryingly, as to live in its pattern and improvise around it to find our own authentic way of praying.
Space is limited so do register early: https://240507AbbaAmma.eventbrite.co.uk

Job Vacancies

Customer Care Team Leader (Maternity Cover)

Victoria Hall/The Foundry are seeking someone to support the management team with the delivery of a consistent, safe, and professional customer facing service to hirers, visitors, and tenants.
An application pack can be downloaded from their website here: https://www.victoriahallsheffield.org/news/the-foundry-is-expanding-mgfdf
Closing date for applications – 26 January
Interviews W/C – 29 January

Facilities and Community Manager

The post is offered via a full-time 24-month fixed term contract.
Based predominantly across two sites:
The Crossing Church & Centre (S80 2AT) and The Grove Church & Centre (DN22 6LB), with an understanding that there will, from time to time, be the need to work from other sites within the Circuit, consideration will also be given for some hours to be worked from home.
The Facilities and Community Manager will play an important part in growing commercial income, remaining proactive in reviewing, and developing systems and processes whilst managing operational elements across two of the church sites.
This work will enable church leaders and members to be released from many of the day-to-day operational matters, allowing them to focus on mission, discipleship, and growth. This is a key strategic objective.

Volunteer Coordinator

The post is offered via a fixed term contract and will be based across two sites: The Crossing Church & Centre (S80 2AT) and The Grove Church & Centre (DN22 6LB). This post is not suitable for home working.
The primary focus of the Volunteer Coordinator will be to provide overall care for existing and all new volunteers assuming responsibility for their safe recruitment, induction, and supervision, whilst acting as the first point of contact for ongoing training and support needs.
The Volunteer coordinator will work with existing teams to support current groups to develop and thrive and identify new community activities.
The Volunteer Coordinator will proactively recruit volunteers, through volunteer fairs, social media and local press advertisements, word of mouth, contacts with existing volunteers and connections with groups such as Bassetlaw Community and Voluntary Service (BCVS), for the two Church centres.
For an application form or for an informal conversation about either roles before making an application please contact Richard Dearden, Circuit Operations Manager, by email at richard.dearden@trinitycircuit.net

Closing date: 24th January 2024

Sheffield District Chair.

Closing Date: 12 noon on 19th February 2024

The Nomination Committee is seeking nominations for a Chair of the Sheffield District for appointment in September 2025 for an initial 6 year appointment.
Full details can be found on the Methodist Church website : https://www.methodist.org.uk/.../jobs-around-the-connexion/

And finally ...

Holocaust Memorial Day

Saturday 27 January is Holocaust Memorial Day. Michaela Youngson, Assistant Secretary of the Conference and Connexional Ecumenical Officer, shares this prayer.

God, source of all freedom,
on this Holocaust Memorial Day we pray to you.

We remember the freedoms stolen from millions of Jewish, Sinti, black, gay, disabled people and other groups despised by the Nazis in the lead up to and during the Second World War.

We remember the lives lost in that War and in genocides since,
in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur.

We remember that today, in the UK and around the world, millions of people face prejudice, discrimination and hostility simply because of their identity.

God, source of all freedom,
help us to find courage to challenge attitudes of hate and intolerance,
help us to work for the protection of fragile freedoms that we often take for granted.
help us to see in others your image and to love our neighbours, that all might live in peace.

In the name of Christ.
Amen