District News – 20 October 2026

Stories from across the District

Traditional Hymns – in the pub!

Anybody wanting to have a good sing of some old hymns is welcome to join the group at The  Plough, at Low Bradfield on Sunday November 8th  from 8.00pm until 10.00pm  – hymn books and interval refreshment provided!

Contact Bob Townrow (towniesrm@talktalk.net) for more details

Grove St Turn it Pink

It's not every day you see a line of pink bras on display in a church vestibule!!!  However that is exactly what you will see at The Grove.  We are pleased to support the 'Turn it PINK' campaign.  This is a district wide campaign for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  The idea is to bring Bassetlaw together to go pink, to raise awareness & funds for Aurora wellbeing Centres & cancer support services.
We have entitled our display 'Everything Pink'., so it's not just bras!  There is also the opportunity to donate bras in the box next to the display.
Many thanks for loan of the items on display – their owners shall remain nameless!!
Sue Osborn

Hatfield Woodhouse Scarecrow Weekend

Saturday 31 October 10am-3pm

A list of scarecrows, their locations and a voting slip for you to choose your ‘best scarecrow’ will be available from the Chapel  (cost £1.00).
Why not call in and try a Bacon butty or buy homemade cakes, buy a raffle ticket, browse the stalls or just have a chat and a cup of tea/coffee.
Hatfield Woodhouse Methodist Church, High Street DN7 6NE

Bakewell Methodist Church

Remembrance Display

Our creative Remembrance Display is placed in gratitude of the sacrifices made on our behalf for a lasting peace.
The display includes Silhouettes in the style of Standing with Giants, a waterfall of poppies as we remember the poppies at the Tower of London, and an area to contemplate Peace. We show Characters at a Victory in Europe party and we have Prayer tree in memory of loved ones. We will display family medals and many other artifacts.
Everyone is welcome from 1st November – All Saints Day, until 11th December Armistice Day.
Refreshments will be available.
All are welcome to share in this opportunity.

Regional Officer for Safeguarding Update: 

Domestic Abuse webinar, open to all.

On 25 November 2026 at 11.00am to 12.00 noon, Sally Hope will present a webinar on the issue of domestic abuse which is common in our churches and church communities.
Writer, trainer and recovery practitioner, Sally Hope is the author of Always Hopeful, an eleven-week recovery programme for Christian women who have experienced Domestic Abuse.
A survivor herself, Sally spent several years working in a women's refuge facilitating recovery programmes and coaching women to rebuild their lives free from abuse. She recognised the lack of support for those women who had experienced spiritual abuse as part of the domestic abuse and so developed a peer support programme that, with training, can be delivered by any church or ministry to support Christian women to make sense of their faith in light of their experience of abuse.
Sally now trains others to deliver Always Hopeful as well as writing books, recovery resources, and articles about issues related to faith, feminism and domestic abuse.

Advance Registration is essential

Register on Zoom for Domestic abuse webinar with Sally Hope

If you have any safeguarding concerns, questions, or require advice, I would be pleased to hear from you. You can contact me on 07483 362735 or by email at hilla@methodistchurch.org.uk
Many thanks,
Alison Hill

Other News

Living wage update

The Living Wage was updated last week. The new rate is £14.10 an hour (or £15.45 in London).
The Real Living Wage is slightly higher than the national minimum wage. Many churches have made lasting commitments to pay the Real Living Wage, which has been calculated to allow people to afford a minimum acceptable standard of living.
Click here to download the updated briefing for Churches

Methodist Women in Britain (MWib)

Wellness – Residential Conference 9th – 11th April 2027

The Hayes Conference Centre, Swanwick, Derbyshire DE55 1AT

Considering together our spiritual, physical and emotional wellbeing through fellowship, worship, Bible study, a wide selection of workshops and with our keynote speaker Deacon Karen McBride, serving in the Leicester area.
We Arise and Shine as women of faith in our communities.
Cost for full board Friday evening to Sunday lunchtime - £210 per person
Booking opens Friday 6th November on our website www.mwib.org.uk

A deposit of £100 now secures your place, balance due in February
Some support available in the form of Bursaries
Further information & Bursary form: swanwick.mwib26@gmail.com

The conference will also be available on zoom for a small cost if you are unable to join in person.

Net Zero updates

More easy eco tips from A Rocha

Taste the difference!

Local and seasonal food not only tastes great but is better for the planet too.

• Think about incorporating locally grown produce into your diet and shopping list throughout the seasons, as it is harvested at its peak ripeness ensuring superior flavour, compared to imported alternatives that have travelled thousands of miles.
• If saying grace before a meal is a regular practice in your household, include giving thanks for your local food produces this month.

Upcoming Events

Urban Theology Union

The UTU conference 'Liberating the Left, Resisting the Right'  originally to be held this Saturday 24th October at Chapeltown Methodist Church has been postponed and its new date is February 27th 2027.

An Evening with Philippa Hanna

Saturday 13 February 7:00pm

Location: Trinity Methodist Church, Mirfield

Tickets available on Eventbrite or by contacting Stephen Stokes on 07503160638

See the poster for full details

And finally ...

Sixty years since Aberfan

The Revd Irving Penberthy, who is now 96, saw the horrific aftermath after a massive slag heap collapsed and engulfed Pantglas Junior School in the Welsh village, claiming the lives of 116 children and 28 adults on 21 October 1966.

You can read his story here: A minister remembers

His son-in-law, the Revd Gareth Hill, has written a prayer for the people of Aberfan

God of grace and compassion, we pray for the people and community of Aberfan.

The world watched 60 years ago as the tip slide engulfed Pantglas School and took away so many hopes for the future.

In time, news coverage and the world focus slipped away as the community was left to rebuild and recover hope. Since then, the village has lived with pain, loss and anger: mourning those who died and supporting survivors and bereaved families.

We thank you for faithful leaders who ministered in your name to the families; for consistent pastoral care in the pain and the aftermath and for encouragement to rebuild their lives.

Today, as we remember the 116 children and 28 adults who died – and the lives impacted by that – we commend Aberfan to the God who knows our darkest moments and meets us in our brokenness.

We know that the promise of our faith is a day when all pain, sickness and tears will be wiped away.

Give us faith to live in that promise, now and always.

Amen. 

A prayer that God holds both our tears and smiles

Loving God,
We acknowledge we carry both sorrow and joy in our hearts.
In moments of grief, be our comfort and our strength;
sit with us in silence when words fail,
and remind us that we are not alone.
In moments of joy, teach us gratitude,
that we may recognise your light in laughter,
your hope in new beginnings,
and your grace in every blessing.
Hold our tears and our smiles both,
and help us trust that even sorrow can lead us towards a deeper joy and understanding in you. Amen.

Jona Sewell, Chair, Newcastle upon Tyne District