District News – 26 June 2024

This Week's News

Sad news

We were very sorry to learn of the death of Rev Dr William 'Bill' Davies. Bill was Principal of Cliff College from 1983-1994, and a former President of the Methodist Conference (1987). In 2020 he moved to the Rotherham and Dearne Valley Circuit following his marriage to Joan Wattam. More recently his health meant that they spent more time in his home in Lancashire.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Joan and the family. May he rest in peace and rise in glory.

Peak Wesley Way was on the radio!

The Peak Wesley Way featured in Farming Today on BBC Radio 4 this week.

The BBC reporter and her friends where the first people to book onto and travel the pilgrimage. During their stay, the group spoke with Deacon Lorraine Browne and Superintendent Julie Letts who feature in the programme.
You can listen again to the feature here it begins at 00.25 until 4.00. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0020hbg
You can also find out more about The Peak Wesley Way here ( https://peakwesleyway.com ) or listen to our podcast www.sheffieldmethodist.org/podcast

First New Beginnings grant

Our first New Beginnings seed funding grant has been awarded to Bolsover Methodist Church. Building from their existing links with local families, including from their thriving Who Let The Dad's Out group, the church will launch a new Messy Church congregation in the autumn. For more details on how your church can access up to £750 to support new people in starting journeys of discipleship, visit https://www.sheffieldmethodist.org/.../new-beginnings.html

Rev Jill Pullan – Race for Life – Cancer Research UK

In October 2023, I was diagnosed with endometrial cancer (a form of womb cancer). Just two weeks later, my husband, Jeremy, was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer (cancer of the food pipe). Thankfully, surgery for me was successful and I am now on a three-year follow up programme. Jeremy has undergone four cycles of chemotherapy and life-saving, complex, major surgery. He is shortly due to start four more cycles of chemotherapy.
I'm running on Gillian's Team. My friend, Gillian, has also been touched by her own cancer diagnosis. Please show your support and help fund life-changing and life-saving treatment by donating to my page!
I have signed up to do the Cancer Research UK 10k (6.2 miles) Race for Life run on 21st July. I would be very grateful if you will please sponsor me. Those who run and those who support with sponsorship help Cancer Research UK to fund diagnosing and preventing cancer, as well as providing kinder and more targeted treatments. Cancer Research UK is the largest charitable funder of cancer research in the world.
Sponsor money and donations may be given online through my Giving Page at:
https://fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/page/jills-race-for-life-327467718

Action for Children

Join our Faith Space

Join our quarterly online forum, Faith Space, for Methodists and other church supporters. You'll connect with other churches, communities and individuals – all inspiring each other to help Action for Children create more safe and happy childhoods. You'll hear first-hand updates from our frontline staff, young ambassadors and fundraisers. And you'll see the huge difference your support makes.
To join, visit: https://forms.office.com/e/y2701CkN5e.

Action for Children Sunday

A reminder that Action for Children Sunday is on 14th July and the theme is 'Justice for vulnerable families'. We would be delighted if you can hold a special service to remember our work on that date or another day. Resources for all-ages, children and young people services can be found on our website here: actionforchildren.uk/faithFR

Helping make the UK the best place to grow up

With the general election happening next week, now is the time to ask our next government to be a champion for children.
How you can help:
Got 1 minute? Sign our petition to ask our next Prime Minister to be a champion for children.
Got 3 minutes? Send an email to ask your local candidates to be champions for children.
Got 10 minutes? If you're a parent or carer, help your child send their message to our next government.

District Safeguarding Update:

Euros matches 'increase risk of domestic violence'

We know from the district webinar last Autumn, that Domestic Abuse affects just as many people inside church as it does outside church. Major sporting events, such as the Euros, are known to lead to more incidents, therefore it was with sadness that we read the following article, published by the BBC last week:
"Domestic abuse charities in Leeds have said they are "braced" for an increase in calls for help during Euro 2024. Figures from the Leeds Domestic Violence Service (LDVS) suggest that in the week since the football tournament started, there has already been a rise in incidents.
Major competitions are thought to increase the risks for victims because of heightened "emotions" and greater alcohol intake among perpetrators. The charities even believe there is a "risk to life" in the aftermath of matches. Increasing numbers of fans watching live football at home rather than in pubs and bars has also been blamed for upticks in violence.
Leeds Women's Aid chief executive Nik Peasgood said: "We're very apprehensive. We've seen, over the last few years, the closures of pubs. Research shows that people generally tend to watch more football at home now; often women will be in their home and they can't escape. Survivors bear the brunt of that anger, rage and joy. Football doesn't cause abuse, but factors around it can increase the prevalence of it; it's going to exacerbate the situation."
Football United Against Domestic Abuse is a campaign by Women's Aid, which sends a clear message that domestic abuse is always unacceptable. Working with footballing organisations including the PFA, Premier League, PFA and FA, they aim to call out the misogynistic and sexist behaviour that often underpins violence towards women and girls.
If you require help or know someone who may be vulnerable, please encourage them to call the National Domestic Abuse Helpline, on 0808 2000 247. Calls are free and in confidence, 24 hours a day.

As ever, if you have any questions or concerns, please give me a call on 07483 362 735 or email me at safeguarding@sheffieldmethodist.org
Many thanks
Alison Hill
District Safeguarding Officer

Events

Celebration and Thanksgiving service

On the 30th June at 3pm, Walkley Ebenezer Methodist Church will be hosting a service of Celebration and Thanksgiving to mark its decision to cease to meet as a Society. The service will be both a time of reflection on all that is past and a time to anticipate with hope all that is to come. From August, worship will move to mid-week, to include fellowship and food, and the congregation will commit to exploring new ways of being Christian disciples serving the community of Walkley. You are warmly invited to share in this service, and to stay on for refreshments and conversation.
Walkley Ebenezer Methodist Church, Greenhow Street, Sheffield S6 3TP

Positively Rural – A place to call home?

Wednesday 3 July – 7:30pm

Exploring some of the issues around rural housing and homelessness
Positively Rural are running two webinars on aspects of rural homelessness.
The first on 3rd July which is being held during Rural Housing Week will look at the provision of affordable housing, or local needs housing for those who live in our rural communities.
In Spring 2025, we will be looking at rural homelessness and how it manifests itself in rural contexts as so often it is hidden, overlooked and disregarded by many agencies as to its existence.
For this session a small panel of speakers, including Beki Winter from Housing Justice, will share their experiences around some of the issues with rural housing.
Book your place here: https://240703-Home.eventbrite.co.uk
The session will be held on Zoom and the link emailed out to those who have registered nearer the start time.
Positively Rural is an online community hosted by the Learning Network and is open to anyone of any denomination involved in rural ministry, including volunteers, lay workers and clergy

50th anniversary of MAYC Orchestra and Singers & OneSound

Saturday 6 July at 6:30pm – Coventry Central Hall

Come and celebrate the 50th anniversary of MAYC Orchestra and Singers & OneSound – maybe even don the green and yellow one more time
Past conductors, Craig McLeish (Musical Director of Young Voices since 2000) Paul Leddington Wright, and our very own Matt Beckingham will be leading over 100 ex-members in an evening of music from across the 50 year of O&S. It's sure to be an evening full of memories.
Tickets available here: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/booking/select/sbkSecHEwZXQ

Vacancies

Office Manager

Derbyshire North East Circuit

The Derbyshire North East Circuit comprises 14 churches serving communities in and around the historic towns of Chesterfield and Bolsover, close to the spectacular Peak District National Park and within easy reach of the City of Sheffield.
We are excited to recruit for this new post of Office Manager. T The successful candidate will be responsible for overseeing the administration of the Circuit Office and acting as line manager to two, part-time administrators.
They will act as a point of contact for 14 local churches and the Circuit trustees, advising on such matters as property and financial management, compliance, and administration.
They will liaise with and manage key relationships with third-parties and provide assistance to the Circuit's Leadership Team.
Prior knowledge and experience of Methodist procedures and structures would be of benefit to the role.
How to apply:
For an informal discussion about the role before making an application, please contact Rev Mark Carrick at mark.carrick@methodist.org.uk
Please submit completed applications by email before midday on the closing date to hr@sheffieldmethodist.org
Closing date: Sunday 28 July 2024

Personal Assistant (PA) to Vicar & Area Dean – Ecclesall

All Saints church is looking to employ a Personal Assistant (PA) to Vicar & Area Dean to provide administrative assistance to the Vicar in the roles of Vicar of All Saints Ecclesall & Area Dean of Ecclesall Deanery. The role will work with the Vicar, Ministry and Operations teams (staff and volunteers) to take forward, in many practical ways, the calling of All Saints, Ecclesall and with ministry and lay members across the Deanery to further its vision.
Closing date: 5pm, 30 June
Find out more: https://www.allsaintsecclesall.org.uk/joinourteam

Vocational Opportunity for a Finance Manager in a Therapeutic Community

Holy Rood House, Centre for Health and Pastoral Care, Thirsk, is seeking someone with experience, commitment and a heart for people, to lead our small finance team.
We are a community of residential and non-residential members welcoming people of all ages and backgrounds at a time of need, respite or retreat. Our gentle therapeutic space, including gardens and art room, can help people turn their lives round at a difficult time or simply provide quiet time out of a hectic schedule. The Community is founded on a gentle and inclusive Christian ethos.
This role is for someone who wants to use their skills to help make a difference. Working to our Executive Director, the Finance Manager oversees our finances and budgets, procurement contracts, suppliers, contractors and grant submissions, developing new projects, whilst ensuring compliance.
Although the salary is modest, there are many benefits of life in this Community. The Finance Manager will share in the spiritual life of the Community, becoming part of our developing vision as the place to turn to: www.holyroodhouse.org.uk

Location: – Holy Rood House, 10-12 Sowerby Road, Thirsk, YO7 1HX
Salary: – £23,795 FTE (40 Hours) plus contribution to NEST pension
Hours: – 32 hours, with opportunity for up to 40 hours

If this could be you, please contact: Sue Hammersley, sue@holyroodhouse.org.uk
with your CV and a covering letter.
Closing date for applications, June 28, 2024.
We reserve the right to close applications as soon as we receive sufficient suitable expressions of interest.

And finally ...

A prayer for God's light in the darkness

Creator God, you separated light and darkness giving us the precious gifts of day and night. You used the stars of the sky to illustrate your covenant promises. You sent messengers to the shepherds as they kept watch by night. Speak to us through the darkness.
Christ Jesus, you often prayed under the cover of darkness, searching for guidance about the next steps in your journey. In Gethsemane we sense you wrestling with questions yet affirming your commitment to God's will. From the hidden darkness of the tomb came resurrection and new life. Intercede with us in the darkness.
Holy Spirit, you brooded over the waters of the deep, calling forth rich treasures where we saw only a void. Elizabeth was filled with your presence as her baby leapt for joy in the darkness of the womb. In the secret depths of sleep, you spoke to your servants through dreams and visions. Show us what is hidden in the darkness. Amen.
Julie Coates, Deputy Chair, Sheffield District