District News – 17 December 2024

This Week's News

Christmas Message Filmed on Peak Wesley Way

This year's Christmas Message from the President and Vice President of the Methodist Conference was filmed in out district and shares the story of Edale Chapel on the Peak Wesley Way.
Taking part in a pilgrimage is a great way to Hush The Noise, explore new places and connect with God and nature.
The Christmas, how can you make space to escape the busyness and the noise to find peace?
How will you let God speak to you in times of quiet in this Christmas period?
You can watch the video here: https://youtu.be/Ij2Uu2NhhbI
and you can find out more about the Peak Wesley Way here https://peakwesleyway.com/

Hush The Noise Resources

A reminder that our District team and One Programme Interns are recording the Candle Liturgy's from the Hush The Noise resources and creating videos which can be shared via social media or used during worship.
You will find them each week in this folder, and they take us right up to Sunday 5th January.
Hush the Noise Advent 2024

Mission 3vangelical for a Post-Christian World

Urban Theology Union

No need for a dull January! Our stand-alone Module B of the Urban Theology Union's Mission 3vangelical for a Post-Christian World launches on the 20 January 2025, 12 noon on Zoom.

Led by Revd Dr Rob Hoch-Yidokodiltona, this Certificate equips you for ministry in a post-Christian world by . . .

• Grasping how Mark inverts the -isms of Christendom with the radical 3vangelical message of Jesus' saving health and inclusive community;
• Shepherding a fearless and radical inventory of your role, soul, and context;
• Hearing, in this Module, the stories of "Odd Evangelicals" (First Nations, LGBTQ, birth activists, and Climate Choir activists as they "sing truth to power") describe their initiatives in ways that can inspire and shape by way of "passing on what we have received" through lived experience;
• Naming the 10 Joys and 10 Woes of your community -- and planning an initiative of salvage and repair after the strange way of Jesus.

The Mission 3vangelical Certificate includes three modules. Each module is 5-sessions long. Modules can be taken consecutively or individually. Module A supplies the biblical, theological, and personal basis for Modules B and C. This is not a traditionally assessed course but is based on peer learning and personal formation.

• Module A: Mission 3vangelical: Mark's Jesus & the World God so Loves | 30 September 2024, 14 October, 28 October, 4 November, and 18 November
• Module B: Mission 3vangelical: Personality, Provocation, and Repair | 20 January 2025, 3 February, 10 February, 24 February and 10 March.
• Module C: Mission 3vangelical: Going to Your Galilee |28 April, 12 May, 9 June, 23 June, and 7 July. Co-leader Revd Dr Neil Johnson

Cost: £90 per module or £250 for all three. Limited bursary available.
Interested? Do get in touch with us and we will tell you more!
Director of Theological Studies, Revd Dr Rob Hoch-Yidokodiltona
c/o UTU office: Tel: 0114 270 9907 office@utusheffield.org.uk
Urban Theology Union, Victoria Hall,
Norfolk Street, Sheffield S1 2JB
www.utusheffield.org.uk

Events

The Longest Night Carol Service

The Longest Night is a carol service with a difference! The Metal Methodists will join with St Paul's Church in Norton Lees, Sheffield, on Saturday 21 December 2024 at 6.30pm.
The event will bring metal and alternative music, a chance to lay down burdens and to find hope in the noise in a carol service like no other. Expect the amps to be turned up! Refreshments will also be served.
St Paul's Church is on Angerford Avenue, Norton Lees, Sheffield, S8 9BG. Further details of The Longest Night service can be found via the Metal Methodist's Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/metalmethodist/

Carols by Candlelight

Some of the services taking place onSunday 22 December
Join Litton Methodist Chapel, near Tideswell, for a Festive Carol Service at 4pm with music from Cressbrook Band. The service will be led by Revd Fran Johnson.
Refreshments afterwards

St Andrew's Psalter Lane Church invite you to join them at 6.00 pm on Sunday 22nd December for this very special service of readings and carols offered by the beauty of candlelight;
the service will be followed by refreshments

Hush the noise

Tuesday 24 December 10am-2pm

Carterknowle Methodist Church (Edgedale Road, Sheffield S7 2BQ) will be open for quiet reflection on Christmas Eve – a time to pause amidst all the bustle of Christmas preparations. All are welcome

Christingle Crib Service

Tuesday 24 December 4:00 pm

This joyful celebration service, led by Revd Cheryl Collins, will bring everyone together to share the light of Jesus and spread a message of hope!
We would love you to come and join us at St Andrew's Psalter Lane Church
Our collection at this service helps to support the vital work of the Children's Society

Positively Rural- A Place to Call Home?

Thurs 16 Jan, 1pm

Exploring rural homelessness and how it manifests itself in rural contexts as so often it is hidden, overlooked and disregarded by many agencies as to its existence.
Book your free ticket here: Positively Rural: A place to call home – 2 Tickets, Thu 16 Jan 2025 at 13:00 | Eventbrite
Positively Rural is an online community hosted by the Learning Network and is open to anyone of any denomination involved in rural ministry, including volunteers, lay workers and clergy.

Mental Health and Christianity Conference

Explore and Reflect on how we can support others and ourselves

On Saturday 22nd March 2025 from 9.30 a.m. to 3.30 p.m. at Wesley Hall Methodist Church, Crookes, Sheffield, S10 1UD
The Conference is aimed at all those, ordained or lay, who are working or volunteering with people in churches and Christian organisations. However, it is open to anyone who is interested. The Conference aims to deliver a high standard of information based upon both science and experience while respecting and incorporating the Christian faith. We will do this through our choice of speakers and workshop leaders who will offer both practical and academic information. We hope participants will find information and inspiration during the Conference that will help them support others and themselves.
Lunch and refreshments will be provided throughout the day.
There will be a safe space and a Mental Health First Aider/Chaplain available during the day.
https://MHandCConference.eventbrite.co.uk

Regional Retreat

The next regional retreat for presbyters, deacons and lay employees will be led by John Bell from the Iona Community from 4-6 June at Wydale Hall.
In 'Peddling the Past, Marking Time, or Moving Forward?' John will explore what the freedom is to which God calls us, what must be laid down and what picked up. And all this in the light of the scriptures which deliver new gifts to different eras.
Full details including booking can be found here: https://240604JohnBell.eventbrite.co.uk
Do book early – places are going fast!

And finally ...

For those looking for something a bit different – this recipe comes from The Briery Retreat Centre.

NUT ROAST (serves 4)

Ingredients:

2 medium onions--finely chopped
1 small green pepper--finely chopped
3 sticks celery--finely chopped
1 carrot--peeled and grated
85g unsalted mixed nuts--chopped
115 g wholemeal breadcrumbs
1 level tsp dried mixed herbs
Freshly ground black pepper
2 eggs--lightly beaten
1 tbsp. tomato puree
1 level tbsp. sunflower seeds

Method:

1. Mix the onions, green pepper, celery, carrot, nuts, breadcrumbs and mixed herbs in a bowl. Season with black pepper, then work in the eggs and tomato puree to bind the mixture.
2. Spoon the mixture into a lightly oiled 8" x 4" non-stick loaf tin. Press it down firmly with the back of a spoon. Sprinkle the sunflower seeds evenly over the mixture.
3. Cook the roast in the oven Mark 4/180° for about 1¼hours, or until the top is crisp and a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean.
4. Ease the sides of the roast gently away from the tin with a round ended knife. Turn the loaf out carefully onto a board with sunflower seeds uppermost.
5. Serve up thick slices along with all the festive trimmings!

COME, GOD-WITH-US

written by Thom M Shuman

Come, God-with-us:
who braves our rejection and hurt,
who holds us in acceptance and love.

Come, God-for-us:
who whispers in our ears
that we -each of us--
are beloved children.

Come, God-under-us:
who cradles us in arms that never grow weary;
whose lap has room enough for all.

Come, God-over-us:
who watches in the long silence of the night,
that we might rest in peace.

Come, God-beside-us:
who steadies us when we falter,
who lifts us up when we fall.

Come, God-behind-us:
who picks up all the faded dreams
we drop along the way
and patchworks them into hope.

O Come, O Come, Immanuel:
and we will rejoice for ever!