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July 2023 E-Newsletter

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 August E-Newsletter will be Tuesday 29th of August at 5pm.

Dear Friends,

It is good to be back in the life of the District following my sabbatical. There is much to share from that, and I hope I will have opportunity to do so. I wanted to take time at this moment to thank colleagues who have cared for the District and supported work across the District in my absence.

I am indebted to Melvyn Kelly, as Deputy Chair, for all he did to respond to pastoral needs and watch over the life of the District while I was enjoying my sabbatical. As he was preparing to sit down from ministry, he donated his years of wisdom, goodness, and care to you all. I could not have hoped to have a better person beside me as Deputy Chair, and I am grateful for his ongoing presence in the District as he sits down in Horsforth.

I want to celebrate the gifts of Wendy, as my PA, and Lesley, in the office, as they made sure that everything ran as smoothly as ever, responding to queries, managing processes, and keeping the District well managed and efficient. They were supported by Caroline Stead, as Synod Secretary, by Chris Hawke, who had convened my sabbatical support group, and Alan Wittrick, our Treasurer, who does so much that is unseen.

I am also grateful to David Goodall and to Melanie, who have ensured that work was done to recruit a new member to the District Team and that new roles were enabled in the circuits, supported by the District. David has also ensured that some aspects of the District Strategy have continued to be developed in my absence.

They have at the same time been supported by others in the District covering all aspects of property, grants, safeguarding and youth work, and the District is better for the richness of our teams.

Finally, but in no way less significantly, I also want to thank ministers and stewards who have worked together to ensure we serve God with joyfulness and faithfulness across the churches, circuits, and District. You are an amazing group of people, and it is a privilege to serve you. I genuinely missed you, and I am glad to again be among you.

When I went on sabbatical, I never worried that you might not manage without me. I knew you would all not only be fine, but would flourish because of who you are and the God we love. I was worried you might wonder what the point of a Chair was and think you might not need me!

Being on sabbatical is a reminder that we are more than person. We are a wonderful gathering of people, united in Christ, and blessed by the Spirit. God is with us and equipping us, and it is a pleasure to enjoy that truth with you.

God bless you,

Kerry

Events

Regional Retreat - Creative Journeying

The next Regional Retreat for Ministers and Lay Employees within the Methodist Church will be on 14-16 November at The Briery, Ilkley.

The theme is Creative Journeying and the Retreat will be led by Donna Worthington. Donna is an experienced retreat giver trained in Ignatian spiritual direction, labyrinth walking and storytelling. She studied Theology at Cambridge, and completed an MPhil at Manchester University. She has written several plays, two of which explored the Lindisfarne Gospels, and Christian contemplative prayer. She has led retreats and workshops examining the Gospels through theatre, dream-prayer and dance-prayer.

We’ll seek to deepen our spirituality, explore different ways of praying, and discover our journey with the divine. We’ll connect Scripture, nature and creative writing with personal reflection and prayer. We’ll explore the dreams we carry, aided by the artist Van Gogh. and we’ll seek to be held by God just as we hold others.

Explore

Explore is an opportunity for any member of the Methodist Church in Britain to take a breath, step back, and consider how they are called to respond to God's call through worship, learning & caring, evangelism or service. You can sign up at any time of year, although the course element starts in September.

When you sign up you will be offered support through:

• Reflecting with an Accompanist

• Journaling your experiences

• Shadowing people involved in work of the kingdom of God

• A range of learning & development resources and support to dip in an out of 

• Being part of a group who learn together on a 9 month course.

Anyone who is exploring a sense of call to any form of lay or ordained leadership and ministry is encouraged to consider making the most of the support available through Explore.

Hospitality and Sanctuary for All:

The Hook Lecture 2023

How can we respond to the call of our faith to welcome refugees to Leeds and build a city of sanctuary for all? Leeds Church Institute’s Annual Hook Lecture returns this year as they welcome Revd Dr Inderjit Bhogal, former President of the British Methodist Conference, and Founder of the City of Sanctuary network and movement, passionately committed to the achievement of justice in immigration, especially for refugees and people seeking sanctuary.

This event will be held at Leeds Minster on Tuesday 24 October, and tickets are free.

Don’t forget to check the District website for details of other upcoming events.

Vacancies

Settle Circuit - Circuit Administrator and

Finance Officer

Settle circuit are seeking to appoint a Circuit Administrator and Finance Officer. The successful candidate will work alongside the Superintendent Minister to maintain the circuit financial records, ensure circuit policies and practices are effectively maintained and recorded, as well as providing day to day administrative support for plan-making, property management and cross-circuit and district communications. The role requires an average of 16 hours per week and will be home-based, though regular meetings in Settle will be necessary. The salary is £15.50 per hour with enrolment in the circuit's workplace pension scheme. Appointment is subject to obtaining a satisfactory enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) disclosure.

The closing date for applications is Monday 07 August at 5pm. Interviews will take place during the week commencing 14 August.

Settle Circuit - Circuit Mission Enabler

Settle circuit are seeking to appoint a Circuit Mission Enabler. The successful candidate will work closely with our different church communities to promote, encourage, and enable effective mission and evangelism, and to identify and deliver outreach activities on behalf of the churches and the circuit. The role requires an average of 24 hours per week and will be home-based, though though travel around Settle circuit will be necessary. The salary is £12.50 per hour 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 Monday 07 August at 5pm. Interviews will take place during the week commencing 14 August.

BEACON - Finance and Administration Officer

Bradford Ecumenical Asylum Concern (BEACON) are seeking to appoint a Finance and Administration Officer. The successful candidate will be responsible for financial management and administration at BEACON and will be fundamental to the smooth running of the charity. The role requires 10 hours per week and will be a hybrid-role, with a minimum of 50% of the hours to be worked at BEACON's office in Bradford (BD7 1QX). The salary is £24,496 per annum pro rata, and the contract is for 1-year with the expectation of continuation, subject to funding.

The closing date for applications is Monday 21 August at 9am. Interviews will take place on Friday 08 September.

News

A Learning and Development Opportunity -

Nick Cave: “God Exists in my Songs”

Kerry is available to lead a Learning and Development opportunity with your circuit for mininsters, local preachers, and anyone interested on how a song writer, such as Nick Cave, can inspire theological conversation and resource our faith and thinking. The session is around 2 hours, and while best delivered in person, it can be shared online or in a hybrid form. If you are interested in an evening, or weekend learning event please contact him.

Single Friendly Church

40% of adults in the UK are single according to the latest census, but single people often report feeling unwelcome in church. Those of us who fit in this category may be single by choice or by circumstance, but often the feeling is shared by people who are single across the ages and situations.

“Single Friendly Church” equip local churches to become places where single people feel fully welcome, included and valued. Visit their website for more information.

Journey of the Magi - Springs Dance Company

Share the joy and wonder of Christmas with your church and local community through this exhilarating, critically acclaimed performance. The show offers a bridge between contemporary life and Jesus’ birth, comparing our own personal journey to Christmas day with the journey that the wise men took. With sparkle and songs to keep the children entertained and bags of good humour for the grown-ups, Journey of the Magi delights audiences of all ages and offers a chance to reflect and refocus.

“Absolutely fabulous show. Wonderful mix of fun, wit, and meaning. It made me laugh and it made me cry all in a couple of minutes. (Hope you'll come back.)”  Richard, Poynton Methodist Church.

Springs is inviting churches to host a performance of Journey of the Magi, which will be available nationally during Advent 2023. Further information can be found on the Springs Dance Company website.