District News – 7 July 2026

Stories from across the District

Barnsley dementia exercise group

People living with dementia and their families, as well as those with physical challenges in Barnsley are benefiting from a new exercise group created thanks to grant funding from South Yorkshire’s Community Foundation (SYCF).

Emmanuel Methodist Church, on Huddersfield Road, was awarded £3,600 by SYCF to fund a one-year pilot for The Gentle Exercise Group.

https://www.sheffieldmethodist.org/news/news-stories/grant-funding-for-barnsley-dementia-exercise-group.html

Green Moor Scarecrow Competition

Green Moor Methodist Church decided to enter the village scarecrow competition.
After some conversation we remembered some years ago an event where we created a life size, woven willow Joseph, Mary and Donkey! After some rummaging around in cellars and sheds, they were located, brushed down and the old blackbirds nest removed from the donkeys head! They needed some repairs and a bit of fresh willow, donated to us from the original creator who lives in the village.
We dressed them as John Wesley and his horse (who we named Gospel, from the recent children's book) and entered them in the competition. They stood on the corner of the chapel garden, overlooking the road, and initiated great conversations about who he was among the passers by. Thankfully they survived the rain, storm, wind and blazing hot sunshine for a week, and then won the competition!

Totley Rise Methodist Church

Quiet Garden

At Totley Rise we are blessed that our Church Building and TRM Centre stand on a plot of land that is large enough to accommodate a Quiet Garden and Car Park as well as the buildings.
There is, however, a downside in having a water course as the boundary, as it is the nature of water courses that the flow of water will sometimes cause the riverbank to be undermined. At Totley Rise we have had three major, and very expensive, engineering projects (2013, 2019, 2023) to stabilise the riverbank.
Following the first project in 2013 it was decided that we should establish a Quiet Garden including a simple trail based upon St Mark’s Gospel. The trail started with a boat and the invitation to “come and follow me” went via a labyrinth and the cross and finished at the tomb.
We are affiliated to the Quiet Garden Movement.
The trail now renamed “Time Aside Trail,” has recently been expanded to take in the final area of the riverbank.
The Quiet Garden is open to all during daylight hours.
It is used regularly by an after-school club and by Rainbows, Brownies and Guides who all meet on our premises. Other users include children from a local nursery, families seeking somewhere for the children to use up surplus energy and members of the public. The recent addition of a shelter in the garden will allow more use by both church and non-church users.

District Office Updates

Eclipse party grant – Brightholmlee

We have awarded another eclipse party grant, this time to Brightholmlee in Sheffield Circuit. In planning their event, the church have both considered the needs of community groups they know well, and have also reached out to other community leaders and partners across the Upper Don Valley to ensure that it does not clash with any other events.

The evening will include gentle, optional points of reflection — including short printed cards and display boards with a simple thought about wonder, creation, and light, connecting the eclipse to themes of hope and belonging. Not intrusive, but available for anyone who wishes to engage.

We are aware that other churches are still finalising plans. It's not too late to apply for a grant https://www.sheffieldmethodist.org/news/news-stories/eclipse-2026.html

District Database Updates

A reminder that we are in the process of updating the District Database, to ensure that we have the correct contact details of key office holders at church (and circuit) level.

This year, rather than asking all 800 people to confirm or correct the information we hold, I am asking for all worshipping communities (not just church buildings) to fill in a short Google form with the relevant information. People do change their roles, or move away – and this new method seemed to be the simplest to check that we have, at the very least, a point of contact for all the worshipping groups.

The online form can be found here:
https://forms.gle/SHvh1ZVjAZiTmbQT6
This is a Google form, but you do not need to have a Google (or Gmail) account to complete it.  

There are about 130 church buildings in our District (plus other groups not meeting in a church building) and currently I have had 30 responses. Please do fill this in as soon as possible. I don't mind if more than one person for a church completes it, I can easily merge/delete duplication information – but I can't check on information I don't have, so please use this opportunity to update the information.

Thank you!

Calling all District Youth groups

Sheffield Methodist District is becoming an eco-district – and circuits are following. We want to hear and publicise your great ideas.
As Youth Groups and Brigades, you are probably well ahead of us and could inspire us with your ideas. Can you send us photos
and/or short reports when you:

• Undertake a litter pick
• Have a craft/ maker session using recycled materials
• Do a bird count in the neighbourhood – or make a bird feeder or insect hotel for the church grounds.
• Host a clothing exchange
• Hold a sustainable /vegetarian cooking session (anyone know a good beetroot brownie recipe?).

Potential activities are, we are sure, limitless, but if you are wanting more ideas please try Youth – Eco Church.
We could send you a certificate to recognise and thank you for your great ideas, and your local host churches and others will learn more about what you are already doing. You may discover adults in your local churches who share your passion and undertake joint activities.
Please send any contributions to Katrin at admin@sheffieldmethodist.org

Regional Officer for Safeguarding Update: 

Sexual Harassment within the Methodist Church

The Methodist Church carries out survivor engagement and participation work with people with lived experience of abuse, who offer their stories and perspectives to help the Methodist Church to become a safer place and to become more welcoming by improving its response to victims and survivors of abuse. One of the survivor members of the group is also a Methodist minister who wrote the following blog for our Safeguarding bulletin, detailing her shock at her experiences of sexual harassment within the Methodist Church. Fortunately, she received good support from her superintendent, who took action which encouraged others to speak out about their experiences of abuse and harassment. She ends with the important message of encouraging anyone experiencing abusive behaviour to report it to their Regional Officer for Safeguarding or to the Connexional Safeguarding Team.  Kate Little, Safeguarding Survivor Lead Officer

Read female minister’s blog

As ever, if you have any questions or concerns, please give me a call on 07483 362 735 or email me at hilla@methodistchurch.org.uk
Many thanks
Alison Hill

Other News

Methodist Conference

Members of the Methodist Church met last week for the Methodist Conference. This is the governing body of the Methodist Church and meets annually to discuss matters affecting the life of the Church, the nation and the world, but is is so much more than that. It is a time to meet with others across the connexion, to meet old friends and make new ones. To hear inspiring stories and to be challenged. To celebrate the new ministers as they are ordained, and to remember and give thanks for the lives of those who have died, both ordained and local preachers. In September, we will be electing our representatives for the 2027 conference, and we would encourage any member of the Methodist Church who is interested, to look out for the papers to be nominated.

The Conference was live-streamed and you can catch up on all that took place here: 

Watch again

Upcoming Events

Urban Gospel Coffee Time

Monday 13 July 2026  11:00 – 12:00

You are warmly invited to UTU's next Urban Gospel Coffee Time. Make yourself a drink, pull up a chair and get comfortable.
Hosted by Andrew Crowley (RC Deacon, Chair of Sheffield Interfaith).
This group meets monthly online, 11.00am to 12.00am 2nd Monday of the month, where the conversations will be on the coming Sunday's Common Lectionary First and Gospel reading, which you can find here:
https://www.methodist.org.uk/for-churches/resources/the-lectionary/lectionary-for-this-year/

Zoom link to join us - https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89996529028?pwd=JGtwiNxPIwb654pCVkENUJHZ0RSmy9.1

Screening of The People's Emergency Briefing,

16 July, 7pm, Sheffield Hallam University Adsetts Lecture Theatre, Sheffield S1 1WB

Join us for a special community screening of 'The People's Emergency Briefing' – a clear and accessible 45 minute film exploring the latest evidence on the climate and nature emergency -- and what it means for our landscapes, wildlife and communities.
The screening offers a grounded look at how climate change and biodiversity loss are affecting the UK, and some of the practical steps we can take to protect the climate and restore the natural environment.
After the screening, there will be a short, facilitated discussion offering space to share questions, hear local perspectives and consider how we can strengthen efforts to support nature recovery and climate resilience.
Open to all – we encourage early booking as places are limited.
Reserve your place
Please share with anyone interested in climate action, conservation or the future of our local environment.

Methodist Women in Britain (MWiB) District Day

17 July, 11am-3pm

The Sheffield District MWiB are delighted that the guest speaker at this event will be the National Co-Chair of MWiB, Olive Ruzidzo. She will be speaking on the theme "The Table of Grace: Finding Community in the Transitions of Life"

All are welcome to come along on 17 July at Hoyland & Birdwell Methodist Church, Sheffield Rd, Birdwell, Barnsley S70 5XB. Refreshments will be available from 10:30 ready for a 11am start, and aims to finish by 3pm. 
Bring your own lunch.

Journey of a lifetime...

30 July – 1 August

Got any holiday plans? Come and join us at Bakewell Methodist Church for 3 days at our Intergenerational Holiday Club. Everyone is welcome, adults and children alike. There will be something for everyone. Join us for all or some of the days.
Contact Chloe Donoghue (07540 110 199 / email donoghuefamily45@gmail.com) – to find out more and book your place

Relax and Renew

Saturday 22 August, 10.00am–4.00pm, £20

Take a break from the busyness of everyday life and join us for a peaceful day at Whirlow Spirituality Centre. Relax and Renew offers time and space to simply be, with opportunities for quiet reflection, prayer, rest and enjoying the beauty of our gardens and surroundings. Whether you're seeking stillness, refreshment or simply a chance to pause, you'll be warmly welcomed.

Book your place via our website.

Vacancies

Deputy Chair of MCPOC

The Methodist Church is seeking a committed and compassionate Lay volunteer to serve as Deputy Chair of the Ministerial Candidates and Probationers Oversight Committee (MCPOC). This role supports the Chair in providing oversight of candidates, student ministers, and probationers, ensuring process are fair, consistent, and pastorally sensitive and that decisions are made in accordance with the Standing Orders of the Methodist Church.
https://methodist.current-vacancies.com/Jobs/Advert/4232160?cid=1885(Full details can be found here)
Closing date: 26 July

And finally...

A prayer for peace and justice

Come as a dove flying
over still waters of hope,
putting peace into the hearts of people
who would wage war.

Come to the captives and the refugees.
Comfort all people who wait for freedom
and all people who wait for them to be free.

Come as the sound of silence
to hear the cries of people whose lives
are limited by gender-based violence
and domination. Stir up the hearts
of all who abuse their power and privilege.

Come as flames of justice
to a world where children are hungry;
a world ripped apart by untruths and greed.

Come as water cascading down a mountain
washing away the inequities of wealth and poverty.
Come change the story.
Come Holy Spirit, come now.

Amen.
Penny McCulloch, worship leader, Balsall Common Methodist Church, West Midlands

We are looking for short prayers to go in the District Prayer Diary – if you have one to share, do email it in. The ideal length is  about 40 words.