District News – 2 December 2025

This Week's News

New Appointment: District Faith-Rooted Community Organising Lead

The District is delighted to announce the appointment of Mark North to our Faith-Rooted Community Organising Lead, a role made possible through joint District and Connexional funding. This new post marks an exciting step in our shared commitment to deepen our engagement with the communities we serve.
Faith-rooted community organising is about listening first, paying careful attention to the stories, hopes, struggles and gifts of our neighbours.
You can find out more about the role, and Mark, on the District website here: Faith Rooted Community Organising Lead

Advent Idea

The youth group at Central, Chesterfield, have put together an advert calendar based on the 12 Methodist Ways of Life with a suggestion each day for a way to share and explore your faith.
What a great idea, and thank you for sharing it with us!

26 in 26 project

Monday 15 December 10:00 am

As Christians, we are called to seek justice and challenge injustice. But making that a regular part of church life isn't always easy.
To help, Christian Aid and Church Action on Poverty have jointly launched the "26 in 26" project: an interactive poster with 26 ideas for churches to try next year.
It includes suggestions for new prayer, reflection or worship materials; ideas for engaging with community groups; and ways to speak up about topical issues effectively and justly.
Posters are free to order, from https://www.church-poverty.org.uk/justchurch/

The Longest Night – a carol service with a difference!

Saturday 20 December 6:00 pm

Join the Metal Methodists and the team at St Paul's Church, Norton Lees, Sheffield, on Saturday 20 December 2025 for The Longest Night. You can expect a carol service with metal music, laying burdens down and finding hope in the noise. Refreshments at 6pm and the service at 6.30pm. All welcome!
Please contact Kate on katemetalmethodist@outlook.com for further information.

Bakewell Nativity Festival

As part of our outreach into the Community of Bakewell we are once again keeping our doors open throughout December from 10am to 3pm for visitors to come and experience the meaningful story of Christmas through many Nativity Scenes including a life – size depiction of the stable. There will be seasonal refreshments available.
The special theme this year focusses on Stars and Angels – The star and the angels who gave the sign that that the Messiah had arrived.. there is much to celebrate!
The carol "Love came down at Christmas" reflects those thoughts.
"Love came down at Christmas, Love all lovely, love divine;
Love was born at Christmas, Star and angels gave the sign."

Double your impact – SCCCC

From 3rd to 9th December, every donation you make through the Big Give Christmas Challenge will be doubled at no extra cost to you.
Your support will help us reach our £3,500 target and fund vital projects that reduce loneliness and isolation among older people in Sheffield and Doncaster.
For many, the festive season can feel empty and isolating. Together, we can change that.
Your gift will help provide companionship, activities, and support that bring joy and connection when it’s needed most — not just at Christmas, but all year round.
SAVE THE DATE
The Big Give donations page opens at 12 noon on 3rd December, it will close at 12 noon on 9th December.
All donations must be made via the online platform: Big Give Christmas Challenge
Can’t donate but want to help?
Please pass on this email to your family and friends and like and share our social media posts.
Every pound you give makes a real difference.
Thank you for supporting our challenge and helping older people feel less alone — at Christmas and beyond. We couldn’t do this without you.

Events

Sheffield Carols Evening at St Andrew's Psalter Lane Church

Tuesday 9th 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!

Sheffield District MWiB Programme

11th December 2025— Christmas Carols/Lunch
Venue: Mosborough Methodist church at 11.00am
Tickets from Carol Wignell £12 . Carol Wignell to lead. Rev. Michael Brown to play.

The Worship On The Streets "Christmas Busk"

Saturday 13 December 12:00 pm

Worship On The Streets is coordinating the annual national Christmas-themed street worship event, which encourages Christians, ministries, and churches to lead a time of musical worship out on the streets of their local village, town, or city centre as a way of sharing the good news about Jesus. On Saturday 13th December, they are asking everyone to sing "O Come All Ye Faithful" out in public at 12pm as a united act of worship, followed by further time of musical worship for as long as each group would like to participate. If you would like to join in, please complete this online form:
For more information about this event or Worship On The Streets, please email Aaron at info@worshiponthestreets.co.uk

Vacancies

Play Space Manager

Broomhill Methodist Centre is embarking on an exciting journey to reimagine how church and community intersect. The centre has recently undergone extensive refurbishment, with the installation of a brand-new climbing wall and imaginative play space for young children.
Mini Broomhill is at the heart of the Families strand: a miniature town designed to spark imaginative play for young children, which will open early 2026. Mini Broomhill will host a balance of market-priced play sessions, community events for people of all faiths and none, and opportunities to explore Christian spirituality.
We are seeking to appoint a Play Space Manager to oversee the running of Mini Broomhill. The Play Space Manager will be employed for 20-hours per week, with a core working pattern of 9.30am-3pm on three regular days between Tuesday and Friday (to be set by agreement between the successful candidate and the management group). Supporting Mini Broomhill’s growing staff and volunteer team, and the evolution of its programme in response to customer needs, the Manager will work collaboratively with the Centre’s Community Pioneer, who will lead in the growing of new Christian communities rooted in real relationships and everyday spirituality.
Applications close at midday on Thursday 4 December 2025
Full details can be found here: Play Space Manager

And finally

A Prayer for an end to violence

Creator God, in Jesus you embrace all of our human condition.
In him, you weep with us, lament with us and strive with us for a world of righteousness and justice.
We grieve with communities, families and individuals who are afflicted by violence, who mourn for those lost to its effects, and who yearn and cry out for a better future.
Send your Holy Spirit afresh upon us we pray – make us channels of peace; renew in us Christ’s work of reconciliation; give us the wisdom to know what makes for healing, and to give our lives for it in his name.
Inspire us to plant and to nurture your seeds of hope, that your grace might flow in abundance and all your children know the freedom which is your promise and your gift in Christ.
Amen.
Jongikaya Zihle, former Chair, and Jonathan Dean, Chair, London District