District News – 5 August 2025

This Week's News

Faith, Hope and The Journey Podcast

Revd. Sean Adair

In this episode we hear from Revd. Sean Adair who is currently supporting a number of churches in the Sheffield Circuit whilst he is engaging in research and study into new places for new people. Sean talks about growing up in Northern Ireland, his life and work in the Sheffield District and about his love of books and research. Sean has spent many years in the district as a Presbyter, as a Superintendent, as Deputy District Chair and now Synod Secretary. We've also set a challenge at the end of the podcast – answers to be sent to comms@sheffieldmethodist.org or drop us a message on social media.
You can listen here:
District website: https://www.sheffieldmethodist.org/podcast.html
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4MN0hytkvraeDpFcGzVChM
Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/8d864f47-7ab6-4a12-b471-77b1e8b12082/sheffield-methodist-district?ref=dm_sh_E2fKmadh47jf7fgt1rlRSIwLi
SoundCloud: https://on.soundcloud.com/ZgPoiRoDBNWndGHpH8

Braille books (and other items)

Hallcroft Methodist Church has a braille edition of The Methodist Worship Book and Hymns and Psalms, and would be pleased to pass them on if they could be of use to someone.

In addition, they have several communion wine trays that are no longer used and could be made available to another church.
If anyone is interested or would like more details, please contact Rev'd Julie Coates at julie.coates@methodist.org.uk.

Peak Wesley Way

The Peak Wesley Way pilgrimage has now been open for just over a year. Our team of volunteers have already greeted hundreds of pilgrims: families, friends, solo pilgrims; from ministers on sabbatical to people with no regular church connection. The pilgrimage involves walking 45 miles over six days through the stunning Peak District National Park, sleeping in Methodist chapels which are available for church and community activities during the day. Contributions paid by pilgrims are helping Peak Methodist Circuit sustain and grow its rural missional presence in these villages, and people from beyond their congregations have joined the volunteer team.
If you need space to reflect, a group of people you want to spend time with, or just some fresh fresh air, we are taking bookings for this autumn and 2026 – details at www.peakwesleyway.com The route starts and ends at railway stations and The Peak is very much on our doorstep – some of this year's pilgrims journeyed from the USA!

Springs Dance Company

Springs Dance Company are delighted to be touring their popular Christmas production again this advent. Loved by everyone for the enjoyable, nostalgic, easily relatable story and outstanding performances by their world class dancers.
Journey of the Magi is a professional production of dance, theatre, song and poetry. It is a family show: accessible for all, fun and thought-provoking, full of warmth, hilarity and delight. It offers a wonderful opportunity to laugh, reflect and refocus during advent.
Further information can be found on the Springs Dance Company website page: https://springsdancecompany.org.uk/productions/journey-of-the-magi/ by emailingtouring@springsdancecompany.org.ukor by calling 07775 628442.

Looking ahead to next year, they are also very excited to be touring A Time to Mourn, A Time to Dance to Mourn in Autumn 2026. The performance offers audiences an opportunity to reflect on grief, human connection and joy, and is ultimately a celebration of life. More details on how to book will follow in due course.

Derbyshire Rural Chaplaincy

The Derbyshire Rural Chaplaincy is a Christian organisation and its chaplains are drawn from a variety of denominations, helping people see God at work in their daily lives. The DRC chaplains offer support to those working in agricultural and rural settings which mostly means farmers, farm workers and their families, regardless of whether or not they have a Christian faith, or indeed any faith.
They produce a monthly Prayer Update and you can read the latest one here :

District Office Updates

Holiday time!

A reminder that the District Office will be closed from 16-26 August as I'll be at the Greenbelt Festival. I may keep an eye on emails in case of urgent enquiries, but that will depend in mobile coverage.

Safeguarding update

Many thanks to all the church safeguarding officers who completed this year's review. 85 churches completed it this year, which is an improvement on last year. The purpose of the review to to have a realistic idea of where churches (and circuits) might need additional support, so that we can better help you in your important role. Alison Hill is looking at the results and will be in touch if more information is needed, or to offer more support.
Alison's new job title is Regional Officer for Safeguarding as she is now employed by the Connexional Team of the Methodist Church. However, we don not expect there to be any changes in the work she does for the Sheffield District as a result. Her email is hilla@methodistchurch.org.uk, but she will continue to monitor the old email address as we are aware that it can take a while for changes to register.

Advanced Safeguarding Training

Bookings are now being taken for the online version of the Advanced Module. We have added a few more dates, including 15 September at 7pm, hosted by the Newcastle/Darlington District.
All dates and the link to book on can be found here: https://www.sheffieldmethodist.org/news/events-courses/other-courses/advanced-safeguarding-module.html
We do need to have a minimum of 8 people for a session to go ahead, which is why there is a deadline for 30 days before for each date. Last year sessions earlier in the Connexional year had to be cancelled due to insufficient bookings, and then there was a waiting list for the later sessions. So if you do need to take this course, please book early!

Events

Inspiring textile art at Sheffield Cathedral

7 August – 22 September

Threads through the Cross an astonishing, inspiring exhibition of textile art. With spectacular designs, brilliant colours and extraordinary stitching, eighteen huge panels depict key moments in Jesus' life.It is one of the largest ever textile projects by a single person, and will be on show at Sheffield Cathedral.
Artist Jacqui Parkinson has been fascinated by the Bible and its stories for fifty years – and now in the last ten years has been stitching the panels in her studio in Devon, using over 25 million stitches to create Threads through the Bible.It's a story in three parts, three huge exhibitions ... the first one has been displayed at Sheffield: Threads through Creation – inspiring images from the first pages of the bible; and now you can see part two, Threads through the Cross – dramatic moments in the life of Jesus.
Admission free

Praying for peace

St Andrew's Psalter Lane Church in August

The church will be open on each Wednesday in August between 12.00 noon and 1.30 pm for people to come in to pray for peace. It is hoped that this will give encouragement to those very many people who are distressed and disheartened at the lack of trust and readiness to resort to violence that human beings worldwide increasingly seem to be exhibiting. As Christians, whatever else we may or may not do, we are called to pray. And Jesus said that the peacemakers would be called the children of God.

"Just " Economics? with Ann Pettifor

Saturday 20 Sept – St Mark's Broomhill

Internationally-acclaimed economist, Ann Pettifor, will offer critical analysis of prevailing governmental strategies before outlining an alternative ethically driven, environmentally-responsible approach in which economics serves the common good. Expect to be challenged, informed and inspired.
Admission is free, but delegates must register either beforehand via Eventbrite or on the day at the door. Donations are invited and can be made in advance or on the day via Givealittle.
Book your place here

And Finally...

A Prayer for those Awaiting Exams

With the exam result season upon us, Bea Hulme, the Youth President of the Methodist Church, shares this prayer:

Dear Lord,
We pray for those awaiting exam results this summer.
May they be able to enjoy their time without worry
and know that you are with them regardless of what the results may be.
We pray for peace, and trust that your plan for them will show the way.
Amen.

Reimagining of the Lord's Prayer in the context of Gazan famine and starvation

The Revd Raj Patta, a minister in the United Stockport Methodist Circuit, shares this reimagining of The Lord's Prayer in the context of Gazan famine and starvation.

Our God, the bread of life, whose heaven is in feeding the creation,
your name now is unhallowed as people in Gaza are dying of famine and living in starvation,
your kingdom will only come when there is peace, justice and equal food for all.
How on earth can your will be done as it is in heaven,
when the aid reaching Gaza is on a siege and the amount reaching is only a trickle,
with more than 1000 people killed while seeking aid,
and 6000 trucks of aid still waiting to enter Gaza?
Give the hungry their daily bread as we fast for Gaza.
Forgive us our debtors as we forgive our debtors.
Lead us not into the temptation of either seeking revenge or
staying neutral on the face of injustice,
But deliver us to share our bread and lives by standing up for the cause of just peace.
Yours is the kingdom of justice, where wars and conflict come to an end,
Yours is the power of love, where the hungry are fed, and the wounded are healed
Yours is the glory, where heaven and earth meet as righteousness and peace kiss each other,
For now, for here and for ever and ever.
Amen.

You can follow Raj's blog here.