District News – 27 January 2026

District News Stories

Saint's Alive! Puppet Team

For more than twenty years the Saints Alive! Puppet Team have been sharing bible stories in this fun and engaging way to audiences around the district. Using parodies of well-known songs and some ventriloquism they perform sketches of bible stories and talk about themes found in the bible.
The team are based at Woodseats Methodist Church in Sheffield, but have members from all over the city.
Glyn Jones is the Team Leader, explains how it all began, he said: “The vision came (as with so many initiatives) from Easter People. We started in a small way at our own church, but an outdoor Churches Together event in the local park in 2003 proved to be the catalyst through which we became well known."
Find out more here

Another Eco Church award

Congratulations to South Anston Methodist (Trinity Circuit) who have just achieved the Eco CHurch Bronze Award.
That takes the District tally to 14 Bronze and 6 Silver.
If you would like to find out more about becoming an Eco Church, visit https://ecochurch.arocha.org.uk/
Our District vision is that by 2030, at least 18 churches will have become Silver Eco Churches. Find out more about our vision on how this might be achieved here: Net Zero Churches

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

This Week's News

Sad News

We are very sorry to learn from the Sheffield Circuit that the Rev’d Naomi Cooke’s dear partner Lisa Harrison died on Saturday, 10th of January 2026. Her last days were peaceful.
Our hearts go out to Naomi and Lisa’s friends and families, and we ask you to continue to enfold Naomi, their families and friends with prayers and compassion.

Lent and Holy Week Resources 2026

The Methodist Church are putting together resources for Lent and Holy Week to help equip your church to experience Lent as a journey of transformation, not just tradition.
Lent is bigger than giving up chocolate. It’s about letting go of what weighs us down and being open to what lifts us up. The benefits last longer than 40 days – it’s a way of life, and we do it together.
This year’s Lent and Easter resources are designed to help you lead services that are rooted in Scripture and alive with hope. Each week focuses on a simple shift: letting go of fear, control, scarcity, or appearances, and embracing spirit, abundance, dignity, and joy.
Alongside worship outlines, you’ll find weekly spiritual practices that help people pause, breathe, and rediscover what matters most – through simple habits that nurture faith beyond Sunday.
Find out more here: https://www.methodist.org.uk/for-churches/lent/

Presbyteral Session at Conference

Survey for Lay People across the District

The Methodist Conference agreed to a review of the Presbyteral Session in the light of the reduced membership and overall length of the Conference.
The working party on this are keen to hear from a wide range of lay people, to consider the content of the Presbyteral Sessions, their length and whether consideration should be given to making them hybrid. The closing date for the survey is 5 February 2026. For more information and to complete the survey, follow this link

Bible Month 2026 Training Day

The Letter to the Philippians

This day is specifically for those involved in leading Bible Month on the ground – Ministers, Local Preachers and Worship Leaders and those working with Children, Youth and Families – and will equip them to run Bible Month in their churches and circuits.

• Explore the text and some key features that will help you grapple with it
• Discover some of the resources on offer to help you as your prepare for worship
• Reflect on some of the key themes and stories of the letter to the church in Philippi and how you can lead churches into them.

It will be live streamed on YouTube, and you can join in one of two ways
1. Attend a local Hub (contact your circuit to find out if there are any being planned)
2. Watch at home
Find out more here : BibleMonth2026

Action for Children

Count your blessings

This Lent, you can help us give children a safe and happy childhood and Count Your Blessings for 40 days. We have inspiring stories and one activity for each day of Lent that you can get involved with, while supporting Action for Children at the same time.
We're going to be sending out weekly emails during lent, with activities straight to your inbox.
Join our email list and receive activities from us each week of Lent.

Events

A Sacred Space – A Contemplative Service for the Soul

7.30 pm on Thursday 29th January at St Andrew’s Psalter Lane Church

For those seeking meaning, nurture, and spiritual sustenance amidst the demands and challenges of life, A Sacred Space offers you a gentle nudge to come along.
Held on the last Thursday of each month at 7.30pm, this hour-long contemplative service weaves together music, poetry, readings, silence, and reflection.
It’s a space for stillness, depth, and presence—open to anyone longing for connection beyond the noise.
Whether you’re a church goer or not, you are warmly welcome to come as you are, and simply rest and restore yourself in this grounding space.

Positively Rural – Being Present in Schools

Tuesday 3 February 2026@1:00pm

In this session, we will be sharing how local rural practitioners have developed presence in rural schools with stories of lived experiences and good practice. We will cover both Primary and Secondary Schools, as well as having opportunities for those attending to share their own stories. As always, there will also be opportunities to share your own experiences in smaller break-out groups.
The deadline to register is 31 January 2026 at mid-day.
Book your place here: https://260203Schools.eventbrite.co.uk

Administrators Gathering

Wednesday 4 February from 9am

The next Gathering for all those involved in church administration will be held at The Furnival, 199 Verdon Street, Sheffield. This is a great time to meet up with others in similar roles, to share experiences and good practice and to offer support and encouragment.
It is organised by the UCAN (UK Church Administrators Network), but is open to all.
To help with the catering, we do ask you book in so we know how many to expect: https://ucan.churchsuite.com/events/ygmvyxup

Do pass this invite on to anyone you think might benefit.

Children and Families Pancake Party

Tuesday 17th February, 4.00 – 5.30 pm

Children and their families and friends are invited to come to the Pancake Party at St Andrew's Psalter Lane Church on Shrove Tuesday. As well as freshly cooked pancakes there will be games and crafts, and a general chance for children and adults to have fun and a catch-up. All welcome to this family event. Children, please bring an adult with you!

New Churches Gathering

Saturday morning 28 February

For anyone who is involved in leading (in any capacity), or preparing to lead, a new Christian community. An opportunity to spend quality time with the growing network of fellow pioneers following similar callings in other places across or affiliated to Sheffield Methodist District. There will be opportunities to share stories, compare what you are learning in a supportive environment, discuss what support you need, and celebrate what God is doing. Our guest speaker will be Dr Heather Major, Research Fellow in New Places for New People, Evangelism & Growth at Cliff College. Hosted by Jonathan Hood and our district New Places for New People pilot.
Further details and register your place at https://www.tickettailor.com/events/sheffieldmethodistdistrict/1994267

Flourish Festival 2026

The Yorkshire North and East District are honoured to be inviting you to join them at Flourish2026. Happening over the 13th-15th of February 2026 at the University of York, Flourish is an event created to draw people from the Methodist Church together to worship God, attend workshops and share in fellowship together.
Flourish 2026 is hoping to gather over 1000 people from across the District and beyond to explore the theme 'Woven Threads'. Key speakers include Dr Ruth Valerio, Trey Hall, President and Vice President of the Methodist Church, John and Jade Reynolds, with music from Siskin Green, Zac Carpenter and local groups.
We are so excited to see what God will be doing at Flourish – to find out more and purchase your tickets please click the link below
FLOURISH Festival 2026 – Woven Threads

Sheffield District MWiB Programme

26 March –Afternoon tea and stalls
Venue: Bents Green Methodist Church at 2.00pm.
There will be a stall for Africa’s Gift’

10-12 April — Swanwick weekend.
Keynote speaker—Caroline Godfrey (ex Vice President of Conference). Full details to follow, or visit the MWiB website

20th May 2026 — Quiet Day
Venue: Green Moor Methodist at 10.00 for 10.30am
Leader Deacon Annabel Terry. Bring your own lunch , Drinks provided.

July 2026—District day
Venue: Hoyland and Birdwell Methodist Church at 10.30 for 11.00am.
Leader—CoChair of MWiB, Olive Ruzvidzo. Bring your own lunch. Drinks provided

Regional Retreat – The woman at the well

The next Regional Retreat for presbyters, deacons and lay employees will be held at Wydale Hall from 20-22 May 2026.
Donna Worthington (Retreat Leader) will be leading our time together when we will explore: The Woman at the Well: an invitation to journey to the well, to Christ the Living Water. Donna is an experienced retreat giver trained in Ignatian spiritual direction, labyrinth walking and storytelling.
More information and booking details can be found via EventBrite: https://260520RegionalRetreat.eventbrite.co.uk
Bookings close on 18 February

Lay Employees Retreat

3-6 June 2026 – Wydale Hall

The lay employees retreat is like no other. It offers time and space away from work and busy diaries to relax, meet new people and catch-up with old friends. The programme is designed with plenty of choice. There are led sessions and reflections, creative opportunities and freedom to explore the wonderful gardens at Wydale and beyond. A rhythm of prayer and worship is offered, with ample time in the evenings for socialising, either in the bar or through organised activities.
Full details of this year's retreat, including how to book, can be found here: https://260603layretreat.eventbrite.co.uk
The full cost is £270 for an en-suite room or £100 for non-residential (staying off site, but joining in all meals apart from breakfast)
There is an agreement that Districts will support those wishing to attend by giving an automatic 50% subsidy, for those who have not already attended another subsidised Retreat this year.

Vacancies

CEO of The Foundry

The Foundry at Victoria Hall is recruiting a CEO to lead our mission of supporting Sheffield’s vulnerable communities. We are looking for a values-led individual to steward our charity into its next chapter of growth and service. Full job description here

Could you volunteer with us at a Cliff Fest this year?

"Spending time chatting with folk about their lives and having spiritual but not religious conversations helped me reframe my own relationship with God."
Our work connecting with people at major festivals across the country is growing and we’d love you to consider being part of it. This year, we’re heading back to Cliff Festival, running the Hope & Anchor, a space for real talk. Could you join the team?
Get a taste for our festivals work by watching our new film here: The Church connecting with people at festivals across Great Britain
Sign up to volunteer here: Volunteer with us at Festivals and Events – The Methodist Church
If you would like to know more please contact Carla Quenet (quenetc@methodistchurch.org.uk)

Play Space volunteers wanted

Broomhill Methodist Centre are recruiting for Play Space Volunteer Team Members at Mini Broomhill.
The Play Space is a miniature creative play town designed to give children a safe place to play and parents or carers a relaxed and welcoming space to connect. It’s more than a play space — it’s a community hub where friendship, conversation, and belonging are at the heart of what we do.
If you have a friendly, approachable and calm manner, good listening skills and a want to engage with local members of the community, this could be the volunteer role for you.
Full training will be provided. If you would like more information, please contact Rose Durant rose@broomhillmethodist.org

And finally ...

A prayer for Holocaust Memorial Day which takes place every year on 27 January.

Holy God,
On this Holocaust Memorial Day we remember the six million Jewish persons whom the Nazis murdered. Some names known to us but all known to you. We remember, too, those who survived and bore the physical and emotional consequences. We pray for our neighbours today, our Jewish communities who still feel the effects of the Holocaust and the fear that antisemitism continues to bring.
We remember, also, the thousands of other victims of the Nazi regime. Those who were disabled, gay, Roma, Jehovah’s Witnesses, political opponents, and those who were brave enough to stand up and say that what was happening was wrong. As we think this year of the need to ‘bridge the generations’, forgive us when we have allowed ourselves to hate others. Forgive us when we have chosen not to stand up against hatred, and forgive us when we choose to forget because it’s more comfortable than remembering the horrors of what has happened.
Yesterday, today and forever you are God. Your love endures forever. We hold before you all victims of genocide and hatred and ask that you bring peace and justice. May we never forget and may we be equipped to make a better world.
Amen.