District News – 28 April 2026

Stories from across the District

City Centre gathering

Victoria Hall in Sheffield recently hosted a gathering of the Methodist City Centre Network, a forum for churches in city and town centre locations to come together to share ideas and experiences. The nature of city centre ministry is that there are rarely two city centre Methodist churches in the same circuit, so it is valuable to travel to meet others who work in the particular melting pot of starkly varied communities that is a city centre. The day included learnings from Deacon Jackie Wright's city centre chaplaincy, the post-COVID revitalisation of the Sunday morning congregation, the outreach of the Sunday evening Oasis gathering, and the Church of Sanctuary movement. Prayer walking routes converged in Paradise Square, where John Wesley once preached to large open air crowds.
How does or could your church(es) learn from meeting with others ministering in similar contexts?

Victoria Stafford Road – learning from small experiments

Victoria Stafford Road is a diverse multicultural Methodist church in Sheffield. In previous years, the church hosted many community activities throughout the week, in partnership with local charities. This continues to some extent, but for many members of the congregation, engagement with church life was restricted to Sunday mornings. The church leadership team realised that their most important task was not to try to do more themselves, or to attempt to solve all their challenges in one go. But to find ways for the whole congregation to grow as disciples together, and to strengthen invitations to join in and go deeper.
Every few months, the leadership team meet to decide a few things they will tweak to enhance these invitations. Such as including more prayers in the church's WhatsApp group, seeking out opportunities to chat with newer members of the congregation, and creating a display board advertising the worshiping life of the church. Then a few months later they meet again, review what they have learned from these, and plan a few more tweaks.
Having a clear vision and long term plan can be helpful, but often the revitalising of our churches comes through learning from repeated small experiments.

Keep yourself and your money safe

A reminder (from Barnsley Circuit news) that there are scammers about! Be aware that no-one – whether staff, employee or lay member – would ever contact you by email asking for assistance in purchasing 'gifts', whatever excuse is being offered.
Excuses known to be used by scammers masquerading as a minister or member of staff might be: i) I am too busy, ii) about to go into a meeting, ii) do not have internet access at present, iv) have lost my voice (hence the request by email rather than phone) – these to name just a few.
Such requests (however plausible they might seem) are SCAMS trying to trick you into buying and forwarding gift cards or other merchandise. Please delete such emails immediately without responding.
If you are in doubt about any contact made, please contact the person directly rather than by replying to the email as they will not receive it but the scammers will – and they can be very clever at convincing you to comply to their request/instruction, all the while pretending to be someone you trust.

Prayers please

Some of you may remember the Revd James Tebbutt, who married Revd Nicola Price – both served in the Sheffield Circuits before they merged into one, James in the West and Nicola in Ecclesall. James is the District Chair of the North West District, and we have just learned that he had a heart attack on Easter Day. He is now recovering at home, and I know you will hold James, Nicola and Eleanor in your prayers.

District News and updates

District Gathering

Thank you again to those who have taken the time to fill in our feedback form. The planning group will be looking at all the responses when they next meet, to see if there are any lessons to be learnt ahead of the next gathering (on Saturday 12 September in Broom). There is still time for you to add your own comments, especially if you have thoughts about topics we could cover, speakers we could invite, and venues that might be appropriate for a gathering of this size
Feedback
The event was recorded via the Zoom link, and you can watch it here:
Watch here

GDPR Checklist

The purpose of the checklist is to ensure that all parties in the Methodist Church are ensuring their data protection practices are robust. As controllers, TMCP are responsible for checking that there is adequate compliance with data protection legislation across churches, circuits, districts and connexion, and the checklist is the means of auditing this.
So far we have had 27 responses, so there is quite a way to go on this. I will be contacting all those who submitted the checklist last year, to check that they are aware of the need to complete this, and to offer support if necessary.

Other News

Accompanist – could this be you? Can you help?

The Methodist Church are looking for people who might be willing to accompany vocational explorers and candidates for ministry.
An accompanist provides an ongoing relationship, conversation and reflection space, is alert to and sensitive to cultural differences and will seek to affirm the person throughout the processes whatever the outcome.
Could this be you? Or somebody you know?
There is more information on this page of the Methodist Church website. (https://www.methodist.org.uk/for-churches/ministries/candidating-for-ministry/become-an-accompanist/)
If you’d like more information, please e-mail candidates@methodistchurch.org.uk

Microsoft Publisher is being Retired

Microsoft is retiring Publisher in October 2026.
If your church or circuit uses it to produce orders of service, newsletters, posters or flyers, you will need something else in place before then.
We (the Methodist Church Digital team) have heard this come up in several conversations with circuit administrators and operations officers recently, so we wanted to share what we think are the best alternatives – both of which are free for registered charities.
The short version
If you want... A like-for-like replacement for Publisher – orders of service, newsletters, flyers, multi-page layout
We suggest: Affinity Publisher 2 (free for charities)
If you want... Something simpler for social media posts, posters, single-page flyers and quick designs
We suggest: Canva Pro (free for charities)
Both are made by the same company – Canva bought Affinity last year – and you can use them together. Many churches will want both.

Christian Aid Week

10-17 May

The theme for this year is around supporting mothers in Nairobi, Kenya, who are facing devastating urban poverty and a daily struggle to feed their children. By raising funds this May we can help mothers like Fridah Moraa and Belinda Kasudi, who live in crowded informal settlements, protect their children from hunger and grow a more hopeful future.
There are some excellent resources to download, including a full order of service and power point presentation for both an all-age worship service and a 'regular' worship service, as well as a film, prayer sheet, a daily devotional and fundraising packs for running a Big Brekkie event and/or a Quiz night
Here is a link to the resources on the website: https://caw.christianaid.org.uk/uk/resource

MHA Sunday 2026: The Second Cup

MHA Sunday offers churches an opportunity to engage with questions of later life, care, and belonging through worship and reflection. This year's theme, The Second Cup, invites congregations to consider loneliness and exclusion, and what it means to create communities where everyone has a place at the table.
MHA Sunday can be held at any point in the year, enabling churches to find a date that suits them.
Churches who would like to request a speaker or explore how MHA Sunday might work locally are warmly invited to contact the chaplaincy team at chaplaincy@mha.org.uk

Regional Officer for Safeguarding Update:

Creating a safeguarding foundation to have courageous conversations, part Two.

As explained in last week’s safeguarding article, these updates are intended to refresh our learning on how to respond safely and appropriately when someone makes a disclosure of abuse. The aim is to strengthen our safeguarding foundations as we continue to welcome and engage with others.
Last week we revisited the Samaritans’ SHUSH listening tips. This week, I would like to remind you of Methodist expectations regarding the written recording of safeguarding disclosures.
Guidance from the Foundation Safeguarding Module states that if you have a safeguarding concern, it is important to make a record of what you have seen, heard, or been told as soon as possible. This record may be written or made as a voice note using a smartphone or other electronic device.
Records should be clear and reflect accurately what was disclosed, using the person’s own words where possible. If you cannot remember everything, do not worry—record what you can recall. It is not your responsibility to investigate the concern; this must be left to safeguarding officers.
Where possible, records should include the following six key points:
1. How you became aware of the concern
2. What happened, including as much detail as possible
3. Who was involved, including names if known
4. When and where the incident occurred
5. Who the concern has been shared with
6. The date and your signature
Once a record has been made—or while you are making it—the information should be passed on appropriately. This next step will be the focus of the article coming next week.

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

Repair Café at St Andrew’s Psalter Lane Church

Saturday 9th May, 10.00 am – 2.00 pm:

The St Andrew’s Psalter Lane Church Eco Group are holding a Repair Café on Saturday 9th May, in church. Volunteer repair people will be on hand to make small repairs and teach people how they can do these themselves, with the aim of reducing waste by re-using and recycling items that would otherwise be thrown away. Come along with your wonky stuff and get it fixed! We will be offering repairs of wooden, metal and electrical items, including PAT testing, and sewing repairs.
We'll also be serving hot and cold drinks, light lunches, and lots and lots of cake; all repairs are free but any donations, and profits from the refreshments, will be sent to Christian Aid Week!

Urban Theology Union

Kindom-based Evangelism is a shorthand term for the kind of radical, open, liberating and respectful approach to faith-sharing and discipleship that has been at the heart of UTU’s work from the outset.
It is based on the kingdom concept, as presented mainly in Mark’s Gospel, where Jesus encourages people to see God’s kingdom as a place of justice, joy, healing and peace — often encapsulated in the Jewish word Shalom.
It also includes the kin’dom idea that followers of Jesus are all ‘brothers and sisters in Christ’, children together of the one God.
Dates and topics:
Tues 28th April – What do we mean by ‘kindom’ ?
Tues 23rd June – The key Biblical texts for the model
Tues 22nd September – lament and action for justice as evangelism
Tues 24th November – putting the Word into the doing
Time: on Zoom – 10.00am for chat, 10.30 for seminar – 11ish
If you would like to be part of a group exploring these ideas, please apply to office@utusheffield.org.uk

National Day of Street Worship 2026

Saturday 9 May 12:00 pm

If you've been thinking about giving street worship a go or you're already leading street worship and want to join in with other Christians around the UK, the National Day of Street Worship is for you! Join Christians and churches around the country on Saturday 9th May at 12pm, as we head to local parks, town centres, and city streets to sing "The Blessing" over the UK, followed by as much street worship as you like. Registration is optional, but if you would like register your event, we will keep you updated with plans and future street worship initiatives.

You can register here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdd2wyhqtd7ZqF3yy-iyWvbqxSTSMq5CzEcqQ2NYwjPfgNFkQ/viewform?usp=send_form

Ebor Lecture: When Every Hope Has Gone: Grief, Rage and Refuge in a Merciless Age

Professor Alison Phipps, UNESCO Chair in Refugee Integration through Education, Languages and the Arts at the University of Glasgow

7.00-9.00pm, Wednesday 20 May, York Minster

Our next Ebor Lecture is now open for booking! Please join us in the Minster and share the invitation to this free event with your own networks.

• In the lecture Professor Alison Phipps will explore the theological and practical failures exposed by recent genocidal assaults in Gaza, Sudan and Tigray. Drawing on decades of work with refugees worldwide, and especially from her home in Scotland, she will consider the resistant work of offering refuge in apocalyptic conditions and what heartbreak might teach us of our betrayal of refugees. In the face of immense grief, she will offer poetic and prayerful resources for courage, faith and cheerfulness from her tradition within The Iona Community
• 7.00 – 8.00pm Talk by Alison Phipps with Q&A, 8.00 – 9.00pm drinks reception for in-person attendees
• Hybrid event – in person at the Minster and live online
• Free to attend
• All welcome!

Find out more and book your places at this link

Lay Employees Retreat

3-6 June 2026

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
There are still a couple of rooms available, as well as the option to come for the day, but places are going fast!
There is an agreement that the 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.

New Church Gathering

Saturday 13 June

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.
Our hosts will be Manor Church & Community Project, a Christian charity rooted in Sheffield's Manor Estate. Our morning will be led by Mark North, our Faith Rooted Community Organising Lead, and will focus on the interaction between community organising and pioneering.
Reserve your space and free lunch here – https://buytickets.at/sheffieldmethodistdistrict/2140476

Whirlow where you are.

Quiet Day @ St Peter’s Ellesmere | 13th June 2026| 10am-3:30pm | Sheffield S4 7E

Free. No need to book, please contact the event leader Judith Jessop (minister in the Sheffield Methodist Circuit and trustee of Whirlow Spirituality Centre) for more information.

And finally

From the Methodist Prayer Handbook

A prayer that God may put songs in our hearts

You, Lord, as the author of the story of all of creation, down to each individual walking on Earth, sing so gently over us, pouring your adoration, peace and assurance into our hearts and minds.
Lord, may the stories and songs of our circumstances, locations, relationship with you and with others find crescendo and ultimately, resolution.
Lord, put songs in our hearts that are meant for being shared and alternate melodies to draw us into greater communion, fellowship and relationship with others.
In the ultimate storyteller’s name we ask and sing, Amen.
Rareş Călugăr, Superintendent, UMC Romania