District News 28 October 2025

This Week's News

Hymn Books wanted

Victoria Methodist Church, Stafford Road, Sheffield, are in the happy position of not having enough hymn books!. They are wondering if any churches have spare copies of Singing the Faith that might be donated to them?
If your church (or circuit) can help. please let me know.

Faith over Fear Sunday

16 & 23 November

In addition to the resource booklet mentioned in last week's newsletter, we have now also added PowerPoint slides for use in services. They can be found on the District Website here: Faith over Fear.
The deadline to request printed copies of the resource book was yesterday, but it has been extended to this Thursday (30 November). They will be posted out on 3 November.

Global Day of Action for Climate Justice

Make your Christian concern for the planet public.

Saturday 15th November
Assemble: Devonshire Green (S1 4GT) at 11am
Bring banners, placards etc.
Look out for the District's Justice and Peace flag.
After the rally share in free drinks, hot soup, songs and crafts in the Lower Hall, Victoria Hall and meet climate campaigners to find out more about ongoing local action. See the poster for full details
Jenny Carpenter (Justice Seekers)

Hathersage Millennium Garden celebrates 25th Birthday

Back in the year 2000 Hathersage Methodist Church worked with the local community to create a community woodland garden on an unused area of church land. Lots of people from across the village helped with designing and landscaping the garden, and it was officially opened in October 2000 – so is celebrating 25 years! The garden is still maintained by a group of community volunteers and is a well-used village resource, with woodland paths for children to explore, benches for people to pause for a moment's peace, and wildlife-friendly features. The garden (next door to the church) is open all the time.
Throughout November there will be a display in the church about the garden including photos from when the garden was created and through the years since. The church is open daily 9am to 5pm.

Living Christianity in the Holy Land

A 14 day encounter with Israel Palestine Today
January 21st to February 3rd 2026
In a land marked by deep history and ongoing conflict, the Methodist Church in Britain invites you to join a unique visit to the land of Jesus – one that goes beyond traditional pilgrimage.
Organised by the Methodist Liaison Office, this is not just a tour of sacred sites. It is an opportunity to walk alongside the “living stones” – the people who call this land home – and to explore what it means to live our Christian faith in the context of complexity, hope and struggle.
For more information please contact John Howard john_d_howard@hotmail.com

Methodist Church Prayer Handbook 2026/27

Our prayers hold the sorrows and joys of our lives, churches and communities across this world. For 2026/2027, the words Sorrow and Joy are chosen like grid references on a map or compass bearings.
The Methodist Church publishing team invite you to respond in prayer, faithfully and fruitfully, as peacemakers and reconcilers to each other and the world – share prayers that recognise and support Methodist people who may need a boost of joy in the Lord, such as Church volunteers and those who minister in diverse and often challenging circumstances. Submit your prayer by Friday 16 January 2026.
Read the full submission Guidelines here: https://www.methodist.org.uk/faith/methodist-prayer-handbook/submission-guidelines/

Wholehearted Monthly

Join us for a free, online event on Tuesday 11 November from 7.00pm, featuring special guest Guvna B, broadcaster, rapper, author and advocate for young people. Guvna B (aka Isaac Borquaye) will speak about music, faith, raising children and how the Church can learn about mission from children and young people. We'll also hear testimony from youth leaders, as the Methodist Church commits to significantly increase the number of active young disciples.
Wholehearted is a free monthly online gathering of Christians learning, playing, praying and working for the transformation of the Church and world God loves.
Register here

Action for Children

'Share the wonder of Christmas' worship resources
We're excited to let you know that our Christmas worship resources are now available. This year's theme ‘Share the wonder of Christmas’, helps us reflect on the amazing Christmas story while thinking about the children and families in our communities who find this season difficult. It has an all-age outline and some Christmas-themed children’s activities.
https://www.actionforchildren.org.uk/support-us/fundraise-with-us/do-your-own-fundraising/fundraise-in-your-church/#christmas-resources-2025

Be a Secret Santa for a vulnerable child
Christmas is a time of hope and light, when we celebrate the birth of Christ and the promise of peace on earth.
For many of us, those memories begin in childhood. But for too many children across the UK, Christmas brings no warmth, no joy, and no celebration. No stockings. No presents. Sometimes, not even a hot meal. But your gift could help change that.
Become a Secret Santa for a vulnerable child today by visiting Iamsanta.org.uk/hope.

Share your views
We want to hear from you and your district to help us get better at how we communicate with you and steward our relationship. Your opinion truly matters to us, so we would love it if you could fill out our survey.
Take the survey here

Methodist Women in Britain

Applications are invited for the position of World Federation Area Vice President 2026-2031
This is a five-year volunteer role beginning in August 2026 at the World Assembly in Auckland, New Zealand when the person appointed will become Area Vice President for Europe: Britain and Ireland, one of nine Areas of the World Federation of Methodist and Uniting Church Women (WFMUCW). The Area Vice President will work closely with the WFMUCW Area President and be a member of the MWiB Executive for the five-year term.
A full role description, application form and further details about the MWIB Executive can be found on our website www.mwib.org.uk or email our Communications Officer at communications.mwib@gmail.com
For questions about the role contact Barbara Easton britainireland.president@wfmucw.org

• Closing date for applications is Monday 10th November 2025
• Interviews will be held at Tavistock House, London on the afternoon of Monday 24th November 2025

Regional Officer for Safeguarding Update:

10th Anniversary of the Past Cases review

It is now ten years since the Methodist Church produced a report looking at all known cases of abuse from the previous 50 years and committed itself to taking action. Following over 2,500 referrals, many hours of professional casework were undertaken and common themes emerged providing the Church with an action plan to improve and respond appropriately to victims and survivors.
This year, we are sharing monthly reflections on what this has meant for the Church.
Kate Little, Safeguarding Survivor Lead Officer in the Connexional Safeguarding Team, contributes this latest in the series of reflections on the Methodist Church’s progress 10 years on from the Past Cases Review. She writes of her own personal learning from working closely with survivors and also focuses on the Methodist Church’s work to fulfil the recommendations which directly mention survivors of abuse.
Read the reflection: Working with survivors – The Methodist Church
This is part of a year of short monthly reflections on the PCR, ten years on, which are being provided by various leaders across the church and published in the weekly Methodist News online bulletin.
Sign Up for Newsletters – The Methodist Church

As ever, if you have any questions or concerns, please email me at hilla@methodistchurch.org.uk. Currently my phone is not working so any questions or concerns should be relayed via the Sheffield District Office – 0114 270 9990

Many thanks
Alison Hill

Events

Reflect Open Day-Conference 2025

Saturday 1 November 10:30 am

Reflect (Methodist Spirituality and Retreats) invites you to an event with the President of Conference, Rev Richard Andrew, as keynote speaker. There will be workshops and a bookstall.
Reserve your place: email: gilldascombe@hotmail.com
You can just turn up on the day! Full details can be found here: Reflect Open Day

Administrators' Gathering

Tuesday 4 November from 9am

The next gathering of administrators (and other office based workers) will be held at Cemetery Road Baptist Church. This is a time for us to gather and share our experiences, offering mutual support and encouragement to each other.
This is organised by UCAN (UK Church Administrators Network), but is open to all.
Find out more here: https://ucan.churchsuite.com/events/w5d2vaxk/

The Ebor Lecture

Wednesday 5 November

This year the lecture is : A Manifesto for Hope – Creating Opportunities for Children,
Young People and Their Families with Steve Chalke.
The Reverend Canon Steve Chalke (MBE,FRSA) is a British Baptist minister, founder of the Oasis Charitable Trust, social activist, author, and former United Nations' Special Adviser on Human Trafficking.
The lecture can be attended online as well as onsite and tickets (free!) for both are available here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ebor-lecture-steve-chalke-tickets-1643356065229?aff=oddtdtcreator

For Goodness Sake

“For Goodness Sake” is a gathering of people who long for justice, taking place in Derby on Saturday 8 November 2025. It is being organised by the Joint Public Issues Team on behalf of the Baptist Union of Great Britain, Methodist Church and United Reformed Church, and in association with the Church of Scotland and Iona Community.
The Conference will be a mixture of worship led by the Iona Community, keynote speakers (including Bishop Dr Guli Francis-Dehqani) and panel events, with stalls, craftivism, filming and writing activities, and much, much more. It an ideal opportunity to meet with other Christian justice-seekers and to connect in a friendly space.
There will be Listening Spaces built on community organising practices to enable us to hear each-other’s
voices, and the voices of those most effected by issues of injustice.
Tickets are just £15, and if you’re under 25 years old, it’s free.
To book visit https://jpit-conference-2025.eventbrite.co.uk/
and to find more out about the day For Goodness Sake! What's the plan?

Listening skills training with Dame Evelyn Glennie

Tuesday 11 Nov 2025

Good listening is key to growing, inclusive, evangelistic, justice seeking churches. Often listening at multiple levels: to each other, to the wider community, to what voices are not heard, and to God.
Dame Evelyn Glennie's remarkable career as the world’s first full-time solo percussionist has given her a unique perspective on how to listen effectively. This challenges us to enquire into our own culture of listening. What would it mean not only to listen better to others, but to develop the faith to truly listen to ourselves? To listen unselfishly, avoiding external distractions, developing new capacities that enhance our most important relationships.
FREE for members and staff of churches in Sheffield Methodist District. More details and booking at https://buytickets.at/sheffieldmethodistdistrict/1870468

Understanding Islam

Saturday 22 November – St Peter's Ellesmere

Understanding Islam: the First Steps; a study day led by Dr Chris Hewer, helping us begin to explore what Muslims believe, a journey into understanding Islam from its own perspective.
Chris Hewer is a Christian who comes from a background in Christian theology, education, Islamic studies and inter-faith studies. He has worked in the field of Muslims in Britain and Christian-Muslim relations since 1986, including 6 years as Adviser on Inter-Faith Relations to the Bishop of Birmingham.
9.30 am – arrivals & refreshments.
The session will run from 10:00am to 3.30pm
To book, or with any queries, contact Rev Liz Wills, johnandlizwills@gmail.com or 01142610732

And finally ...

A Prayer for the Week

Loving God,
whatever this week holds, its meetings and moments, its joys and its challenges,
may we experience your grace in it all.

When things go to plan, may we give thanks,
and when they don’t, may we find the courage to smile,
to learn, and to begin again.

Teach us the grace of humility,
not as self-criticism, but as openness to your gentle wisdom.

Help us to be kind to ourselves as well as to others,
remembering that being us, fully, honestly, imperfectly,
is part of the gift you’ve called us to share.

You have called each of us to serve in our own unique way.
So when we drop the ball, or run a little late,
remind us that self-compassion is holy ground,
a place where your mercy meets our humanity.

Bless us with grace for the journey,
humility in our service,
and joy in knowing that your love goes with us, always.
Amen.
Vicky Atkins – Sheffield District Chair