Author: DigiComms

Welcome Tim O’Brien – Our District Net-Zero Officer!

We are delighted to announce that Tim is joining the District Staff Team from May 2023, Tim’s 3-year role, which is fully funded by the Benefact Trust, is to support churches and circuits continue to join in with the district-wide commitment for the Methodist Church in Yorkshire North and East to be net-zero by 2040.

Reflecting on the role Tim says: 

‘Being interviewed for this Net Zero Officer role was my first experience of being interviewed for a job I actually really want to do!

The District’s realistic, determined commitment to achieving important Net Zero targets is impressive and a crucial aspect of how we live out our calling as people of good news in this generation. I am genuinely honoured to be given the opportunity to help Methodist churches and people play our part in bringing about the creation care agenda shared by so many individuals and communities in ‘God’s Own Country’.

We live near Harrogate and for the last fifteen years or so, my wife, Sam, and I have been part of the Pateley Bridge Circuit and we are now increasingly involved in the District’s Kairos group.

I have enjoyed a varied career in the UK and further afield, working for some or the world’s largest corporations. However, as I mentioned to Sam during the recruitment process for this role, this was my first experience of being interviewed for a job I actually really want to do’!

You can contact Tim by email at netzero@yorkshirenemethodist.org

Kindly produced and complied by the Nidd Valley Methodist Circuit for other churches and circuits to use on Sunday 16th April when many will be at Flourish, our district weekend, in Scarborough. This service is offered as a resource for those churches making ‘local arrangements’ over the ‘Flourish’ weekend (April 14-16 2023) and provides material which can be adapted as required to suit your church and its needs.

• A written service, including sermon, hymns and prayers (can be used in full or in part)
• Full video service for use online or in church buildings
• Sermon / talks from the above service as separate files

Find the online service to watch or share on our District YouTube Channel

Download Resources

Or download any of the above for local use from our Flourish Resources Folder

The Flourish Planning Team are looking for a team of willing volunteers to help make the weekend happen!

These roles will range from Car Park Duty (yes, this will mean wearing a hi-vis vest!) to stewarding on the doors and helping make sure everyone is welcome.

You will need a ticket but will receive some food/drink vouchers for the spa facilities

If you are interested in helping out, please register your interest here https://forms.office.com/e/8hvxLpvHQL Thank you!

We are really excited to share our completed brochure for Flourish 23 – Rooted in Love with you!

Find a digital download of the brochure on our website – printed copies will be available in advance of Flourish, and will be distributed to local circuits shortly

In our brochure you will find:

• Full programme and timetable for the weekend
• Vital Information for the weekend
• Details of all contributors, speakers, musicians, and workshop leaders
• Workshop details and descriptions
• Map of the town and Spa, including venues for sessions
• Children’s, Youth, and Family Programme
• Details on the Marketplace and Flourish Merch
• Learn more about our partners, local & national organisations

https://www.yorkshirenemethodist.org/flourish23/

Are you involved in a Warm Space at or from your church? Or thinking of launching one?
Come and share your Warm Space experiences, stories, and questions at a district ‘YN&E Warm Spaces Zoom Gathering’

It’s a 60 minute zoom, designed to encourage one another, share tips/stories, and a sense of how God is at work in people’s lives!

Warm Spaces Zoom Gathering
Wednesday 11th January
7pm
Facilitated by Ruth Gilson-Webb (Circuits Support Team Leader)

ZOOM LINK:
https://zoom.us/j/4205147439?pwd=WEZ0ZVQ0Y2tlR2R6NUl3cTRQQ25lUT09

Background

The district has offered Warm Space grants to churches running local venues. We are offering this zoom meeting for those involved in running them to come and share stories/experiences/challenges etc so that we can see what’s happening and possibly offer more support.

• 11 churches have had a district WS grant, and have been invited to the zoom gathering.

• 8 further churches are registered on www.warmwelcome.uk as running a WS and have been invited.

• We believe there are other churches also running warm spaces around the district – without district funding and not registered on the warm welcome site. We’d love you to come along!

Introducing Jane Masterman, our new District Safeguarding Officer

Back in the early 1990’s I gained a BA Degree in Informal Education in Youth and Community.  Whilst studying, I was employed by a local Methodist Church overseen by the Methodist Division of Education and Youth (as it was then) to lead the development of a community-based Youth Project in the locality.  With this foundation, I went on to work in a range of roles supporting young people and families primarily within the public sector, both the NHS and Local Authorities in West Yorkshire which has always been my home.

In the past decade, I have worked with many vulnerable young people as the Unit Manager in a Secure Children’s Home, providing secure housing for both young people who have been sentenced to custody for committing an offence along with girls and boys who were placed into secure accommodation for their safety own under Section 25 Children’s Act 1989.  I am also a Consultant Learning Coach supporting prison officers working with young people in Secure establishments nationally and who are studying hard to achieve a Foundation Degree in Youth Justice.

Using the experience, knowledge, and understanding I have gained throughout my career to date, I am now looking forward to contributing to the development of safeguarding practice within the Yorkshire North and East District; and to working with employees and volunteers who play such a pivotal and vital role in the lives of our children, young people and vulnerable adults.

On a more personal note, I am very happily married to Lee,  my partner of 25+ years and currently live in Leeds.  We have one very talented daughter who has recently graduated from University after having studied Music – which is our shared passion as a family.  I love to attend live music events of all genres – but particularly enjoy the gigs that feature my daughter and her upcoming Band.  (…..watch this space)

Find more about our Safeguarding here: www.yorkshirenemethodist.org/our-work/safeguarding/

Contact Jane: safeguarding@yorkshirenemethodist.org

After a year of work by our former District Safeguarding Officer (DSO) and our District Digital Enabler, we are pleased to release this guidance to support local churches and circuits to embed safeguarding within the online space.

The DIGITAL SAFEGUARDING BEST PRACTICE REFERENCE DOCUMENT can be found here:
https://bit.ly/DigitalSafeguarding

A detailed list of FAQs that help unpack Methodist safeguarding policy in an online context, including resources to help with practical application of this guidance. This is an evolving and interactive document, and not a comprehensive list. You can click highlighted links to navigate the document and find additional external resources.

This is a long document, and not intended to be read cover to cover – it will hopefully answer a specific question you have, and is a resource you may want to keep revisiting. If you are looking to get an overview and general understanding you may want to skim through the “short answers” and look at the first FAQ in each section.

The contents of this document have been created by Katy Spencer-Madden (previous District Safeguarding Officer) and Elliot Crippen (District Digital Enabler).

Please don’t copy, reproduce, or adapt (in full or in part) the contents of this document elsewhere, even with attribution – as this provides a greater challenge in keeping advice updated.

You are welcome to point others towards these FAQs via this link: https://bit.ly/DigitalSafeguarding 

For questions or updates: digital@yorkshirenemethodist.org  

Hopefully most are aware of the Connexional Christmas campaign (There is Room) and the useful resources available to download and pre-order for churches – both physical and digital
www.methodist.org.uk/thereisroomresources/

District Resources
Similar to last year, I have created some additional resources to sit alongside this, using parts of the theme and branding the Connexion has provided. But adapting the messaging to focus more on offering ourselves and the good news to our communities (rooted in some of the richness of Methodism)

I have created six designs that cover a range of messages and tones, depending on what might be most appropriate in your local context. All of these, plus last year’s resources from me, can be downloaded (for social media or for print) here:

https://bit.ly/DistrictChristmas2022

I hope this is helpful as you reach out to your communities this Advent and Christmas. Feel free to use these yourselves, or cascade to relevant people. If you want anything customising, amended, or added, just get in touch.

Elliot – District Digital Enabler
digital@yorkshirenemethodist.org

District Synod is taking place on Saturday 10th September 2022 via Zoom

Synod is an opportunity for us to gather as a district to worship, learn and share stories. Be encouraged and resourced in your local churches and circuits. Our focus will be on exploring how we can be putting our faith into transformative service within our communities during these turbulent times.

Non-synod members are very welcome to join via the live stream on YouTube, which will also be available to watch back later along with all the videos and resources shared during the morning.

Find more information and upcoming synod reports here: www.yorkshirenemethodist.org/district/synods/

We are delighted to announce that Revd Ruth Gilson-Webb will be joining the District Team in September 2022 as our Circuits Support Team Leader – a strategic role helping to shape the development and flourishing of the mission of churches and circuits across Yorkshire North and East District, and leading our Circuits Support Team.

Ruth says:

“Having worked for many years as Director of The Girls’ Brigade, candidating for the Methodist Ministry in 2015/16 was, for me, a return to a calling sensed in my ‘younger days’ – delayed as God led me in other ways!

Pre-ordination Training at Queen’s Foundation was my second run at theological college, having chosen that route after school when I believed that the Lord was calling me in a particular way. I feel hugely privileged to have had these life-shaping opportunities to share in discovery with others…though I wasn’t that keen on all the assignments!

I took an ‘apprenticeship’ style route at Queen’s which enabled me to work as a student minister in Barnsley for two years, before being stationed to Aire and Calder (Yorkshire West) in 2019.

As a ‘Yorkshire gal’ it’s a joy to be serving God in an area I love…though I’ve been hugely blessed at having opportunities through God’s call on my life to work around the UK and Internationally over the years.

Much of my focus to date has been in roles supporting and encouraging ‘church’ to join in with God’s mission in their local community, to adventure, and to build on the past in ways that relate to the present and future.  

That’s why I am so excited to be joining the Yorkshire North and East District at this time. The stories and snippets I see from Circuits and churches in the District say so much about how Methodist people are really seeking to be open to God in these unsettled post-pandemic, post-Christendom, post seemingly everything days – to flex and adapt to share the hope of Jesus Christ in relevant ways. It feels such a privilege to be given this opportunity to join you in this. I pray that I will be of help and support to you in the days ahead, whilst we drink DECENT coffee together and I bore you with stories about our two crazy Westie dogs!”

The role is about offering spiritual and practical encouragement and support to circuits in responding positively to opportunities for development and growth as they seek to fulfill their mission. Supporting circuits as they face challenges in fulfilling governance responsibilities. Providing leadership to other members of the Circuits Support Team, including line management, to ensure that the team is effective in supporting the vision of the District. Liaising closely with the District Chair, District Leadership Team, and other Officeholders to ensure work is well-communicated and managed efficiently. It’s an exciting role for a visionary and strategic leader to help shape the development and flourishing of the mission of the Yorkshire North and East District working across the Yorkshire North & East Methodist District of the Methodist Church