District News – 10 March 2026

Stories from across the District

Events over Easter

Barnsley Circuit are hosing an Exhibition of Crosses and the Passion of Christ at Hoyland & Birdwell Methodist Church on Good Friday from 12 to 5pm and Saturday from 10 til 5pm, followed by a vigil service at 7pm.
This is acollection of local people’s personal crosses, some made by local groups, together with paintings of Christ’s passion
by Jenny Hawke.

Trinity Circuit have two events taking place around Easter

• Grove St Methodist 'The Stations of the Cross' Tuesday 31 March and Thursday 2 April
• Circuit Quiet Day at The Crossing Saturday 4 April

Full information is detailed on the posters below.

If any other churches have events/information they would like sharing around the District, please don't hesitate to let me know.

Eco-Tip for March

Take part in a local litter pick or beach clean during The Great British Spring Clean (Friday 13-Sunday 29 March), the nation’s biggest mass-action environmental campaign. Litter picking benefits the environment by removing rubbish that can be hazardous for wildlife and helps bring people together.
See if there’s a litter pick in your local area or consider organising your own – after church on Sunday or with a youth group for example. Pray for your local area as you do the litter pick and ask God for opportunities to share why you are doing it.
Find out more and pledge to pick up a bag at keepbritaintidy.org/our-work/eliminating-litter/great-british-spring-clean

District News

Service of Celebration for Deacon Lorraine Brown

Saturday 14 March at 3pm at The Peveril Centre, Castleton Methodist Church.

Join us in celebrating the ministry of Deacon Lorraine, Peak Park Rural Development Enabler as she retires from active ministry. Afternoon tea will be served as part of the service so to help with catering please email admin@peakmethodistcircuit.org with the number in your party BEFORE 12 MARCH. Thank you.

Visit from the President of the Conference

Rev'd Richard Andrews will be visiting the District from 28-30 March. There is a planned programme of places that he will be visiting and events he has been invited to take part in.
Saturday 28 March – a visit to the newly opened Food Bank at the Christian Centre in Stocksbridge, and then a look at the redevelopment going on at Brightholmlee. In the evening he has been invited to take join the Metal Methodists.
Sunday 29 March – An early morning interview on Radio Sheffield, then he has been invited to Killamarsh to lead their 150th Anniversary Service. After lunch he will then join Bolosover Methodist Church as they celebrate 200 years or Methodism in Bolsover.
Monday 30 March – He will be visiting the Doncaster Circuit, meeting with their leadership team in the morning and then finding out about Tickhill's Outreach team's work with the homeless. There will also be a visit to Lighthouse Homes during the day.

Praying for Peace in the Middle East

You will be aware of the escalating conflict in the Middle East and the uncertainty and fear it is bringing to people across the region and beyond. At times like this we hold in prayer all those whose lives are affected by violence, instability and loss. We hold especially in prayer civilians, those who are fearful for the safety of loved ones, and all who carry responsibility for leadership, that they may act with wisdom, restraint and a deep commitment to peace.
Within our own district we are mindful that some members of our communities have close personal, cultural and family connections to countries in the region. This includes our colleague Arman Ghamari, our Persian Ministry Development Enabler, whose ministry among Persian-speaking communities is a valued part of the life of our district. We want Arman, and all those with family or cultural ties to the region, to know that they are very much in our thoughts and prayers and held with care by the wider Methodist family.
Arman has kindly written a bilingual prayer in English and Farsi which we are sharing at the end of this newsletter. Churches may wish to use this prayer in worship or personal devotion as we join together in asking God for peace, protection for those who are most vulnerable, and hope for the future.
In times of conflict we can sometimes feel powerless. Yet the Church is called to respond with compassion, prayer and solidarity. As a district we continue to pray for peace, for justice, and for the safety and dignity of all whose lives are caught up in the suffering of war.

Farsi prayer meetings for Iran

Arman Ghamari, our Persian Ministry Development Enabler has started a Zoom Farsi prayer meeting for the situation in Iran. Lasting for around 30 minutes on

• Mondays 7:30pm
• Wednesdays 8:30pm
• Thursdays 7:30pm
• Fridays 7:30pm
• Saturdays 7:30pm

Please contact Arman armanghamari@sheffieldmethodist.org for Zoom details if you know anyone who might wish to attend.

Communication Survey

Good communication is important, so we have a short survey to give some feedback on how you access information and to hear your thoughts on what we do, and what we could maybe do better. We already have had some responses – but it would be good to have more!
Survey

Safeguarding Updates

Yorkshire North and East District are looking for an Independent Chair for their District Safeguarding Group.

We are looking for someone who is passionate about creating a positive culture of safeguarding practice, has strong leadership skills and experience of safeguarding from either a voluntary or professional background, as well as experience of working with groups. It would be a welcomed asset if the individual had experience of leading groups through change and periods of uncertainty as well as being a strategic thinker and conversant in Methodist safeguarding policies and practice.
The role of an Independent Chair will include:

• Supporting the Regional Safeguarding Officer.
• Discussing the agenda for District Safeguarding Group meetings with the Regional Safeguarding Officer.
• Attending and chairing the District Safeguarding Group meetings on a quarterly basis; predominantly face-to-face meetings in York Circuit.
• Encouraging and challenging the District where necessary.
• Attending and supporting District safeguarding events.
• Attending additional safeguarding review/planning meetings.

For an informal conversation about the role then please contact the District Safeguarding Advocate, Jane Masterman jane.masterman@yorkshirenemethodist.org (07596 515021) or the Assistant Chair of District, Revd Ruth Gilson-Webb development@yorkshirenemethodist.org (01904 783013).
If you feel this role could be for you, then you can register your interest by completing the application form below, before 5pm on Mon 23 March please. You can also request a copy of the form along with a full role outline by emailing jane.masterman@yorkshirenemethodist.org

Upcoming Events

Bible Month Hub

Broom Methodist Church (Rotherham and Dearne Valley Circuit) will be a hub for anyone who would like to attend an "in person" training day on Saturday 14 March.
It will run from 10am to 3pm, please bring your own lunch.
Contact Revd Andrew Fox – revdocfox@gmail.com – for more information, or to confirm your attendance.

District Youth Day @ Hesley Woods

Join us on Saturday 28 March at Hesley Woods for a fun day of workshops, worship and onsite activities. This event is for anyone aged 8 -18, but they must attend with a Youth Leader/Minister.
The theme this year is Our Story, Our Song
LEADERS
The day is aimed at 8 – 18 year olds, and we ask you to bring 1 leader for every 7 young people as you will be responsible for looking after them for the day.
Full details, including how to book places, can be found here : District Youth Day
Closing date: 24 March, but don't leave it to the last minute!!!

150 Years of Worship at Killamarsh, Sheffield

To launch our 150th anniversary at Killamarsh, we have Revd. Richard Andrews President of Conference preaching with us on Sunday 29th March-

• Service at 9.45 am ( car parking in Aldi car park next to the church.) The Service will also be available via Google MEET please contact us for details.
• We will be celebrating with hymns reflecting the 150 years.
• Coffee and cakes after the service ‘til approx. noon.

Please join us if you can.

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.

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

Vacancies

Youth Worker

Bents Green Methodist Church, Sheffield, S11 7QA

We seek to appoint a Youth Worker to lead two weekly groups, one (Lighthouse) for 5-11s on Wednesday after school, and the other (Lampstand) for 11 – 18s on Friday evenings, term time only. 90 minutes would be allowed for preparation for each group, and 30 minutes for clearing up. The total hours would be 8 per week, at £15.00 per hour.
We would like over time to work with the post holder to develop their skills and to expand their role, increasing hours accordingly. Opportunities could include work with Junior Church, Messy Church, Girls’ Brigade and Panto, or other things which develop the mission of the Church.
For more information and/or an application pack, please contact dglennevans@hotmail.co.uk

Volunteers wanted

At HMP Moorland we are looking for volunteers to help run an Alpha Course. This is a popular course that is run around the world that explores the basics of Christianity. We will be running it every Monday from 13th April to the 25th May (except the 11th May), from 13:30 – 15:45. Helping prisoners come to faith in Jesus and see their lives transformed is an incredibly joyful and rewarding experience. If you would like to assist in the course, or to gain more info please email Free-Church Chaplain Jack Key at jack.key@justice.gov.uk – or for more info on the Alpha Course watch Alpha Film Series // Promo

And finally ...

A Prayer for Iran

Heavenly Father,
We believe that you are aware of the situation in Iran and its oppressed and defenceless people.
We pray that you would protect the people and not allow any bloodshed of the innocent.
We pray for peace, freedom and the war to end as soon as possible.
May your will as it is done in heaven be done in Iran and the Middle East. In the name of Jesus.
Amen.
Arman Ghamari

Prayer for Peace

God of peace,
give us the imagination to believe
that things can be different.

When the world feels caught
in familiar cycles of conflict and fear,
help us to trust that another way is possible.

Shape our lives so that
each act of justice,
each refusal to be driven by fear,
each choice to speak words that bring freedom, belonging, wholeness and acceptance
becomes part of the slow making of peace.

Teach us not to be drawn
into the easy rhythms of anger and division.
Give us the grace to pause,
to listen deeply,
and to offer gentle words where harsh ones might easily rise.

May our prayers do more than express our longing.
May they change us
softening our hearts,
widening our compassion,
and reshaping the way we live with one another.

And through the quiet faithfulness of ordinary lives,
may peace take root and grow in the world.
Amen.
Revd Vicky Atkins