|
 |
February 2023 E-Newsletter
Dear Friends,
I hope you will find things of value in this month’s edition of the e-news. There is a lot happening for us in our circuits and churches, and an awful lot is going on around us. On Wednesday 15th March our presbyters will meet for their session of Synod, while on the same day, the Spring Budget will be presented and various sectors will be on strike as they raise awareness of the challenges that employees are facing in the current financial crisis. The content of that budget will have consequences for us all; those in work and those not currently in work, for students, carers, and those who are retired.
I invite you, therefore, to pray in the days around the Budget. In those days there will be people working in various sectors trying to make decisions about what is possible, what is needed, and what can be done. There will be anxiety for people in receipt of salaries, pensions, and benefits about what impact the decisions of the day will have on them. There will be those in local and national government who will be trying to make sense of how best to use the resources that will be given, and cope with the loss of funding taken away. This will affect us all, so let us all pray for wisdom and insight for all.
Yours,
Kerry |
|
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.leeds@ywmethodist.org.uk with the information you’d like to share, or for further guidance. The deadline for the March E-Newsletter will be Tuesday 28th March at 5pm. |
|
Events |
Table Top Sale |
There will be a Table Top Sale at Stanley Methodist Church on Saturday 18th March between 10.30 am and 15.30 pm. There is no charge for tables but if participants have a successful mission selling, a suitable donation for attendance would be appreciated. Refreshments will be available and there is no charge for admission.
Monies raised will be in aid of Zarach, a charity which delivers beds and basics to children living in poverty.
If you would like to have a presence at this event, please email Tony Bell: tony.bell3@btinternet.com |
|
|
Cliff Festival |
Cliff Festival 2023 will run from Friday 26th to Monday 29th May. Our theme is Eden Restored, and we will be offering a full onsite programme of worship, teaching and activities alongside online-exclusive content for those who cannot join us on the Cliff College site. |
|
|
Thriving Families |
How are you supporting and reaching out to families and households? As lots of churches explore ways to connect with people in their neighbourhood, there’s a day to support you to do this well.
“Thriving Families” takes place on Thursday 23rd March from 11am - 2pm and is an opportunity to find out more about how you can get ministry with families and households up and running. There will also be a chance to learn about ways to support family wellbeing as well as sharing and discovering new resources. |
 |
|
|
Youth Mental Health First Aider Training |
This year there will be three opportunities for ministers, workers, volunteers or parents/guardians who are connected to the Methodist Church to qualify as Youth Mental Health First Aiders.
Each of the courses runs online over four sessions (with some self-guided learning required ahead of each session). The cost of the course is £35 - which covers your training materials that are sent directly to your home or work address. The recommended retail price for this training is £300 and the Methodist Church is pleased to be able to continue to offer it at a heavily subsidised rate. Go to the Methodist Church website for more information and to book. |
|
|
REMINDER OF DISTRICT SYNODS |
Presbyteral Synod will take place on Wednesday 15th March at Eldwick Church, Otley Road, Eldwick, Bingley, BD16 3EQ.
Representative Synod will take place on Saturday 22nd April at Woodkirk Academy, Rein Road, Tingley, Wakefield, WF3 1JQ. |
Don’t forget to check the District website for details of other upcoming events. |
|
Vacancies |
District Office - Admin Assistant |
We are seeking to appoint a part-time Admin Assistant to work as part of the District Team. There will be opportunity for progression in the next two years, subject to satisfactory performance. The role requires 25 hours per week (Monday to Friday, 9:30 am to 2:30 pm) and the rate of pay is £12.50 per hour, with enrolment in the District's NEST workplace pension scheme. A flexible term-time plus three weeks working pattern may be considered.
Closing Date: Friday 10th March 2023 at 12 noon Interview Date: Thursday 16th March 2023. |
|
|
Christchurch Ilkley - Operations Manager |
This is an exciting opportunity for a highly capable and motivated person to play a central role in the effective operation of an active, outwardly focused joint Methodist and United Reformed Church located in the heart of Ilkley. The successful applicant will need to be sympathetic to the broad mission of Christchurch Ilkley.
Performing a wide range of tasks across the church, with a focus on finance, personnel and buildings administration, the successful applicant will be responsible for the line management of three members of staff and will work closely with many volunteers. Excellent organisational and communication skills are essential.
Closing Date: Monday 13th March 2023 at 12 noon Interview Date: Tuesday 21st March 2023. |
|
|
News |
Reporting the Impact of Leeds Sanctuary |
Leeds Sanctuary are pleased to announce that their Impact Report for the 2021/22 Connexional Year is available to view and download online.
The Impact Report provides a summary of the regular communities, temporary communities and individual events we ran across the year, as well as a short summary of our digital resources. While the Report was a great opportunity for us to review our work, we are also hopeful that it will be useful in promoting the work we do when building new relationships, and also for any future applications for funding we may wish to make. |
|
|
Rural Mission in the Yorkshire West District |
Our District is committed to supporting Rural Mission. We are a very diverse District and cover some significant rural areas and communities.
We have a District Rural Strategy which was adopted by Synod last April. If you would like to explore this further in your church or circuit, or have any questions about Rural Mission, please contact the District Rural lead, Andrew Webb. You can also contact Andrew to add your name to regular mailings about Rural Mission and Ministry.
One project we are involved with is called “Positively Rural”. This is an online community hosted by the Yorkshire Plus Learning Network, but open to anyone of any denomination involved in Rural Ministry, including volunteers, lay workers and clergy. We meet for online webinars around 4 times a year, and it is also possible to catch-up on previous webinars here.
Our next webinar is on April 26th at 1pm and will be led by Revd Jill Marsh, the Inclusive Church Implementation Officer in the Methodist Church. The theme will be “Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in a rural setting”.
If you want to link to the Connexional pages on Rural Mission and Ministry, with links to various learning opportunities, click here. |
|
|
|
|
Methodist Church |
Did you know there is a wealth of resources on the Methodist Church website around Vocations? These excellent resources are intended to help each and everyone of us explore what God is calling us to be and do – and that means everyone, not just those exploring a call to ordination. If your role offers you the opportunity to facilitate everyday conversations around what God might be calling people to, then watch this short video and learn what amazing user-friendly resources are available to support you. We all “have to find the metre for our poem, the key in which to sing our song to God.” - Rowan Williams. |
 |
|
|
Flourish Cards |
The Methodist Church has developed a range of cards to help churches and individuals encourage those in education. From teachers to students, show them you care through a prayerful message and encouraging Bible verse. Available now from Methodist Publishing. |
 |
|
|
Places of Welcome |
Are you a Warm Space? Could you run an all year round warm space? Why not considering joining the Places of Welcome Network.
Places of Welcome are a national network of venues hosted in community centres, places of worship, libraries, and village halls, which run weekly throughout the year, providing connection and belonging, free refreshments and a welcoming environment.
Joining the network is free and simple to do and allows you to join hundreds of other spaces across the country including about 40 in West Yorkshire. Locally there is also the support of Wellsprings Together who coordinate the local Places of Welcome. We are able to visit leaders and volunteers in action, help to draw together various regional and local peer support groups (online and in-person) and to encourage leaders to work together and with local partners and to build resilience for the future.
We also supply a free Places of Welcome Banner and leaflets, and by joining Places of Welcome, which is free of charge, you increase the visibility of your venue in your community and beyond.
To join the network head to https://www.placesofwelcome.org.uk/join-us or to find out more contact Peter Smith at peter.smith@wellspringstogether.org.uk |
 |
|
|
|
|
