Our Presidential Visit

The President of the Methodist Conference Revd. Richard Andrew visited our district at the weekend and explored many churches and projects. From large church renovations and birthday celebrations to heavy metal worship and feeding the homeless. Sheffield District has many stories to tell.

On Saturday Revd. Andrew planted a commemorative tree outside The Christian Centre in Stocksbridge to mark the completion of over half a million pounds of investment to transform the centre into a vibrant and essential hub for the local community. The redevelopment included the creation of a multi-use community hub and worship area, with a new kitchen, upgraded entrances, and a dedicated family play and learning space. It also created a new home for the Food Bank, with a community shop and a community coffee shop.

Later that day he visited, Brightholmlee Methodist Church which is preparing for its own major transformation. Built in 1807 by a friend of John Wesley, it is the oldest serving church in the Sheffield District and North Derbyshire. Following a community meeting in which around 40 residents shared their needs and hopes for the building, the church responded with an ambitious vision for its future. To make that vision possible, £526,000 in grant funding, along with an additional £20,000 from Sheffield Methodist District, has been secured to modernise the historic building. Among the most exciting developments is the creation of a village theatre inside the church, offering a new cultural and social space for the wider community.

On Saturday evening Revd. Andrew experienced Metal Compline with the Metal Methodist. Revd. James Morley created this New Place for New People (NPNP) project several years ago as a safe and inclusive space to explore a love of heavy music and the Christian faith (particularly from a Methodist perspective). With almost 1,000 followers online, Metal Methodist is an ever-growing community.

Sunday was an early start with a live chat on BBC Radio
Sheffield. You can listen again here https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002t09x
fast forward to 1:13:30

Then it was time for birthday celebrations, and no birthday is complete without cake. Revd. Andrew led worship at Killamarsh Methodist Church in the morning celebrating 150 years of Methodism in the village. He heard all about and chatted to a ‘small congregation punching above its weight’ who have the community at its heart, who welcomes all, celebrates diversity and has many plans for the future.

In the afternoon Bolsover Methodist Church celebrated 200 years of Methodism in the area. To mark this a special exhibition was displayed in the church form 23rd – 29th March and drew on hundreds of photographs from Bolsover Civic Society and Bolsover Library. The images reveal choirs in full voice, bustling bazaars, Sunday School anniversaries, and community gatherings that span generations. Though many of the chapels pictured have since been demolished, their stories live on in the memories of local
people.

Revd. Andrew spent his final day in the district in the Doncaster Circuit where he joined with the CLT and in the evening spent time
with the outreach team at Tickhill Methodist Church who feed the homeless every Monday evening outside Christ Church in Doncaster City Centre. They feed around 50 homeless and vulnerable people each week offering sandwiches, hot drinks and
sometimes chocolate bars and pastries thanks to donations. They also hand out sleeping bags, coats, hats and gloves that people generously donate to the team.

There was also time for Revd. Andrew to visit Lighthouse Homes in Rotherham. It’s a Christian Charity originally set up by Rotheram and Dearne Valley Circuit to relieve poverty and advance the education of people, particularly those who are homeless. Christian inspired residential communities provide opportunities for change in lifestyle and values.

Revd. Richard Andrew said: “The Sheffield District has always had a special place in my heart because this is where I began my ministry, so I was particularly looking forward to this visit. What’s really inspired me is that everywhere I’ve been, whether it’s a church facing out towards its community, a leadership team looking to its future, an anniversary celebration, a new worshiping community, or a deep heart for justice, I’ve found the same thing. There is a real sense of finding the extraordinary in the ordinary here and I think that this should fill us with hope for the future."