District News – 16 June 2026

Stories from across the District

Hathersage Millennium Garden Open Afternoon

Sunday 21 June, 2-4pm

The Millennium Garden is a semi-wild community garden run by volunteers in the grounds of Hathersage Methodist Church. As part of Open Wild Gardens Weekend (20-21 June) the Millennium Garden is holding a special Open Afternoon on Sunday 21 June. Although the garden is open to visit all the time, the Open Afternoon is a special opportunity to meet the volunteers over refreshments, have a garden tour, find out more about the history of the garden and share ideas for the future.
Visit Open Wild Gardens to see all the local gardens that are open across the Hope Valley on 20-21 June

Community Weekend

Christ Church, Stocksbridge

We hear so much in the media and from some politicians that our communities and even our country is broken. We don't believe this is the case in our valley. When Deepcar Methodist Church and Stocksbridge United Reformed Church merged to form Christ Church LEP in 2008, one of its principal aims was to reach out into the community and provide a place where people could come together.
We want to showcase the community that has developed within Christ Church and the links to many groups in the area. Many people are moving into the new developments in the valley and we hope this will be an opportunity to for them to discover what goes on.
A full weekend of activities from 6pm on Friday 19th June to Sunday 21st June is planned.

Large Print hymnbooks

We have had another request for large-print hymnbooks, either Hymns and Psalms, or Singing the Faith. This is to help with worship in a care home.
If your church has any that can be donated, please contact Erica Dunmow edunelm@gmail.com.

District News and Updates

Funding for New Churches

Our District Leading Team and the Connexional Evangelism and Growth Team have approved six years of funding for two New Churches:

Toll Bar is a semi-rural hamlet on the edge of Doncaster, and a community with multiple deprivations and currently no church. The new church will emerge in relationship with the local primary school, TARA and others in the community. It builds from trust already established over several years through the Circuit’s “RE Team” school outreach programme.

Metal Methodist is an online, and a developing onsite, New Place for New People. It is open to everyone but primarily shaped for to people from alternative music subcultures (metal, hard rock, punk, grunge) and/or those who may feel on the margins of mainstream culture and uncomfortable in more traditional forms of church. From its beginnings in Sheffield, its online reach expands around the UK and internationally. Metal Methodists have previously received short term Digital NPNP seed funding, but this longer term grant gives opportunity for the Metal Methodists to broaden the places where they are present and people they can connect with.

First Art of Welcome grant

Our first Art of Welcome grant has been awarded to Manor Church & Community Project. This ecumenical charity and expression of church on the Manor estate in Sheffield will be working with the diverse groups of people who attend their regular groups, and with those connected to a wide range of community partners, to create a mosaic for the outside of their Temple Park Centre and an art exhibition. Art making workshops will be tailored to cater for a range of needs (e.g. structured & unstructured, multi-generational and age specific)

Read the full story here
To see how your church can host an Art of Welcome, go to https://www.sheffieldmethodist.org/theartofwelcome.html

Host an Eclipse Party

£500 grants now available

There will be a solar eclipse across the UK on Wednesday 12 August, the last before 2090. Methodist churches are encouraged to use this as an opportunity to host eclipse parties – opportunities to invite local communities to come together for a once in a lifetime shared meaningful experience, during which we can gently and appropriately share something of the good news of Jesus.
Excellent comprehensive guidance on how to plan and organise an eclipse party – and details of a webinar briefing on 28 May – is available online at https://www.methodist.org.uk/for-churches/evangelism-growth/practise-evangelism/day-of-outreach/
A simple application form for a £500 district grant is available here: Eclipse Grant Application

Other News

Screening of The People's Emergency Briefing,

16 July, 7pm, Sheffield Hallam University Adsetts Lecture Theatre, Sheffield S1 1WB

The National Emergency Briefing campaign aims to get scientists’ briefings on the climate and nature emergency shown to the public.
A Sheffield wide screening of 45-min film, followed by a guided discussion with residents, community groups, local businesses, councillors and MPs — sharing clear evidence and creating space for constructive conversation together. To book click here.
There are several other Sheffield screenings:

• Friday 19 June, Union Street Co-Working, Union Street. To book click here
• Thursday 25 June, Dore Parish Church
• Monday 6 July, Showroom Cinema

The full map of screenings is at nebriefing.org/screening-map

Upcoming Events

Metal Methodist Worship

Saturday 20 June / Saturday 18 July 3:00 pm

Metal Methodist Worship will take place at St Paul's Methodist Church, Dronfield in June and July. Come along at 3pm on Saturday 20 June and Saturday 18 July for chat, heavy music and worship with an alternative vibe. All welcome! Please get in touch with Kate, Metal Methodist Development Worker, for more info on katemetalmethodist@outlook.com

Family Fun Afternoon at St Andrew’s Psalter Lane Church -

Sunday 28th June 2026, 12.00 – 3.00 pm

Junior Church invites you to a Summer Family Fun Afternoon! There will be fun, games, bouncy castle and slide, crafts, and lots more. Bring your trikes, bikes and scooters, as we’ll clear the carpark of cars!
This event is suitable for children of all ages and their families, so please come along and invite anyone you know. Please bring your own picnic, but drinks, and ice-cream will be provided. Children, please bring an adult with you. There is no charge for this event.
For more information, please contact Sophie 07443630571.

Rooted – Cultivating and Tending the Fruits of the Spirit

Saturday 11 July

A retreat day to come, cultivate and tend to your garden, check your fruits and join in the shared work of discipleship.
Set in the lovely village of Calverton, Rooted is a day of retreat and reflection for women, created to gently nurture faith, deepen trust, and strengthen fellowship.
Together, we will explore the Fruits of the Spirit through Bible study, conversation, and activities, with plenty of space to breath and relax. This is not about getting everything 'right', but about noticing – where is God is already at work? Where are the tender buds of growth? What needs my care and attention today?

Find out more and book your place

Office workers' gathering

Tuesday 14 July

The next Gathering for all those involved in church administration will be held at Cemetery Road Baptist Church, Napier Road, Sheffield.
This is a great time to meet up with others in similar roles, to share experiences and good practice and to offer support and encouragement.
It is organised by the UCAN (UK Church Administrators Network), but is open to all.
To help with the catering, we do ask you book in so we know how many to expect:
Book here

Vacancies

Youth Worker wanted

Bents Green Methodist Church are looking for a Youth Worker to maintain their successful clubs for primary-age and secondary age children and to play an active part in supporting and developing otehr activities for young people, families and the wider church community.
This is a part-time vacancy, 20 hours a week to be worked flexibly.
For more information and an application form email johnwilkins73@gmail.com.
The deadline for applications is midday on 22 June.

And finally ...

a prayer for Pride Month

Loving God, we thank you for the richness of diversity which you have created.
As we go through the month of June, when the LGBTQ+ community celebrate Pride, we ask of you:
Teach us the real meaning of 'All are welcome', where all are fully and richly included in every aspect of our Christian lives.
Reach out to those who do not know you yet but are seeking.
Work on the hearts of those who cannot accept us, that they may have a change of heart and mandate a willingness to be inclusive.
We thank you God for the love you give and we trust that even now, hearts are being touched by the power of your Holy Spirit.
Amen.
shared by Pam Gold,
Coordinator of the Solidarity Circle for LGBT+.