District News – 9 June 2026

Stories from across the District

Coffee, Cake and Companionship

A community initiative launched at High Green Methodist Church in Sheffield has exceeded all expectations in its first year, attracting growing numbers of residents seeking connection, conversation and a welcoming space.
Regular visitors say they come for more than just a good cuppa. Many describe 3C’s as a place where they feel “welcomed, accepted and safe”, and organisers have noticed an increase in confidence among those who come. People who once arrived hesitantly now move easily between tables, chatting with others as though among long standing friends.
The project was launched with a £750 New Beginnings Grant from the Sheffield Methodist District — £500 initially, followed by £250 after 12 months. John added “We simply couldn’t have started without it. It wasn’t just funding; it was encouragement to step out in faith and serve our community.”

Read the full story here

Singing the Faith wanted!

Hathersage Methodist Church is gathering a collection of Singing the Faith hymnbooks for use by its growing Sunday congregation. They are looking for copies of the words edition, music edition (single volume) and large print words edition, and are willing to collect. If you are aware of any unused editions that could be passed on, please contact the church by emailing hathersagemethodist@gmail.com

Do you want to help limit Single Use Plastic?

Sheffield Action on Plastic is a local environmental community organisation whose mission is to work with the Sheffield community to reduce single-use plastics. The group is run entirely by volunteers and everyone is welcome to get involved in this exciting and rewarding campaign.
Among other things, they offer a Reusable Cup Hire service with reusable pint cups, half pint cups, wine goblets and coffee cups, which might be of interest if your church is planning a large event.
They also have a 10-week email course to help you live with less plastic!

Find out more here

Spare Tables suitable for a playgroup or toddler group

Brightholmlee Church have reoganised and now have some tables that are surplus to requirement.
These are four "Community Playthings" "MultiTables", including two half-moon MultiTables and two rectangular MultiTables which can be configured in various versatile combinations. for example, two half-moon MultiTables will make a round one or slot one or two rectangular ones between for a spacious oval as pictured.
MultiTables are sturdy and can be spiral stacked – or, the legs quickly unscrew and clip into the leg holder underneath for compact storage or transportation. The adjustable legs allow you to alter the table height in increments from 40 to 59 cm. The easy to clean top is laminated on both sides with heat sealed edges to prevent warping. Each table is 56cm wide by 112cm long and recommended for ages 2 to 8 years, working best with chairs that have a seat height of 21 to 35 cm
If anyone is interested in them, please contact Ann Croft – annecoft11@gmail.com

Metal Methodist Worship

Saturday 20 June / Saturday 18 July 3:00 pm

Metal Methodist Worship will take place at St Paul's Methodist Church, Dronfield in June and July. Come along at 3pm on Saturday 20 June and Saturday 18 July for chat, heavy music and worship with an alternative vibe. All welcome! Please get in touch with Kate, Metal Methodist Development Worker, for more info on katemetalmethodist@outlook.com

Youth Worker wanted

Bents Green Methodist Church are looking for a Youth Worker to maintain their successful clubs for primary-age and secondary age children and to play an active part in supporting and developing otehr activities for young people, families and the wider church community.
This is a part-time vacancy, 20 hours a week to be worked flexibly.
For more information and an application form email johnwilkins73@gmail.com.
The deadline for applications is midday on 22 June.

Save the Date

Bansley Circuit are holding EcoFest'26 on 19 September at Emmanuel Methodist Church from 10am -2pm.
A time to celebrate, collaborate and learn how to save our planet!

District news and updates

Sad News

We were sorry to learn of the recent death of Rev Kim Goh, a supernumerary in the Derbyshire North East District. We hold his wife, Mary, and family and friends in our prayers.
The funeral/thanksgiving service will be on Friday 12 June at 3pm at Walton Evangelical Church.

Office closed

A reminder that the District Office will be closed from Thursday 18 June until Monday 22 June. I will be out of contact during this time as I will be volunteering at the Solas Festival near Perth. (Solas is Scotland’s midsummer festival and has been running since 2009, run on similar lines to the Greenbelt Festival, which I also volunteer at!)

Regional Officer for Safeguarding Update:

The Positives of Safeguarding – work with the media team

The report, ‘Courage, Cost and Hope’ was a pivotal moment for safeguarding in the Methodist Church. Ten years later, I am still reminded by many, in particular ecumenical colleagues as to what an ambitious and progressive report this was. I continue to be proud to be told that Methodist safeguarding is ‘ahead of the game’ and my counterparts from our ecumenical partners often tell me that they ‘watch and wait’ to see what we do.
When you mention the word ‘safeguarding’ it represents what some see as unnecessary obstacles and administrative overload. I continue to meet with my Methodist colleagues during my working days and when asked where I work and/or what I do the reply of ‘safeguarding’ will sometimes result in a frown or a cynical remark. I do not take this personally but realise there is still some way to go in enlightening people that safeguarding is about looking after each other and ensuring our churches and church communities are safe for all. Safeguarding should be seen as natural with resulting positive actions and not something that gets in the way.
Read more here The Positives of Safeguarding – Working with the media team
Karen Allen, Regional Safeguarding Manager – North East

Advanced Module Training

Unfortunately we have had to cancel the final face-to-face training session which was to take place on Saturday 4 July, due to insufficient numbers booked on to make this viable.
Our apologies if you were planning to attend this session. I am aware that sometimes the message about when and where the training is taking place doesn't always reach those who need to do the training, nor does the message about the need to book on in good time. Most of our events will have deadlines that you need to book on by. For the Safeguarding training, this is to allow time for material to be posted out.
The Regional Team are working on dates for the next connexional year, and a reminder will be sent to those who we know need to renew in 2026/27 as soon as these have been confirmed.

Fraudster Alert

We have received reports of an individual suspected of attempting to obtain money or assistance from church groups using different identities.
What to look out for
The individual may:

• Request cash, accommodation, or travel funds
• Use urgent or distressing stories
• Apply pressure for immediate help

What not to do

• Do not give cash or direct financial support
• Do not share personal contact details

Other News

Helen Davis Family Foundation Grant

The Methodist Church are really pleased to be able to offer two grants from the Helen Davis Family Foundation to support the work of Local Lay-Pastors and Local Preachers in MCGB. Helen Davis was a Methodist from Canterbury and The Helen Davis Family Foundation exists to provide grants, including support for lay learning in The Methodist Church, especially for those who would not otherwise be able to study. Trustees are aware that Helen remembered her time at Cliff College with great fondness and we are extremely grateful to The Foundation for making these two grants available for courses at Cliff College. Expressions of interest should be made in the first instance to The Ministries Team at MCB by 15 June 2026 (mvw@methodistchurch.org.uk)

Grant 1

• Local Lay-Pastors study up to six modules at Cliff College as part of their training. The Helen Davis Family Foundation local lay pastor bursary of £1,200 is available to replace the circuit funding for one person from a circuit which may find itself hard pressed to cover the normal 50% cost of six modules. This may be split into up to three smaller allocations if more than one expression of interest is received.

Grant 2

• The Helen Davis Family Foundation local preacher bursary of £1,100 is available to local preachers wishing to study all/some of the modules of the MA in Theology and Mission in 2026 at Cliff College.

How Can We Live as Peacemakers in a Disordered World?

‘Practising Peace’ is the theme of a five-day residential event at the beautiful Ripon College, Cuddesdon, Oxford, taking place 12–17 July and organised by the Community for Spiritual Formation.
Within a rhythm of worship, listening, silence and teaching, the theme will be unpacked by Barbara Glasson and Steve Radley, plus opportunities to respond through weaving facilitated by Ruth Sprague.

Read more and register here

Have your say on digital in our Church

Whoever you are, whatever your role: minister, steward, regular worshipper, volunteer helping out, family member of someone in the church – we'd genuinely like to hear from you. You don't need a digital background, or any particular knowledge, or to be part of any group.
We're asking everyone across the Methodist Church to contribute to this programme of work. We're posting on social media, putting links in emails, asking circuits to place inserts into bullitens and sending out postcards to churches.
We're trying as hard as possible to listen to as many people as possible.
Tell us about digital and the Methodist Church
What's working, what's frustrating, what worries you, what you hope for.
Share your view

Upcoming Events

New Church Gathering

Saturday 13 June

For anyone who is involved in leading (in any capacity), or preparing to lead, a new Christian community. An opportunity to spend quality time with the growing network of fellow pioneers following similar callings in other places across or affiliated to Sheffield Methodist District.
Our hosts will be Manor Church & Community Project, a Christian charity rooted in Sheffield's Manor Estate. Our morning will be led by Mark North, our Faith Rooted Community Organising Lead, and will focus on the interaction between community organising and pioneering.
Reserve your space and free lunch here – https://buytickets.at/sheffieldmethodistdistrict/2140476

Urban Theology Union

Kindom Evangelism Seminar

Tues 23 June 10 for 10.30am by Zoom
Faith sharing from a kindom-building perspective has been promulgated by UTU since it’s inception, using Mark’s gospel as the core text. It is a methodology that is rooted in radical and liberation theology but can be theologically open, does not have a proscribed set of actions or responses, but does hope that people will want to become followers of Jesus and kindom-builders in their own pace and way.
This month we will be looking particularly at speaking into communities that are divided and the work of Better Story – a group set up to encourage Christians in dialogues of understanding with right wing protestors. Facilitator: Erica Dunmow
Join the group on Zoom for introductory chat from 10.00am and we will focus our discussion from 10.30 to finish by 11.30.
Zoom link

Urban Theology Seminar

Girard, Refugees, Victimhood and Theology
The next Urban Theology Seminar will take place online on Tuesday, 7th July 2026, from 11am–1pm, featuring guest speaker Paul Fitzpatrick.
Paul will present a thought-provoking session exploring how the ideas of René Girard intersect with contemporary questions surrounding refugees, victimhood, and Christian theology. Drawing on both doctoral research and practical experience, the seminar will offer valuable insight for anyone interested in urban mission, theology, social justice, and the lived realities of communities on the margins.
This stand-alone session is open to students, practitioners, academics, church leaders, and anyone interested in theology, mission, and urban life.
To sign up and receive the joining details, please contact the UTU office: office@utusheffield.org.uk

Whirlow Spirituality Centre

Annual Gathering

Everyone is invited to join us at the Centre from 10.45am – 12 noon on Tuesday 23rd June (following Reflective Communion) to meet with our trustees, hear about the work and life of the Centre, ask questions and give feedback. Hot and cold drinks and cake will be on offer.

“What Brings Me Closer To God?”

We're hoping to offer a regular session on third Sunday evenings at the Centre entitled “What Brings Me Closer To God?”. To do this, Alison is hoping to find people willing to share something (music, art, literature, nature, etc) that engages them in this way. If you would like to offer something and talk about it with a facilitator on one of these evenings (or possibly pre-recorded to play at one of the sessions) please contact Alison chaplain@whirlowspiritualitycentre.org

Peace, Justice, and Care of Creation – is there Hope?

A Lay Seminar is taking place in Italy in October.
Many people are concerned about the future of our world. They are looking for sources of hope and inspiration.
We will reflect on this global theme at the 17thEuropean Lay Seminar. We will share experiences from our own church life with
other lay people from the Methodist family in Europe. The Methodist Church in Italy (Chiesa Evangelica Metodista d‘Italia) runs a conference center not far from Rome, the Centro Ecumene. We will have an inspiring time there in the southern Italy autumn. You can expect a change of perspective, cross-border contacts, spiritual impulses, time for sharing, relaxing evenings and an excursion to Rome.

More information on the booking form which can be downloaded here: Velletri-Oct-2026

Glimmers – ArtServe Festival 2026

23 – 25 October – Kents Hill Park Conference Centre, Milton Keynes

Join us as we explore the ‘Glimmers’ in our lives: the small, often unexpected moments that bring us closer to God and closer to one another, that deepen our faith, and renew our strength for the next step on our journey. What are they? Where might we encounter them? And how can we respond in creative ways?

Explore the Festival theme with author and creative artist Wendy Usher.

Hone a skill or try something new in three creative workshops, including stained glass, dance, fabric postcards, photography, outdoor worship, creative writing, off-loom weaving, and music.

Join Maria the ‘flibbertigibbet nun-turned-governess’—and author Bryony Wood—for an evening of laughter, reflection and singing.

...plus worship, fellowship, good food, and much more!

A chance to meet up with other Christian creatives, to practise our creative skills and learn new ones, and to share our creative faith journeys together.
For full information and booking details visit: www.artserve.org.uk

And Finally

A reflection from the District Chair

I have been thinking about the word "good" today.

Yesterday I wished someone a "good day," and they asked me, "Define good." It led to a very interesting conversation.

I often end my weekly emails to you by saying, "Have a good week." But what do I actually mean by that?

I don't necessarily mean a week without problems or disappointments. Life doesn’t work like that.
What I mean is this........

I hope you have a week where you discover moments of peace amidst the busyness, find reasons to hope when things feel uncertain, receive encouragement when you need it, experience affirmation that reminds you that you are valued, enjoy cooperation rather than conflict, and carve out a little time to do something that brings you joy.

So, there you have it my definition of a good week.