District News – 25 February 2025

This Week's News

Giving thanks for the life of Jeremy Pullan

The Funeral & Thanksgiving Service for Jeremy Pullan (husband of Revd Jill Pullan) will be held on 6th March at Chapeltown Methodist Church at 11:30am and will be live-streamed to High Green Methodist Church. The Wake/Celebration will be at Wortley Hall, Sheffield.
If you hope to attend any or all of the day, booking is required, for a rough idea of numbers to expect.
Please find below a link to information about the day and an online RSVP form, to help the family collate names, numbers and preferences. The form is quick & easy to complete online and is very user-friendly. Should you wish to attend and cannot access the form online, please contact Katrin Hackett in the District Office on 0114 270 9990.
https://forms.gle/BWK5Rw8YcJAfotiGA
Jill & family hope to welcome as many as possible to one of the gathered services. The link for the live-streamed service will be made available in due course if you are unable to join on of the gatherings.

Methodist Women in Britain

The Spring Newsletter is out now,. The co-Chairs give an update on what they have been doing, along with details of some events coming up that you may be interested in. You can download a copy here: Spring News

They are seeking a new Co-Chair from September 2025

As CoChair you will be a representative for Methodist Women in Britain, and the Methodist Church. There will be an opportunity to have an overseas visit during your term of office and the role brings many wide-ranging opportunities to engage with people both inside and outside the Methodist Church.
Prior experience of Methodist Women in Britain is valuable but not essential, as you will be able to shadow one of our present CoChairs before you take up office in September 2025.
You will need to be comfortable with public speaking and have good communication, organisational and IT skills, with some experience of chairing meetings and leading worship an advantage.
This is a volunteer position with all reasonable expenses reimbursed.
Contact cochairs.mwib@gmail.com for an informal chat about the role
Completed application forms to: communications.mwib@gmail.com
CLOSING DATE: Monday 14th April @ 12noon

Christians on Ageing Conference

For the first time since the pandemic we are holding our AGM in person, and within the context of a Spring Mini-Conference. This will be held on Wednesday 30th April from 10.30am – 3.30pm and the venue is The Bar Convent in York.
As well as dealing with the necessary business of the AGM we will be focussing on one of CoA's core objectives – celebrating the gifts and potential of later life, and helping churches and others to develop activities which contribute to understanding older people's spiritual growth.
One of our keynote speakers will be Rev. Dr. Chris Swift, recently appointed as Director of the Leeds Christian Institute, and previously Director of Chaplaincy and Spirituality at MHA.
Attendance for the day is free but donations towards the cost of refreshments will be gratefully received.
Places can be booked by following this link: https://buytickets.at/christiancouncilonageing/1532201

Delivery Team sign-ups for 3Generate 2025

We are pleased to announce that sign-ups to join the volunteer Delivery Team for 3Generate 2025 are now open.
Whether you're a seasoned veteran or a budding first-timer, we want your help to make this 3Generate even bigger and better in 2025, as we return to the NEC in Birmingham from 3-5 October!
Join us in bringing together children and young people from across the Connexion and giving them a weekend they'll never forget – jam-packed with faith and fun!
We have a wide range of roles available, so no matter your skills and experience you can be an integral part of the 3Generate Delivery Team.
FIND OUT ABOUT THE DIFFERENT ROLES AND SIGN-UP HERE

Volunteers Needed

We are in need of volunteers to act as stewards at The Mental Health and Christianity Conference Saturday March 22nd 2025, Wesley Hall, Crookes.
Ideally from 8.45 a.m. to 3.30 p.m. This will be to help with signing in, making sure delegates know where to go for different workshops, toilets, lower hall for lunch, etc. The bonus of volunteering is that you will be able to attend this exciting conference for free including lunch.
Please let the Sheffield Circuit Office know if you are willing to volunteer by emailing admin@sheffieldcircuit.org.uk including any dietary requirements.

District Office News

The office will be closed from Thursday until Monday 10 March. The next newsletter will sent out on Tuesday 11 March. It may also take a while to catch up on emails.

District Safeguarding news

Alison Hill is currently off sick. If you have an urgent live safeguarding concern, can you please contact Karen Allen (allenk@methodistchurch.org.uk). We do wish Alison a speedy recovery.

Events

Peak Wesley Way Open Day

Thursday 6 March 2:00 am

Come and find out more about the Peak Wesley Way at Great Longstone Methodist Chapel, Station Road, Great Longstone, nr Bakewell, Derbyshire. DE45 1TS. Drop in any time between 2 and 6pm

Changemakers Conference 2025

Saturday 8 March from 10am

Join us in Sheffield to watch the live stream of our annual Changemakers conference.
We'll be focusing on the incredible difference Christian Aid's partners are making around the world with stories and fundraising resources for Christian Aid week 2025.
The programme will include input from Christian Aid staff and our partner in Guatemala.
There will also be updates on our humanitarian and campaign work too.
The conference is live-streamed, but by meeting together locally we'll have time to meet other local Christian Aid supporters to share fundraising ideas and discuss our approach to Christian Aid Week.
There will be a light lunch provided from 1pm
Where: St Gabriel's Greystones, Dobbin Hill, Sheffield, S11 7JB
Book online: caid.org.uk/conference
For more information contact: sjmeyers@christian-aid.org

Mental Health and Christianity Conference

Saturday 22nd March 2025 from 9.30 a.m. to 3.30 p.m

Explore and Reflect on how we can support others and ourselves
The Conference is aimed at all those, ordained or lay, who are working or volunteering with people in churches and Christian organisations. However, it is open to anyone who is interested. The Conference aims to deliver a high standard of information based upon both science and experience while respecting and incorporating the Christian faith. We will do this through our choice of speakers and workshop leaders who will offer both practical and academic information. We hope participants will find information and inspiration during the Conference that will help them support others and themselves.
Lunch and refreshments will be provided throughout the day.
There will be a safe space and a Mental Health First Aider/Chaplain available during the day.
https://MHandCConference.eventbrite.co.uk

Spring District Gathering

Saturday 5 April 2025 from 9:30am
Join us for a morning of learning, sharing and worship with a buffet lunch provided. It will provide an opportunity for you to renew existing connections across the District and to meet new people.
Our theme will be To Boldly Go... Faith Beyond Church. Most followers of Jesus spend the majority of their time engaged in activities beyond church: working, holding family responsibilities, pursuing hobbies, supporting charities and community groups, travelling, resting. What does our worship, teaching and collective endeavours say into faith beyond church? How do we better equip people to live out their discipleship and mission in their own unique contexts beyond church?
Within the District Gathering we will 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.
This event is free and open to all, but we do need to know who is coming, so please book in!
https://buytickets.at/sheffieldmethodistdistrict/1536842

A Northern Requiem

Saturday 5 April at Victoria Hall, Sheffield

The Rose Choir collaborates with Harlequin Brass and Escafeld Chorale for a fundraising concert at Sheffield's Victoria Hall, featuring the second performance of 'A Northern Requiem'. This new piece for choir, brass ensemble, and soloists commemorates the 1984/85 Miners' Strike, a pivotal event for the local community.
'A Northern Requiem' blends text from the Roman Catholic Requiem Mass with poetry that reflects on the Miners' Strike and the coal mining industry's decline. The program will also present brass works and showcase our soloists' talents.
This concert aims to support the Rose Hill Arts Centre initiative, which strives to establish a community-led arts venue that promotes artistic expression and community involvement. Our goal is to nurture a self-reliant arts community within the historic Rose Hill United Reformed Church, and we are currently fundraising to purchase this prospective home for our centre.
Buy your tickets here :

District Youth Day

Come along on Saturday 12th April at the District Youth Day at Hesley Woods Scout Activity Centre, Chapeltown. Join us for workshops, worship and onsite activities including zipline, archery, crate stacking and much more as we explore how to be a Justice Seeking Church. This event is for anyone aged 8 -18, but they must attend with a Youth Leader/Minister. Subway lunch is included. Bookings close on the 9th April at 1pm. £10 per person – leaders free.
Book here Youth Day @ Hesley Woods

Vacancies

Children, Youth & Families Worker

in the church and the community in Stocksbridge, Sheffield

A five year post to develop both church-based and secular work with children, young people and families.

• to support two churches which have existing children's work
• Junior Church in one and Children's Club in the other
• to develop activities of wider interest and support to young families

The new post will work in two churches, in Stocksbridge, near Sheffield.

• Christ Church, a URC/Methodist LEP, with a wide range of church and community activity and a newly created children and families suite. A URC Child-Friendly Certified Church.
• The Stocksbridge Christian Centre, a Methodist/Anglican LEP which hosts the Food Bank, the Community Outlet and a new family learning space.

35 hours a week, £25,116 per year. Full-time 5-year Fixed Term Contract
Information Sheet, Background Paper and Application Form can be downloaded from the Christ Church website at www.christchurchonline.org
Applications must be returned to ianlucraft@btinternet.com by 9.00 am on Monday 7th April 2025
Informal prior enquiries or a request to discuss the post by phone, can be made to Rev Ian Lucraft, minister for both churches, by email: ianlucraft@btinternet.com

Part-time Administrator

Urban Theology Union (Sheffield)

UTU is a member-led education charity supporting radical Christian ministry, particularly in urban contexts. More information about UTU can be obtained on the web site at http://utusheffield.org.uk/
A part-time vacancy exists for an Administrator to work twelve hours per week initially to the end of July (one 5-6 hour session in the office, other hours home-worked to suit), based at our office in Sheffield centre, then reducing to six hours home-worked from September 2025. This is a pensionable post though you can opt-out if you wish to.
The job comprises core administrative tasks: word processing, record keeping, electronic and paper filing, dealing with telephone queries, providing administrative assistance to members of the UTU team relating to courses, Members Days and events etc. For the first period the post will coordinate the transfer of office and library resources to other sites. It also requires marketing and updating the social media presence of UTU.
The applicant must have a friendly interpersonal style and accurate literacy and numeracy ability, as well as being well organised with administrative and word processing skills, and a proficient working knowledge of the Microsoft Office suite. Previous office based administrative experience either as an employee or a volunteer essential.
An Application Form, Job Description and Person Specification can be obtained from office@utusheffield.org.uk, Urban Theology Union, Victoria Hall, Norfolk St, Sheffield S1 1AA
We are an Equal Opportunities Employer.
Informal enquires can be made to Erica Dunmow ed.chair.utusheffield@gmail.com or Andrew Crowley (Treasurer) stpatslanetop@gmail.com
Closing date: 11 March 2025

Residential Building Supervisor and caretaker

Central United Reformed Church, Sheffield:

comprises 1.5 full time equivalents.
Ideally, we would wish to appoint a couple to fill the posts, although single people are welcome to apply. Applicants should be suitably qualified, preferably with a practical trade background.
Main duties include ensuring the security and cleanliness of this city centre church, helping to prepare the church and its facilities for use, and assisting in the lettings of community rooms.
Salary for the full- time post is £21,000 per year plus £10500 for the part time post.
The successful candidates will be provided with an attractive, modern, two- bedroom flat, with its
own private outdoor space, on the second floor of the church building which is accessed via stairs. Running costs of the flat will be covered by the church.
For a recruitment pack, or to arrange an informal discussion, including with the retiring building supervisor and caretaker, please contact: treasurer@centralurc.org.uk or by post to: Treasurer, Central United Reformed Church, 60 Norfolk Street, Sheffield, S1 2JB.
Closing Date: 31st March 2025
Short listing: Early May 2025
Interview Date: Week commencing 2nd June 2025
Anticipated Start: 1st August 2025

And finally ...

A prayer that God's message dwell within us

Loving God,
May all that we learn from you and alongside one another,
challenge and transform our thoughts, words and deeds.
May your message dwell richly in our hearts.
May it be treasured.
May it pour out from us in expressions of praise, proclamation and protest.
Help us to listen to all who have been marginalised to hear what cannot be spoken.
Prepare us for the times when your message will pierce and break our hearts.
Change us as we join in your work as your body here on earth.
In the name of the One who came as Teacher, Justice Seeker and Defender of the Oppressed. Amen.
Julie Coates, Deputy District Chair, Sheffield District