District News – 9 April 2024

This Week's News

District Gathering

Saturday 20 April from 9:30am

A reminder that the deadline to register for the District Gathering (including District Synod) is on Friday. We have a full day planned around the theme of with God's help I willl...care for myself whilst supporting others. Revd Nel Shallow, a pioneer presbyter in the Yorkshire West District, will lead us in learning more about the importance of caring for ourselves.
We will be exploring different ways of engaging our senses for wellbeing, sharing stories from around the District plus four workshops are available to take part in in after lunch. Find more here and book a place for a friend too.
https://www.sheffieldmethodist.org/about-us/synod.html
Don't miss out!

Calling on Parliamentary candidates to act on poverty!

As we approach a General Election, an online briefing and training session on Thursday 18 April from 7-8.30pm is being organised by the Methodist Church along with ecumenical partners, and charities such as the Trussell Trust and Christian Aid. Everyone is invited to plan and prepare to meet with their Members of Parliament and Parliamentary candidates to discuss how to make UK and global poverty a priority, and to pick up practical tips and ideas for holding successful meetings that can make a real difference in our communities and our world. Tickets can be booked here.

Mental Health First Aid Training

If you would like to learn more about mental health, andwant to learn how to support others around their mental health, then MHFA is the right course for you. The course will teach you how to recognise, respond and signpost, will equip you with a 'tool kit' and give you the confidence needed for this important role.
Sheffield Methodist Circuit now offers the course at a subsidy:

• £99 per person
• £50 for Methodist members.
• Free for Sheffield based Methodist members or staff.

Full 2 days attendance are mandatory. Booking is essential and is via Eventbrite, please find dates and links below.

• 6th & 7th June – https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/mental-health-first-aid-course-tickets-858720936437
• 4th & 11th July – https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/mental-health-first-aid-course-tickets-858720936437

In addition, the Methodist Church offers the course online, which has been subsidised to £60.
See the poster for more details.

District Office News

Office closed

The office will be closed from Wednesday to Friday this week whilst I am at the Lay Employee retreat. I will be able to respond to emails during this time, but will not be able to answer the phone!

GDPR update

Don't forget that the annual checklist needs to be completed by all churches and circuits by the end of May. So far we have 7 completed!
Thank you to all those who have attended the training sessions – I hope you found them useful.
If you were not able to attend them, I'll be looking at finding some dates in early May.
If you have any questions or concerns about any aspects of Data Protection – please do not hesitate to get in touch.

Retention Schedule

Retention Schedule was updated in January 2024. This important document is a table listing all the different types of records commonly held by Local Churches, Circuits and Districts. It confirms how long to keep each type of record and what to do at the end of the retention period. You can find it on the Methodist Church website here: https://www.methodist.org.uk/for-churches/office-holders/archivists/
Events

Festivals-a tool for rural mission

Tuesday 16 April – 1pm

Building confidence around being a Christian presence at rural festivals through hearing experiences and sharing stories.
A panel of speakers will share their experiences of attending rural festivals and offering their top tips.

• Carollyn McDonald is a retired priest whose ministry was in suburban and rural contexts in Derbyshire. She has experience in well dressing festivals as well as village and country festivals. Carollyn is now living in rural Northumberland supporting Churches Together, and everyday Spirituality.
• Andrew Webb is rural lead for the Yorkshire West Methodist District and lives and works on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales national Park. He is part of the Church on Show Committee which organises the churches presence at the Great Yorkshire Show.
• Alison Fletcher is part of the Derbyshire Rural Chaplaincy team and has a wealth of experience fo being present at festivals.
• Katie Deadman-Vernall is a Learning Development manager based in South Hampshire and has been a part of the inception, design, delivery and review of mission in rural festivals.

There will also be opportunities to share experiences in smaller break-out groups.
Book your place here: https://240416-Festivals.eventbrite.co.uk
Positively Rural is an online community hosted by the Learning Network, but open to anyone of any denomination involved in rural ministry, including volunteers, lay workers and clergy.

South Yorkshire Administrators!

Our next meeting is on Tuesday 16 April on the theme: Spreadsheets and Prophecy – being valued
"Administrators. They are the people who get things done. The often-unseen teams of people who turn vision into reality. The gift of administration is also the one that is often overlooked" – Spreadsheets and Prophecy, Sharon J. Clark.
At our April gathering we will be looking at our calling to Church Administration, taking inspiration from the UCAN publication; Spreadsheets and Prophecy. We will share what give us joy about our work and what can sometimes take that joy away.
Our location will be All Saints Church, Ecclesall, S11 7PP
Timings: 9am arrival, 9.15 opening prayers, closed by 10.30-10.45
Sign up here if you would like to come: members and non-members both welcome! https://ucan.churchsuite.com/events/nc6lrjm1

Vacancies

Operations Manager

Derbyshire North East Circuit

The successful candidate will have a leading role in relation to property and financial management, operations and compliance, and administration across the circuit.

The primary aim will be to reduce the management and administrative burden on ministers and volunteers, releasing their time and energy for mission and ministry.
We are searching for an individual who has strong interpersonal skills and experience on the wide range of issues that charitable bodies and churches are faced with today. Ideally you will have a knowledge and experience of Methodist procedures and structures or a willingness and ability to learn quickly.
Closing date – 12 April – deadline extended!
More details here: https://www.sheffieldmethodist.org/recruitment/vacancies/operations-manager.html

Finance Manager

Cliff College is hiring!

Cliff College, situated in Calver in Derbyshire, is a busy College with students living onsite and others studying remotely. The College also houses a conference centre, with bedrooms and meeting rooms available for hire, and is the home of the annual Cliff College Festival. They are now seeking to appoint a full-time Finance Manager to oversee and manage the finances of the College. More information can be found on the Cliff College website ( https://www.cliffcollege.ac.uk/news-events/hiring-finance-manager ), and the closing date for applications is midday on Tuesday 30 April.

Girls' Brigade Ministries – Finance Manager

We seek to appoint a proactive finance professional to oversee and manage the finance function atGirls' Brigade Ministries.
Whilst the role is a part-time post, we welcome suggestions from applicants for all types of workingarrangement, on the understanding that there is a need for at least one day each month to be spent onsite at our head office in the Peak District, on the Cliff College campus.
Full details can be found in the recruitment pack here
Informal enquiries may be addressed to our Chief Executive Officer, Judith Davey-Cole. Contact Judithby email in the first instance at judith.davey-cole@gb-ministries.org.
Please note that applications sent directly to this email address will not be accepted.
To make an application send an up-to-date CV with a detailed covering letter outlining your interest inthe post by email to our external HR support partners at sarah@crawfordhr.com.

And finally ...

from the Methodist Prayer Handbook

Sensitive God,
as you hid your face from those who went before,
knowing that we cannot grasp the full measure of your glory,
thank you that so often in the quiet, hidden places you make your treasures known,
teaching patient openness, and revealing depths of meaning and compassion or heights of possibility and hope.
For treasures hidden in the gentle smile or kindly act, thank you.
For courageous care and generosity of spirit, thank you.
For persistent justice-seeking and moments of reconciliation, thank you.
For all that illuminates the darkness in our own and others' lives, thank you.
Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer,
enable us to see and share your treasure, guiding and upholding into love and life for all.
Amen.

James Tebbutt, District Chair, Cumbria District