District News – 05 January 2021

This Week's News

Happy New Year?

Normally we would be wishing everyone a Happy New Year in this newsletter, but the news yesterday that another lockdown has been put in place gives pause. Our prayers are with you all during this time.

Office News

The District Admins will continue to work from home for the foreseeable future. You can call the office on the landline (0114 270 9990), but there may be a delay in answering. Please do leave a message if the answering machine picks up, Katrin will respond as soon as she is able.

For Such A Time As This

Thank you to everyone who has been in touch since the launch of our strategy for resourcing your mission and our district worship over the weekend. It is both exciting and humbling to hear of what is stirring across our district. Recordings of both of these are on our youtube channel. Thank you to those who have already made a financial offering, a link to do this on our website https://www.sheffieldmethodist.org/about-us/for-such-a-time-as-this.html

Over the next week, we will be praying about the first of out six key themes: GROWING DISCIPLES. I hope you will be able to join us at Zoom prayer meetings at 1pm Thursdays or 8pm Mondays.

On the first day of a third national lockdown it is impossible to say maybe we have been called for such a time as this without opening our eyes and hearts to the world around us, or to our own feelings. If you are struggling today, please do not feel embarrassed to reach out to someone you know for help. We grow as disciples together – is God prompting you to get in touch with someone today, to offer a word of encouragement and fellowship? Read more about how we can together grow as disciples in this blog post (a copy can be downloaded from the link on the right)

Neil Harland, Mission Development Support, 07483 308008

God In Love Unites Us

The Sheffield Methodist District is holding an additional Representative Synod on Saturday 27th February 2021 at 9.30 a.m. in order to discuss and vote upon the resolutions contained within the "God In Love Unites Us Report."

Whilst only Synod members will be able to vote on the resolutions, this is such an important conversation in our shared life that we are offering an open invitation to anyone to attend. This will hopefully enable everyone who wishes, to participate in or listen to, the conversation and debate.

If you would like to take up this opportunity, please register your interest by following this link – https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0qcO6qqTksH9LfiREnq2mKLn3RHj097tv1
Please note that the deadline for registration is 19 February.

Whether you choose to share in this opportunity or not, I ask you please to continue to hold these conversations and decision making processes in your prayers.
Gill Newton
District Chair – January 2021

Safeguarding Update

January's Safeguarding Newsletter – Alcohol Misuse

Over the last few years January has become known as Dry January, when people are encouraged to stop drinking alcohol for the month to make up for excessive drinking over the festive period. The misuse of alcohol is a major safeguarding concern, not only for the individual but also for their family and friends. This month's newsletter goes into more detail and includes statistics which I'm sure many will find alarming and, as always, I have highlighted places where people can access help, advice and support. You can find this and all the newsletters on the Sheffield District Website in the Latest News page of the Safeguarding section.

Safeguarding Briefing Session concerning Forms: Where to find them and when to use them. Monday 18th January at 7.00pm

This will be the first in a series of information sharing sessions regarding best practise in regards to Safer Recruitment forms and paperwork. The session will last no longer than 90 minutes and will be delivered via Zoom. If you would like to book on please forwards your name to Val Higgins at val@sheffieldmethodist.org. The flyer for this event can also be found on the Sheffield District Website in the Latest News page of the Safeguarding section.

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.

Events

Ministry with older people: stories : songs : memories

Wednesday 20 Jan 1:00 to 2:30pm
Our second webinar for anyone – volunteers, lay workers, ministers – involved in ministry with older people.
An opportunity to share experiences, ask questions and explore some resources for making and rediscovering memories using music and story.
Book your place now open for this free event (registration closes Sunday 17 Jan): https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIldu2hrT4vH9yYxTzGN5VEsT3p1qKBMEOi
Contact admin@sheffieldmethodist.org with any registration queries
A recording of our popular first webinar is available at if-you-missed-it/community-of-practice-videos
Hosted by Sheffield Methodist District – open to all

Positively Rural 3 Mission Communities and the Rural Voice.

Thursday 11 February 1:00 to 2:30pm

The next online gathering focusing on rural life and mission. We will share good practice and consider how we move forward positively.
Speaker: Revd Richard Teal, President of the Methodist Conference
Richard says of himself 'Brought up on a tenant farm in the Yorkshire dales from a non-church background. Worked in the textile Industry before training for the Methodist ministry.
Served in Circuit ministry in Gateshead, Berwick upon Tweed and Beverley. Chair of the Cumbria District before recently returning to Circuit ministry in East Yorkshire. President of the Conference. I have a heart for the rural church and community. Married and have two sons in Agriculture.'
To book your place and obtain joining instructions, follow this link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMuduiorDMvHdAgWGT6EQRBKR4vAPY2n5XG
Registration deadline: Monday 8 February

Reflect online Quiet Morning

COVENANT – 16TH January 2021 9.30am – 12.15pm

At the Annual Covenant Service, the Methodist people are invited to renew their Covenant relationship with God.
'The emphasis of the whole service is on God's readiness to enfold us in generous love, not dependent on our deserving. Our response, also in love, springs with penitent joy from thankful recognition of God's grace.' (Methodist Worship Book)
We shall spend the morning in guided reflection and quiet exploring the spirituality of covenant and our relationship with God.
If you would like to attend please e-mail Gill Dascombe chair@reflectretreats.co.uk
*Numbers are limited to 24, but in the event of oversubscription, another Quiet Day can be held on 20th Jan. Please indicate if you would be available for the second date, if required.
More information on the flyer here: Covenant

Training and Learning

Alpha

Cliff College are hosting Alpha, a short 11-week series which explores the questions of life and Christian faith.
It will be a friendly and relaxed meeting from the comfort of your own home as each Alpha will be held on zoom on Tuesday's 7-8pm.
It will start on Tuesday 12th January – Tuesday 30th March 2021 (with a break for half term on Tuesday 16th February).
Please do invite people along, you're very welcome to join too – for details of the zoom link please email Sophie s.richards@cliffcollege.ac.uk or Tom t.donoghue@cliffcollege.ac.uk
Details can also be downloaded on the flyer here: Alpha

Revealing Jesus:

Come and hear more about the new Scripture Union Mission Framework and how your church could be involved on Wednesday 27th January, 7.30-9pm with Neil Jackson, Mission Enabler at Scripture Union.
The evening will be on Zoom and will be free to attend. Contact Jonathan Buckley on 07450 778678 or jonathan.buckley@sheffieldcircuit.org.uk to book your place and access the Zoom details.

Lay Leadership Skills

Monday 22 February 2021

Join the Learning Network Yorkshire Plus Team for a day exploring leadership for lay people working in the Methodist Church: youth; children; family; and community leaders; class leaders; lay missioners; and local pastors.
We'll be exploring the themes of:

• Leadership styles and skills
• Leading meetings
• Managing volunteers and Encouraging participation
• Team and group dynamics

Register in advance here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUofuGgrjMsGtY7LFyYHa7gVvtaRin7cza9
Bookings will close 72 hours beforehand

Job Vacancies

Principal's Personal Assistant – Cliff College

The College is embarking on Vision 21, an exciting and dynamic vison that sees the College develop as a Global Centre for Evangelism and Missiology. At this exciting and challenging time in the life of the College the College's Principal is seeking a Personal Assistant to work alongside him in the development and implementation of Vision 21. This is an important responsibility for the Principal and the role of Principal's PA will be key in supporting and enabling him in this role.
In this full-time role we are looking for someone who:

• is a confident and effective communicator
• is a good organiser and has a good eye for detail
• has experience of working in a similar role
• has the ability to manage small projects
• is willing to play an active role in the life of the Cliff College community

If this is for you then please contact Kathryn Young for more information or download the job and application details from our website at www.cliffcollege.ac.uk/news-events/hiring-principal-pa
Salary: £26-28,000 per annum
Closing date: 12 noon on Monday 11 January 2021
Interviews: Wednesday 27 January 2021

Children's Coordinator – Sheffield Circuit

Established in September 2017, our Youth and Children's Project is looking to appoint a Children's Coordinator. The successful candidate will work alongside our current Coordinator, who currently oversees both Youth and Children's Work within Sheffield Circuit.
The salary will be £25,729-£28,017 (Point 14-17 on the JNC Scale) per annum depending upon experience.

Closing date: Monday 15th February
Interviews are to be held on Monday 1st or Tuesday 2nd March 2021, either online or in person depending upon Covid-19 restrictions at the time

A satisfactory Enhanced Disclosure from the DBS is required for this post.
There is a Genuine Occupational Requirement for the holder of this role to be a Christian.

For an application pack please contact:
Sheffield Circuit Office, The Furnival, 199 Verdon Street, Sheffield, S3 9QQ.
Telephone: 0114 299 7130 or 0114 272 6561
admin@sheffieldcircuit.org.uk

News from Outside Organisations

CLC Bookshops

The CLC clearance-cum-closing-down sale is ON !! Except for a few exceptions, everything is greatly reduced!
Save 50% on books, gifts, CDs, DVDs, greetings cards, diaries, calendars...
Save 25% on Christmas cards, Bibles, church supplies...
The shop is open from 10 am to 4 pm, Monday to Saturday. Thanks for letting others know about the sale.
Have you applied for an EQUIP card yet?? You can save 20% on your purchases online or by phone. Click clcbookshops.com/equip
Yes, both now and once the shop has closed down, buy and/or browse online with clcbookshops.com and call 03308181000 for advice, bulk purchase quotes, to place orders and ask anything to do with sourcing Christian resources.
CLC Bookshops, 2 Church Street, Sheffield S1 2GN
T: 03308181000
E: sheffield@clcbookshops.com

TASTE – Drilling Rig Appeal

Since being registered in the UK in 1999, TASTE has helped over 500,000 individuals gain access to clean drinking water, sanitation and hygiene facilities. Because of the Lord's faithfulness to us over these 21 years, TASTE has been able to demonstrate God's love in a very practical way to so many communities in Nigeria. God continues to bless our work and 2021 is set to mark a significant step change for TASTE as we begin an exciting 3-year partnership with Tearfund Nigeria. The partnership will see TASTE taking responsibility for delivering all aspects of Tearfund Nigeria's Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) projects, enabling us to reach so many more poor communities.

However, to meet this obligation to provide the necessary expertise and infrastructure to Tearfund as well as continuing with our own WASH projects, we need a bigger, faster drilling rig as soon as possible. We have identified a suitable drilling rig that is ready to ship to Nigeria but need your help now to fund the purchase.
For full details about how you can help, download the appeal letter here: Drilling Rig Appeal