District News – 17 May 2022

This Week's News

President's Visit

We were delighted to welcome the President of the Methodist Conference, the Revd Sonia Hicks, to our District over the last few days. You may have seen some of the many photos taken on our Facebook Page
Listen again to the BBC Radio Sheffield interview where she talks about her visit to the District and about her faith journey. You can listen again here https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0c3rmnb – fast forward to 1:15:00.

Riding Lights Theatre Company... My Place – somewhere to belong

7:30pm Monday 23 May

My Place follows the stories of four children in care. An individual child, a pair of siblings and an unaccompanied child refugee. Different backgrounds and journeys, are brought to life through colourful story-telling techniques, including song and spoken word. Each story highlights the need for all vulnerable children to have a safe, stable and loving home where they can thrive.

In a last minute change of venue, Chapeltown Methodist Church is hosting My Place.
Ticket prices have been reduced to a minimum donation of £5 (but please pay the full ticket price if you can afford to do so)

To book, contact 07388 327 306 / chapeltownmethodist1@gmail.com

Find out more at https://youtu.be/h6n-g6uHa70

District Celebration Service

It is a pleasure to invite you all to attend the Celebration Service which will be held on Sunday 12 June at 3pm in Central Methodist Church, Chesterfield. We will be rejoicing with the Revd Mark Carrick as he shares his testimony as part of his preparation for ordination at this year's Methodist Conference.
We also hope to be able to live-stream the service for those not able to attend in person. More details on this nearer the time.

DYFerence Youth Takeover Event

Sat 18 June 10.30-4.30

We're really excited to launch our first district youth event being hosted at Hesley Woods. This is for youth aged 11-18. It will be an exciting day of workshops -- learning about how the district works and then joining in with onsite activities and worship. Also free goodie bags ;-)

To book your group on to the event, here's the link
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/district-takeover-youth-day-tickets-337281978477

Spirituality Group

OAKS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS – Tuesday 5th July

Join with Inderjit Bhogal and others to reflect on Oaks of righteousness (Isaiah 61:3), Oaks of Mamre (Genesis 18:1-8), and their meaning and relevance today, giving thought also to the value of trees. We will meet in the Woodhouse area at 11.30am for reflection. Following lunch at 12.30pm we will take a short walk beside beautiful trees and a stream (maximum two miles along a flat path) and conclude by 3pm. Please bring own lunch and drink. Booking is essential. The event will not go ahead if the weather is bad on the day. You will be informed by 09.30am on the day if the event is cancelled.

Bookings and location details via Rev Judith Jessop: judithjessop@tiscali.co.uk (preferred method) or 0114 2313518

Foundations for Mission and Ministry

New programme at Cliff College

Cliff College is pleased to announce the launch of a new programme for September 2022. Foundations for Mission and Ministry is a two-year, part-time programme which will prepare and equip people to serve God inside and outside the church.

Offered either entirely online or in a hybrid model, students will take six units including Integrating Theology and Practice, Pastoral Practice and Reading the New Testament. The programme is designed for people exploring or already engaged in paid or voluntary mission and ministry, and will supplement and develop the students' existing skills whilst challenging and stretching them in new areas.

For more information, please visit the Cliff College website.

District Officers' News

Communications

We circulated a questionnaire around the District in order to find out what people think about the way we share our news and communicate information. We also asked about people's habits to establish when they spent most time online, which social media channels they follow and why, and also which devices they use the most. Our intention is to improve the way we communicate, ensure we are keeping up with the latest communications trends and to reach our target audiences.
If your circuit or church would like to do the same please contact District Communications Officer Sam Roberts on comms@sheffieldmethodist.org You can read the results here.

https://www.sheffieldmethodist.org/resources/digital-resources/you-said-communications.html

Missions at Festivals resources

Festivals and events bring opportunities to be present as a group of Christians in non-religious spaces: your local village fete, a big sporting event, a nearby music festival, etc. Being missional in these places is not about fundraising, it's not about converting people, and it's not about judging anyone. It is about being a blessing; loving and listening; and unashamedly as a group of Christians witnessing to your faith.

Click here for recording of an inspirational webinar and a "how to" guide for engaging at festivals. Please let Neil Harland mission@sheffieldmethodist.org know if you already or are considering doing something like this.

GDPR

Thank you to those churches and Circuits who have already completed this year's checklist.The form may appear to be asking you to log into Google – ignore that bit!!
Please to get in touch if you are having any difficulties with this, or if you would value some support in understanding what is required.
Katrin Hackett- District Data Champion
Katrin@sheffieldmethodist.org

Events

MWiB Garden Party

Saturday 11 June – from 2-5pm

Don't forget to book your place for this FREE event at Epworth Old Rectory,Saturday 11th June, 2.00-5.00pmwith special guest speaker, afternoon tea, free tours of the Rectory,and a short act of thanksgiving for ten years of MWiB.

Booking is essential (by 1st June) for catering purposes – see attached poster for more details and booking form, or book online here.

We look forward to seeing you there!

MWiB

Mental Health First Aid Courses

Two courses will be held online and one onsite.

Online:

The online course consist of 4 sessions (all must be attended), each 2.5 hours with additional e-learning.

• Course 1: 7th June, 10th June, 14th June and 20th June, 12.30pm-3pm
• Course 2: 23rd June, 30th June, 1st July and 7th July, 7pm-9.30pm

Onsite:

The onsite course is held over two days (both days must be attended).

The next onsite course within the Yorkshire Plus region will be held at Hemsworth Methodist Church, Barnsley Road, WF9 4PU, on the 27th and 28th June, 9am-5pm

More details can be found here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/mhfa-42921803073
If you would like further information please contact the Revd Carla Quenet: quenetc@methodistchurch.org.uk / 07772 979670

Circuit Steward Training

Are you new to circuit stewarding or preparing for the role or looking for a training refresher?

Join the Learning Network for 4 weekly training sessions on the roles, responsibilities of serving in this area of leadership.
Each session will offer opportunities to explore ideas and share experiences, as well as identify areas for further action, ongoing learning & development needs in these areas:

14th June – Calling and Role of the Circuit Steward
21st June – Distinctively Methodist
28th June – Positive Working Together
5th July – Continuing to learn

Visit www.bit.ly/circuitstewardtraining to book in or find out more.

School Chaplaincy and School's Ministry Training

Date: 22/06/22 10:00
Location: The Message Trust, Tadcaster Way, Woodseats, Sheffield, S8 0RF.
Description: Christians & Sheffield Schools, The Diocese of Sheffield and The Methodist Church run a training course for those interested in school chaplaincy. The programme will include topics such as: understanding chaplaincy; school expectations and boundaries; children & spirituality (SMSC); characteristics of Generation Z; chaplaincy in a multi-faith setting; safeguarding; mental health; loss and bereavement; identity matters and more.

The 2022 course will be taking place over four days, in person, on 22nd-23rd and 29th-30th June, from 10am to 3pm, venue to be confirmed. You must be able to attend all four days. The course costs £60 for all four days including lunch. You can apply now by downloading, completing and returning the forms at this link: fiona.walton@cass-su.org.uk for more information.

Vacancies

UTU Librarian

After about 24 years of volunteering as UTU librarian, Patsy has decided the time has come to retire. We are very grateful for all she has done over the years. She will be greatly missed.
If you would like to come and volunteer in our small, friendly library, then please contact Jill in the office (office@utusheffield.org.uk) – volunteers with library experience particularly welcome!

Other News

Action for Children

Thank you to everyone who supported our Lent campaign, 'Count Your Blessings'. We definitely count you as one of our blessings; your support means so much.
In March, we launched a new campaign, 'Star in Every Child', which shines a light on the ways we can make a positive difference so that every child has the bright future they deserve. To learn more about it and how you can get involved:

• visit actionforchildren.uk/glowingstars, and
• watch our YouTube video https://youtu.be/HeEicuB_8mw

Brighter Future Ahead?: Three-generational report into top challenges children face

To mark the launch of our 'Star in every child' campaign, Action for Children published a report exploring childhood across three generations.
The report, Brighter Future Ahead?, showed the top challenges and worries children face growing up in the shadow of the pandemic amid a growing cost of living crisis.

Ask the government to tackle the cost of living crisis

Following cuts to Universal Credit, soaring energy bills and prices rising at their fastest rate in 30 years, low-income families are enduring a miserable time.
We've written an open letter to the government ministers asking them to act urgently before this crisis becomes a catastrophe.
Join us; add your name to our letter here: actionforchildren.uk/livingcosts