District News – 5 September 2023

This Week's News

Happy New (Methodist) Year

It has been great seeing the reports of the welcome services for the five new ministers into our District. We wish Andrew Fox (Rotherham & Dearne Valley); Louise Makin (Rotherham & Dearne Valley); John Henry (Doncaster); Louise Carr (Barnsley); and Lyn Gregg (Barnsley) every blessing as they start their new appointments.
Congratulations to Ben & Charlotte Scrivens on their marriage over the summer. We hope that the move to his new appointment went smoothly as they embark on married life in a new District.
We wish Mick Neal (former Superintendent in Barnsley and Doncaster) all the best as he sits down from active ministry. May he and Helen enjoy their new home in the circuit.
It is good to welcome back Revd Dr Martyn Atkins and Deacon Carole Smith, who used to be in our District and have returned home! and we welcome Rev Philip Mcdonald, who has moved to Trinity Circuit and will be taking on some active work to support Revd Julie Coates during her year as Acting Chair of District.

Stepping Out

We are really looking forward to the District Gathering at Central Methodist Church, Chesterfield on Saturday. Registration closed last Friday, but you can watch the main sessions including the panel discussion on the Sheffield District YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/live/EUOYeXY15Fw?si=fvgRRJ9EcgFLCkoe

Invest some time in you and your ministry with Youthscape Essentials

"The Youthscape Essentials course is a helpful resource for those working with teenagers in our churches. No matter how long you have been working with young people there's always something useful to pick up from taking part in this training." Simon, Lancashire

If you're wanting to grow your confidence and skills working with young people in churches and community projects then this programme is just what you're looking for. Youthscape Essentials offers the opportunity to spend time in community with other workers and volunteers, exploring together insights into the lives of young people, relevant skills and character development. It's a perfect course for anyone involved in or interested in developing ministry with young people (aged 11-18). The material has been developed and piloted in a Methodist Circuit in partnership with Youthscape. Find out more here: www.methodist.org.uk/cyfessentials

New Christian communities gathering

12:30pm Saturday 11 November

An afternoon for anyone who is involved in leading (in any capacity), or preparing to lead, a new Christian community to spend quality time with others who are following similar callings in other places across or affiliated to Sheffield Methodist District.
We will be joined by Rev Anthony Clowes, Church Planting Officer for Manchester & Stockport District. Anthony will explore with us lessons from the Joshua Centre's starting of 30 new congregations within Liverpool's Church of England Diocese.
Lunch and hospitality provided by Gleadless Valley Methodists.
Contact Neil Harland mission@sheffieldmethodist.org for more details.
Please register so we know how many to cater for https://231111NCC.eventbrite.co.uk

Learning Network

The Regional Learning Networks are changing! All the Networks have been realigned to become Connexional, making it much better for people in every corner of the Connexion to access training. Districts will still enjoy having an Aligned Officer – the Network's boots on the ground. The Aligned Officer for Sheffield District is Siggy Parratt-Halbert, parratt-halberts@methodistchurch.org.uk.You'll find lots of information about learning events and opportunities here https://www.methodist.org.uk/our-work/learning-and-development/learning-network-courses/
Sign up for the new Learning Network Newsletter – first release will be September. (Link is bottom of the page) https://www.methodist.org.uk/about-us/news/sign-up-for-newsletters/
Join the Learning Network Facebook Group to share, discuss and learn more https://www.facebook.com/groups/thelearningnetwork
The Connexional Learning Network looks forward to seeing you at one of their events soon!

Wesley History Society – East Midlands

Autumn Meeting and AGM

Saturday 7 October at 2:30pm at Mountsorrel Methodist Church
Speaker :Dr Caitriona McCartney, Hon. Research Fellow, Department of Theology and Religion, University of Durham
Subject of her talk: "For the Service of Youth and Children -The Methodist Church 1939- 45 "
Tea will be provided. If you intend to come, please contact: Mrs Dorothy Mee, Tel: 0116 2374961
This will help with the planning of the tea.

Circuit Steward Community of Practice

Are you a Circuit Steward, and do you feel you could benefit from being with other Circuit Stewards to share knowledge, experience and learn together?
If so, please be invited to join the Circuit Stewards' Connexional Community of Practice which will meet each last Wednesday of the month from September 2023!
Guests from across the Connexion with specialisms in particular missional areas will join us to share their wisdom and knowledge, to invite discussion and answer any key questions you may have.
You will also have the opportunity to connect with other Circuit Stewards from across the Methodist Connexion!
To book follow this link: CircuitstewardsCOP.eventbrite.co.uk

Events

Whirlow Autumn Retreat

The God Of Surprises: Finding God In The Unexpected

Friday 29th Sept – Sunday 1st October
Held at St Oswald's Community just 4 miles from Whitby, this mostly silent retreat will be led by experienced retreat leader Jacky Stride and Whirlow Chaplain Alison Richards. There are optional opportunities to share experience in threes, and join in the rhythm of prayer of St Oswald's three times a day. Suitable for new and experienced retreatants.£175 full board in single occupancy rooms.

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. https://www.trybooking.com/uk/events/landing/42580 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.

Crackin' Good Church: Finding the Treasure in Church at the Margins

Saturday 14 October, Methodist Central Hall, Manchester

... is a gathering to promote new Christian Communities at the margins
... will be fun, interactive and consultative
... is a free event, with time for fellowship, free food (a hot meal) and refreshments

A gathering to promote a movement of new Christian communities amongst people at the economic margins, for anyone who is or wants to be part of a community at the margins.
Listening to the stories told will be representatives from the Methodist Church and politics, including Vice President Deacon Kerry Scarlett and Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester.
Contact the district office (admin@sheffieldmethodist.org) for information about free travel.
Book your place here https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/crackin-good-church-finding-the-treasure-in-church-at-the-margins-tickets-639335609017

Annual Poverty Pilgrimage

Saturday 21 October

Church Action on Poverty in Sheffield embarks on an Urban Poverty Pilgrimage – a journey in search of moral and spiritual significance.
About 40 or so of our members – often dressed in parkas and wearing walking boots – turn out to tread the streets of Sheffield. On our journey, we visit foodbanks and other church-based poverty alleviation initiatives, to learn more about their work and how best we can help to promote and support it in our church communities and wider afield. Consequently, there is often a practical focus to the talks that we get to listen to, and to the discussions that follow.
Gather from 9am at St James' Church Norton for a 9:30am start
More details here: https://www.church-poverty.org.uk/urban-poverty-pilgrimage-towards-a-theological-practice/

Line Management Training

Are you a new line manager or an existing line manager that wants to revisit the basics?

Line Management Training is designed for any new or existing line manager. This one-day offering covers the basics of line management, including management styles and models, key skills and the the employment cycle. Participants will join colleagues from across the Connexion at this online training day. The minimum number to deliver this training is 12. We will confirm your place when the booking closes.
There are a number of dates available, but do book early as places are limited!
https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/line-management-training-555609

Lay Orientation

A day for new Lay Employees to meet, explore their role, understand Methodism and get to grips with key employment practices and much more!

There are two dates available in September and October 2023
Book here: https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/lay-orientation-2345719

Lay Leadership Skills

A day exploring leadership skills for lay people working in the Methodist Church.

We'll be exploring the themes of: leadership styles , leadership skills, leading meetings, managing volunteers , encouraging participation and team and group dynamics.
Wednesday 7 February 2024 from 10am. Book your place here: Lay Leadership

Vacancies

Sam's Space are seeking a Soft Play Worker

Sam's Space is a not for profit community soft play area within Firth Park Methodist Church.
We are seeking an enthusiastic person to join our soft play team to help deliver an essential community service whilst developing fresh expression of church
For a job description and application form please contact Sam's Space manger Jade.sams.space@gmail.com
Closing date: Noon on Sunday 17 September

The Foundry are hiring!

We currently have three vacancies;

• Customer Care Team Leader
• Building Team Leader
• Building Administrator

See our website for more details https://www.victoriahallsheffield.org/news/the-foundry-is-expanding, or email admin@victoriahallsheffield.org for an application pack

Lay Pastoral Worker

An exciting part-time opportunity for Christian pastoral ministry has arisen within the newly formed Barton, Brigg and Wolds Methodist Circuit in Lincolnshire.
We are looking for someone to work as part of a team providing pastoral care and funeral ministry across eight of our sixteen churches.
The successful candidate will be enthusiastic, have a personal faith in Jesus Christ and be active in their church community. They will relate and work effectively with people from all walks of life.

Salary £16,455 per annum for a 25 hour working week. The hours worked are week day only with the working pattern to be agreed with the successful applicant, giving scope to take up additional part-time work.

Job share candidates with or without a job share partner considered.
Start date: as soon as possible.
Help given with tenancy start-up costs in appropriate cases.
Full training and professional development offered.

For further information and to get an application pack please contact Mrs Sue Brumptonbartonandbriggcircuit@outlook.com
Closing date: Tuesday 17th October 2023 at 9.00 am.

And finally

A prayer for start of the new Connexional Year

Loving God, as the days and weeks of summer tick by, we find ourselves on the cusp of another new beginning, another new chapter, another opportunity to start afresh with you.
Thoughts of the next chapter will fill some of us with excitement and anticipation, whilst for others there may be ongoing anxiety about facing the same challenges and concern about what might be.
Remind all of us that we can step into this next season of life, whatever that looks like for us, knowing that you step into it with us, longing for us to catch a glimpse of your light even in the darkness. Help us to believe that whatever experiences come our way, you have hidden treasure for us to discover as we journey on with you.
In the name of Jesus,
Amen

Prayer by the Revd Gill Newton, President of the Methodist Conference