Author: DigiComms

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

We are delighted to announce that Naomi Prince will be taking on a new role with the District Team in August as our District Administrator/ Chair’s PA – a key, multi-faceted role as part of the Yorkshire North and East Methodist District Team.

Naomi says:

“I’m so excited to be your new District Administrator. I’m just finishing my third year at the University of York where I was studying for a BA in music and I’m continuing my studies for the next two years as I work towards a Research Masters, looking at whether hymns can still be seen as a tool for evangelism. Alongside my degree, I have been very involved within the Methodist Church around York, as I have been a member of the Children and Youth Team, and have sat on the District Leadership Team while also training as a Local Preacher. I’m really looking forward to taking on this role and contributing further to the work of the District.”

admin@yorkshirenemethodist.org

All Flourish 23 tickets can be purchased through our online system provided by Ticket Tailor

What is Flourish?

Journey together with friends for an all-age weekend to discover how we can flourish in our faith, as a church for the future, and in being missional communities. More than a Church Meet-up. More than a Christian Conference. More than a Worship Festival.

be INSPIRED
be CHALLENGED
REFLECT and be RENEWED
have FUN and LAUGHTER
your HEART STRANGELY WARMED
be EQUIPPED to FLOURISH

with…
Speakers | Workshops | Worship | Activities

Note: Ticket prices are heavily subsidised by a district grant. Anyone for whom the cost is prohibitive should seek support from their church, circuit, district (in that order). Tickets allow you to attend any day or the whole weekend of Flourish – however, please note some workshops and parts of the programme will have limited space; the purchase of a ticket will not guarantee entry to these and you may be directed to an alternative session. We will inform ticket holders when they are able to reserve places for workshops and sessions nearer the event.

Please only buy tickets if you intend to come, as no refunds are available.

Find out more about Flourish 23 here:
https://www.yorkshirenemethodist.org/flourish23/

We will be running District Zoom sessions of the Kindness Course. Written by the Revd Dr David Perry last year, it is a great opportunity to explore how we can be responding to the gospel by living kind, generous, open-hearted lives, that are in themselves evangelistic, because we’re reaching out in kind and generous ways. Part of our Great 50 Days initiative.

Tuesday nights
19.30pm
Starting Tuesday 24th May through till Tuesday 28^th June

For the Zoom link, email:
revdwperry@gmail.com

Find out more about the Kindness Course and the Great 50 Days here:

Over 140 representatives, ministers, supernumeraries, and visitors came together on Saturday 7th May at Manor Academy in York to join in worship, conferring, conversation, talks, workshops, and more. Looking to God to relight the fire of our faith, passion, and action. A day of encouragement, challenge, discussion, and fellowship.

The full live stream of the morning is available to watch back here

Thank you to everyone who contributed to District Synod. Representative Synod is far more than a business meeting, and it was great to have many visitors of all ages!

At the link below, find:

• Link to the live stream to watch back
• Videos of each of the three talks
• Details about workshops and what took place at synod
• Links to resources on some of the topics discussed
• Details of hymns and videos used in worship
• Text and download of the synod prayer

A reminder that our Spring District Synod is happening on Saturday 7th May 2022
9.30am – 3.30pm | open to everyone.
Manor Academy, York, YO26 6PA

Theme: Relight our fire

We’ll be looking to God to be relighting the fire of our faith, passion, and action. Including various key-note speakers and workshops on a range of topics.

Find more information about District Synod here:
www.yorkshirenemethodist.org/district/synods/

We’re excited to launch our “Great 50 Days” district initiative for 2022

The Great 50 Days of Easter run from Easter Sunday (17th April) to Pentecost Sunday (5th June) and this year we’re offering an opportunity to explore more urgently and more deeply than perhaps we have for some time, just how we’re called to be ‘Easter People’, filled with the hope of Christ alive within us; ready
to experience more of God’s spirit in us and through us, transforming the world.

Click the link below for more information on the different options available for you and your church to engage with, either in full or in part. You will also find resources to download and details of other ways we are resourcing local circuits, churches, or individuals to make the most of these opportunities.