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Network The magazine of the Diocese of Issue 14 Summer 2021

Petertide Eco Church One in a Ordinations Festival Thousand

www.sheffield.anglican.org www.sheffield.anglican.org 1 Diocesan Development Day 2021

Save the Date Saturday 2nd October

Keynote Speaker: The Rt Revd Dr Graham Tomlin The role of the church in God’s plan as an agent of the coming of the Kingdom

The Rt Revd Discipleship / Lights for Christ

The Rt Revd Dr Bible Study

2 Magazine From the editor Welcome to the Summer issue of Network - the gives an update on the vital work towards our magazine for the Diocese of Sheffield. It is a Bronze Eco Diocese award. We now have 21 feature-led publication showing the Christian registered Eco Churches from nine different faith at work in our local communities. deaneries. I do hope these features, and the other articles in the issue, inspire and lift you as Network remains in digital format, though it we look to what the future holds when national still aims to be a more traditional round-up of restrictions end. Hopefully, by the October issue, news from the previous period. The summer we will be singing again! issue of Network has strong clergy feel to it! In the previous weeks, we have celebrated the The magazine is aimed at everyone – whether a Ordinations at Sheffield , rejoiced at fully committed Christian, a member of another the licensing of ministers and announced a new faith and those of no faith at all. We want to of Sheffield. distribute it across , local schools, community centres and more to increase the In this issue we have three feature articles that awareness of what great things we are doing I particularly want to highlight: early on in the as the in magazine (p.6) several of our new deacons tell and East Riding. We are always looking out for their inspiring stories of their personal path great stories! So, if anyone would like to include to ordination; the Revd Jacqui Jones explains an article in the next issue then please email (p.12) how she puts into practice a nationally communications@ sheffield.anglican.org recommended tool to help with wellbeing; and later in the magazine (p.14) Dr Cathy Rhodes LJ Buxton, Director of Strategic Communications Contents Featured 4 Petertide Ordinations 6 Journey to Ordination Article Ordinations 11 New Page 4 12 How Clergy Thrive 14 A Greener Future 16 Seeing God’s Kingdom in a Vaccination Centre 18 One in a Thousand

www.sheffield.anglican.org 3 NEWS

Petertide Ordinations

Ordinations were celebrated on 26-27 June at . This year’s services followed current regulations. Across the weekend, 9 new candidates were ordained deacon and further 8 were priested.

he , Rt Revd Dr Pete The Bishop of , Rt Revd Sophie Jelley TWilcox, ordained nine deacons: ordained seven priests:

» Susan Carol Armstrong (SSM) –to serve in » Carol Joyce Lee (SSM) - serving in the the parish of All Saints, Minster and of Holy Trinity & St Oswald with St St Paul, Saviour, Auckley » Jordan Alexander Mark Betts - to serve in the » Gillian Salter (SSM) - serving in the parish of parish of St Lawrence, Hatfield » Christopher Boyd Bishop - to serve in the » Joshua Henry John Blunt - serving in the parish of St Peter, parish of St John the Evangelist, » Kathleen Anne Green (SSM) - to serve in the » James Graham McNamara Crossley - serving parish of St James, Woodhouse, Christ Church, in the parish of St John the Baptist, Chapeltown with St Peter and Christ Church, » Elizabeth Ann Langner (SSM) - serving in the parish of St Paul, » Amy Margaret Sinclair Hole - to serve in the » Helen Eve Terry - serving in the parish of parishes of St Timothy, and The Vine, Christ Church, Hillsborough & Sheffield » Matthew Laurence Wood - serving in the » Stella Suzanne McHugh - to serve in the parish of St John the Evangelist, parish of St Francis of Assisi, West » Christine June Marie Moorey - St Hild College The , ordained to serve in the parish of Christ Church, Ardsley one priest: » Benjamin Crossley Shires - to serve at St Thomas, » Matthew James Lawes - serving in the parish » Claire Elizabeth Welch - to serve in the parish of Christ Church, Fulwood of St Paul, Wordsworth Avenue

4 Diocese of Sheffield Magazine New Deacons New Priests

New Deacons outside Sheffield Cathedral

New Priests New Priest

www.sheffield.anglican.org 5 FEATURE

The Journey to Ordination

As they prepared for ordination, some of the 2021 Deacons shared the story of their journeys to ordination.

In the meantime, I felt I owed it to my Revd Amy Hole, St Timothy’s Crookes and The congregation, and to God, to grow in my Vine, Netherthorpe theological and biblical understanding, so I thought I might do some further studying. The bout 15 years ago, I felt a growing sense very day I was contemplating applying to do an Athat I was called to preach. I wanted to MA at St Hild College, I bumped into a friend communicate and proclaim God’s message. in the supermarket. She told me that the night So I trained as a Reader at Sheffield School of before she had had a dream about me. In the Ministry and loved preaching and leading people dream, she gave me a shepherd’s staff, and said in worship, enabling people to grow closer to that it would go deep into the ground. And as I God and more aware of his presence. A few pressed on it, we watched it going deeper and years ago, I was at a small communion service deeper into the ground. and unexpectedly felt that I wanted to be the one offering the eucharist. I started tentatively At the time, I took this as God’s confirmation that exploring ordination but didn’t pursue it. I didn’t I should undertake the MA. So I started at St Hild, want to get ordained simply in order to be able and absolutely loved it – I found it so stimulating to do a few more things than I was able to do as and fulfilling. Simultaneously, I realised that I a Reader. But I never said ‘no’ – I just told God wasn’t quite so satisfied by my job as I used to he’d have to show me clearly if that was the plan! be. And then a friend of mine died in her early 30s – and I felt faced with the question: was I happy to just keep coasting through life, or was I going to really live it for God?

I was writing an essay on what ‘denying the self’ means in Mark 8, and this started feeling like a personal exercise. And then I remembered my friend’s dream – and this time, I couldn’t ignore the spiritual symbolism of the shepherd’s staff. I realised that God’s calling to ordained ministry had taken root in me over the year and would continue to deepen as I ‘pressed’ it. Revd Amy Hole

6 Diocese of Sheffield Magazine FEATURE

By the summer of 2018 I had started to feel a really heavy sense of God calling me to ‘full-time’ Revd Chris Bishop, St Peter, Warmsworth ministry – ministry that was no longer just ‘on the side’, but more of a commitment of my whole here have been many moments in the path self. I remember sitting in a cafe wondering how Tof my life which led to me exploring my call to tell my husband, and a nun walked in at the with the Diocesan Vocations team. There are same time as somebody wearing a Nike ‘Just Do far too many and some too difficult to share It’ t-shirt! So I did! here. Through it all, God’s plan has emerged. His plans for me have formed from a fading After I finally took the step of contacting the mist which eventually brings that longed for DDO, I found the discernment process really clarity. Many doors have been opened and supportive and productive. It was so helpful God has provided not only for me, but also my to be able to reflect with someone else on my family along the various twists and turns of the sense of vocation and how it fitted in with what story. I’m enormously grateful for the strong the church was looking for in a priest. By the encouragement and gentle support of so many time I got to the Bishop’s Advisory Panel, I felt I individuals on the way. From my Parish Priest, had been really well prepared. It was a strange friends, and family to the DDO and Bishops. experience, and quite nerve-wracking, but I loved The Vocations advisor, trusted friends, work meeting the other candidates and even quite colleagues and those with whom I disagree….so enjoyed my interviews. many individuals have played their part.

Once I was accepted, it was a no-brainer to continue at St Hild for my training and formation. I finished my MA, and was hugely privileged to be invited to teach the New Testament Greek module, which I have now done for a couple of years. This has been yet another unexpected gift – and a real testament to how St Hlid enables its students to flourish and shape the college with whatever gifts and callings they bring. I’ve come to realise how much I feel called to teaching as well as preaching, and hope that in the fullness of time I will be able to embrace both in my continuing ministry. I’ve also made wonderful friendships which I know will be lifelong. Revd Chris Bishop I’m really looking forward to starting my curacy in Sheffield with Revd Will Briggs, at The Vine One thing that fascinates me is the web of Netherthorpe and St Timothy Crookes. I was relationships in which ‘discernment’ takes fortunate enough to do a placement with Will place. This is about local Christian communities during my training, so it’s a relief he’s happy to working collectively to journey alongside and to have me back! I’m looking forward to learning affirm their brothers and sisters in Christ. not only from his experience but also from his example of worship, Christ-focus, and reflection. The Diocese presented a whole range of exciting And I can’t wait to get to know everybody at both training options. This information allowed churches, get preaching and leading worship myself and my family to discover that Full Time again, and see in what other ways I’ll be led to Residential training would be the best fit for us. serve and learn. I trained for three years at The College of the

www.sheffield.anglican.org 7 FEATURE

Resurrection, Mirfield. It really is a Theological But then I did it, I asked the question that had College like no other! I’ve met and worked with the ability to derail my best laid plans! ‘God what so many interesting and inspirational people do you want me to do next with my life?’ during this time. I’ve undertook placements in different missional contexts and Church And there it was, a clear sense that he wanted traditions. I’ve been pulled, stretched, broken me to pursue ordained ministry in the Church of and re-shaped. I’ve been able to cultivate England. In that moment I conjured up all of the and tend to my prayer life, which has and will reasons why I thought it was not a good idea, continue to sustain me. but with each excuse God responded to me with reassurance. When I came to tell others – my I’m absolutely thrilled to be returning to my parents, my manager and my closest friends home Diocese to begin my Ordained ministry – they affirmed me in my sense of calling to and continue my training as a Curate. The ordained ministry. Diocese has provided me with a well thought out Curacy with an inspiring Training Incumbent. I The next stage was to discern this calling absolutely cannot wait to get started! I’m excited further, firstly with the vicar of my church to walk alongside others as we receive from God and then with a person from my diocese. This in prayer, fellowship, and worship. I feel ready to process helped me to have my eyes opened to serve by sharing Jesus. I’m committed to finding what would be expected of me as an ordained him in unexpected places as we discover more minister, the character, skills and abilities of his transforming love. This love is the light of that the role required. Having spent over a the world. It is freedom. It is the best news. year discerning, I was selected for ordination training. For my training I decided to go to Trinity College Bristol. Trinity provides an option for Revd Claire Welch, fulltime residential training which appealed to St Paul, Wordsworth Avenue me because I wanted the opportunity to build meaningful relationships with others in the same o be honest this is not where I thought I’d situation. At college I not only learned in the Tend up. I had an active and fulfilling lay classroom, but also in discussion with my peers ministry, supporting young people in their faith over lunch, at home with my housemates and journey and volunteering with others to run a practically at my placement church. It was an homeless shelter. I also had a job that I loved, immersive experience that helped me to develop heading up the fundraising and marketing for an holistically. international development charity, a career I was planning to dive deeper into. I am now furthering my training in the role of curate in Parsons Cross, where I can’t wait to get stuck in and serve the community. As I reflect back on my journey, I am thankful to God for responding to my question all those years ago. A question that any one of us can ask at any time. I wonder what he may say to you?

If you feel called to a vocation in ordained ministry, or you would like to find out more about the discernment process, please visit:

www.sheffield.anglican.org/ordained-vocations Revd Claire Welch

8 Diocese of Sheffield Magazine NEWS Bless Greystones

St Gabriel’s have been delivering a new initiative called ‘Bless Greystones’. The idea is purely to be a blessing to the community and the people who live in the Greystones area.

hey organised an evening their class bubbles and played “We entertained 60 children for Tevent called ‘Parent’s a film. They also got in touch 2 hours in the church with an Night Out’ where they offered with the local pub and a local incredible team and we’ve had bookings for 2 hours of free restaurant and to secure a so many emails and messages childcare for parents of the discount for the parents to from parents so thankful for local school. use for the time away if they some time out after so many should want to. The event was lockdowns and restrictions and The parents dropped their kids a great success and they’ve homeschooling.” off from 5:30pm to 7:30pm and had an incredible amount of - Hannah Chester, Intern the church fed them pizza in celebration locally. Shalom Garden Opening

ishop Sophie and Huw Thomas, Diocesan Recently, for Thy Kingdom Come 2021, the BDirector of Education, visited Tankersley St children recorded videos of Class Worship. Peters Primary School to officially open their The Year 6 video includes a Bible Study on the Shalom Garden. Ascension and prayers from the children to thank God for the gift of the Holy Spirit. The children were thrilled to meet Bishop Sophie, with the opportunity to talk and ask questions. During collective worship, she shared a message and a prayer of blessing that was greatly appreciated. The whole school was grateful for the visit - especially the time spent encouraging the Year 6 children.

Thank you once again for making yesterday such a special day for our school, and one that we will always look back on with fond memories. Shalom Garden - Alex Townsend, Tankersley St Peters Primary www.sheffield.anglican.org 9 NEWS Historic city centre church has plans to Regenerate

St Matthew’s Church has stood on Carver Street for over 166 years. It is invariably described as one of the hidden gems of Sheffield. The church has grown considerably in the last year and has a vision to be a sanctuary for all people.

he Sheffield Street Pastors “St Matthew’s has been a for future generations. We Tand Parish Nurses base key feature of the city centre wish to oversee the renewal themselves at the church and it for generations. It has been of St Matthew’s as part of our also houses The Art House (St a church for the poor and ‘Regenerate’ plans and we Matthew’s House Ltd), which is outcast, and it is a place of invite all in Sheffield who love known throughout the city for welcome to students and our building to be part of it!” first-class pottery and its work those who are new to the with the vulnerable. city. The building is beautiful The initial plans are available to and we need to ensure it be viewed online or in person Fr Grant Naylor, parish priest restored and modified so as at the church which is open since 2015, in commending the preserve the fabric and make every day from 10am-1pm. vision for the future says: it fit for purpose for this and Given to growing MultiBank

he Benefice of Balby, and as non-perishable food, with access to clothes, Tstarted “Given Freely Freely Given” six years bedding and small household items. Collectively ago and now offer free access to a coffee shop, it is called “MultiBank”. The whole operation has arts & crafts activities, youth club, clothes, food, been underpinned with prayer. toiletries and small household items. The project has been blessed to receive many “At the start of the pandemic in March 2020, we donations from individuals both in food and prayed what God might be calling us to do as finance. They have also applied for grants and we couldn’t offer most of activities. We felt we have gratefully received combined funding of should focus on offering food and toiletries and just over £80,000 allowing the employment of a opened four mornings a week.” - Revd Alun Price full-time Food Bank Manager.

Since then, they have seen attendance grow For donations and more information go to rapidly to an average of 67 people each morning. www.onekathtwojohns.church/given-freely- Anyone can attend and vistors are supervised to freely-given choose what they need. They offer fresh as well 10 Diocese of Sheffield Magazine NEWS New Dean of Sheffield announced and welcomed

It has been announced that the new Dean of Sheffield will be the Revd Abigail Thompson. The Dean heads up the ministry of Sheffield Cathedral, also undertaking diocesan and civic duties in the city and across the wider area.

bigail, or Abi as she is stone floor, I’ve rejoiced here “I am delighted to welcome the Aknown, has been in the and I’ve lit candles here for Revd Canon Abi Thompson to since people I have loved and lost. I be the next Dean of Sheffield. February 2018 where she is am blessed and honoured and As those of us who know both currently the Acting Dean totally thrilled that this is the her and who know the needs and Sub- place where I will soon daily say of the Cathedral and Diocese Cathedral. Speaking ahead of my prayers and get to love and will immediately be able to see, the public announcement, Abi serve the people of this great Abi has exactly the blend of said: city, this wonderful Cathedral character and gifts to rise to and the whole Diocese of the challenges and to make the “Sheffield Cathedral is the Sheffield.” most of the opportunities that place where I was ordained we face. This is an outstanding deacon in 2006 and I got The Rt Revd Dr Pete Wilcox, appointment.” married here in 2010. I’ve made Bishop of Sheffield also vows here, I’ve wept into the commented: Abi will be a familiar face to many in the Diocese of Sheffield. Prior to her move to St Albans, she was the vicar of St James, Clifton in Rotherham from 2010 to 2018. Abi also served on the Bishop of Sheffield’s Senior Staff Team as the Dean of Women’s Ministry from 2015 to 2018. She graduated in Music at Kings College London and in Theology at Westcott House Cambridge. Abi holds both ABRSM Grade 8 Piano and ABRSM Grade 8 Singing and before ordination was a Dean of Sheffield - Designate youth worker and freelance professional singer. www.sheffield.anglican.org 11 FEATURE How Clergy Thrive

Having read How Clergy Thrive and recognised the wisdom it affords, Revd Jacqui Jones, Oversight Minister, Flowing Waters Mission Area wanted to embed some of the practices and maintain awareness of the pitfalls around self-care.

o many books are; read, context, bringing it before God. created a valuable reflective Sticked off, added to the This keeps the issues fresh in use of this resource. It is bookshelf and then slowly my mind and more likely to particularly heartening to read forgotten over time. As I set be attended to, rather than that focussing on wellbeing out on my first incumbency, brushed aside in favour of the as part of her prayer life has I realised that for my own next item on my ‘to do’ list. transformed her perspective resilience and flourishing I from mostly one of guilt, to need to utilise How Clergy I have found this regular relying on God’s grace. I urge Thrive as a daily, practical, prayerful narrative has all clergy to look at this and manual of care for myself, my informed both my own choices other excellent resources, family, colleagues and all to and my conversations with and find similar ways to focus whom I minister. others, especially with those on wellbeing as part of your I love, who are facing their regular and rhythmical prayer To this end, for the past few own huge transition. This has life.” months I have been praying relieved my anxieties, as I feel - Patricia Hunt, Bishop’s my way back to back through I am proactively dealing with Advisor for Pastoral Care the book, sometimes daily, conflict situations, imposter sometimes weekly, depending syndrome and the pressure upon the demands of my of the great task before me. prayer life. Focusing on It offers me the space to think wellbeing as part of my prayer through issues and develop a life has transformed my strategy in advance. perspective from one of mostly guilt, (I know I should be doing I offer this simple practice as a these things but am so busy & way of embedding the lessons distracted with other pressing and good practices offered in Charity Registration number 1002026 matters!) to relying on God’s How Clergy Thrive. grace. “It is inspiring to hear how Each time I pray I simply read Jacqui has incorporated her a paragraph from the book use of “How Clergy Thrive” and connect it with my own into her daily prayer and

12 Diocese of Sheffield Magazine NEWS Welcome Sally Myers

Sally has been appointed as Director of Focal Ministry as part of our successful Transformation project.

am thrilled to have been It is not replacing the vicar Iappointed your Director of with a volunteer or taking Focal Ministry as part of the on the legal responsibilities Sheffield Transformation of an incumbent; nor is it a Project funded by the replacement or new name for Archbishops’ Council. another existing office; nor is anyone obliged to become one. Not only does the job combine my passions for encouraging In fact, it is not a top-down and enabling all people in their framework that people have lifelong faith learning and to squeeze themselves into vocations; it also means I get to at all - just the opposite - it is move back home to the North! about recognising, blessing and equipping grassroots ministry Sally Myers In my first two months I have in all its different shapes and tried to get out and about and sizes. The process begins by PCCs speak with as many people as and Oversight Ministers possible. One thing I have been Potential Focal Ministers identifying and asking potential asked quite a few times is: may already be exercising a candidates if they would be ‘What exactly is Focal Ministry?’ leadership role in their church willing to be nominated as and hold the office of say Focal Ministers. It is good question! I suspect Reader or Self-Supporting (and hope) that the answer Minister; or they may be Then, following a discernment to it will grow as more and involved in significant ministry conversation, which usually more parishes and people are but not currently authorised; takes place in the parish, drawn to explore the potential or they may be responding to a there are three Getting of Focal Ministry (FM) and new call. Ready sessions, with ongoing the Holy Spirit inspires and equipping and support coming guides us to more than we can They will be the people that after authorisation using the currently imagine possible. folk naturally ‘turn to’, trust and ‘Just in Time, Just Enough and follow, even if they don’t always Just for You’ approach. However, for now, let me begin realise it themselves! by saying what FM is not. Interested? Please get in touch!

www.sheffield.anglican.org 13 FEATURE

Walking in the light of Christ towards a greener future

Dr Cathy Rhodes, Diocesan Environment Officer

‘For Christians, doing something about climate see churches working faithfully to safeguard change is about living out our faith – caring the integrity of God’s creation, and sustain for those who need help, our neighbours here and renew the life of the earth. This is despite at home or on the other side of the world, and the enormous pressures we have experienced taking responsibility for this planet that God during the pandemic. created and entrusted to us. My faith tells me that God does want people to understand On Saturday 12 June, we gathered on Zoom climate change and do something about it. And to host an Eco Church Festival, with Churches that is a very freeing thought: I don’t have to Count on Nature. Thank you to all 200 people change the world all by myself, I just need to from our Diocese and beyond who joined us for partner in the work God wants us to do.’ prayers, talks, an MP panel and workshops, and - Katharine Hayhoe, Christian Climate Scientist to the Environment Working Group, speakers and tech team. Do check out the videos of the Where are we now? presentations and resources online, including discussion on using our land to support wildlife ast year I wrote in Network magazine and making our green spaces sustainable. Lfollowing the Motion at Diocesan Synod on 28th November. The Diocese declared a climate www.sheffield.anglican.org/ecofestvideos and ecological (nature) emergency, supported the 2020 General Synod motion for all parts of This fits with our declaration of an ecological the Church to reach ‘Net Zero’ carbon emissions emergency and as a founding partner of Nature by 2030 and agreed to write an updated Recovery Sheffield. Following that campaign, Environment and Climate Justice Policy. We also over 1200 people and 34 organisations declared committed to the A Rocha UK Eco Church and a Nature Emergency, including Sheffield Council. Eco Diocese programme. The Diocese is a partner in discussions with local politicians including Sheffield City Region on As part of the work towards our Bronze Eco steps individuals, churches and communities can Diocese award, church communities are joining take. We need solutions that are good for people the Eco Church programme. I’m delighted to and nature, and help tackle the climate crisis. say we now have 21 registered Eco Churches Could your church join in to declare a nature with four Silver and six Bronze awards. The emergency alongside a climate emergency? churches are from nine different Deaneries, Register at Climate Emergency Toolkit and get spread throughout the Diocese and the number your church on the map! of awards has more than doubled in the last year. It’s inspirational and a sign of hope to www.climateemergencytoolkit.com

14 Diocese of Sheffield Magazine FEATURE

What else can I do? • Hold a Climate Sunday service Join the movement of churches calling for • Start with the Energy Footprint Tool: planned greater action on the environment in the year of to close at the end of August. The Church of the Glasgow COP26 climate conference. England’s Energy Footprint Tool (EFT) allows churches around the country to find the carbon footprint of their energy use, alongside the online Parish Returns system. This helps churches and Dioceses track their progress as they take action. The General Synod 2020 motion for net-zero carbon by 2030 means that measuring as a first step in making radical reductions is really important. The tool first opened from April to October 2020. Despite Covid, 35% of our Diocesan churches completed A Rocha UK Silver Award the tool last year, the 12th highest in the country. Thanks so much to all who worked on this. Final • Sign up to A Rocha UK’s Wild Christian scheme calculations for the Diocecse of Sheffield showed Get a free monthly email with practical actions estimated emissions of 3,100 tonnes of net CO2e to help you and your family to enjoy, nurture and (3,300 gross tonnes CO2e). protect nature. https://arocha.org.uk/wildchristian/

• Join the Diocesan green mailing list Email [email protected] to get involved. Your friendly local Environment Working Group welcomes new members from across the Diocese! I am also really happy to speak including at your PCC or Deanery meetings.

What’s next? Energy Footprint Tool The Environment and Climate Justice Policy is The tool reopened in March 2021 for churches to presented to Diocesan Synod in July, as outlined enter their 2020 utility bills. It will adjust for low in the Motion last November, so watch out for bills because of the COVID lockdown. The EFT more news on that soon. closes at the end of August, please encourage your church to complete this. It is really helpful We’re also working with the Lights for to the Diocesan team as we work on reducing Christ team on a leaflet with suggestions for our carbon footprint. environmental pledges to encourage you and to help you figure out how to make a practical • Register your church for Eco Church difference. This leaflet is for you if you want to To help churches begin or continue their Eco make creation care a part of your Lights for Church journey, The Church of England is hosting Christ Personal Rule of Life – or if you care for ‘exploring Eco Church’ webinars from June to the natural world but aren’t sure where to begin. October. https://ecochurch.arocha.org.uk And finally… watch out for the launch of our new • Invite an A Rocha UK speaker to your church Diocesan Eco Church Facebook group!

www.sheffield.anglican.org 15 FEATURE Seeing God’s Kingdom in a Vaccination Centre

Clare ’ve been walking past St Columba’s, the church paused that will soon begin. The church, once Iused to host the vaccination programme in a beacon in the cold, snow covered dusk of a , for weeks. During the heavy snow of January afternoon now becomes a joyful blast of January and February, the people in their yellow colour, matching the daffodils that are beginning high vis jackets cheerfully cleared the paths so to open. And still I walk past, not my time yet. But that those in wheelchairs could still access the it is coming. Facebook posts show friends that building. Always chatting, always smiling, always have received theirs, joy and hope shining like laughing, a spirit of joy and hope surrounding lights through my newsfeed. the building, seen from many meters away. I receive an unexpected diagnosis. Still I had walked past many times. It always brought processing this new information, a text message a smile to my face. It has been like a window into appears. It is my turn. While the realisation the rest of the country. First came the most frail, that I now have an underlying health issue is the aged, the most vulnerable. Carers guiding an uncomfortable awakening, I have a date and them with utmost tenderness. Hope and fire time. As the time comes closer, I pay even more still present in the wrinkled faces and watery attention to those that are waiting their turn eyes. Wrapped up in thick coats and blankets, outside. What has brought them here, their age, sometimes hardly visible, they passed through their job, their health? the church, exiting with new life and renewed hope. A hug with a grandchild, a cup of tea with a The day comes, it feels like a significant day. In friend, coming, coming soon. two days it will be a year since we became ill, a year of slowly reducing symptoms, a year of life And imperceptibly the people attending on hold, a year of hopes and dreams paused or changed, fewer wheelchairs, louder laughing wiped out. It feels significant. We’ve lived here at the gate, people skipping out of the way as 9 months, there are many places we have never they do the 2m distanced dance. Occasionally seen open, never been inside, never felt the life a younger person, what are they doing there? of the community uncowled. What’s happening with them? An insight into how life is not the same for us all. What As I approach I smile at the wardens waiting challenge has given them an early place in the outside. They wait at a door to a different future. queue. Joy and grace permeate the building, God’s house, being used to bring life and hope. These As the hours of daylight grow, the energy and willing servants filled with the joy and energy the vitality of those queueing changes too. So of serving. I move from one mark taped on the much life waiting to happen, so many things floor to another, slowly progressing through the

16 Diocese of Sheffield Magazine FEATURE socially distanced network, our path takes us world. I have been given a vaccination but more through the back door of the church, a fire exit than that I realise that I have received God’s probably, a door used for practical purposes. I hope and salvation. That too leads to new life give my name and date of birth, am ticked off a and my role is to spread that hope. list, given a number and shown into the church to a seat, I turn to face the altar and there in the I have watched the activities at the church for midst of all the activity is the cross. the last few months, watching people go in with expectation and leave with joy. If we had been Love, scarred from the worst elements of here during normal times, would I have seen humankind, a light in the darkness, looks out that on a Sunday? Would I have been looking for over this hive of activity. As my eyes are filled it? I realise that God is our vaccination against with it the world around me slows and I realised despair, against fear, against death and that that here is God’s Kingdom. at my time of baptism I was given the most powerful vaccination. My number is called. It is my turn. I walk into a room filled with doctors and nurses, faces And yet I do not always act like I have received covered, eyes visible, kindness in every one. A this free gift, this life giving miracle. Sometimes buzz of life. I realise this is a sound I have not I forget. Sometimes I think it wasn’t true. heard since our last church service at college, Sometimes I become an ‘anti-vaxxer’. But God people together, working, joyful, the weight of knows this, and he loves us even more. He fear absent. choses little things to remind us, little signs that will show us how much he loves us. And it is done. I am given a card, my record. I am shown the way out. This time my route is out the Today I saw one of those signs. front door of the church. I am sent out into the And it was joyful.

New Oversight Ministers

om Brown has been licenced Jacqui Jones has also been Tas the Oversight Minister licensed by Bishop Pete Wilcox for the Beakon Mission Area to serve as Priest-in-Charge in Doncaster. The service was and Oversight Minister in the the first in-person licencing Flowing Waters Mission Area. for the , Rt Revd Sophie Jelley, alongside Archdeacon Javid Iqbal and Area Dean Andrew Howard.

Bishop Sophie commented, “It is a joy to celebrate with Tom as a new season begins for Beakon Misson Area.” Tom Brown Jacqui Jones

www.sheffield.anglican.org 17 FEATURE Are you One in a Thousand?

Revd John Hibberd, Mission Development Adviser - Renewed

Yes! At last! We have reached our first 1000 members of the diocesan 2025 Prayer Community. This feels like a significant milestone, well worth celebrating. How many other dioceses have such a community, intentionally praying each day for the growth of the church across their region?

Why have a Prayer Community? Prayer events This is not to say that others do not pray; Autumn 2021: ‘Prayer and Vision’ events in each doubtless, they do – and their prayers are no paired deanery. More information will follow less valuable. Nevertheless, the Renewed part nearer the time. of the diocesan strategy (Renewed, Released, Rejuvenated) brings out very clearly the reason Prayer Community monthly events: for forming such a community of prayer: • Mix of online and in-person events • In-person events will be hosted in different ‘if we are to realise our vision for the Diocese, parts of the diocese then it will be because we have maintained as • Varied in style but focusing around the 4 key first priority a real reliance on the Spirit of God practices of the 2025 Prayer Community in prayer and worship and in the consecration of our lives, as individuals and communities’ Thy Kingdom Come 2022 (26 May to 5 June)

Dip into almost any part of the Bible, or scan through the history of the Church, and you will Signing up is easy. You can do so here online: find prayer pivotal to any significant change or www.sheffield.anglican.org/renewed - it takes growth. Yet, how slow we often seem to learn the less than five minutes. If you use Facebook, then lesson! Having this 2025 Prayer Community gives post a member request on our FB group at us ‘excuses’ – opportunities – to meet together www.facebook.com/groups/2025prayer to pray at a number of events each year, as well as a focus for individual daily prayer. And, if you really don’t do anything online, then contact the comms team and they will enter your On to the next thousand details. You can even now sign up at the prayer Some of you reading this will definitely have stations in the Cathedral and both Minsters. heard of the Prayer Community. You might even think it’s a great idea, but have you Each week we publish three Bible reflections and actually joined? Having 1000 people is a big daily prayer themes to provide fresh resources encouragement but the vision is for 2025 for those who are praying with us. members, so we have a long way to go!

18 Diocese of Sheffield Magazine FEATURE

Our hope is to reach 1500 members by the end Sarah Maughan of 2021. Could you be one of those next 500? Over the last 15 months, the 2025 prayer Could you even help us to pass this target on community has been a huge blessing for so our way to 2000 members? We count people many of us across the diocese. Connecting and because people count; every single one is a praying together in times of trouble and anxiety. significant contributor to this community. Knowing we are there for one another, held in prayer and loved by God. We have gathered daily Some of them have shared what the Prayer together virtually to pray on Facebook which has Community means to them: been encouraging, comforting and connected people who had never met before. Bishop Pete As a member of the prayer community, I try to say the Diocesan Vision Prayer every day. Often Joshua Blunt that means I say it alone, here at Bishopscroft, Prayer for me is completely central not just for as part of my own daily pattern of time with ministry but for all areas of my life too. If Jesus God. But what has really encouraged me is just needed to be with His (our) Father every day how often I find myself saying the prayer (often in prayer then that tells me that I and we need for the 2nd or 3rd time in the day!) at meetings to be constantly connected with the Father and acts of worship, out and about around the too. I have committed to living a life where I Diocese. The thing that moves me most on those am completely dependent on God and prayer occasions, because it really gives me a sense of a anchors me in that desire and commitment. Diocesan family, is to discover how many people For me, I know that I need my heavenly Father’s now know this prayer by heart. The Prayer has perspective, wisdom, insight and love for every taken hold in a wonderful way, and I thank God situation that I am called to minister in and I rely for it, and for those who pray it. on Jesus to help me lead others how He would. Prayer is how we can receive all of this. Colin McCulloch, our 1000th member Sometimes a physical thing - like going on a Sue Orr pilgrimage to a place - can help my discipline My prayer life was lacking consistency. Meeting of prayer; and sometimes the Lord uses each morning with the Prayer Community online technology! Taking a photo of Keith Farrow on a has given me a better pattern and has helped bike at the prayer station in Sheffield Cathedral, with the fact that I have found it hard to pray out my phone caught the QR code and reminded me loud. On Facebook, I have time to formulate what to sign up to pray regularly for God’s kingdom to I want to say, can contribute without pressure, come in the Sheffield region. and receive encouragement from others who are praying. We pray for people we know who need prayer and for topical things going on in the world. It has helped me to start each day during the past year or so positively. And I am now finding it not so daunting to pray out loud in a group.

TKC Cycle Pilgrimage

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