The Newsletter of the Diocese of Sheffield 03
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THE NEWSLETTER OF THE DIOCESE OF SHEFFIELD 03 AUTUMN/WINTER 2015 City Centre Crossroads - Four Focus - Church for Prayer Cross unforgettable days adults with and Sofa... for the Diocese... learning difficulties See page 4 See page 8 See page 12 Welcome from Bishop Steven There were signs of grace all across the Diocese of Sheffield during the four days of the Crossroads mission. Between us, Bishop Peter and I joined in events in almost every Deanery. Together we sowed the good seed of the gospel in The mission (and the church across the Diocese) was a thousands and thousands of lives as the bishops and real blessing to the bishops and their teams who came their teams visited schools and shows and homes and to visit us. met people in the streets. I’ve found myself praying the Crossroads mission There were large open air services in Stocksbridge and prayer daily over the last few months preparing for the Pitsmoor as well as Rotherham. Recently married four days in September. But I’ve gone on making it my couples renewed their wedding vows in Anston and daily prayer. Crossroads may be over but God’s Thurnscoe. In Bentley, a church held a banquet for 80 mission continues. Thank you to all who took part. people in the nave. In Hexthorpe, the church knocked @steven_croft on the door of most homes in the parish. In Rotherham and Pensitone, hundreds of people visited the Messy Church tents in the shows. Loving God, After the miracle of the feeding of the 5,000, the This world you love disciples together gathered up the fragments left stands a t the crossroads. behind. It feels as though we are now gathering He lp us help others together the fragments and signs of God’s grace among to discover your us as we tell each other our Crossroads stories. Way to kn ow your Truth Nurture Group and t o share your Life We hope and pray that over the coming months we will in your dear S on, Jesus Christ. see some of the fruit in people’s lives as the good seed Inspire u s by your Spirit of the gospel begins to grow. I hope and pray that most to sow the good se churches will be offering some kind of nurture group ed of the gospel throughou through this autumn and winter. t this Diocese w ith imagination a But we can see already the rise in hope and faith and nd compassion, that many will c confidence among many Christians who stepped out ome to know yo a u nd many will be in new and creative ways to share their faith for the strengthened in first time. I heard many different people say during their faith, the mission (and I said myself): “We must do more of Through Jesu s Christ our Lord this”. We can sense already a fresh sense of joy in Amen. the gospel as we share our faith in new ways. 2 NETWORK | WELCOME THE NEWSLETTER OF THE DIOCESE OF SHEFFIELD THE DIOCESE Contents Issue 03 OF SHEFFIELD Page Page 04 10 A prayer cross and accompanying sofa were A big part of Crossroads was about engaging in situ in the city centre of Sheffield for and inspiring young people in schools Crossroads. throughout the region. Page Page 05 13 Several couples came together in a special Since its conception in 2009 a vibrant prayer occasion to renew their wedding vows. room has been at the heart of the St Philip's Church story. Page Page 08 15 Never before had so many bishops gathered 70 people take up the challenge to beat in one diocese with a single purpose, to poverty by abseiling off the Tower of Snaith share the good news of Jesus Christ. Priory! If you are interested in contributing an article in future editions of Network please email communications@sheffield.anglican.org or telephone the Communications Team on 01709 309100 . Network is copyright © of the Diocesan Board of Finance, a company limited by guarantee and registered in England (No. 196087). Registered charity No. 245861. Registered address: Church House, 95-99 Effingham Street, Rotherham, S65 1BL. CONTENTS | NETWORK 3 City Centre Prayer Cross and Sofa... For the duration of Crossroads, a prayer cross and accompanying sofa were in situ in the city centre of Sheffield. During the day, local volunteers sat on the sofa offering conversation or prayer to anyone wanting to find out more about the Christian faith or to pray that Jesus would touch their lives. The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu and Bishop Libby Lane joined people on Saturday morning to start a prayer pilgrimage across the city and to talk to shoppers. Bishop Libby said: “Prayer helps us know God better, and shows us how close God is to us already. It is a great joy and privilege to hear people’s stories and pray with them. I hope we will get the Six further prayer stations were spread across the City of Sheffield chance to talk and pray with you. Do come and join us, at The to offer residents and visitors a chance to ‘Come and Talk’ to ask Cross or at any of the Prayer Stations around the city centre.” questions about faith, to find rest and to be encouraged. Kinder Kalsi, Church Army, said: “If you’ve ever thought about Many people left prayers scribbled on ‘lollipop’ sticks stuck in the starting a conversation with God then we’re ready to pray with sand at the base of the cross. At the end of the mission, all of you, for you and alongside you. The Crossroads Mission is about these prayers were gathered together and will be used in finding rest for your soul and discerning new paths ahead. services across Sheffield. Sheffield Cathedral International Art Exhibition An international art exhibition was launched at Sheffield’s Millennium Gallery on Tuesday, 15 September. Running until 12 December, the exhibition, known as ‘Going Public’, brings together four leading European private collections displayed at venues across the city. Sheffield Cathedral is one of several cultural institutions in the city housing the contemporary art. The project is a collaboration between Museums Sheffield, Site Gallery, SIA Gallery and Sheffield Cathedral. Going Public seeks to make contemporary art, currently housed in private collections, available to the public. Philanthropy in the arts has been greatly encouraged by the government as public funding for the arts has declined, but arts philanthropy is not a new concept in Sheffield. Inside the Cathedral you will find artists such as brothers Jake and Dinos Chapman and their “Cyber Iconic Man”, a sculpture that will hang in the Cathedral`s Chapel of the Holy Spirit. In the lower level of the Crypt you can hear Micol Assael`s sound installation “Your Hidden Sound”, and in the south aisle you can enjoy a tapestry named “Still, Untitled” by Pae White. Other works include “Saint Sebastian”, a video installation by Fiona Tan and “Christmas `95”, a light installation by Maurizio Cattelan. 4 NETWORK | NEWS Centenary Project underway The Centenary Project will be a springboard to launch a whole new network of children’s, youth and family workers to enable churches to reach many more young people in our Diocese with God’s love. The first worker, Lucy Luckock, has now children, parents and grandparents been appointed and will work at St Mary attending the session. In September 2014 Magdalene, Whiston & St Cuthbert’s, because of a long waiting list I opened a Herringthorpe. Here she talks about her second group which now has approximately new role and her hopes for the future. 30 children and parents/grandparents attending regularly. “I have been a member of the congregation at Whiston Parish Church since being a I have just completed the Aurora Children’s Course and I am about to be licenced as a child. Over the last twenty years I have Children’s Minister. been a Brownie Leader and in addition I was the District Commissioner, which I am very excited to have been appointed involved oversight of 20 units of Rainbows, as a Centenary Project Worker for both Brownies and Guides in Whiston, Whiston and Herringthorpe Churches. Herringthorpe, Clifton and Brinsworth. There is massive potential to extend the work I have done with Little Fishes, working In September 2008 I started a church with families and older children. I feel that toddler group (Little Fishes) in the Parish At one session each term the groups attend there is also a huge opening for further age Hall with a small team of volunteers from Church for their session and enjoy a short related groups within the Whiston and Church. During the session we include bible story, singing, praying, crafts and Herringthorpe areas, including working with singing Christian based songs and end refreshments. The group has gone from the uniformed organisations and with prayers. strength to strength with an average of 30 developing after-school clubs. Love is in the air Aurora It was a celebratory atmosphere at St James Anston as several couples new term came together in a special occasion to renew their wedding vows. 27 new students started the Aurora training Revd Margaret Caunt organised the event which included a marquee, nibbles, prosecco programmes on Wednesday 23 September, hoping to deepen their understanding and and even a chocolate fountain! Those invited to attend had all got married at the church expand their knowledge and experience in and live locally. youth and children’s ministry. Bishop Paul who is the Bishop of Liverpool, and the Archdeacon of Rotherham & Malcolm The students came from churches all Chamberlain, made up the glitterati of guests in attendance.