District News – 06 October 2020

This Week's News

"#Godiswithus" Christmas Campaign 2020

The Methodist Church-wide Christmas campaign in 2020 will ask questions encouraging Methodists and non-Methodists alike to consider their own story of faith in 2020 and to share it with one another or online. The campaign aims to encourage Methodists to reflect, share their stories, and reach out to others outside the church and encourage them to do the same.

To hear more about how you can use the campaign in your church and circuit, sign up to the webinar, 'How to use the Christmas campaign in your church ' which is running on Wednesday 21st October at 6pm.
Please let Sam Roberts comms@sheffieldmethodist.org know if you are considering using these resources, so we can all share ideas across the District.

Methodist podcast

Have you discovered the weekly Methodist Podcast? Available from https://www.methodist.org.uk/about-us/news/podcasts/ and most audio streaming services. Half an hour of inspiring stories, emerging ideas and latest news from across our national church?
The latest episode features Rev Inderjit Bhogal talking on Black History Month and his 40 years in ministry in Sheffield and beyond, the previous week features the National Methodist Choir, led by Matt Beckingham from our Doncaster Circuit.

Events

Lay Employees Community of Practice

Tuesday 13 October 10am – 2pm

This meeting will start by looking some practical advice around licenses/copyright and also some of the issues, challenges and opportunities of working online. It will be led by Howard Wilson from the South West region of the Learning Network.The afternoon will provide a chance to meet and share good practice with others in similar roles in small break-out groups.To book your place and to obtain joining instructions, follow this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0udeyoqz4jHNZHQtadYXKleDYHTOXFi9Kf
Don't feel you have to stay for the whole session – we know how valuable your time is!

POSITIVELY RURAL: Creative Discipleship in the light of COVID19

Wednesday 14th October 1:00-2:30pm

The second in a series of online gatherings focusing on rural mission.We will share good practice, learn from our experience of COVID19 and consider how we move forward positively.To book your place and obtain joining instructions, follow this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMrd-GurD0rHdB8APtXQlfl4fpIH331jMOS

Registration closes on Monday 12 October

TakeTime Together

Join us on a five week journey to discover the power of Christian mindfulness meditation led by Rachel McCallam and Judith Jessop.
Taketime meditations use your imagination to provide a calm, comfortable space in which to meet God.All are welcomed to enjoy these meditations, which are intentionally inclusive, non-directive and experiential.No faith background or knowledge is needed to attend, enjoy and benefit from this Taketime introduction.

• When: Wednesday evening between 19:00 and 20:30
• Where: via Zoom
• From: Wednesday 4th November 2020

Please contact Judith Jessop on 0114 2313518 / judithjessop@tiscali.co.uk for more details or to register for this course.

Whirlow Spirituality Centre

Ruth: Live

5 November, 730 – 9pm – £5.
Explore Ruth's story in an honest and playful virtual environment!
Focusing on kindness, strangers and community, this event will facilitate the sharing of personal stories and consideration of how they relate to critical moments in Ruth's life.
Following on from our earlier events, Song of Songs: Live and Esther: Live, this evening will provide opportunity to re-view the experiences of a female biblical character.
With input from cartoonist and educator Siggy Parratt-Halbert and Christian Aid's theological education adviser, Sue Richardson.

Please book your place and consider making a donation to Christian Aid here >>

Training and Learning Opportunities

Creating Space With Children

Wednesday 21 October at 7.30pm

Is your church looking at new ways for ministry with children to take place? Are you finding it difficult to get past the guidance and risk assessments? How can spaces be created with children that helps their faith to grow? Creating Space is a Methodist-sponsored ecumenical project that offers an opportunity to gather with others asking similar questions, doing some learning along the way about how the faith and spirituality of children can be nurtured alongside people of all ages. The first event takes place on Wednesday 21 October at 7.30pm and is for ANYONE working alongside children in ANY capacity (ordained, volunteer, families worker, junior church leader, parents, uniformed organisation etc etc).
More information and bookings here

Regional Webinars

05 November – Hybrid Worship:

explore blended approaches to church life in a Covid19 world and beyond with Rev Sean Adair.
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMrd-iqpjwiG9VkKuWn9-fvXRQyy3P3oySc

27 January 2021 – Transformational Leadership:

introducing six core practices essential for seeing transformation in the local church, with Dr Nigel Pimlott, Learning & Development Officer for East Central Region.
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYsc-igqjssHNXS-xzmGNXO98x56-AXehtP

23 February 2021 – Being an Inclusive Church:

ensuring no-one needs to ask 'Am I not a Methodist too?' with Bevan Powell, Connexional Equality Diversity & Inclusion Adviser.
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYpd-iqrTkvEtRFRi3MNN1rMwu8WEUrI-HK
Bookings will close 72 hours before each event