District News – 16 September 2025

This Week's News

Rooted and Relevant

Last Saturday was a great time of gathering, conferring, learning and sharing. The day was live-steamed on Zoom and the video will be live soon on our You-Tube channel, so you can watch it here: https://youtu.be/glEWqsmTrig
Thanks to all involved, especially Trey Hall for his inspiring keynote address, and the workshop leaders: Heather Morris, Trey Hall, Hamish Leese and Erica Dunmow. All handouts will be available to download from the website soon.

New Methodist Youth President welcomed

The new Methodist Youth President, Genesis Padgett (them/they), aged 19, was welcomed to their new role with a service at their home church, Emmanuel Methodist Church in Barnsley on Sunday morning, 14 September. Also attending were the President of the Methodist Conference, the Revd Richard Andrew, and the Vice-President, Matthew Forsyth, along with family and friends of Genesis.
Read the full story here

One in Sport

Episode 2 of One in Sport is now available to stream on Spotify.
In this podcast Local Preacher Tom (Peak Circuit), and Lay Local Pastor Brad (Derbyshire North East Methodist Circuit) speak with Mini Athletics Coach Elly Rogers.
Elly speaks us through her life, struggles and joys that sport has given her leading up to her role as the coach for Mini Athletics Sheffield and Rotherham.
They also talk about women in sport, mental health, marathons, and how children in sport have vital roles for all of us to learn from, especially in unity.
Grab a cuppa and take a listen.
https://open.spotify.com/episode/5ptHc4ltHD7g5KezCn06RZ

The Flag of St George

One church's response

The main road in Killamarsh is full of flags, so we felt the need to respond...
Internally we have a display about refugees, and outside is a flag welcoming diversity. You can read their full response to this on their website here: https://www.killamarshmethodistchurch.co.uk/493/The-flag-of-St-George
How are other churches responding?

Action for Children

Faith Space – 22nd October

Our next Faith Space is coming up on Wednesday 22nd October at 2:30pm. At the event, we will share some of our exciting plans for Christmas.
We're delighted to have a talk by Rachel Lampard, Director for Social Justice and Social Action for the Methodist Church. Rachel will share thoughts about how our faith calls us to be justice seekers and why it's even more important now for vulnerable children and families.
We'll also have a special message form our Chief Executive Officer, Paul Carberry.
I hope to see you there! You can sign up to Faith Space here: https://forms.office.com/e/y2701CkN5e

District Officers Update

District Administrator

Due to a family emergency, Katrin is working remotely for the time being. She will respond to emails and any phone messages left when time allows, but this may not be on the same day. Do still get in touch with news and events to go into the newsletter, but please if at all possible, make use of the online form as that does simplify things! https://www.sheffieldmethodist.org/contact/forms/submit-an-event.html
She does appreciate that her role does enable this to happen, allowing her to support her mother-in-law while her step-father-in-law is in hospital. She knows that the family will be upheld in prayer and is grateful for that reassurance.

Regional Officer for Safeguarding Update:

Safeguarding Sunday 2025 – The Communications pack has now been launched.

Safeguarding Sunday 2025 is on 16 November 2025 – Publicity says: ‘Defending the rights of vulnerable people is integral to Christian faith and teaching. Sadly, the church hasn’t always done this well. But we have a chance to change that. We are already seeing many churches take the responsibility to safeguard those in their care seriously. The theme this year is – ‘Action speaks louder!’ It's time to move beyond just talking about creating safer places, and take action towards doing it!’
Last year over 5,000 churches took part in Safeguarding Sunday, with an estimated reach of 250,000 people. This year, with your help, we can make an even greater impact to vulnerable people across the UK’
Read more on their website: Safeguarding Sunday
The 2025 Communications pack has been launched and can be downloaded here: Safeguarding Sunday Communications Pack 2025.pdf
As ever, if you have any questions or concerns, please give me a call on 07483 362 735 or email me at hilla@methodistchurch.org.uk
Many thanks
Alison Hill

Events

EcoFest25

Saturday 27 September from 10am-2pm

Emmanuel Methodist Church, Barnsley are hosting another EcoFestival on the theme : Healthy Planet, healthy you.Free fun for the family with displays, activities and stalls. Plus – bring your bike for a free check!

Powered by Hope

Manchester, Saturday 4 October

A one-day gathering in Manchester on Saturday 4th October, organised by Christian Aid. It is aimed at Christians concerned about global justice and interested in how they can put faith into action. Through worship, panels, workshop and testimony we'll explore the power of hope in testing times. We aim to gather and inspire the curious alongside the seasoned activist to stir up the power of hope and put faith and love into action – with a focus in the workshop programme on what they can take back to their churches to help them on their journeys in justice-seeking. Speakers include Dr Ruth Valerio, Sarah Corbett and Revd Ronald Nathan. More details and booking at https://www.christianaid.org.uk/events/powered-by-hope

MWiB – Sheffield District

Annual Service of Dedication Thursday 16th October 2025

11.00am at Clifton Methodist Church, Lister Street, Rotherham, S65 2AX. The preacher will be Rev Louise Makin (Rotherham & Dearne Valley Circuit).
Please bring your own lunch – tea/coffee will be provided
Following this Ken Dunn MBE will give a presentation on Africa’s Gift – the MWiB Sheffield District’s Partnership Charity
The latest MWiB Newsletter is out now and can be found on their website: https://mwib.org.uk/

John Wesley & the Church Fathers

Online Short Course – Wesley House, Cambridge

This online short course encourages a deeper understanding of the Wesleyan tradition's rootedness in early Christianity. Participants will learn about how the Methodist movement, which Wesley founded as a prophetic revival within the "one, holy, catholic and apostolic church" was shaped by these sources.
The course is led by the Revd Canon Dr Jason Radcliff who has published widely on the Church Fathers, Orthodoxy and the Oxford Movement.
Dates: Tuesdays 7, 14, 21 & 28 October 2025 at 7-9pm (UK Time)
Cost: Early bird offer of £100 until 15 August (then £120)
Registration: Please email office@wesley.cam.ac.uk to book your place

New Churches Gathering – Saturday 18 October

For anyone who is involved in leading (in any capacity), or preparing to lead, a new Christian community. Not just the “person in charge”, if you have one. Leading or birthing a New Church or Christian community can be a joyous but also exhausting and isolating experience. This morning is an opportunity for you to spend quality time with the growing network of fellow pioneers following similar callings in other places across or affiliated to Sheffield Methodist District.
We are excited to have as our guest speaker Rev Simon Sutcliffe – one of the first "Venture FX" Methodist pioneers, university chaplain and published theologian.
Dinnington Methodists and Peter Farmer, their recently appointed community pioneer, will be our hosts and will lead us in worship and tell us of their plans to create safe spaces for marginalized people to explore faith and feel a sense of belonging.
Reserve your space and free lunch

Eco Church – Lament and Hope

Saturday 18 October, Rotherham Minister

As part of our refreshed district strategy for resourcing mission, we hope to grow the number of Silver Award Eco Churches in our district from the current six to at least 18 by 2030. More details about support available will be confirmed in the coming months.
In the meantime, Sheffield Diocese are hosting an Eco Church event – open to all – with creative arts and music in Rotherham Minister on Saturday 18 October. This will include performance of a hymn written by local Methodist Jenny Carpenter and the Stations of Lament art exhibition created by the late Rev Louise Carr, who served in our Barnsley and Sheffield circuits
More details at https://www.sheffield.anglican.org/event/lament-and-hope/

Vacancies

Treasurer needed

UTU needs a new Treasurer
We do need a new treasurer to support us in our work. Andrew, our current treasurer, is retiring at the AGM from the role after about 20 years of service, overseeing a number of major transitions.
He writes, “The task will be less complex as we transition to a more agile form of working. The major decisions of selling properties and closing the office have now all been taken and we can now focus on developing new areas of work.”
The key tasks are: -
To oversee the financial workings of UTU by viewing online our Quick-books accounts and online banking.

• To be the second authoriser for online payments
• To have a good knowledge of spreadsheets
• To provide financial reports to Trustees and to keep under review financial projections.

Andrew will offer support and guidance as and when needed to ensure that the new Treasurer can settle in.
Please contact Andrew at andrewcrowley03@talktalk.net to express and interest.

And finally...

A prayer for the spirit of evangelism

Loving God, We give you thanks for those early Methodists who, “obsessed with salvation” and Spirit-filled, felt compelled to share with others the message of your transforming love and to demonstrate this good news in practical ways to the poor and needy. Lives were transformed as thousands believed.
Speak to us again, we pray; inspire us afresh, that members of congregations in the Methodist Church in Ireland may once again be compelled by the love of Christ to share the good news throughout the island of Ireland. Equip us by the power of the Spirit that we may not only be involved in practical and charitable action, but also be able to speak of the transforming love we have experienced. Amen.
Elaine Barnett, Lay Leader of the Conference, Methodist Church in Ireland