St Andrew's Psalter Lane Church
Weekly Newsletter
Sunday 21st April
Easter 4
10.30 am Holy Communion Revd Naomi Cooke
Collect
Holy God, of your own free goodness and mercy you have created us, and through the resurrection of your only-begotten Son you have given us hope; guard us by your love and, in your wisdom, keep us in life eternal life; through Jesus Christ your Son
Reading Psalm 23
Hymns StF 116 Sing for God’s glory
StF 481 The Lord’s my shepherd I’ll not want
StF 692 Your hand O God has guided
The service will be live streamed and you can watch it here.
There is a Junior Church activity sheet available here.
The service will be followed by the Annual Church Meeting in the Church
Please join us in the narthex after the meeting for the Soup & Puds lunch
NEXT SUNDAY
Sunday 28th April
Easter 5
9.15 am Holy Communion Revd Cheryl Collins
10.30 am All Age Worship Revd Naomi Cooke
THIS WEEK
Tuesday 16th April
2.00 - 4.00 pm - Tuesday Café in Shirley House
The café is for those living at home with memory loss or dementia and their carers. Hot drinks and cakes, music, memories, singing, stories and more. For further information ring the church office (0114 2678289) or email office@standrewspsalterlane.org.uk.
Wednesday 17th April
10.30 am Holy Communion in Church
7.30 pm Property and Finance Committee – Shirley House Landing
Thursday 18th April
7.30 pm Interfaith Meeting – Introduction to the Dialogue Society
in the Interfaith Centre, SH
NEW! You can listen to a podcast of our recent services here!
Same sex marriage at SAPLC
At St Andrew’s Psalter Lane Church, we seek to be an inclusive church, and a place in which every person is celebrated and affirmed.
We are delighted to announce that we have now received consent from both the Methodist Church and the Church of England to use SAPLC for the solemnisation of same sex marriages conducted by a Methodist Minister according to the rites of the Methodist Church, and we have made an application for the church building to be registered for such occasions.
We welcome enquiries from anyone who is considering getting married and who would like to explore this further. Please contact the Revd Naomi Cooke: minister@standrewspsalterlane.org.uk
You can also donate by BACS: Sort code: 05-08-08 Account Number: 36930499
or by cheque payable to: St Andrew’s Psalter Lane Church, and posted to St Andrew’s Church Office, 31 Psalter Lane, S11 8YL.
Don't forget to Gift Aid your donation if you can, as this will increase the amount we receive by 25%!
NOTICES
Annual Church Meeting
The Annual Church Meeting will be held on Sunday 21st April after the morning service, in church.
Please consider standing for election as a Warden, Steward, or as a member of the Ecumenical Church Council.
The meeting will be followed by a soup and puddings lunch.
Hospitality Sunday
This is an exciting new event for all of us to participate in and benefit from, giving and receiving one another’s hospitality. After the Sunday morning service on 19th May 2024, those people who sign up to participate in hospitality Sunday will go to the home of another member of the congregation to share lunch together with a group of people. The idea is that we get to know one another better and share in food and fellowship. You do not have to offer to host in order to take part - receiving hospitality is just
as an important service to our community as giving it.
You are welcome to host as many or as few people as you feel able to, and can offer whatever food you are comfortable with; indeed, providing something simple will allow you to spend more time together with guests, which is the aim!
If you would like to participate as guest or host, please complete this online form, or the paper ones available in church. Deadline to sign up is Friday 10th May.
If you have any questions, or would like to know more, please speak to Alastair or Rachel Morris.
morris@alastairmorris.com, 07956 021439.
Wainwright Coast to Coast Walk
Mary Mitchell, accompanied by Eleanor and Edward, is undertaking the Wainwright Coast to Coast Walk, from St Bee's Head to Robin Hood's Bay, starting on 3rd May 2024. It is a long-held ambition of Mary's and one she now hopes to fulfil; Peter will join them at the end, preferring to 'hold the fort' at home. In order to focus their efforts, they have chosen a charity for which to raise funds, the Freedom from Fistula Foundation, one that is indirectly related to Mary's career as a gynaecologist. Should you wish to make a donation go to the Just Giving web page here.
Repair Café at SAPLC 11th May - Help needed! The SAPLC Eco Group is planning to hold a Repair Café on 11th May as part of the Sheffield Environment Weeks - and we need YOUR help!
Are you a whizz at woodwork or a sewing superstar, a hi-tech tinkerer or brilliant with bikes - or do you know someone who is?
Help us to breathe new life into worn-out small appliances, furniture, clothes and more. If you can help out, we would be very grateful – please contact Caroline Cripps (Tel 258 8932, email cripps@uwclub.net). Refreshments will be served.
Postage stamp collection for the Bone Cancer Research Trust If you receive post with stamps, would you like to save them to help raise funds for the Bone Cancer Research Trust? There will be a box at church to place them or people can give them to Pat Rogers and they will then be sent off. Apparently modern stamps are much more valuable than older ones! (Older stamps are pre 2008) Stamps need a border of a finger width (1 cm). Foreign stamps are accepted but please keep these separate. (Channel Islands and Isle of Man count as foreign.)
They will be helping a good cause and be a little bit of recycling.
SAPLC Church of Sanctuary project Following the launch by Rev Inderjit Bhogal on 17th September of the SAPLC Church of Sanctuary project, we acquired copies of his book Sanctuary: the hospitality of host, guest and stranger. Copies of the book are available in the narthex, costing £3.00 . Please buy a copy and read it to support our Church of Sanctuary project.
All We Can Loose Change Appeal
Thank you so much for all your donations to All We Can. The collection bowl will be out during Sunday service so please bring along any small change. Thank you again.
Clifford All Saints School
Community monthly prayer group If you are unable to attend but would like to share a prayer request for the group please click here.
The Psalter Lane building is now closed, and the whole school is at the Ringinglow Road site. The Morris School window - originally one of the pair in old St Andrew’s, of which the one in the narthex is the other - has now been installed in the Ringinglow Road building and looks wonderful. There is a photograph of it on the board in the narthex.
The Tuesday Café The café is open every Tuesday from 2.00 - 4.00 pm in Shirley House. The café is for those living at home with memory loss or dementia and their carers. Hot drinks and cakes, music, memories, singing, stories and more. For further information ring the church office (0114 2678289) or email office@standrewspsalterlane.org.uk.
SAPLC Jigsaw Library Do you love doing jigsaws? Do you have a collection of completed jigsaws that you'll never use again? why not donate them to our Jigsaw Library and borrow a new one at the same time! - No charge but donations towards church funds are welcome!
Regular Giving to St Andrew's Psalter Lane Church If you do not give to the church through the envelope scheme or by bank standing order, please have a word with Rodney Godber (tel 0114 266 3893) who will explain how this makes your giving to the church easier and more beneficial. If you would like to join the envelope scheme, please contact Janet Loughridge (tel 0114 258 4164)
Car Parking If you are parking at church, please take care not to park directly opposite the yellow lines marking the path towards Shirley House and Southcroft, as this blocks pedestrian access for people coming to church from Southcroft
Methodist podcast Have you discovered the weekly Methodist Podcast? Available here and on most audio streaming services. Half an hour of inspiring stories, emerging ideas and latest news from across our national church.
Sheffield Interfaith news Visit the Sheffield Interfaith website for news on what they are doing, such as the 'Introduction to the Dialogue Society' presentation at 7.30 pm on Thursday 18th April.
Please also note this post about getting the Zoom links for their events.
EVENTS
District Gathering 20 April from 9.30 am
Registration is now open for the Spring Gathering. The focus for this gathering, 'With God's help I will - care for myself as I support others', is on how to be a leader (in any capacity) through this season of great change and uncertainty without running yourself into the ground!
Our keynote speaker is Revd Nel Shallow, and in the afternoon she and others will be running workshops exploring the topic in more depth.
Lunch will be provided, so advance booking is essential!
Full details can be found on the poster in the narthex, and places can be booked here:
There will also be market-place stalls including the Cornerstone bookshop from Chesterfield, Good Taste, the Fairtrade shop in Sheffield, and the Christian Publishing Company, plus others.
Volunteers Needed To ensure a warm welcome to the Sheffield Circuit, we are in need of a Hosting Team. If you feel able to help, please contact the Circuit Office, Email:admin@sheffieldcircuit.org.uk. If you are volunteering and want to join in with sessions when not on duty that’s absolutely fine. If you want to join in with the workshops or would like a free lunch you will need to register. More details and booking information can be found on the poster in the narthex.
Singers Wanted We are looking for singers who are reasonably confident in singing in harmony to help lead the opening worship for the District Gathering on 20th April.
Words, music (for those who read) and audio files (for those who learn by ear) will be provided for you to learn and practice your part in advance. There will be a short rehearsal at 9.00 am and the worship will be finished by 10am if you are not planning to stay for the whole day.
If you would like to be part of this group, please contact Katrin Hackett,
Email: katrin@sheffieldmethodist.org by 25 March.
Taize Event in Sheffield Brother Jean-Patrick, who is the link brother to the UK, is coming for a visit in April, and will be in Sheffield for an afternoon, on Saturday 20th April. We will be hosting him at St Mary's Walkley, where he has kindly offered to lead a reflection, as well as having some time for discussion, silence, a shared meal and evening prayer. We would love to have as many people there as
possible, all are welcome. There is a sign up sheet with more information here.
The Messiah Holymoorside and Baslow choirs are joining to sing The Messiah with orchestra and soloists at Methodist Victoria Hall, Norfolk St on Saturday April 27th 7.00pm. Tickets £15.00 from katepinder83@gmail.com or tickets @baslowchoir.co.uk or 01142360820
Thy Kingdom Come Beacon Events 12 May, 4.00 pm - Sheffield Cathedral Evensong for Thy Kingdom Come. Sheffield Cathedral are gathering people together for this special service to make Thy Kingdom Come, particularly those who appreciate prayer and worship in the choral tradition.
Foodbank and Baby Basics
Firvale Foodbank and Baby Basics are still desperately in need of help, so that they can help the most vulnerable members of society. If you are able to give anything, donations can be dropped off at the following addresses.
Food Bank
Donations can be left at the rear of 16 Edgehill Road, S7 1SP or in Church. Fir Vale continue to take referrals and just under 100 people are being supported. Food and cash donations are welcome. Food is especially welcome. The Food Bank particularly need pasta, rice, UHT milk, toiletries and toilet rolls, but are ever grateful for canned goods.
They need
- Baked Beans
- Canned Tomatoes
- Pasta/rice
- Toothpaste
- Canned meats/fish
If you would like to give cash, you can donate here, or you can send a cheque made out to St Cuthbert’s (write Fir Vale Food Bank on the back) and send to Joe Dey at 16 Edgehill Road, S7 1SP, who will hand it over when he delivers to the Food Bank at St Cuthbert’s.
Baby Basics
Gifts, especially nappies, toiletries and hand-knitted items (cardigans and jumpers for 2-5 year olds rather than babies if possible), and the following items for 2-5 years are always in short supply: pyjamas, underwear, socks, tights and warm trousers/jogging bottoms for boys and girls.
At the moment, they really need 0-3 month clothing, baby socks and scratch mitts, 3-6-years clothing, baby wipes, nappy cream, cotton wool, 0-2year toothpaste and brushes, kids shampoo & conditioner for afro/curly hair.
Donations can be left in the basket at 51 Barkers Road, S7 1SD or in Church; cash donations should be put through the letter box. If Pat is away she will remove the basket from her front door step and she asks that items aren’t left at her door if the basket is not there. If you have something you can put through the letter box, that would be alright. The Facebook page also has information about donating via their Amazon wishlist. Donations can be left in the box at 51 Barkers Road, S7 1SD; cash donations should be put through the letter box. Pat would be able to collect donations if you cannot get them to her – telephone her on 2014881 if you would like to donate this way. You can also now donate online.
We are grateful to all the very kind people who are taking these donations to where they are so desperately needed.
Help Needed!
(Not necessarily an accurate representation of a Working Party!)
A message from John Cripps:
'Many thanks to everyone who helped at the Working Party on Saturday 7th April. The next Working Party will be on Saturday 4th May. Do come along and help – even an hour can help make a great difference to the appearance of the church grounds, which we can all enjoy. More volunteers would be very welcome!
Everyone is welcome to carry out gardening tasks at other times convenient to them. The compound has a new lock and that and the tool box have combination padlocks. Please ask me (01142 588932, 07914 290016, cripps@uwclub.net) if you want to know the combination and if you open either lock, please take care the combination is set correctly before closing it. The tool box contains the mower, strimmer and some small tools and there are additional tools in the cellar.'
The Green Box
Calling all potential climate activists!
Action needed please!
Stop Killing Our Rivers
Our rivers are dying - will you send a powerful message to both Government and the intensive chicken industry?
Factory chicken farming is fuelling the crisis. Millions of birds are crammed into industrial units near our rivers producing huge volumes of polluting chicken manure. Spread as fertiliser on nearby fields, the phosphate in the manure can leech into rivers, causing algal blooms which starve the river of oxygen, killing precious habitats for wildlife like otters and kingfishers. The situation is dire: the Environment Agency reports ‘unacceptable levels’ of phosphate in over half of English rivers.
We urgently need your help to ask UK Governments for:
A ban on new intensive poultry units
Support farmers to exit this damaging industry
Action to reduce chicken consumption to more sustainable levels
Sign the petition here.
Congratulations to Bents Green Church on receiving the Bronze award.
“As part of our commitment to caring for God's creation Bents Green Care re-wilding the "Knowle Lane" part of our garden. We have planted some wildflowers to encourage bees and butterflies and we are letting most of the grass grow to see what flowers will emerge. We realise it doesn't look as neat as it did in previous years but we hope you enjoy seeing what happens when nature is allowed to take over and maybe you might like to try doing the same in some part of your own garden?”
'Ways of Water' - Millennium Gallery until Sunday 12th May
Ways of Water explores local water infrastructures, from historic wells to expansive reservoirs across sites in Yorkshire and Derbyshire. The exhibition follows the historic and contemporary implications of the Sheffield cholera epidemic of 1832, which emerged because of unsanitary water conditions.
Discover film, photography, sculpture and archives exploring the different scales and effects of wells and reservoirs, juxtaposing sites of community action with larger water infrastructures. Within these sites and structures is a focus on memory and monument. How do we remember past events, culturally? What objects, rituals and beliefs maintain personal and collective memories? How can the past inform future action?
Water is central to human and planetary survival. As a crucial life-sustaining element for every living organism, it needs maintenance and care, as does remembrance. This exhibition highlights these themes and invites visitors to consider their relationship to water, health, memory and loss on both a local and global scale.
City of Rivers Exhibition - Weston Park Museum until Sunday 3rd November
Sheffield is a city born from its rivers, sculpting the landscape and powering the industries that made it prosper. Today, they're the arteries that flow through the urban sprawl, continuing to shape the character of the city and our lives in it. From vast reservoirs and cascading weirs to the brooks that trickle through our many green spaces, they also provide a home to a rich abundance of local wildlife. City of Rivers brings together stories, objects, artwork, film and photography to chronicle Sheffield's relationship with its waterways. Drawing on contributions from people across the city, it reflects on our connections to them in our work, leisure time and our impact on the natural habitats they represent. Find out more about the exhibition in Sheffield’s Now Then magazine.
We all want to care for the planet, but can’t do everything at once. Here is the next in a series of tips to think about. Some can be done today, some this month, and some will not be for you. But remember - everyone can do something!
Eco Tips
April - Fit more active travel into your day and daily routine.
Consider connecting with your local Ramblers or cycling group for shared experiences.
For more practical ways to enjoy, nurture and defend nature, sign up to A Rocha UK’s Wild Christian email: arocha.org.uk/wild-christian
See the Eco Group page for more Green news!
This page contains information about upcoming services and events and groups that we support.
Please contact clare@standrewspsalterlane.org.uk or janet.loughridge.45@gmail.com if there is anything you would like to see or to add, or anyone you would particularly like us to pray for.
This Newsletter will continue to be emailed instead of being printed to hand out in church. This will be better for us as an Eco-Church. There will be printed copies in church, but only for people who cannot receive the emailed newsletter.
We will be live-streaming our main Sunday morning services, for those people who aren't able to join us in church.
All contributions, serious or light-hearted, would be very welcome!