District News – 18 March 2025

This Week's News

Mental Health and Christianity Conference

Due to circumstances beyond their control, the conference planned for Saturday 22 March has had to be cancelled. All those who had registered should have received notice of this. It it hoped that the event can take place later in the year, so watch this space.

Spring District Gathering

Saturday 5 April 2025 from 9:30am

We are really looking forward to the next District Gathering. If you haven't been to one before, do consider coming to this one where we will be exploring ways in which we can share our faith beyond the church walls.
The event is free, but booking is required for catering purposes – https://buytickets.at/sheffieldmethodistdistrict/1536842

Market Place
There will also be a number of stalls and stands, including a FairTrade shop, the Cornerstone Bookshop and crafts made by Woollen Blessings and Laura Grace Crochet.
If you know of anyone who might be interested in having a stand, please get in touch with Katrin in the District Office to see if there is space available.

Cliff College Trek 2025

The Trek is a four-day walk, travelling ten miles a day on foot. In 2025, we'll be travelling through the Sheffield District from 14-17 April, visiting local churches on our route and hosting evening celebration services.

• Monday 14 April from Hathersage Methodist Church to Castleton Methodist Church
• Tuesday 15 April from Clifton Methodist Church, Rotherham to Wickersley Methodist Church
• Wednesday 16 April from St Paul's Methodist Church, Dronfield to Killamarsh Methodist Church
• Thursday 17 April from Victoria Hall Methodist Church, Sheffield to Greenhill Methodist Church

Departure is at 10am each day; arriving at the final church by 5pm, with an evening service at 7pm
The Trekkers team includes a number of students and staff members from Cliff College, who will be joined by members of the churches, circuits and districts through which we're walking.
Sign up here if you are interested in joining in : Trek booking form

Foundations: Ministry in the Methodist Tradition

Join Cliff College on campus in Derbyshire for Foundations: Ministry in the Methodist Tradition, from 14-16 July 2025. This three-day intensive will introduce you to how Methodist ministry has developed in the past centuries and enable you to identify distinctively Methodist characteristics of ministry. Learn alongside others from around the country in a community of worship and prayer – visit the Cliff College website to learn more.

Delivery Team sign-ups for 3Generate 2025

We are pleased to announce that sign-ups to join the volunteer Delivery Team for 3Generate 2025 are now open.
Whether you're a seasoned veteran or a budding first-timer, we want your help to make this 3Generate even bigger and better in 2025, as we return to the NEC in Birmingham from 3-5 October!
Join us in bringing together children and young people from across the Connexion and giving them a weekend they'll never forget – jam-packed with faith and fun!
We have a wide range of roles available, so no matter your skills and experience you can be an integral part of the 3Generate Delivery Team.
FIND OUT ABOUT THE DIFFERENT ROLES AND SIGN-UP HERE

District Safeguarding Update:

Child Exploitation Awareness Day – 18 March 2025

The following information come from NWG, who are a charitable organisation formed as a UK network of over 20,000 practitioners who disseminate our information through their services, to professionals working on the issue of child exploitation (CE) and trafficking within the UK.
CHILD EXPLOITATION IS A FORM OF ABUSE THAT INVOLVES THE MANIPULATION AND/OR COERCION OF YOUNG PEOPLE UNDER THE AGE OF 18.
On 18th March 2025 we want to highlight the issues surrounding CSE In Communities; for 2025 we are encouraging everyone to think, spot, and speak out against abuse and adopt a zero tolerance to child exploitation.
NWG are committed to the fight against Child Exploitation and supporting victims and their families who are subjected to these forms of child abuse. But we cannot succeed without your support.
Together, we can work to inform, educate and prevent child abuse within the UK.
This document contains links to help those working with children and young people at risk of or already exploited and their families as well as resources to help raise awareness across communities and share with the public.'
National Child Exploitation Awareness Day 18 March 2025

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

Christians on Ageing Conference

Wednesday 30 April

For the first time since the pandemic we are holding our AGM in person, and within the context of a Spring Mini-Conference. This will be held on Wednesday 30th April from 10.30am – 3.30pm and the venue is The Bar Convent in York.
As well as dealing with the necessary business of the AGM we will be focussing on one of CoA's core objectives – celebrating the gifts and potential of later life, and helping churches and others to develop activities which contribute to understanding older people's spiritual growth.
One of our keynote speakers will be Rev. Dr. Chris Swift, recently appointed as Director of the Leeds Christian Institute, and previously Director of Chaplaincy and Spirituality at MHA.
Attendance for the day is free but donations towards the cost of refreshments will be gratefully received.
Places can be booked by following this link: https://buytickets.at/christiancouncilonageing/1532201

A Northern Requiem

Saturday 5 April at Victoria Hall, Sheffield

The Rose Choir collaborates with Harlequin Brass and Escafeld Chorale for a fundraising concert at Sheffield's Victoria Hall, featuring the second performance of 'A Northern Requiem'. This new piece for choir, brass ensemble, and soloists commemorates the 1984/85 Miners' Strike, a pivotal event for the local community.
'A Northern Requiem' blends text from the Roman Catholic Requiem Mass with poetry that reflects on the Miners' Strike and the coal mining industry's decline. The program will also present brass works and showcase our soloists' talents.
This concert aims to support the Rose Hill Arts Centre initiative, which strives to establish a community-led arts venue that promotes artistic expression and community involvement. Our goal is to nurture a self-reliant arts community within the historic Rose Hill United Reformed Church, and we are currently fundraising to purchase this prospective home for our centre.
Buy your tickets here :

District Youth Day

Come along on Saturday 12th April at the District Youth Day at Hesley Woods Scout Activity Centre, Chapeltown. Join us for workshops, worship and onsite activities including zipline, archery, crate stacking and much more as we explore how to be a Justice Seeking Church. This event is for anyone aged 8 -18, but they must attend with a Youth Leader/Minister. Subway lunch is included. Bookings close on the 9th April at 1pm. £10 per person – leaders free.
Book here Youth Day @ Hesley Woods

Vacancies

Community Pioneer Worker

Dinning Methodists, Trinity Circuit

Trinity Methodist Circuit seeks to appoint a Community Pioneer Worker, to work from the Methodist Premises in Dinnington, on a part-time permanent contract, paying £17 per hour. (FTE salary of £32708.)
To flourish in post a flexible approach to the working pattern is essential. This will include evening and weekend working, with two days free of responsibility each week.
Purpose of role

• Encourage people to belong through establishing a number of safe spaces to host activities, gatherings and projects – within Methodist premises and, if appropriate, other local places.
• Using a vibrant faith to explore fresh expressions of church develop new Christian communities.
• Enable people to explore faith and spirituality in an environment that works for them, developing new worshipping communities

Next steps:
We actively encourage enquiries, pre-arranged visits and welcome informal conversations about the role. In the first instance we ask that you direct these by email to Rev Julie Coates or telephone Rev Julie on 01777 702573.

• Download the full information pack here: Community Pioneer Worker
• Download an application form here: Community Pioneer Application (Word document)

Closing Date: 31 March 2025

Synod Finance Assistant

Yorkshire Synod – Part time – 24 hours per week

Salary circa £25.000 fte Permanent
Based at the offices of the Yorkshire Synod of the United Reformed Church in Morley, Leeds.
Responsibilities include

• Providing support for Finance Officer.
• Accounting/Bookkeeping using computerized systems
• Entering all payments and receipts into the relevant cashbook, reconciliation tasks and maintaining a record of up-to-date bank account balances balance.
• Posting all cashbook entries to the relevant ledger, and balance.
• Preparation of Trial Balances at the end of each month.
• Preparation of month end reconciliations.

We are looking for someone with:

• AAT (or equivalent) qualifications.
• Experience of computerised accounting systems, eg Sage etc.
• Experience of inputting information into databases.
• Excellent numeracy and literacy skills with attention to detail and accuracy
• The ability to work flexibly and contribute flexibly positively

Application pack available from the Synod Office – office@urcyorkshire.org.uk
Closing date for applications: 9.00am, Monday 31st March 2025

And finally ...

Feed us, Lord

Lord,
the eyes of all look to You in hope;
and You give them what they need.
You open Your hand
and satisfy the hunger and thirst of every living thing.

We, too, turn to You again, longing to be filled--
to eat of the Bread of Life,
to drink from Your life-giving streams,
to taste Your goodness and live.

May the time we spend together in Your presence
nourish our hearts and minds;
may it strengthen our relationship with You,
and renew our commitment to live in this world as Your faithful disciples.

For You alone are God,
the Source and Sustainer of life.

In Jesus' name, Amen.

Christine Longhurst, re:Worship