District News – 08 Sept 2020

This Week's News

Office News

Katrin will be away from 20-28 September so the office will be closed that week, and there will be no weekly newsletter.

Synod

The Autumn Synod is taking place via Zoom on Saturday. It will be recorded and a video may follow for those who were unable to join with us.

Cliff College B&B

Cliff College has extended its bed & breakfast summer offer to the end of September! If you're looking for a comfortable place to stay for your next trip to the Peak District, you can't beat Cliff's peaceful campus with our en-suite rooms, excellent breakfast and beautiful surroundings. Single rooms are £39 per night, and double rooms are £59 per night. Find out more and book at https://cliffcollege.ac.uk/venue/summer-saver

Developing Expressions of Green Church

Revd Philip Bill, Convenor for JPIT Yorkshire, would like to create a small group of people to scope out and develop expressions of Green Church across the region. This will take ecological issues as more than simply matters of social justice alongside others. It will embed ecological theology at the heart of new worshipping communities which create space for people to transition into the new patterns of life that a committed approach to climate change requires. At heart, this is an evangelical enterprise which treats climate change as the most significant context in which we now tell the gospel story. (JPIT Yorkshire will also be arranging a conference for the Summer of 2021 to explore the idea of Green Church further.)
If you are interested in being part of this pioneering group, please email Revd Philip Bee, Convenor for JPIT Yorkshire on philipbee61@btinternet.com.

Starting a church online

Do you dream of creating a deeply engaged new online congregation for your church? Are you excited by the thought of starting a new church that exists primarily online? Have you begun doing one of these already and want to share ideas with others? The Connexional Evangelism and Growth Team are running a six week online course starting in October to help people like you plant churches in the digital realm. There is already some excellent emerging practice across our District, so please let Neil Harland know if you are interested in joining this so we can keep people connected locally.
https://www.methodist.org.uk/our-work/our-work-in-britain/evangelism-growth/evangelism-and-growth-webinars/

Big Church Read

The Big Church Read is a new and exciting initiative to engage Christians in reading great Christian literature.
The idea is that the whole church in the UK reads the same book at the same time!!
The aim is to get more people reading in order to -

• help with spiritual formation and discipleship
• help people grow in their faith by encouraging regular reading
• shared experience and community enhancement
• bringing people together when we can not be together in person

For our first-ever National Big Church Read, we have chosen the best selling The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer.

If you would like a free review copy just let us know and we will send one to you. Just email steve@bigchurchread.co.uk

This project has been put together by St Andrews Bookshop & Hodder Faith

Events

Nether Edge Festival 2020

19 September 2020

Nether Edge Festival 2020 will feature a 'double first' – the festival's first classical music recital and, because of Covid-19 restrictions, the first to be available only online!

Sheffield-based concert pianist Kaoru Bingham will give an 'online' recital, featuring works by Mozart, Bach and Debussy.

It will be recorded at St Andrew's Psalter Lane Church (SAPLC) and be available from 19.30 on Saturday, 19th September via the Festival Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/netheredgefestival/ or the SAPLC YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVkuPspPrLSSekpL2m1ZT2Q

Kaoru won't receive any fee for this performance so organisers hope that viewers will consider making a donation online.

Drive In Communion

Sunday 27 September

You've heard of drive-in cinemas, concerts and restaurants; well, get ready for drive-in communion! Cliff College is excited to be hosting three drive-in communion services on Sunday 27th September. Led by Rev Ashley Cooper with live worship from the Cliff College team, this will be an opportunity for you to attend a worship service and receive communion in a safe, Covid-secure way. The service will be broadcast to your car radio, and the bread and wine will be brought to you in your car. We'll also be serving tea and coffee to your car after the service. We have services at 10am, 1pm and 4pm – to book, email drive-in@cliffcollege.ac.uk or call 01246 584200. These events are free to attend, but booking is required.
Full details on the poster here: Drive In Communion

District Induction Day

Wednesday 30 September – 10am

The Induction Day is an opportunity to find out a bit more about the Sheffield District, and to meet some key office holders who will explain their roles within the District. IT is for anyone who is new to the District, or has taken on a new role since last September.
I would be grateful if you could follow this link to register for this meeting, so I know who to expect.
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUtdeCorTkpGtKOXa-8BdSf_nCZmqqUkXUY

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Training, Learning, and Development

Regional Webinars

The Learning Network, Yorkshire Plus region, have put together a monthly program of webinars on a variety of topics.
You can find details about the first four on the flyer , including how to book
The first of these is

Using a Methodist Way of Life

Thursday 24th September 2020 – 1pm-2.30pm
Join the Revd Dr Roger Walton and others to explore how you could use a Methodist Way of Life in your context. Hear too how it is being used in different ways across the Connexion.
Booking is essential and there is a deadline of Friday 18 September at noon.
To book your place and to obtain joining instructions, follow this link :: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMrduGorzoqE9AOwE-UzlhgVbH8QA5TIMBd
If you do not receive a confirmation email after booking, or have any questions about this please contact Katrin Hackett – admin@sheffieldmethodist.org
To find out more about what a Methodist Way of Life is visit: www.methodist.org.uk/our-faith/life-and-faith/a-methodist-way-of-life

Lay Orientation Day

6 October 2020

The Lay Employees' Orientation Day comprises training for newly appointed lay employees working in a church context. It is designed to give a better understanding of the role of church worker, both in general and in one's own setting. The day's topics, and the opportunity to share together, will help develop a strong foundation of good practice..

Full details including how to book a place are on in the Lay Orientation flyer .

Line Management Training

8 October 2020

If you are new to Line Managment, 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

Booking in advance is essential and full details can be found in the Line Mangement flyer

News from Other Organisations

TASTE Prayer Points

Please find here the September 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 Udejiofo
Chief Executive -TASTE

Methodist Church News

Methodist Women in Britain

Methodist Women in Britain has created a simple act of worship to raise awareness of how Covid-19 has affected some of our partner Churches and how the Global Relationships Team is responding to new and increased needs. You can find the service here.