District News – 7 May 2024

This Week's News

District Celebration

Sunday 9 June from 4pm

We are holding a District service on 9 June from 4pm at Grove Street Methodist Church, Retford, to celebrate all those involved in children, youth and families work (including schools).We want to thank each and everyone for their dedication to this important work.
A service for everyone to come along to with friends and family to share this special day.
To help with catering, please book here: https://buytickets.at/sheffieldmethodistdistrict/1252076

Peak Wesley Way

The Peak Wesley Way is a new pilgrimage devised by the Peak Methodist Circuit to reconnect its chapels to the community and explore spirituality differently.
"Church is not always about going to regular Sunday services. Church is about connecting with people differently."
The first pilgrim group had a really positive experience and you can read some of their comment here: https://www.sheffieldmethodist.org/.../first-pilgrims-walk-peak-wesley-way.html
We hope this may inspire you to book your own pilgimage...

Cliff College Celebration with Revd David Hardman

Join us on Wednesday 15 May for an evening of worship, teaching and reflection. Our preacher will be Rev David Hardman, Methodist Liaison Officer in Jerusalem.
We are thrilled that David is able to spend time at Cliff, sharing his insights and reflections on his time ministering in Jerusalem and hope others will be able to join us for this time of fellowship and worship.
For those who wish to, there is an additional invitation to join the Cliff Community for a two course evening meal (Community Tea) at 5.15pm in the dining room.
The cost for this is £5 and can be booked before Monday 13th by calling reception on 01246 584200. Please leave details of dietary requirements at the time of booking.
More information is available on our website: https://www.cliffcollege.ac.uk/news-events/celebration-15-may

Repair Café – St Andrew's Psalter Lane Church

Saturday 11 May 2:00 pm

Bring your broken or damaged small household items, bicycles, computers, games consoles, fabric or wooden items – volunteer repair-people will be on hand to make small repairs and teach people how they can do these themselves, with the aim of reducing waste by re-using and recycling items that would otherwise be thrown away!
Refreshments will be available.

Christian Aid Coffee Morning – Broomhill Methodist Church

Friday 17 May 10:30am

Come along to Broomhill Methodist Centre to support Christian Aid week for a coffee morning, with the opportunities for any younger ones to play too.

Are you feeling creative?

Whirlow Spirituality Centre – 20 July

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!
We will be exploring the theme of light and dark, with a short introduction inspired by the 'Stations of Lament' exhibition by Louise Carr held at Whirlow during Lent.
Join us for an afternoon of slow hand stitching; a practice that's about the journey, not the destination, where imperfections are celebrated, and where creativity may blossom in the unhurried pace of needlework.
All materials will be provided, but you are invited to bring your own sewing kit should you wish. Open to all sewing abilities!
Full details here: https://www.whirlowspiritualitycentre.org/whats-on/slow-stitching

District Office News

District Safeguarding Update:

Tuesday 14 May, 11am – 12:30pm, Zoom webinar: "Survivor Awareness: How to speak about and to survivors of abuse"
This webinar is being organised and led by the Methodist Survivors Advisory Group with support from the Connexional Safeguarding Team. It is estimated that as many as 1 in 3 people will experience some form of abuse or traumatic experience during their lifetime. Survivors of abuse choose carefully who to disclose to. They might not always go to "the Safeguarding Officer" but rather the person at church they think is most likely to listen to them, believe them, offer support and perhaps act on their concern if that's what they want. When someone speaks out to you about their experience of abuse and trauma, you are being given their trust.
There will be many people in our congregations across the UK, still suffering in silence, too scared to speak out at church for fear of being judged or blamed. Some survivors have unfortunately experienced a negative response from churches: being told they are to blame, or that what happened was God testing them, that they should just forgive and forget, or even that they are a liar. Survivors hear those messages and believe them. They don't hear the message of "God loves you" loud and clear enough, perhaps because of shame and guilt, perhaps because of negative experiences, or perhaps because this part of life simply isn't ever raised in our church.
So how can we speak out from the pulpit, giving the good news of God to survivors of abuse? How can we respond well to survivors of abuse and offer them support? How can we let them know "God loves you" and "it wasn't your fault"? Please come along to learn more.
Please click this link to register in advance for this webinar:
https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_MgOAy4YFQuS0CmK42FAKtQ

As ever, if you have any questions or concerns, please give me a call on 07483 362 735 or email me at safeguarding@sheffieldmethodist.org
Many thanks
Alison Hill -District Safeguarding Officer

GDPR Annual Checklist

The annual checklist is a requirement of all churches and circuits (and districts) as it is the means by which the Methodist Church can demonstrate that we are taking following the regulations as afr as we are able to.
Over 30 churches have already completed this, ahead of the 31 May deadline. Some are sending in the Word version of the checklist, so it will take a little longer for them to be registered as having completed it, as I will have to enter that data myself.
I will hold one more drop-in session to offer support to any who may have questions about the process. This will be on Wednesday 15 May at 7:30pm on Zoom – https://zoom.us/j/98078068829?pwd=ZG9uUTZuWUdoeVFTMW1LMitlRk50QT09. This session is not recorded, as it is an informal discussion rather than a formal training session.
Katrin Hackett – District Data Champion

Events

Christian Aid Week

12-18 May 2024

There is a wealth of material on the Christian Aid website to support churches during this week https://www.christianaid.org.uk/appeals/key-appeals/christian-aid-week
If you are put on a special event, do let us know how it went – it may inspire other next year!

Coffee, Cake & Concert
Saturday 11 May from 10:45am to 11:45am at Carterknowle Methodist Church, Sheffield S7 2BQ
From 11:15 to 11:45 there will be a concert of (mostly) light classical music for flute (John Hackett) and piano (Matt Lumb) including Dvorak's Humoresque, Satie's Gymnopedie and pieces by Mozart and Bach

Let's talk about the elephant in the room

Thursday 9 May / Monday 13 May

Talking about dying and death can be tricky and people often have insecurities or anxieties in approaching the subject. We want to create an opportunity to talk openly about the terminology around death, encourage conversations around tables, as well as answer any questions people may bring.
This sessions are run as part of Compassionate Sheffield's Life, Loss and Death Festival. It aims to enable conversation around the topics of dying and death, recognising that it remains a taboo for many, and aiming at normalising the conversation.
Choose which date to attend:
Thursday 9 May 1:00 pm at Woodhouse Community Hub & Library, 524 Stradbroke Rd, Woodhouse, S13 7GD.You can book your free place via Eventbrite – https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/lets-talk-about-the-elephant-in-the-room-tickets-880123983527
Monday 13 May, 1-3pm at Crystal Peaks Library, 1-3 Peak Square, Waterthorpe, Crystal Peaks, S20 7PH.Book your free place here: Eventbrite – https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/lets-talk-about-the-elephant-in-the-room-crystal-peaks-library-tickets-880206289707

Vacancies

Community Evangelist

The Grantham & Vale of Belvoir Circuit is looking to recruit an enthusiastic Community Evangelist. The post holder be attached to Harrowby Lane Methodist Church in Grantham.
The successful applicant will bring fresh vision and further develop work across all age groups within and outside the church and develop ways of sharing faith with a range of people.
This is a full-time position – 37.5 hours per week (Fixed term contract – 2 years)
Salary range: £23,400 – £27,354. The exact salary to be based on the skills and experience of the successful applicant.
This is an exciting job opportunity to embed evangelistic initiatives into the life of the church and inspire, encourage and motivate the church family to share faith.
In accordance with the Equality Act 2010 (schedule 9) it is an occupational requirement that the position is filled by a committed Christian who is active in church life.
An enhanced DBS check is required.
A job description, person specification and application form are available from the Circuit administrator at applications@gvbcircuit.org.uk
A completed form, with a covering letter (maximum 2 sides of A4) explaining why you feel you are the right person for this role, should be sent to applications@gvbcircuit.org.uk
Closing date: Friday 17 May 2024.
Interviews for shortlisted applicants will be held in the week beginning 17 June 2024.

And finally...

A prayer for exam season

Gracious God, we thank you for always being with us.
We thank you for making us the way that we are, all having different gifts and skills.
Lord, we pray that you will have your guiding hand over us as we complete exams, submit coursework and have practical assessments.
These times can be daunting for everyone, students, teachers and the family and friends of all involved. Grant us reassurance that through this time you will be with each and every one of us in the preparation, during and after assessments.
And Lord we pray, when we are in times of doubt and worry, you provide us with the courage to ask for help, so we may look after ourselves.
In Jesus name we pray,
Amen
shared by Tom Hart, Youth President

A prayer for Dying Matters Awareness Week

Creator God,
We praise you for all you have made.
Life and death are part of the complex weaving of creation, and as, in this Easter Season, we focus on the resurrection of Christ, help us to be willing to talk about dying in confident and open ways.
We thank you for all who support people at the end of life and we pray for and with all who mourn loved ones at this time.
Help us to create caring spaces where we and others feel supported to talk about dying, our hope and fears, our plans and needs.
All with the hope of eternal life in Christ,
Amen.
Prayer shared by Revd Michaela Youngson, Assistant Secretary of the Conference