District News – 25 October 2022

This Week's News

Methodist Women in Britain (MWiB)

The Sheffield District MWiB are holding Carols and Christmas Dinner at Frechville Methodist Church on December 9th at 11am followed by Dinner.
Anyone wishing to come to the dinner would they let Pam Meek or Carol Wignell know by Friday November 11th email: pammeek48@gmail.com or carol.wignell@btinternet.com.

Reimagine discipleship webinar

7pm Tuesday 1 November

Join Abi Jarvis and Andy Fishburne, Discipleship and Faith Formation Officers in the Evangelism & Growth team, for an evening exploring how we can re-imagine what it means to be a disciple and re-engineer our churches to encourage a culture of discipleship that welcomes new people and deepens the faiths of those who've been journeying with Jesus for a long time. We will delve into the idea of 'discipleship pathways' and also consider how A Methodist Way of Life might inspire our communities to a new way of being disciples together. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/reimagining-discipleship-tickets-421232737457

Christmas Praise in the City

7 December from 7pm – Victoria Hall, Norfolk Street, Sheffield

Begin your Christmas celebrations in style. Join Cliff College, The Foundry, Victoria Hall and the Methodist Church in Sheffield for an evening of Christmas carols, a short message and refreshments. Book your free ticket now: https://christmaspraise.eventbrite.co.uk.

Sheffield Justice and Peace Action Group

Sheffield Circuit Justice and Peace Action Group encourages you to attend the following two events:

1. "Solving the Debt and Climate Crises Together – a Global South-led union & climate justice strategy"

A public meeting at Central United Reformed Church, Norfolk Street at 7.15pm on Wednesday 9 November with Esteban Servat, a leading organiser of the global Debt for Climate Movement. enquiries: globaljusticesheffield@gmail.com

2. Yorkshire and the Humber Climate Justice Coalition Rally and March in Sheffield on Saturday 12 November during CO27

Meeting at Barkers Pool at 12noon and ending at Devonshire Green with stalls and speeches before and after the March ( mainly on pedestrianised routes).Look out for Jenny Carpenter and Alison Trezise with the Sheffield Methodists for Justice and Peace flag. Revd Romeo Pedro (Superintendent of Sheffield Circuit) will be one of the speakers.
We had over 4,000 at the COP26 March, can we keep up the call for Climate Justice for this COP27 one? Encourage your friends to come along.

District Officers' News

Warm spaces – early lessons learned

In one month we have already supported 16 churches with warm space grants, and are expecting more. Warm spaces are being considered in all of our circuits. Thank you for everyone who has listened to your communities and explored ways to respond in a time of crisis. If you have not yet made plans, its not too late but please act quickly as winter is fast approaching. Application form here

After 400 people joined the Connexional warm spaces webinar, follow up "what have we learned" webinar will be held on 28 November – book your place here

Even as we provide a crisis response, we must hold to the vision of a society where everyone can afford to be warm – read more in this blog from Paul Morrison of JPIT and Trussell Trust " why I hate warm banks... " What might this look like in your neighbourhood?

Neil Harland
Mission Enabler
mission@sheffieldmethodist.org

Climate, craftivism, change: an Agents of Change Roadshow

Saturday 26 November 2022, 11am to 3.30pm

Central Methodist Church, Pontefract
Children and young people, along with their leaders, are invited to spend the day together, learning about the climate crisis and eco-justice, before moving on to explore how we can use craftivism and other techniques to influence change and make a difference in our communities and our world. Those in Years 5 and below should be accompanied by a parent/carer who can help them to engage with the craft activities.

https://www.methodist.org.uk/aocroadshow/
(Leaders must book and accompany their young people)

Delivered by the Children, Youth and Family Team, working with local partners, Agents of Change Roadshows each focus on a different aspect of being an Agent of Change.

Children and young people are warmly invited to attend these events with their group leaders. They will be given a chance to explore a particular issue together, share their own stories and experiences and then make plans for how they'd like to respond to what they've heard, discussed and learned.

Each event is free to attend – although leaders will have to book tickets for their groups and are asked to make the arrangements for travel to and from the Roadshow. Leaders will also be responsible for the care of their group whilst at the event, so please ensure you book at least two leaders' tickets per group and have at least one leader for every six young people you bring, to ensure a safe event.

Victoria Loveday
Children and Youth Co-ordinator
cy@sheffieldmethodist.org

Events

Walking Lightly Into Advent – Whirlow Spirituality Centre

3rd November 7-9pm

How might we prepare to celebrate the hope associated with the birth of Christ, without succumbing to the frenzy of spending that is the hallmark of a "happy" Christmas for so many people? Might a fresh understanding of the purpose of Advent help? For more details and to book a free place visit the Whirlow events page: https://www.whirlowspiritualitycentre.org/whats-on

Celebration of Chaplaincy

8 November from 7:30pm

We know that being a chaplain can feel a bit lonely sometimes, supporting people on the fringes. This event is just for you, to celebrate the work you do with others who do the work you do too. You're not on your own, you are valued, and your call to chaplain is worth celebrating. So why not join us for an hour on 8 November, 7.30pm for prayer, music and conversation.

Book here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/connecting-chaplains-with-the-president-and-vice-president-of-conference-registration-408613462867

Mesopotamian Civilization and the Origins of the New Testament

Bible study day – 12 November from 10-1:15

New and exciting insights about the ways in which Mesopotamian cultures influenced the writing of the New Testament. For anyone, Lay or Ordained, with an interest in the Bible, how it came to be, and what it might mean for us today.

Led by Prof Robin Baker, Emeritus Professor of Old Testament and Ancient Near Eastern Studies at the University of Winchester.
For further details see the online event page: LNStudyDay12Nov.eventbrite.co.uk

Dreaming Beyond: For Those Serving in Rural and Small Churches

Wednesday 16 November from 7:30pm

What is social prescribing, and how can churches and faith groups get involved? Is there an alternative to foodbanks?

We'll be joined by Peter Jones, Chair of Growing Compassionate Communities. Sarah Hulme, Rural officer for the Methodist Church, as well as representatives from Food Hubs from across the Connexion..

You can register here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/dreaming-beyond-for-small-and-rural-churches-registration-396993627627

This event is organised by our colleagues in the Southern and Islands Learning Network

Job Vacancies

Youth and Children's Outreach Worker

Emmanuel Church Waterthorpe

Emmanuel Waterthorpe LEP are recruiting a Youth and Children's Outreach Worker on a 1-year contract. This is the final year of a 3-year post funded with grants by the URC Yorkshire Synod, Methodist Circuit and District. We will be seeking further funding to extend the role as soon as we have appointed to the role

Application packs are available from:
Heather Rotherham, Methodist Circuit Office Email: admin@sheffieldcircuit.org.uk, Phone Number: 0114 272 6561
The closing date will be Monday 31st October 2022 at 12.00 noon,
with interviews on Thursday 17th November 2022.

Children's and Youth Development Officer (Ref CYDO)

The East Midlands Synod of the United Reformed Church

This is a full-time post for 37.5 hours/week(including evening and weekends) on a permanent contract.

Salary: £32,796 to £33,624 depending on experience and qualifications
This post is subject to an Enhanced DBS Disclosure

This post offers a challenging opportunity for an experienced and professionally qualified Children's and Youth Worker with training and development skills. We are looking for an enthusiastic and committed Christian to develop our strategy, serve the churches of the Synod in offering advice, training, and support to those working with children and young people and to work with the wider United Reformed Church. The Officer appointed will be a member of a collaborative Synod team and therefore good team working skills are essential.

If you share our passion for children and young people playing their part in the mission of God, please contact:
Mrs Chris Willis
Tel: 0115 9609241
E-mail: admin@urc5.org.uk

Closing date for applications: 30th November 2022
Interviews to be held: w/c 12th December 2022

In accordance with the Equality Act 2010: Part 1, Schedule 9, there is an occupational requirement for the post holder to be a practising Christian.
We are committed to diversity and equality of opportunity. We especially welcome applications from women and Black and Minority Ethnic Groups who are currently under-represented in this area of work in the Church.

DT Teacher – Bethany School, Sheffield

Bethany School is a small, friendly Christian School using a distinctively biblical approach to teaching and learning. We actively promote the involvement of parents with teachers in every aspect of school life .Together, we continue to develop a Christian perspective on the curriculum taught to our children.

We are looking for an enthusiastic Design and Technology Teacher with an interest in Christian education.
The successful applicant will be responsible for teaching Design and Technology to KS3 and GCSE pupils(AQA specification) using a Christian worldview and our distinctive curriculum model. The ability to provide a stimulating classroom environment, through the teaching of a practical subject provides an ideal opportunity to develop the design, evaluation and making skills of pupils so is an important element of the post. Applicants should have an understanding of the health & safety aspects of teaching children in the workshop environment. Where necessary specialist training in the use of workshop equipment and health & safety will be provided. The successful applicant has the opportunity to direct and develop the curriculum to suit their specialist skill areas, be it in materials such as wood, metal and plastic; graphic design or textiles.

Part time post (one full day), salary on enquiry.
Application closing date: Noon Friday 11 November 2022

Email: office@bethanyschoolsheffield.org or call David Charles on 0114 2726994 to arrange a visit and for more information.
For the application form, visit www.bethanyschoolsheffield.org

And finally ...

Arman, our District Persian Ministry Development Officer, shares a prayer for the worsening situation in Iran.
You can watch it via our YouTube channel. https://youtu.be/KR5m-CBo05M