District News – 19 March 2024

This Week's News

Life on the Breadline – closing event

It is the last week of our exhibition. The feedback has been so encouraging – thank you to all three churches who have hosted it over the last six weeks.
You are invited to attend the closing event on Friday 22 March at 6pm to reflect on what has emerged from our local reflections. If you used the Lent Study material – your feedback would also be valued.
We are arranging a buffet tea, so please let Katrin know for catering purposes (admin@sheffieldmethodist.org)
Richard Pinder, a member of Highfield Trinity Church, has written his own personal reflection on the event which you can read here: Challenging Poverty – Life on the Breadline
It does give quite a bit of food for thought!

Gill on Tour

District Chair Gill Newton shares her latest blog online about her Presidential Year.
She has written about a trip to the Shetland District, then travelling to the Defence Academy in Shrivenham for the Tri-Services Conference, the launch of the Finding Nanna book with MHA and then onto a planning meeting for Cliff Fest at Cliff College.
You can read this blog and all previous ones here on the district website.
https://www.sheffieldmethodist.org/news/news-stories/gill-on-tour.html

District Youth Day 2024

Around 50 young people and their leaders from across the district enjoyed a jam packed day full of worship, activities, chances to learn more about God as well make new friends.
District Children and Youth Co-ordinator, Vic Loveday organises the District Youth Day at Hesley Wood Scout Activity Centre in Sheffield each year and explains why it's so important.
She said: "The District Youth Day is about giving our young people the chance to get together, share and grow their faith with others as well as having lots of fun. We were grateful for some sunshine this year, and it was great to see everyone, including the grown ups taking part in the activities including a zip line, a climbing tower, archery, go karts, nerf guns and an escape cube. We were also joined by two of our One Programme Interns who shared what it was like to take part in the programme and two Methodist Conference Youth Reps also joined us the day which was a blessing. There was so much excitement on the day as well as plenty of mud and we can't wait until next year. Thank you to everyone who joined in and also to the leaders who helped on the day, it wouldn't have been possible without you."
You can watch a highlight video here:
https://www.facebook.com/reel/966882985046221

Faith, Hope and The Journey

The fourth episode of the district podcast Faith, Hope and The Journey is now available to steam online.
In this latest podcast you will hear all about Family Fun Church in the Rotherham and Dearne Valley Methodist Circuit and how creating a warm and welcome space for kids to be kids is all part of their mission. Lay Pastor Ed Siddall and Children and Families Worker Grace Perkins also share their faith journeys. You can listen to the podcast here
https://www.sheffieldmethodist.org/podcast.html
Any questions, reflections or stories to share, drop an email to either Sam or Neil at comms@sheffieldmethodist.org or mission@sheffieldmethodist.org

BBC Radio Sheffield – Journey of Faith

On Sunday 24th March, Debbie Evans, Lay Worker, Local Preacher in Training and Worship Leader in Barnsley, will be sharing her Journey of Faith on BBC Radio Sheffield. You can tune to hear Debbie between 8.30am – 9am and it will be available to listen again on BBC Sounds.

You may remember Debbie also appeared on our district podcast Faith, Hope and The Journey. Please do tune in to hear what she has to say.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/live:bbc_radio_sheffield

Could you be an Ecumenical Accompanier (EA)?

Are you interested in becoming a human rights monitor in Palestine and Israel for 3 months?
Full training is given, expenses are covered, and a living allowance is provided.
Visit: https://www.quaker.org.uk/our-work/eappi/get-involved for more info.
Jenny Bywaters, a member at Millhouses, has been an EA and would be happy to speak of her experience.

Methodist Women in Britain (MWiB)

The Swanwick conference is now full, but you can still book to join via Zoom. The keynote speakers are Rev Jenny Pathmarajah and Beccy Byass – both are well worth hearing!
The position of CoChair is still vacant. Contact cochairnorth.mwib@gmail.com or cochairsouth.mwib@gmail.com for an informal chat about the role.
Bookings for the Garden Party at Epworth Old Recroty will opn on 29 March.
Visit their website to find out more about MWiB !
https://mwib.org.uk/

Events

District Gathering

20 April from 9:30

Registration is now open for the Spring Gathering. The focus for this gathering is on how to be a leader (in any capacity) through this season of great change and uncertainty without running yourself into the ground!
Our keynote speaker is Revd Nel Shallow, and in the afternoon she and others will be running workshops exploring the topic in more depth.
Lunch will be provided, so advance booking is essential!
Full details can be found here: With God's help
There will also be market-place stalls including the Cornerstone bookshop from Chesterfield, Good Taste, the Fairtrade shop in Sheffield, and the Christian Publishing Company, plus others.

Questionable Manhood with Adrian Scott

10th April | 8th May | 12th June, 7-8:30pm Whirlow Spirituality Centre

These evenings in the company of Poet, Podcaster and Spiritual Director Adrian Scott will be courageous explorations of the nature of the masculine psyche. In each session Adrian will present a number of poetic explorations and then help participants delve more deeply into their reactions. The three central questions to be explored will be:
Is masculinity inevitably toxic?
How do men become grown-ups?
How do men find their souls?
Cost £5 per session
Full details here: https://www.whirlowspiritualitycentre.org/whats-on/manhood

Regional Retreat

A few extra spaces have become available at Wydale for the retreat led by Nicola Slee from 7-9 May 2024. This retreat is for ministers and lay employees within the Methodist Church.
Full details can be found here: https://www.sheffieldmethodist.org/.../abba-amma-improvisations-on-lords-prayer.html

Vacancies

Soft Play and Café Manager

Sam's Space/Firth Park

Sam's Space Soft Play is a purpose-built not for profit soft play facility and café that opened on the 17th February 2020.

Based from Firth Park Methodist Church Sam's Space is available to the whole community, welcoming people of all faiths and none. We have a specific Christian-based group called "Mini Disciples" for children and their families as well as "Space For All" sessions for anyone to attend.
Our facilities include a café with seating area serving drinks, food, and snacks to parents, carers and those responsible for soft-play users, a three-storey soft play climbing frame with separate play area, monkey bars, a ball pool, LED tubes, two slides and lots of opportunity to climb!
Full details can be found here: https://www.sheffieldmethodist.org/recruitment/vacancies/soft-play-and-cafe-manager.html
Closing date : 2 April – deadline extended

Operations Manager

Derbyshire North East Circuit

The successful candidate will have a leading role in relation to property and financial management, operations and compliance, and administration across the circuit.

The primary aim will be to reduce the management and administrative burden on ministers and volunteers, releasing their time and energy for mission and ministry.
We are searching for an individual who has strong interpersonal skills and experience on the wide range of issues that charitable bodies and churches are faced with today. Ideally you will have a knowledge and experience of Methodist procedures and structures or a willingness and ability to learn quickly.
Closing date – 12 April – deadline extended!
More details here: https://www.sheffieldmethodist.org/recruitment/vacancies/operations-manager.html

And finally...

Pray with us today.

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

Find more ways to pray at methodist.org.uk/prayer.