District News – 3 October 2023

This Week's News

Refugee convention – conversation with Inderjit Bhogal

Inderjit Bhogal, supernumerary minister within our District and founder of the City of Sanctuary and Church of Sanctuary movements has published a response to the recent speech on the 1951 UN Convention on Refugees by the Home Secretary. Read his statement and register for a faith based conversation with Inderjit and others at 7pm on Zoom Wednesday 4 October here: https://www.sheffieldmethodist.org/news/news-stories/refugee-convention.html

Methodist Women in Britain

The Sheffield District's President Rededication Service is on Friday October 13th at Bents Green Methodist Church at 11am.
Rev Romeo Pedro will officiate at the Service which will be followed by a bring your own lunch, following which our Projects for the next year will be launched. "Street Pastors" John Wilkins will speak about this, followed by a speaker from Roundabout which is a local charity which helps young people who are homeless.
Do come along and join us – everyone is welcomed.

BBC Radio 4 'Any Questions?' -Live broadcast

Join us on Friday 27th October 2023 at Victoria Hall, Norfolk Street, Sheffield S1 2JB.
We welcome Alex Forsyth hosts topical discussion in which a panel of personalities from the worlds of politics, media and elsewhere are posed questions by the audience.
Free tickets can be reserved at the link below;
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/bbc-radio-4-any-questions-tickets-717951069977

Two Old Crows

Listen to 'Two Old Crows' by Revd Dr Rob Hoch, followed by some thoughts on our Certificate in Theology and Discipleship for Mission and PhD Courses.
https://audio.com/robert-hoch-yidokodiltona
Well worth a listen!
For more information, visit www.utusheffield.org.uk
or contact Jill, office administrator:
office@utusheffield.org.uk/tel 0114 2709907

Whirlow Spirituality Centre

The Seasons of Our Souls

First Four Wednesdays of November 7-8:45pm, £20
Led by Whirlow Chaplain Alison Richards, a series of four connected evenings exploring the seasons as a way to consider our inner lives and spiritual journey without assumptions about our faith, church membership and identity. More details and booking through via the Whirlow website.

District Office News

Prayers for children, young people and leaders going to 3Generate this weekend.

As we get ready to gather at 3Generate, for the biggest event in British Methodism, let's be praying for all our children and young people. That they would each be able to tune in to God and speak out on what matters most to them.
Vic Loveday – Children and Youth Co-ordinator

Communication Support

District Communications Officer Sam Roberts is hosting two online events to find out how she can best help and support the circuits and churches in our district.
Sam's role covers all aspects of communications from social media, to graphic design, creating printed materials and more.
What you say will help Sam tailor the communications support she will offer.
This is a fact finding exercise, but if she can answer any questions in the drop in's or sign post you to other's for information she will.
Register for free today for the either or both of following dates:

• Tuesday 17th October 7 – 8.30pm
• Monday 30th October 11am – 12.30pm

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/communications-drop-in-tickets-719263605807
If you are unable to join Sam for a drop in session, please email her comms@sheffieldmethodist.org with what you'd like help and support with.

HR Support

Andrew Crawford, our HR officer, now has a Facebook Page which will be used for promoting lay employment across the Sheffield and Yorkshire North & East Methodist Districts. The idea is to support the creation of not just existing lay workers but develop those who are interested or who work elsewhere, as well as being the source of information for line managers.
The page is https://www.facebook.com/methodistjobs/

A reminder that the District Office should be informed of all new lay employment. The easiest way is via our website form: New Starters
It is also helpful to be informed of any changes to existing employees – which can be done via this form: Changes to employment.

Safeguarding update

Domestic Abuse and Coercive Control

The NSPCC Learning has published a podcast episode on domestic abuse and how support in the workplace can help keep children safe. The episode features experts from the NSPCC Helpline and looks at what professionals can do to support and safeguard colleagues who experience domestic abuse.

Listen to the podcast: Podcast: Domestic abuse support in the workplace
Visit the YouTube: Domestic abuse support in the workplace

NSPCC Learning has also published a Helplines insight briefing on coercive control highlighting its impact on the safety, behaviour, and wellbeing of children. The briefing collates data from contacts to the NSPCC Helpline and Childline in 2022/23. Findings from 01 April 2022 to 31 March 2023 show 4,412 NSPCC Helpline contacts from adults and 1,096 Childline counselling sessions with children and young people whose main concerns were domestic abuse. Contacts included experiences of: threats and coercion; continual emotional mistreatment; and economic and financial abuse.

Read the insight briefing: The impact of coercive control on children and young people
Read the news story: 1,400 contacts to our Helpline last year were about coercive and controlling behaviour towards children

Events

Chapeltown Flower Festival

"Flourish" by Capelle Floral Art Society

Friday 6 & Saturday 7 October, 10am – 4pm
Refreshments served, lunches available 12 – 2pm
Free Entry (donations welcome)

Lay Employee Community of practice zoom gathering

We have two online gatherings planned. These will be run on a more informal "drop-in" basis rather than having a focused theme. A chance to catch up with each other over coffee. Smaller work-based break-out groups can be facilitated if wanted. No registration is necessary, just follow the link to join in: https://zoom.us/j/96876583162?pwd=MXh6dkJ2SWhrSjY5dXBPWUN3TGJ4dz09

• Oct 17, 2023 10:30
• Jan 31, 2024 10:30

The Samuel Chadwick Lecture 2023

Tuesday 17 October 2023 – on Zoom and at Cliff College

Keynote speaker Dr Ben Pugh, lecturer at Cliff College and author of several books including Pictures of Atonement and The Beauty of God. Dr Pugh will be speaking on how the gospel message might be communicated and received in a Western materialistic culture, and particularly how the Eastern Orthodox theology of 'deification', or participation in the divine, might be good news to those steeped in this culture. The formal response will be from Rev Andre Adefope, PhD candidate at Cliff College.

Further details and registration at https://www.cliffcollege.ac.uk/news-events/samuel-chadwick-lecture-2023

UTU AGM

18 November from 2pm in person or via Zoom

You are warmly invited to our AGM on the 18 November, 2pm, in person or on Zoom. Our speaker this year will be the Reverend Dr Graham Adams, author of Holy Anarchy: Dismantling Domination, Embodying Community, Loving Strangeness.

Ebor Lecture

22 November at 4pm

The Ebor Lectures in Theology and Public Life were established in 2006 in York, UK to promote conversation across a diversity of religious beliefs and issues of public concern. Speakers have included politicians, social activists, journalists, peace-workers, authors and many others.
The first talk of 2023-24 will be given by Dr Hannah Barham-Brown, LGBTQ+ and disability rights activist, delivered hybrid and free for in-person or online attendance.
Tickets available via Eventbrite here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ebor-lecture-relaunch-with-dr-hannah-barham-brown-tickets-680023587857.

Lay Employees Retreat -- Yorkshire Plus and North East District

10-12 April 2024 -Wydale Hall, near Scarborough

The theme for this year's Lay Employees Retreat is "Hidden Treasures"
Finding and celebrating the hidden treasures and riches in ourselves and our surroundings. A range of sessions are planned to help rediscover a sense of hope about what lies ahead and find a renewed calling to see where God is at work in and with us.
Cost: £240 A subsidy of £120 may be available from your District towards this. If this has been confirmed, it will be automatically deducted from your invoice. A deposit is required to confirm your registration
Book online via EventBrite https://202404hiddentreasure.eventbrite.co.uk by 7 February.

Vacancies

CARETAKER

St Andrews Psalter Lane Church, Sheffield

An exciting opportunity has arisen to apply for the vacancy of caretaker at St Andrews Psalter Lane Church. This part time role is for 21 hours a week on a flexible basis over 6 days (Monday – Saturday). The job includes on site accommodation as the role requires the premises to be opened and closed each day and therefore will necessitate an irregular working pattern. The accommodation is a one bedroom flat on two floors with additional access to a large cellar and 2 large attic rooms which could be used as bedrooms. It has its own separate entrance and small garden area. The role will also involve manual handling work.
The majority of the role relates to overseeing the activities within Shirley House, the building adjoining the church, which has long term tenants, rooms for hire and the caretaker's accommodation. The caretaker will manage the diaries for room bookings and church bookings, be responsible for cleaning the properties, whilst liaising with the Minister and the church administrator.
The rate of pay will be £12 an hour and there will be a monthly deduction (currently £276/month) for the provision of accommodation.
The successful candidate will:

• Be self-motivated and flexible
• Be a great team player but able to work effectively unsupervised when required
• Be able to prioritise workload and manage time effectively
• Have good practical skills to attend to small repairs
• Take pride in looking after our buildings and implementing efficient cleaning routines
• Be willing to learn about important policies such as Health and Safety and then help implement them where required

An application pack is available here: https://standrewspsalterlane.org.uk/about-us/vacancies/
Closing date for Applications and CVs : 24th October
Interviews will be the week beginning 30th October
Send your Application/CV and covering letter to the church office:
St Andrews Psalter Lane Church, c/o Shirley House, 31 Psalter Lane, Sheffield S11 8YL
Or email the application to office@standrewspsalterlane.org.uk
Start date on or after 1st January 2024

Director of Music

St Andrews Psalter Lane Church, Sheffield – A Local Ecumenical Partnership

An exciting opportunity has arisen to apply for the vacancy of Director of Music at St Andrews Psalter Lane Church. This part time role is for up to 13 hours a month on a flexible basis including Sundays.
Worship is central to all that we are and is creative and varied, drawing on both Anglican and Methodist traditions. Our worship pattern includes regular services of Holy Communion, All Age Worship, Taizé services and all the usual special services for the great Festivals throughout the year. There is a choir which currently comes together for special services and a small music group who play when asked.
The rate of pay will be £21 per hour
We are looking for someone who can:

• Play the piano and the organ (or is willing to learn to play the organ) and/or other instruments
• Has an active desire to be collaborative, creative, contemporary and open to all styles and genres of music.
• Respond well to the changing and eclectic needs our worship requires.
• Is self-motivated and flexible
• Is a great team player but able to work effectively unsupervised when required
• Is able to prioritise workload and manage time effectively

An application pack is available here: https://standrewspsalterlane.org.uk/about-us/vacancies/

Closing date for Applications and CVs to be received by 17th November
Interviews will be on the 27th November
Send your Application/CV and covering letter to the church office: St Andrews Psalter Lane Church, c/o Shirley House, 31 Psalter Lane, Sheffield S11 8YL
Or email the application to revnaicooke@gmail.com
Start date on or after 1st January 2024

And finally ...

From the Methodist Prayer Handbook

Gracious God,
in Jesus we see your image,
in all its wonder and beauty,
majesty and splendour.
In ourselves and in each other
we reflect your image and mirror your glory,
like an image in a reflecting pool.

But too often we distort your image in us.
We do not see you in the wonder of the people all around us or your creation.
We are blinded to the treasure within us and about us.
When we do not see your glory
or do not celebrate the treasure of your generous love
in the wonder of our neighbours and the delight of your creation,
have mercy we pray.

And help us to see.

Help us to mirror your glory.
Help us to treasure the gifts and graces you lavish on us and on all creation.
Help us to see you in refugees, migrants and displaced people,
as we see you when we look in the mirror, or in the still, calm waters.

And help us to be thankful. Amen.
David Hinchliffe, District Chair, South East District