District News – 18 June 2024

This Week's News

Gill on Tour

Gill Newton's Presidential Year is almost over, but she continues to travel the Connexion in search of hidden treasures. In her latest blog you can read about her visits to West Devon, the Annual Convocation of Deacons, the Wales Synod Cymru, the Superintendents Conference, the Romford Circuit Outreach Project and Cliff Fest plus more.
https://www.sheffieldmethodist.org/news/news-stories/gill-on-tour.html

Mwib District Day

Friday July 5th 10.30 for 11am

At Woodseats Methodist Church. S8 OGR
Rev Vanessa Hollingworth will be speaking about
Women in the shadows
Drinks will be provided, please bring your own Lunch
Do come and join us all are welcome

Cliff College MA programme

Cliff College's MA Theology and Mission programme, available from September 2024, equips students to explore missional theology and practice in depth, to inform and enhance their own engagement in the work of God's Kingdom. Students can choose from a variety of units including biblical studies, chaplaincy, Methodist and Wesleyan identity and leadership, alongside core Missional Theology and Missional Theology in Practice units. The programme is approved by the University of Manchester.
This course can be studied either online or at the Cliff College campus, full-time or part-time. Bursaries and funding are available for those in lay and ordained ministry posts in the Methodist Church. Applications are now open: find out more and apply here: https://www.cliffcollege.ac.uk/courses/undergrad-postgrad/ma-theology-and-mission

Methodist Tapestry Collection

Crafters and textile artists from as far away as Long Island in the US have become involved in the Methodist Tapestries Collection. To be housed at the Weardale Museum in County Durham, the completed collection will feature 100 panels that portray the history and heritage of Methodism.
The designs explore key events in Methodist history, such as the fire at the Epworth rectory where John Wesley was rescued, a stained-glass window from a Methodist college; a picture of Mow Cop – the site of the first Methodist camp meeting in the UK; and a meeting between John Wesley and Beau Nash.
Conceived in 2019, the Methodist Tapestries collection was inspired by the renowned Scottish Diaspora Tapestry which has travelled the globe sharing the story of those across the world who claim Scottish ancestry. Having seen the Scottish Diaspora Tapestry, David Heatherington, one of the founders of the Weardale Museum, began to imagine something similar that would illustrate Methodism, featuring local, national and international stories. David came up with fifteen designs that would form an ideal 'flagship project' for the newly enlarged Weardale Museum & Heritage Centre. So far, 31 are finished and a further eight are awaiting final mounting and framing. Another 30 are currently with their embroiderers and being stitched, while the remaining 30 or so are still to be designed.
You can follow the works in progress via their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/methodisttapestriescollection/ – the attention to detail is amazing!
If you would like to become involved with the Methodist Tapestries Project, please email contact@methodisttapestries.org.uk for further information.

Election Hustings

A hustings is a meeting where election candidates or parties debate policies and answer questions from the audience. Hustings provide voters with an opportunity to hear the views of candidates or parties.
The Justice Seekers group is aware of several taking place across the Sheffield constituencies:

• HEELEY CONSTITUENCY: Sunday 23rd June at 7pm at The Heeley Institute, 14 Gleadless Road, S2 3AF. All candidates will be invited.
• BRIGHTSIDE & HILLSBOROUGH CONSTITUENCY: Monday 24th June, 7pm-9pm at Christ Church, Pitsmoor Road, S3 9AW
• CITY-WIDE HUSTINGS with Party Reps: Wednesday 26th June from 7pm at Central United Reformed Church,Norfolk Street, S1 2JB organised by Sheffield Trades Council
• CENTRAL & HALLAM CONSTITUENCIES: Thursday 27 June, 7.30pm -9.30pm at STC ( St. Thomas, Crookes) S10 1UL focusing mainly on climate & environmentsign up at bit.ly/4eo4Mlw for a reminder and to put questions in advance.
• HEELEY CONSTITUENCY: Friday 28th June, 6.30pm-8.30pm at All Saints School, Granville Road,S2 2RJ focusing on education organised by the National Education Union (NEU)
• CENTRAL CONSTITUENCY: Monday 1st July at ISRAAC, Vestry Hall, 54 Cemetery Road, S11 (just behind Waitrose). All candidates will be invited.

Has your church hosted a Husting? How did it go??

Greasy Chip Butty

The Revd Canon Julian Sullivan, who served at St Mary's Bramall Lane from 1990-2016, has published a new book capturing the character of Sheffield.
'Greasy Chip Butty' focuses not only on Julian's time at Bramall Lane, but is inspired by the people he's worked with in the inner city. Beginning with a focus on the community at the end of the Second World War, Julian explores the changing nature of the city up to the 21st century.
The title is inspired by one of his earliest memories of moving next door to Sheffield United FC, when he heard the club's anthem the 'Greasy Chip Butty' song. The book is a human story about the people who lived in the network of terraced houses around the football club and the church.
'Greasy Chip Butty' launch: Tuesday, 2nd July 2024, at Sheffield Cathedral after Evensong.
Contact Jill at the UTU office (office@utusheffield..org.uk) if you would like to attend

Green Church Awards

You are invited to enter the new Church Times Green Awards! Tell us what your church, school or community group is doing to make a big impact in your community through eco projects.
The awards aim to celebrate the great work of church communities around the country who are caring for God's creation. The deadline for entries is 30 June 2024.
Click here to enter and for more information: https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/.../environment-green-church-awards-2024

Events

Contemplative Evening Walks

Thursday, June 27, 2024 /Thursday, August 22, 2024

Would you enjoy a silent contemplative evening walk in the company of others in the countryside around Whirlow Spirituality Centre to connect with the natural world at the end of the day? The walks will not be long or particularly arduous, although it is hard to avoid hills altogether in Sheffield, and we will walk slowly. Please wear suitable shoes – it may be a little rough and/or muddy in places.

We will meet in the Chapel at 7.30pm and will be finished by 8.30 or 9pm at the latest.
Places are FREE and can be booked here: https://www.whirlowspiritualitycentre.org/whats-on/walking.

Let Us Entertain You

Sunday 23 June – Lyric Theatre, Dinnington

At 2pm, join us for a celebration of our DInnington Community with performances by Vibe Dance, Julie Turner's Stage Academy, Dinnington Operatic Society and More.
Tickets £5, available here: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/lyric-theatre
At 6:30pm, there is a concert featuring Eliot Kennedy and Guests,Echoes of Angels, Christopher Bailey and More
Tickets-£10 The event is now online https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/lyric-theatre
Both events are hosted by Dinnington Methodist Church

Christian Aid Night Hike

6 July – 7:30pm

The Sheffield Night Hike is back and promises to be a joyous occasion to come together and enjoy the beauty of creation whilst also supporting life-changing projects across the world. It's a 9 mile walk and people of varying abilities can take on the challenge. It may be of particular interest to youth groups who would relish the excitement of walking in the dark! (please note it is a guidedwalk, not marshalled) but it is open to any age.
For full details and registration please go to the website https://sheffieldnighthike.org.uk/

Vacancies

Building Management Coordinator

Emmanuel Methodist Church, Barnsley Circuit

• Are you organised, a people person, and great with numbers?
• Why not apply to be our building management coordinator!

We seek to appoint a person who can work flexibly in serving the needs of the church and the
community through the efficient letting of our church rooms. This will involve using the computerised booking system, ensuring all relevant administration work is completed in a timely and efficient manner, liaising with the existing cleaner and maintenance worker whilst ensuring that the building resources of the church is effectively and efficiently promoted, publicised and maintained.
For an application form, an informal enquiry, or a request for a conversation about the role before making an application please contact the Circuit Administrator, Carole Jewkes, on 01226 321522 or email at circuitoffice@btconnect.com
Closing Date: Noon on 25 June
Interview Date: 5 July

Chief Executive – Shiloh Rotherham

Are you passionate about transforming services for the homeless and those at risk of homelessness, ensuring they get the support and progression they need? Are you an inspirational leader, capable of taking a small Charity into its next phase? Are you someone who shares our values and ethics and can deliver with drive and commitment?
Shiloh Rotherham is a charity that offers support to adults who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
We are looking for a passionate leader to join our team as Chief Executive. With demonstrable experience at a senior level, ideally in the voluntary and community sector (VCS), this role requires someone with exceptional communication skills in order to forge strong working relationships with colleagues across the team, our guests (service users), wider partners and funders, external parties, stakeholders and suppliers.
We welcome all applicants to contact us for an informal discussion about the role and to visit us by appointment. Contact Judy Dalton on 07939180512 or email: judy.dalton@shilohrotherham.org.uk.
Visit this website for more information including how to apply: https://www.varotherham.org.uk/job/chief-executive

And finally...

Prayer to see God in all things

God of mystery and imagination,
help us to see you in both the unexpected and the familiar,
for surely you are present in all things.

The stranger who, from nowhere, stops to help;
the beloved friend who speaks a word of comfort;
the stone when lifted reveals the life beneath;
the child who marvels at such a world of tiny beings,
unnoticed and essential –
all these display the wonders of your love, ever present if not always known.

In these times of uncertainty and doubt, enable us to lift our eyes to heaven.
Remembering the stars are always there but that it takes the darkness to reveal them.
Amen.
Sheryl Anderson, District Chair, Liverpool District