District News – 13 October 2020

This Week's News

Office News

The new-look District Website was launched at the September Synod. It is still a work in progress, so if you can't find what you are looking for, do please let us know.
The Synod Page has been updated and you can now find the 2020 Reports to Synod there to download. The District Directory has been posted out to all who requested a copy. The latest version can also be found on the Synod page. It is password protected, so get in touch with Katrin (admin@sheffieldmethodist.org) if you need to have access to this.

Safeguarding Update – Debt during Coronavirus

Over the past week we have seen the start of The Methodist Churches campaign 'Reset the Debt' which calls for action to help people forced into debt by COVID-19. For this months Safeguarding Newsletter I will be focusing on Debt and signposting to local organisations that could help people who are struggling financially.
Action for Children have recently published a report entitled Childhood During Coronavirus: protecting children from the effects of poverty which highlights the need for the government to improve financial support for low income families. The report promotes Action for Children's Coronavirus Emergency Fund which provides a cash payment for £250 to families. If you know of a family who is struggling financially at this current time please direct them to the Action for Children office in Chesterfield and they will be able to give more information and advice and explain how they can apply for funding: 01246 277 422. They will also signpost to more local projects.

Sharing gospel in a digital world

Is your church advertising or evangelising online? What are the easiest ways to build relationships and start conversations of faith through social media? Cliff College's Ali Johnson has prepared a series of simple guides on using websites and social media for digital evangelism. Please do highlight these to the people who run your church website and social media. https://www.methodist.org.uk/our-work/our-work-in-britain/evangelism-growth/practising-evangelism/evangelism-in-a-digital-world/ If you would like a discussion about starting or developing your church's online presence, please get in touch with Sam Roberts – comms@sheffieldmethodist.org

Whirlow Spirituality Centre

Planning Light

As this is written, we plan to open our doors more often so we can see you again. But we are sitting light to those plans, as so much continues to change. Booking for events means we can keep you up to date. Please contact us to share any ideas about what online and face-to-face opportunities from Whirlow you would value most.
Visit our website to learn more: https://www.whirlowspiritualitycentre.org/

Events

Derbyshire Farmers' On-line Harvest Festival

2:30-m – Sunday 25 October

As the seasons and the rhythms of creation continue the Derbyshire Rural Chaplaincy is preparing to celebrate Harvest with the agricultural community. We normally gather for our Farmers' Harvest Festival in the main store ring at Bakewell Livestock Market with thanks to the support of Bagshaw's LLP and the High Peak Livestock Society, however; given we cannot sing and we certainly couldn't socially distance the 300 people that normally come together, due to Covid-19 restrictions we are pre-recording the service from farms and fields across Derbyshire this year!

We welcome Philip Holland, our wonderful Derbyshire poet, and Bel Canto and St Annes Church Choir from Baslow will sing a harvest anthem on a farm (socially distanced of course), and we welcome readings by farmers and our rural chaplains. Given the use of technology, we also welcome Rev'd Jeremy Dare to share a harvest reflection all the way from the wild moors of the Shetland Islands, the United Kingdom's most northerly location! Rev'd Jeremy was Chair of the Shetland District of the Methodist Church.

The service will premiere at 2.30pm on Sunday 25th October. To find the service, search for 'Derbyshire Farmers 'online' Harvest Festival' on Google, or you will find the video to watch on Rural Action Derbyshire's website at: https://www.ruralactionderbyshire.org.uk/farmers-online-harvest-festival

Riding Lights Theatre Company

The Selfish Giant – on film

Riding Lights is producing our acclaimed children's show The Selfish Giant on film. Presented in three 15 minute episodes, The Selfish Giant on film can be used for a watch-along party with children's groups, holiday clubs, primary schools or youth organisations tied to churches safely at home. As we look to an unusual Christmas after an extremely lonely and disorientating year for children, this film is a fantastic treat to give to the primary aged children and their families in the lead-up to Christmas.

The film explores the value of friendship and kindness towards each other through storytelling, puppets, original songs and humour, and is adapted from the classic children's story by Oscar Wilde. It's very cost effective no matter the size of the young community, making it a great option for churches both large and small. More information and how to order the film is attached or can be found on our website: https://ridinglights.org/the-selfish-giant/

Riding Lights has a long history of making wonderful Christmas shows for communities to enjoy together. We can't tour this year but we couldn't let Christmas go by without something a bit special for children across the UK to enjoy!

Training and Learning Opportunities

Evangelism for Leaders Course

This course is for leaders who really want to reach new people but also understand that evangelism is a word with baggage. It's for leaders who want to discover their inner evangelists – and it's for those who'd rather they remained undiscovered! It's for leaders who are thinking: 'evangelism was never part of my training for ministry' or 'if I mention evangelism in my place, everyone will run a mile and never come back'. It's for leaders who are wondering how to help others grow in confidence in their faith. It's for leaders who know they have a responsibility when it comes to evangelism, but are busy people trying to keep the show on the road. It's for leaders who are questioning whether evangelism is possible in a holistic, inclusive, relational and authentic way.

This is a free course for all leaders in the Methodist Church (lay and ordained, paid and unpaid, including but not exclusive to Chairs, Superintendents, Presbyters, Deacons, Local Lay Pastors, Pioneers, Children, Youth and/or Family Workers, Chaplains, Church or Circuit Stewards, or leaders of mission, social action or outreach projects).
More information can be found here: https://www.methodist.org.uk/our-work/our-work-in-britain/evangelism-growth/practising-evangelism/equipped-for-evangelism/evangelism-for-leaders-course/

Job Vacancies

CIRCUIT OPERATIONS MANAGER

Trinity Circuit are looking for an operations manager to work in partnership with the Superintendent Minister and Circuit Leadership Team to implement the Circuit's Mission Plan, with particular focus on developing premises, systems and procedures to be fit for their purpose of supporting contemporary Christian Mission
Full details at website http://www.trinitycircuit.net/jobvacancies
Salary £30,000
Closing date for application: 12 noon on Monday 19th October
Interviews will be held during week commencing: 26th October
To request further information please contact:- Rev'd Julie Coates, Grove Street Methodist Church and Centre, Union Street, Retford, Notts, DN22 6LB 01777 702573 or email: superintendent@trinitycircuit.net

News from outside organisations

CLC Bookshops

New in at CLC Bookshops, Sheffield

Hello from Manager Jan. Besides everything seasonal and in addition to plenty of new titles, we also have some great resources for children. Our grandkids love this new one...

The Book of Wonders (hardback)

Ever wondered how your eye works? Or what caused the formation of the universe? The Book of Wonders – produced by Scripture Union & the Faraday Institute (linked to the Univ of Cambridge) – is aimed at children aged 8 to 11. And it has £2 off at present!! Plus there's an accompanying Activity Book.
The Book of Wonders is crammed full of facts, figures & fantastic pictures of the world around us, from the greatest galaxies to the tiniest microbes. The back cover reads: "Whether you're amazed by atoms, flabbergasted by fungi or captivated by comets, you'll find something to blow your mind! Not only that, but you'll be able to explore your place in this amazing universe and meet Jesus, who the disciple named John called the source of creation. Get ready to dive into a world of discovery and wonder!"
For a limited time, the book is just £12.99 (saving £2)
There is also an Activity Book for just £6.99 (saving £2)

With Christmas approaching, make sure to celebrate Christmas with The Real Advent Calendar!

The Real Advent Calendar is a fun way for parents, grandparents and Godparents to share the Christmas story. The 2020 design calendar comes with a free 24-page Christmas story activity book designed to be used every day in Advent, and illustrated by award winning artist, Martina Peluso.. A special edition of The Real Advent Calendar has been produced this year, as Christians prepare to celebrate Christmas against the backdrop of the coronavirus pandemic
Also available is the Christmas Blessings Chocolate Bar. Made with Fairtrade chocolate, this is the perfect Christmas gift!

Available from CLC Bookshops Sheffield (beside the Cathedral tramstop), https://clcbookshops.com/ & by calling 0330 8181000.
EQUIP members save an additional 20%. What? Never heard of EQUIP? Go to https://clcbookshops.com/equip and apply for free membership.

TASTE (Transfer of Appropriate Sustainable Technology & Expertise)

We're passionate about getting clean water to rural Nigerian communities.
If you can help, we'd be delighted.

Please find here the October 2020 Prayer Points for TASTE (Transfer of Appropriate Sustainable Technology & Expertise).
I pray that you will find much to encourage you and fuel your prayers.
Thank you for your faithfulness in praying for us please do continue to remember us, we can't do what we do without your prayers.
God Bless you
Ben-----------------
Ben Udejiofo
Chief Executive
TASTE, 15 Hawthorn Road, Hillsborough, Sheffield S6 4LG,