District News – 19 December 2023

This Week's News

President and Vice-President Christmas message for 2023

This year, the Methodist Church has chosen the carol O Little Town of Bethlehem as part of the Out of the Ordinary Christmas campaign. You can find more details about the resources available on the Methodist Church website, including reflections and resources for churches welcoming people in during Advent and over the Christmas period. With this carol in mind, this year's Christmas message from the President and Vice-President invites us to think more deeply about the words of the carol and reflect on how we might use them this Christmas.
Find out more here: https://www.methodist.org.uk/.../president-and-vice-president-christmas-message-2023/

Out of the Ordinary Advent 2023

Each Sunday in Advent we have been sharing a reflection and/or a prayer about the theme out of the ordinary theme on our District website and on Social Media. This Sunday it was the turn of Katrin Hackett, the District Administrator, reflecting on being light in the world.
Read and watch it here: Advent 2023

Diamond Jubilee in Dore

Dore Methodist Church Ladies Tuesday Group, Sheffield, celebrated their Diamond Jubilee at their Christmas event on December 12th. Following a short carol service, festive entertainment was led by Jimmy McWilliams and John Bailey followed by a delicious buffet. This culminated in the cutting of a special cake to mark the occasion.
The Ladies Tuesday Group began in 1963 as the Young Wives and has gone from strength to strength. In recent years, the Tuesday Group and Wives Fellowship have merged and ladies from other churches and other new members have joined for the afternoon meetings making a current membership of 41. All ladies are welcomed into the fellowship.
60 years of interesting speakers, thousands of pounds raised for local charities but more than that, a place for fellowship, laughter and catching up with friends over a cup of coffee.
Long may it remain at the heart of village life in Dore!

A New Tradition

In the spirit of "out if the ordinary" we had our first "curry and Carols " event at Killamarsh yesterday.
Thanks to those working hard to provide the various curries plus non alcoholic drinks but especially the community for joining us in what we hope will become a new tradition here at Killamarsh.
Is your church starting a new tradition? Why not share it here!

Derbyshire Farmers' Carol Service

If you missed the Derbyshire Farmers' Carol Service at Bakewell on 3rd December (or would just like to watch some of your favourite moments again), the video is now available to view online. Please visit our website https://derbyshireruralchaplaincy.org.uk/ and you will find the link to the Carol Service video on our home page.
We hold a short, informal service of worship, prayer and reflection most months in the conference room at the Agricultural Business Centre in Bakewell, starting at 10.00am. Everyone is very welcome to attend.

New Christian Communities gathering

10am – 1:30pm Saturday 24 February

Our next gathering for anyone involved in leading a new Christian community will be on the morning of Saturday 24 February, concluding with lunch. The Metal Methodists will be our hosts, and Rev Dr Martyn Atkins (writer on evangelism, former Principal of Cliff College) will be our guest speaker.
Leading or birthing a new Christian community can be a joyous but also exhausting and isolating experience. This morning is an opportunity for you to spend quality time with our growing network of people following similar callings. Register your free place at https://buytickets.at/sheffieldmethodistdistrict/1096686

Urban Theology Union

Find out the intriguing story of the man behind Jesus and Jellied Eels, alongside other interesting articles, in the Urban Theology Union's Winter Newsletter:
http//utusheffield.org.uk/.../UTU-Newsletter-8-December-23.pdf

Events

Mental Health First Aid Training 2024

Sheffield Methodist Circuit are pleased to advertise the Mental Health First Aid courses for Spring 2024.
If you would like to learn more about mental health, and want to learn how to support others around their mental health, then MHFA is the right course for you. The course will teach you how to recognise, respond and signpost, will equip you with a 'tool kit' and give you the confidence needed for this important role.
These are some of the comments from the last two courses held in the Sheffield Circuit;
'Excellent course' 'Excellent presenter' 'Excellent course material' 'Would strongly advise at least 1 person in every workplace, community, charity, church, should do this course' 'The need is out there!' 'Excellent course' 'Informative and helpful workbook with group exercises that were challenging but useful in putting theory into practice.'

Full 2 days attendance are mandatory. Booking is essential and is via Eventbrite, please find dates and links below.

• 25th & 26th January – https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/mental-health-first-aid-course-tickets-750675539747
• 20th & 22th February – https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/mental-health-first-aid-course-tickets-763868871357
• 30th April & 2nd May – https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/mental-health-first-aid-course-tickets-763872000717

Cost
MHFA England charges £300 pp for this course. However, Sheffield Methodist Circuit now offers the course at a subsidy:

• £99 pp
• £50 for Methodist members.
• Free for Sheffield based Methodist members or staff.

If finance is a problem, please speak to Tim Jansen.
For questions, please contact Tim, Email: tim.jansen@sheffieldcircuit.org.uk.

Reflect Quiet Mornings

26/27 January 2024

Exploring life with Brigid of Kildare
The Quiet Morning 'Exploring Life' is running twice -- same time on 27th January 2024 -- 9.30-12.15
Revd Judith Jessop is leading the morning on St Brigid
Full details on the poster

Vacancies

Trinity Circuit have two vacancies:

Facilities and Community Manager

The post is offered via a full-time 24-month fixed term contract.
Based predominantly across two sites:
The Crossing Church & Centre (S80 2AT) and The Grove Church & Centre (DN22 6LB), with an understanding that there will, from time to time, be the need to work from other sites within the Circuit, consideration will also be given for some hours to be worked from home.
The Facilities and Community Manager will play an important part in growing commercial income, remaining proactive in reviewing, and developing systems and processes whilst managing operational elements across two of the church sites.
This work will enable church leaders and members to be released from many of the day-to-day operational matters, allowing them to focus on mission, discipleship, and growth. This is a key strategic objective.

Volunteer Coordinator

The post is offered via a fixed term contract and will be based across two sites: The Crossing Church & Centre (S80 2AT) and The Grove Church & Centre (DN22 6LB). This post is not suitable for home working.
The primary focus of the Volunteer Coordinator will be to provide overall care for existing and all new volunteers assuming responsibility for their safe recruitment, induction, and supervision, whilst acting as the first point of contact for ongoing training and support needs.
The Volunteer coordinator will work with existing teams to support current groups to develop and thrive and identify new community activities.
The Volunteer Coordinator will proactively recruit volunteers, through volunteer fairs, social media and local press advertisements, word of mouth, contacts with existing volunteers and connections with groups such as Bassetlaw Community and Voluntary Service (BCVS), for the two Church centres.

For an application form or for an informal conversation about either roles before making an application please contact Richard Dearden, Circuit Operations Manager, by email at richard.dearden@trinitycircuit.net

Closing date: 5th January 2024
First Interview date: 18th January 2024

And finally...

This is the last Newsletter of 2023

So may I take this opportunity to thank all who have contributed to it over the year, with photos, stories, events etc. It would be a lot shorter without you!

A prayer from the Methodist Handbook

Precious Jesus,

in you we have found the treasure the world discounts.
Rather than seek cheap substitutes
in the world’s bargain basements,
may your enticing beauty lead us to great sacrifices
so that, having nothing, we may possess everything
as we are embraced by you. Amen.
Andrew Lunn, District Chair, Manchester and Stockport District

May there be peace in your hearts this Christmas!