District News – 25 November 2025

This Week's News

Sad news

We were very sorry to hear that the elder daughter of Revd Claude Kimpinde died suddenly whilst living in France. Please hold all the family in your prayers at this time.

Freedom Community Project

It is with deep regret that Freedom Community Project announces it will be closing its services, following 17 years of dedicated service.
Despite extensive efforts to secure long-term funding, the organisation has been unable to find sustainable financial support and is facing closure. Founded in 2008, Freedom has helped thousands of individuals and families with food aid, debt advice, job support, and community outreach.
While Freedom closes, Bolsover now benefits from a growing network of local and regional organisations offering community support. The legacy of Freedom will live on through the people it helped and the work it inspired.
Read the full story here:

Whirlow Spirituality Centre

We are looking forward to Advent and Christmas which seem, suddenly, not that far away. We have two Advent Quiet Days, on 3rd and 6th December, to help us prepare for the wonder and mystery of God coming to us in human form at Christmas. We will listen to words and music for the “Great Os”, the sentences that have been traditionally used before the Magnificat (the song of Mary) in the final week of Advent.
On the evening of 21st December, our 'Longest Night/Blue Christmas' service will acknowledge that Christmas can be a time when emotions are magnified, and both joy and sadness can feel more intense. This service, held on the solstice, provides a space for our memories and emotions to be held and acknowledged rather than dismissed or hidden. Details of other Christmas services can be found on the website.
For our full programme of events, please visit our website What's On — Whirlow Spirituality Centre.

Faith over Fear Sunday

Did your church hold a service last week, or is one being planned for next Sunday (23 November)? We would love to hear your stories of how they went, perhaps you have photos to share?? Do let Sam (comms@sheffieldmethodist.org) know!

Encountering God in the Cliff Year

'In the eight weeks that I have been at Cliff College, I have picked up my Bible more times than I have in the past five years – and it's one of the many ways I've encountered God in the Cliff Year so far.'
Read how Megan, one of our Cliff Year participants, has met with God in her time at Cliff College so far – and why it's not just about her personal encounters.
https://www.cliffcollege.ac.uk/news-events/cliff-year-so-far-megan

More Christmas events

A Christmas and Craft Fayre at Carlton in Lindrick (Trinity Circuit), the Star and Nativity Festival at The Grove, Retford (Trinity Circuit) and "Curry and Carols" at Killamarsh (Sheffield Circuit).
Do keep them coming in :)

Regional Officer for Safeguarding Update

Identity document changes to be implemented on the DDC portal

Effective 22nd October 2025, DDC will be implementing the new DBS identity document guidance across the DDC portal. These updates will be fully systemised, meaning no action is required from users.

The changes reflect the latest DBS guidance introduced in April 2025 and include updates to:

• Required identity documents
• Processes for non-UK nationals
• Document retention policies
• ID checking options

Read more here: Identity document changes to be implemented on the DDC portal
If you complete DBS checks for your church and circuit please review the changes via the link above. If you have any questions please contact DDC directly on 0116 260 3055 or email contact@ddc.uk.net

What Celebrity Traitors can teach us about safeguarding

The Celebrity Traitors had the nation gripped as night after night people tuned in at 9pm to see if the Faithful would find another Traitor.
This fascinating article from Rachel Bourne, North East Regional Safeguarding Officer in Training delves into what the BBC show was all about and uncovers what we can learn from a safeguarding point of view.
It's important to share this quote from the article too, Rachel said: "Let me be very clear – The Traitors is just a game. It would be offensive to compare the horrors of experiencing abuse to a reality TV show. But as I watched it, it got me thinking about what we can learn about protecting our church communities. So, please humour me for a few minutes while I dissect the first series of BBC Celebrity Traitors for hidden shields about safeguarding."
You can read the full article here.
https://www.methodist.org.uk/about/our-stories/oh-alan-what-the-celebrity-traitors-can-teach-the-faithful-about-creating-safer-spaces/

As ever, if you have any questions or concerns, please give me a call on 07483 362 735 or email me at hilla@methodistchurch.org.uk
Many thanks
Alison Hill

Events

The Worship On The Streets "Christmas Busk"

Saturday 13 December 12:00 pm

Worship On The Streets is coordinating the annual national Christmas-themed street worship event, which encourages Christians, ministries, and churches to lead a time of musical worship out on the streets of their local village, town, or city centre as a way of sharing the good news about Jesus. On Saturday 13th December, they are asking everyone to sing "O Come All Ye Faithful" out in public at 12pm as a united act of worship, followed by further time of musical worship for as long as each group would like to participate. If you would like to join in, please complete this online form:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfVvG8FO92HBC1pi1lWH1RHCG3AlZIHMS6Qe0K6DuhTtxjpUA/viewform
For more information about this event or Worship On The Streets, please email Aaron at info@worshiponthestreets.co.uk

Living Christianity in the Holy Land

A 14 day encounter with Israel Palestine Today
January 21st to February 3rd 2026
In a land marked by deep history and ongoing conflict, the Methodist Church in Britain invites you to join a unique visit to the land of Jesus – one that goes beyond traditional pilgrimage.
Organised by the Methodist Liaison Office, this is not just a tour of sacred sites. It is an opportunity to walk alongside the “living stones” – the people who call this land home – and to explore what it means to live our Christian faith in the context of complexity, hope and struggle.
For more information please contact John Howard john_d_howard@hotmail.com

Vacancies

Missional Property Enabler

Sheffield Methodist District seek to appoint a Missional Property Enabler to encourage, support and equip local churches a dn circuits to make their properties fit for mission.
With previous experience of managing buildings and an understanding of building regulations, applicants should have the skills to manage multiple projects simultaneously and the knowledge and understanding to articulate how buildings can support or hinder contextual Christian mission.
Main duties will concentrate on Property and Mission, Net Zero, and Residential Property Income, whist acting as the District Manse Secretary.
Full details can be found here: Missional Property Enabler

Play Space Manager

Broomhill Methodist Centre is embarking on an exciting journey to reimagine how church and community intersect. The centre has recently undergone extensive refurbishment, with the installation of a brand-new climbing wall and imaginative play space for young children.
Mini Broomhill is at the heart of the Families strand: a miniature town designed to spark imaginative play for young children, which will open early 2026. Mini Broomhill will host a balance of market-priced play sessions, community events for people of all faiths and none, and opportunities to explore Christian spirituality.
We are seeking to appoint a Play Space Manager to oversee the running of Mini Broomhill. The Play Space Manager will be employed for 20-hours per week, with a core working pattern of 9.30am-3pm on three regular days between Tuesday and Friday (to be set by agreement between the successful candidate and the management group). Supporting Mini Broomhill’s growing staff and volunteer team, and the evolution of its programme in response to customer needs, the Manager will work collaboratively with the Centre’s Community Pioneer, who will lead in the growing of new Christian communities rooted in real relationships and everyday spirituality.
Full details can be found here: Play Space Manager

And finally

May this week bring each of us a sense of being gently reshaped, renewed, and held in grace.

God of our everyday and ordinary moments,
the ones filled with joy and the ones edged with challenge,
the moments of success that we are glad to share
and the moments of failure we would much rather hide,
you hold them all.

Take the bright and colourful pieces of our lives,
the parts that feel whole and hopeful,
and help us to use them to tell something of your story
to inspire and to encourage where it is needed.

And take, too, the broken and misshaped pieces,
the bits we’d prefer to hide away.
Help us to reshape them with new insight,
with deeper empathy,
with growing humility,
so that even our mistakes might become a gift.

May we be people who make room for second chances,
who notice opportunity where others see only scarcity,
who offer forgiveness where judgment comes easily,
and who trust that nothing is wasted in your hands.

Gather all the pieces of our lives, O God,
and form in us something that reflects your grace.
Amen.
Vicky Atkins – Sheffield District Chair