District News – 9 January 2024

This Week's News

Gill On Tour

https://www.sheffieldmethodist.org/.../gill-on-tour.html
Gill Newton continues her tour of the Methodist Connexion as President of Conference. In her first blog of 2024 you can read about visits to Birmingham, Wolverhampton, Shrewsbury, Sheffield, York. Shropshire and Cornwall plus more.

Getting Started Online – District Digital Training Day

You are invited to Getting Started Online, our District Digital Training Day on Saturday 27th January 2024 at Wesley Hall, Sheffield.
Your hosts for the day are Samantha Roberts, District Communications Officer, Fiona Fidgin, Digital Communications Training Officer (Connexional Team) and Ali Johnson, Digital Evangelist (Cliff College).
We will be exploring Digital Evangelism, developing a digital strategy, encouraging engagement online, branding and visual identity, how to build a content plan and roles and responsibilities.
We are offering interactive, hands on training so please bring with you a laptop or iPad/tablet or mobile phone fully charged, which ever you usually use to get online.
There will be 1-2-1 or small group opportunities to spend time with Ali Johnson if you'd like to ask specific questions about your presence online or to try something new.
Lunch and refreshments will be provided on the day, so booking in advance is required: https://buytickets.at/sheffieldmethodistdistrict/1012345

Net Zero newsletter

The Connexional Team are thinking of starting a Net Zero Newsletter. If you think this is a good idea, could you complete this survey to help them what people need/want from such a newsletter.
Net Zero Newsletter Survey

Cliff College's new MA Theology and Mission programme

Cliff College is an evangelical learning community which is rooted in God's Word and Spirit, for the purpose of equipping God's people for practical ministry and cutting-edge missional engagement.
Their new MA Theology and Mission* programme, available from September 2024, equips students to explore missional theology and practice in depth, to inform and enhance their own engagement in the work of God's Kingdom. Students can choose from a variety of units including biblical studies, chaplaincy, Methodist and Wesleyan identity and leadership, alongside core Missional Theology and Missional Theology in Practice units.
This course can be studied either online or at the College campus in Derbyshire, full-time or part-time. Bursaries and funding are available for those in lay and ordained ministry posts in the Methodist Church. Applications are now open: find out more and apply here.
*subject to approval from the University of Manchester

Lament Quiet Day

24 February – Whirlow Spirituality Centre

Led by Louise Carr, you will join a group exploring the themes of the exhibition together, but also with time and space to engage with the stations in your own way. Participants are also invited to book a place at the concert which will immediately follow the Quiet Day.
More details can be found here: https://www.whirlowspiritualitycentre.org/whats-on/lamentquietday

District Safeguarding Update

Guidelines for working with children, young people and vulnerable adults – Leaflets

The model church safeguarding policy states that:
'A leaflet outlining good practice and systems should be given to everyone who works with children, young people and vulnerable adults. This leaflet should be reviewed annually.' (see part D under good practice guidelines)
We have now produced two new leaflets adapted from the Safer Working Practice in the wider policy for churches to use:
Safer Working Practices with Children and Young People
Safer Working Practices with Adults
You can also find these leaflets on the Policies and guidance (methodist.org.uk) page.
Nicola Sylvester, Safeguarding Policy Manager

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.

Events

Reflect Quiet Mornings

26/27 January 2024

Exploring life with Brigid of Kildare
The Quiet Morning 'Exploring Life' is running twice -- same time on 27th January 2024 -- 9.30-12.15
Revd Judith Jessop is leading the morning on St Brigid
Full details on the poster

Mental Health First Aid Training 2024

Sheffield Methodist Circuit are pleased to advertise the Mental Health First Aid courses for Spring 2024.
If you would like to learn more about mental health, and want 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.
These are some of the comments from the last two courses held in the Sheffield Circuit;
'Excellent course' 'Excellent presenter' 'Excellent course material' 'Would strongly advise at least 1 person in every workplace, community, charity, church, should do this course' 'The need is out there!' 'Excellent course' 'Informative and helpful workbook with group exercises that were challenging but useful in putting theory into practice.'

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

• 25th & 26th January – https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/mental-health-first-aid-course-tickets-750675539747
• 20th & 22th February – https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/mental-health-first-aid-course-tickets-763868871357
• 30th April & 2nd May – https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/mental-health-first-aid-course-tickets-763872000717

Cost
MHFA England charges £300 pp for this course. However, Sheffield Methodist Circuit now offers the course at a subsidy:

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

If finance is a problem, please speak to Tim Jansen.
For questions, please contact Tim, Email: tim.jansen@sheffieldcircuit.org.uk.

Vacancies

Synod Secretary (volunteer role))

Sheffield Methodist District invites expressions of interest for the role of Synod Secretary
The main responsibility involves planning and organising the annual Presbyteral Synod and twice-yearly Representative Synod (District Gathering). This is done with support of the Synod Planning Group.
The role can be split between a lay volunteer/deacon and a presbyter. In that situation the presbyter would only be responsible for the Presbyteral Synod.
The Synod Secretary is also a member of the District Leading Team and some District committees and is one of our representatives to Methodist Conference each year.
Full details here: https://www.sheffieldmethodist.org/.../synod-secretary.html

Lay Stationing Representative (volunteer role)

We are looking for a new Lay Stationing Representative to work within the Sheffield Methodist District.
Have you for an interest in people and their situations?
Are you a good listener and do you have a genuine concern about presbyters and deacons fulfil their calling and reach their potential in the right "station"?
If so – this role could be for you.
Full details here: https://www.sheffieldmethodist.org/recruitment/vacancies/lay-stationing-representative.html

And finally ...

A prayer for Covenant Sunday

The President of the Methodist Conference, the Revd Gill Newton, has written this prayer that you can use at your church service in addition to the traditional Covenant prayer.

Unchanging God, as we turn the page from one year to another, we are so grateful for your steadfast faithfulness. Through this last year, we have seen glimmers of your love and hopefulness in the midst of dark, painful and challenging times: new treasures once hidden, but now wonderfully revealed.

Nevertheless, we are conscious of the times
when we broke our promises to you,
when we relied on our own resources rather than drawing from the deep wells of your grace and strength,
when we expected more of ourselves than you demand of us,
when we missed the signs of your presence or
when we failed to notice your offers of light and comfort.

We are sorry and ask you to forgive us.

And now, as this new year begins, we welcome the opportunity to renew our covenant relationship with you.May we do so in the confidence that
you will continue to remain faithful to us,
your love for us will never be exhausted and
our ultimate hope is in Jesus Christ.

May our renewed relationship deepen our awareness both of your presence and activity, enabling us to discover still more of your precious treasure as this year unfolds.

In the name of Christ, Amen