District News – 4 July 2023

This Week's News

Gill on Tour

It was such a privilege to be at this year's Methodist Conference as our District Chair, Revd Gill Newton, was elected as President of the Conference, as well as being able to take part in the ordination service for the newly ordained presbyter at Coventry Cathedral.

Gill will be keeping in touch with the District with regular updates. Here are her first reflections:
Wow! What an amazing week it has been! Arriving at the Hilton Metropole Hotel on Wednesday 20th June, ready for the District Chairs' Meeting followed by the Presbyteral Session of the Conference, made everything very real and I started to appreciate just what was lying ahead!
However, I needn't have worried! Walking into the Conference Hall, following the induction, to rapturous applause, saw me and Kerry duly welcomed and carried along by the prayers of the Methodist people through the whole weekend and the week of Conference business that followed.
The ordination service on Sunday afternoon was a great occasion. I have always been an advocate for having our ordination services on Methodist premises, but it was a great privilege to preside at the service in Coventry Cathedral and to lay hands on all the presbyteralordinands together with the World Church representative and their assisting minister.

You can read the full story and see the video introducing their theme for the year "Hidden Treasures" here: Gill on Tour

The ONE Opportunity Programme

Calling all 16-23 year olds and their church leaders, you can now apply for The ONE Opportunity Programme.
The ONE Opportunity scheme runs from September to August and applications are welcome from anyone aged 16-23 in the Sheffield District.
The scheme is designed to encourage, recognise and reward the participation of young people within the District in the Church's life and mission. It gives them the opportunity to be involved on a part-time basis in the development of the mission and ministry of their churches at a local level. There are ten places for interns and it offers a salaried position for 3 hours per week.
Find out more and to apply click here.
https://www.sheffieldmethodist.org/what-we-do/children-and-youth/one-opportunity-programme.html

District Gathering

Saturday 9 September

Join us for a day of learning, sharing and worship with a buffet lunch provided. It will provide an opportunity for you to renew existing connections across the District and to meet new people.
Within the District Gathering we will hold the life of Methodism across our district in prayer, renew our relationship with our wider Connexional church, and make any formal decisions required of us as a district – the work of the representative synod.
Our five expert speakers will explore perspectives on how we extend Christ's invitation by embedding evangelism in our daily lives through an interactive panel discussion.
"Next Steps in .." workshops will explore practical suggestions and advice for you and your church in more detail. All participants will have the opportunity to attend two workshops.
Full details, including how to get tickets here: https://230909-SteppingOut.eventbrite.co.uk
Some of the workshops have limited capacity, so do book early – and don't forget to invite a friend!

District Officers' Updates

Safeguarding Review

The annual review of church and circuit safeguarding is out now. Please be assured that this is designed to be a snap-shot of where church and circuits are up to with their safeguarding provision. It is anticipated that there will be churches who need more support to manage the expectations set by the Safeguarding process. Completing the review honestly will enable systems to be put in place to make sure you receive all the help required.

As ever, if you have any questions or concerns, please give me a call on 07483 362 735 or email me at safeguarding@sheffieldmethodist.org
Many thanks
Alison Hill -District Safeguarding Officer

Learning & training grants

We will unfortunately be unable to offer Learning & Development and Ministerial Development Review grants after 15 August. We will continue to draw people's attention to the growing range of free and low cost learning opportunities available from Methodism and other organisations, subsidise Learning Network regional retreats, and promote other sources of funding.

General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR)

There are still a few churches who have not yet completed the GDPR checklist. Emails have been sent to the point of contact on our database, and will be followed up over the next few weeks. I am planning to run some more training sessions around GDPR and how it applies to those who are following the Methodist Church processes and details will be sent to the GDPR contact shortly.
There is information on our District Website under the Resources section and this will be updated as new guidance is issued from our Data Controllers. https://www.sheffieldmethodist.org/p/resources/data-protection.html

Events

Steps towards a Justice Seeking Methodist Church?

7pm Thursday 20 July

Join us on Zoom for an evening of reflections hot off the press from Methodist Conference, led by Jenny Bywaters (one of our Conference representatives) and Rev Phill Borkett.

What positive changes could conclusions from the Walking with Micah consultations bring to our churches? How will articulating our Connexional principles for justice and five key national priorities for justice bring focus? Dare we fully live out the suggested practices for doing justice and being just? What can we do locally to facilitate this?

What else was discussed and decided to encourage, equip or disquiet seekers of justice? We expect early impacts of the Justice Dignity & Solidarity strategy and matters of justice in Israel/Palestine to be on the agenda.
https://zoom.us/j/91435552097?pwd=aEprTHpTU1RJdzFVaUFmYkJ4QUR5UT09

Labyrinth Quiet Day

Saturday 22 July

Judith Jessop returns to Whirlow to lead a Labyrinth Quiet Day entering into rest and relaxation, holidays and journeying, with the help of walked and hand-held labyrinths.
Cost: £20
For more information and to book a place click here.

Exploring Digital

Saturday 30 September, 10am to 3:30pm

A day online exploring the digital world for Methodist Churches and communities.

Join together with Methodists from all over Britain for a special digital gathering. Learn from key individuals who've mastered the digital world on how to connect and share the Gospel online. The event will feature insightful keynotes, group discussions and an expert panel. Don't miss this chance to enhance your church's online presence and explore faith in the digital era!
Where: Online, so you can join wherever you are.
Cost: We are providing this day free of charge.

We'll be sharing further information about speakers, topics and resources closer to the event. Register for your free place now to avoid missing out and join us on Saturday 30 September for a day of exploration into the digital world and the opportunities it holds for the Methodist Church.

Regional Retreat

The next Regional Retreat for Ministers and Lay Employees within the Methodist Church will be on 14-16 November at The Briery, Ilkely.
The theme is Creative Journeying and will be led by Donna Worthington. Donna is an experienced retreat giver trained in Ignatian spiritual direction, labyrinth walking and storytelling. She studied Theology at Cambridge, and completed an MPhil at Manchester University. She has written several plays, two of which explored the Lindisfarne Gospels, and Christian contemplative prayer. She has led retreats and workshops examining the Gospels through theatre, dream-prayer and dance-prayer.

• We'll seek to deepen our spirituality, explore different ways of praying, and discover our journey with the divine.
• We'll connect Scripture, nature and creative writing with personal reflection and prayer.
• We'll explore the dreams we carry, aided by the artist Van Gogh. and we'll seek to be held by God just as we hold others.

To book online via EventBrite https://231114CreativeJourney.eventbrite.co.uk Deadline – 12 September (for viability)

Vacancies

Community Pioneer

Doncaster Methodist Circuit

The successful applicant will have the aspiration for everyone to access a fulfilling life in Christ through growing and developing communities across Rossington, spreading the Gospel to new people who don't go to a traditional church.
It is envisaged the post will develop and evolve with the successful applicant, considering their skills and gifts, and in response wo where they feel they are being called, whilst working closely with Ministers, staff , the wider leadership team, and people within Rossington.
The post holder will be responsible and accountable for growing and developing various communities with key project areas of focus being New Housing chaplaincy, Youth hub, and Christian mindfulness.
For an informal conversation about the role please email Jack Key at jackkey@btinternet.com.
Download the full job description here: Community Pioneer

Administrator: Derbyshire Rural Chaplaincy

Salary: £27,852 (full time wage)
Hours: 22 hours per week. Flexible working hours to provide admin cover throughout the week
with occasional weekends and evenings.
Contract: 3 year fixed term contract Including and subject to a 6 month probationary period)
Benefits: Pension and statutory holiday entitlement
Location: Home working, including working out of the Agricultural Business Centre and occasional
travel across Derbyshire, when requ ired.

About the Role

This is an exciting post to support the Derbyshire Rural Chaplaincy team develop new and
existing mission and ministry opportunities that engage with the agricultural and rural community in Derbyshire. The Chaplaincy team seek to be distinctively Christian in their approach and witness
as they support and encourage all current and retired members of the farming sector, in the midst
of the ongoing challenges they face.

Want to know more? Feel free to contact Rev Alan Griggs, (Lead Agricultural Chaplain)
Email: alan@derbyshireruralchaplaincy.org.uk
Mobile: 07710 088972
Website: www.derbyshireruralchaplaincy.org.uk
The application pack can be downloaded from the DRC website
Closing date for applications Monday 17 July at 5pm

Youth Worker

This is an opportunity to join the Diocese of Sheffield's exciting initiative, The Centenary Project, as a Youth Worker.
We are looking for a committed Christian to join our team who has extensive experience in youth work to will develop and co-ordinate the youth outreach in the life of the church and the wider community.

General responsibilities: -

• To develop and oversee the work with young people in the parish of Attercliffe & Darnall, drawing, developing and discipling a new generation of young people in the Christian faith.
• To build and support teams to be involved in the development and delivery of the work.
• To be part of the Centenary Project Network.

Closing date: 13 July 2023
Interview date: 9 August 2023
Contract: 3 years initially
25 hours per week

Full details here: https://www.sheffield.anglican.org/cp-attercliffe-darnall/
Given the nature and context of the work it is an occupational requirement that the post holder should be a communicant member of the Church of England or a full member of a church within Churches Together in Britain and Ireland.

Lead Youth Worker

High Street Church, Harpenden

WE'RE LOOKING FOR A YOUTH WORKER TO:

• review and re-energise our ministry to 11-18s
• work with our team of experienced volunteers
• journey with our youth as part of our church community

Full-time, up to £37,000 depending on experience
You'll be joining a well established church with a history of active ministry with young people.

We currently connect and engage with young people through:

• Groups, clubs and drop-ins
• Music, bands and choirs
• Serving in volunteer and technical roles
• Our purpose-built Youth Centre

We take our youth work seriously, and if you join us, you'll be part of a team of staff and volunteers as well as being a key player in the life of our church.
Full details here: https://highstreet.church/jobs

And finally

from the Methodist Prayer Handbook

Lord of all, you reign supreme
Over all creation.
Valleys and hills echo with praise
Extolling your faithfulness

Grace poured out among us
Overcomes our sins
Daily receiving forgiveness

Loving you means loving others,
Opening our hearts to their needs.
Valuing each person
Embodying Christ's teaching

You have shown us how to care and
Overcome our prejudices.
Urging us to Reach out.

None must be excluded
Everyone is a child of God.
Inclusiveness must be our watchword.
Giving Help to all.
Be aware of the situations around us
Overcome our fears
Undertake God-given tasks.
Respond in love wherever we are needed.

Joan Bosomworth, local preacher, Wharfedale and Aireborough Circuit