District News – 22 November 2022

This Week's News

Warm Spaces – early learnings

If you have received a district grant towards your warm space, you should have received an invitation to join one of our "early learnings" Zoom conversations. We may be entering a season of economic pain the like of which our communities have not seen for at least a generation. It seems important in this context to create opportunities for those leading warm spaces to share experiences and learn from each other.
We will each have discovered different things, and something that seems obvious on one place may be a key nugget of wisdom to allow another church to reach its potential.
Conversations in December will be 2pm Wed 7th, 10am Fri 9th, 7:30pm Mon 12th.
Contact Neil Harland mission@sheffieldmethodist.org for details.

Urban Theology Union (UTU)

UTU's Autumn Newsletter Edition 72 is now available. Please follow the link below or go to their website: https://utusheffield.org.uk/
UTU-News-72_22

Whirlow Spirituality Centre

Resource Evenings for Spiritual Accompaniers

18th January, 28th March, 24th May
Each evening will include any/some of the following;

• conversation around a particular topic of interest to spiritual accompaniers
• listening practice in triads, including feedback
• an element of peer/group supervision

For more information, visit the what's on page

Encounter 2023

A Methodist exploration of discipleship & vocation

• Ever wondered what God is calling you to?
• Would you like to have a greater impact as a Christian disciple?

Make 2023 the year in which you join with others to explore your gifts and faith.

Encounter is...

• a place to deepen your awareness of God
• an opportunity to reflect on your faith journey
• a supportive small group environment
• for sharing and learning together

Starts January 2023 ~ends November 2023
To find out more visit: https://www.methodist.org.uk/encounter

District Officers' Updates

District Safeguarding Update

'The Hidden Victims of Domestic Abuse' Webinar – 24 November 2022

The third Domestic Abuse Webinar will be held on Thursday 24th November at 10.00 am. The theme is 'The Hidden Victims of Domestic abuse' and with this in mind presentations will include domestic abuse amongst older people, young people and within ministerial families. The webinar is scheduled to finish at 11.45 am and will include a 10-minute break.
Speakers include Veronica Gray from Hourglass (Formerly Action on Elder Abuse), Maggie Wilkinson from Broken Rites, and Beckie Breakwell from What's the Debate. A Q&A session is also planned.
In addition, the President of Conference will be delivering the opening address, the Assistant Secretary of Conference will be speaking about the Methodist Church stance on Domestic abuse and the Youth President will be offering some closing reflections.
Details of the webinar can be found here: https://www.methodist.org.uk/safeguarding/webinars/the-hidden-victims-of-domestic-abuse-webinar-24-november-2022/
Date: Thursday 24 November 2022 Time: 10:00 – 11.45 AM
Topic: The Hidden Victims of Domestic abuse
Register in advance for this webinar: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_R34jIC-3ScisHxLukZuoDQ
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

IICSA Final Report Published

The Independent Inquiry into child sexual abuse (IICSA) was set up following the Jimmy Savile scandal and examined the responses of a broad range of institutions and organisations to allegations of child sexual abuse. Following a seven-year inquiry, the Inquiry published its final Report on Thursday 20 October 2022 which included 20 key recommendations.
The government said it would respond in full to the inquiry's report within six months.
Methodist Church's Statement in relation to the IICSA Report was released on 20 October: Final report of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse published ( methodist.org.uk )

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.

District Administration

Statistics for Mission 2022

The data entry site https://online.methodist.org.uk is now open for the 2022 statistics collection. All churches need to log in to record the number of members as at 1 November. They also need to record the average attendance (all ages) at the main worship service.

It is also a good time to check the details of the office holders and make any necessary changes. This will help ensure that the connexional database is correct.
If you have any problems with this, please contact Katrin in the District Office (katrin@sheffieldmethodist.org)

Events

A Musical Offering on the Eve of Advent

26 November: 19:00 -St Andrew's Psalter Lane Church, Sheffield

Members of the congregation have prepared an evening of music to take place on the eve of Advent at St Andrew's Psalter Lane Church, 31 Psalter Lane S11 8YL.
Join us at 7.00 pm on Saturday 26th November 2022 for a couple of hours of music and refreshments.
Tickets will be available on the door at £5.00 for adults (children free), also donations towards repair of the church spire would be welcome.

Nativity Festival

17 December from 10am to 4pm

The Crossing Church, Worksop, invites you to see nativity sets from around the world, hear their stories and make your own nativity set.
Free entry – all are welcome.

Positively Rural – Opportunities of Rural Chaplaincy

Tuesday 17 January from 7:30pm

A webinar exploring different models of rural chaplaincy and the support offered in rural communities.
At the webinar we will have 2 speakers who have diverse experiences of Rural Chaplaincy. We will explore about what is involved in chaplaincy and our role in supporting it and playing our part in it.
Speakers: Rev Maggy Ellison a chaplain at York Auction Mart and Deacon Maggie Patchett who has been involved in various rural chaplaincies

Link to register: https://PositivelyRural230117.eventbrite.co.uk

Positively Rural is an online community hosted by the Yorkshire Plus Learning Network, but open to anyone of any denomination involved in rural ministry, including volunteers, lay workers and clergy.

And finally ...

As we head towards the start of Advent, why not take a moment to watch the Methodist Church's video " There is room "
Interested in finding out what happens next? Discover more about the characters in the film and the themes running throughout it at thereisroom.co.uk.