District News – 12 January 2021

This Week's News

Sad News

We were very sorry to learn of the recent death of Dr James (Jim) Wilson, who was an active member in the Doncaster Circuit and a former Grants Officer for the District. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Margaret, son Richard, and all the family.

Safeguarding Update

I want to draw your attention to a scam that is currently doing the rounds regarding the Covid-19 vaccine.

People are being warned about a fake NHS text which is demanding bank details from people waiting for a coronavirus vaccine.
Liverpool City Council said in a "scam alert" that the message had been "circulating", advising people they were eligible for a COVID-19 jab.
The National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) also tweeted a warning, reminding those waiting to be immunised that "vaccinations are free". "The NHS will never arrive unannounced at your home to administer the vaccine. They will never ask for bank/card details, PIN or banking passwords."
The NPCC is asking people to share the alert with "friends and family who may be at risk or who are expecting to receive a vaccine".
If you get such a text I recommend you contact your GP, explained you have received the text message and ask if they sent it.

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.uk.
Many thanks

Alison Hill District Safeguarding Officer.

For such a time as this – passionate contextual worship

How often do you come out a service thinking "If only I had invited my friend/ family member/ neighbour/ colleague. They would have loved it" How does our worship need to change so that they would, and we do? Read more about passionate contextual worship, the second theme of our new strategy for resourcing your mission, in this blog from Neil Harland, our Mission Development Support Worker.

We will be praying as a district for passionate contextual worship for such a time as this at in our weekly District Zoom prayer gatherings on 1pm Thursdays or 8pm Mondays – all welcome.

Advent Carols – Sheffield 2020

An enormous "THANK YOU" from the Sheffield Christian Aid committee to all who took part! Here are the stats:

• 21 of you wonderful people and/groups contributed 40 carols in total.
• On our JustGiving page we raised an amazing £2,526 from 98 supporters – more than double what we usually make at our "normal" carol singing on Fargate and nobody got cold and wet doing it this year...
• The Youtube channel had 224 subscribers and our most viewed carol got 687 views.

So, an amazing success and all down to your help – we really can't thank you enough! Not only have we raised vital funds for Christian Aid's work but people have really enjoyed listening to the carols and have looked forward to hearing something different everyday.

Events

Whirlow Spirituality Centre

Good cheer may not come easily – but we hope Whirlow's offerings this first month of 2021 will be useful to some. For the time-being, face-to-face services are cancelled. There is still plenty going on!

Do get in touch with us if there are particular things we might do that you would appreciate at this time. Leave a message on 01142 353704 or email: admin@whirlowspiritualitycentre.org

January Simple Quiet Day from Whirlow

As 2021 starts, Whirlow Spirituality Centre offers an online Quiet Day for rest and renewal.
via Zoom, 19 January, 11am to 4pm. £5.
Participants can use our weekly reflection to start or prepare for the day if they wish. Other materials will be issued in advance. On the day, a welcome and introduction at 11am precede a time of silence, followed by optional lunchtime and closing prayers.
For anyone new to silence, this will be a good introduction. For those who are familiar with it, the day is an opportunity to set the tone for this new year.
Book here.

L&D Book Club

2 February – 7:00pm

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwrcuyuqT0sEtG0TCiOgpI2Ame54Fd7lj1L
The Learning and development Group is beginning a book club in the New Year and would like to invite you to join us. The book we are beginning with is the new book by Brian McClaren entitled, 'Faith after doubt', which comes out on Jan 5th: admin@sheffieldmethodist.org for details.
Our first gathering will be on zoom on Tuesday 2nd February at 7pm and we will look at the introduction and first two chapters. We will plan to meet on the first Tuesday of the month throughout the year and plan together how much we want to read each month.

More information can be found on the flyer here: Book Club

FRONTLINE

February 3rd 2021 7pm-8.30pm

The event for young communicators in the Methodist Church
Are you a preacher or evangelist, a worship leader or small group leader?

• An evening of inspiration and training
• An opportunity to share with others
• An opportunity to be equipped

Online for anyone aged 16-30
For more information contact localpreachers@methodistchurch.org.uk or see the flyer here: Frontline

Training and Learning

What does it mean to pray daily?

January 27 – 1:30pm – Zoom webinar

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwrf-6urzsvH9DDrIjhhcRMzia8MwDeVFpz
There are many different and exciting ways to pray daily, one of the commitments of A Methodist Way of Life, as both churches and individuals. How do we make regular prayer a joyful and life-bringing experience rather than a burdensome routine? As we prepare for a Lent season that will likely remain under heavy Covid restrictions, join us to hear some encouraging stories of how daily prayer has transformed lives, and to discuss how you could encourage your community to pray daily, to draw strength and to draw closer to God. We are delighted to be joined by Rev Jane Gaffney from Rugby Methodist Church, and Brian Heasley of 24-7 Prayer.

Evangelism and Growth – Leading your church into growth

28th January 2021, 2.30-4pm

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAsd-2upjIqHNyCWFQFAYWvVHscW4ZPvjz_
Join our Connexional Evangelism and Growth Team in conversation with Leading your Church into Growth (LyCiG), an ecumenical organisation that has been seeking to equip ordinary local churches to grow for over 20 years. You will learn LyCiG's seven steps to church growth and find out about an exciting new training opportunity they are developing in partnership with Methodism. This could be an excellent opportunity to tap into expert support, for churches across the theological spectrum who have plans for mission but don't have their own recent experience of sustained growth to draw on.

The team have also recorded a new series of eight sermons for churches, circuits and study groups to use, accessible to all who subscribe to their newsletter https://www.methodist.org.uk/our-work/our-work-in-britain/evangelism-growth/subscribe-to-evangelism-and-growth-newsletters/

Preparing for Thy Kingdom Come

15 February, 1:30pm

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIsc-2hpjMjG9KDp7hQ_LpmnNzILxgvbMRo
Thy Kingdom Come is an exciting global initiative that invites Christians around the world to pray from Ascension to Pentecost for more people to come to know Jesus. Come and exchange ideas and inspiration with other Methodists across the country, and find out how the Evangelism & Growth team can support you with training and resources. This will be a really practical session to encourage Champions and church leaders to get involved in Thy Kingdom Come 2021.

Line Management Training

9 March – 10am to 4pm via Zoom

https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJUvf-GgqD0rGtf3BglVxzDh4BDyuOVaIBJi
If you are new to LineManagement, or would like a refresher on what is involved, then this is for
you.
Join the Learning Network Yorkshire Plus Team and:

• Identify the key skills and qualities needed to manage lay employees
• Gain clarity on the different functions of line management
• Understand the line manager's role in the employment cycle

See the flyer for full details . Registation deadline : 4 March

Job Vacancies

Children & Families Worker

The Aire and Calder Circuit (Yorkshire West District) is looking to appoint a Full Time Children and Families Worker to work alongside an existing Children and Families worker to continue developing links with children and families in church based activities, develop links with the community and to work in partnership with churches in the Circuit to create and strengthen relationships with local schools.

Main Responsibilities

• To work in partnership with existing groups in the Circuit churches supporting their leadership and continuing to build relationships with the children, young people and their families through face to face and online activities.
• To sustain existing links with local schools through assemblies and offer input into other activities as appropriate such as Prayer Spaces and Open the Book and continue to explore opportunities to create new links.
• To explore opportunities for community networking with a faith content as appropriate.

The post is working 37 hours per week on a flexible basis.
The salary will be between £9.82 and £12.88 per hour, depending on qualifications and experience.
We are an equal opportunities Employer and it is a genuine occupational requirement that the successful applicant is a committed Christian.
For an application pack please contact Mrs Deborah Storey: dstorey@aireandcaldercircuit.org.uk or 01977 644843

Closing Date for Applications: Monday, 1st February 2021.
Interviews: Week beginning Monday, 8th February 2021.
Preferred Start Date: 1st April 2021

News from Outside Organisations

Taste

The Monthly Prayer letter can be downloaded here. January 2021