District News – 4 June 2024

This Week's News

Celebrating 10 years of the R.E.Team in Doncaster

For the last ten years the R.E.Team in the Doncaster Circuit has made it their mission to make sure every primary school child has an opportunity to learn about God's love.
The team has grown and developed over the years and delivers Godly Play, Open the Book as well as other fun and interactive ways to learn about the Christian faith.
A celebration service was held at Bentley Methodist Church where stories were shared of how "Seeds of Faith" have been sown over the years. You can watch a highlights video here
https://youtu.be/GMKc5ane0Uc

Menopause Support Group

Stainforth Methodist Church (Barnsley) holds a Menopause Support Group every Tuesday from 6.15pm to 8.15pm. This group is for all ages.
The group is run by Brioni Ball, Project Manager, Sojourn Doncaster -Tel. No. 07512838381.

Christian Aid Night Hike

6 July – 7:30pm

The Sheffield Night Hike is back and promises to be a joyous occasion to come together and enjoy the beauty of creation whilst also supporting life-changing projects across the world. It's a 9 mile walk and people of varying abilities can take on the challenge. It may be of particular interest to youth groups who would relish the excitement of walking in the dark! (please note it is a guidedwalk, not marshalled) but it is open to any age.
For full details and registration please go to the website https://sheffieldnighthike.org.uk/

Do you like stitching?

If so you may be interesting in 'Soul Stitching' – a practice of slow hand stitching where imperfections are celebrated, and creativity may blossom in the unhurried pace of needlework! Book your place here: https://www.whirlowspiritualitycentre.org/whats-on/slow-stitching

District Office News

GDRP update
Huge thanks to all the churches and circuits who have completed the checklist before the 31 May deadline. 104 have been completed, which is a big improvement on last year. There are still a few outstanding, so if your church hasn't completed it yet, can you please urge them to do so as soon as possible.

Safeguarding Review

One reason for the 31 May deadline for GDPR was so that it won't interfere with the Safeguarding Reviews. This has been circulated to the Church Safeguarding Officers, and the deadline for completing this is 31 July. Please do encourage completion of this, as it does help us identify future Safeguarding training needs.

Office closed

I will be at the Methodist Conference (again!) so the office will be closed in the first week of July.
I will also be volunteering at the Greenbelt Festival in August, so the office will also be closed from 19-23 August.

Events

Church of Sanctuary Conference

Saturday 8 June from 10am

This free conference and networking event, organised by the Church of Sanctuary, Churches' Refugee Network and City of Sanctuary, will explore how churches are responding to the call to offer sanctuary to those fleeing persecution and seeking asylum.
Join the various workshops on the day to delve deeper into key issues and explore how you, your church or faith organisation, can take action in becoming more welcoming to those in need.
Full details, including registration, can be found here: Church of Sanctuary Conference

Chaplains Gathering | Tuesday 11th June, 6pm

We are holding our first gathering for chaplains within the Sheffield District. Whether you're in a paid or voluntary role, we invite you to join us for a time of networking and sharing. This is also a time to thank all our chaplains for their hard and valuable work. This will take place on Tuesday 11th June at 6pm at Central Methodist Church, Aston.
Full details including how to register can be found here: Chaplaincy Gathering

An Evening of Poetry

Tuesday 11 June 7:00 pm – Church of Christ in Darnall

Church of Christ in Darnall is delighted to host and welcome Daniel Danish and Goat Star books to present an evening of poetry to the heart of the community.
Crimson Pashmina is a bilingual English and Spanish edition of the poems of Pakistani poet Danial Andrew Danish, who comes from Faisalabad to present his poetry, a fusion of the social and the lyrical that reflects the poetic tradition of Punjab. Danial will read his poems in the original English and Rafael Penas Cruz, publisher and translator of the book, will read his Spanish versions. After the reading, we will have a talk open to the public about his poetry in the context of Punjabi literature as well as on how poetry can contribute to a better world.
All are Welcome to this FREE event

South Yorkshire Administrators!

Thursday 13 June from 9am at All Saints Church, Ecclesall

This session will be looking at dealing with conflict
Conflict comes when two people or groups disagree, and the disagreement causes friction. This is something we are likely to encounter both directly and indirectly. This session will start to look at some tools that can help with managing potential conflicts, both as an observer and as someone directly involved
This is being organised within the UCAN (UK Church Administrators Network) but is open to all!
Sign up here if you would like to come, so we know how many croissants and pastries to buy!
https://ucan.churchsuite.com/events/1k1enmqk

The Well – Strategic Forum

17-18 June 2024, Cliff College

This two-day event is for anyone (lay worker, minister or volunteer) who is responsible for working strategically across a Methodist district, with a focus on ministry with and for children, youth, young adults, families or intergenerational settings. It will be a chance to share your district's vision for this work and map your provision, alongside exploring key areas of the current Connexional plan for ministry to children, youth and families (as agreed by the Mission Committee and Methodist Conference). The hope is that this Strategic Forum will provide opportunity to align the work that is happening across the Connexion so that we can support one another and work more closely and cohesively. Together we will co-create a plan for The Well – and any future Connexional training and events. We will also hear from keynote speakers to help us all learn together, and share in worship, fellowship and networking.
If you think you know someone who should be a part of this conversation, please ask them to register here: https://bit.ly/499tVfH. If you have any questions, please contact Lynne (normanl@methodistchurch.org.uk).

Let Us Entertain You

Sunday 23 June – Lyric Theatre, Dinnington

At 2pm, join us for a celebration of our DInnington Community with performances by Vibe Dance, Julie Turner's Stage Academy, Dinnington Operatic Society and More.
Tickets £5, available here: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/lyric-theatre
At 6:30pm, there is a concert featuring Eliot Kennedy and Guests,Echoes of Angels, Christopher Bailey and More
Tickets-£10 The event is now online https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/lyric-theatre
Both events are hosted by Dinnington Methodist Church

Urban Theology Union – Members Day

Saturday 29 June

Come and join us at our Members' Day on Saturday, 29 June 2024 on Zoom. We will be providing an opportunity to listen to 3 good speakers on 3 interesting and challenging subjects, plus time to discuss the issues these talks raise, ask questions and meet other members. All this from the comfort of your home!
Listen to Dr Joe Forde, UTU alumni, author and Chair of Sheffield's Church Action on Poverty group, speak on a subject he is passionate about – 'Let's End Poverty!'
You can join us for the whole day, 10am-3pm, or just dip into specific sessions. All you have to do is ensure your membership with us is up to date and if you have not already done so, email the office to register (office@utusheffield.org.uk). We will then send out the programme and the Zoom link nearer the time.
If you are not a UTU member or your membership has lapsed, do not despair! You can pay £20 for 6 months membership to attend the Members Day

Vacancies

Office Manager

Derbyshire North East Circuit

The Derbyshire North East Circuit comprises 14 churches serving communities in and around the historic towns of Chesterfield and Bolsover, close to the spectacular Peak District National Park and within easy reach of the City of Sheffield.
We are excited to recruit for this new post of Office Manager. T The successful candidate will be responsible for overseeing the administration of the Circuit Office and acting as line manager to two, part-time administrators.
They will act as a point of contact for 14 local churches and the Circuit trustees, advising on such matters as property and financial management, compliance, and administration.
They will liaise with and manage key relationships with third-parties and provide assistance to the Circuit's Leadership Team.
Prior knowledge and experience of Methodist procedures and structures would be of benefit to the role.
How to apply:
For an informal discussion about the role before making an application, please contact Rev Mark Carrick at mark.carrick@methodist.org.uk
Please submit completed applications by email before midday on the closing date to hr@sheffieldmethodist.org
Closing date: Friday, 14th June 2024
Interview date: Tuesday, 25th June 2024
Full details and the application form can be found here.

Personal Assistant (PA) to Vicar & Area Dean – Ecclesall

All Saints church is looking to employ a Personal Assistant (PA) to Vicar & Area Dean to provide administrative assistance to the Vicar in the roles of Vicar of All Saints Ecclesall & Area Dean of Ecclesall Deanery. The role will work with the Vicar, Ministry and Operations teams (staff and volunteers) to take forward, in many practical ways, the calling of All Saints, Ecclesall and with ministry and lay members across the Deanery to further its vision.
Closing date: 5pm, 30 June
Find out more: https://www.allsaintsecclesall.org.uk/joinourteam

And Finally ...

Prayer for wisdom to discern signs of God's kingdom

God the Holy Spirit,
through the ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ,you have taught us that the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field.
Strengthen and deepen our commitment to revealing your kingdom through our lives and by our prayers.
Grant us, we pray, wisdom to discern signs of your kingdom in the world around us, wherever grace, mercy and truth are present.
Enable us to discover, even in unexpected places, the beauty of holiness revealed in personal acts of compassion and sacrifice.
Empower all people of goodwill to work towards establishing social structures and relationships that embody justice and peace.
Through the faithful endeavour of us and all your people, may your kingdom come your will be done.
Amen.
David Chapman, District Chair, Bedfordshire, Essex and Hertfordshire District