District News – 19 November 2024

This Week's News

Kid's Pop Concert at The Grove

The Grove in Retford hosted a very special Pop concert with local school children as the stars.
The church works closely with St Swithun's C of E Primary Academy, just over the road from the Methodist Church and were delighted to invite the children over as part of The Pop UK event they were taking part in.
The event, which was made possible through funding Arts & Heritage grant from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund obtained by the church, involved the pupils spending a week rehearsing and performing seven pop songs which explore Christian values and two live performances at The Grove.
https://www.sheffieldmethodist.org/news/news-stories/grove-hosts-childrens-pop-concert.html

The Journey of The Magi

a sparkling production of dance, theatre, song and poetry for all the family!

Springs Dance Company brings its festive, witty and poignant Advent performance, Journey of the Magi to Grove Street Methodist Church on Monday 16th December at 7:00 p.m. for this event sponsored by Churches Together in Retford

Journey of the Magi is a fast-paced, brilliantly witty performance inspired by T. S. Eliot's poem of the same name. The show offers a contemporary comparison between the quest of the wise men 2000 years ago, and our own preparations in the run up to Christmas. Relatable characters help viewers to be inspired in their own "journey" to Christmas Day and can help them think about who Christ is for them.
Tickets: £10 for adults, £5 for under 16's, available from Rev'd Julie Coates, or leave a message at the Circuit Office 01777 702786

Bluebell wood charity coffee morning

Friday 13 December 10:00 am

This charity coffee morning will be a great event, with a representative of Bluebell Wood Children's Hospice attending and selling Christmas cards and other charity merchandise. The charity will receive all of the money from the sales of the event.
Venue: The Crossing church and centre, Newcastle street, Worksop, S80 2AT

A Christmas Evening with Salvation Army Band

Wednesday 11 December 7:45 pm

The annual visit of the Salvation Army Band to start your Christmas properly.
Free entry with a chance to donate to the ongoing work of the Salvation Army.
Venue: Stephen Hill Methodist Church, Sheffield

Rural Mission & Ministry Course

The Rural Mission and Ministry Course continues to develop & offers a unique rural, ecumenical focus which we're well-known for here at the Arthur Rank Centre (ARC). All are welcome to book on and join us, whether involved in lay or ordained rural mission and ministry.
Bookings are now open with dates & new venues for 2025.
There is a 50% bursary for all lay/ordained Methodists.
Further information & booking form here: www.tinyurl.com/RMMC25

District Safeguarding Update:

A Statement in response to the resignation of the Archbishop of Canterbury from the Methodist Church in Britain

In light of the resignation of the Archbishop of Canterbury following the Makin Review into abuses by the late John Smyth QC, the Methodist Church in Britain joins others in praying for all those affected by abuse. Survivors have been courageous in speaking of their experience and in calling the Churches to account and we hope humbly to continue to learn from them.
We are covenant partners with the Church of England, an anniversary we marked last week. Dr Welby has done much to strengthen the partnership between our denominations and we pray for the continuation of this work and for those who will discern who should be the next Archbishop of Canterbury. We are committed to developing our shared understanding and desire for good safeguarding practice at every level of our churches.

A prayer:
Loving God, we ask your forgiveness for the times when in your Church we have failed to protect the vulnerable;
we pray for your healing for those who have been hurt and for those who live with guilt and regret; and we ask for your wisdom and direction as we seek to keep safe all your children,
in the name of Christ. Amen.

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

Office Worker's gathering

Thursday 21 November – St Thomas' Church, Crookes

The regular gathering for all involved in admin or office work in churches and circuits.
The group have been invited to join the staff team at St Thomas' for morning prayers at 9am. There will then be the usual gathering chat over coffee & croissants (other breakfast foodstuff may be available). The focus will be looking at how we can manage our emails more effectively.
The link to register is https://ucan.churchsuite.com/events/nlofm3fs/i
Whilst these sessions are organised via UCAN (UK Church Administrators Network), they are open to all. Do pass the information on to others who you think might be interested.

New Christian Community Gathering

Saturday 23 November

Our next gathering will be on the morning of Saturday 23 November at Central Methodist Church, Lodge Lane, Aston
Our guest speaker will be Deacon Eunice Attwood, Methodism's national Church at the Margins Officer. If you have ever met Eunice you will already know of her passion for being church with new people who have been marginalised by wider society, through poverty or for other reasons. And her highly engaging teaching style.
Rotherham & Dearne Valley's Family Fun Church will be our hosts. They will share their testimony of being church for families with young children and will lead us in worship. You can hear more about their story in episode 4 of our podcast Faith, Hope and the Journey.
Book your place here

Urban Theology Union

UTU Seminar Day

Please join us at UTU Seminar Day on Tuesday, 26 November, 11:30 to 12:30,for thoughtful presentations on topics that challenge as well as inform.
All welcome.
Rob Hoch-Yidokodiltona's will share from a paper he presented at the Societas Homiletica during its June meeting in the Netherlands: "Preaching that Resonates with Fractured Lands and Broken Bodies: An Indigenous Perspective".

MWiB (Sheffield District) Events

November 25 Quiet Day at Gleadless Methodist Church, 10am for 10:30 start
Advent wreath making in the morning followed by Quiet Reflections led by Deacon Annabel Terry after lunch
Drinks provided bring your own lunch.
December 6th at Frecheville Methodist Church -Carols 11am followed by alternative Christmas lunch Fish and Chips followed by Trifle
£12 tickets from Carol Wignell tel 01246 433216 or Pam Meek 0114 2302477

Sheffield Carols Evening

St Andrew's Psalter Lane Church, Tuesday 3rd December

Drop in any time between 6.30 – 8.30 pm to join in singing carols from Sheffield's folk tradition in an informal atmosphere – and do a bit of Christmas shopping!
Delicious seasonal refreshments will be available and entry is free – Everyone Welcome!

A Christmas Carol

Friday 7 December at 6:30pm

Saltmine Theatre Company presents 'A Christmas Carol' at St Andrew's Psalter Lane Church, Friday 6th December at 6.30 pm
Bah Humbug! Join Saltmine Theatre Company's rediscovery of Charles Dickens' classic tale; a festive, supernatural spectacular which appeals to us to 'honour Christmas in our hearts, and keep it all the year round' – a great evening for all the family!
Tickets £5.00 on the door; pay cash or card. Reserve your tickets by emailing bookaroom@standrewspsalterlane.org.uk
See https://saltminetrust.org.uk/ for more information

A requiem for Gaza

Kairos Sheffield welcomes The Amos Trust's Christmas tour "Steal all the flowers"
Thursday 5th. December, 12.30.--2.30. p.m.
Including a light Palestinian lunch
Philadelphia Conference centre, 110, Portland st. Sheffield. S6 3HD
Music Film, poetry, local performers & conversation with special guests from Palestine.
Pleases join us! Booking is essential.
There is no charge, but contributions to Amos Trust's Christmas appeal supporting their work in Gaza, & towards the cost of the event, are welcome.
To book please visit amostrust.org/Christmas-2004
For more information contact kairossheffield@gmail.com

Christmas Praise in the City

Monday 9 December 7:00 pm

Start your Christmas celebrations in style with our special Christmas Praise service at Victoria Hall, Norfolk Street, Sheffield. Hosted by Cliff College with special guests, we'll be joining together to sing some carols; hear a Christmas message; and enjoy some refreshments. Our theme is Hush the Noise, and we hope you'll join us in the busyness of December to reflect on the reason for the season. Book your free place now at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/christmas-praise-in-the-city-tickets-1029963527637

Positively Rural- A Place to Call Home?

Thurs 16 Jan, 1pm

Exploring rural homelessness and how it manifests itself in rural contexts as so often it is hidden, overlooked and disregarded by many agencies as to its existence.
Book your free ticket here: Positively Rural: A place to call home – 2 Tickets, Thu 16 Jan 2025 at 13:00 | Eventbrite
Positively Rural is an online community hosted by the Learning Network and is open to anyone of any denomination involved in rural ministry, including volunteers, lay workers and clergy.

And finally ...

A prayer for healing and restoration

Jesus, like a mother you gather your people to you.
In the depth of your mercy, heal us.
In the tenderness of your love, remake us.
In the compassion of your grace, forgive us.
For the beauty of heaven, prepare us. Amen.
Anselm (c. 1033-1109)