District News – 9 December 2025

This Week's News

Who is Your Neighbour?

Supported by The Guardian charity appeal

Methodism in our area has supported Who Is Your Neighbour? since its beginnings in its work of inviting people to speak about their experiences and listen to others do the same. WIYN? invite people to share how things are for them, and how they are changing, in the places where they live and work. Listening with curiosity and speaking openly can help us all adapt to change and get along. They believe that safe, non-judgmental conversations matter. Facilitated group conversations take place across South Yorkshire. WIYN? now also offer training and consultancy nationally.
We are pleased to share that Who Is Your Neighbour? have been selected as one of the charities to be supported by this year's The Guardian charity appeal. The focus is on investing in hope, which resonates closely with our own Faith Over Fear resources and other initiatives across our circuits proclaiming inclusive welcome.
If you would appreciate support with holding facilitated conversations in your neighbourhood, do contact them on team@whoisyourneighbour.org.uk
More details about The Guardian appeal https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/dec/05/guardian-charity-appeal-2025-communities-hope

Gifted

During this Advent season we are reminded of the gift of Jesus and how we can share the good news to everyone that they matter and that they are loved. We are sharing candle liturgies throughout Advent and onto Epiphany, they will be shared on our social media channels and on this youtube playlist. Share with family and friends and watch out for stories, prayers and videos using the "Gifted" images.
If you have a story to share during Advent, please email District Communications Officer Sam Roberts comms@sheffieldmethodist.org
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-XPpJod_i6fC6ifP1aia7ZbyvKX6UqZf

Have you seen the Methodist Church's Christmas short film yet?

The film follows the real-life story of Sue, a member of King’s Cross Methodist Church – home to a vibrant Chinese Methodist community – as she discovers faith through a chance invitation at a local restaurant.
You can find in on YouTube and other social media channels.
They've also released new contemporary recordings of classic carols across streaming services after their popularity over previous years.
This year, new versions of Joy to the World and In the Bleak Midwinter – titled Joy! (Everything Must Sing) and The Bleak Midwinter – have been recorded, featuring Methodist singers across the tracks.
Stream Joy! (Everything Must Sing): https://linkstre.am/Joy_EverythingMustSing
Stream The Bleak Midwinter: https://linkstre.am/InTheBleakMidwinter

The Star and Nativity Festival – Retford

The Grove Methodist Church welcomes hundreds of people to The Star and Nativity Festival and each year it gets bigger and bigger. Community groups, the local schools, charities and church members create star and nativity displays which fill the church for a weekend plus hundreds and hundreds of fairly lights. A full schedule of entertainment from local groups plus refreshments and delicious cakes and bacon butties where on offer for everyone to enjoy. It always takes place on the weekend of the Retford light switch on and Revd. Julie Coates delivers a sermon with carols on the Sunday morning in the centre of town. Take a look at this video which captures a few highlights from the weekend.
https://youtu.be/OSj_XEJhga8

All We Can's Extraordinary Gifts

Are you looking for a gift with meaning this Christmas?

With every Extraordinary Gift, you will receive a card to pass on to your loved one, showing them the difference their gift could make.
All the proceeds from Extraordinary Gifts go to wherever the need is greatest across our work.
You have until Thursday 18th December to secure your Extraordinary Gifts in time for Christmas!
Let's make this Christmas Extraordinary!
Order your Extraordinary Gifts now: allwecan.org.uk/exgifts/

Shelter appeal

Home is a human right and there is something about the Christmas season that reminds many of us of the fact that many people in the UK do not have access to that right.
Millions of people continue to be devastated by the housing emergency. Homelessness holds very real dangers for families – especially children – and the lack of available support can make families feel ignored, isolated and forgotten. Families experiencing homelessness face months, if not years, in unfit temporary accommodation with little or no support.

• Every 11 minutes, a family in England becomes homeless.
• Over 172,000 children are homeless in England.
• For families experiencing homelessness Shelter is often their last hope of help.

No family should face homelessness alone this Christmas. With your support, another family could get the support they need, when they need it most.
You and your congregation can make a difference, and your help is needed now more than ever. Would you consider dedicating a service to Shelter during the Advent and Christmas season?
You could have a collection for Shelter’s work, organise a specific event, or encourage members of the congregation to support Shelter’s work, raising vital funds to support our vital services.
You are also like to invitee to the Shelter Sheffield Carol Concert featuring the Steel City Choristers: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/shelter-presents-christmas-carol-concert-with-steel-city-choristers-tickets-1559617330419

District Office Update

Office closed

The District Office will be closed from 23 December until 2 January. Most staff will be taking this time off and we hope you all also manage to find some time for relaxing during what can be a very busy time.
Emails will be checked over this period though, so anything urgent will be dealt with.

Events

Christmas Fair

Saturday 13 December 10:00 am

All welcome at Hathersage Methodist Church's Christmas Fair on 13 December, with festive hot chocolate, cakes, craft sale, plants, fairtrade coffee. Plus free Christmas craft activities (using recycled materials) for all the family. All proceeds to 'Action for Children'

26 in 26 project

Monday 15 December 10:00 am

As Christians, we are called to seek justice and challenge injustice. But making that a regular part of church life isn't always easy.
To help, Christian Aid and Church Action on Poverty have jointly launched the "26 in 26" project: an interactive poster with 26 ideas for churches to try next year.
It includes suggestions for new prayer, reflection or worship materials; ideas for engaging with community groups; and ways to speak up about topical issues effectively and justly.
Posters are free to order, from https://www.church-poverty.org.uk/justchurch/

Living Christianity in the Holy Land

A 14 day encounter with Israel Palestine Today
January 21st to February 3rd 2026
In a land marked by deep history and ongoing conflict, the Methodist Church in Britain invites you to join a unique visit to the land of Jesus – one that goes beyond traditional pilgrimage.
Organised by the Methodist Liaison Office, this is not just a tour of sacred sites. It is an opportunity to walk alongside the “living stones” – the people who call this land home – and to explore what it means to live our Christian faith in the context of complexity, hope and struggle.
For more information please contact John Howard john_d_howard@hotmail.com

Dates for the new year

Here are some events that will be taking place in the new year. There will more more details to follow, including links to book your place.

Administrators Gathering

Wednesday 4 February – venue to be decided
More details to follow.

Positively Rural

Tuesday 3 February – online
Being Positive in Rural Schools. We will be sharing how we have developed presence in rural
schools by sharing lived experiences and good practice

Lay Employees Retreat

3-6 June at Wydale Hall
This is a chance to meet up with other lay employees to explore the theme "Our Story, Our Song". Those who have attended in past have said how valuable they have found this space and time. Line managers are asked to encourage their employees to take part in this and more details will be emailed out in the new year.
Places are limited at Wydale Hall itself, but additional accommodation can be booked at the nearby Premier Inn.

Vacancies

Finance and IT Manager

Unlock – resourcing
growth & discipleship for Urban Christians Location – Station Road, RotherhamSalary – £4,973 annually for part time post
Hours – 7 hours per week
Start date – 1st quarter of 2026
Responsibilities – To establish and maintain effective finance management systems with appropriate external support, to establish and maintain effective IT systems for a small office.
Details from: – Unlock,
15 Station Rd, Rotherham, S60 1HN / 01709
380 318 / office@unlock-urban.org.uk
Closing date: – 25 January 2026

And Finally ...

A prayer for peace

We thank you, our Father and Mother, for teaching us the value of hope in the midst of the storms that accompany our lives.
We thank you for being able to share with the poorest people the hunger and thirst for love that gives meaning to life.
From our humble condition as your children, we pray that the wars will end.
We beg you to perform one of your miracles of love and wisdom so that armies may be transformed into sowers of peace, justice and fraternity for their countries and for our world.
Thank you for allowing us to be resurrected everyday thanks to the water of new life of the gospel.
Amen.
Félix A Posada Rojas, Director of CEPALC, Colombia