District News – 24 February 2026

Stories from across the District

Hathersage Repair Cafe

Hathersage Repair Cafe offers free advice and on-the-day repairs to clothes/textiles, small electricals, furniture, IT equipment, houseplants, bicycles and knife/tool sharpening. The Repair Cafe was set up in 2021 by volunteers from the Anglican and Methodist churches in Hathersage and takes place every three months. The aim is to promote a culture of repair and re-use, stopping items going to landfill and reducing the environmental cost of buying new. Refreshments are served and all are welcome to drop in, whether bringing something for repair or just for a cuppa and chat.
The next session is on Saturda7 28 February from 9:15

Are you interested in a study of the Bible?

Manna and Mercy, Tuesday, 7.30pm – 9pm

7, 14, 21 and 28 April and 5 May 2026 (five sessions) at Woodseats Methodist Church, Holmhirst Road, S8 0GU
During the Manna and Mercy course, we will take a fresh look at scripture through the interpretive lens of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection and God’s overall call for each one of us to partner with God in mending this fractured world.
The Bible is meant to be an instrument of God to enable abundant life for God’s creation. Sadly, through the ages it has been read and interpreted in such a way that is has been used as an instrument of human domination, and death. It has been used to cheer on the Crusades, advocate Apartheid, sanction sexism and worship prosperity in the face of the poor, to name just a few horrors of our human history.
The hope is that after completing the course, our interpretations and use of the scriptures will be truly liberating and life-enabling for all of creation.
To book email admin@sheffieldcircuit.org.uk or phone 0114 2726561.

District News

BBC's Songs of Praise – Do you know any unsung hero's?

We have been approached by BBC's Songs of Praise programme who are on the look out for unsung hero's in the district.
They'd like to hear about anyone whose voluntary work in the cornerstone of church life. The episode will showcase the work of volunteers from different denominations from all over England.
If you know someone who fits this bill, we'd love to hear from you. The person/people would need to be confident to speak to a film crew and spend some time filming with them.
Can any nominations please be sent to Sam Roberts, District Communications Officer, comms@sheffieldmethodist.org by Monday 2nd March so we can speak to Producers. Nominations should include details of what the volunteer/s have been doing , how their work is vital to church life and the impact they have made.
There is no guarantees our district will selected. Thank you 🙂
Sam Roberts – Communications Officer

WhatsApp Channel

Have you found our channel yet?

This does not replace the newsletter, but will be another place where you can find our weekly prayer, links to book onto District events and other resources. The advantage of a WhatApp message is that you can then very easily share a single message with others among your own contacts, helping to spread the word!
Find our channel here, or scan the QR code
WhatsApp Channels can be found on the Updates section of the app menu

GDPR Annual Checklist

TMPC (Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes) have announced that the GDPR (General Data Protection Regulations) checklist for 2026 is now live. It is very similar to previous years – the biggest change is that they have moved from using Google to Microsoft. You can find out more here: Annual Checklist Reporting

As in previous years, I have set aside some time for online support sessions to be held on Zoom. These are planned for:

• Tuesday 10 March at 12:00 noon or 7:30pm
• Thursday 19 March at 10:30 or 1:00pm

Book a place here

Other News

A Weekend Retreat

Are you wondering about trying out a retreat for the first time? Or just wanting some time out with God. This post-Easter retreat may be just what you are looking for. It will be held over the weekend 24 to 26 April at the Briery Retreat House in Ilkley. The house and its surroundings offer a beautiful and relaxing space for prayer and reflection. Retreat guides will be available. The retreat is being organised by Sheffield Diocese but is fully ecumenical. The total cost is £250. Last year's retreat was very warmly received.
For more information, see https://www.sheffield.anglican.org/event/a-weekend-retreat-24-26-april-2026/ (or google on ‘sheffield diocese events retreat’) or contact Suzanna Upperdine on (01709) 309147 or at suzanna.upperdine@sheffield.anglican.org

Fairtrade Places of Worship recommitment guide

Churches, mosques, synagogues, and other places of worship across the UK have been at the heart of the success of Fairtrade – putting faith into action by using and promoting Fairtrade products and leading public conversation about justice for the farmers and workers we rely on.
Twenty-five years on from the launch of the FAIRTRADE Mark there is much to celebrate, but plenty left to achieve, as we enter a new chapter where values of justice in trade need to be front of mind as much as ever.
We are calling on all places of worship to re-commit to Fairtrade, or to commit if you are applying for the first time, re-assert their support for a fairer trading system that values people and planet and pledge to undertake some simple, practical actions with Fairtrade.
There is a brand-new online commitment process that’s easy to complete whether you have applied for Fairtrade status before, or not, and new certificates, posters and materials available to celebrate and showcase your Fairtrade commitment

Action for Children Sunday

Action for Children Sunday happens every year on the second Sunday in July. This year it will be held on Sunday 12th July. But you can hold a worship service for Action for Children whenever you like.
We will be sharing worship materials and other resources for you to host your own Action for Children Sunday celebration in the coming months. But for now, please mark the date in your calendars.

Our first fully online parenting course

Our Parent Talk service has just launched its first free, fully online parenting course, Building Blocks to Parenting. The course is designed to help parents and carers of 0 to 5 year olds build confidence, and develop practical skills at their own pace.
Find out more

Upcoming Events

Baby Basics Celebrations – Doncaster

Friday 6 March at 7pm

This year marks five years since Baby Basics Doncaster began serving families across our community. Since 2021, the project has supported hundreds of local babies by providing essential items such as Moses baskets, clothing, toiletries, and prams, offering practical help rooted in care and compassion. This work has been made possible through the generosity and commitment of volunteers, donors, churches, and partner organisations.
To celebrate this milestone, you are warmly invited to join two special events:

• Fundraising Quiz Night – Friday 6th March, 7.30pm at St Mary's Hall, Sprotbrough. A friendly evening of quizzing while raising funds to continue this vital work. Details via the Baby Basics Doncaster Facebook page.
• Service of Celebration – Sunday 8th March, 10am at Sprotbrough Methodist Church. A time of thanksgiving, reflection, and prayer as we celebrate all that God has done through Baby Basics Doncaster over the past five years.

All are welcome to join in giving thanks for this ministry and to support its work in the years ahead. For more information, contact Sarah Beckingham at babybasics@s-m-c.co.uk

Gothic Evening Service

Sunday 8 March at 4pm

The Metal Methodists and Steel City Choristers are joining for a Gothic Evening Service on Sunday 8th March at 4pm. Expect choral sounds, hymns, metal music, laying burdens down and an alternative vibe.
The service takes place at Highfield Trinity Methodist Church on Highfield Place, which is just off London Road in Sheffield. A retiring collection will be taken for Highfield Trinity funds.
All welcome! Please contact Kate on katemetalmethodist@outlook.com for further information.

And finally ...

The Gift of Reading

God of the greatest story ever told,
we thank you for the gift of words,
spoken and written, imagined and shared.

Thank you for stories that open windows into other lives,
for books that stretch our thinking,
for poetry that gives language to what we feel but cannot name,
and for the sacred stories through which generation after generation
has come to know your presence.

We give thanks for the privilege of reading,
for those who laboured so that words could be printed, shared, and held,
for teachers and librarians, writers and translators,
and for all who make learning accessible and alive.

We thank you for preachers and storytellers,
for artists, authors, and faithful communicators
who find creative and contextual ways
to help people glimpse deeper and wider truths
bringing ancient faith into present lives.

And as we read, speak, and share stories this year,
may we recognise ourselves held within your greater story
a story still unfolding,
a story of love, justice, mercy, and belonging.

In Christ, the Living Word.
Amen.