Network The magazine of the Issue 13 Spring 2021

Successful Chaplaincy Prayer Funding Bid in COVID Walking

www.sheffield.anglican.org www.sheffield.anglican.org 1 Maundy Thursday The Venerable Malcolm Chamberlain Online Reflection The Revd Geoffrey Harbord Live from

Good Friday The Rt Revd Online Reflection The Revd Canon Geoffrey Harbord Live from Sheffield Cathedral

Holy Saturday The Venerable Online Reflection The Revd Canon Geoffrey Harbord Live from Sheffield Cathedral

Easter Sunday The Rt Revd Dr Pete Wilcox Live from Sheffield Cathedral

2 Diocese of Sheffield Magazine From the editor Welcome to the Spring issue of Network - the Mark, two of our Chaplains on the frontline of magazine for the Diocese of Sheffield. the pandemic give their take on the past year; we see how Focal Ministry is has been developed It is a feature-led publication showing the and adopted in the Penistone area; and we look Christian faith at work in our local communities. at how simple and powerful prayer walking can Network is still in digital format, and is actually be in these times. I do hope these features, and the first formal issue of the year! Indeed, what the other articles in the issue, inspire and lift you a year it has been. Like many diocese’ and as we look to a more hopeful summer. parishes around the country our print materials continue to be limited and on hold. Both because The magazine is aimed at everyone – whether a of the risk of transmission and because of fully committed Christian, a member of another issues around distribution. Stories of the year faith and those of no faith at all. We want to have been told online through the website, distribute it across parishes, local schools, social media, mailings and Zoom sessions. We community centres and more to increase the hope here, to capture some of these in a more awareness of what great things we are doing traditional format. It still unclear what the as the in South Yorkshire future holds, but we know that print is still the and East Riding. We are always looking out for preferred tool for many and this will be kept in great stories! So, if anyone would like to include mind for future issues. an article in the next issue then please email communications@ sheffield.anglican.org In this Spring issue we have three feature articles that I particularly want to highlight: Louise and LJ Buxton, Director of Strategic Communications Contents Featured 4 Transformation Bid 8 Vaccination Centre Article Chaplaincy 9 Chaplaincy in COVID Page 9 11 Social Supermarket 12 Celebration of Lay Ministry 14 Focal Ministry 18 Prayer Walking

www.sheffield.anglican.org 3 NEWS

A Successful Transformation Bid

“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.”

Our Diocesan Strategy formally launched on There are early indications that various 6 October 2018. It sets out how we plan to strands of the Diocesan strategy are already address our challenges and to realise our proving fruitful. However, we became aware vision by 2025. It falls under three areas: that a more fundamental shift was needed.

Renewed This Diocese, in common with the wider Church of England, has (for at least three To prioritise a real reliance on the Spirit decades) increasingly spread stipendiary of God in prayer and worship and in the clergy too thinly and has sought to consecration of our lives as individuals and supplement them with retired priests and communities. self-supporting clergy; but even with the contribution of these faithful people, the Released inherited model of parochial ministry is not sustainable and is insufficient to reverse To release parishes from current constraints longstanding decline. This has been further and to liberate untapped potential of exacerbated by the pandemic. disciples For this reason, work was undertaken to Rejuvenated examine all options that might enable the Diocese to create a sustainable platform for To engage more younger people and growth. Since then, we have developed our urgently plant new churches and thinking and have consulted widely on the congregations. formation of a transformation programme.

4 Diocese of Sheffield Magazine NEWS

In 2019, the Archbishops’ Council of the Lights for Christ Church of England announced a £45 We seek to mobilise the whole people of God for million fund to help Dioceses to plan for the whole mission of God, so that every baptized future sustainability. It is expected that person is enabled to shine as a light in the world the funding will support a relatively small number of dioceses, targeted on those with to the glory of God the Father. The extra finance the least historic and current resources. will enable us to build further on this work and In December, we were able to announce to support every congregation, chaplaincy and the good news that our bid to this fund school in fostering Everyday Faith. had been successful – the first Diocese to access this fund. Deanery Support Offer

By aligning the central services team at Church House more closely to the strategy we will be able to provide direct help to Mission Areas in relation to finances, giving and generosity, compliance, and buildings. We believe these resources will genuinely help to lift the burden from clergy and lay leaders, releasing energy on the ground for mission.

All of the resources secured from the bid Common Fund will strengthen our plans to deliver the Diocesan Strategy. The funding will be We will be seeking to develop the current mainly focussed in five areas, which we have Common Fund system so that it contributes identified as critical to success in realising more effectively to the sustainability of our the vision: Diocese the ongoing implementation of the strategy. Well supported and energised clergy The focus of the ‘diocesan posts’ (funded Over the course of 2021, we will recruit through this support) is that they are four more Associate Archdeacons to centrally employed but locally deployed. In join the two appointed in late 2020, to other words, the focus of their work will be, enable the transition to Mission Areas, by to be ‘out and about’ in parishes and Mission supporting clergy, providing coaching and Areas helping us to achieve our vision skills development. They will also work on together and resource clergy, lay leaders the ground with PCCs, church officers and and mission areas on the ground. deanery teams to help them develop the Mission Areas and maximize the potential of Work on these five areas has begun in the new models of ministry. earnest in January 2021.

Focal Ministry Find out more at www.sheffield.anglican.org/ Recognising that developing Focal Ministers diocesan-strategy is a concern for many, we will develop a small team to support and equip Mission Areas in this area in this development.

www.sheffield.anglican.org 5 NEWS Church repurposed as a Vaccination Centre

St Columba’s Church building has been re-purposed as a Vaccination Centre in partnership with Stephen Hill Methodist Church, local GP surgeries and a team of amazing volunteers.

ollowing its successful “When we heard about this given over a 3-day time span. Fuse as a venue for flu opportunity, I knew it must take The team learnt that the vaccinations, the Primary priority because we are here to batch delivered gave at least Care Network asked to use St serve our community.” 150 more doses than the 975 Columba’s Church as a Covid - Revd Iain Lothian stated, so the logistics of Vaccination Centre. Keen to contacting those most in need serve the community and Preparations began before became a challenge that the knowing the importance of Christmas and involved medical team were determined the vaccination roll out, the much liaison between church to overcome. This they did. joint leadership team agreed members, the GP practices, Not one vaccine was wasted! to dedicate the St Columba’s NHS England and the Care Over the first week, delivery of site to this purpose and use Quality Commission and the two batches of Pfizer product Stephen Hill for any worship first vaccinations began in enabled over 2,000 people to services and other permitted January, with 975 doses of be vaccinated. community activities. Pfizer vaccine needing to be As the vital work continues, local Clinical Director, Dr Tom McAnea praised the team;

‘The total number of patients receiving their first vaccine dose since 9th January now stands at approximately 10,400 which we have done in 21 days. This equates to over 25% of the total population of the 6 practices. That is an incredible achievement and I want to thank every member of the team who has made this possible. It has been truly St Columba’s Church, Crosspool collaborative and inspiring.’

6 Diocese of Sheffield Magazine NEWS Eco Church Festival 2021

The Diocese of Sheffield will be hosting the Eco Church Festival with ‘Churches Count on Nature’ 2021.

he festival celebrates God’s For places of worship and Tcreation and is linked with church communities, there will ‘Churches Count on Nature’ be advice and support to make week, including sessions for practical progress, including at children and young people. every stage of their Eco Church journey. It will also provide space to pray and reflect on the climate The festival links with the Eco and nature crises in the lead Church North West and South up to COP26. Interactive East conferences earlier this Eco Church Festival workshops and sessions will be year to further encourage us in of interest to all who wish to our Pilgrimage to Net Zero and Saturday 12th June 2021. actively care for God’s creation. Going Beyond Bronze. http://sheffdio.org/ecofest21

Enterprising Young People Illuminate their Sweatshirts

lluminate Youth, at St John’s Owlerton, has Idesigned and made lockdown sweatshirts as a social enterprise project.

There are three designs in all. The sweatshirts are ethically sourced and produced, they cost £30 each, and £5 from the sale of each sweatshirt goes to the charity Young Minds.

Find out more or purchase a sweatshirt: www.stjb.org.uk/illuminate-sweatshirt-project Illuminate Sweatshirts

www.sheffield.anglican.org 7 FEATURE Chaplains on the front line

The Covid-19 pandemic has been a steep learning curve for everyone in the NHS, including chaplains. Their initial fears and the ever-changing rules for PPE (personal protective equipment), in visiting patients and the many other restrictions from the Government have been challenging, at times.

have felt privileged to work alongside my Our team have undertaken several weddings Ichaplaincy colleagues and NHS staff in offering by the Archbishops Special Licence, as Anglican pastoral, spiritual and religious care to our Priests are currently the only people who are patients and families. Our valued volunteers able to officiate at hospital weddings. It is often have been stood down during the pandemic sad circumstances that lead to a request for and this has been a huge loss for us and for the chaplains to lead a wedding service. It is also a patients we serve. great privilege to help to create joyful memories for families in such challenging times. However, we have continued to support the patients and families through our visits, One couple recently messaged me after their leading religious services such as weddings, wedding service to say; baptisms and funerals. Our chapel s and prayer rooms have become spaces for hospital staff to enter and find some peace away from the Thank you from the busy wards and departments. Our Christians bottom of our hearts for in the Workplace Group (CWG) has continued “ to support over 60 staff through regular email yesterday, your efforts support , rather than our usual face to face (along with everyone in group sessions in the chapels. the hospital) made us very happy and gave us all some memories we will never forget. ” The vaccination programme and the gradually reducing numbers of patients with Covid-19 in the hospitals continue to offer us a hopeful sign for the future. I feel privileged to show God’s care during such testing times and would ask for you to remember us in your prayers.

Revd Louise Yaull, Chaplaincy Team Leader, Revd Louise Yaull Sheffield Teaching Hospitals Trust 8 Diocese of Sheffield Magazine FEATURE

s part of its commitment to holistic care, One of the more unusual aspects of the year ASt Luke’s Hospice employs a small team of was that we had three weddings to organise, chaplains – working a mix of full and part-time two at the hospice and one at patient’s home – to provide pastoral, spiritual and religious and that involved applying to the Archbishop of support. Mark Newitt shares his reflections on Canterbury’s Facility Office for a special licence the past year as part of that team. for the ceremonies to go ahead.

I think in some ways, for me, the pandemic I was involved in both the IPC weddings and both actually simplified the way I approached my went very well, though they were very different. work at St Luke’s. As the pandemic took hold, The first was a couple who had been together the hospice’s Active Intervention Centre was many years so in some ways they were wanting suspended and our work at Clifford House to acknowledge their relationship, while with the stopped so my work became much more other couple there was a sadness that they were focussed on the In Patient Centre. That was good at the start of their journey. for me because it gave me the chance to do what I love, which is to be alongside the patients and support them on their journey.

Healthcare chaplains minister to a community of staff, patients and those that matter to them who face some of the most profound human experiences. Within this context, we pay attention to the meanings and stories of people’s lives, hopes, beliefs and doubts.

I have sometimes used the term ‘embedded Mark at the Wedding Ceremony apologist’ to describe my work, but we are also perhaps gentle revolutionaries witnessing to There is something about a wedding, something the fact that we are more than the sum of our to do with the ritual, that makes it a rite of parts. To individuals, and the institutions that passage and though these two ceremonies had a we work in, we are a reminder of a transcendent very different feel, they were both very special. dimension to life. Being part of that process was all part of the For me, as a Christian, that dimension includes holistic care that we offer at St Luke’s and is also the divine; though for others it may be music, part of a much bigger package of support. nature or something else entirely. In allowing space for ‘the other,’ chaplains enable people I think what I might say about the past year is to keep searching and wrestling with questions that it has been both extraordinary and extra of the ultimate, and to connect, re-connect ordinary, with everybody getting on with the or deepen their connection to that which is everyday work but at the same time achieving transcendent or ‘other’ to them. some very special things. Obviously things were made more difficult by having to wear PPE, but in some ways, the new It really has distilled things for me and made way of working made it almost a distillation of the essence of chaplaincy very obviously about what the job is about and gave us chance to patients, families and staff but doing that work in focus on those important conversations, not only extraordinary circumstances. with the patients but with the staff as well.

www.sheffield.anglican.org 9 NEWS Reaffirming our Baptismal Calling at Easter

As we approach a second Easter living under the shadow of Covid 19 and the restrictions it has brought, it provides an opportunity to be reminded that at the heart of the Christian Message, and the Easter story, is the truth of Light overcoming the darkness as death is defeated.

ver the last year, so many another as we are reminded Opeople across our churches of our calling to be Lights for have been Lights for Christ as Christ in the world and seek they have cared for each other, God’s help as we respond to their families and those in their His call. communities. The resources can be This Easter we invite you to dowloaded from the Lights for use the Reaffirmation Liturgy Christ website to print or share that was introduced last year with your community. as part of your Easter services in order to encourage one lightsforchrist.uk/ruleoflife

“We will shine as

Charity Registration number 1002026 in the world.”

10 Diocese of Sheffield Magazine NEWS Social Supermarket

Christine Batchford shares how the successful TimeBuilders project is now building confidence, community and resilience through a Social Supermarket.

he Social Supermarket Our members come to the Tgrew out of the needs of shop in Rotherham Minster the pandemic. We gave out each week. They pay £3 each food parcels April – August, time and get to choose from but it was a temporary project a wide selection of food. They and we knew that Rotherham can take staples such as pasta, had a good supply of food milk and tins as well as fresh Social Supermarket banks, so we didn’t want to fruit and vegetables. We also start up another one. We have toiletries and treats - and volunteers. Some of the knew that people were in sometimes even bunches of congregation who have been financial difficulty and that flowers. shielding and can’t physically this was going to be the case get involved have provided a for a long time, so we looked The church has seen that in wonderful blanket of prayer, for a different way to provide serving this community we are offering up prayers for safe help and came across the offering the love of Christ to deliveries of babies, new local pantry model. This gives some of the most vulnerable in homes and jobs. We are excited members dignity and choice as our town. They have even been about this new part of the well as providing social contact. willing to turn over a whole Rotherham Minster family and side of the church building to a look forward to what they can storage and shopping area. So bring to the rest of the church many people have commented as we journey in the love of that this is exactly what the God together. church should be doing! We have been running less We are about so much more than 6 months, but are already than food. Members are able to wondering about getting a join in with crafts and activities new home. We open 2 days a (take home packs during lock week, but would love to open down) and there is always more. And it would be great to someone around for a chat. have the room to run English Being in a church offers us conversation groups, cooking a great opportunity to offer classes and a café. Setting up shop to pray for both members Watch this space…

www.sheffield.anglican.org 11 NEWS

Celebration of Lay Ministry

In February, an online service took place to celebrate those that have persevered through disruptions, delay and distancing toward their vocation as Readers, Pastoral Workers and other lay ministries.

Here are their experiences, in their own words. of England that I otherwise would not have experienced. It has led me to a deeper and Deborah Cockayne Travis, Reader fuller understanding of my own faith and my St Polycarp, Malin Bridge belonging and service to God as part of the body of Christ. At the School of Ministry, I have been privileged to be taught, encouraged and supported by My commitment to follow Jesus has always been tutors and mentors whose knowledge and strong, but now it is reinforced and underpinned experience have challenged and developed by a greater knowledge and understanding my learning, and my vocational calling to be a because of the teaching I have received at the Reader. School of Ministry. I am confident and convinced of my calling to lay ministry and I have a hunger Importantly, I have learned much from my fellow to learn more. students, and have been enriched by getting to know them and in sharing our experience Tony Heppel, Reader together. Being a student at the School of Rossington: St Michael (Parish) Ministry has given me the opportunity to explore the richness and the diversity of the Church I came to the School of Ministry with lots of questions about the bible and God – and what plans he has for me. I finish my time here with even more questions about the bible and God. But, because of the School of Ministry, I believe that I have a far greater understanding of God’s plans for me.

I entered School of Ministry nervously sat at the back of class, not daring to say much. I go out from School of Ministry leading services in church with lots to proclaim about our Lord Jesus, and remembering that he is always with us to the end of the age. Deborah Cockayne Travis

12 Diocese of Sheffield Magazine NEWS

Fiona Ball, Foundations Course Caro Staton, Foundations Course St Timothy’s, Sheffield St Luke’s Church, Lodge Moor

For me, this has been a fantastic journey of I started the Foundations Course hoping to discovery. Right at the beginning, back in 2019, learn a bit more about the bible, Jesus and my I sat in the classroom very, very nervous – relationship with him, and to get a greater sense wondering if I’d make it through the day. Being of my calling. Ever since I was a teenager, the in a classroom frightened me half to death, and longing of my heart has been to go deeper with I wondered if it was going to be like school. It God. To know Him more, and to be known by turned out to be nothing like school. Him, and to have an intimate relationship with Him. Through doing the training and picking the brains of the tutors I began to grow in my faith Through this course I feel that I have gone a and I knew that God was planning the way ahead little deeper, and become a little more intimate for me and my future. I’m excited about what’s with God, and I’ve gained the skills to improve going to be happening next because I know that my service leading and preaching (including Jesus is with me. recording services online) as part of my calling to the lay ministry.

Tony Heppel Fiona Ball Caro Staton

If you think God might be calling you, then What Next is a good place to start that conversation. It is is an opportunity to think through and chat about what it might mean to be called. If you are interested, please book onto the next session on Thursday 22nd April: www.stpeterscollege.org.uk/events Worship4Today Online

he Worship4Today (W4T) course is being Practice at putting together short acts of Tdelivered online this year. Although it’s a very worship as a group have been trialled using practical course, Liz Tipple, course leader and Zoom Breakout Rooms with some success. co-author, is adapting the teaching for online Students who were very apprehensive about this learning through the St Peter’s College website. new way of learning have stuck with it and are gaining confidence month by month. Monthly Zoom sessions are an hour shorter than the old face-to-face sessions were, so some of We look forward to restoring the opportunity for the teaching material has been developed into practical experience that is so valuable to this videos and presentations for students to look at course, but this season has presented it’s own in their own time. opportunities which will bear much fruit.

www.sheffield.anglican.org 13 FEATURE Focal Ministry

Jesus said, ‘I will build my church’ (Matthew 16:18). Easter is a powerful reminder that this is possible through the good news we bear. New life and forgiveness through the death and resurrection of Jesus can transform individual lives and whole communities.

nd yet, our experience is that it’s not quite Initially we thought this might be one of the Athat simple. Sometimes the practical Readers or a Deputy Warden. The day I chose to demands of growing a church community seem announce this in church turned out to be one of to mitigate against continuing to share the good those ‘Holy Spirit moments’. Mark Cockayne from news of Jesus. Patterns of ministry that might the Parish Support Team was there. After the have served us well in the past may now drain us service, he commented that this sounded exactly of energy and focus on maintenance at best. like a new pilot project called Focal Ministry.’

A fresh look at ministry Implementing Focal Ministry has meant examining how ministry is shared. David Churches in the Penistone, Thurlstone, Oxspring, recognises that it is crucial for an Oversight Carlecotes & Midhopestones have been on a Minister (or incumbent) to be committed to journey over the past couple of years that has enabling others. Often clergy have become led towards Focal Ministry. ‘permission-givers’, even though the ministry of the church belongs to the whole people of Revd David Hopkin says: God. He has adopted a supporting role which starts with reminding people that they are free ‘We had begun to realise that our pattern of to pursue the ministries to which God has called circulating round our five churches as a team of them. lay and ordained people was not serving them well. We concluded that each one needed what The Focal Ministry Team includes those original we were going to call a ‘Focus Minister’, a go-to ‘Focus Ministers’ but has expanded to draw person in that community. in other people. We hope it will be in place by summer 2021. Through a careful process of discernment, each has developed their own role description within the team. Some are new to authorised ministry and some carry specific areas of responsibility (e.g. in all-age worship, communications, pastoral work or mental health support). What is clear is that leadership in the church has been strengthened and capacity for mission and ministry increased. Focal Ministry also enables people to serve in ways that fit their St John The Baptist, Penistone passions and gifting. 14 Diocese of Sheffield Magazine FEATURE

They have realised that this will not just A more flexible way of doing church strengthen ministry at the smaller churches but at St John’s too. Being an integrated Focal Victoria, a mum with young children. She is Ministry Team brings the benefit of wider part of the second group to volunteer for Focal mutual support and accountability. It is a team Ministry. She says: that is designed for growth and which provides a pathway for others to explore new models of ‘I got involved gradually, helping with the plan- ministry. ning and practicalities of worship for families as the fluctuating demands of work allowed. I could see enthusiasm for Church amongst people of my generation and younger. I could also understand that often it wasn’t feasible for families to take part in Church life in the way they had in the past. Lockdown was a bit of an opportunity for me to try to find a way of doing Church in a more flexible way. I’ve tried to keep the format very simple, so other families have been able to help out. I’m keen to develop Service by candlelight and learn more so I’m looking forward to the training and I feel excited about growing in discipleship.’ A new way to learn Victoria has benefitted from having more expe- Steve Moyise will be the Co-ordinating Focal rienced members of the ministry team present Minister in the team. He admits that, initially, he at services to oversee and support her. She is found the Focal Ministry process a bit off-put- keen to pursue Focal Ministry to formalise the ting. Why would he, as a Reader, need to ‘jump work she is doing, and she has already learnt through various hoops’ again? that she can share this ministry with others too. It is important to note that this particular Steve has been involved with the School of area of ministry has flourished by allowing and Ministry for a long time, and he has valued all enabling a person that understands the needs the ways it equips people for ministry. But, he of young families to take a lead. Victoria is now finds himself genuinely energised by what now exploring a call to ordination. Sometimes the Focal Ministry model means in terms of people ask: “Where will we find the Focal Min- learning: isters?” Let’s make sure that we don’t overlook the gifted people in our congregations who are ‘We have generally taken people out of their longing to serve. local situations to train together as a group with broadly parallel needs and interests. Focal Ministry allows us to learn as a diverse team, responding in real time to needs that emerge in ministry. Imagine two or three Focal Ministers preparing to preach on Trinity Sunday who can get together to think about what might be the best approach in different church communities at this point in our roadmap out of a pandemic. I am excited by the possibilities this approach offers.’ Church in the sun

www.sheffield.anglican.org 15 NEWS The Children’s Society: A vision for 2030

Canon Mark Russell, CEO of The Children’s Society

henever you look at the last decade 2010- W2020 life got harder for too many children and young people. Too many young people are living in insecure housing, too many young people are living in poverty needing a foodbank to survive, too many young people are feeling anxious and frightened, and too many young people are being abused and exploited.

So as we enter our 140th year as The Children’s Society, 140 years since Edward Rudolf in a We think children’s lives should be getting better small parish in London had a vision for this and easier and that children should be happier organisation to make a difference in the lives of and more hope-filled. But that’s not the case. vulnerable young people, we’ve set a fresh vision for this decade. For too many children in this country life is too hard, they are lonely, they are frightened, they Our vision is clear. We are The Children’s Society are anxious, and they are unhappy. And so The and our vision is that we want to see a society Children’s Society is going to throw everything built for all children. We will work tirelessly to at this decade – we are not prepared to accept see that vision become true, and when it does that children’s lives are getting harder in this our work will be done because society will work country and we are going to work tirelessly to for every child, no one will be left behind. Every ensure children’s lives get better. And our hope child can walk tall. Every child can be the best is that you will join us on that journey. they can be. Our Relationship Manager in the Diocese of And to achieve this we’ve set a bold goal for this Sheffield would love to be able to help you decade, and that is that by 2030 we will have support us – contact her at helen.whiteley@ overturned the damaging decline in children’s childrenssociety.org.uk or call her on 07539 well-being setting a path for long-lasting growth. 214403.

16 Diocese of Sheffield Magazine NEWS Generous June

“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.” 2 Corinthians 8:9 Save the Date

Generosity is at its core a lifestyle; a lifestyle in which we share all that we have, all that we are and all that we ever will become as a demonstration of God’s love and in response to God’s grace.

Generous June is a month long deep dive into June 1st 2021 how we may live this generous life; providing teaching on generosity from diverse voices JOIN US across the Diocese of Sheffield and high quality resources that help us to think through how our lives (attitudes, perceptions and habits) reflect Jesus and his generosity and how we may Whether you are a stay at home mum, a young actively live generously in our homes, churches professional, a student, church leader or and communities. volunteer. There is something here for you.

Thy Kingdom Come 2021

ast year’s Thy Kingdom Come took place to connect these events. There will also be one Ltwo months into lockdown but we had great evening online event, as a launch for monthly engagement from churches across the diocese Prayer Community events around the diocese. in online events, a 24-7 prayer room, and a virtual Beacon event. We also hope to launch prayer stations in three of our most iconic buildings and we’re conscious Since then, we have seen an exciting increase in that 17 May is a date when outdoor events / local church prayer activity. Here is a taster of gatherings could become possible. So, look out what we are planning for 2021. Much will again be for more news of possible in-person events in online, including a 24-hour prayer room across due course. all 10 days. Could your church sign up for a day or half a day? We cannot distribute printed resources this year but there is some excellent material available. We want to encourage people to hold local If you would like some, to connect with people Beacon events at 4.00pm on Pentecost Sunday who may have drifted away, please order directly (23 May); we will provide some central resources, from www.thykingdomcome.global including a sermon from Bishop Pete, and a way

www.sheffield.anglican.org 17 FEATURE Prayer Walking

Revd John Hibbard, Mission Development Adviser - Renewed

This month in Sheffield, Christians are prayer walking their streets with Arise. Here is a simple picture diary of a prayer walk in Rotherham around the parish of Bramley with some of the prayers that the walk brought to mind.

A) The Miners Path • For a safe return; good measures to control Just round the corner from my house Covid transmission. What a rich source of inspiration for prayer: • For the renewal of friendships

• To recall the history of this place C) Residential homes • To pray for people at work, especially in hard They have featured a lot in the news – many manual jobs deaths initially, staff working with less PPE than • To remember those who have lost work or was available in hospital settings, residents often whose health has suffered because of it not being able to receive visitors. • ‘Silverwood’ Mine = reminder of the name of our wider Mission Area and the underground So, I pray for them as they navigate the road map labyrinth that connects our parishes! out of lockdown. And I pray too for renewed links with the local church. This path is now very much the haunt of dog walkers & runners; a reminder of those green D) Shops spaces that have been even more of a place of As I look, I’m aware that some have been as busy renewal during the past year. as ever during the pandemic (food stores mainly) But the new block has businesses that were just B) Our Local Schools opening in 2019-2020. Many have been closed Praying for schools as they re-open this week, now for a year. and for the teachers and ultimately to rebuild our church links. Other places – café, beauty salon – have operated, but with various levels of restriction • For pupils who have faced so much disruption, So: I pray for business owners and for the self- especially those for whom home schooling has employed, especially those whose plans lie in been difficult or who were already struggling tatters pre-lockdown.

A B C D 18 Diocese of Sheffield Magazine FEATURE

E G

E) St Francis Church G) East Bawtry Road I give thanks for online worship and weekly This major route through our parish has been prayer. For Advent & Lent courses by Zoom quieter in the past year. I’m reminded to pray for: (across 4-5 churches) helping us to grow as • Our impact on the environment: how can Lights for Christ. we live more sustainably & aim for ‘net zero carbon’ emissions by 2030 as a diocese and as Thanks too for those brief periods when we had individuals? in-church worship, including Christmas. But, I • Our economy: many of the journeys along this pray for those who lack the technical skills to road are work-related and economic recovery is access online and feel isolated from all this. needed if people are to have employment. • I pass the new Toyota franchise, which replaced Also for the many other groups that have seen a VW garage that closed during lockdown: little or no access to the building – Cuppa & economic woes but also new growth Chat, youth group, Slimming World, those who • Our local secondary school (pictured). Praying couldn’t have a church funeral, etc. especially for those in Year 10-11 and Year 12-13, who are at key points in their education (GCSEs I pray for the PCC: assessing when to return and A-levels) to in-church worship, planning for the future through MAP4, and working on papers to appoint an Oversight Minister.

H

H) A patchwork of communities F At many points on my walk, I reach the top of F) The hospitality sector a hill. The views remind me that the parish is Pubs & restaurants have been hit very hard by composed of lots of micro communities, divided the pandemic. So, as I pass the King Henry, I pray up by roads into distinct estates. I’m conscious for it and those who run it. St Francis Church had that there is a very large total population, many been developing a good partnership with them. of whom do not have any connection with Jesus or a church. Nearby is the war memorial. I remember that the usual crowd of several hundred could not gather ‘Lord, help us to know how to connect with for Remembrance in 2020 them. Lead us to the people of peace.’

www.sheffield.anglican.org 19 Contact

Church House 95-99 Effingham Street Rotherham S65 1BL

01709 309100 [email protected]

@DioceseofSheff

@dioceseofsheffield RENEWED RELEASED REJUVENATED @dioceseofsheffield

www.sheffield.anglican.org 20 Diocese of Sheffield Magazine