District News – 8 July 2025

This Week's News

Chair's Leaving Gift

Final reminder that the collection towards Revd Gill Newton's leaving gift closes on Wednesday 9 July. If you would like to contribute you can do so via the online Collection Pot: https://app.collectionpot.com/pot/3358452

District Gathering including Synod

Saturday 13 September

Our next District Gathering will be on the theme of Rooted, Relevant and Reimagined – being the church for today's world. Everyone is welcome to this free event, whether you are coming for the first time, have attended previous District Gatherings, or are a member of our Synod.
Join us for a day of learning, sharing and worship with a buffet lunch provided as we offer an opportunity to renew existing connections across our District and meet new people.
Book your place here: https://buytickets.at/sheffieldmethodistdistrict/1774031

Methodist Conference 2026

Within the District Gathering we will hold the life of Methodism across our district in prayer, renew our relationship with our wider Connexional church, and make any formal decisions required of us as a district – the work of the representative synod.
An important part of the business is electing representatives to the Methodist Conference.
This year we need to elect one minister to serve for one year and one lay person to serve for one year. Each member of Synod may nominate one person, whose consent must be obtained prior to nomination and who must be a member of a Methodist church within the Sheffield District. The nomination must be supported by two Synod members.
The form can be downloaded here: Conference Representative Nomination

Sad News

The funeral of Deacon Mavis Plater will be on Tuesday 29 July, 2;3pm at Storrs Road Methodist Church and 3:30pm at Chesterfield Crematorium. Donations in memory of Mavis will go to Ashgate House Nursing Home.
We continue to hold her family and friends in our prayers.

Faith, Hope and The Journey

Podcast with Ashley Cooper, Principle of Cliff College

In this episode of Faith, Hope and The Journey we speak to Ashley Cooper, Principle of Cliff College in the Peak District. He talks about his life, his ministry, his work at the theological college and his future plans. He is about to embark on a new adventure in America where he will be an Executive Pastor. This is an extended version of the podcast so feel free to listen in parts or just get comfy and enjoy the conversation.
You can listen to it on our website or you'll find it from your usual podcast provider https://www.sheffieldmethodist.org/podcast.html

Celebration Event at the UTU

UTU celebrates the work of a remarkable quintet of people with a "bring and share" celebration lunch onSat 26 July from 11.30am to 2.30pm
John Vincent prophetic and radical Biblical scholar and minister who began it all and challenged and inspired so many; Ian Duffield who so ably supported, cajoled and herded our Professional Doctorate and PhD students through their researches, and his much more than side-kick, Robin Pagan; Rob Hoch-Yidokodiltona who joined us four years back to develop and oversee all our courses; and Jill Wagg who has supported, cajoled and herded the staff and Trustees as our Office Administrator.
For more information and booking:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/celebration-event-tickets-1465479341159

Threads Through the Cross: A Powerful Journey in Silk and Stitch

This summer, Sheffield Cathedral will be transformed into a vibrant tapestry of colour, silk, and sacred storytelling, as it welcomes the stunning exhibition Threads through the Cross by renowned textile artist Jacqui Parkinson. Opening on 7 August, the exhibition invites visitors on a powerful journey through the final days of Jesus's life – and what came after – told through 18 bold and beautiful stitched panels.

District Safeguarding Officers Update:

Misinformation briefing – How Hate Spreads

Taken from the Connexional Safeguarding Bulletin – July 2025.
Over the past few years the amount of information we receive, particularly via social media has increased significantly and can enlighten and educate us. But the opposite can also be true with overwhelming, inaccurate or just dangerous ideas and falsehoods being shared.
Misinformation can spread rapidly, causing ructions and reinforcing negative attitudes that can lead to violent and aggressive behaviour towards others. One of the most prolific examples of this happened in July 2024, following the fatal stabbing of 3 children in Southport. The hate generated towards a group of people from a particular ethnic background quickly escalated, resulting in widespread riots which involved confrontations with the police. The intended victims were portrayed as figures of hate with people wanting to abuse them both verbally and physically. Some even wanted to kill them. Unfortunately, some were verbally abused and physically attacked.
Ironically, most of the information these people had received was false, yet thousands of them acted on this without question. How did this happen, and how could this be prevented in the future? This briefing explores this whole area, whilst also examining some possible solutions.
Read the briefing: Misinformation briefing – How Hate Spreads 2024

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
Alison Hill -District Safeguarding Officer.

Events

Chair's Leaving Service

Sunday 20 July at 3pm

All are welcome as we say goodbye to the Revd Gill Newton at Greenhill Methodist Church, Sheffield. The service will be followed by light refreshments.

Lighthouse Homes Summer Fair

Saturday 12 July from 11am

Lighthouse Homes are holding their Summer Fair fundraiser 11am – 3pm on Saturday 12 July at 2 Barnsley Road, Wath upon Dearne, Rotherham, S63 6PY. Learn more about work of this ecumenical charity in our recent podcast interview https://www.sheffieldmethodist.org/podcast.html and then head across to Wath on 12th to meet staff and residents.

EcoFest25

Saturday 27 September from 10am-2pm

Emmanuel Methodist Church, Barnsley are hosting another EcoFestival on the theme : Healthy Planet, healthy you.
Free fun for the family with displays, activities and stalls. Plus – bring your bike for a free check!

The Samuel Chadwick Lecture 2025

Thursday 16 October 2025

Our annual Samuel Chadwick Lecture will take place on Thursday 16 October 2025. The theme will be History, Church Growth and the Spirit, and this year the lecture can be attended onsite at Cliff College or online via Zoom.
The keynote speaker for this event will be Professor William K Kay, Professor Emeritus in Theology at Wrexham University and founding director of the Centre for Pentecostal and Charismatic Studies at Bangor University. Professor Kay's research interests include the history of Pentecostal and charismatic movements, and the lecture will draw on this research. The formal response will be from Dr Ben Pugh, director of the Samuel Chadwick Centre.
Book your place here: https://www.cliffcollege.ac.uk/news-events/samuel-chadwick-lecture-2025

Vacancies

Finance Officer

Sheffield Circuit

The Sheffield Circuit seek to appoint an experienced Finance Officer to support and develop the professional function of financial matters within the Circuit.
Main responsibilities:

• Work collaboratively with and support the Circuit Superintendency and Circuit Treasurer in all finance related matters;
• Support and develop the professional function of financial matters within the Circuit;
• Work well with the Circuit Finance Group (CFG)

Enquiries and informal conversations about the role are encourages. We ask that you direct such contact to Matt Irons, Circuit Treasure, by email at matirons@gmail.com
The job description and an application form can be downloaded from the Vacancies page of the District website: https://www.sheffieldmethodist.org/recruitment/vacancies/circuit-vacancies.html
Closing date for applications: midday on Friday 11 July

Lay Pastor

A heart for outreach, evangelism and mission, and a passion for caring for people?

St Martin's Church and Community Centre is a vibrant and dynamic community hub in the centre of one of Derby's most disadvantaged neighbourhoods. It is a centre of mission and outreach for the community.
We are seeking a person who can both initiate and continue mission and ministries to engage our community and to create pathways to introduce and deepen faith in Christ while caring for the congregation and membership.
The post is for 20 hours a week. Salary per annum £15,990 from 1st September 2025
There is a genuine Occupational Requirement for the post holder to be a Christian.
For more information, please contact the Derby Methodist Circuit Office, office@derbymethodists.org.uk
For a telephone conversation please contact Rev Chris Briggs, 07851 749215.
Closing date for applications: Friday 18th July 2025
Interviews on: Wednesday 6th August 2025
St Martin's Church and Community Centre, Flint Street, Allenton DE24 9BH

Faith in Action Project Worker

Student Christian Movement (SMC)

SCM is looking to appoint a Faith in Action Project Worker to join our small and dynamic staff team:
The responsibilities of the Faith in Action Project Worker centre around inspiring students to come together in community and helping them to deepen and act on their faith together.
In this role, you will be a theologian to make other theologians, and will provide the framework for students to be able to reflect theologically on their life and modern Christian Living. You will be responsible for growing the breadth of SCM's Faith in Action resources, and discovering new ways of connecting with the current membership via the trends of social media or engaging in face-to-face reflections. An activist to make other activists, you will coordinate social action for SCM, engaging the membership in social justice projects that maximise our impact in society and the world.
If this role excites you, please visit www.movement.org.uk/vacancies to download a detailed recruitment pack and application form.
Closing date for applications: Thursday 17th July 2025 at 12 noon
Interviews to be held: Thursday 24th July 2025
Start date: 1st September

Trustees needed

METHODIST ACADEMIES and SCHOOLS TRUST (MAST)

MAST is a Methodist Schools Academy which has been granted delegated powers from Connexion as the religious authority for 66 schools, overseeing 15,000 pupils all over England.
We are looking for Trustees from all parts of England and all walks of life who have experience in Governance and/or Education and who are passionate about education and wish to make a difference in the education of mostly primary-aged pupils. For the majority of our pupils, attending a Methodist School is the only connection they have with Church. Trustees meet four times a year, three times in London and once at a Methodist School.
If you are interested in the role, please contact Annette Foster, afoster.trustee@methodistschools.org.uk, with a CV and a letter explaining why you are applying for the role.

And finally ...

A prayer for refugees

God of justice,
open our ears to hear as you do,
open our hearts to care as you do,
open our lips to speak as you do,
that we may offer our voices
for those who are silenced,
whatever their language, land or lot,
and so may your will be done,
on earth as in heaven. Amen.
Jennifer Hurd, District Chair, Wales Synod Cymru