District News – 23 September 2025

This Week's News

Baby Loss Awareness Week

9-15 October

You are invited to join Bolsover Methodist Church on Sunday 12 October at 6pm for a time of reflection to remember those babies we have lost recently or in years gone by.
See more on the poster.

Open Church in Hathersage

Hathersage Methodist Church recently took the step of having its front doors open to visitors every day. Several points of interest have been created in the church, including a second-hand bookshop (with an 'honesty box' and card reader for payments), a display about the history of the church, a communal jigsaw table, a children's play area and an area for prayer. The church also installed a 'visitor counter' at the door to keep track of visits.
The first few months have been a great success, with an average of 55 visits per day and about 150 books sold each week. There have
been lots of positive comments from local residents, many saying they had never been inside the building before.
The church is open every day approx 9am to 5pm. We welcome donations of books (can be dropped off any time the church is
open).
To find out more visit https://www.hathersagemethodist.org.uk/
or contact hathersagemethodist@gmail.com

District Office update

Katrin will be back in the office from next Monday, but things are still quite uncertain with the family situation, which may mean she has to go off again at short notice.
She is very grateful for the understanding shown at this time.

Events

'What does it look like to be a Christian in the face of global injustice?'

Wednesday 24 September 2025 at 7.30pm

Totley Rise Methodist Church invites you to An evening with Becca Wakelin, advocate for All We Can.
Come prepared to dig deep into our motivations, hopes and fears in an interactive exploration of what 'doing justice' looks like with our global neighbours.
Becca worked in social care for 7 years, as an engagement and wellbeing lead (aka 'Bingo Caller') and as a chaplain for MHA. In both roles, she walked alongside people, often who had been marginalised and neglected, putting them at the centre of their own care and lives. Now she advocates for people to have that same treatment when facing extreme poverty and climate change through her work with All We Can.
Becca lives in Nottingham, loves her wild garden and abundant grapevine, her new husband and her two children (nearly 17 and 19). She'd describe herself as a 'mystic', experiencing the presence of God in transformational ways, particularly when in, on or beside water.

Trauma Informed Practice Webinar

Saturday 11 October at 9:30am (online)

What is trauma?
We will be looking at the different ways people can be exposed to and treated to trauma and the practical ways we can best support those that have experience trauma.
This training session will look at the causes of trauma; how it is experienced in our bodies and how churches can support people who have experiences of trauma. You may find the content hard, so please look after yourselves. If you need to switch your camera off, do. There will be people who can be contacted for support during the session or afterwards.
Speaker: Rev Karen Jobson
Reverend Karen Jobson is the Chaplain for Staff Wellbeing at North West Ambulance Service. She has previously served as a chaplain in mental health hospitals and at the University of Portsmouth and was a circuit minister. A qualified counsellor, she brings both professional expertise and personal insight to her work, with a particular interest in trauma and emotional wellbeing.
Places are going fast so do book your place here: https://251011-Trauma.eventbrite.co.uk
Bookings will close on 8 October.

Urban Mission Toolkit

Saturday 11 October 10am

Tools for talking about faith in urban contexts
Time: 10am to 3.30pm
Location: The Church of Christ in Darnall
Cost: £25 (including lunch)
Join us for a dynamic event where you'll learn effective communication techniques to share your beliefs in diverse urban settings. Discover strategies to engage in meaningful conversations about faith with confidence. Don't miss this opportunity to enhance your communication skills and connect with like-minded individuals.
Book your place here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/tools-for-talking-about-faith-in-urban-contexts-tickets-1563992035279

The Samuel Chadwick Lecture 2025

Thursday 16 October 2025

Our annual Samuel Chadwick Lecture will take place on Thursday 16 October 2025. The theme will be History, Church Growth and the Spirit, and this year the lecture can be attended onsite at Cliff College or online via Zoom.
The keynote speaker for this event will be Professor William K Kay, Professor Emeritus in Theology at Wrexham University and founding director of the Centre for Pentecostal and Charismatic Studies at Bangor University. Professor Kay's research interests include the history of Pentecostal and charismatic movements, and the lecture will draw on this research. The formal response will be from Dr Ben Pugh, director of the Samuel Chadwick Centre.
Book your place here: https://www.cliffcollege.ac.uk/news-events/samuel-chadwick-lecture-2025

Wrestling with Faith

Saturday 18 October 9:30am

An Ecumenical Workshop on Worship let by the Wild Good Resource Group of the Iona Community, Scotland. This is taking place at Central Methodist Church, Chesterfield, starting with refreshments from 9:30 and ending at 1pm.
If possible, please let Judith Timperley (07785 538 531) know if you would like to attend, although you can just turn up on the day.
There is a suggested donation of £10 per person to help with costs of putting this event on.

The Ebor Lecture

Wednesday 5 November

This year the lecture is : A Manifesto for Hope – Creating Opportunities for Children,
Young People and Their Families with Steve Chalke.
The Reverend Canon Steve Chalke (MBE,FRSA) is a British Baptist minister, founder of the Oasis Charitable Trust, social activist, author, and former United Nations' Special Adviser on Human Trafficking.
The lecture can be attended online as well as onsite and tickets (free!) for both are available here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ebor-lecture-steve-chalke-tickets-1643356065229?aff=oddtdtcreator

For Goodness Sake

“For Goodness Sake” is a gathering of people who long for justice, taking place in Derby on Saturday 8 November 2025. It is being organised by the Joint Public Issues Team on behalf of the Baptist Union of Great Britain, Methodist Church and United Reformed Church, and in association with the Church of Scotland and Iona Community.
The Conference will be a mixture of worship led by the Iona Community, keynote speakers (including Bishop Dr Guli Francis-Dehqani) and panel events, with stalls, craftivism, filming and writing activities, and much, much more. It an ideal opportunity to meet with other Christian justice-seekers and to connect in a friendly space.
There will be Listening Spaces built on community organising practices to enable us to hear each-other’s voices, and the voices of those most effected by issues of injustice.
Tickets are just £15, and if you’re under 25 years old, it’s free.
To book visit https://jpit-conference-2025.eventbrite.co.uk/
and to find more out about the day For Goodness Sake! What's the plan?

Hospitality and Sanctuary for All

Come and join us at Holy Rood House in Thirsk from Friday 28 – Sunday 30 November for our Advent Retreat 'Hospitality and Sanctuary for All' led by the Revd Inderjit Bhogal OBE.
Inderjit was the Founder of City of Sanctuary (UK) and was awarded the World Methodist Peace Award in 2018 as someone who has made significant contributions to peace, reconciliation and justice. His message is so simple: “Be human, be hospitable, challenge
hatred and hostility”. The weekend will include talks, discussion, creativity, prayer and space to rest and reflect.
For further information please see https://www.holyroodhouse.org.uk/Groups/426712/Events.aspx
or email enquiries@holyroodhouse.org.uk

Vacancies

Community Pioneer,

Broomhill Methodist Centre

Broomhill Methodist Centre is embarking on an exciting journey to reimagine how church and community intersect.
Rather than focusing solely on traditional Sunday services, the Centre will become a vibrant hub for three distinct yet interconnected communities: Climbing, Families and Student.
Each community is designed to meet the diverse needs of people in Broomhill and beyond, offering innovative, inclusive spaces where individuals and families can explore faith, build relationships, and grow together.
These three communities will operate under the same roof, utilizing the Centre’s unique facilities—such as the climbing wall and creative play areas—while fostering an environment of spiritual exploration and connection. By focusing on adventure, creativity, and authentic relationships, the Broomhill Methodist Centre aims to become a beacon of hope and transformation in Sheffield.
The role of Community Pioneer will play a key part in shaping three new Christian communities that are rooted in real relationships and everyday spirituality aligning with the national New Places for New People vision of the Methodist Church, creating fresh expressions of faith in response to local needs and imagination.
Full details, including how to apply, can be found here: https://www.sheffieldmethodist.org/.../community-pioneer-broomhill-methodist-centre.html
Closing Date – mid-day on 28 September

And Finally ...

A prayer that our lives may sing of God's faithfulness

Lord of all creation, you have written our story with hands of grace.
Every chapter filled with mercy. Every verse a melody of love.
May our lives sing of your faithfulness.
Let our story be a testament of your goodness
and our song a sweet offering before your throne.
You weave sorrow in strands of gold, turning burdens into blessings unseen.
Teach us to sing through every season,
to trust when the road is steep,
to know that your goodness is the chorus that carries us home.

You, O Lord, are our keeper,
our composer, our strength, our song.
To you be all the glory, forever and ever.

Naomi Fetu, Methodist Church in Samoa