St Andrew's Psalter Lane Church
Weekly Newsletter
Sunday 3rd November
23rd Sunday after Trinity, Fourth before Advent
10.30 am Holy Communion Revd Naomi Cooke
Collect
God of glory,
touch our lips with the fire of your Spirit,
that we with all creation
may rejoice to sing your praise;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Readings Psalm 146
Mark 12 v 28-34
Hymns StF 346 Christ is the world's light, Christ and none other;
StF 397 The Spirit lives to set us free (v1)
StF 560 My eyes be open to your presence
We gather round this table
StF 745 For all the saints (verses 1,2, 3, 4, and 8)
This service will also be live streamed and you can watch it here from 10.30 am.
There is a Junior Church Activity sheet available here.
NEXT SUNDAY
Sunday 10th November
Remembrance Sunday
10.30 am Service of Remembrance Jenny Carpenter
THIS WEEK
Every Monday
10.00 am – 12 noon Knit and Natter Group in Room 1, Shirley House
Everyone welcome to come and knit, sew, craft or just chat and enjoy a drink and a slice of cake.
Every Tuesday
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.
Every Wednesday
10.30 am Holy Communion in Church
Thursday 7th November
7.30 pm Eco Group meeting, Interfaith Room 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
All We Can Harvest collection - Thank You! Many thanks to everyone who donated so generously to this appeal – including Gift Aid we raised a grand total of £846.37.
Help needed! We are looking for someone willing to act as Safety Officer for SAPLC, to oversee risk assessments, identify hazards and ensure our operations accord with good practice and the Health and Safety policy. This is not likely to be a very onerous or time-consuming role, and training and support would be provided by the Property and Finance Committee. If you think this is something you would be interested in, please speak to John Cripps (Email cripps@uwclub.net Tel 258 8932)
Worship Leaders Over the next few months, Cheryl will be taking a break from leading our 10.30 am worship. She will, however, continue to lead the monthly 9.15am services and certain specials! We are so grateful to Cheryl and all the leaders of worship at SAPLC for the time, energy and support they offer to the worshipping life of the church.
Important Dates for your Diary
Saltmine Theatre Company will be bringing their stage production of A Christmas Carol to SAPLC on Friday December the 6th. There will be two performances, one for local schools in the afternoon and one for the general public early evening. Please make a note and spread the word.
This will be a wonderful experience for primary aged children and the whole family!
At Home Church Community Weekend: June 13th to 15th 2025 Next June we will hold our first Church Community Weekend here at SAPLC. A full schedule of activities will be available nearer the time, but in brief there will be worship, teaching, creative groups, lots of good food, fun and games, and the opportunity to deepen friendship and grow together in the Spirit. Our guest speaker will be the Revd Dr Gary Hall, tutor in Ethics and Preaching at the Queen's Foundation in Birmingham. He is an inspirational person and will be a blessing to us all. Please save the date now: The weekend is for everyone, from the oldest to the youngest among us and activities will be for all.
Sheffield City of Sanctuary letter about Access to Justice The UK’s legal aid system is in crisis. Cuts to legal aid have left many unable to access justice and the reality is stark: over half of people seeking asylum last year couldn’t find a legal aid lawyer.
Entire regions of the UK have become 'legal aid deserts' where no advice is available. Without proper legal support, many individuals are forced to navigate the complex asylum system alone, leaving them stuck in limbo for long periods of time, at risk of removal, and creating greater knock-on costs for local authorities and the wider community.
In every part of England and Wales there is a significant deficit between the need for
immigration and asylum legal advice and the provision available. In South Yorkshire specifically, 2 out of 5 legal aid firms have stopped delivering legal aid immigration services, as of June 2023, and the other three have no capacity. Aside from the Multi-Agency Drop-In, that City of Sanctuary Sheffield facilitate, there is no simple to access, face-to-face immigration advice available in Sheffield.
Please email or write to your MP today to urge them to address this crisis in legal aid for people seeking asylum.
There are copies of the letter from City of Sanctuary in the narthex; this includes a template letter to your MP. You can find your MP here.
Gaza update Bahzad (child psychiatrist) is working incredibly hard providing stress management and group supervision to frontline medics, nurses etc. He’s also helping his sister and brother to set up schooling for children in their area of tents. Caitlin, and friends working for Oxfam and Norwegian Refugee Council in Amman including Bahzad’s other sister are trying to get funding.
A memorial to Bahzad’s and our friend Dr Maisara Alrayes was unveiled at Guys Hospital Quad, together with a scholarship for Palestinian doctors.
Rana is still hanging on. Her son’s first birthday was at the beginning of October. She doesn’t write much but her sister in Cairo keeps in touch with Caitlin.
Finally, Amal, another friend and colleague, sent her reflections on the last year:
'One year since the last time without fear, displacement, limitation and crisis of everything and hope!
One year, all the world tried to stop Israel but no one can.
One year of genocide, of losing friends, neighbours, relatives, homes, beloved things and
memories
One year of waiting the freedom or at least waiting the life routine before war
One year of continuous nightmares of how we will be killed, I saw myself killed under home rubbles, burning in tents, shooting by sniper or quad copter, smashed under a tank track, phosphorus choking or hunger
Thanks for standing next to me all this time, protesting for Palestine, thinking of us and trying to help and stop those genocide. Thanks for being my backbone when I couldn’t stand.'
Also, here is a link to the 9 th October Guardian interview with Ahmed Alnouq who lived with us in 2019-20
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/oct/09/survivors-guilt-is-overwhelming-the-grief-of-losing-21-relatives-in-one-airstrike-in-gaza?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other
News from the West Bank
It is with great sadness and despair to report that the house that Tom Reavey and a team from Amos Trust helped to build in 2022 was today bulldozed by the IDF ( who then sat in the ruins and had their breakfast). It was the second demolition the family had experienced.
A number of members of SAPL contributed to the £2000 that Tom raised for materials and I'm sure they will be equally saddened to read this.
Tom has already volunteered for another build programme but this is not currently possible.
Anne Hollows
Please continue to pray for the people of Gaza and for the West Bank.
CycleBoost electric bike loan schemeElectric bike loans for a month or more are available with the CycleBoost scheme. For a £75 charge per month, people can hire an electric bike, with charger, helmet, lock and pannier, and any repairs needed included in the cost. Google Cycleboost now!
Safeguarding News: Do you listen to podcasts? ‘Podcast on Purpose‘ is a thrilling new podcast series hosted by Philippa Forrester, showcasing the impact of crowdfunding on society. Episode 2 highlights a super fast way to provide financial support to domestic abuse victims through cashpoints. Crowdfunder and the National Benevolent Charity’s
'Home is where the harm is' addresses domestic abuse head-on utilising crowdfunding to provide immediate financial support to victims of domestic abuse.
In the last month they have raised over £20,000 and distributed it discreetly via 100 micro grants through local ATMs to women in desperate circumstances.
‘Podcast on Purpose’ is more than just a podcast; it’s a movement. Each episode highlights the ways people are using crowdfunding to tackle challenges and make a positive impact. By subscribing now, you’ll be among the first to hear these stories of hope and determination.
How to subscribe: Subscribe to ‘Podcast on Purpose’ today by searching for Podcast on Purpose on your preferred podcast provider. The first two episodes will be available on July 30th, with new episodes released weekly.
Friends of The Holy Land Our Christian brothers and sisters in the holy land are really suffering. They desperately need our prayers and support. To read the launch edition of their new magazine Giving Hope, please see here.
This is a new-look update with lots of information about what is happening in the UK and in the Holy Land.
City of Sanctuary Appeal City of Sanctuary Sheffield's vision is for our city to be a place of safety and welcome for people seeking sanctuary.
The Sanctuary is a utopia in the heart of Sheffield that we are working to build as an alternative to the system. It is a beacon of light in a storm and the soil from which so much good work grows.
This summer City of Sanctuary Sheffield are moving out of The Sanctuary to make way for exciting building works on Chapel Walk. We are taking this opportunity to do some building of our own - vastly improving The Sanctuary for the approximately 1500 people who come through the doors each month. The redesign plans will make The Sanctuary:
- More welcoming and safe for those seeking sanctuary.
- More useful for all the groups who use the centre.
- More beautiful, becoming a beacon of hope in difficult times.
- More tailored to the requirements of people seeking sanctuary and those working in solidarity with them.
In order to make these crucial improvements, we need to raise an additional £15,000 and need your help to reach our target. Your support will help us continue to offer a welcoming, safe, and beautiful environment for those seeking sanctuary in Sheffield.
Please click here and consider donating to our GoFundMe appeal and share it with your network to help us reach more people who believe in our mission.
Bents Green Sunday Evening Service Every Sunday evening at Bents Green Church we meet for informal fellowship and worship, which might include teaching, discussion, activities, Holy Communion and refreshments. It's from 6.30 to about 8.00 pm.
Several people already attend from different churches, and we would like to invite anyone who would like to, to come and join us.
More information from Graham Wassell, Tel: 01142350393 or Mob: 07532054968
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.
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.
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, including these two events during Interfaith Week:
Please also note this post about getting the Zoom links for their events.
EVENTS
Where are we with Living in Love and Faith?
Join us for the first Sheffield Diocese meeting of Together for the Church of England as we explore the next steps for full equality and inclusion in the Church of England on Monday 4th November at 7.30 pm at St Marks Broomhill or on Zoom. We'll be joined by Nic Tall, Malcolm Chamberlain, and Cathy Rhodes. The evening will include a summary of Living in Love and Faith, where we have got to, and an exploration of next steps. There will be space for questions and the opportunity to hear more about Together for the CofE in Sheffield Diocese, as well as practical ways you can get involved.
The event is free but please book in to let us know you are coming. See here to book. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/where-are-we-with-living-in-love-and-faith-tickets-1020541526177
If you would like to join on zoom the code will be sent out when you book.
Good Lord Deliver Us Do not miss out on this resource and time of encouragement for laity and clergy on November 6th, 7.30 - 9.00 pm at All Saints Ecclesall. Based on experience and recent national training from the Church of England on deliverance ministry. The aim of the evening is that it is a gift and resource to see the liberating power of Christ, his gospel and his church find freedom, joy and peace in believing. The evening will be led by Mark Brown and Amy Brown (Clinical Psychologist NHS).
The Council of Christians and Jews (Leeds Branch) - Annual Public Lecture for 2024: Wednesday 27th November 2024 at 8.00 pm
This will be given by The Rt. Rev. Nicholas Baines, Bishop of Leeds on “Religion and the Future of Europe” To take place in room 1552 of the Grammar School at Leeds LS17 8GS (on Harrogate Road). Booking is not required, and there will be no charge for attending, but if you would like to make a donation to support the work of the branch, please donate with this link. Please see poster in the narthex.
A requiem for Gaza Kairos Sheffield welcomes the Amos Trust’s Christmas tour “Steal all the flowers”. Join the Amos Trust Christmas Tour this December for an evening of music, film, poetry and conversation, as we welcome special guests from Palestine. All proceeds will support our Christmas appeal, helping to fund our work in Gaza.
Join our friends from Gaza, Hala Hanina and Ahmed Alnaouq, with Amos Trust’s Chris Rose in Sheffield oThursday 5th December, 12.30 - 2.30 pm at Sheffield, Philadelphia Conference Centre (Philadelphia Campus). Includes a light Palestinian lunch See poster in narthex
Christmas Praise in the City
On Monday 9th December at 7.00pm you can start your Christmas celebrations in style with a Methodist special Christmas Praise service at Victoria Hall, Norfolk Street, Sheffield. Hosted by Cliff College with special guests, we will all be joining together to sing some carols, hear a Christmas message and enjoy some refreshments. Our theme is ‘Hush the Noise’ and we hope you’ll join us in the busyness of December to reflect on the reason for the season. Book your free place here. See poster in narthex
Circuit and District Celebration
Event for Church of Sanctuary Please see the invitation on the noticeboard in the narthex to the Circuit & District Celebration Event. We will be celebrating the award of 'Church of Sanctuary' which will be presented to Victoria Hall Methodist Church. This will take place on Sunday 9th February 2025 at 6pm. Following the service food will be provided by the City of Sanctuary. The President of the Methodist Conference will take part in the service, along with Rev Inderjit Bhogal. RSVP by 10th January for catering purposes to revjhaigh@gmail.com
Teaching the Lord's Prayer across the North of England - Sheffield 25th June 2025
The Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell plans to teach the Lord’s Prayer across the North of England throughout 2025, a priority of his vision for Faith in the North. Archbishop Stephen is to visit all 12 dioceses in the Northern Province of the Church of England where he will be speaking and sharing the importance and relevance of the Lord’s Prayer to our world today, encouraging people to pray and live by this as part of their missionary discipleship. Working alongside others Archbishop Stephen is encouraging prayer, storytelling and church planting inspired by the Northern Saints such as Hild, Cuthbert, Bede and Paulinus. The aim is to foster deeper connections with the Christian faith across the north and renew the Church’s missionary purpose to share God’s love with all.
Large churches and cathedrals will be hosting the events, many of which will be livestreamed to enable the widest participation. It is hoped that many people will come to a greater understanding of the Lord’s Prayer and see their lives shaped by the vision it presents.
Archbishop Stephen has authored ‘Praying by Heart: The Lord’s Prayer for Everyone’ and ‘The Lord’s Prayer: A Beginner’s Guide’ for children and young people, to be published next year by Hodder. Video extracts of the book and suggestions for home study resources will be available online in 2025.
Please see the poster in the Narthex – for more information click here
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 2nd November. The next Working Party will be on Saturday 7th December. 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!
Climate Jobs, Climate Justice - One Day Conference Saturday 9th November, at SHU, S1 1WB, from £3.
The jobs we do in South Yorkshire need redesigning for the Climate and Nature Crisis. Join South Yorkshire Climate Alliance and trade union and community activists for a day of learning and organising together.
We need Climate Jobs that make our lives zero carbon, and that care for people and planet.
We must not push the costs onto workers and communities in the Global South.
We need secure, well-rewarded work for all who want it, that builds real wealth for communities.
Join us for a day conference and a year-long process, to organise for the changes we need. Book here.
Please sign the petition "Sainsbury's & Tesco: publicly support real action to cut plastic production" Since 2021, major UK supermarkets, including Sainsbury's and Tesco, have been rolling out front-of-store collection points to recycle soft plastic packaging. An investigation revealed that 70% of the tracked soft plastic bundles that reached a final destination is burnt, not recycled. You can read more and sign the petition here.
Traidcraft loo roll
This toilet paper is special because...
*It's made in the UK from 100% recycled paper (no imported bamboo) and it funds tree planting projects to actively restore nature.
*It supports producers around the world - every purchase is fighting for a fairer trade system.
*It includes free delivery straight to your door and extra long rolls for brilliant value.
Subscribe to save: When you subscribe (cancel at any time) - you save 10% (with this discount 36
rolls cost £31.49) and there's no hassle of reordering - it's all done for you.. We want you to get the best deal here so we've created a guide to how often you should order based on household size...
1-2 person household: once every four months
3-4 person household: once every three months
5-7 person household: once every two months
Business, church or big household: once a month
So in a world of worry, let this toilet roll be one less thing on your mind - and more than that - let it be a joy. When you switch to Traidcraft loo roll, you are are using the power of your everyday purchases to make the world a better place.
You can place your order here.
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
November - Green your Home
Combat climate change and reduce heating costs by identifying and sealing drafts around your home.
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!