District News – 31 May 2022

This Week's News

Congratulations

On the 17th May 2022 at a Ceremony at the Brimington Community Centre, David Slater Senior Steward at Mount Tabor New Brimington Methodist Church Chesterfield was presented with the Civic Duty Award for services to the community and his work at Mount Tabor.

This award is presented once a year to the person who is deemed to have served the village community in long, loyal and dedicated service.

David has worshiped at Mount Tabor for most of his life. He started producing the Church Newsletter in 1957 and is still doing this at the present time. Over the years he has run Sunday School, Junior Club and the Youth Club and any many other activities to numerous to mention. He has been the Senior Steward for many years and has fulfilled these duties in a positive and worshipful way.

We are pleased that his service has been recognised and we thank God for all David has done and will continue to do.

MWiB District Day

Thursday June 16th 10am -3.30pm
Venue: Emmanuel Methodist Church Barnsley
Ruth Parrott President of MWiB is the speaker.
Bring your own Lunch.
Come along and make this a successful day.

Contact Carol Wignell tel no 01246 433216 or email Carol at carol.wignell@btinternet.com

Methodist Insurance celebratory awards

To mark their 150th anniversary, Methodist Insurance are offering £1,500 grants to projects that will make a big difference to their local communities in a way that will inspire other congregations to try new things www.methodistinsurance.co.uk/150awards/. They require only a 300 word description of what you seek to achieve and why you are doing it, plus some photos. Winning applications and photos will be published, so make sure anyone identified has given permission. Please let Sam Roberts comms@sheffieldmethodist.org know if you are planning to apply. Or if something your church is already doing excites you – it may be just the spark of inspiration that will help other churches.

Learning Network Regional Retreat for Presbyters, Deacons & Lay Employees

Visio Divina: embracing the new normal through creating images on our camera

A lot has changed over the last two years for us. Certainties we held, people we loved, the places we knew may all look different. But we can still find God in all things. The camera we carry in our pocket has the potential to help us slow down, centre in the present moment, and encounter God.

This retreat will open up the possibility of contemplative photography and show you how to incorporate it into your everyday life. You don't need to be a skilled photographer, but you do need a camera--the one on your phone will do just fine.This will be led by Stephen Radley, an Anglican priest, trained professional photographer and members' ambassador for the Guild of Photographers.
When: 8-10 November 2022
Where: The Briery, 38 Victoria Avenue, Ilkley LS29 9BW
Register online via EventBrite https://221108visiodivina.eventbrite.co.uk

District Officer's Updates

GDPR Annual Checklist

Thank you to all the churches and circuits who have already completed their checklist. Just over half have submitted the form either online, or by posting/emailing a copy into the District Office.
Completing and submitting the checklist is the way you can show that your church (or circuit) is complying with the regulations. It may seem like a onerous task to start with, but protecting the data we hold on behalf of the church is important – and to do this, you do need to know what is being held and where.
Today was the first deadline for submitting the checklist. I will be making contact with all those churches and circuits who have not yet completed this – and would ask that they make every effort to do so before the end of June.
I am happy to offer training sessions for groups of churches. If this would be useful, please get in touch with some suggested dates/venues.

District Admin news

In response to a significant increase in the volume of spam messages in 2021, email providers seem to have tightened up spam/junk email filters which may mean that important non-spam messages are being filtered out of your email inbox. Please do check your spam/email folder from time to time to ensure all of the genuine messages are reaching you.

The District Newsletter is one of the many ways we share information, but we are aware that there may be times when this might not be the most appropriate method. Occasionally we may want to circulate information to specific role holders at church level. At the moment this tends to be a bit hit and miss so over the next month or so we will be asking for specific role contact details to be submitted via an online form. We would be very grateful if you could encourage your churches to complete this to enable us to be more efficient in our communications.

Events

DYFerence Youth Takeover Event

Sat 18 June 10.30-4.30

We're really excited to launch our first district youth event being hosted at Hesley Woods. This is for youth aged 11-18. It will be an exciting day of workshops -- learning about how the district works and then joining in with onsite activities and worship. Also free goodie bags ;-)

To book your group on to the event, here's the link
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/district-takeover-youth-day-tickets-337281978477

Whirlow Spirituality Centre

Contemplative Walking Thursday 2 June

Whirlow is widening its opportunities for contemplative practice by offering Contemplative Walking on the first Thursday evenings of June – September. No need to book, just turn up at 7pm.

Simple Quiet Day Tuesday June 21st

These days are intended to provide you with the space to "be"; to relax, reflect and pray and so to renew your spiritual resources. 9.45am – 3.30pm

Proms Fundraiser Event for Victoria Hall Methodist Church Main Hall Renovations

Date: 16/07/22 12:00
Location: Victoria Hall Methodist Chuch
Description: The Victoria Hall presents Sheffield Philharmonic Orchestra Family Proms! This special event will be a fantastic way to bring the whole family together for a fun afternoon, and a great opportunity for young listeners to learn about all the instruments and different sounds of the orchestra.
Join Sheffield's flagship amateur orchestra with conductor George Morton for a fun-filled, hour-long orchestral concert exploring some classical masterpieces and well-known proms favourites, including the Radetzky March, the March from the Dam Busters, and selections from Henry Wood's Fantasia from British Sea Songs.
Featuring the whole orchestra, audience members will have the opportunity to march, clap, rattle, whistle, and may even have a chance to conduct the entire orchestra!
Ideal for families and children aged 0-8 (babes in arms free)
This concert is a fundraising concert to support the upgrade of the seating at the Victoria Hall, this will enable the space to be used for multiple purposes by the community organisations and charities. All proceeds from the concert will be donated towards this cause.
Refreshments will be available.
The Victoria Hall is wheelchair accessible and there will also be a place to store buggies/wheelchairs.
Buy tickets online at Sheffieldphilharmonicorchestra.org or from the reception at Victoria Hall, entrance on Chapel Walk.
Ring 0114 272 1749 for more details
Tickets in Advance: Under 12 £2, Under 18 £5, Concession £8, General Admission £10

Job Vacancies

Children and Families Worker

Rotherham & Dearne Valley Circuit

Hours: 18 hours per week
Contract: Fixed term for 3 years
Rate of pay: £12.50/hour
Location: Based from Central Methodist Church, Aston.

Volunteer Opportunity

Treasurer – Sheffield District Methodist Ministers' Housing Association

The Sheffield District Methodist Ministers' Housing Association is a small housing association established in 1951 to provide accommodation for retired Methodist Ministers, Deacons, lay Missionaries and their widows or widowers. The Association currently has 9 properties within the Sheffield District.

We are looking for a suitably experienced person to be our new Treasurer. The Treasurer ensures effective financial management of the Association and is part of the team managing the Association. For further details, including a role description, please contact the Association's Secretary: Judith Calvert, email: judith.calvert@btinternet.com

We are also interested to hear from potential new Committee members, particularly those with property or financial experience. Please contact Judith on the email above for further details, or to arrange an informal conversation.

Other News

Fund for Human Need

Out and about Again.

One of the lessons we have learned over the last few years is that we need to keep FHN visible in all sorts of forums if we are to continue to grow our support and continue our work.
Most of us are out and about again as conferences and other events have restarted. Do come and say hello!

How You helped:

Several organisations we work with specialise in helping those recognised under the National Referral Mechanism.
This is a framework for identifying and referring potential victims of modern slavery and ensuring they receive theappropriate support. Here is one such story
Akira* was such a destitute Lady referred to us by Hestia MSRT team, she had been trafficked to the UK and thenabandoned under circumstances that left her particularly vulnerable, struggling to meet her own basic needs onthe £39 per week allowed for under the mechanism. She needed warm clothing and help to travel to essentialcounselling sessions to help with the trauma suffered. She was also keen to take up English courses to becomeindependent and learn again, but during lockdown needed a basic internet device to access the course.
Read more storied in their newsletter here: FHN News

And finally ...

A Prayer for the Jubilee

Almighty and gracious God
70 years ago, a young woman, Elizabeth, made a commitment to serve you in the life to which you called her. We thank you that, through all the changes in public life and personal life, she has remained faithful to that commitment.
May we also hear your voice, respond to your call, seek your guidance and remain faithful as we journey the pilgrimage of life with you.
Bless us, Lord, and bless our Queen.
Amen