The Weekly - EBULLETIN 13 April 2010
Last Updated on Thursday, 20 May 2010 14:11
Tuesday 13th April 2010
The Diocese of Sheffield
The Weekly - EBULLETIN
The Diocese of Sheffield is called to grow a sustainable network of Christ-like, lively and diverse Christian communities in every place which are effective in making disciples and in seeking to transform our society and God’s world.
Edited by Revd Rob Marshall and Tracey Stemarthe
WELCOME BACK
Our first chance as a communications team to wish you a Happy Eastertide!
The Week Ahead
Friday 16th April Isabella Gilmore, Deaconess (1923)
Sunday 18th April Third of Easter
Monday 19th April Alphege, Archbishop of Canterbury, martyr (1012)
New Archdeacon’s service: Thursday 29th April, 7.30pm
Representatives from many parishes across the Diocese will gather at the Cathedral for the installation of Martyn Snow as the new Archdeacon of Sheffield and Rotherham.
Archdeacon Snow will work across the Sheffield and Rotherham archdeaconry focusing particularly on the mission of the church in his work with clergy and laity.
Bishop Steven will take part in the service at which he will also be welcomed by his fellow Archdeacon, Bob Fitzharris.
Full media release: www.sheffield.anglican.org
NEW: Yorkshire Dioceses Boundary Review
In the autumn of 2009 the Commission commenced a review of the boundaries of the five Yorkshire dioceses (Bradford, Ripon and Leeds, Sheffield, Wakefield and York). The aim is to establish whether the shape and boundaries of the existing dioceses tend to facilitate the Church’s mission to the people and communities of Yorkshire or whether different boundaries would enable the Church to relate to them more effectively.
A progress report is available on the Church of England website at
http://www.cofe.anglican.org/about/gensynod/
NEW: Ten Days of Prayer from Ascension to Pentecost 2010
This is a timely opportunity to step out in faith and believe God for his possibilities rather than being constrained by our limitations. Nothing is impossible with God, so we can expect great things from a great God.
Together we will be praying the Diocesan Vision Statement into being.
The Diocese of Sheffield is called to grow a sustainable network of Christ-like, lively and diverse Christian communities in every place, which are effective in making disciples and in seeking to transform our society and God’s world.
What a privilege! What a challenge! What an awesome responsibility!
Why not start praying the Vision straight away…
We can pray the vision in many different ways.
Focus on a different part at different times of the day.
Focus on particular words: sustainable; diverse; community; network; transform.
Use this kind of prayer to inform your planning as a parish or deanery.
More details and downloadable leaflets www.sheffield.anglican.org
AROUND THE DIOCESE
NEW: MINISTRY AND MISSION NEWS KEEPING YOU INFORMED.
The great encouragement of recent months has been the setting up of a lay parish evangelist’s group for building up a support network and encouragement. The two meetings have been amazing. Mike Gilbert has given plain but challenging material for the group to tackle in small groups and my goodness do they pray and support one another. A third meeting is booked.
The tough side just now is encouraging registration for Back to Church Sunday 2010. Although we are aiming at a 50% take up from parishes in the diocese - so far 17 parishes have registered and the target is 86, there’s time yet so please keep them coming.
From The Diocesan Mission Coordinator
NEW: Diocesan Directory 2010/11 Parish Returns
All parishes will have received a letter from Data Handling Dept at Church House, Rotherham requesting details of updated parish information to go in the next Diocesan Directory. Inputting information and proof reading is quite a lengthy task so we require all information to be returned by the 15th May please. Any information received after this date will, unfortunately, not be inputted into the Directory. Should you prefer to complete and return your Parish Return via email a copy of the form will shortly be available on website download page. The Data Protection Form will also be available via the website or you can phone or email Data Handling on 01709 309128/162; This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and we will be please to send one out to you (NB - this form only needs to be signed by anyone new to post, anyone in a current position should have signed the form previously and this is valid until they leave the post concerned). Should you require any further information or have any questions please feel free to contact Jean or Christine on - 01709 309100
NEW: The marriage of Foreign Nationals by Ecclesiastical Preliminaries
In recent months, concern has been raised in the national media arising from the marriage of foreign nationals in the Church of England without Home Office approval. Clergy will recall that, in July last year, a vicar in the Diocese of Chichester was arrested for allegedly conducting 180 “sham marriages” involving foreign nationals and, in the same month, police arrested a number of individuals in the Dioceses of Coventry and Wakefield in connection with similar alleged offences. The Faculty Office of the Archbishop of Canterbury has issued guidance to clergy to help them to consider the issues surrounding such marriages and this can be found at the following website: http://www.facultyoffice.org.uk/Marriage.html
Please refer any queries to the Diocesan Registrar, Andrew Vidler, either by telephoning (0114) 2666660 or by sending an email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
The Resources Centre
The Resources Centre will be closed for one week from the 12th – 16th April 2010.
We have a huge display in the Resources Centre of items suitable for Lent and Easter worship and activities: Lent study books, prayers, dramas, puppets and scripts, service ideas, assemblies, Sunday School ideas, CDs, DVDs, posters, display materials etc, etc Do come and look for yourself or give us a ring. See also the list of our recent purchases on the Sheffield Diocesan Resources Centre web page. Kathryn & Liz tel 01709 309105
Church Leadership
A series of 12 contemporary images has been published in the CPAS Church Leadership resource to portray the story of Jesus’ resurrection set in modern-day Leeds. Various locations around the city feature in the drawings, including a funeral home, city centre cafe and the lakeside in Roundhay Park. Simon Smith, a widely acclaimed illustrator, has created the images which have been published alongside complementary text by the Rev Ian Adams which can be used as a series of prayer stations. Go to www.cpas.org.uk/leeds to view a selection of the images and find out more information about CPAS Church Leadership.
Building relations between churches and schools
Looking at ways to develop relationships between your church and local school? Go to www.localchurchlocalschool.org.uk
School of Theology Conference
Saturday 17th April, 9.30 – 12.30
St Thomas Crookes, Sheffield, in partnership with St Paul’s Theological Centre, Holy Trinity Brompton, London.
The School of Theology offers an opportunity to listen to some of the best thinkers and communicators of Christian faith today and to discuss these ideas with others in two tracks: the ‘Bible’ track and the ‘Faith’ track. Our topics are “Romans” (Bible track – Bishop Tom Wright) and “Holy Spirit” (Faith track – Revd Dr Graham Tomlin). Both speakers are on DVD. All welcome, see www.schooloftheology.org.uk or telephone 0114 2671090 for full details or to sign up
Spring Conference
Saturday 17th April, 10.30 - 16.00
St Marks Church, Broomhill, Sheffield
St Mark’s Centre for Radical Christianity invites you to its Spring Conference, when Dr Nicola Slee will lead a day conference on Christa: The Female Christ: Exploring the humanity of Christ through Theology and Art. Nicola is Research Fellow and Team Leader of the MA in Applied Theological Studies at the Queen's Foundation for Ecumenical Theological Education, Birmingham and a freelance writer and theologian. While teaching and writing broadly in practical theology, her particular specialism is feminist theology. More details and application form at www.stmarkscrc.co.uk/news-and-events/crc-events
Test of Faith Tour
Wednesday 21st April, 19.30
Cliff College, Calver, Hope Valley, Derbyshire, S32 3XG.
This tour is exploring some of the issues in the relationship between science and faith and will be a very worthwhile and interesting evening. Admission is free and all are welcome so please do invite others to go along to the evening. If you have any further questions or if you would like to receive printed copies of the flyer, please contact Mrs Sue Smith on 01246 584220; Email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Sheffield Peace Walk
Sunday 25th April, 2pm
St Cuthbert’s Church, Fir Vale, corner of Barnsley Road and Owler Lane
Yorkshire and Humberside Faiths Forum and the Islamic Society of Britain (South Yorkshire) have come together to organise the 6th annual Peace Walk through Burngreave in Sheffield. The walk will stop outside the following places of worship for reflection and prayer: Trinity Church, Ghoshia Mosque, Masjid Umar, Seventh Day Adventist, St Catherine’s. Allya Mosque, and Al-Rahman Mosque. For more information please contact Kate Plant on This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Heritage at risk 2010 – Places of worship
30th June
English Heritage, as part of its Heritage at Risk programme, is researching the physical condition of Places of Worship. It will announce the results of a sample survey that offers an insight into the condition of England’s listed faith buildings. It will reveal how many are likely to be at serious risk of decay and explore what is happening in others to maintain these national treasures for the future. http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/server/show/ConWebDoc.17689
FOR YOUR PRAYERS
Occupational Prayer Cycle
We ask you to pray this week (16th - 22nd April) for people from the following occupations;- Architects, town planners, surveyors, estate agents. The Occupational Prayer Cycle, which runs week by week, covers nearly all occupations over the course of the year. It is produced by South Yorkshire Workplace Chaplaincy (SYWC), and more information can be found on their website at http://www.sywc.org.uk/opc/. SYWC has no direct connection with people in these roles. But the work such people do has a great influence on all our lives.
IN THE NEWS
NATIONAL
The National Churches Trust Survey 2010
The National Churches Trust, formerly the Historic Churches Preservation Trust, is launching a survey of the churches, chapels and meeting houses in the UK, of every Christian denomination, of all ages and conditions, to understand how they are maintained, repaired, funded and used by their local communities. The survey launches in April 2010 at http://survey.nationalchurchestrust.org – it is easy to follow and online support and technical help is offered. Information from the survey will inform policy-making enabling the Trust and the whole sector to offer support to those who care for church buildings. The survey also offers a unique opportunity for communities with responsibilities for a church building to share their successes and raise any concerns. For further information about the National Churches Trust visit www.nationalchurchestrust.org.
Treasures of Lambeth Palace Library – 400th Anniversary Exhibition 1610-2010
Monday 17 May until Friday 23 July 2010
To celebrate 400 years since its foundation, Lambeth Palace Library is set to open its doors with a fascinating exhibition, 'Treasures of Lambeth Palace Library - 400th Anniversary Exhibition 1610-2010', opening in Lambeth Palace's Great Hall from Monday 17 May until Friday 23 July 2010. The exhibition will reveal centuries of history and hints at the depth and intellectual value of the items in the Library's care, some of which will be on display for the first time. It will draw from the incomparably rich and diverse collections of manuscripts, archives and printed books, built up over the past four centuries. Richard Bancroft, Archbishop of Canterbury from 1604 until his death in 1610, bequeathed his extensive collection of printed books and manuscripts “to the Arch-Bishops of Canterbury successively for ever,” resulting in the formation of Lambeth Palace Library. See also www.lambethpalacelibrary.org.
PEOPLE AND PLACES
Recent movements in the Diocese:
Revd Canon William Lamb will become Vice Principal, Westcott House, Cambridge
Revd Canon Ian Draffan will retire on 17th April
Revd Canon Lawrence Jenkins will retire on 31st July
Revd Alan Parkinson will retire on 9th June
JOBS AND COURSES
NEW: Spring Courses and Events under Ministry of Training
Here are a few of the downloadable course application forms available this spring from the Ministry Training page of the Diocesan website. For a brief overview of each course / event click on to the front page of the website and scroll down to events.
- FOUNDATIONS OF FAITH 2010 POSTER 5
- PUBLICITY FOR EVENTS AND COURSES OUTSIDE THE DIOCESE MARCH 2010
- NUTS & BOLTS - PARISH & PCC
- NUTS & BOLTS - PARISH & ADMINISTRATION
- CMD - PRE-RETIREMENT
- CMD - STRATEGY FOR EVANGELISM
- CMD - WILLING HANDS - WORKING WITH VOLUNTEERS
- CMD - CLERGY SAFETY
- SCHOOL OF MINISTRY APPLICATION / NOMINATION FORM 2010
Contact Trish Stafford on 01709 309147 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for further information or help.
Worship 4 Today - A Course for Worship Leaders and Musicians
Wednesday 14th April or Tuesday 4th May 7.00 – 9.00 pm
Taster Evenings for the new course beginning in September 2010 at Diocesan Church House, Rotherham. Revd Helen Bent Bishop's Adviser in Music and Worship writes:
This is an ideal training opportunity for your key worship leaders and musicians to be equipped and encouraged. The year long Worship 4 Today course is now an established part of the Sheffield Diocesan School of Ministry. We are looking forward to a fruitful fourth year with a new group. Come to one of the taster evenings where nomination forms will be available. They are also downloadable from the Diocesan Website. Closing Date for Applications: Monday 7th June. I look forward to seeing your prospective candidates at one of the Taster Evenings.
Pioneer Chaplain
Luton Town Centre Chaplaincy are looking for a committed Christian to establish and develop a town centre chaplaincy in Luton—a multi-cultural town with people of many faiths and none. A successful applicant will be self-motivated with pastoral experience and a desire to reach out with the love of God to those working in, or visiting the town centre. In addition he/she will have strong leadership skills and the ability to develop, train and manage a team of volunteers.
Application packs available from Helen Roche, LTCC, c/o St Mary’s Church, Church Street,
Luton LU1 3JF or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it www.lutontcc.org.uk
Closing date: 17th April. Interviews will be held on 26th April
Hallam Methodist Church
[Part of the Sheffield (West) Circuit] are recruiting a Children and Families Worker
Are you passionate about building God’s kingdom, a kingdom that is open to children and families? We have an exciting opportunity for a full-time Children and Families worker to develop, lead and co-ordinate learning, worship and faith-building activities for children and their families, with a focus on 7-12 year olds develop relationships with children and families in the local community including outreach activities and schools work to encourage, train and enthuse the congregation to support activities for children and families. As a key member of the church leadership team, you will help us fulfill our mission. Salary £14,500-£16,000 depending on qualifications and experience. Three year contract. A four bedroom house is provided rent free. For an application pack contact John Hayes at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or phone 0114 2668729. Applications by: Sunday 25th April. Interview Date: Saturday 8th May
Whirlow Grange; flat for rota duties
A free flat is available at Whirlow Grange Conference Centre in exchange for rota duties on night security. One bed top floor flat with bathroom and kitchen, rent free, with free heat, light and water, you pay your own Council Tax, TV license and food costs. You will be expected to do night porter duties and act as night security on at least 15 nights per month, shared with another person who also lives on site. The flat and position is permanent and available for an indefinite period. It would suit a single person supportive of the Christian Ministry. Some predecessors have also had additional employment elsewhere during the daytime. Applications in the first instance by telephone call to the Manager (ONLY) on 0114 236 3173
Please send all your eBulletin copy (maximum 100 words) to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
APPENDIX: Book Review
Reviewer: Revd Canon John B Thomson, Director of Ministry, Diocese of Sheffield.
Chris Edmondson, Fit to Lead: Sustaining Effective Ministry in a Changing World (London: DLT, 2002) ISBN: 978-0-232-52431-4
Angela Shier-Jones, Pioneer Ministry and Fresh Expressions of Church (London: SPCK, 2009) ISBN 978-0-281-06113-6
Both of these books have lots of practical suggestions to offer about ministry today. Chris Edmondson’s book has been around since 2002 and is on its third run so is obviously selling well. It is rooted in his ministerial practice as a parish cleric and evangelism officer in Carlisle Diocese. Basically it is a clergy survival guide for challenging times when clerical roles and expectations are changing as Christendom wanes and the pic n’ mix postmodern society is in full swing. Edmondson believes that a number of careful practices will help sustain and enrich ministry in this context. He focuses upon the need for ministers to take care of themselves and their nearest and dearest, to work more collaboratively and supportively together, to take Ministry Reviews, Continuing Ministerial Development and Sabbatical seriously and to work at team work, managing and enabling change, biblical study, prayer etc. Most of this is known in our heads but not always attended to in our practice.
Angela Shier-Jones’s book distils wisdom learned about pioneer ministry and Fresh Expressions. Although lots of books carry the FE theme, this is helpful because it gathers together practical advice in a manageable and accessible format. It offers no quick-fix solutions to the challenge of re-imagining church, but instead suggests ways of encouraging and supporting pioneer ministry and Fresh Expressions initiatives. Pioneer ministers need to focus their ministry around love for God, for neighbour and for self; they do well to be collaborative, reflective, visionary and hopeful. Most pioneers will be transitory figures, setting something up and then moving on when it is established, so will need particular support. Likewise Fresh Expressions initiatives are more likely to succeed if prayer, community listening and contextual research combine, existing resources are used imaginatively, boundaries and expectations are clarified and maturity is defined less in terms of numbers and more in terms of interdependence with the wider church.
Both books are doing books rather than vision books. They help us to see that all ministry depends upon the mundane as well as the passionate. They help us to see that tying our ministerial shoe laces means that the ministry run goes more swiftly and successfully than otherwise! Both books can be borrowed from the Resources Centre.
