Published on: 13/08/2026
Churches across denominations took part in a special ‘Ecumenifest’ event at the weekend, bringing together a diverse range of people from different walks of life.
Three churches in the Diocese of Sheffield (St John the Baptist Wales, Harthill with Woodall and Thorpe Salvin), Blessed William Richard Catholic Church and Kiveton Wales Methodist Chapel shared fellowship on Saturday 8 August.
Taking place on a day of sunshine and warm weather, some of those attending enjoyed a walk around Harthill Ponds before lunch in the Old School Room, followed by worship. The Harthill Church cake, a replica that took over 100 hours to make, was cut and shared before games were played at church lane.
The ecumenical partnership have regularly met for Lectio during Lent since 2019 and have also enjoyed an annual Songs of Praise at alternating venues. The group also meet monthly for Bible Study and Prayer and have introduced a few social occasions over the last couple of years.
Revd Julie Coates, Deputy Chair of the Sheffield Methodist District, said:
‘Since becoming Minister of Wales Kiveton Methodist Church, just over a year ago, one of the greatest joys has been discovering the strength of the ecumenical relationships that exist between our churches. I have been genuinely impressed by the close partnership shared between Wales Kiveton Methodist Church, Blessed William Richardson Catholic Church, and the Anglican churches in Wales, Harthill, and Thorpe Salvin.
‘What has struck me most is that this partnership is centred on regularly meeting together to study the Bible, to pray, and to encourage one another. I have already been part of some refreshingly deep and earnest discussions about faith. These gatherings demonstrate that, while we come from different traditions, we are united in our desire to know Christ more deeply and to serve our communities faithfully.
‘Our shared ministry extends well beyond the regular meetings. Some members put on a monthly service at Ladyfield Care Home. Alongside this, the churches work together on outreach initiatives and social events, recognising that we can often achieve more together than we can separately. We are grateful at the Methodist Church for the way in which our ecumenical friends support the monthly Soup and Song sessions – and do our best to support events held in the other churches and promote joint activities.
‘I have received a very warm welcome into this ecumenical community. Time and again, I find myself walking into meetings and being pleasantly surprised by how many people have come along. That level of commitment speaks volumes. It reflects the value people place on these relationships and their willingness to invest time and energy in serving alongside one another.’
Revd Gary Schofield, Vicar of Wales, Priest in Charge of Harthill with Woodall and Thorpe Salvin, said:
‘It has been a real joy to welcome Julie into our longstanding ecumenical fellowship. We share faith and fun in equal measure and are a great joy to one another. We enrich one another’s spiritual lives and journeys through a fellowship that is warm and friendly in spirit, yet deep and meaningful in its content. We are committed to meeting regularly and working positively together.’
