Words of Grace: Living Hope in the Diocese of Sheffield (Diocese of Sheffield)

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Our first guest on the Words of Grace podcast is Amanda Barraclough, the Rector of St Mary’s Sprotbrough and Dean of Women’s Ministry.

In this episode Amanda talks about:

✝️When she first came to faith

✝️Defying the doubters about ministry

✝️Her ordination journey

✝️If she’s a fan or not of ‘Shine Jesus Shine’

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This week’s Words of Grace podcast features Lights for Christ Enabler Hannah Sandoval.

She discusses topics on:

✝️Her background as a Teacher of the Deaf

✝️Visiting Christian communities and encouraging Lights for Christ

✝️The personal rules of life in our everyday lives

✝️Balancing work and rest

✝️Which film helped her to pass her driving test

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Vicar of St Matthew’s Church, Father Grant Naylor, is the guest on our latest Words of Grace podcast.

He talks about:

✝️Growing up in a mixed household of Catholicism and Protestantism

✝️The impact of his upbringing in Liverpool

✝️ Congregation growth at St Matthew’s Carver Street

✝️His ordination journey

✝️His interests of boxing, horseracing and Everton Football Club

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‘I’m a failed atheist’

Director of Focal Ministry Revd Dr Sally Myers joins us on the Words of Grace podcast this week, talking about her journey from being an arch sceptic to a follower of faith.

Sally talks about:

✝️When she ran her own business

✝️Theological education and ministry formation

✝️ Her ordination

✝️Lecturing at Bishop Grosseteste University on atheism

✝️Focal Ministry

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‘If people are pursuing truth, eventually they’re going to meet God’

Revd Dr Tim Gill is Vicar at St Mary’s Ecclesfield and Priest in Charge at St Mark’s Grenoside, and joins Paul and Ben on the podcast this week.

Tim discusses:

✝️The passage in Matthew’s Gospel that brought him to faith

✝️His ministry in parishes in Yorkshire and Liverpool

✝️ Changing his views over a PhD thesis he composed

✝️ No one being beyond God’s grace and mercy

✝️Rock music, Doctor Who, karate and his steps towards getting the black belt

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The Diocese’s Strategic Programme Director Alex Shilkoff joins Paul and Ben on the podcast this week.

Alex talks about:

✝️ Choosing to be baptised at the age of 9 and her faith journey through life

✝️ How her role helps to encourage and empower others in the Diocese

✝️ Her Jewish heritage

✝️ The importance of social activism in tackling inequality

✝️ Choosing between the Stoke and Sheffield accents

If you’d like to submit questions to our guests, or are interested in coming on the show, email wordsofgrace@sheffield.anglican.org

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‘It’s been the best ten years of my life working here’

The Diocese’s Director of Communications LJ Buxton is the guest on the Words of Grace podcast this week.

LJ talks about:

✝️ Her Methodist upbringing and how it’s influenced her

✝️ A calling to serve the Diocese and the role of communications in doing that

✝️ Working with different bishops in her time here

✝️ Seeing change in the Diocese over the last decade

✝️ Being co-host Ben’s boss!

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‘You have to trust the spirit will lead you in the right way, as you listen to the scripture and listen to the spirit. It’s a real joy to be preaching here.’

Curate in charge of Heeley Parish Church, Revd Amy Hole, is our guest on the podcast this week.

Amy talks about:

✝️ Growing up in Liverpool and Cambridge

✝️ Her background in law before ordination

✝️ Her calling to preach

✝️ Teaching Greek and Biblical studies at St Hild

✝️ Local history around the co-founder of the world’s oldest football club, Sheffield FC

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Development Day special!

Mission Development Adviser John Hibberd talks Ben and Paul through the upcoming plans for Development Day (Saturday 7 October).

This episode features:

✝️ The youth focus on Dev Day and why it’s important

✝️ The mixture of onsite and online talks for Saturday

✝️ John’s background as a Dawkins-style scientific atheist before coming to faith

✝️ The conversations which drew a sceptical John to faith

✝️ A bringing together of people from the Diocese for the Peak Pilgrimage walk

Get your free tickets to Development Day here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/development-day-2023-tickets-690764684767?aff=oddtdtcreator

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"Every single Christian has a calling for God"

Diocese of Sheffield DDO and Director of Vocations Dan Christian talks about his role and opens up about his faith story on today's episode.

Dan oversees the Vocations Team supporting those who sense that God may be calling them. As part of that role, he works with those exploring a call to ordination as the Diocesan Director of Ordinands.

In this episode, Dan also talks about:

✝️Teaching Biblical Hebrew and the Old Testament at St Hild

✝️His doctorate on satire in the Old Testament

✝️His passion for vocations

✝️Why John 1 is his go-to passage

✝️Featuring in the Archbishop of Canterbury's cricket XI

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"How can we empathise with our brothers and sisters from different ethnicities if we don't understand their pain?"

Today's episode is a Black History Month special featuring Revd Anesia Cook, Vicar of the Parish of St Peter and St Oswald's, and the Bishop's Adviser on Black, Asian and Minority Anglicans.

In a powerful testimony, Anesia talks about:

✝️Why being non-racist isn't enough; we need to be anti-racist

✝️The importance of standing alongside those being discriminated against

✝️Black Lives Matter as a prophetic movement

✝️Her upbringing and ordination in Brazil

✝️Recognising our own biases and the need to change

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Revd Debbie Coyne (and Aslan the dog!) feature on the podcast this week.

Debbie was licensed to the Rivers Team in Rotherham in January of this year (2023), having served as the Priest-in-charge of the Benefices of Alne and Brafferton in the Vale of York. 

Debbie discusses:

Growing up in a faith-filled and ministry household

Working with nursery and primary-aged children who have special educational needs

How an Open Day for clergy helped to convince her to join the Diocese of Sheffield

A parish pilgrimage in the Rivers Team

Aslan the cockapoo!

Listen here, or wherever you get your podcasts: https://sheffdio.org/podcast

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“Churches which start new things are also revitalised and refreshed themselves”

Mission Development Adviser John Marsh features on the Words of Grace podcast this week.

John talks about:

His teaching background

Training for ordination alongside Karen Colley, Phil Barringer and Julie Bacon

Encouraging New Congregations in the Diocese of Sheffield

Missional Pathways

Instigating ‘cool’ music at Diocesan Conference

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“That was the moment when I really felt God was calling me to be ordained”

Oversight Minister for The Redhouse Partnership Stephen Gardner is our guest on Words of Grace this week.

Stephen shares stories on:

✝️ His background in Engineering before ordination

✝️ Training to be a Reader and then a Vicar

✝️ His passion for helping the poorest communities

✝️ Explaining a moment in his life where he felt God’s presence during a tough time

✝️ Helping to build a satellite which is still in space now!

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“The coming of the Kingdom of God is where I draw my sense of hope”

The Bishop of Sheffield, the Rt Revd Dr Pete Wilcox, is our guest on today’s episode of Words of Grace.

This episode features Bishop Pete talking about:

✝️Spending some of his childhood years in India

✝️ His conversion experience at the age of 13

✝️ Why joining the Diocese of Sheffield was an easy decision

✝️ Treatment for cancer and how it shaped his approach as a Bishop

✝️ The inner workings of the House of Lords

You can also catch our podcast interview with Bishop Sophie this Thursday (9 November).

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"The priorities for the Diocese resonated with my own heart. For me, ministry is about loving God and loving people."

The Bishop of Doncaster, the Rt Revd Sophie Jelley, is on today’s episode of the Diocese of Sheffield podcast.

Bishop Sophie discusses:

✝️ Being consecrated and installed as a Bishop during a pandemic

✝️ Working with the Church Mission Society and serving at Uganda Christian University

✝️ Her school visits as Chair of the Board of Education

✝️ The gospel calling to reach out to deprived communities

✝️ Running the London Marathon in 2022 for charity

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"If our theology isn’t helping us to love better, we’ve got something wrong. The theology that leads us to loving God, others and ourselves in a more Christ-like and holy way is important."

Principal of St Hild College Dr Daniel McGinnis is on today’s podcast talking about:

✝️ Going through the ordination process and exploring theology further

✝️ What called him and his family to Sheffield from Texas

✝️ The book of Acts and how it can transform Christians and people who are yet to come to faith

✝️ Reading scripture in its original language

✝️ Helping to plant a church in Sheffield in 2005

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"I think I know how God’s going to answer a prayer, but then God answers it in a different way that blows my mind – that happens quite a lot."

Centenary Project Mentor Steph Darbyshire is on the Words of Grace podcast this week.

She talks about:

✝️ The power of prayer and praying for others

✝️ Wearing and sharing her faith openly

✝️ The role of the Centenary Project in encouraging youth

✝️ Worship at All Saints Woodlands

✝️ Snowboarding!

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"Things were different. My body was different and that was it; God had healed me."

Revd Chris Low is our guest on the podcast this week.

She talks about:

✝️ Serving in North Devon, the Diocese of Bradford and the Diocese of Sheffield

✝️ Being involved with Soroptimist International, a women’s service organisation dedicated to empowering women

✝️ Healing ministry and her journey with Multiple Sclerosis

✝️ Publishing her first book: ‘Shattering Glass Ceilings: no obstacle too great for God’s enabling power’

✝️ Being a foster carer for Support Dogs of Sheffield

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"It opened the doors for people to talk about mental health, which I think is really important. No one who gets stressed, or has anxiety, is ever a failure".

Team Rector at Great Snaith, The Revd Canon Eleanor Robertshaw, joins Paul and Ben on the podcast today.

She talks about:

✝️ Her Yorkshire heritage and journey to faith

✝️ Her teaching background

✝️ Her passion for encouraging curates

✝️ Mental health and her experiences with burnout

✝️ Being an Honorary Canon of Sheffield Cathedral

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What are some of the best Christmas films? What Christmas song do you have to listen to every year? Is there a staple of Christmas lunch which always has to be included?

Ben and Paul gather colleagues and friends at Diocesan Church House over mince pies and festive treats to discuss these questions and more for the Words of Grace Christmas Special.

Disclaimer: opinions on Christmas films, songs and food and any other matters expressed in this episode do not represent the views of the Church of England as a whole!

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“I just felt this incredible peace and joy come over me. It was like all my cares and worries had been picked up and thrown away. I couldn’t explain it.”

The Revd Chris Stebbing, Associate Archdeacon Transition Enabler for Attercliffe and Ecclesall, joins Paul and Ben on the podcast today.

He talks about:

✝️ Coming to faith whilst studying engineering in Cambridge

✝️ His journey through ordination and the calling from God towards it

✝️ His curacy at Malin Bridge and incumbency at St John’s Park

✝️ Appearing on Channel 4’s Scrapheap Challenge

✝️ Which of his two childhood locations – Whitby and Scarborough – do the best fish and chips

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“It’s a moral question. As a person of faith, you bring that determination that there’s a bigger picture; that you’re doing this with the help of God.”

Diocesan Environment Officer Dr Cathy Rhodes is on the Words of Grace podcast this week.

Cathy discusses:

✝️ Her childhood years in Iran, where her father was a CMS missionary doctor

✝️ Her calling to social activism and medicine, including work as a Consultant Obstetrician

✝️ Treatment for breast cancer in 2015 and the support she received from others

✝️ Working towards the Church of England’s 2030 Net Zero Carbon target

✝️ Serving in General Synod, Environment and choir groups

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“Those little conversations can lead to something which ignites. You think ‘God’s at work here.’ It’s such a wonderful process to be a part of.”

Christine Gore is on the Words of Grace podcast this week.

Christine talks about:

✝️ Studying Biological Sciences with Honours in Genetics at the University of Edinburgh, followed by a PhD in Genetics at the University of Glasgow.

✝️ Serving as a Student Worker at All Souls Langham Place

✝️ Her time as Principal of what is now St Hild

✝️ Her previous role as Director of Formation for Ministry at the Diocese of Sheffield

✝️ Inspiring others to follow their calling

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“What gets me out of bed in the morning is wanting to help people who haven’t heard – or don’t know about – Jesus; to come into a living relationship with him.”

The Vicar of St Thomas Kilnhurst, Revd Andy Brewerton, joins Paul and Ben on the podcast.

Andy discusses:

✝️ Coming to faith whilst attending a small group at his local church

✝️ Doing a course in broadcast engineering

✝️ Working in engineering at the BBC TV Centre in the news department

✝️ Serving his curacy in Clacton before coming to Kilnhurst in 2009

✝️ His upcoming role working in the Diocese of Europe as a Chaplain

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"I had this call from God. It was almost like I was in a dark room – and someone lit a candle. The room lit up and something was different."

Revd Canon Adam Priestley, Oversight Minister for the Resurrection Doncaster, joins the Words of Grace podcast this week.

Adam talks about:

✝️ The huge change in his life that brought him to faith in his mid-twenties

✝️ How God turned his life around following times of struggle

✝️ Studying a degree in Religious Studies and Philosophy

✝️ Ordination in 2014

✝️ Helping to revitalise churches in Doncaster

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"What I see in the Diocese of Sheffield is a Diocese that is asking the right questions, not ducking them. I believe I have a lot to learn from the Diocese of Sheffield."

The Most Reverend and Right Honourable Stephen Cottrell, Archbishop of York, is our guest on Words of Grace this week.

Archbishop Stephen talks about:

✝️ Not coming from a faith background

✝️ The new Faith in the North initiative for the Northern Province

✝️ What he learned from his visit to the Diocese of Sheffield in 2023

✝️ The challenges facing the church today

✝️ His eclectic music tastes: from Chopin to Eminem! 

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"We always carry that tension of tragedy and triumph with us, and Arise is no different – you see that in our city as we’re walking and praying"

CEO of Together for Sheffield and Arise Sheffield, Ben Woollard, is on the Words of Grace podcast this week - talking about:

✝️ Arise:March and prayer-walking across Sheffield

✝️ Volunteering as a chaplain in HMP Doncaster

✝️ Sharing the love and friendship of Jesus with others

✝️ Wear Your Faith Fortnight and collaborating with the Diocese

✝️ His calling in Sheffield

The Arise:March launch evening takes place on 24 February at 7pm inside The Hope Centre in Sheffield.

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"We’ve always said about Centenary Project that it’s a family. The CP family really came through for me.

"I’m in a job where I can talk about Jesus all day, every day – and it’s great!"

Centenary Project Worker Dave Ludbrook is our guest on the Words of Grace podcast this week.

Dave talks about:

✝️ Growing up in Sheffield

✝️ His calling to youth work

✝️ The importance of the Centenary Project in the Diocese

✝️ Getting treated for thyroid cancer in his 20s and the support he received

✝️ Sharing the gospel

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We’re delighted to welcome Ben, Ami and Megane from the St Mary’s Bramall Lane youth group onto the podcast this week.

The group discuss:

✝️ Leading workshops at Breathe Deep and other events

✝️ Building each other up in faith

✝️ Asking questions about Christianity and responding to others

✝️ How to make services engaging for young people

✝️ What the Diocese can do to encourage young people

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We’re delighted to have our Lights for Christ Enabler Hannah Sandoval hosting today’s episode, speaking to Revd Beki Otieno - Associate Minister at the Wadsley and Malin Bridge Benefices.

Beki talks to Hannah about:

✝️ Beki’s calling to teaching and ministry

✝️ Praying with young people in her various roles

✝️ Balancing self-supported ministry with children’s work across the diocese

✝️ Being a Light for Christ to others

✝️ Being a witness to Jesus in the workplace

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The Words of Grace podcast today features The Revd Dr Casey Strine, Minor Canon Theologian at Sheffield Cathedral.

Casey talks about:

✝️ Moving to the UK in 2007 from Ohio and to Sheffield in 2013

✝️ Sheffield Cathedral as a welcoming space for all

✝️ The importance of inter-faith dialogue

✝️ His training as a biblical scholar and historian

✝️ Why he’s stayed in Sheffield and what he loves about the city – and its similarities to Ohio!

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"I love the whole Diocese of Sheffield. On a Sunday I get to be here, there and everywhere, and everywhere I go, I’m learning all these new places and enjoying meeting new people."

The Revd Harry Steele, Chaplain to the Bishop of Sheffield, is on the podcast this week.

Harry discusses:

✝️ His Pentecostal background and initial scepticism about the CoE

✝️ The importance of Holy Communion and sacraments

✝️ Battling and overcoming an addiction to alcohol

✝️ His role as Chaplain to Bishop Pete and what it means

✝️ His love of Basketball and being chaplain to the Sheffield Sharks and Sheffield Hatters

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"There’s been a real joy in seeing an increased youth presence, and that sense that we’re an all age family again"

Priest in Charge of Christ Church Stannington, Revd Nick Lattimer, is our guest on the Words of Grace podcast this week.

Nick talks about:

✝️ What brought him to Sheffield in 2023

✝️ How a church graft to Stannington has been going – one year on

✝️ How a trip to Brazil as a student helped to bring him to faith

✝️ His time as Associate Vicar and Curate in Leeds

✝️ Becoming a Yorkshire adoptee!

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For Part 1 of our Easter Specials we are joined by:

✝️The Revd Canon Toby Hole, Director of Mission and Ministry at the Diocese of Sheffield

✝️Dr Daniel McGinnis, Principal of St Hild College and currently in ordination training at All Saints Ecclesall

✝️The Revd Dr Beth Keith, Associate Vicar and Liberal Theologian at St Mark’s Broomhill and Broomhall

The roundtable discussion focuses on Good Friday, with contributions from the group discussing questions, themes and implications from areas including:

• ·      What is ‘Good’ about Good Friday?
• ·      Why has Jesus’ death led to forgiveness and did he have to die?
• ·      What does the wrath of God mean to a 21st century audience?

Part 2 of our Easter Special will be released on Easter Monday.

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Today we are discussing Part 2 of the Easter Special on Words of Grace, looking at topics such as:

·      Is the resurrection historically credible? Does it matter if it isn’t?

·      Do you have to believe that Jesus physically rose from the dead and that the tomb was empty?

·      What does Easter tell us about the Christian hope of resurrection?

Joining Ben and Paul for this discussion are:

✝️The Revd Canon Toby Hole, Director of Mission and Ministry at the Diocese of Sheffield

✝️Dr Daniel McGinnis, Principal of St Hild College and currently in ordination training at All Saints Ecclesall

✝️The Revd Dr Beth Keith, Associate Vicar and Liberal Theologian at St Mark’s Broomhill and Broomhall

You can catch Part 1 of the Easter Special on the crucifixion on our website, or wherever you get your podcasts. 

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"Jesus transformed my life. It came clear to me during a time of trouble that God is with me. Peace just got bigger and more overwhelming."

Christians Against Poverty Senior PR Officer Joe Beardsall is on the Words of Grace podcast this week.

Joe talks about:

✝️His background in broadcast journalism and radio

✝️The work Christians Against Poverty is doing in helping people across Yorkshire

✝️Overcoming an addiction to gambling and the transforming power of Jesus

✝️How his role at CAP came up during a time of upheaval

✝️The Star Wars inspiration for his middle name!

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"For a long time, I believed the lie that you have to put on a brave face and put on the perfect picture – but that’s not true. The only way we can deal with mess is to get it out into the open"

Priest-in-Charge of St Francis Bramley and St Leonard’s Thrybergh – Revd Helen Terry – is on the podcast this week.

Helen discusses:

✝️Being born and bred in South Yorkshire and what the Diocese means to her

✝️Her teaching background and initially saying ‘no way’ to ordination

✝️Overcoming an eating disorder and how Jesus healed her

✝️Breaking down barriers with the Bramley community

✝️Which songs to dance to!

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We’re joined by special guests for our Vocations Special, ahead of Vocations Sunday on the 21st April.

Returning to the podcast is Director of Vocations Dan Christian, alongside Reader in training Julie Sandoval and Ministry Experience Scheme candidates Rowan Ireland and Jade Tyrer.

The group talk to Ben and Paul about:

✝️Their individual faith journeys

✝️Their different callings and how they were called in unexpected places

✝️Encouraging others to follow their calling

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"Listening to the voices that we don’t always listen to is what Jesus wanted us to do and is what Jesus did. If we ignore those small voices we are missing out on something that God is saying."

Church in School Learning Hub Leader Elise Deput is on Words of Grace this week, talking about:

✝️Faith taking on a new dimension during stages of her life

✝️Spells of doubt in her faith journey

✝️The importance of the Bible Project Classroom during the first Covid lockdown to her faith

✝️Her journey to becoming a Centenary Project Worker

✝️Prioritising children’s work in the life of the church and seeking inclusion

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"There is a sense of call towards this particular role in the Cathedral. The opportunities are there for reaching so many people – Christians and non-Christians. You’re there for people of the whole community."

Dean of Sheffield Cathedral, the Very Revd Abi Thompson, joins Ben and Paul on the podcast today.

Abi talks about:

✝️Not growing up in a Christian household

✝️Her career in music and how it forms part of her ministry

✝️The importance of The Archer Project in helping people

✝️Sheffield Cathedral as a focal point for welcome

✝️Looking ahead to the celebration event of the ordination of women on 8th June 

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From Buenos Aires to Thurnscoe, we're treated to a double bill on the podcast today!

The Rector of St Helen's Thurnscoe, the Revd Sarah Maughan, recently hosted the Bishop of Argentina, the Most Revd Brian Williams.

Bishop Brian and Sarah both took time after a community event to speak to Ben and Paul about:

Bishop Brian's journey to ordination and the moment he became a Christian

Sarah's journey to faith after a serious illness

The links between The Diocese of Argentina and the Diocese of Sheffield

The importance of sharing faith stories across countries

Bishop Brian's South Yorkshire welcome!

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"God has always surprised me! My life story is that I have always ended up in the place or role where I never thought I’d find myself."

The Venerable Javaid Iqbal, Archdeacon of Doncaster, is on the podcast today.

Javaid discusses:

Being the first member of his family to have a formal schooling

His upbringing in Pakistan before moving to various roles in the UK

Being a BAME vocation champion and what drew him to the Diocese of Sheffield

How God called him to unexpected places

Whether he’s hung up his cricket pads for good!

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"The work I’m really focusing on is raising up young leaders in our diocese, who have opportunities locally in their own churches and across the diocese."

Children and Young People’s Adviser Mike North joins Paul and Ben on the Words of Grace podcast today.

Hear Mike talk about:

Growing up in the Baptist church during his childhood in Wiltshire

Becoming a youth worker in York and the impact that had on his faith

Helping to lead Breathe Deep

What drew him to Doncaster and the Diocese of Sheffield

The importance of listening to young people and giving them space to lead worship

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"Christianity isn’t an exam to be passed but a relationship to be lived. There is a sense that we’re always learning."

The Venerable Malcolm Chamberlain, Archdeacon of Sheffield and Rotherham, is today’s guest on the podcast.

Malcolm discusses:

Growing up in Leicester and the moment he decided to be a follower of Jesus

Working for a year with the Church Mission Society in Peshawar

The next stages of the Diocese of Sheffield’s strategy moving forward

Being involved in the Living in Love & Faith process as an advocate for LGBTQ+ inclusion

His passion for music, football and travelling

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Revd Lucy Sablan, Oversight Minister at St Leonard’s Arbourthorne/Norfolk Park, and Revd Amy Hole, Curate in Charge at Heeley Parish Church, are on the Words of Grace podcast for a special minisode today.

Reflecting on their journey to ordination and helping to encourage others, Lucy and Amy also look ahead to the special celebration event of women priests this Saturday at Sheffield Cathedral.

You can see Lucy and Amy in conversation during one of three videos which will be broadcast at the celebration event.

Get your tickets here: https://www.sheffield.anglican.org/event/celebrating-30-years-of-women-priests/

Look out later this week for a celebration event episode with Revd Canon Amanda Barraclough and Fr Chris Bishop.

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“There’s further to go and there’s more to be done on this journey”

Dean of Women’s Ministry Amanda Barraclough and Fr Chris Bishop are on today’s special episode looking ahead to Saturday’s event at Sheffield Cathedral; ‘Celebrating 30 years of women priests’.

As part of the planning team for the event, Amanda and Chris discuss with Ben and Paul:

Why it’s important to reflect as well as to celebrate on Saturday

Raising up women in ministry

 Generational changes in ministry

 What more needs to be done

How people can help to build each other up

Sign up for free tickets for Saturday’s event, taking place at 4pm, here: https://www.sheffield.anglican.org/event/celebrating-30-years-of-women-priests/

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"I couldn’t imagine myself being anywhere else"

Revd Andy Poultney from St Paul’s Wordsworth Avenue joins Ben and Paul on the podcast today, talking about:

✝️ Starting new things at Parson’s Cross

✝️ His re-licensing as an Oversight Minister and what it means

✝️ Growing up in a Baptist household and his calling to faith as a teenager

✝️ Serving in youth ministry

✝️ His favourite musical artists

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Happy 50th episode of the Words of Grace podcast!

Ben and Paul take a look back at some of their favourite episodes, delve deeper into their own faith journeys and talk more about the process of putting the episodes together.

Words of Grace launched in August 2023 and we’ve been delighted at the response, grateful for the stories shared and encouraged by plans for the future.

Thank you for listening and remember to send any questions to wordsofgrace@sheffield.anglican.org

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We’re joined today on the podcast by the Bishop of Bolton - The Rt. Revd Dr. Matthew Porter.

Bishop Matthew was ordained in the Diocese of Sheffield in 1996 and served at Christ Church Dore and St Chad’s Woodseats, and discusses on the episode:

✝️His new books as part of his ‘Art of’ series: ‘The Art of Giving’ and ‘The Art of Journalling’

✝️Describing himself as ‘a follower of Jesus and a leader in God’s church – in that order.’

✝️His passion for the north and northern ministry

✝️Serving as Honorary Chaplain to the Queen and then the King

✝️Which Manchester football club he supports!

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"Toddler groups are some of the absolute shining lights of what we do as a church"

Oversight Minister of St John’s Owlerton, Joy French, is today’s podcast guest.

Joy talks about:

✝️ The empowering experience of her upbringing

✝️ Her passion for mental health and families

✝️ St John’s as a focal point in the community

✝️ Her recent appointment as Chaplain to the Lord Mayor of Sheffield

✝️ What more needs to be done in affirming women’s ministry

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"So much is beautiful and rich about a community like this, but it does feel very ignored and downtrodden. Doing what we can to help people to thrive in their lives is exactly why I felt called to a community like this"

Oversight Minister of St Leonard’s Arbourthorne, Revd Lucy Sablan, is today’s podcast guest.

Lucy talks about:

✝️ The original history of St Leonard’s as a pub

✝️ Starting her role at St Leonard’s during a pandemic

✝️ The health inequalities faced by many people in the community

✝️ Her calling to serve in an area of deprivation

✝️ The outreach work the church is doing as a hub

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"People can seem far off – like I was – but God can change a heart in an instant. That’s the good news that we live with and the joy of salvation that we get to share."

Curate in Charge of Christ Church Hackenthorpe, Claire Welch, is on the podcast today, talking about:

Her upbringing in East London and her powerful encounter with Jesus as a teenager

Working with people in some of the poorest communities in the world

Recognising singleness in ministry

Having a heart for social justice, doing youth work and writing songs

Her curacy in Sheffield and the next steps as Oversight Minister

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We’re joined today on the Words of Grace podcast by Revd Will and Revd Gill Briggs, speaking from St Stephen’s Church, Netherthorpe.

Hear Will and Gill talk about:

✝️Their upbringing in Australia and how they first met

✝️How the love of Jesus shone through during a serious illness for Gill

✝️What brought them both to Sheffield

✝️House of Prayer and 24/7 Prayer

✝️How they consider Sheffield to be home

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"When I read the gospels - when I read those stories of Jesus and his teachings, he went to where the mess was in life"

Revd Dr Beth Keith, Associate Vicar and Liberal Theologian at St Mark’s Broomhill and Broomhall, joins Paul and Ben on the podcast today.

Beth talks about:

✝️Her strong sense of calling to ministry as a child

✝️Hearing God’s “Yes” when the church said “No"

✝️Youth work and supporting survivors of sexual violence 

✝️What is liberal theology?

✝️Life and ministry at St Mark’s

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"No matter how difficult life can be, or how much we feel lost, there’s always God waiting for us to take us back in".

Revd James Gould, Curate at St Francis Bramley and St Leonard’s Thrybergh, joins Paul and Ben on the podcast today.

James discusses:

✝️Dealing with criticism and hurt on his ordination journey

✝️How moving to Sheffield changed his life

✝️The moment he felt encouraged to be ordained

✝️His role as a Curate and what responsibilities it entails

✝️Settling into his new role in Rotherham with a young family

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"I don’t know how I’m holding onto God, but I know God is holding onto me."

Megan Morris, LGBT+ Advisor to Bishop Pete, joins Paul and Ben on the podcast – talking about:

✝️ How her role developed

✝️ The importance of not putting God in a box

✝️ The need for transparency in churches

✝️ Her faith journey from childhood

✝️  Urging people to listen to one another: words matter

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Revd Will Gowers, Curate at Christ Church Pitsmoor, is on the Words of Grace podcast today.

Will shares stories on:

✝️Growing up in a faith-based environment in Ecclesall

✝️His acting background, including the Guildford School of Acting

✝️Periods of struggle with mental health

✝️Initially pushing back against a calling to ministry

✝️Life in Pitsmoor

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"I get to worship God as part of my job – I love it!"

Rachel Ridler, Youth, Children's and Families Worker at St Lawrence Church, Hatfield, joins Paul and Ben for our 60th episode of Words of Grace. 

Rachel talks about:

✝️ Her career in fundraising and working for the Teenage Cancer Trust

✝️ God guiding her through setbacks with redundancy and house moves

✝️ Leading the Hatfield Heroes Youth Group

✝️ The importance of youth work across the Diocese

✝️ Her favourite Centenary Project game to play

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Revd Chris Tufnell, Priest in Charge of Oughtibridge Parish Church, is on the Words of Grace podcast today, talking about:

✝️ His background in politics, with South Yorkshire Police and as a carer

✝️ Initially battling against a calling to ordained ministry

✝️ His curacy at Christ Church Fulwood and leading a graft to Oughtibridge

✝️ The outreach work that Oughtibridge Parish Church does with the community

✝️ Lifelong faith and how it has shaped his life

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Fr Stephen Edmonds, Associate Archdeacon for Doncaster and West Doncaster, is on the Words of Grace podcast today.

Stephen talks about:

✝️ Experiencing Charismatic and Methodist fellowship before feeling drawn to the Anglo-Catholic tradition

✝️ Working in local government in the North-East

✝️ His call to the priesthood and the upheaval that brought

✝️ His love of singing and its importance in worship

✝️ What drew him to Doncaster

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"Through daily walks with God your faith grows stronger; finding more about him through the circumstances presented to you"

Retired police officer and member of All Saints Ecclesall, Barry Byles, is on today’s Words of Grace episode.

Barry discusses:

✝️ Asking God for help and coming to faith as an adult

✝️ His calling to service with the police

✝️ Being up front about his faith while working in the police

✝️ Serving in the band at All Saints Ecclesall

✝️ Evangelistic encounters in a Sheffield café 

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Ben and Hannah Grist are on today’s Words of Grace podcast for a joint episode.

Ben is a Curate at St John’s Goole and Hannah is the Diocese’s Ministry Experience Scheme Coordinator.

Hear more on:

✝️How Ben and Hannah first met

✝️How Hannah recommitted to God following a retreat

✝️Ben’s curacy in Goole and God’s presence in the local community

✝️How the MES project works and Hannah’s passion for it

✝️Getting ordained and married in the space of a few days!

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"I remember this feeling of truth and understanding of seeing the world through a different set of eyes. It was like a child had discovered his long-lost father waiting for him with open arms".

Graham Sandersfield, Learning Development Manager for the Diocese of Sheffield, is today’s Words of Grace podcast guest.

Graham talks about:

✝️ His upbringing in Sunderland and coming to faith as an adult

✝️ A faith revival at Sheffield YMCA

✝️ His time as Head of Operations at the King’s Foundation

✝️ Sports ministry across the world

✝️ Reaching the summit of Ben Nevis before his team!

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"What brings me hope is my Christian faith and the love God has for me through Jesus Christ".

Captain Canon Mike Reeder, liturgical chaplain to the Bishop of Doncaster, joins Ben and Paul on the podcast today.

Mike talks about:

His calling to serving others and sharing what brings him hope

His chaplaincy at St Luke’s Hospice

Overcoming an ordination rejection 2006 and his eventual ordination in 2009

Learning from people on a daily basis

What brought him to the Diocese of Sheffield from Norfolk

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"Everything changed in my life; I realised at that moment I had had an encounter with God."

Revd Dr Hannah Patton, Priest-in-Charge of St John’s Goole, is on the Words of Grace podcast today.

Hannah discusses:

 Processing grief and building each other up

 The gospel opportunities she had from growing up in a Bed and Breakfast

 Her experience of a prophetic word when staying with friends in the USA

 Being ordained in Chelmsford

 The Goole community and the faith stories taking place there

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"Faith has given me experiences that I will remember for the rest of my life"

Hannah Robinson, Centenary Project Hubs Oversight Worker, joins Ben and Paul on the Words of Grace podcast today.

Hannah discusses:

 Being bullied as a child for being the daughter of a Vicar

 South Yorkshire being the first place she’s called home

 Centenary Project helping people during tough times

Serving on the PCC from the age of 16

Giving young people a voice and growing the church younger

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"It’s important to know that you’re called and that Jesus is with you. It’s wonderfully joyful to serve in this role".

The Rt Revd Stephen Race, Bishop of Beverley, is on the Words of Grace podcast today with Ben and guest co-host Fr Andrew Howard, Vicar of St Wilfrid’s Cantley.

Speaking on location ahead of St Wilfrid’s recent Patronal Festival, Bishop Stephen talks about:

✝️ Growing up in Zimbabwe during the country’s struggle for independence

✝️ Living in apartheid regimes and how it formed his sense of racial justice in ministry

✝️ Being called to serve in different places across the world

✝️ Spending his entire ordained ministry in the north of England

✝️ Having an eclectic taste in music

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Revd Phil Batchford, Vicar of Rotherham Minster and St Paul’s Masbrough, and Christine Batchford, Manager of Rotherham Minster’s Social Supermarket, join Ben and Paul on the podcast today.

They talk about:

✝️ When they first met whilst working in Hong Kong – and how it wasn’t love at first sight!

✝️ Phil’s work in alcohol rehab and Christine’s work in speech and language therapy

✝️ How social justice has informed what they do

✝️ Being influenced by the work of Jackie Pullinger

✝️ Rotherham Minster and St Paul's as a focal point for the local community

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Revd Canon Ian Smith, Rector of St Peter Warmsworth and Oversight Minister for Wadworth with Loversall and Balby, is on the podcast today in one of his last engagements in the Diocese of Sheffield before he moves onto his new role.

Ian discusses:

✝️ Being a fervent atheist and how that changed at university

✝️ When he considered joining a monastic order

✝️ Teaching history in Zimbabwe

✝️ Reflecting on serving 22 years in the Diocese of Sheffield

✝️ His upcoming role as Team Rector in the Harwich Peninsula 

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Captain Kinder Kalsi, Lead Evangelist at the Attercliffe & Darnall Centre of Mission, is today’s guest on Words of Grace.

Kinder talks about:

✝️ Growing up in a Sikh family

✝️ When he came to know Jesus after asking searching questions

✝️ His calling to Sheffield and evangelising in the city centre

✝️ Developing a rhythm of prayer

✝️ The Attercliffe and Darnall Centre for Mission

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Revd Gina Kalsi, Pioneer Priest at the Attercliffe and Darnall Centre for Mission, joins Ben and Paul on the Words of Grace podcast today.

Gina talks about:

✝️ Her calling to ordination

✝️ Moving to a new area just before lockdown

✝️ Attercliffe and Darnall as a Christian community

✝️ The afterschool activity for all ages: ‘Church Create’

✝️ Working across denominations 

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Heather Waller, Church Army Evangelist in Sheffield, is on the Words of Grace podcast today.

Heather discusses:

✝️ What drew her to Church Army

✝️ When she set up Messy Church in her own home

✝️ Faith and Fun sessions at Porter Croft School

✝️ Inclusivity with faith and fellowship

✝️ Her recent Admitting and Commissioning Ceremony at Sheffield Cathedral

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"I really feel God has been so good to me; I’m so thankful the Lord is here and has brought me to Wentworth"

Revd Marie Raffay, Priest-in-Charge at Holy Trinity Wentworth, joins Ben and Paul on the Words of Grace podcast.

Marie talks about:

✝️ Her own decision to follow Jesus as a student

✝️ Reader ministry

✝️ Her calling to ordination in Liverpool

✝️ Her belief that the church is called to make a difference in the world

✝️ Life in Wentworth and how it felt returning home

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"At every opportunity, the door opened. It wasn’t a case of planning out what we wanted to do, but being open to where God was calling us."

Dan and Julia Fall – Centenary Project Area Coordinator and Resource Centre Administrator – are on the Words of Grace podcast today.

They talk about:

✝️ How they first met at a Christian youth event as teenagers

✝️ Serving in youth ministry growing up

✝️ How the Centenary Project called them to South Yorkshire

✝️ Expanding the resource centre at Church House

✝️ Featuring on a BBC show and how it helped their spiritual life

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Our 2024 Christmas special episode features a roundtable discussion with the following guests:

·The Revd Canon Toby Hole, Director of Mission and Ministry at the Diocese of Sheffield

·Revd Amy Hole, Vicar of Christ Church Heeley with Arbourthorne and Norfolk Park

·Revd Dr Daniel McGinnis, Principal of St Hild College and Assistant Curate at Hillsborough and Wadsley Bridge

The panel discuss:

✝️ The deep faith and convictions of Mary

✝️ What traditions Christmas does – and doesn’t – take from  paganism

✝️ ‘Blue Christmas’ and the importance of stressing ‘God with us’ during hard times

✝️ The forgotten people in the birth narrative

✝️ What the birth of Jesus means for humanity

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"If people are coming to you with questions about faith, they want you to have the confidence to give them a robust answer. Don’t water it down; people respect authenticity and are crying out for it in a very inauthentic world."

Revd Edward Morrison SSC, Vicar of St John’s Mexborough, is on the Words of Grace podcast today.

Ed talks about:

✝️ Growing up in a non-church going family

✝️ Coming to faith aged 18 after attending a Christianity Explored course

✝️ Serving in the University of York’s Royal Naval Unit

✝️ Meeting people where they’re at when communicating the gospel

✝️ How the church can serve deprived communities 

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"Nine days after life-saving treatment, there was a heartbeat. The ectopic was a twin pregnancy. That’s where my faith journey started".

Nicola Adams, Centenary Project Administrator in the Diocese of Sheffield, joins Ben and Paul on the Words of Grace podcast.

Nicola discusses:

✝️ Baby loss and having a 1 in 37 million chance of Hope

✝️ Finding faith as an adult

✝️ Seeing the Centenary Project grow

✝️ Exploring New Zealand

✝️ Being fully involved in her local church following a chance conversation

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"The birth of Jesus continues to be particularly meaningful for us in times of anxiety and uncertainty."

A Christmas Day message from the Bishop of Sheffield, the Rt Revd Dr Pete Wilcox.

You can also view the video version of this message on our Facebook and Instagram pages. Merry Christmas from the Diocese of Sheffield!

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The Revd Phil Barringer, Team Rector at The Rivers Team, makes his Words of Grace debut today.

Phil talks about:

✝️Serving in the area of his birth and first journeys to faith

✝️Balancing working in the secular world and serving as Team Rector

✝️The makeup of The Rivers Team and the areas it serves

✝️His first calling to ordination and initially being told ‘no’

✝️The missional opportunities for the future across Rotherham

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"I had never experienced anything like this before. It was a voice that couldn’t be ignored, calling me to ordination – I remember 30 years on the exact time and place where it happened".

The Revd Canon Toby Hole, Director of Mission and Ministry at the Diocese of Sheffield, makes his solo Words of Grace debut today.

He talks about:

✝️Struggling to fit in at the church youth group he grew up with

✝️God’s call for him to be a vicar – and initially rejecting that calling

✝️Learning more about racism, class divides and homelessness during his curacy in Islington

✝️His calling to Sheffield – and persistence at choosing St Chad’s Woodseats

✝️His love of history 

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"I just had an overwhelming sense of the presence of God with me. It’s hard to put it in other words"

Revd Julie Bacon, Associate Archdeacon Transition Enabler for Rotherham and Laughton, is on the Words of Grace podcast today.

Julie discusses:

✝️ Working in the London Stock Exchange before retraining as a solicitor

✝️ Experiencing a transformative moment with the Holy Spirit while in Ilkley

✝️ The Christian studies course which led her to follow a calling to ordained ministry

✝️ Why being an AATE is the best job in the Church of England

✝️ Which skills transfer over from law to ministry

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"I had this absolute sense of peace - a fullness of peace."

Revd Emily McDonald, Assistant Curate at Sheffield Cathedral, is on the Words of Grace podcast today.

Emily talks about:

✝️ Growing up in a mixture of church traditions and theology

✝️ The moment she felt called to ordination by God at 17

✝️ Serving in different placements with the Ministry Experience Scheme

✝️ Training for ordination in Durham

✝️ Her initial reluctance to the Cathedral role before embracing it fully

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Beth Burras, Director of Focal Ministry at the Diocese of Sheffield, is on the podcast today.

Beth shares stories on:

✝️ Focal Ministry and her passion for building people up

✝️ Her love of Yorkshire and the impact it’s had on her life

✝️ Serving in different roles with Church Army and helping people training as Church Army evangelists

✝️ Her plans for seeing Focal Ministry grow

✝️ The best music gigs she’s been to

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