District News – 3 December 2024

This Week's News

Christmas Shoeboxes

Each year churches up and down the country fill and donate shoeboxes full of essentials to children around the world.
Buckley Methodist Church in the Barnsley Circuit has been doing this for more than 20 years. Sue Stokes from the church explains: " Buckley Methodist Church is a family of Church members and Community friends, mainly older people. Together we support each other and those who need our help, wherever they may be. Christmas Shoeboxes for Children is a favourite project that is now an integral part of our activities.
Over the last 20 years or more, Buckley has moved from receiving filled shoeboxes from individuals to a collective responsibility of donating items throughout the year for filling shoeboxes in September and October. Individuals can contribute as and when they are able. Some constantly knit sets of hat, scarf and mitts using wool frequently donated by members. Some request toothpaste from their dentist and some scour shops for toys when on holiday. There is pride and joy in seeing the final display of filled shoeboxes on the stage, ready for collection."

• Does your church donate shoeboxes?
• How is your church supporting the community this Christmas?

NEW BEGINNINGS Grant – Calver Bereavement Group

Our latest NEW BEGINNINGS grant is to Calver in the Peak Circuit to start a new community for new people who have attend The Bereavement Journey programme, which includes an optional session for attendees who wish to explore spiritual questions that often arise in bereavement, and listen to a Christian perspective. This will then lead to invitation to ongoing drop-in sessions and one-to-one conversations. The vision came from a service held at Calver chapel in August focused on seeds and growth. After the service two members of the congregation shared their thoughts on the seeds that God had planted in their hearts and minds, both of which related to supporting people in times of grief.
New Beginnings come in many different forms. For more examples and funding visit https://www.sheffieldmethodist.org/what-we-do/finance-fundraising/new-beginnings.html

Mental Health and Christianity Conference

Explore and Reflect on how we can support others and ourselves

On Saturday 22nd March 2025 from 9.30 a.m. to 3.30 p.m. at Wesley Hall Methodist Church, Crookes, Sheffield, S10 1UD
The Conference is aimed at all those, ordained or lay, who are working or volunteering with people in churches and Christian organisations. However, it is open to anyone who is interested. The Conference aims to deliver a high standard of information based upon both science and experience while respecting and incorporating the Christian faith. We will do this through our choice of speakers and workshop leaders who will offer both practical and academic information. We hope participants will find information and inspiration during the Conference that will help them support others and themselves.
Lunch and refreshments will be provided throughout the day.
There will be a safe space and a Mental Health First Aider/Chaplain available during the day.
https://MHandCConference.eventbrite.co.uk

Service of Thanksgiving

There will be a Thanksgiving Service for the life of Rev Keith Lackenby at 1.30 pm on Wednesday 11th December 2024 at Gainsborough Methodist Church, North Street, DN21 2HP.
The family will be having a private committal ahead of this service with flowers from family only. Donations for the British Heart Foundation can be made via the Rev Keith Lackenby memory page keithlackenby.muchloved.com or at the service or sent to the undertakers – Cliff Bradley & Sons Undertakers, 41 Heaton Street, Gainsborough DN21 2EA.

Funeral details

There will be a funeral service for the Revd Chris Tomlinson OBE at Hutcliffe Wood Crematorium on Wednesday 18th December at 1.15pm. A Thanksgiving Service will be held next March at Dore Methodist Church.

Christmas Praise in the City

Cliff College and the Methodist Church in Sheffield invite you to begin your Christmas celebrations in style with Christmas Praise in the City! Join us at Victoria Hall in Sheffield at 7pm on Monday 9 December for carols and worship led by Rob Halligan, mince pies and a reminder of the good news of Christmas – that God is with us.
While this is a free event, it will help us with catering if you reserve tickets via the Cliff College website: https://www.cliffcollege.ac.uk/news-events/christmas-praise-in-the-city

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

Wondering if and how to mark the traditional Week of Prayer for Christian Unity?
A novelty is surfacing in Chesterfield:.........
'A Visit to Peter, Paul and Mary' 3 Pioneer Christians (actually in the natural order of Mary, Peter and Paul) are visited in heaven by an interviewer from Planet Earth and reflect on their experience and then join in sending a joint message to Planet Earth.
With an invitation page and then guidance for a host/interviewer,, Mary, Peter and Paul mark the week when Anglicans and Catholics have saints days on the 18th and 25th for Peter and Paul. Chesterfield's 'Spire' church is dedicated to Mary (and All Saints). so...... we are doing 'Peter, Paul and Mary' in a range of house groups and other small gatherings, and then, gathering together (all being well) at the end of the week in St Marys Church..
Paul King kpaul5539@gmail.com (source of scripts by post).

Methodist Women in Britain

The Winter Newsletter and Prayer Diary for December to February is now available. You can find it on their website here: https://mwib.org.uk/index.php/news-events/
Don't forget ...
December 6th at Frecheville Methodist Church -Carols 11am followed by alternative Christmas lunch Fish and Chips followed by Trifle
£12 tickets from Carol Wignell tel 01246 433216 or Pam Meek 0114 2302477

SCCC Gifts

SCCC have worked in collaboration with BIDBI and local illustrator Tasha Wright to produce a range of merchandise which captures the essence of growing older.
Celebrating the joy of living life out loud, embracing freedom, and embarking on endless adventures.
The range was created by the very talented Tasha Wright. The illustrations conjure up inclusive images of older people enjoying life to the fullest, finding their inner child and living life out loud.
Choose from mugs, coasters, T-shirts, badges or greeting cards.
Messages include:

• Legends never retire
• Born to be wild forever
• Adventure never gets old
• Living life out loud.

Order yours online now: SCCCC – Doodle Bag

Regional Retreat

The next regional retreat for presbyters, deacons and lay employees will be led by John Bell from the Iona Community from 4-6 June at Wydale Hall.
In 'Peddling the Past, Marking Time, or Moving Forward?' John will explore what the freedom is to which God calls us, what must be laid down and what picked up. And all this in the light of the scriptures which deliver new gifts to different eras.
Full details including booking can be found here: https://240604JohnBell.eventbrite.co.uk

Events

A requiem for Gaza

Kairos Sheffield welcomes The Amos Trust's Christmas tour "Steal all the flowers"
Thursday 5th. December, 12.30.--2.30. p.m.
Including a light Palestinian lunch
Philadelphia Conference centre, 110, Portland st. Sheffield. S6 3HD
Music Film, poetry, local performers & conversation with special guests from Palestine.
Pleases join us! Booking is essential.
There is no charge, but contributions to Amos Trust's Christmas appeal supporting their work in Gaza, & towards the cost of the event, are welcome.
To book please visit amostrust.org/Christmas-2004
For more information contact kairossheffield@gmail.com

A Christmas Evening with Salvation Army Band

Wednesday 11 December 7:45 pm

The annual visit of the Salvation Army Band to start your Christmas properly.
Free entry with a chance to donate to the ongoing work of the Salvation Army.
Venue: Stephen Hill Methodist Church, Sheffield

Soup and Song

Thursday 12 December 12:00 pm

Wales Kiveton Methodist Church (School Road, S26 5QJ) provides soup, sandwiches, quiches, buns/cakes (mince pies for this Christmas event), plus tea and coffee -all for FREE.
Music of yesteryear with professional singers from Lost Chord create a singalong atmosphere which is of great benefit for those with dementia, senior citizens and anyone looking for friendship and company.
A warm welcome is waiting for you. These events are held monthly on the second Thursday of each month from 12 to 2pm

Bluebell wood charity coffee morning

Friday 13 December 10:00 am

This charity coffee morning will be a great event, with a representative of Bluebell Wood Children's Hospice attending and selling Christmas cards and other charity merchandise. The charity will receive all of the money from the sales of the event.
Venue: The Crossing church and centre, Newcastle street, Worksop, S80 2AT

The Journey of The Magi

a sparkling production of dance, theatre, song and poetry for all the family!

Springs Dance Company brings its festive, witty and poignant Advent performance, Journey of the Magi to Grove Street Methodist Church on Monday 16th December at 7:00 p.m. for this event sponsored by Churches Together in Retford

Journey of the Magi is a fast-paced, brilliantly witty performance inspired by T. S. Eliot's poem of the same name. The show offers a contemporary comparison between the quest of the wise men 2000 years ago, and our own preparations in the run up to Christmas. Relatable characters help viewers to be inspired in their own "journey" to Christmas Day and can help them think about who Christ is for them.
Tickets: £10 for adults, £5 for under 16's, available from Rev'd Julie Coates, or leave a message at the Circuit Office 01777 702786

Positively Rural- A Place to Call Home?

Thurs 16 Jan, 1pm

Exploring rural homelessness and how it manifests itself in rural contexts as so often it is hidden, overlooked and disregarded by many agencies as to its existence.
Book your free ticket here: Positively Rural: A place to call home – 2 Tickets, Thu 16 Jan 2025 at 13:00 | Eventbrite
Positively Rural is an online community hosted by the Learning Network and is open to anyone of any denomination involved in rural ministry, including volunteers, lay workers and clergy.

And finally ...

A prayer for the poor and the lost

Blessed is your cross, O Jesus, way for the lost, guide for the seeker and strength for the weak. Blessed is your cross, O Jesus, healing for the sick, freedom for the slave and clothing for the naked.
African hymn (10th century)

A prayer for the elderly and their carers

Dear Lord,
We pray for elderly, housebound individuals, who are often very lonely.
We praise and thank you for their carers, who come into their homes and brighten their days by showing tenderness, kindness, and giving much needed practical support.
Make us more sensitive to the needs of both groups and move our hearts and minds to seek ways in which we may become involved.
Increase our awareness of the conditions under which carers do their work; often earning so little for such a valuable contribution and help us seek social justice for them.
Amen.
Eileen Simmons, chaplain and local preacher