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June 2023 E-Newsletter |
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If you would like to submit a news story or details of an upcoming event in your church or circuit, we would love to hear from you! Please email Emily at comms@ywmethodist.org.uk with the information you’d like to share, or for further guidance. The deadline for the July E-Newsletter will be Monday 24th of July at 5pm. |
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Events |
“Dandelion Days” |
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Artey Williams & Barbara Glasson present their new album, “Dandelion Days”. You are invited to a special concert at Hunslet Methodist Church, Telford Terrace, Hunslet, Leeds, LS10 2HR, on Friday 7th July at 7.30pm. Entry is free, though donations to the local Foodbank and Action for Children are greatly appreciated. There will be refreshments and a CD and Book Stall. Dandelion Days albums will be available to purchase by cash or card on the night. They can also be purchased online at arteywilliams.com. |
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Positively Rural |
Our next Positively Rural webinar, on the theme of Rural Poverty, takes place on 5 July at 7.30pm. Join the Positively Rural team, plus guests Deacon Eunice Attwood (Methodist Church at the Margins Officer), Dr Chris Shannahan & Dr Stephanie Denning of Coventry University’s Centre for Trust, Peace & Social Relations. Hear more about research projects "Life on the Breadline" & "Rural Hidden Hardship - Life on the Breadline update" and how they help inform our local rural contexts. Join the conversation around rural poverty, the impacts & how we as Christians can respond. |
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Have an Out of the Ordinary Christmas! |
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Christmas is, hands down, the easiest time of year to invite people to church and to connect people with good news. The Methodist Church has put together a resource pack to help you plan your Christmas services and community events, and a digital Christmas campaign which you can use to help you share good news.
In this webinar on 07 September, The Methodist Church's Director of Digital Engagement, Ben Hollebon, along with Holly Adams, Andy Fishburne and Emma Nash from the Evangelism and Growth Team, will offer lots of ideas for planning a Christmas that is good news to your whole community. |
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Exploring Digital |
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Join together with Methodists from all over Britain for a special digital gathering. Learn from key individuals who've mastered the digital world on how to connect and share the Gospel online. The event will feature insightful keynotes, group discussions and an expert panel. Don't miss this chance to enhance your church's online presence and explore faith in the digital era!
When: Saturday 30 September, 10am to 3:30pm. Where: Online, so you can join wherever you are. Cost: We are providing this day free of charge.
We'll be sharing further information about speakers, topics and resources closer to the event. Register for your free place now to avoid missing out and join us on Saturday 30 September for a day of exploration into the digital world and the opportunities it holds for the Methodist Church. |
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Even the Resurrection Bears Scars: A retreat for disabled Christians |
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Leeds Church Institute are delighted to offer this retreat as a safe space for us to share and reflect on our experiences as disabled Christians, and to discover how a theology of disability can help us to re-interpret our stories and our place in the church as people who are not merely included but who also belong.
The retreat will take place on Saturday 29 July at St George’s Conference Centre, Leeds, LS1 3DL from 10am - 3.30pm, and is specifically for Christians in and around Leeds who identify as disabled. The venue is accessible for people in wheelchairs and has two disabled accessible toilets. |
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Don’t forget to check the District website for details of other upcoming events. |
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Vacancies |
Airedale Circuit - Church Worker (Worth Valley) |
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Airedale circuit are seeking a Church Worker in the Worth Valley section of the circuit, to support and enable the work of others who are serving in Keighley, Lees, Marsh, Oakworth and Oxenhope. The role requires 30 hours per week and will be based at the circuit office in Silsden (BD20), though work at various locations in the Worth Valley area will be required. The salary is £21,216 with enrolment in the circuit's workplace pension scheme. Appointment is subject to obtaining a satisfactory enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) disclosure, and there is an occupational requirement for the postholder to be a practicing Christian.
The closing date for applications is Friday 07 July at 12 noon. Interviews will take place on Monday 24 July. |
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BEACON are seeking new Trustees! |
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Do you share our vision that the Bradford district becomes a hospitable community where people seeking asylum and refugees are welcome, enjoy access to justice & fair treatment and are supported on their journey to independence and integration?
BEACON is a Bradford-based charity which for almost 20 years has been supporting and working with people seeking asylum in the UK. We currently offer legal support, an English conversation & activities group and accommodation for those who would otherwise be destitute. We are hoping to strengthen the board to include new trustees who will increase our range of skills and experience to be able to achieve our vision and realise our future strategy to expand and develop our work.
If you might be interested in this volunteer opportunity, you can find out more by contacting Chair of Trustees, Sarah Jemison. |
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News |
Rural Mission Sunday |
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Sunday 16 July is Rural Mission Sunday. You might like to consider mentioning this in worship or on your social media pages. Please see below a link to the Rural Mission page on the District Website, which shares a video we watched in the last Synod giving a taste of rural farming life, and which you would be welcome to share in your worship on Rural Mission Sunday. If you would prefer access to the video itself rather than a link for streaming, please get in touch. I also include a prayer which you can use:
Loving God, Creator of all We thank you for the beauty of our rural places we see your creation in the wonder of mountains and meadows, we hear your creation in the bellow of cows and cries of curlews, we touch your creation in rough stone and sheep’s wool, we smell your creation in freshly cut hay and the spreading of slurry, we taste your creation in summer picnics and locally produced ice cream, We pray for all who live and work in our rural communities, and all who steward the land, May we be appreciative and supportive of all who make our countryside a special and Godly place, Amen. As District Rural Lead, I am here to support you in discerning mission in rural chapels, responding to the rules on oversight and trusteeship, exploring what a Christian presence means in a rural community and any other rural focused questions or concerns. I can also signpost to Mental Health First Aid training and Methodist Way of Life resources. Do get in touch if you want to know more or would like to be on the regular rural mailing list: email andrew.webb@methodist.org.uk or call me on 01756 691057. Revd Andrew Webb |
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Yorkshire Churches Day |
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Yorkshire Churches Day (YCD) is a chance for every place of worship in the county to open up and showcase the amazing history and heritage found inside their buildings.
It is a day to tell stories and bring to life the variety, beauty, history and sheer wonder of Yorkshire’s churches, chapels and places of worship. The aim of the day is to encourage everyone to visit their local church even if they have never stepped foot inside a church before. It will be a day for those who are curious about history and heritage of their local surroundings.
This year we are running YCD in partnership with Heritage Open Days (HOD), holding it on Saturday 16 September. This is England’s largest festival of history and culture, when thousands of people come together to celebrate their heritage, community and history.
As part of the HOD remit, entry to your event must be free, but there are many ways you can engage your visitors and encourage donations.
Ideas include providing refreshments, running tours, staging exhibitions, offering bell ringing, putting on recitals, offering skills/craft demonstrations - there are so many possibilities.
To register, visit the Heritage Open Days website and add details of your church, stating you are opening for Yorkshire Churches Day. The deadline for entry is the August 10 2023. Full details on how to register and advice on fundraising events and how to attract publicity can be found on our website. |
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Merging Churches for Mission Guidance |
New national guidance has been offered on whys and ways of merging churches or church councils. This contains real life stories, suggestions for questions to ask and technical guidance. It is purposefully written for a context where change feels necessary but painful and the future hard to interpret. There are already many instances of churches and circuits across our district pro-actively changing their legal structures and places of gathering. |
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New Guidance for Local Arrangements |
A Local Arrangement is a service of worship where there is no allocated Minister or Local Preacher available to take responsibility for leading worship. If approached positively and with appropriate support and encouragement, Local Arrangements are an opportunity for building up the congregation and releasing new gifts and creativity for the glory of God.
Please distribute the below link to anyone in your circuit who is responsible for Local Arrangements in their church. Ask your Local Preachers' Meeting whether there is more you could do to encourage and equip those leading and participating in Local Arrangements around your circuit. |
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