District News – 17 October 2023

This Week's News

Adult Mental Health Awareness training

Monday 13 November online

Adult Mental Health Aware is a half day introduction to help raise awareness of Mental Health. It includes a basic knowledge of some mental health issues and how to help. During the course you will learn:

• What mental health is and how to challenge stigma
• An introduction to some common mental health issues
• Confidence to support someone who may be experiencing mental ill health
• Ways to look after your own mental health and support wellbeing

The course will be delivered by trainers Revd Carla Quenet and Kirstie Hall from the Methodist Church who are accredited Instructor Members approved by MHFA England to deliver Mental Health First Aid courses.
Cost: Usually the course costs £125 +VAT, however if you are connected to the Methodist Church, this course has been subsidised to £25 (none refundable). To book your place please use: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/adult-mental-health-aware-half-day-tickets-584975857537. Please note, by registering for the course you are committing to paying for, and attending, the full session. Once your payment is made you will receive email instructions to register your place with Mental Health First Aid England. It is essential that you follow the link in the email to complete your booking.
For more information email Carla (quenetc@methodistchurch.org.uk) or visit www.mhfaengland.org

Make a Difference ... Become a Co-Chair of Methodist Women in Britain

We are Methodist Women in Britain, a charity whose focus is for women, for justice and for Christ. We are looking to recruit a new Co-Chair to work in tandem with the present Co-Chair, Maggie Woods.
As Co-Chair of the Charity, you will be a representative for Methodist Women in Britain and the Methodist Church. Currently the work is shared on a predominantly North/South basis, but this is open to negotiation. There will also be an opportunity to have an overseas visit during your term of office. The role brings many wide-ranging opportunities to engage with people inside and outside the Methodist Church. You will have the support of other Trustees, the Executive Team, and a network of local Methodist women to help you guide and shape the future direction of the movement.
This is a volunteer position with reasonable expenses reimbursed.
If you would like further information or would like to arrange an informal chat about the role, please contact thepresident.mwib@gmail.com.

Christmas Praise in the City

Tuesday 12 December – Victoria Hall, Sheffield

Join Cliff College, Victoria Hall, The Foundry and the Sheffield Methodist Circuit for this unforgettable evening of festive joy!
Get ready to immerse yourself in the spirit of Christmas as we celebrate the most wonderful time of the year and look forward to the coming of Christ at Christmas. Sing along with heartwarming carols, listen to the Salvation Army brass band, hear an uplifting message and soak up the Christmas atmosphere.
We can't wait to welcome you to this magical evening! To help us estimate numbers, please reserve your space here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/christmas-praise-in-the-city-tickets-726694662297

District Safeguarding Update

Domestic Abuse Seminar (online)

Saturday 25th November 2023 -10.00am – 1.00pm

Domestic abuse is widespread. It continues to affect people from all walks of life, including churchgoers and those with whom we came into contact through our activities.
It can be hard to believe that domestic abuse happens within Church, but research, conducted by Restored, devastatingly shows that 1 in 4 churchgoers have experienced abuse in a current relationship.
The Methodist Church holds that domestic abuse in all its forms is unacceptable and incompatible with the Christian faith and a Christian way of living. This means ensuring that members of the Methodist Church have an awareness and understanding of domestic abuse and know how to respond appropriately and effectively. Then when victims disclose abuse, they can expect to be listened to, taken seriously, supported and referred to local professional services, as appropriate.

Speakers:

Bekah Legg, CEO of Restored; A Christian charity whose mission is to speak up about the realities of violence against woman and girls, and to equip the church to stand against domestic abuse and support survivors.
Bekah will introduce the subject and provide an overview of the current situation in this country.
Karen Allen – Connexional Safeguarding Team and Chair of the Methodist Church Domestic Abuse Planning Group, helped to produce the domestic abuse policy and procedures. She has worked with both adult and child survivors of domestic abuse offering practical and emotional support and providing a range of therapeutic interventions.
Karen will outline Methodist resources and Connexional DA policy, both devised to help and guide local churches.
Kerry Griffiths, training lead from IDAS: the largest specialist charity in the North supporting people affected by domestic abuse and sexual violence. IDAS support is open to anyone irrespective of age, sex, gender, ethnicity, disability, or immigration status.
Kerry will explain who IDAS are, what they do, and talk about some of the local groups they work with.

Advanced Registration is essential.

https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJElceGgpzooHtbSbVc3P9wqLdEALMwW-7Wo

Planned and organised by members of the Sheffield District Safeguarding Group

Events

Whirlow Spirituality Centre

The Seasons of Our Souls

First Four Wednesdays of November 7-8:45pm, £20
Led by Whirlow Chaplain Alison Richards, a series of four connected evenings exploring the seasons as a way to consider our inner lives and spiritual journey without assumptions about our faith, church membership and identity. More details and booking through via the Whirlow website.

Ebor Lecture

22 November at 4pm

The Ebor Lectures in Theology and Public Life were established in 2006 in York, UK to promote conversation across a diversity of religious beliefs and issues of public concern. Speakers have included politicians, social activists, journalists, peace-workers, authors and many others.
The first talk of 2023-24 will be given by Dr Hannah Barham-Brown, LGBTQ+ and disability rights activist, delivered hybrid and free for in-person or online attendance.
Tickets available via Eventbrite here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ebor-lecture-relaunch-with-dr-hannah-barham-brown-tickets-680023587857.

Vacancies

Caretaker

St Andrews Psalter Lane Church, Sheffield

An exciting opportunity has arisen to apply for the vacancy of caretaker at St Andrews Psalter Lane Church. This part time role is for 21 hours a week on a flexible basis over 6 days (Monday – Saturday). The job includes on site accommodation as the role requires the premises to be opened and closed each day and therefore will necessitate an irregular working pattern. The accommodation is a one bedroom flat on two floors with additional access to a large cellar and 2 large attic rooms which could be used as bedrooms. It has its own separate entrance and small garden area. The role will also involve manual handling work.
The majority of the role relates to overseeing the activities within Shirley House, the building adjoining the church, which has long term tenants, rooms for hire and the caretaker's accommodation. The caretaker will manage the diaries for room bookings and church bookings, be responsible for cleaning the properties, whilst liaising with the Minister and the church administrator.
The rate of pay will be £12 an hour and there will be a monthly deduction (currently £276/month) for the provision of accommodation.
The successful candidate will:

• Be self-motivated and flexible
• Be a great team player but able to work effectively unsupervised when required
• Be able to prioritise workload and manage time effectively
• Have good practical skills to attend to small repairs
• Take pride in looking after our buildings and implementing efficient cleaning routines
• Be willing to learn about important policies such as Health and Safety and then help implement them where required

An application pack is available here: https://standrewspsalterlane.org.uk/about-us/vacancies/
Closing date for Applications and CVs : 24th October
Interviews will be the week beginning 30th October
Send your Application/CV and covering letter to the church office:
St Andrews Psalter Lane Church, c/o Shirley House, 31 Psalter Lane, Sheffield S11 8YL
Or email the application to office@standrewspsalterlane.org.uk
Start date on or after 1st January 2024

Director of Music

St Andrews Psalter Lane Church, Sheffield – A Local Ecumenical Partnership

An exciting opportunity has arisen to apply for the vacancy of Director of Music at St Andrews Psalter Lane Church. This part time role is for up to 13 hours a month on a flexible basis including Sundays.
Worship is central to all that we are and is creative and varied, drawing on both Anglican and Methodist traditions. Our worship pattern includes regular services of Holy Communion, All Age Worship, Taizé services and all the usual special services for the great Festivals throughout the year. There is a choir which currently comes together for special services and a small music group who play when asked.
The rate of pay will be £21 per hour
We are looking for someone who can:

• Play the piano and the organ (or is willing to learn to play the organ) and/or other instruments
• Has an active desire to be collaborative, creative, contemporary and open to all styles and genres of music.
• Respond well to the changing and eclectic needs our worship requires.
• Is self-motivated and flexible
• Is a great team player but able to work effectively unsupervised when required
• Is able to prioritise workload and manage time effectively

An application pack is available here: https://standrewspsalterlane.org.uk/about-us/vacancies/

Closing date for Applications and CVs to be received by 17th November
Interviews will be on the 27th November
Send your Application/CV and covering letter to the church office: St Andrews Psalter Lane Church, c/o Shirley House, 31 Psalter Lane, Sheffield S11 8YL
Or email the application to revnaicooke@gmail.com
Start date on or after 1st January 2024

And finally ...

Action for Children

The Gift of Joy

As we look ahead to Christmas, our new worship resource has the theme, 'The gift of joy', recalling the angel's words heralding the birth of Jesus to the shepherds, and the great joy brought to all by his birth. We hope it will uplift you in celebrating this special time, and help Action for Children to bring heartwarming festive joy to thousands who still face hardship.
The worship outline is designed to be flexible. Feel free to choose your own hymns and prayers, or tailor your service so it works for you and your congregation. You can pick and choose ideas, and swap in some of your own.
Thank you to the President and Vice-President of the Methodist Conference, the Revd Gill Newton and Kerry Scarlett, the Revd Barbara Glasson, and the Revd Mike Long for providing materials for this worship outline.
This year we also have a make your own bauble to hang on your tree at home or in church. We'd love to see your photos of these and your other Christmas activities in support of our work.
You can find all the resources here: https://www.actionforchildren.org.uk/support-us/fundraise-with-us/fundraise-in-your-church – scroll down the page to find them all.

Harvest Reflection

by Reverend Alan Griggs, Lead Agricultural Chaplain, Derbyshire Rural Chaplaincy

"He also said, "This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. All by itself the soil produces grain--first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come."
Mark 4:26-29

The right conditions for growth are of course essential for a good harvest. And God's farmers, as always, have navigated this year's challenges to bring home the harvest. They have put on their 'priestly overalls' every day to respond to the calling in the book of Genesis to serve and care for the land. Farming is a vocation.
As Richard Baimbridge, a retired Methodist Minister and 3rd generation farmer, has recently said, "Farming is a way of life, an identity, a reason to be proud. Farming families are the backbone and the lifeblood of the countryside, they deserve to be valued, respected and encouraged".
I often describe the agricultural community as a rich and fertile soil. In other words, the
Derbyshire Rural Chaplaincy join in with a small but vibrant community that make such a significant difference to life. There is a built-in energy!
The parable of the growing seed suggests that the Kingdom of God also has an inherent
energy that brings growth and life. This is an encouragement to us all this harvest that God is at work in our lives even when we feel that the conditions for growth are unfavourable and our efforts are not yielding much.
As the late farmer and poet John Osborne said in one of his harvest poems:
The sower may strive and work for days,
With precision preparing the sod,
He may kill all the weeds, he may sow all the seeds
But the growth is the Hand of God