District News – 21 March 2023

This Week's News

Wander and Wonder Art Event

6-9 April – Monyash Methodist Church, Chapel Street, Monyash DE45 1HE

Ever wondered where the women of Holy Week are?
You are invited to "wander and wonder" through the paintings of Ally Barrett .
The exhibition will be open as follows:

• Thursday 6th 10:30-16:30
• Friday 7th 10:30-14:00
• Saturday 8th 10:30-16:30
• Sunday 9th 12:30-17:30 followed by
• Sunday Easter Reflections 18:00 -- 18:45

In addition, Deacon Lorraine Brown would be delighted if you were interest in joining her on Tuesday evening at 7:30-pm to reflect on "The Women of Holy Week, by Paula Gooder.
Contact Lorraine (peakpark@sheffieldmethodist.org) for more details.

The Bishop of Sheffield joins the House of Lords

The Bishop of Sheffield, the Right Reverend Dr Pete Wilcox, has joined the House of Lords as one of the Lords Spiritual.

In a statement Bishop Pete said:
"I am keen to make an effective contribution in the House of Lords for the benefit of the communities we serve across the Diocese. I hope to be more visibly the Bishop of Sheffield, not less, on account of this new responsibility. There will undoubtedly be opportunities to make new partnerships both across our region and at Westminster, for the sake of the coming kingdom of God. My first priority remains unchanged: to see the Diocese of Sheffield renewed, released and rejuvenated in the power of the Holy Spirit, as we bear witness to the salvation God has won for us in the life, death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus."

26 bishops of the Church of England sit in the House of Lords, which is the Second Chamber of the United Kingdom Parliament. Known as the Lords Spiritual, the bishops read prayers at the start of each day's parliamentary business and play an active role in the life and work of the House, including in behind-the-scenes committee work scrutinising draft legislation.

Flourish – Rooted in Love

Friday 14-Sunday 16 April – Scarborough

A time to discover how we can flourish in our faith, as a church for the future, and in being missional communities. Organised by the Yorkshire North and East District, but open to all.
be INSPIRED
be CHALLENGED
REFLECT and be RENEWED
have FUN and LAUGHTER
your HEART STRANGELY WARMED
be EQUIPPED to FLOURISH

More information, including how to book (£10 for the day or the weekend!) visit their website here:
https://www.yorkshirenemethodist.org/flourish23/

District Safeguarding Update

Mandatory Methodist Church (Equality, Diversity and Inclusion) EDI Training

District Safeguarding Officers have been asked to publicise the following training. Please note I am not tasked with providing this training and therefore I will not be able to answer any of your questions or queries. Please speak to the person in pastoral charge of your church or your circuit superintendent who may have more information than I do.
You will notice though that I am identified as someone needing to attend, so once I've completed the course I will feedback and let you know how I got on!

It was agreed at Methodist Conference 2021, that all the people in the following roles must undertake mandatory EDI Training by the end of 2023.:

1. All ministers (including Superintendents and District Chairs)
2. Local Preachers
3. Connexional Committee members
4. Connexional Team members
5. Circuit and District Safeguarding Officers
6. Circuit stewards and church stewards
7. Lay Workers:
a) Lay Pastoral Workers
b) Children, Youth and Family Workers
c) Pioneers

Read more on the Mandatory EDI Training (Equality, Diversity and Inclusion) page where you will also find a link to the MCBX login page and the launch video.

The EDI training consists of 3 parts:
a. Unconscious Bias Training – this takes 1-2 hours and can be done in 3 different ways:

• via MCBX online,
• via a course put on by the Learning Network over Zoom or
• in small groups at your local setting using these resources:

b. EDI Training Course – at the moment, the only way to access this is via MCBX

c. Further annual learning – EDI work works best if it isn't just seen as a one-off butwhere the learner pledges to learn and change over a longer period of time.Therefore, individuals are encouraged to set their own goals for further learning, by themselves or collectively with others. This can involve self-learning, using the Personal Responsibility Commitment or through reading, internet research, attending a course or learning in conversation with others.

Launch Video: Watch the EDI Training launch video introduced by Jill Marsh (Inclusive Church Implementation Officer) here ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTqUMhhYPks ) which also shows you how to register on MCBX.

Anyone responsible for leading a group, team or committee, or line managing an employee, is responsible for ensuring that everyone for whom they have responsibility has completed the mandatory training by the end of 2023.

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

Regional Retreat – The Path is made by Walking

9-11 May 2023.

There are still a few places available on the next Regional Retreat for presbyters, deacons and lay employees.
This retreat will ponder how the act of walking contributes to our experience of pilgrimage and journey. We will explore the nature and rhythm of walking and how it might illuminate and open up our prayer life and our reading of the scriptures. There will be opportunity for reflective walks, long and short, led and self-directed, in the beautiful grounds of Wydale Hall and the surrounding countryside.

Full details including how to book your place here: https://YP-230509-retreat.eventbrite.co.uk by 25 April.

Administrators Gathering

Thursday 25 May from 8:30am

The South Yorkshire UCAN (UK Church Administrators Network) group are organising a breakfast gathering at All Saints Church, Ecclesall Road, Sheffield. This will be open to anyone who is involved in administration within the church setting. By starting early, it is hoped it won't impact too much on your working day, but will be an opportunity to learn more about the work of UCAN and to offer each other support and encouragement.

It would be helpful to know how many to expect, so please let Katrin (admin@sheffieldmethodist.org) know if you hope to attend.

Lay Employees Retreat

5-7 June 2023 at Wydale Hall

A 48 hour gathering open to all Lay Employees within the Methodist Church in the Yorkshire Plus and North East Learning Regions. A time to relax, recharge and connect with others working in a similar environment to yourself.

Lost, Found, Reclaimed

Over time things change – but is that always for good?
Lost, Found, Reclaimed takes as its starting point "The Lost Words" book, written as a response to the removal of everyday nature words – among them "acorn", "bluebell", "kingfisher" and "wren" – from a widely used children's dictionary, because those words were not being used enough by children to merit inclusion.

In this retreat we will be exploring some of the things that have been lost; what might we want to reclaim or rediscover; but also what new things have we found that aid our work.

Register link: https://20230605LayRetreat.eventbrite.co.uk before 3 April (places are limited)

Every Church a Growing Church: Mission planning for all

Saturday 8 July

Having a mission plan is essential to the health of every Methodist church. On these pages, you will find everything your church, circuit or district needs to get started with mission planning. A good mission plan puts into words your hopes and dreams and shows how you will start making them a reality.

For inspiration, practical tips and help tailored to your church or circuit context, come along to the online conference Every Church a Growing Church: Mission planning for all on Saturday 8th July 2023. Come as an individual or, better still, bring a few others from your church or circuit so you can get inspired and equipped together.
Link to register: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/every-church-a-growing-church-mission-planning-for-all-tickets-525626953367

Other News

Five Golden Rules of being a Trustee

The Legal & Constitutional Practice Team produced a new resource for Managing Trustees called The Five Golden Rules of being a Trustee. This new guidance will be essential reading for all members of Local Church Councils, Circuit Meetings, and any of the other Methodist bodies of Managing Trustees. It reminds us that if you are a member of any of these bodies then you are a charity trustee and are obliged to follow the duties placed on you under charity law. The guidance is a helpful reference tool summarising what it means to be a Methodist charity trustee and encapsulates the duties placed on you in five golden rules. The document also contains practical guidance on how to follow these rules in your day-to-day life as a Methodist charity trustee, gives information on trustee liability and provides links to further help and assistance from the Charity Commission. Click here to read more.

And finally ...

Loving living God,
help us today as we practise our love for our neighbour.
Help us to see that all we are and do is embodied in your simple commands to love you and those around us.
Give us your perspective of this wonderful planet and all its peoples, so no life is seen as less than another's.
By your gracious Spirit may the love of Christ Jesus be known, shown and grown.
Amen.