District News – 22 July 2025

This Week's News

District Farwell service

On Sunday, the District held a Farewell Service for Revd Gill Newton, who is moving on from being Chair of the District to a role within the Connexional Team.
It was wonderful to see so many people there, and to hear how much she has been valued during her 11 years as Chair of District. The Service was live-streamed, and can be watched again on the Greenhill Methodist Church YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7j4k_MaVOaA
The collection during the service for the work of City of Sanctuary raised £400.If you were not able to attend, but do want to contribute towards this collection, or towards the leaving gift given by the District, please get in touch before the end of this week.

Faith, Hope and The Journey – Podcast – Gill Newton

Before Gill bid a fond farewell to the District we recorded a podcast with her to find out more about her.
In this episode of Faith, Hope and The Journey we explore Gill's faith journey, her life growing up in Cornwall, working in the banking industry before answering the call into ministry.
We talk about singleness, her life and ministry of 11 plus years in the district, her Presidential year and she shares some of her favourite memories.
Gill is now moving onto her next adventure in a Connexional ministries role and we ask you hold her in your prayers as she takes this next step in her ministry.
Please do take the time to listen and share this podcast.
https://www.sheffieldmethodist.org/podcast.html
Soundcloud – https://on.soundcloud.com/x5ZJDfrpZJJUndSv3w
Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/episode/5yNrUFNmQvgd87L1efMrzX?si=ubjcVToZRjaxeLJ6W770-Q
iTunes – https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/faith-hope-and-the-journey-gill-newton/id1728508852?i=1000717494228
Amazon – https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/8d864f47-7ab6-4a12-b471-77b1e8b12082/episodes/0b29f4f4-4af2-4990-97b1-7023a3f66b3b/sheffield-methodist-district-faith-hope-and-the-journey---gill-newton?ref=dm_sh_IjbU5IuvoVsG1TlwnecCUZrPK

Moving on or Sitting Down

This is the time when ministers will be moving on to new homes. We wish Jill Pullan and Claire Rawlinson every blessing as they move on to new Districts, and Julie Letts as she "sits down" to her new home in the Peak Circuit as a supernumerary minister.
We thank them all for their time in our District and every blessing on this new stage in their lives.

Funeral details

Following the notice last month about the death of Deacon Adrienne Nixon, we can now share that her funeral will be on Thursday 31 July, 11:30am, at Stephen Hill Methodist Church, Sheffield.
The funeral for Revd John Young, who died last week, will be on Friday 15 August, 11:10am at Chesterfield Crematorium, followed by a service of thanksgiving at Central Methodist Church at 12 noon. The service will be streamed via Central's YouTube channel which can be found here: https://youtube.com/live/maGK7hV6oL4?feature=share
We continue to hold the family and friends of Adrienne and John in our prayers.

Inspiring textile art at Sheffield Cathedral

Threads through the Cross an astonishing, inspiring exhibition of textile art. With spectacular designs, brilliant colours and extraordinary stitching, eighteen huge panels depict key moments in Jesus' life.
It is one of the largest ever textile projects by a single person, and will be on show from 7th August to 22nd September at Sheffield Cathedral.
Artist Jacqui Parkinson has been fascinated by the Bible and its stories for fifty years – and now in the last ten years has been stitching the panels in her studio in Devon, using over 25 million stitches to create Threads through the Bible.It's a story in three parts, three huge exhibitions ... the first one has been displayed at Sheffield: Threads through Creation – inspiring images from the first pages of the bible; and now you can see part two, Threads through the Cross – dramatic moments in the life of Jesus.
Admission free

Charity Commission webinars

The Charity Commission for England and Wales registers and regulates charities to ensure that the public can support charities with confidence. Through regular events, the Charities Engagement Team supports trustees and charity leaders to manage their charities effectively.
Their in-person workshops, webinars and guidance cover a variety of topics such as:

• Charity law requirements and trustee legal duties;
• Good governance, including risk management and decision making;
• Best practice and the Commission's expectations.

Many of our events are tailored to particular audiences including faith charities, charities associated with higher education and charities which operate internationally, especially in higher-risk areas.
Their events are open to any charity to attend and, whilst intended for trustees, may also be helpful for staff and other volunteers. For more information about each, and to book onto an event please visit their Bookwhen page using this link.

Conference Business Digest

The Methodist Conference is the governing body of the Methodist Church in Great Britain and meets annually to discuss matters affecting the life of the Church, the nation and the world.
The Conference Business Digest is a report for local churches detailing the business of the recently held 2025 Methodist Conference.
You can download a copy from the Methodist Church Website here: Conference Digest

Methodist Conference 2026

Within the District Gathering we hold the life of Methodism across our district in prayer, renew our relationship with our wider Connexional church, and make any formal decisions required of us as a district – the work of the representative synod.
An important part of the business is electing representatives to the Methodist Conference.
This year we need to elect one minster and one lay persons to serve for one year . Each member of Synod may nominate one person, whose consent must be obtained prior to nomination and who must be a member of a Methodist church within the Sheffield District. The nomination must be supported by two Synod members.
The nomination form can be downloaded here: Conference Representative Nomination

What to Consider when Preaching in a Multicultural Context with Clare Williams

Wednesday 23 July 1pm

In a world marked by cultural diversity, how can we faithfully preach the unchanging gospel in ways that connect meaningfully across different backgrounds, experiences and worldviews? Join us for this timely and practical online workshop with Clare Williams as we explore what it means to preach with cultural awareness, sensitivity and clarity.
From this workshop you'll gain:-Insight into how cultural context shapes the way people hear and understand preaching

• Tools to preach more effectively and sensitively to diverse audiences
• Encouragement for ministering in multicultural churches and communities

Inspiration to grow in cultural humility, while remaining faithful to Scripture
Whether you're preaching regularly, leading in a multicultural church, or simply wanting to grow in cultural understanding, this session offers a rich blend of theological reflection and practical insight. Clare will help us consider the questions we need to ask, the posture we need to adopt, and the tools we can use to communicate Christ in a way that resonates across cultures.
Register for your free place here:
Preaching Workshop

Urban Theology Union

Postgraduate Research @ University of Sheffield: Liberation Theology in Britain.

The objective of this research is to understand the varied British reactions to Liberation Theology by examining a variety of sources that are not just theological or academic. By understanding the history of its reception in the UK, the project will contribute to the understanding of British theology and cultural history.
If you have experience with Liberation Theology and/or Urban Theology in a British context and would like further information or to contribute to this research through an informal interview, please contact Ross Hardy at rphardy1@sheffield.ac.uk

Taste – Life Changing Water

Nigerian communities, face significant challenges in Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) – 39% lack access to clean water, leading to diseases like cholera and typhoid. Lack of clean water is also the main cause of death for children under the age of 5.
Although 61.2% of Nigerians have access to electricity there are frequent power cuts due to poor infrastructure and reliance on the unstable national grid.
Despite being blessed with vast areas of fertile land, food insecurity is prevalent across the nation due mainly to poor agricultural practices, low mechanisation, low crop yields, and religious conflicts.
These challenges that Nigeria faces is exacerbated by rapid population growth.
TASTE is forming a partnership with, Aftrak, PAM Africa and Tiyeni, to address the link between disease, poor WASH, low crop yields. We will with our partners prioritise the provision of clean water, affordable energy, and better farming techniques.
The partnership has submitted a project proposal worth £130,000 to EDP – an European renewable energy company. The project comprises:-Water supply, critical for healthy living. TASTE and partners will support 3,000 people in Ampang West community with potable water supply powered by solar energy. Selected members of the community will be trained on good basic sanitation and hygiene and will serve as WASH promoters.

• Solar micro-grid to provide reliable, clean energy to power the borehole. The excess energy will provide 30 homes and 10 micro businesses with access to clean affordable renewable energy.
• Solar-powered Deep-Bed Farming (DBF) Mini-tractors to improve agricultural productivity and efficiency in local farming practices. Deep-Bed Farming innovation is proven to increase food production by at least three-fold.
• Training programmes for 50 farmers on the use of these machines and sustainable farming techniques thereby increasing the capacity of the farmers on improved and mechanised farming methods that can improve food production and ultimately ensure food security. We have successfully completed the Phase 1 of the selection process, there are 3 more Phases to go.

Please pray that our application would be successful.
Read more about their work here:

District Office Update

Holiday time!

A number of District Staff are likely to be away over the next month, including the District Administrator. The office will be closed in the week beginning 18 August until the bank holiday, while I take a busman's holiday volunteering at the Greenbelt Festival.

Events

Celebration Event at the UTU

UTU celebrates the work of a remarkable quintet of people with a "bring and share" celebration lunch onSat 26 July from 11.30am to 2.30pm
John Vincent prophetic and radical Biblical scholar and minister who began it all and challenged and inspired so many; Ian Duffield who so ably supported, cajoled and herded our Professional Doctorate and PhD students through their researches, and his much more than side-kick, Robin Pagan; Rob Hoch-Yidokodiltona who joined us four years back to develop and oversee all our courses; and Jill Wagg who has supported, cajoled and herded the staff and Trustees as our Office Administrator.
For more information and booking:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/celebration-event-tickets-1465479341159

District Gathering including Synod

Saturday 13 September

Our next District Gathering will be on the theme of Rooted, Relevant and Reimagined – being the church for today's world. Everyone is welcome to this free event, whether you are coming for the first time, have attended previous District Gatherings, or are a member of our Synod.
Join us for a day of learning, sharing and worship with a buffet lunch provided as we offer an opportunity to renew existing connections across our District and meet new people.
Book your place here: https://buytickets.at/sheffieldmethodistdistrict/1774031

Lament and Hope

October 18, 2025 @ 10:00 am – 4:00 pm

An Eco Church event with creative arts and music to honour the Season of Creation held at Rotherham Minister
A space to lament and reflect on the damage we've done to creation, to explore hope and how we can make a difference.
Opens at 10am and closes with a service from 3pm
'Stations of Lament' is an art exhibition created by the late Rev'd Louise Carr.-Meet other Eco Churches and chat with our Diocesan Environment Team.

• Healing and Wholeness space
• Eco craft activity for all ages
• Service with the Steel City Choristers and the choristers of Rotherham Minster.

Free to attend. No need to book in advance and you can attend for as little or as much of the day as you like. Tea and coffee will be served throughout the day.

And Finally ...

A prayer for the triumph of God's will

God of grace and hope,
Where the warmth of a smile eclipses the sinister sneer -
Let hope stand triumphant.
Where an act of kindness
undermines an evil deed -
Let hope stand triumphant.
Where a word of peace
silences the terrorist's threat -
Let hope stand triumphant.
Where difference is diversity
in place of disunity -
Let hope stand triumphant.
Where youth is innocent
and age is wisdom -
Let hope stand triumphant.
Where love is real
and faith is kindled -
Let hope stand triumphant.
Praying that praise and protest
would be partners in our living and in our praying,
that your kingdom may come among us.
Amen.
Andy Fyall, District Chair, Nottingham and Derby District