District News – 6 February 2024

This Week's News

Peak Wesley Way – now open for bookings

The Peak Wesley Way is a contemporary opportunity to engage with the ancient spiritual practice of pilgrimage within the beauty of the Peak Park. It began as a vision of members of Peak Methodist Circuit to share our stories with small groups who are spiritually curious and intrigued by spending time in the ancient holy places, indoor and outdoor. The pilgrimage is for groups of friends or family with a shared quest for adventure, wanting to connect with a simpler greener lifestyle, or needing space to broaden life experiences. Thanks to support from many circuit members, people from beyond our congregations and district officers we are now ready to invite you to book your pilgrimage. Please visit https://peakwesleyway.com/, follow us on Facebook or Instagram, and tell your friends! Is this the next step of your journey?

Faith, Hope and The Journey – the podcast from Sheffield Methodist District

Our first podcast is now available to listen to online.

You can find it on the following streaming services:

• Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/sheffieldmethodist
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4MN0hytkvraeDpFcGzVChM
• iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sheffield-methodist-district/id1728508852
• Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.co.uk/.../sheffield-methodist-district

For anyone without access to these streaming sites you can visit our website to listen from there: https://www.sheffieldmethodist.org/podcast.html

During series one you will hear a collection of stories from South Yorkshire, North Nottinghamshire and North East Derbyshire as people from our district share their faith journey and talk about how they are using their gifts and talents to do God's work.

Episode One – The Metal Methodist

You will hear from Revd. James Morley and Kate Ibbotson who share their faith journeys, about their love of heavy metal music and how The Metal Methodist Community was created.
The Metal Methodist seeks to be a safe and inclusive space to explore a love of heavy metal music and the Christian faith, particularly from a Methodist perspective.
Visit metalmethodist.co.uk where you will find music, radio and video resources. You are also welcome to join the Metal Methodist Facebook Page. For those seeking to take the Metal Methodist Way of Life deeper there's also a Metal Methodists Facebook (private) Group.

Once you've listened to the podcast we'd like to know what you think or to answer any of your questions. Please email comms@sheffieldmethodist.org or mission@sheffieldmethodist.org
In life and faith, we value and appreciate different perspectives, and encourage you to consider what your perspective is too! If anything in this podcast gets you thinking, you'd be more than welcome to get in touch with us for more information or a conversation.

Gill on Tour

Gill talks about a trip to the Isle of Man in the new edition of Gill on Tour as well as helping the BBC research a Radio Four programme Beyond Belief and a trip to Parliament for their Covenant Service plus much more. https://www.sheffieldmethodist.org/news/news-stories/gill-on-tour.html

Sad news

We were very sorry to hear of the recent death of Pam Grayson. Pam was a stalwart of Methodist Women in Britain Sheffield District being President twice, a much loved member of Woodseats Methodist Church and local preacher in the old Brunswick Circuit and the wider Sheffield Circuit. She had moved to Kent to be with her family a few weeks ago. Our thoughts and prayers are with them at this time.

Guide Dogs – Make Every Cuppa Count

Kim Hutchings, the Community Fundraiser for Guide Dogs in our area is looking for a location in which to hold a small tea party to raise funds, awareness and hopefully recruit some much needed volunteers in the area. She is hoping to arrange this for April to go along with their Make Every Cuppa Count fundraising campaign.
Get in touch with her (kim.hutchings@guidedogs.org.uk) by this Friday if you think your church could help with this.

Action for Children

Count your blessings through Lent

Lent is only a few weeks away. We know some of you are keen to take part in Count your Blessings, daily reflections and short stories about our work with opportunities to make small donations during Lent.
The leaflet will be available by the end of the week in the post to church contacts and online: http://actionforchildren.uk/faithFR

Children at the Table: Sign our petition to make good childhoods priority

In January, we launched the Children at the Table campaign, along with four other leading charities – Barnardo's, the National Children's Bureau, NSPCC, and The Children's Society.
The UK could be the best place in the world to grow up. But right now, it isn't. There are more babies going without support from health visitors. More children are growing up in poverty. Ahead of the general election, we must make sure the next Prime Minister does more to make good childhoods a national priority.
Find out more and sign our petition here: Children at the Table

Cliff College Festival

The days are getting longer and the weather is getting (slowly) warmer – and at Cliff College, that means we're getting ready for Cliff Festival! We'd love for you to join us from 24-27 May 2024 on the Cliff College site, where together we'll be exploring the journey of the exodus and God's faithfulness to his people and his promises. Come and encounter God through a weekend of music and art, Bible studies and seminars, prayer and conversations. Day and weekend tickets are available now at www.cliffcollege.ac.uk/festival.

Urban Theology Union

Every now and again it is good to remind ourselves of the bigger picture of what UTU is about and what our 'calling' to do for now is (in marketing terms what is our 'unique selling point' and our market niche ) to help the Trustees as they fill in the strategy and the staff as they work day to day, so be working to that bigger picture.
We have six new Trustees, which brings our Board back to full strength, and it seems a good time for them to have a chance to share together with our members and supporters who have been and are part of the UTU story.
So we are offering two alternative dates and times when we would love you to join us for an hour or so on-line, to float ideas for UTU for the Board and staff to consider, or for events or short courses or podcasts etc. that you might like to contribute.
They are: 7.30pm Tues 13 Feb 2024 & 2.30pm Sat 17 Feb 2024
It would be helpful to have an rsvp but you are welcome to just turn up. The Zoom link is below:

Join Zoom Meeting: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81116798048?pwd=UPwf6DBetqbv2mgywSKdLPbCDeBlob.1

Events

Life on the Breadline

10-22 February; 11-22 March

We are delighted to be bringing the Life on the Breadline Photographic Exhibition to Sheffield and Barnsley this Lent. From cutting edge research and grassroots voices, our aim is to start conversations: to hear and amplify voices of people with lived experience of poverty, to create space for people to tell their own stories, and to reflect on how we should personally and collectively respond to what we are hearing. The exhibition will be in Highfield Trinity (Sheffield) from 10 – 22 February and Staincross (Barnsley) from 11 – 22 March.
Details of opening hours and special events coming soon at https://www.sheffieldmethodist.org/.../life-on-breadline-exhibition.html.
Even if you can't attend the exhibition, we highly recommend the six week Life on the Breadline course as a resource for small groups – during lent or at any time https://breadlineresearch.coventry.ac.uk/churches/lent-course/

Pilgrimage – Walking Men Memorial

Wednesday 14 February at 11am

The walk, commemorating the loss of 106 lives in disasters in the Markham Colliery, consists of numerous 'walking figures walking to and from the pit ... all with identity tags.
Parking is available at the Environment Centre, where the walk begins. A route 90 Stagecoach bus leaves Beetwell St (stop B1)in Chesterfield at 0953 and arrives on site just in time. The return buses at 11:54 and 12:23. The Environment Centre is very close to Junction 29 on the M1.
Also – coincindentally – there will be a major exhibition on the 40th Anniversary of the Miners Strike, in the Market Hall in Chesterfield from March 7-31.

Sheffield Christian Aid

Saturday 2 March

The Sheffield CA committee have arranged an in-person 'Watch party' to watch the online Christian Aid Changemakers conference on Saturday March 2nd. Anyone is welcome – even if you aren't a CA church rep!
The morning will actually be starting with coffee and cake at 10.00 am (the on-line conference starts at 10.30am) and there will be a bring and share lunch if people want to stay on to chat afterwards.
Please contact the Chair of CA – Alison Trezise (jandatrezise@virginmedia.com) if you want to come along so we have some idea of numbers.

Joined Up Conference

Bookings are live for our next Joined Up Conference on Saturday 2nd March 2024! Just £15 a ticket for workshops, worship, marketplace stalls, lunch and more! It's going to be a great day. Book your place now: https://joinedupconferencecom.wordpress.com

Youth Day – Hesley Woods

Saturday 16 March

Join us at our Annual Youth Event at Hesley Woods Scout Activity centre. Our theme this year is 'Hidden Treasures' where do we find hidden treasures in our normal day. The morning will be filled with worship and workshops. Then followed by a subway lunch. The afternoon we'll join in with the onsite activities including zip line archery, climbing tower, peddle karts and the cube. The cost is £10 per person (leaders also pay) which covers some of the costs for the day. Bookings close on mid-day on Wednesday 13th March.
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/youth-day-hesley-woods-tickets-806342741847

Lay Employees Retreat -- Yorkshire Plus and North East Districts

10-12 April 2024 -Wydale Hall, near Scarborough

"Hidden Treasures"
Finding and celebrating the hidden treasures and riches in ourselves and our surroundings. A range of sessions are planned to help rediscover a sense of hope about what lies ahead and find a renewed calling to see where God is at work in and with us.
As with last year's retreat, there will be a variety of options from quiet reflective to more active sessions, as well as space for one-to-one conversations, personal reflection and crafting!
Cost: £240 A subsidy of £120 may be available from your District towards this. If this has been confirmed, it will be automatically deducted from your invoice. A deposit is required to confirm your registration
Book via EventBrite https://202404hiddentreasure.eventbrite.co.uk by 7 March (deadline extended)

Whirlow May Retreat

"Waymarks" -20th-24th May, £475

We will explore the questions "Where am I? How am I? Who am I?". There will be times of silence, shared worship and invitations to engage with creative activities and the beautiful landscape around Wydale Hall. Suitable for new and experienced retreatants. £475 full board in single occupancy, ensuite rooms.
Book here: https://www.whirlowspiritualitycentre.org/whats-on/springretreat

Vacancies

Administration & Operations Coordinator /

Events & Communications Coordinator

Whirlow Spirituality Centre exists to encourage, support and resource spiritual development of individuals and communities in the Christian faith. It is based at the Chapel of the Holy Spirit.
The Centre is located on the edge of Sheffield, close to the Peak District, and is run in partnership by Whirlow Grange Ltd and the parish of All Saints Ecclesall in the Diocese of Sheffield.

We are seeking applicants who bring experience in finance and centre management for the Administration and Operations role and in events management, volunteer support and communications for the Events and Communications role.
Both roles will be accountable to the Chaplain as team leader and will be employed through the PCC of All Saints, Ecclesall. Office accommodation is provided at the Whirlow Spirituality Centre and applicants will be required to work from the centre on Tuesday mornings and two other mornings a week.

£27,500 FTE pro rata for 16 hours a week = £11,733.33 (£14.10 per hour) annual salary plus employer pension contribution of 8.5%.

More information about the Centre can be found on our website at www.whirlowspiritualitycentre.org

For more details about these jobs contact: Alison Richards, Chaplain, Whirlow Spirituality Centre, Whirlow Grange Close, Sheffield S11 9SY chaplain@whirlowspiritualitycentre.org. Tel: 0114 235 3704

Closing date for applications: 9am Friday 8th March 2024

Interviews to be held on:
Wednesday 20th March 2024 for Events and Communications Coordinator
Wednesday 27th March 2024 for Administration and Operations Coordinator

And finally ...

A prayer for LGBT+ History Month

Let us love one another, for love comes from God.
Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.

We praise you creator God for creating all in your image, an image of pure love.

God of love, we pray for your forgiveness where we have fallen short of your call to mirror your love to others.
God of Love, as we prepare to celebrate LGBT History Month we hold before you those who bear the scars of rejection, isolation, and feelings of unworthiness. We pray for your healing touch.
God of Love, we give thanks for all the work undertaken in "God, in love unites us." We give thanks for the courage of those from the LGBT community who have shared their stories, their lives, and their ministries within the Church.We give thanks for those who have been open to change as the Church took the journey of discovery, culminating in the decision to be fully inclusive. We give you thanks for the grace shown by all.
God of love, we pray for the continuing work of the Church as we encourage all to fully embrace the diversity of our siblings.

God of all
God for all
God within all,
We praise you.
Amen
Pam Gold, coordinator for the Methodist LGBT+ Solidarity Circle.