District News – 16 July 2024

This Week's News

Transforming Mission grant – The Terminus Initiative

The District Leading Team has awarded a grant of £20,000 to support growth of The Terminus Initiative, an ecumenical charity working in the economically marginalised Lowedges, Batemoor and Jordanthope estates in Sheffield. Terminus are moving into larger premises and taking on additional staff as they increase the numbers of people they support, strengthen local partnerships, and prepare to develop new sources of sustainable income. For Terminus, fruitfulness includes: inviting into safe space in which people feel loved and cared for; exploring God, Jesus and the Bible; lives being shaped by relationship with Christ; nurturing new leaders.
Further information about Transforming Mission grants can be found at https://www.sheffieldmethodist.org/what-we-do/finance-fundraising/mission-grants.html

Gill on Tour

Read Gill's final reflections on her last month as President of the Conference : Gill on Tour

Metal Compline

Friday 19th July 2024, 7:00pm at The Grove, Retford

Come as you are to this safe, inclusive space.
Receive rest from the journey and food for the soul.
Discover the Divine in heavy metal, the gothic and alternative music.
You're invited to this multimedia act of worship and prayer which draws upon the ancient Christian rhythm of Compline (night prayer) along with heavy metal, goth and alternative music subcultures. A celebration of the God for all who is in the noise and the silence, the light and the dark and invites each of us to come as we are.

Cliff College

Foundations units available from September 2024

Cliff College's Foundations units are 15-week online units covering essential topics for Christian mission and ministry today. This September, you can choose from two units – Integrating Theology and Practice or Reading the New Testament. Both units offer a combination of live seminars and content for you to work through at your own pace, as well as opportunities to contribute to discussion boards and learn from other students' thoughts and reflections.
'I really enjoyed this course. Theological reflection is a helpful tool for ministry and our own Christian walk, and engaging with it has been enriching for me.'
Integrating Theology and Practice student
'The course offers a comprehensive overview and has helped broaden my understanding of the New Testament in context.'
Reading the New Testament student
Both units start on 30 September 2024; applications close at the end of August 2024. For more information, visit the Cliff College website or contact enquiries@cliffcollege.ac.uk.

Urban Theology Union

Mission 3vangelical for a Post-Christian World

Have you experienced the saving health of Jesus and, at the same time, felt dread at the "E" word (E-for evangelism)? Or felt as if "mission" is hopelessly entangled with the violence of its colonial and imperial past? The Urban Theology Union's Mission 3vangelical for a Post-Christian World is designed for the Odd Evangelical, a beautifully complicated person who nevertheless wants to share the beautifully complicated story of Jesus' generosity, love, and healing.
Led by Revd Dr Rob Hoch-Yidokodiltona (Athabascan Nation), with Revd Dr Neil Johnson
For more information: https://utusheffield.org.uk/2024/07/11/mission-3vangelical-for-a-post-christian-world/

What Should We Do With Our Building

A new short guide has been produced to help Churches to think about the future of their buildings. The guide provides an overview of options for keeping a building open and also gives information about how Methodists can worship together as a Church without a building.
It signposts to resources on the website and to people in the Connexional Team and TMCP who can advise on available options.
The earlier a Church starts thinking about the future, the more options they'll have, particularly if they want to keep their building open.
Click here to to read and download the leaflet.

District Office News

District Database Check

Every year, as part of our GDPR compliance, I email (or write) to everyone who is on the District Database to check that the information we hold is correct. On Friday I sent out the email to around 800 people, and I am really pleased that over half have already replied. to the email.
Whilst I do appreciate that some people may prefer to give me a call as they may find emailing difficult, I would please request that if at all possible you do reply to the email rather than phoning the office. That way I can see immediately what information was sent out, and if there are any questions I can usually answer them without the need for a discussion. This also makes the best use of my time. as I will set aside time to concentrate on this task, rather than having to swap between my work on hand to answer the phone and write down information to then look up and correct.
Thank you!

Events

Coat of Hopes

9 July – 8 August

Did you visit the Coat while it was in Sheffield Cathedral or perhaps you saw it outside the Town Hall taking part in the Climate Change vigil on Monday.
It is now traveling round the area, going to Bents Green, Carterknowle, Bamford, St Andrew Psalter Lane, Hathersage and Edale.
Visit the website to find out more: Coat of Hopes
On 8 August it will start the next leg of its journey, stopping overnight at Broom, and Tickhill, before going on towards Winterton.

The Undivided Self: A Whirlow Autumn Retreat based at the Centre.

19/20 October

Have you been interested in attending one of our retreats but not been able to be away from home? This year, we are running a weekend retreat from the Centre, so you can enjoy all that a retreat has to offer AND the comfort of your own bed at night. Mid-day meals will be included (and the plans for them sound delicious).
If you'd like to know more, and to book a place, you can do so here.

Vacancies

Church Community Development Worker

Brightholmlee Methodist Church

We seek to appoint a Church Community Development Worker at Brightholmlee Methodist Church on a part-time 3-year Fixed Term Contract.

Main Responsibilities:
Consult and collaborate with organisations and people in the Brightholmlee and Wharncliffe side village area to foster community building within the area to foster a vibrant community ethos within the village
Identify how the church and the community centre could develop sustainable activities, in partnership with individuals and groups in the community, which would support and enhance the continued existence of these two community assets as focal points for the village.

Identify specific regular community activity, events, needs or support that would make a difference, and draw together volunteers to establish such activities where agreed with the relevant stakeholders.

Support such developments with support for planning, grant applications, local fund-raising, training and governance to ensure their effective operation. Such support, for example training, would include bought-in services as necessary.
Report in writing to the Church Council and Community Centre Management on initial research findings, and thereafter report to and consult with them on development activity, on a regular basis, including attendance at formal church council meetings four times a year.
We encourage enquiries and conversations about the post to the Rev Ian Lucraft. Please, in the first instance, direct these by email to ianlucraft@btinternet.com

For an application form, please email Mrs Gill Adams at gilladams47@gmail.com
Closing Date: 21 August 2024

And finally ...

As the news reels roll on to other corners of the world in crisis, Gaza, Palestine is still far far from being resolved, and this prayer once again focuses our thoughts andprayers, and hopes for peace with justice in the Holy Land.

'Followers of Jesus... Crying is now our responsibility'.

Just as Jesus wept over Jerusalem--at the site of this church on the Mount of Olives
Now is the time to cry and mourn.
Our tears are the bridge between brutality and humanity.
Our tears are the salty doors that help us see another reality.
Our tears comfort soulless nations dry mentality.
Our tears the ditch that the rivers of animosity hold.
For those who mourn, weep with us to reflect their friendship.
For the poor children, cry with us demanding sanity.
For crying mothers, reject violence and stupidity.
To love your enemies and to cry with them is the advice of divinity.
Blessing those who curse is the way to authentic spirituality.
Shedding tears of mercy and compassion is the true mercy.
Pray with tears to spread equity.
Followers of Jesus, Crying is now our responsibility.
Cry not only for your friends, but also for your enemies.
Rev. Yohanna Katanacho....Nazareth.