District News – 31 January 2023

This Week's News

Sad News

We were very sorry to learn about the death last week of the Revd Alan Sproson, a supernumerary presbyter in the Sheffield Circuit. Our thoughts and prayers are with Jean and the family at this time..

We were also sorry to learn of the recent death of Mrs Muriel Peacock, widow of the Revd John Peacock. We hold Philip and the family in our prayers at this time.

Make Valentines Day Really count...

Valentine's Day is just around the corner, but this year why not avoid the naff gimmicks and instead do something that really matters.

The Rwanda scheme is soon going back to court to reconsider if it is lawful. Right now it's up to every one of us to persuade Rishi Sunak to drop this brutally cruel plan. The fight continues
A reminder: the Rwanda scheme flies in the face of human decency. It will tear families apart, destroy lives and undermine the Refugee Convention.
So this Valentine's Day show your heart. Let's make a stand against the Rwanda plan, call for a more compassionate approach and get a little bit imaginative when we engage our government.

Full details from City of Sanctuary here: https://cityofsanctuary.org/2023/01/17/make-this-valentines-day-really-count/

Church at the Margins Community of Practice

The Church at the Margins Community of Practice (CaM COP) is aimed at individuals ministering alongside financially marginalised people.
It meets four times each year and seeks to be a safe space to share joys, concerns and learning. It is a place to consider and promote good practice and provide opportunity to raise awareness and conversation around pertinent issues.
Next meeting on Tuesday 14 March from 7:30pm via Zoom. It will be looking at "Sharing food justly".
Book your place via EventBrite: https://230314CoMCoP.eventbrite.co.uk

How good is your church magazine?

The search is on for Britain's best church magazine. Entries are now invited for the annual competition run by the Association for Church Editors (ACE), which is an independent, not for profit organisation.
"Judging from the number of brochures and leaflets that land on our doormats and the array of magazines in newsagents, other organisations still value printed material," says Sally Churchus, Chair of the national organisation, "so we are keen to encourage church editors everywhere".

For the coming 2023 competition, which closes on Monday 3rd April, awards will be made for any size of magazine using just black and white printing. The Gold Award winner will receive the John King Trophy, to be held for one year, while Silver and Bronze Awards will receive an inscribed trophy to keep, together with a Certificate of Excellence for display.

A panel of judges assesses each magazine, giving points for various aspects including cover design, headlines and clarity of the Christian message. The prize-giving in the autumn is open to everyone, and will include a lecture by a Keynote Speaker along with talks on various ways to improve your magazine. The date and venue will be announced in due course.
Further information and the entry form can be found at https://churchmag.uk/2023-awards/

Exploring Vocations

Did you know there is a wealth of resources on the Methodist Church website around vocations? These excellent resources are intended to help each and everyone of us explore what God is calling us to be and do – and that means everyone, not just those exploring a call to ordination. If your role offers you the opportunity to facilitate everyday conversations around what God might be calling people to, then watch this short video and learn what amazing user-friendly resources are available to support you. We all 'have to find the metre for our poem, the key in which to sing our song to God.' (Rowan Williams)
Video link: https://youtu.be/Uv8kue_BOv4

District Office News

Getting Started Online

Getting Started Online is a new course from the Methodist Church exploring our place in the digital world. It's made up of 24 short videos and it will be launched on Monday 20th February.
We are excited about the opportunity that the online world provides for us as a church seeking to grow and reach out to all people. The digital world is a mission-field like any other and we are looking forward to discovering more about it with you over these sessions.

District Communications Officer, Sam Roberts is helping to facilitate some of the sessions. To find out more, how to book and to watch the introduction video visit our website.
https://www.sheffieldmethodist.org/news/news-stories/getting-started-online.html

Warm Spaces – last call for grants

We have now awarded 34 Warm Space grants, plus some other congregations have accessed funding for their spaces elsewhere, so in the space of four months a quarter of our churches have launched or adapted a local neighbourhood response to cost of living and post pandemic social isolation crises. Maybe it's time to retire those old jokes about Methodists needing endless meetings to make the smallest of decisions! If you haven't yet applied for a grant for your warm space, please do so by Friday 17 February https://www.sheffieldmethodist.org/what-we-do/finance-fundraising/warm-spaces-grants.html
There will be opportunity to share and discuss how to take the next steps following on from your warm space at our District Gathering on 22 April.

Sheffield District Justice Quilt

At our District Gathering on 22 April we hope to unveil a patchwork quilt with creative responses from across churches and circuits to the prophet Micah's challenge: "What does the Lord require of you?" We need as many churches and groups as possible to engage in this mass participative artwork for it to be truly representative.
Thank you to all those who have already been in touch with their ideas – we do need to have a rough idea of how many squares we can expect to recieve, so if you haven't already told us, can you do so by 6 February.

Full details can be found here: https://www.sheffieldmethodist.org/about-us/synod/justice-quilt-project.html

Statistics for Mission 2022

Many thanks to all those churches who have completed this.A final reminder to those who have not that this needs to be completed by 28 February.
Further information and guidance can be found via the following links:

• Forms and guidance: www.methodist.org.uk/for-churches/statistics-for-mission/online-data-entry/
• Frequently Asked Questions: www.methodist.org.uk/for-churches/statistics-for-mission/faqs/

Events

Simple Quiet Day – Whirlow Spirituality Centre

The Simple Quiet Day on 21st February falls on Shrove Tuesday. It will beled by the Chaplain, Joy Adams, it will be an opportunity to help move into this solemn season of inner reflection and spiritual discipline.

Regional Retreat for ministers and lay employees

The next Regional Retreat for presbyters, deacons and lay employees is at Wydale Hall in North Yorkshire from 9-11 May 2023. You will see from the flyer that there will be opportunity for reflective walks, long and short, led and self-directed, in the beautiful grounds of Wydale Hall and the surrounding countryside. Why not start the year by booking yourself into what promises to be an enriching time of refreshment and renewal!?
Full details including how to book your place here: https://YP-230509-retreat.eventbrite.co.uk

Vacancies

Chair of Trustees

The Foundry, Sheffield

Do you have what it takes to chair the trustees of a major Sheffield city centre venue, a flourishing ecosystem of charities and community organisations that is also starting to grow its reputation as a venue for events and conferences.?
Sheffield's iconic Victoria Hall needs a person who is committed to developing this great building as a real hub for community life.
If this looks like you, or someone you know, please circulate amongst your circles and help us to find 'the one'!
Details of the role and application process can be downloaded here: Recruitment pack

Administrative Assistant

Chapeltown Methodist Church

Chapeltown Methodist Church seeks to appoint an administrative assistant to support the minister with the day-to-day administration of running the church.

Joining Chapeltown Methodist Church as Administrative Assistant the successful applicant will work closely with the minister in pastoral charge, the Rev Jill Pullan, where there will be real opportunity to contribute to the ongoing development of the life of the church within Chapeltown and the wider community as we continue to assess modernised ways of working.

The post will be based at Chapeltown Methodist Church, S35 1AE

Main Responsibilities

• Respond appropriately and with efficiency to inbound email and telephone enquiries.
• File, photocopy, and distribute as necessary material to Church Council and members.
• Collate and produce weekly church notices, reports for meetings and the church newsletter.
• Deal with licences and leases including liaising with the Property and Finance Committee.
• Support the minister in ensuring policies/procedures are up to date and reviewed regularly.
• Support the minister in processing various returns required by the Methodist Church.
• Support the minister at various meetings ensuring accurate minutes are taken and retained.

In order to flourish in this role you will need to be organised and resourceful with strong interpersonal skills.

Important Information

Hours of work: 10 hours per week, including evening and weekend working
Rate of pay:£12 per hour

Next steps: For an application pack please contact Andrew Crawford via email at hr@sheffieldmethodist.org or for an informal conversation about the role please contact Rev Jill Pullan on ministerchapeltownmethodist@gmail.com

Closing date: 24 February
Interview date: 4 March
Start date: April 2023