District News 29 July 2025

This Week's News

A message from Revd Gill Newton

Friends
A huge thank you to all those who came to my Farewell Service at Greenhill Methodist Church in Sheffield recently and to those who were watching online at the time or since. It was a very special and moving occasion for me and I am incredibly grateful for the kind words spoken and the generous gifts received from the district, from circuits and from individuals.
It has been my immense privilege to serve the district as Chair over the last eleven years and I will miss you all a great deal! However, you will remain in my prayers and I'm sure that I will cross paths with at least some of you in the future!
Every blessing
Gill

Correction – Revd John Young's funeral details

The funeral for Revd John Young, who died last week, will be on Friday 15 August, 11:10am at Chesterfield Crematorium for family only , followed by a service of thanksgiving at Central Methodist Church at 12 noon.

Broomhill pioneer grant

Our District Leading Team has approved at grant of £60,000 for a part time pioneer to lead the birth of a new climbing church, families church and student church at Broomhill Methodist Centre. These three communities will operate under the same roof – utilising the centre's new climbing wall and creative play space – while fostering an environment of spiritual exploration and connection. By focusing on adventure, creativity, and authentic relationships, Broomhill Methodist Centre aims to become a beacon of hope and transformation in Sheffield. The grant will be matched by £60,000 from the Connexional Evangelism and Growth Team.
As part of our refreshed strategy for resourcing mission, our vision is to have at least eight fruitful new churches across the district by 2030. See further details at https://www.sheffieldmethodist.org/what-we-do/new-christian-communities.html

Praying for peace

St Andrew's Psalter Lane Church in August

The church will be open on each Wednesday in August between 12.00 noon and 1.30 pm for people to come in to pray for peace. It is hoped that this will give encouragement to those very many people who are distressed and disheartened at the lack of trust and readiness to resort to violence that human beings worldwide increasingly seem to be exhibiting. As Christians, whatever else we may or may not do, we are called to pray. And Jesus said that the peacemakers would be called the children of God.

Methodist Youth President

Recruitment now open

Would you, or someone you know in your church, be interested in becoming our Youth President for 2026/2027? This incredible and rewarding role in the life of our Church is open to any young person aged between 18 and 23 who is a member of the Methodist Church. They will become a member of the Connexional Team, employed on a 13-month fixed-term contract from 1 August 2026 through to 31 August 2027.
For more information about what the Youth President does please see their dedicated page, and take a look at this page to learn more about the recruitment and election process.
Closing Date – 19 August

The Leadership Year (for 18-30 yea olds)

The Leadership Year scheme is now open for applications. The scheme is for all those aged 18 – 30 years who wish to develop their leadership abilities within or outside of the Church.
Participants will have the opportunity to attend three residential weekends in November, March and July, as well as the option to meet with a mentor and being part of a small group.
There are 12 fully funded places available.
FIND OUT MORE AND APPLY HERE
Please note that applications must be submitted by Sunday 21 September.

Conference Youth Rep

Do you know anyone aged 18-21 who would be interested in being the Methodist Conference Youth Rep? It would involve representing children and young people at the Conference in 2026, as well as being part of the wider Youth Rep team throughout the year (starting Nov 2025), hearing the voice of children and young people across the Connexion and being involved in the shaping of the 3Generate event.
Applicants will be put forward for election, which will take place at 3Generate 2025.
This is a fantastic opportunity to meet new people, grow in faith and to help make change happen in the Church.
APPLICATION DEADLINE IS TUESDAY 5 AUGUST 2025
FIND MORE INFORMATION HERE

Action for Children

Our Parent Talk service

The summer holidays can be an exciting time for many families, but they can also bring challenges.
Action for Children's Parent Talk provides free and confidential online parenting support all year round. Parents and carers can find answers to parenting questions in our advice articles at a convenient time. Or, they can use the webchat or WhatsApp to talk to an experienced parenting coach about anything that's worrying them. No topic is too big, too small or too embarrassing.
We couldn't run this incredible service if it wasn't for the generosity of our supporters!
Learn more about Parent Talk.

Foundations units from Cliff College

now available for £200 each

Cliff College's Foundations units are now available for £200 each to students who are training as Local Lay Pastors, supported by their local Methodist church, circuit or district. Units available this year include Exploring Chaplaincy; Growing in Leadership; Exploring Children, Youth and Family Ministry; and Reading the Old Testament. Each unit lasts 15 weeks and can be taken entirely online from anywhere in the country.
Units usually cost £400, but Cliff College has 50 subsidised places available for 2025-26 for students with a letter of support provided by their local Methodist church, circuit or district. For more information and to apply, visit the Cliff College website.

District Safeguarding Officers Update:

DSO change to Job Title and Contact Details from 1st August 2025

From 1st August 2025, there will be a change to the role and employment structure of the DSO. While the nature of my work and my connection to the Sheffield Methodist District will remain the same, there will be some updates to my job title and contact information.
I will no longer be employed directly by the Sheffield Methodist District. Instead, I will be employed by the Connexional Team of the Methodist Church, as part of a broader restructure intended to bring greater consistency to management and terms of employment for safeguarding staff across the Church.
As part of this transition, I will become a member of the North-East Regional Safeguarding Team, while continuing to serve the Sheffield District.
My new job title will be Regional Officer for Safeguarding (ROS). Please note, this should not be confused with the abbreviation RSO, which in safeguarding contexts refers to a Registered Sex Offender.
My new email address, effective from 1st August, will be: hilla@methodistchurch.org.uk
My current email will have an automatic reply directing you to the new address, so please don't worry if you use the old one by mistake.
My phone number will remain unchanged: 07483 362 735
If you have any questions or concerns about these changes, please don't hesitate to contact me--either via the new email from 1st August, or by phone as usual.
With best wishes,
Alison Hill -District Safeguarding Officer (until 1st August)

Events

Urban Theology Union

Unlocking the language of John's Gospel through women's stories

These four one hour on-line sessions bring together womanist scholarship and urban living realities. They will give a taste of Greek language and how that can change our perspective on some well-known female characters.
Dr Louise Liu is an engaging Biblical scholar and UTU member who worships at Victoria Hall Methodist Church in Sheffield. She has taught in university and local churches.
You can attend all four sessions for £20 or single sessions for £7.
Session 1 – The mother of Jesus as an initiator – 4 August 2025
Session 2 – The Samaritan Woaman as an evangelist – 11 August 2025
Session 3 – The Woman in public trial as a powerless defendant – 18 August 2025
Session 4 – Mary Magdalene as a true follower – 25 August 2025
Book your place here
For more information please contact Mel King on office@utusheffield.org.uk

District Gathering including Synod

Saturday 13 September

Our next District Gathering will be on the theme of Rooted, Relevant and Reimagined – being the church for today's world. Everyone is welcome to this free event, whether you are coming for the first time, have attended previous District Gatherings, or are a member of our Synod.
Join us for a day of learning, sharing and worship with a buffet lunch provided as we offer an opportunity to renew existing connections across our District and meet new people.
Book your place here: https://buytickets.at/sheffieldmethodistdistrict/1774031

EcoFest25

Saturday 27 September from 10am-2pm

Emmanuel Methodist Church, Barnsley are hosting another EcoFestival on the theme : Healthy Planet, healthy you.
Free fun for the family with displays, activities and stalls. Plus – bring your bike for a free check!

The Samuel Chadwick Lecture 2025

Thursday 16 October 2025

Our annual Samuel Chadwick Lecture will take place on Thursday 16 October 2025. The theme will be History, Church Growth and the Spirit, and this year the lecture can be attended onsite at Cliff College or online via Zoom.
The keynote speaker for this event will be Professor William K Kay, Professor Emeritus in Theology at Wrexham University and founding director of the Centre for Pentecostal and Charismatic Studies at Bangor University. Professor Kay's research interests include the history of Pentecostal and charismatic movements, and the lecture will draw on this research. The formal response will be from Dr Ben Pugh, director of the Samuel Chadwick Centre.
Book your place here: https://www.cliffcollege.ac.uk/news-events/samuel-chadwick-lecture-2025

Vacancies

Circuit Administrator/PA

The Sheffield Circuit seek to appoint a Circuit Administrator/PA to provide an excellent level of administrative support to the Sheffield Methodist Circuit and as appropriate and necessary to Circuit Ministers, Stewards, Officers and Lay Staff, and to provide a professional level of PA support to the Circuit Superintendency.
The successful applicant will be an experienced administrator or well versed in office management with a keen eye for detail, able to effortlessly priorities and manage a varied workload.
This is a full-time (37 hours/week) role with a flexible working pattern, to include occasional evening work. Hours are to be worked over 5 days per week, responding to need.

Missional Property Enabler

The Sheffield Circuit seek to appoint a Missional Property Enabler. This is a newly created role.
Purpose of role:-To deal with administrative and logistical tasks relating to property, being the designated first point of contact for all property queries and enquiries.

• To pursue an entrepreneurial, imaginative, prayerful and pioneering approach to the improved use and development of buildings (chapels, manses and other circuit property) ensuring that church properties, wherever possible, combine: Serving the needs of local worshipping communities; Becoming dynamic mission centres for community/local benefit; Becoming carbon neutral; Contributing to significant income generation
• To embrace the possibilities offered in property disposal for renewed missional opportunities, taking into consideration their missional, financial and community value.
• To work well with the Circuit Property Development Group (PDG) and the Circuit Property Consents, Manses and Maintenance Group (PCMMG).

For both roles, enquiries and informal conversations about the role are encouraged. We ask that you direct such contact to Rev Debora Marschner by email.

A completed application form should be returned to hr@sheffieldmethodist.org
Closing date for all applications: Midday – Friday 1 August

Senior Administrator

Student Christian Movement

We are now looking to hire a Senior Administrator to join the SCM team. Responsible to the CEO, they will work across the charity, acting as secretary to our board of Trustees, be responsible for HR and payroll function, act as line manager to two administrators, and add to the sustainability of the organisation by writing and submitting robust trust funding applications.
The closing date for applications is 7th August 2025 at 12 noon.
More information, and an application form, can be found on our website: https://www.movement.org.uk/vacancies

And finally ...

A prayer that we see the world through God's eyes

If we see the world through your eyes, Lord,
then we see a vision of our world as your love would have it:
a world where all who are weak are protected and none go hungry;
a world where your riches of creation are shared for everyone to enjoy them;
a world where mutual respect is expressed between different races and cultures and harmony descends;
a world where peace is built with justice, and justice is guided by love.
Give us the inspiration and courage to build it how you see it Lord!
That all may praise together and the only power exerted is the power of your love. Amen.
Gwynn Bamford, supernumerary deacon, Bromsgrove and Redditch Circuit