One of our sister churches in Woodhouse, led by our new superintendent minister (the Rev Debora Marschner), has started an innovative approach to care for people who have been bereaved, making sure no one feels their grief is unseen.

For many people, cemeteries are places of quiet routine, tending a grave, bringing flowers, pausing to remember. By offering tea, conversation and a welcoming presence in that space, the team is choosing to meet people where they are. Revd. Debora said: “We want people to know that their grief is seen, their stories matter, and there is someone willing to listen."

You can read more here.

In the Sermon in the Mount, Jesus speaks the line “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted”. It means that God notices human grief and promises deep inner healing and peace to those who hurt.  If you are grieving, we offer this short prayer:-

We are always happy to receive prayer requests. 

Greetings from all us: HALF YEAR 2022

Nowadays,  Madagascar our country is in a never seen crisis :Many things have impacted our country’s life and every Malagasy citizen, especially in our daily life:

• Climate change (Drought and flood which often happened.)
• Covid 19 still remains and kill people slowly.
• Petrol price increases ( 1 liter cost £ 1,50) and causes a never seen inflation ,consequently the value of the Malagasy money  tumbles down and our purchasing power is becoming insignificant !

Insecurity  is horrible  both in urban and in rural areas (Robbers, Killers, Stealers, Kidnapers…).The Government is in  several  great difficulties  and is afraid of new riot …Here, everybody  is in  a panic  situation ! Everything  are suddenly becoming  too  expensive for all us!

A  REFLECTION :

“ For how can I bear to see the calamity which is coming upon my country ? Or how can I bear to see the destruction of my family ? “ Esther 8 : 6

A  VISION:

Prov. 29 : 18 Where there is no vision people perish .… but man comes out to his work and to his  labours until evening. Psalms 104 : 23 

Victory is always possible for the person who refuses to stop fighting. Great works are performed not by strength but by perseverance.

Always do your best  ; what you plant now you will harvest later .

DECISION  &  PROJECT

Due to these circumstances, we cannot create any other new projects . But the previous ones are held,continued  and  improved in terms of quantity and quality.

In the agricultural enterprise : We will improve our skills, we will use the  lombricompost and regular watering…for   fruit  trees. We will use some insecticide…

In the  livestock  enterprise : We will ameliorate their main  food for having enough good quality of products… (meat – milk –eggs  …) We will use good Vitamins and some  useful  veterinary medicinal products…

 HARVEST  APPEAL  2022

“ Freely you have received, freely give “ Matt. 10 : 8

In what ways is GOD asking us  to give to HIM, so that others  may benefit ?.

To sum up, we will need more prayers and  some help to improve the products by providing enough good  food and more medicinal products.

For the fields :£1000 and for the livestock : £1000………………Total : £2000

           “  For where your Treasure  is , there will your heart be also “ Mat.6 : 21

Some update photographs to show you the blessings of God and the results of your prayers and your financial supports in our last  Harvest  time. 

We always remember you all , both in our mind and in our daily prayer.

Warmest  Regards.

Fr  Georges and Eveline.

All the Congregation Antananarivo MADAGASCAR

If you want to know more about their purpose, case studies or you know someone who may benefit from one of their grants, please take a look at their newsletter here.

Their full website is fund for human need

Words shape how we understand the world around us, and in moments of tension or tragedy they can either deepen division or help build understanding. With this in mind, we wanted to share a recent article from our website exploring this theme, which we hope you will find of interest.

The article looks at why the language used around asylum, refugees, and migration matters, in particular how terms are often misused or misunderstood, and why accuracy and humanity are essential in public debate. In light of recent events in Belfast, Southampton, and elsewhere in the UK, this debate feels even more urgent.

We hope the article invites reflection on the impact of the words we choose, and the responsibility we all share in using language that informs rather than inflames.

If you enjoy reading it, please continue these conversations in your own communities. They have never been more important.

THE FULL ARTICLE IS BELOW or you can list to the Radio Sheffield interview here. 

Words have been compared to many things.

They can be as addictive and mind-altering as drugs. As dangerous as a loaded weapon. As powerful as a spell.

The words we choose have the power to heal and to harm. They can unite communities behind a common purpose or divide them against themselves. They can build understanding or fuel fear.

In the wake of the tragic events in Northern Ireland, Southampton, and elsewhere, we have seen the consequences of language used carelessly, irresponsibly, or deliberately to inflame tensions. Families have been driven from their homes. Communities forced to live in fear. Police officers injured. Violence that has spread far beyond the actions of any one individual.

One of the most important lessons from these events is a simple one: we cannot make entire communities responsible for the actions of individuals.

When a crime is committed, responsibility belongs to the person who committed it. Not to everyone who shares their nationality, ethnicity, religion, migration status, or skin colour.

That principle should not be controversial. Yet it is too often forgotten.

Nobody is immune from national events. City of Sanctuary Sheffield recently attracted the attention of some commentators seeking to draw links between our work and recent events in the UK. At issue was our support for a university event aimed at raising awareness of the ongoing civil war in Sudan and expressing solidarity with those affected.

Absent from this commentary was any acknowledgement of the purpose of the event, or the impact of the civil war on the Sudanese people themselves: hundreds of thousands of lives lost; communities devastated by violence; the rape and torture of men, women, and children; millions more forced to flee their homes in search of safety.

Words matter not only because of what they reveal, but also because of what they hide.

The problem with the term “illegal immigrant”

Few phrases demonstrate this better than the term “illegal immigrant”.

The phrase is powerful because it immediately suggests criminality. It implies someone is breaking the law, flouting the rules, or acting outside acceptable norms.

But language can obscure as much as it reveals.

The first thing we must remember is that claiming asylum is not illegal. It is a legal right recognised under the 1951 Refugee Convention. If a British citizen facing conflict, persecution, or violence is forced to seek protection abroad, they would rely on this same right to find safety for themselves and their family.

The second thing we must understand is that there are currently no visa routes allowing someone to travel to the UK to claim asylum. In general, a person must be in the UK or at the border before they can make an asylum claim.

This means many people must arrive through what is often described as an “irregular route”. That journey may be by boat, train, lorry, or plane, but the fact remains the same: seeking asylum is a legal right under international law.

Describing people who are exercising a legal right as “illegal” is not only inaccurate. It risks stripping away their humanity and reducing complex human lives to a political label.

People may have different views about immigration policy, border management, or how asylum systems should operate. Those are legitimate democratic debates. But those debates should begin with facts, not labels.

Understanding the terminology

Part of the challenge is that terms such as migrant, asylum seeker, and refugee are often used interchangeably, even though they mean different things.

A migrant is simply someone who changes their country of usual residence, regardless of the reason.

An asylum seeker is someone who has left their country and is asking another country for protection because they have a well-founded fear of persecution based on factors such as race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership of a particular social group. Their claim is still being assessed.

A refugee is someone whose asylum claim has been accepted and who has been granted protection because that fear of persecution has been recognised as credible.

At City of Sanctuary Sheffield, we prefer to use the phrases people seeking asylum or people seeking sanctuary.

We do this deliberately.

These phrases put the person first. They remind us that we are not talking about statistics, headlines, or political abstractions. We are talking about human beings. Friends. Neighbours. Colleagues. Parents. Children.

When we put people first, it becomes harder to divide communities and easier to build understanding.

Whose responsibility is it?

It is tempting to blame the confusion in the area on the public. But we are all responsible for the language we use.

The media has a responsibility to report accurately. Politicians have a responsibility to speak with care and to report the facts honestly. Community leaders have a responsibility to challenge misinformation. And each of us has a responsibility to think critically about the words we repeat.

Language can create distance between people. It can make others feel unwelcome, excluded, or feared.

But it can also do the opposite.

It can remind us of our shared humanity. Helping us to build bridges rather than barriers.

When tragic events occur, the words we use hold particular force. They can encourage us to focus on the facts of a crime, or the background of the person who committed it. They can focus attention on the individual, or stereotype a whole community.

This is why we must choose them carefully.

Why words matter

This is not an argument about political correctness. Nobody should feel afraid to express an opinion simply because they might inadvertently choose the wrong word.

It is an argument about accuracy, fairness, and humanity.

The people we work alongside every day show remarkable resilience. Many have survived experiences most of us can barely imagine. Despite facing hostility, uncertainty, and misunderstanding, they continue to contribute to our city and our communities.

Sheffield is stronger when everyone who lives here feels safe, welcome, and able to participate fully in civic life.

Words alone cannot create this future, but they can encourage the positive action and solidarity we need to make it a reality.

If words can be used as weapons to harm, they can also be used to disarm and heal.

We are proud to be hosting this fantastic service. 

 Please enjoy our video giving background to the village but also to hear from our members on why church, Methodism and Killamarsh is important to them by clicking here.

Between 10-3 there was a warm welcome (in spite of the rain) and cake.

The Hall was full of information on how the church and village has changed and how KMC serves our community.

The Sanctuary had videos but also some live demonstrations, school assembly singing and Q&As with Rev Sean (our minster). a

There were children's activities.

It was our pleasure to host. 

We'd love you to join us in person to consider how we came to exist, how that impacts our mission and where that might take us locally. If you can't come along, then you can watch a video of each session on our YouTube channel.

There are some pictures above of our Good Friday shared remembrance service in the garden, replaced today by the joyous flowered cross, and our Easter garden flowers.

Thanks to everyone who organised, took part and joined us for either Hot Cross buns (Friday) or Easter Sunday breakfast.

Each Tuesday, between 9.30 and 11.30, join a new, free, community children's clothing exchange which will be held in the sanctuary. 

Bring along clothing for 0-3 year olds' to swop or donate. 

We are proud to be used our building to support this brilliant project which will reduce waste, save money and help live sustainably. 

Please spread the word!

Thanks to everyone who joined us and especially. Attached is a photo of (most of) our leadership team along with Rev Vicky, our District Chair (far left) and Rev Richard, our President of Conference (4th from right).

If anyone wants a copy of our launch brochure then please get in touch this outlines a number of activities over the coming 12 months (watch this space).

(You can read more about Rev Richard, and his theme for the year, by clicking here or watching this short video  "Our story, our song." couldn't more appropriate for an anniversary year!)

Enough said!

Their services are being reduced and changed due to funding with the following quote from Barbara-Anne Walker the Chief Executive:-

“This is one of the hardest moments in Ashgate’s history. We never wanted to be in this position, but the reality is that the NHS does not fund us fairly for the care we provide here in North Derbyshire. 

“That’s why we are now consulting on proposals to reduce the number of inpatient beds, reshape some of our services and make changes to our team structures. These are heartbreaking choices, but they are necessary to protect Ashgate’s future for the generations of patients and families who will need us."

Full details are here.

We have previously supported as one of our monthly donations but, instead, we have decided to donate all proceeds from our Thursday community coffee morning for the next 3 months.

Everyone is welcome, you'll get tea coffee, a choice of cake and great chat.......all whilst doing good. Make it the meeting point with your friends!

Merry Christmas from everyone at Killamarsh Methodist Church. We wish you love, peace and joy for today and throughout 2026.

Personally, we've been involved in advent prayer and reflection on Youtube, led by ministers, preachers and worship leaders from across Sheffield.

We welcomed:-

• over 80 people to Curry and Carols with members of Chapeltown Silver Band.
• almost 60 people to our Christmas Community lunch
• over 40 people to our nativity (plus on-line contributors)
  
  

........and we've loved every minute of sharing the good news.  We've also collectively sent £600 to Sheffield City of Sanctuary- our chosen charity.

(Have a scroll through our pics.)

If you can't join us for Christmas Day,  we wish you a Merry Christmas and every good wish for 2026.

If you wish to follow the series as we journey through Advent click and subscribe here

We live in troubled times with increasing signs of division and discrimination. The sermon focused on rising intolerance and anxiety and the strengths of community while understanding the benefits of living together, in love.

And of course how we can be guided by Jesus' teaching and example.  

Learn more here and join us next week for insightful conversation........and HOPE.

On Sunday 23rd November, we continued our discussions and were challenged to think of the opposite of "fear".

The suggestion was that could be "community" and we were given these helpful words for our conversations as a people of faith:-

• "I believe everyone is our neighbour."
• "My faith teaches me that love doesn't stop at borders."
• "I'd rather build community than walls."

As always the challenge is putting our faith into action.......without fear. 

Do all the good you can, by all the means you can,
in all the ways you can, in all the places you can,
at all the times you can, to all the people you can,
as long as ever you can. 

As a church, we try to follow this teaching. We try to serve, through our coffee morning, our free breakfast and our monthly community lunch. The food is provided by our congregation, and  some generous donors, which means any donations received can be given to charity. We add in monies from our members benevolent fund. To ensure we meet "in all the places you can" we rotate our charities between local, national and international. We also support disaster appeals. 

So, we are pleased to announce in our last financial year we gave away £3990.

And we hope to do this "as long as ever we can". A huge thank you to all our congregation and kind donors. Please keep giving.

Here are the charities we supported: International Rescue, Fund for Human Need, British Legion, Father Georges, Big Issue, Christian Aid, Weston Park, Cliff student support, Traidcraft Exchange Big Brew. Comic Relief, Christian Aid (Myanmar), Embrace (Middle East), Methodist Women in Britain, Ben's Place, City of Sanctuary. 

Over the seasons, our garden is where we share our messages with our village community.

We hope you like our new flag.

At Killamarsh Methodist Church we "welcome diversity" AND we say together "All are welcome".

Reverend Sean will lead us daily and provide a video to help us reconnect with our prayer life, based on Celtic Daily Prayers from the Northumbria community. You'll find a launch video  by clicking Introduction and invitation . Every day after that you can click to access  our Youtube channel.

We'd love you to join and provide feedback.

It's also been the subject of debate within church where we are constantly trying to make sense of our world relative to our Christian faith.  We recognise that:-

• this flag is our flag and so represents everyone in the country
• St George is of Greek origin, who died for his Christian faith, and we share him as patron with Ukraine, Bulgaria, Ethiopia, Beirut, Moscow and many others. 
• Christ was a refugee (Matthew ch2 v 13-15)
• all people are made in the image of God

As a local community church we stand by our ethos that "all are welcome" and we remember the  words of the great theologian, change-advocate and pastor, Rev Desmond Tutu, that “hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness.” 

If you're interested in joining this discussion or others, our doors are open and we have regular debates when we gather for  "What in the  world is going on" (details of which you can find elsewhere on this website).

Meantime, we will update our garden display with our flag of diversity.

God bless, everyone.

For the summer, we have a new word "JOY" which is one of the nine Fruits of the Spirit , attributes which reflect a life led by the Holy Spirit. As a member of the church, we are challenged to life our life with joy in our hearts, because of our relationship with God and the promises He makes to us.

The sign is a reminder to reflect on what in our life is giving us joy, and to be thankful. We hope you too can reflect on the positive thinks happening around you.

Thanks to everyone involved in the build.

Many people find nature a great way to feel closer to God. A garden is a small, natural place to stop, think and connect.....or simply watch the word go  by.

As a church we believe we serve our community, so, we've updated our sign with a simple statement of invitation: "Our garden is always open and is a place for you to rest and reflect in a busy world." And we've just given it a bit of a spruce up (so thanks to everyone involved in the work). 

Give it a go and look at our successful fruit trees.. All are welcome!

In our second session, Chris Hewer joined us  and delivered  two sessions are "Israel: Understanding Jewish (and some Christian) perspectives" followed by "Palestine: Understanding Muslim (and some Christian)perspectives". You can view these two amazing, and relevant, talks plus the introduction and Q&A through 4 different videos on our new Page for this series. Have a look and if you want to talk.....well you know where we are!  

Look our for our next session soon. 

SUMMARY PART ONE

  Our faith does not operate in a vacuum and today we had our first session led by Dr Chris Hewer where we learned more about "Islam and the Middle East". We enjoyed danish pastries and cake/sausage rolls in the break .... just Muslims are about to start Ramadan. 

This was a truly fantastic session with some great questions, shared by 29 friends from a number of backgrounds, which this site would struggle to do justice to.  It would definitely be worth visiting https://chrishewer.org/ to dig deeper. Thank you Chris for a fascinating insight.

 All are welcome to these events, so, fellow seekers, look out for the next topic soon. 

We often share where we have seen God at work locally, and in our lives, but it's also good to read or hear about this slightly further afield.

There's a regular District Podcast which is worth a regular listen for uplifting stories from other churches called "Faith, Hope and the Journey".

Why not have a listen?

But we also join in with others' neighbourly activities through donations and also free use of our building.  

• In December, the church was given over to a Christmas Coffee morning fundraiser for Weston Park Hospital where we are pleased to report £807.89 was raised. Congratulations to all involved, who are almost at their target of £25,000. Amazing!!
• In November, we volunteered our hall for tap dancing auditions when  Wales Community Theatre lost temporary access to their rehearsal space.  
• In October, Sing4stroke put on a concert.

Do you have a brilliant idea and need a location....... please get in touch to discuss using our community rooms. 

PS apologies for American spelling - but what a great image! 

The few images here are:-

• the finished nativity scene outside our building,
• our curry and carols event (supported by Chapeltown silver band)
• our community lunch
• Dame Dolly.....the imagined innkeeper from Bethlehem and star of our nativity
• Carol singing at the end of our Christmas morning service.

From all at Killamarsh Methodist, we wish you a happy and peaceful Christmas and New Year.

To find out more about Food Works, please click here but  they:-

• upcycle quality surplus and locally grown ingredients into delicious food and drink in their Kitchens  in Sharrow and Upperthorpe.
• collect and share surplus food at their Market  , and through partner hubs.
• develop hyperlocal food production through community growing on our Farm on the Manor (next to Rhubarb café) 
• empower people with skills, knowledge and support in our Community
  

A fabulous charity we love to work with. Give a meal a try or support one of their sites!

Sean comes to us as our new part time minister from the start of September 2024, here in the Killamarsh and Renishaw along with
Mosborough a short distance away. He has served previously on the Derbyshire North East Circuit, the Rotherham & Dearne Valley Circuit and
before that as minister in the Methodist Church in Ireland where he did his initial ministerial training. He has served the wider church as the
Director of Vocational Learning and Acting Director at a Training Institute in York, and as the Deputy Chair of District for the Sheffield
District. He will also be engaging in doctoral research from September as well as a new District role as Secretary of Synod.

Sean says, "Having spent 26 years serving to the north and then the south of these communities, I am delighted to come now to serve these churches and communities in the middle, at the heart of their communities. I am excited to work alongside some wonderful congregations who I have known about and from time to time worked with for some years. I'm looking forward to the days ahead."

Sean's first service is Sunday 1st September and, as always, we'd love to see you, but especially to hear his first words for us. 

Thanks to everyone who donated and especially to our property committee for making this happen.