THE NEWSLETTER OF THE DIOCESE OF SHEFFIELD 02 SPRING/SUMMER 2015 Balloons of Hope Queen visits to Links around the released in present Maundy world, Argentina Sheffield... Money... update... See page 5 See page 8 See page 12 Welcome from Bishop Steven Welcome to this new edition of Network . The Diocese of Sheffield is a growing family of churches across southern Yorkshire. Like any growing family, it’s important to keep in touch. This edition of Network is full of good news stories about people and places. There are small churches and large churches across our It was wonderful to meet many of them and to listen to their Diocese and churches of many different traditions in city, town stories of faith. and village. Together we are a family. We support each other, I believe everyone, no matter their age or background, should speak well of each other and share a common purpose. take some time in their lives to explore Christian faith fully and The Church of England is present in every community. We are properly. Churches all across the Diocese are already planning there at the key moments in life. We are present in thousands of different ways of doing that this autumn. local groups to build up communities and serve those in need. I hope you enjoy this edition of Network. Please read it and then Our family is continually welcoming new members. In the six pass it on to someone else in your Church or neighbourhood. weeks after Easter more than 200 young people and adults Connect with us by email, Facebook, Twitter or visit our website. were baptized and confirmed marking a new beginning in their Please pray for us and with us as we journey together. Christian lives in special services across the Diocese. @steven_croft My top ten Proverbs for social media.... People in Britain spend more time online than they do sleeping: over 8 hours a day according to an Ofcom survey in 2014. What does the Bible have to say about how to be a Christian on Twitter or Self-control is needed in normal life and even more in the private world Facebook, in emails or texts? How are we salt and light in that part of of online interaction. When it goes, we are soon overwhelmed. God’s world? 6. A gossip goes about telling secrets but one who is trustworthy keeps a I turned to the Book of Proverbs in the Old Testament. Proverbs is made confidence. Proverbs 11.13 up of over 400 short, pithy sayings, most under 140 characters. They are Holding confidences is as important in texts, emails, facebook and thought provoking, memorable and full of wit, just like a good tweet. twitter as in real life So here are my top ten Proverbs from the Old Testament for users of Facebook and Twitter and other online media. The words in italics are my 7. A gentle tongue is a tree of life but perverseness in it breaks the spirit. own, very short, application of each verse. Proverbs 15.4 1. A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches. Proverbs 22.1 Words have real power to build up and to pull down. Use them well. Take care of your reputation online and offline. 8. The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels, they go down to 2. Some friends play at friendship but a true friend sticks closer than a the inner parts of the body. Proverbs 18.8 brother. Proverbs 18.24 So do rumours circulating on the internet. Beware. Friend is a big word not a small word; friendship is a gift and a 9. Like vinegar on a wound is one who sings songs to a heavy heart. blessing. Proverbs 25.20 3. Iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. Proverbs 27.17 It’s well worth taking the trouble over what you say. Engage brain and We grow as people through wit, humour, interaction on and offline. heart before posting. 4. Better is a little with righteousness than a large income with injustice. Proverbs 16.8 10. A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver We spend much of our time online buying and selling and banking. Proverbs 25.11 Financial honesty and transparency is key; pay your taxes. And it’s worth taking trouble over the way you say it…. 5. Like a city breached, without walls is one who lacks self control. Bishop Steven blogs regularly on Proverbs 25.28 www.sheffield.anglican.org/blog/bishop-of-sheffield 2 NETWORK | WELCOME THE NEWSLETTER OF THE DIOCESE OF SHEFFIELD THE DIOCESE Contents Issue 02 OF SHEFFIELD Page Page 04 11 2015 sees the 50th anniversary of one of the Bryn Evans of Home Instead Senior Care more unusual church buildings in Sheffield. Sheffield, guest writes in our magazine with some essential advice. Page Page 05 12 A north Sheffield community marks the 2015 Argentina update from ‘Links around the world’ - General Election with a release of balloons of the Diocese of Sheffield has close links with other hope. Anglican communities. Page Page 08 13 Royal Maundy Review... The Queen visits Helping the young people of Bessacarr, Franky's Sheffield Cathedral on Maundy Thursday Nostell Place is a new outreach to young people in Doncaster. 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 Flourishing, diverse and celebrating it’s 50th! 2015 sees the 50th anniversary of one of the more unusual church buildings in Sheffield. The round shape and distinctive Derbyshire slate spire of Saint Peter’s Church in Greenhill is something of a local landmark. However, Saint Peter’s is not a church that is living in the past. things going on for children and youth. minibuses collecting people, including But, despite their young vicar, the church is those in wheelchairs - but also attracts also helping out older people too. When those who have thought that church asked about this Harry said, ‘It is important perhaps isn’t for them and, until now, have that the church values each and every not been before. person. Nowadays it is increasingly easy It just leaves one question, what do for society to forget about the elderly, and people think of a vicar with tattoos? Harry there is a danger that people can become laughs, ‘They like them…I think. In fact they lonely, rarely leaving the house. So we asked if at one of the services I would talk ‘This anniversary gives us a chance to be decided to try and do something about it.’ about my tattoos, what they are of and thankful for what has happened in the So twice a month on a Friday afternoon why I got them – the meaning behind past and acknowledge all the prayers, the church regularly gathers over fifty them. Everyone enjoyed that sermon!’ vision, and hard work of those who built older people for their ‘Afternoon Teas’ and the church building,’ commented the vicar, ‘Tea Service’. Whereas the Afternoon Tea the Revd Harry Steele, ‘but it is also a is the kind of activity you might imagine: a chance to be thankful for what we are social event with sandwiches, tea, cream doing now for the local community, and cakes, and different types of looking to the future.’ In many ways Harry entertainment, it is perhaps the ‘Tea does not look like your average vicar. With Service’ that stands out. This event also his heavily tattooed forearms and chest, happens on a Friday afternoon, and pierced ears, and being under 35 years of involves, tea, coffee and cakes, but it is age, he is not what you imagine: and actually a church service, albeit one that perhaps the church is not either. happens with the congregation sitting For more details about their work with This Church of England church is a around tables, sipping tea from china older people, food bank, toddlers, young flourishing, diverse community. There are cups, and nibbling on cakes. This kind of people, craft group, and all the other people of all ages and backgrounds who church service is attracting both those who activities of the church, information can be gather there each Sunday, and lots of find attendance difficult - with special found at www.saintpeters.co 4 NETWORK | NEWS New leadership at St Matthew’s Carver Street St Matthew’s Church, Carver Street has been vacant for three and a half years. It has recently been blessed with the arrival of Father Grant Naylor from Durham Diocese. Balloons of Hope... Fr Grant is also working in the Parish A community in North Sheffield wanted to mark the 2015 general Support Team at Church House as a Mission Development Advisor. Already Fr election by releasing 100 balloons of hope into the sky. Grant has been active in the parish visiting The Parson Cross Initiative (PXI) arranged the balloon release event to bring together the offices and shops and the new Moor Market bringing the Church to the notice of local local community in a show of strength, hope and solidarity. Everyone who wanted to people. send up a balloon was able to add a message describing their hopes and dreams for the future of Sheffield.