District News – 18 April 2023

This Week's News

District Gathering – 22 April – Victoria Hall, Norfolk Street, Sheffield

Whilst it is now too late to register for this event, we are hoping to "live-stream" it via our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qjh7ATghKHs
If you had not managed to register via EventBrite, it may be possible to still attend the morning session, but you would need to bring your own lunch.

The King's Coronation

For any circuit or church which is organising events to mark the Coronation of King Charles III you may find it useful to use the official Coronation logo.
You can download it here for free https://www.royal.uk/coronation-emblem there is also guidelines of how it should be used.

Thank you to those who have been in contact to share details of your events, if you are holding an event please email Sam Roberts. District Comms Officer at comms@sheffieldmethodist.org

Social Action Case Studies Researcher with UTU for Sheffield Diocesan Project

UTU is working with the Board of Faith and Justice of Sheffield Diocese to look at how social action engagement by Anglican churches has been impacted by Covid and the current rise in cost of living.
Does this sound like an interesting project to you? If so, UTU is seeking a volunteer field-researcher, based in South Yorkshire, who can work from home. The researcher will need experience of social science or similar research, ideally through MA level or equivalent education, and an understanding of how local Christian churches work. They will design and undertake a structured interview with one respondent in each of the case study churches, then analyse and produce a report on their findings. Support and oversight will be provided by UTU.

Expenses for travel (mileage or two months SY Travelcard), and 'phone calls will be paid.
The research needs to take place before the end of July '23, with the Report available by 1st September.

People interested in undertaking this research should return the form :
https://utusheffield.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/UTU-Social-Researcher-ApplicationForm-2023.pdf
to office@utusheffield.org.uk by 9.00am Monday 24th April.

3Generate

6-8 October 2023

Tickets for this year's 3Generate, the children's and youth assembly of the Methodist Church, are now on-sale! Sales will end on Friday 21 July.
Visit the 3Generate web pages to find out more !

Thy Kingdom Come

Thy Kingdom Come (TKC) is a global ecumenical prayer movement that invites Christians around the world to pray from Ascension to Pentecost for more people to come to know Jesus.
Every year, Thy Kingdom Come releases new resources for churches and individuals, including for young people. Find out what's new this year

Springs Dance Company

At Springs Dance Company we have been bringing dance with heart and soul to church and community settings for over 40 years. This year we have two fantastic performances available for churches to book – A Time to Mourn, A Time to Dance in the Autumn, and Journey of the Magi in the run up to Christmas.

A Time to Mourn, A Time to Dance
Two exceptional new dance works performed by a company of five outstanding dancers.
Based on Ecclesiastes 3: There is a Time for Everything, the performance is an uplifting dance show that explores the tension between loss and joy. The double-bill sensitively embodies a kaleidoscope of grief and joy through open-hearted professional dance.
This stirring yet joyous arts event offers the viewer a chance to feel seen, understood and connected to others as they reflect on grief and the joy and celebration of life.

Journey of the Magi€
Share the joy and wonder of Christmas with your church and local community through this exhilarating, critically acclaimed performance. The show offers a bridge between contemporary life and Jesus's birth, comparing our own personal journey to Christmas day with the journey that the wise men took. With sparkle and songs to keep the children entertained and bags of good humour for the grown-ups, Journey of the Magi delights audiences of all ages and offers a chance to reflect and refocus

Further information on both productions can be found on their website https://springsdancecompany.org.uk/productions/ by emailing€touring@springsdancecompany.org.uk€or by calling 07775 628442.€

District Safeguarding Update:

Voter ID Changes

The way that we vote in national and local elections is changing. From 4 May 2023, voters will need to show photo ID at polling stations.
JPIT have put together this guidance to help church and community leaders to be able to share this information within their communities. Find out more here: https://jpit.uk/voterid
See also this BBC Explainer for the local elections: What photo ID do you need to vote in UK elections? – BBC News

As ever, if you have any questions or concerns, please give me a call on 07483 362 735 or email me at safeguarding@sheffieldmethodist.org
Many thanks
Alison Hill -District Safeguarding Officer

Events

Regional Retreat for ministers and lay employees

Last chance to book onto the next Regional Retreat for presbyters, deacons and lay employees at Wydale Hall in North Yorkshire from 9-11 May 2023. You will see from the flyer that there will be opportunity for reflective walks, long and short, led and self-directed, in the beautiful grounds of Wydale Hall and the surrounding countryside. Why not start the year by booking yourself into what promises to be an enriching time of refreshment and renewal!?
Book your place here: https://YP-230509-retreat.eventbrite.co.uk

Methodist Women in Britain (MWiB)

MWiB Quiet Day at Bakewell Methodist Church on April 26th 11am-3pm
Five minutes of Peace Led by Nel Shallow.
Bring your own Lunch, tea and coffee provided.
Please let either Carol Wignell or Pam Meek know by April 23rd at carolwignell@btinternet.com or pammeek48@gmail.com
Do come and enjoy fellowship with us.
Pam Meek

Easter Offering

Easter Offering envelopes will be included in the circuit envelope for World Mission. As this is the only way World Mission receive monies we (MWiB) encourage each church to join in the Easter Offering.
An Easter offering Service will take place on Sunday June 4th at Killamarsh Methodist Church at 3pm where the monies will be received.Hear stories of the Methodist community offering welcome, hospitality and support to people who are displaced, forced to migrate and seeking a new life.

Easter Offering is prepared by Methodist Women in Britain and raises funds for the World Mission Fund of the Methodist Church in Britain.

District Day MWiB event for everyone.

On May 21st MWiB are hosting a Bible Quiz based on the women in the bible. Rev Michael Brown is setting the questions and Rev Romeo Pedro will be the Quiz Master,
The Venue is Victoria Stafford Rd Methodist Church 3pm for 3.30pm. Afternoon tea will follow the Quiz with donations going towards our project "Twinning"
All are welcome do come along and make it an enjoyable afternoon.

Positively Rural – Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in a Rural Context

Wednesday 26 April at 1pm

God for All: Rural Churches for All.
How do rural churches engage with Equality, Diversity and Inclusion work?

Rev Jill Marsh (Inclusive Church Officer for the Methodist Church) will be with us to think about these questions as we aim to reflect God's inclusive love for all people in our own local communities.
As usual, there will be space to discuss the issues raised in smaller groups.

Register here: https://PositivelyRural230426.eventbrite.co.uk
Bookings close 3 days beforehand
Positively Rural is an online community hosted by the Yorkshire Plus Learning Network, but open to anyone of any denomination involved in rural ministry, including volunteers, lay workers and clergy.

'Faith in Change and Conflict'

9-11 May & 12-15 June

Cliff College, Calver, Hope Valley, Sheffield, S32 3X

Faith in Change and Conflict leads people to develop their understanding, approaches, and responses to situations of change and conflict as well as understand the psychological transitions taking place during these times. Participants reflect critically on the role of the Christian leader and the desired qualities when dealing with potential conflict, heightened relational conflict, and challenging behaviours in a range of church, faith and community settings. During the course, theological, conflict transformational and peacebuilding resources, drawn from a variety of contexts, will help shape and develop participants' own practice, at work and at home.
Full details here: http://bit.ly/3lDacSP

Lay Employees Retreat

5-7 June 2023 at Wydale Hall

Lost, Found, Reclaimed
Over time things change – but is that always for good?

Lost, Found, Reclaimed takes as its starting point "The Lost Words" book, written as a response to the removal of everyday nature words – among them "acorn", "bluebell", "kingfisher" and "wren" – from a widely used children's dictionary, because those words were not being used enough by children to merit inclusion.
In this retreat we will be exploring some of the things that have been lost; what might we want to reclaim or rediscover; but also what new things have we found that aid our work.

Register link: https://20230605LayRetreat.eventbrite.co.uk before 3 May (places are limited, especially if you want an en-suite room!)

And finally ...

From the Methodist Prayer Handbook:

What do you ask of us Lord? 

You know our possibilities, 
you know our frailties, 
our weaknesses, 
our prejudices. 

Yet, you still call us to your work. 

You challenge us to stand against injustice; 
to overcome our fears; 
to act as your hands; 
to be your voice; 
to be your ambassadors on earth emulating your preference for those living in poverty and the marginalised. 

With you in us and beside us we can fulfil what you ask of us. 
Amen.