0114 272 0455 www.TheMontgomery.org.uk

Christian news, views & events

Spotlight September 2013

Contents

Page

4 President’s Letter

6 Come Alive at The Montgomery

7 The Manor Project

8 Creative Crafters

9 Resources at The Montgomery

9 Minute Secretary

10 Unity in the Church

15 Prayer Page

16 How to Discourage Artists in the Church

19 Book Choice

21 Mile of Coins

22 Introductory Thoughts from Hilary Jones

23 We all like doing things together

24 Church focus: Woodseats Methodist

25 How to Discourage Artists in the Church

26 Theatre Diary

28 City wide diary

30 One

The views and opinions expressed in the articles are those of the authors and do

not necessarily reflect the views and opinions held by The Montgomery

Coverphotograph: © Yuri Arcurs | Dreamstime.com

4

As I understand it, in 1812 a group of concerned

Christian benefactors in Sheffield were concerned

about the lack of education and well being of

young children who were used as what we would

now term slave labour in the newly developing

factories in the city. Their response to this

concern was to found an organisation to educate

those children in numeracy, literacy and Christian

teaching. The organisation operated on the only

day the children did not have to work - Sunday. This organisation was of

course the Sheffield Sunday Schools Union (SSSU), and was founded as a

result of Christians seeing a need and fulfilling it.

One of the founder members of the SSSU was James Montgomery and

after his death in 1864 the organisation raised money to build The

Montgomery Hall on Surrey Street in his memory. The purpose of the

building was 3-fold. It was to house the offices of the organisation. It

incorporated shops, whose rent would help fund the organisation. And it

had 2 halls which amongst other things could offer entertainment to a city

generally lacking fun at the height of the industrial revolution. This latter

purpose is Christians seeing a need for the people of Sheffield and fulfilling

it!

In the twentieth century SSSU became SCEC - a change of name to reflect

its change of purpose as education became free for all and compulsory, so

the organisation served the need to train Church Sunday School teachers

and support them by providing course work, exams etc.

It has been a real privilege to be the President of this organisation over the

last two years. During this time change has been the main feature of the

organisation. I started as President of the Sheffield Christian Education

Council. I now leave the office of President of The Montgomery Arts and

Christian Centre. This change of name reflects a new vision and a new

purpose, in line I hope with those of our founding fathers, one of whose

name we use as our trading style at 'The Montgomery'. Not only has the

name changed but the charity has become 'incorporated' - an important

move for the trustees. Despite significant change, we hold true to the idea

of a group of Christians seeing needs of people in Sheffield and seeking to

5

fulfil them.

The huge changes that have occurred and continue to evolve at and

around 'The Montgomery' are due to the vision, faith and determination of

a team of people and backed by the trustees. Decisions have been difficult

to judge correctly and at times frightening as we try to see where God is

leading us and it has been tempting to think the easiest thing to do would

be to give up the whole operation as many pressures, financial and other,

made things tough. However, we have been convinced God is leading us

to new things as we develop the arts side of the operation, look at

refurbishing the premises and continue to try to support our churches

with appropriate resources.

I remember writing my first article for Spotlight as President and saying

how impressive was the commitment of all staff at The Montgomery, and

that view has not changed. We are blessed to have a superb TEAM

working at and for the organisation who are faithfully committed to serve.

Each member of that team has different skills and abilities, and often we

come to meetings with different views and opinions. Some have led us to

new ideas with clear Spirit-given vision; some are able to understand

financial matters and manage the money; some are good at practical

organisation; others are able to think strategically as we try to plan a

variety of possible developments and opportunities; ALL are prayerfully

committed to this team and their part in it.

Clearly God has provided the right people for the current needs of the

organisation. Because we see this, we are given courage to go forward in

faith, knowing God is leading us on our journey.

So as I leave the President's post, I pray Hilary Jones, who takes over from

me is given God's blessing and joy in all she is called to do. Knowing her

faith and commitment to God, I am sure she will be.

Thank you for allowing me the joy and fulfilment of all that being President

has been for me over the last 2+ years.

Steve Ellis

Steve Ellis

President

6

Come Alive at The Montgomery!

This autumn The Montgomery launches it’s new Alive programme bringing

Christianity and the Arts together.

The first event is the ArtsAlive

workshop day on October 12th where

children and adults alike will

be able to

participate in

workshops

including dance,

drama, circus

skills and puppetry, with an opportunity to show

off their new skills at a performance led by Curley

Wurley the clown and the Saints Alive puppets.

For those less adventurous why not come along to

the performance at 4.30pm and just

enjoy the entertainment.

ArtsAlive will continue next year with

the ArtsAlive Festival taking place in the

summer. The ArtsAlive Festival will be a

competition exploring and encouraging

all types of artistic expression.

Brochures giving full details of this event

including all the categories in the

competition will be available at the ArtsAlive workshops and afterwards from The Reception and Resource Centre at The

Montgomery.

To give you ideas for the festival the new BibleAlive

programme will be launched in the new year with

lots of Bible based ideas to help you study the Bible

and create Bible based art. This new resource will be

suitable for all ages and can be used as a stand alone

Bible study or be used in conjunction with ArtsAlive.

The theme for 2014 will be ‘Journeys’

7

The Manor Project

One of the most exciting

developments which has started in

recent months is the involvement in an

initiative on the Manor Estate which is

now moving at quite a pace. The

Manor Estate, as you will be aware, is a

large post-war housing estate which

was built in an area which had

previously been used as a munitions

storage area during the Second World

War but with the post-war population

boom this was one of the new estates

which developed rapidly. Over the

years The Manor has undergone

many changes but it remains unusual in

that it has no real centre or focal point

and apart from a few shops and pubs.

There are, however two churches, St

Swithun’s which is situated at the top

end of the Manor and William Temple

which is located in the area known as

Manor Park. Both are part of the

Sheffield Manor Parish which also

includes St Aidan’s.

William Temple Church was built in

1957 and, it is fair to say, the years

have taken its toll and is now in need

of repairs and refurbishment. There is

a lot of poverty on this estate and the

Manor & Castle Ward is in the top 1%

of national areas of social deprivation

with high crime rates, poor health,

high unemployment (twice the

Sheffield average) and 80% of residents

classed as ‘Hard Pressed’. There is a

high proportion of single-parent

families and many young people (25%

aged under 19) living on the estate.

The William Temple Church was

originally an Anglican congregation but

is now a joint Anglican/Methodist

church with a membership in single

figures. Over the years this building

and the church members have served

the local community faithfully and both

the building and the people are well

respected locally.

It is served by two ministers, namely

Julie Upton who is the Anglican vicar

who has two other churches, and Liz

Wills who is a Methodist

superintendent minister who has three

other churches. About a year ago they

decided that it was make-or-break

time for the William Temple church

and they started praying about it, as

well as talking to the community and

asking them what they thought. As an

answer to their prayers they learned

that a church not totally dissimilar to

this in West Yorkshire had faced a

similar situation and had radically

altered a traditional Methodist church

into a family soft play centre. They had

ripped everything out and installed soft

-play and other child-friendly

equipment and the place was now alive

again and was ‘buzzing’ with a

worshipping congregation with a much

lower average age and which was

growing and vibrant. This was the

story they needed to hear and this led

to their vision for a revitalised church

on the Manor which could more

8

Creative Crafters Card Craft workshop

1st Friday each

month

1st floor of

The Montgomery

at 1pm, £2

to book a place

telephone 0114 272 0455

effectively meet the needs of the

community around it and especially

children and young families.

Julie and Liz started to share their

vision with the local community and

soon realised there was definitely a

need for such a resource. Manor

Community Childcare Centre, which is

the local nursery, was very excited to

hear about their plans and is now a

major partner in the project along with

other key community groups.

Liz and Julie shared their vision with

their denominational leaders who in

turn shared this more widely with

other church leaders who sensed that

God was at work drawing together

those of different traditions to use

their energy, their gifts, and their

resources to help make this vision a

reality and to serve the needs of the

people of this estate. With the support

which was very evident very quickly

the momentum increased and the

seeds of this new project were sown.

The project is now seeking to appoint

a URC Church Related Community

Worker and this person will work in a

team consisting of a Methodist

Presbyter and Anglican Priest and

hopefully a number of people from the

community. The team will take the

project forward and we look forward

to it bearing much fruit in the future.

July 2013

9

Resources available for sale

Bibles

Bible Reading Notes

Roots

Light Material

Christian books

DVDs

Resources available for hire

DVDs

Soap making kit

Enamelling kit

Badge Making Machine

Godly Play Stories

Parachute

To order or for more information visit the resource centre in the office at The

Montgomery or call 0114 272 0455 or email resources@TheMontgomery.org.uk

Christian Resources at The Montgomery

DVD library with a variety of Christian DVDs freely available for loan

to partners of The Montgomery

WANTED - Minutes Secretary

for The Montgomery quarterly trustees meetings.

Tuesdays at 6.30pm

The work of The Montgomery is at an exciting, challenging and critical stage

and anyone willing to give their time voluntarily to this post would join a group

of people who believe God has called each of them to a Holy Spirit led and

inspired initiative, building on the past for the present and future.

More information about the evolving work of The Montgomery can be found at

www.TheMontgomery.org.uk .

To register an interest in this position or for further information email the

Chair of Trustees, Glyn Jones, at glyn@TheMontgomery.org.uk

10

Unity in the Church Rachel Taylor, the editor of Plexus,

shares her vision of Church Unity

with Lindsey Beagles from The

Montgomery.

LB: Tell me a bit about yourself,

your background and what brought

you to Sheffield?

RT: I grew up in Sheffield. I wasn’t

born here but spent all my early years

here with my family. I grew up in the

Pentecostal church in Chapeltown,

then I was part of an Anglican church,

then a Methodist church and as a

teenager I ended up in Hope City

Church. So many different churches!

LB: You’ve done the rounds then?

RT: Yes I got a good flavour of what’s

going on in the church in Sheffield as I

was growing up. I had a brief period

away after my A’ levels with Hillsong

College in Australia where I studied

music and youth work, but Sheffield

got my heart and I returned back

home and got a job at my current

company WFO print and have been

there ever since.

LB: What took you to WFO?

RT: Total God set up! Basically I came

fresh off the plane from Australia and

needed to pay rent and thought what

can I do? I’m not too bad at spread

sheets, numbers and figures so I went

for any admin job that was going. It

just so happened that my previous

boss at Cadbury’s was having a

meeting at WFO and my current MD

said he couldn’t find a piece of paper.

My former boss from Cadbury’s said

what you need is an administrator. He

said: Yes, I do. Do you know anyone?

And she said yes- Yes I have a brilliant

one for you. So he called me to say

there was a job going at WFO so I

called them immediately, went for an

interview the next day and got it. I

started off as an office administrator

and within 7 years in the company

have somehow become a project

manager working in print design and

websites.

LB: That’s amazing!

RT: Yes it is.

LB: So how come you got involved

with Plexus then?

RT: WFO has been involved with

Plexus since issue one back in 2005 in

that we have always printed the

magazine. Heidi Tiplady (leader at

11

Bushfire Ministries) knew Tina Hudson

(former editor of Plexus at Crosslinks)

and they built a relationship which I

became a part of as I was really

interested in the magazine. Over the

years we got more and more involved,

advertising the magazine and helping

with design etc. To the point where

we would regularly meet up with Tina

just to chat, connect and get excited

about what God is doing in the city.

When we heard that Crosslinks was

folding we had a question mark over

what was going to happen to the

magazine from a business point of view

as it was a regular print job for us and

particularly from a personal point of

view as it is such a great magazine so

we wouldn’t want to see it stop. We

went out for a coffee with Tina and a

few hours later to our surprise she

suggested that we take on not just

printing the magazine but editing it and

populating the content too.

LB: Why did you choose to take

Plexus on?

RT: Because communicating to

Christians in the city is important. We

saw even with the events that we did

in our church that we went to Plexus

as an outlet to let people know in the

city what was going on and we also

looked to see what else was happening

in other churches in the city. At that

time there weren’t too many other

places to go for that information. So

we had already highlighted it as quite a

niche thing and a need in Sheffield.

Communication is a thing I have

personally harped on about. And my

friends will testify to that fact! My

catch phrase is communication is key! I

just think that it is such a foundation

that is required. That even just

information sharing between people in

churches is a foundation on which we

can build relationship. When we

clearly communicate with each other

about what we are doing, it can spark

ideas; it can bring inspiration; it brings

encouragement and you feel like you

are not the only one in the field…in

the city, wanting to see the city revived

and God come and change things.

LB: Do you think this helps unity

between folk in the city?

RT: Yes I think it is one part of helping.

It isn’t the only answer by a long

stretch but I’d like to think it is

something contributing to moving

forward in unity. Plexus itself means a

linking together, facing in the same

direction and moving forward together

so however Plexus can help, encourage

and inform and net people together,

and I hope and pray that it does, even

if it’s in small little pockets of people,

whether it’s directly with people

reading the magazine or hearing about

it or events we‘re involved in, just that

all around it would connect people and

My catch phrase is

communication is key!

12

there would be encouragement for

people to see the kingdom of God

established in Sheffield.

LB: What exactly does unity mean

to you?

RT: What does it mean to me? It’s a

good question. I tend to answer that

one by saying what would it look like? I

guess at the moment the biggest thing

for me is the fruit of unity is brotherly

kindness and I feel that we are in a

season where I am beginning to see

little snippets of brotherly kindness.

There are many fruits of unity if you

ask right now, that’s the first one that

springs to mind. It is not only about

people being willing to work together

but when fruit comes from that you

can get over yourselves and make an

event happen or make something

happen. Unity is much more than that,

it’s on a heart relationship level,

standing alongside someone else and

loving them so much so that it

overarches disagreements or diversity

between our styles of worship, our

theology and our doctrines but come

together on the things we do agree on

and look over the things that we don’t.

So in the past we have had many

opportunities to not work together

stemming from our disagreements but

we need to overcome that and say we

are going to work together on what

we do agree on. There is so much

strength and power in that alone.

Unity for me makes me think of the

body and the many parts and them all

working together and all the parts

being completely different from each

other and in my own life I am always

being challenged to respect and

honour the different parts of the body

and I am not trying to convince people

that things should be done my way and

that what works for me is the way it

should be done for all. I am personally

convicted and challenged to respect

and honour what other people are

doing in the city. And as long as there

is fruit from it, I am up for it and I want

to support it.

LB: So if you wanted to give

someone advice and say what could

they do to make unity happen what

would you say?

RT: Pray. I know that tends to be a

typical answer to quite a few questions

but sincerely pray because without the

Unity is much more than

that, it’s on a heart

relationship level, standing

alongside someone else

and loving them so much

so that it overarches

disagreements

Pray because without the

help of the Holy Spirit, unity

simply is not possible!

13

help of the Holy Spirit, unity

simply is not possible! We cannot

do it ourselves. That’s pride! And

sometimes I think we have tried

and discovered that it doesn’t

really work all that well!!!! So yes,

pray personally with others that

are like-minded; talk about it in

your cell group in your church;

talk about it until you believe it

and then you open yourself up to what

it could look like and God can pop

things into your head and start moving

you forwards and giving you strategic

things you want to be involved in. It

might make sense or not, you might be

challenged in it. There are also things

happening in the city already which are

inter-church gatherings that it would

be really good to get involved with if

you can. Or certainly hook up on line

to get updates from these sorts of

things. That would be a good starting

point to get support from the wider

body in the city.

LB: What makes you passionate

about unity?

RT: Interesting! It doesn’t make sense

that it is something I’ve got to see

come about. Being honest with you I

haven’t always had this burden to see

unity in Sheffield. I’ve been involved in

churches and ministries where I have

been just focussed on my little bit of

what I’m doing and haven’t really

looked up to see what else is

happening in the city. When I was 19 I

went to study in Australia and I can’t

explain it any other way but going to

the other side of the world rather than

me looking back and just seeing

Sheffield and Australia the whole world

opened up to me it just changed my

frame of mind, my mind-set. It made

me think this is so much bigger than

just me and what I’m doing. So when I

returned home in a sense the blinkers

had been taken off and I began to

realise that what God is talking to me

about is not just for me and that as I

began to chat with people we would

connect. It took me to many places but

it lead me to the view of the body

getting bigger and bigger and this

passion of knowing that the only way

that we are going to be prepared to be

the bride for Jesus is if we are working

in unity. I just see it as such a key and I

see such a need for it in Sheffield

where I never used to see it. It really is

a burden and I don’t use that word

lightly. The church has a voice but she

is not heard all the time. I think when

we can get over our division that voice

will really break through and change

the atmosphere of Sheffield.

14

LB: Is there anything that God is

saying to you at the moment about

unity in Sheffield?

RT: For me personally I feel like he is

saying not to repeat the same mistakes

that have gone before but to learn

from the previous generation. Those

who don’t listen to history are

doomed to repeat it. Over the last 6

months or so I’ve been really drawn to

look at the history of Sheffield and

what’s gone on so I can learn from

that before putting our hands to do

something new. I don’t want to

rehash an old idea thinking it is a new

one. God is specifically saying to me

about linking in to the bigger picture

not just with zeal and enthusiasm and

plough in – that’s good and needed-

but look to the bigger picture as this is

needed. I think time and time again

folk have used zeal and enthusiasm and

got themselves into position but the

support hasn’t been there to bring the

project to breakthrough and thus

completion. I believe that there are

not too many cycles to go through. I

feel like we are coming to the

culmination of the ages shall we say so

I want us to get it right I want us to

learn from the people who have gone

before to break through this time.

LB: Is there anything else you would

like to add?

RT: Plexus is a magazine that people

subscribe to. But really it is so much

more than that. It’s about facilitating

unity and relationship between the

churches and Christian folk in

Sheffield. So any way we can do that

we’re interested in so we’ll show up at

any church events and support them

how we can and if there is anything

out there that supports unity we want

to know about it. It’s not confined to a

magazine as we have a sense that we

don’t want anyone in Sheffield to feel

they are alone and not able to

continue with what God has put on

their heart. We want to provide

somewhere to hook into and find

other people who are catching onto

the same heartbeat of God and we can

do this together. So that’s why we are

here and launching our new website in

September so if you have any

comments or think that Plexus might

want to be involved in then you can

contact us through the website

www.plexusmag.com

LB: Thanks so much Rachel we

really wish you all the best with

that.

If you’d like more information about

Rachel or Plexus magazine then visit

www.plexusmag.com

15

Pray for doctors,

nurses and other

workers in the NHS,

Pray for

the

Gideons

and all

who seek

to spread

the word

of God

Pray for couples going

through divorce and

bereavement

Pray for the

unemployed

and for all those

suffering

through the

‘bedroom tax’

Pray for women

and children

suffering from

persecution and

abuse

Pray for a

tsunami of

the Holy

Spirit to

visit our

nation.

Prayer

Pray for an end to

violence in Syria,

Egypt, and Nigeria

Pray for God’s

continuing

guidance at The

Montgomery

Page How good and

pleasant it is when

brothers and sisters

live together in unity. Psalm 133:1

Praise God

for his

unfailing

love © B

ackgr

ound P

hoto

grap

h: D

arre

n H

est

er

Dre

amst

ime.c

om

16

How to Discourage

Artists in the Church

By Philip G. Ryken, President of Wheaton

College, Chicago and a Council member

for The Gospel Coalition.

Many Christian artists live between

two strange worlds. Their faith in

Christ seems odd to many of their

friends in the artistic community—

almost as odd as their calling as artists

seems to some of their friends at

church. Yet Christians called to draw,

paint, sculpt, sing, act, dance, and play

music have extraordinary

opportunities to honour God in their

daily work and to bear witness to the

grace, beauty, and truth of the gospel.

How can pastors (and churches)

encourage Christians with artistic gifts

in their dual calling as Christian artists?

As a pastor and college president, I

have made a sad discovery: the arts

are not always affirmed in the life of

the local church. We need a general

rediscovery of the arts in the context

of the church. This is badly needed

because the arts are the leading edge

of culture.

A recovery of the arts is also needed

because the arts are a vital sign for the

church. Francis Schaeffer once said:

For a Christian, redeemed by the

work of Christ and living within the

norms of Scripture and under the

leadership of the Holy Spirit, the

lordship of Christ should include an

interest in the

arts. A

Christian

should use

these arts to

the glory of

God—not

just as tracts,

but as things

of beauty to

the praise of

God.

In this article, I am taking a fresh and

somewhat contrarian approach by

seeking to answer the question, "How

do you discourage artists in the

church?"

In preparation, I asked some friends

for their answers to my question: an

actor, a sculptor, a jazz singer, a

photographer. They are not whiners,

but they gave me an earful (and said

that it was kind of fun).

Here is my non-exhaustive list of ways

that churches can discourage their

artists (and some quotes from my

friends).

Treat the arts as a window dressing for

the truth rather than a window into

reality. See the arts as merely

decorative or entertaining, not serious

and life-changing. "'Humour' artists by

'allowing' them to put work up in the

hallways, or some forgotten, unused

corner with terrible lighting, where it

can be 'decoration,'" David Hooker

told me.

Philip G. Ryken

17

Embrace bad art. Tolerate low

aesthetic standards. Only value work

that is totally accessible, not difficult or

challenging. One example would be

digital images and photography on

PowerPoint as a background for praise

songs. Value work that is sentimental,

that doesn't take risks, that doesn't

give offense, that people immediately

"get."

Value artists only for their artistic gifts,

not for the other contributions they

can make to the life of the church. See

them in one dimension, not as whole

persons. Specifically, discount artists

for leadership roles because they are

too creative, not analytical, too

intuitive.

Demand artists to give answers in their

work, not raise questions. Mark Lewis

says, "Make certain that your piece (or

artefact or performance) makes

incisive theological or moral points,

and doesn't stray into territory about

which you are unresolved or in any

way unclear. (Clear answers are of

course more valuable than questions)."

Do not allow for ambiguity, or for

varied responses to art. Demand art to

communicate in the same way to

everyone.

Never pay artists for their work. Expect

that they will volunteer their service,

without recognizing their calling or

believing that they are workers worthy

of their hire. Note that Old Testament

artists and musicians were supported

financially.

When you ask them to serve through

the arts, tell them what to do and also

how to do it. Don't leave room for the

creative process. Take, for example, a

children's Sunday school mural: "Tell

them what it should look like, in fact,

draw up plans first," David Hooker

said. Discourage improvisation; give

artists a AAA road map.

Idolize artistic success. Add to the

burden artists already feel by only

validating the calling of artists who are

"making it."

Only validate art that has a direct

application, for example, something

that communicates a gospel message

or can be used for evangelism. Artist

Makoto Fujimura answers the

following question in an interview at

The High Calling: "How then do you see

art as evangelism?" He says:

There are many attempts to use the

arts as a tool for evangelism. I

understand the need to do that; but,

again, it's going back to

commoditizing things. When we are

so consumer-driven, we want to put

price tags on everything; and we want

to add value to art, as if that was

necessary. We say if it's useful for

evangelism, then it has value.

And, there are two problems with

that. One, it makes art so much less

than what it can be potentially. But

also, you're communicating to the

world that the gospel is not art. The

gospel is this information that needs

to be used by something to carry it.

18

Only, that's not the gospel at all. The

gospel is life. The gospel is about the

Creator God, who is an artist, who is

trying to communicate. And his art is

the church. We are the artwork

created in Christ Jesus to do good

works. If we don't realize that fully,

then the gospel itself is truncated and

art itself suffers.

Do not allow space for lament. The

artist's call is to face the darkness

while still believing in the light, to

sense God's silence and sorrow.

Ruth Naomi Floyd asks, "How can

artists of faith trace the darkness and

pain of Good Friday to the joy of

Sunday's Resurrection?"

I could go on. Here are some more

ways to discourage artists in the

church:

Not setting reasonable boundaries.

Not allowing artists to experience

creative freedom.

Asking the input of artists and

deciding not to use it without an

explanation.

Not giving artists the gift of real

listening.

Not preaching and teaching the

unadulterated gospel of Jesus Christ.

But the last item on my list is, in

general, make artists not feel fully at

home in the church. Most of the items

on my list reflect a failure to

understand art and to let art be art as

a creative exploration of the

potentialities of creation. This is a

crushing burden because artists already

know that as Christians they will not

be fully at home in the world of art—

they don't worship its idols or believe

its lies. N. T. Wright comments:

In my experience the Christian

painter or poet, sculptor or dancer,

is regularly regarded as something of

a curiosity, to be tolerated,

humoured even, maybe even allowed

to put on a show once in a while. But

the idea that they are, or could be

anything more than that—that they

have a vocation to re-imagine and re-

express the beauty of God, to lift our

sights and change our vision of

reality—is often not even

considered.

So will you make a home for Christians

called to be artists?

Please do what you can to

accommodate them, because they are

pointing us toward eternity. As W.

David O. Taylor writes in For the

Beauty of the Church: Casting a Vision

for the Arts:

Whether through paint or sound,

metaphor or movement, we are given

the inestimable gift of participating in

the re-creative work of the Triune

God, anticipating that final and

unimaginable re-creation of all matter,

space, and time, the fulfilment of all

things visible and invisible.

This article first appeared at The Gospel

Coalition website: www.tgc.org

19

Book Choice This quarter Louise has selected a good

range of books all with a unity theme.

Our Life Together - A Memoire In

Letters

Jean Vanier

ISBN 9780232527407

An inspiring life told

through the letters that

turned a community

into a movement. By

any measure, Jean

Vanier has led an astonishing life. He is

the founder of the international

movement of L'Arche communities as

well as Faith and Light, organisations

that bring together people with

developmental disabilities and the

friends who share their lives. He

espouses the philosophy that the

marginalised, weak and lonely can teach

us great things and that true spirituality

can only come from our relationships

with the less fortunate

Bound Together

Chris Brauns

9780310495116

In Bound Together,

Chris Brauns unpacks

the truth that we are

bound to one another

and to the whole of

creation. He calls this,

'the principle of the rope.'

Grasping this foundational principle

sheds new light on marriage, the

dynamics of family relationships, and

the reason why everyone lives with the

consequences of the sins that others

commit. Brauns shows how the

principle of the rope is both bad news

and good news, revealing a depth to

the message of the gospel that many of

us have never seen before.

Unity In Process

Clive Barrett

ISBN 9780232529432

Contributors from

across the Christian faith

draw on their personal

experience and stories,

revealing the vast

amount of understated

ecumenical activity taking place, and

relationships being formed. However

unity might be perceived in the future,

that vision is being shaped by the

practice of unity today. Part 1 of the

book looks at the huge amount of

ecumenical activity going on at national,

international and at local level. Part 2

enables reflection upon these

relationships from a range of thematic

perspectives.

The Basis of Christian

Unity

Dr Martin Lloyd-Jones

ISBN 9780851518466

A re-publishing of Lloyd-

Jones’ addresses to the

Westminister Fellowship

on John 17 and Ephesians

4. Given against the background of the

20

ferment of discussion and debate

engendered by the ecumenical

movement of the time and

demonstrated that unity is never

something arrived at by ignoring or

minimizing truth. The debates have

moved on, but this lucid examination

of the issues underlying Christian unity

remains as relevant as when first

presented in 1962. It points to timeless

truths which should never be

obscured.

Better Together Devotional

Rick Warren

ISBN 9780310326984

Better Together

Devotional Journal- part

of the Living with

Purpose series by Rick

Warren - is a dynamic

individual or small

group devotional journal that will help

you learn how to fulfil God's five

purposes for your life. It includes the

biblical support behind each purpose,

the ways it applies to you and your

circle of influence, and how you can

use this knowledge to benefit God's

kingdom. Better Together will deepen

your understanding of how God uses

community for your own good and

growth, as well as help you cultivate

deeper relationships with those

around you.

This devotional journal is designed for

use with the Better Together DVD

and Better Together Study Guide.

United In Marriage by One Lord

Graham Roberts

ISBN 9788173627224

Provides biblical, Christ-

centred, pastoral and

practical guidance for

those grappling with the

critical issue of interfaith

marriage. The book's

letter and email format treats a variety

of difficult subjects surrounding

interfaith marriage with warmth and

sensitivity. Roberts believes that the

life and witness of Christian couples

and families united in their allegiance

to Jesus Christ is essential to healthy,

growing churches and the building of

God's kingdom.

The Power of Praying Together

Stormie Omartian

9780736910033

Stormie and her

longtime pastor, Jack

Hayford, look at the

benefits and power of

praying with others.

Readers will discover

how to find a prayer partner, create a

prayer group, tap into the power of a

praying church, unite in prayer as a

nation, cover the world in prayer.

More than just a "how to" book, The

Power of Praying® Together helps

readers discover that when they are

willing to link their hearts with others

before God, they open themselves up

to a wider, more interactive world of

prayer.

21

Recovering The Unity Of The

Bible

Walter Kaiser

ISBN

9780310320241

Kaiser challenges the

common scholarly

posture that sees

mostly diversity

throughout the biblical canon, pointing

instead to the way several Biblical

themes substantially support the case

for unity, including: - Messianic

Promises - The People of God - The

Law of God - The Doctrine of

Salvation - The Mission of the Old

Testament Recovering the Unity of the

Bible exhibits sound techniques for

students, pastors, and Bible teachers

who seek to make sense of the Bible's

many and different texts.

Creating Community

Simon Reed

9780857460097

There is much talk today

of 'new ways of being

church' and 'new

monastic spirituality'. As

Simon Reed explored the

Celtic roots of the Christian faith, in

community with others who drew

inspiration from our spiritual ancestors

in the British Isles, he came to realise

that the third millennium church has

much in common with the first

millennium church, and more

importantly, much to learn from it.

These books are available at most

Christian bookshops but don’t forget

members of MACCS Partner churches and

individual partners can order them at The

Montgomery at reduced prices.

The Mile of Coins Collection is growing!

28% of a mile is now complete!

£585 has been raised

Support our redevelopment project by helping us to collect one mile of coins. This will raise between £792 and £113,344 depending on the mix of coins collected. If you have any coins to donate or would like a collection box then please call at the reception resource centre at The Montgomery.

22

Introductory thoughts

from Hilary Jones,

President Elect at The

Montgomery

As Sheffield Christian Education

Council (SCEC) metamorphosed into

Montgomery Arts and Christian

Centre Sheffield Ltd (The

Montgomery) we definitely sensed that

this was a leading of the Holy Spirit

and that we needed this ‘new

wineskin’ in order to hold the new

wine that God is pouring into The

Montgomery.

I first became involved at The

Montgomery as part of the prayer

team at a time when God was

imparting the blue print for the future.

We began to worship, pray and seek

God together for the way forward. I

believe these times were significant in

helping to lay the foundations of the

new vision. Our prayer at The

Montgomery is that this vision will be

wholly laid on the foundation of Jesus

Christ and will be an expression of the

Heavenly Father’s love, creativity and

refreshing for the people of Sheffield.

One particular desire God has placed

in me, and many others I know, is to

see the Church of Sheffield

increasingly being exactly as Jesus

prayed in John 17 verse 21 ‘that they

all may be one just as You Father, are

in Me and I in You, that they also may

be one in Us so that the world may

believe and be convinced that You

have sent Me.’ What a journey of the

heart this is!

On a personal level – as a child I

attended (reluctantly at times)

Greenhill Methodist Chapel. I still visit

regularly the Transformation Sheffield

Prayer Meeting held there. I was ‘born

again’ whilst working in Dallas, Texas

and at that point many of the beautiful

Methodist hymns came alive for me.

One Wesley hymn in particular ‘And

Can it Be’ which includes the words

‘My chains fell off, my heart was free, I

rose went forth and followed Thee’.

Hallelujah! On my return to the UK

and as a new Christian, I became a

member of the Oaks Christian

Fellowship in Dronfield where I

remained for about 13 years. At

present I have connections with

people from many different church

denominations in the Sheffield area. I

23

regularly attend my local Methodist

Chapel and have a great appreciation

of the Methodist Church’s spiritual

heritage.

I will endeavour as president to serve

wholeheartedly during my term of

office. I am at heart ‘a Mary’ who

loves to sit at the feet of Jesus and

listen to His voice. I find that out of

that closeness I am generally in the

right place at the right time during the

rest of the day, doing and being what

He has called me to do and be. I am

trusting that this will hold true of my

two years as President.

I would be very pleased to be invited

to your church – to speak at

midweek, children’s or Sunday

meetings or simply for informal

fellowship, coffee mornings, prayer

and/or worship. Great ideas emerge

from casual conversation and there

may be fresh and innovative ways that

The Montgomery can help build the

life of your church and community.

I am very much looking forward to

getting to know you.

Hilary Jones

President Elect

Hilary@TheMontgomery.org.uk

We all like doing things

together.

Imagine you got tickets for the final of

the London 2012 Olympic 100m final

and your seat is right on the finish line!

When you arrive, there is no one else

in the stadium and no TV coverage.

This bland experience would be hugely

different from the reality of the

crowds the excitement and the

exhilaration you would remember for

the rest of your life.

Imagine you have a friend who’s

recovering from cancer and you sign

up for a charity race to support cancer

research – you turn up at the start line

but there’s only you there – the sense

of challenge and

achievement is not

just about running

around a course, it’s

about doing it

together to combat a

devastating disease.

We as the body of

Christ need to be

united to encourage each other and

those we know to live our lives as

God intended us to. God has made us

to be interdependent and to live in

community – as a result we love doing

things together - the whole is far, far

greater than the sum of the parts and

so much more can be achieved and in

a much more dynamic and effective

way than doing things on our own or

24

in small isolated groups. The central

images in the Bible of community, the

body of Christ, the unity of the Trinity

and the vine and the branches make

this very clear.

I am the coordinator

of Run for the

World (R4TW), an

initiative of

Operation Mobilisation, which

encourages communities around the

world to unite in sport to transform

communities. On one day, 28th

September, we are trying to run

around the world in a day by holding

an event in each of the 24 time zones

and accumulating together a total of

40,000km (the circumference of the

earth). The main aims of the event are:

to build Relationships; Fundraise for

various transformational local and

global projects; unite Together as the

body of Christ to achieve something

that we could not possibly do on our

own and; promote spiritual and

physical Wellness.

In Sheffield we are uniting together to

transform the lives of young people by

supporting youth projects and

charities, as well as

encouraging church

youth groups to use

the event to raise

money for their own

projects. The Fun

Foam 5k in Weston

Park is the first of its

kind in the UK and is

designed to be

fun and exciting

for all ages.

The only fun

run that

doubles as a

human car wash where giant foam

cannons in a number of stations on the

5k course bring excitement and fun to

the event - and absolutely no

STOPWATCHES! Two foam stations,

an inflatable obstacle and celebrate at

the finish line with a big foam party!

Come and join us, have fun and invite

your friends, family, groups, etc. and

join with the rest

of the world. The

more we have the

better in order to support these

amazing projects and homelessness

charities.

Weston Park, Sheffield Saturday

28th September 10am

To register online and start raising

money go to www.r4tw.org/sheffield

or contact Graham Sandersfield for

more information about how you can

use this event to benefit your projects

25

Church

Focus FACTS

Minister: Rev Phillip Borkett

Community Outreach Worker: Richard Wilshaw

Location: Holmhirst Rd, S8 0GU

Denomination: Methodist

Congregation: Mixed ages,

Contact: 0114 274 5449

Website: www.woodseatsmethodistchurch.com

Woodseats Methodist Church

The church buildings date back to 1916/1917 and are close to

the site where John Wesley preached at Booth’s Farm in Woodseats,

however, the church now known as Woodseats Methodist Church was an

amalgamation of the three Methodist churches in Woodseats (Scarsdale Rd

(which had previously closed in 1966), Chantrey Rd, & Holmhirst Road) in 1977.

We hold two services each Sunday, one at 9.30am which is All-Age worship,

the other at 10.45am in a more traditional style, occasionally for ‘special’ dates

or anniversaries the two congregations worship together at 10.00am. We work

closely with our ecumenical partners in Woodseats and have a shared Youth

Worker with St. Chad’s (Anglican)

We arrange Messy Church events and a Holiday Club in February half-term and

invite the community to come and join us, other Fellowship and House Groups

meet regularly.

The premises are open for community use seven days and numerous activities

are held throughout the week, including

Holmhirst Road Pre-School using the lower

floor of the premises each weekday and

Toddler Groups meet Tuesday,

Wednesday and Friday mornings. We seek

to offer a warm welcome to all who come

onto the premises. .

We are here to be the people of God; to follow

the way of Jesus; and by witness and example

to bring others to Christ.

26

Autumn / Winter Season at

The Montgomery

September

Kabaret Neo-Nowka

Sat 21 8.00pm Tickets: £23/19

The Boggle presented by Lawrence Speck

Fri 27 1:30pm Tickets: £7

October

Show Stoppers 2013, Ellesmere Operatic Society

Thurs 3 – Sat 5 7:15pm (2pm Sat matinee) Tickets: £23/19

ArtsAlive The Montgomery Family Fun

Sat 12 Workshops 2.00pm Tickets: £4

Show 4.30pm Tickets: £3

The Quangle Wangle’s Hat and Other Tales by Edward Lear The Montgomery in partnership with Griffin Theatre Arts

Fri 18 4:30pm Tickets: £6

Dave Giles, BriBry and Danny Gruff presented by Upload Live

Fri 18 7.30pm Tickets: £10

Peter and the Wolf Clydebuilt Puppet Theatre

Fri 25 4:30pm Tickets: £7

No Sense Nonsense: A Big Draw Event

The Montgomery & Art in the Park

Tues 29 12.00-3.00pm Free

27

Please note that disabled access is not yet available

Discounted parking at Arundel Gate! Park for £4 before 4pm

and £6 after 4pm for 24 hours! Simply park and collect your yellow chip on

arrival, take it along to The Montgomery and scan the chip at the scanner

located on the 1st floor. The chip will automatically discount at the pay station.

November

Welcome To Our World Sylvaine School of Dance

Thurs 31 - Sat 2 7.00pm (2pm Sat matinee) Tickets: TBC

Shakespeare Schools Festival

Wed 13 - Fri 15 7.00pm Tickets: £8.50/6.50

Alice in Wonderland Proteus Theatre Company

Tues 19 7.00pm Tickets: £10

Wed 20 1.00pm Tickets: £10

December

Our Favourite Things Lord’s School of Dance

Wed 4 – Thurs, 5 7:15pm Tickets: £9/8.50

Dance School Show Stepping Out Dance School

Thurs 12 - Sat 14 6.30pm Tickets TBC

The Producers SHU Drama

Fri 20 - Sat 21 7.30pm Tickets £10

28

Diary Dates SEPTEMBER

3rd A special night of prayer for Rotherham Show 7.00pm - 9.00pm at

Rotherham Pentecostal Church. Organised by Churches Together Rotherham

6th Creative Crafters See page 8 for details

6th – 8th Making Sense of Fragments – The Jesus in the City UK Urban Mission

Congress in Manchester.

7th Special United Service, The Bandstand, Clifton Park, Rotherham. 12.00

noon. As part of the Rotherham Show (Churches Together Rotherham will be

conducting a short 20 minute service. Parking passes can be obtained by

contacting Adrian Dexter on 07790030899.

7th Reality Check Illusion show with Todd Alexander @ Swallownest Baptist

Church www.swallownestbaptist.org.uk

7th-8th Our Journey into God with our Friends in Heaven Led by Bishop

Jack Nichols (former Bishop of Sheffield) £80 residential/ £60 non-residential

at Whirlow Grange Conference & Spirituality Centre, Sheffield S11 9PZ .

www.whirlowgrange.co.uk/our-journey-into-god/. Call 0114 2363173 to book

10th Playing with Parables Day Whirlow Grange Spirituality Centre 9:45-15:45

£21 A retreat to explore parables using the art of Godly Play.

www.whirlowgrange.co.uk/playing-wih-parables 0114 236 3173.

14th Godly Play Training Three day course must also attend 28th Sept and 12th

Oct 9.00 – 16.30 St Stephen’s Church, Netherthorpe, Sheffield, S3 7PL £130

including lunch and refreshments. kathrynlord22@gmail.com

17th Simple Quiet Day Whirlow Grange Conference & Spirituality Centre,

Sheffield S11 9PZ £12 inc. packed lunch (9.45am – 3.45pm)

18th Pray & Love: The Jesus Journey led by Philip Roderick Whirlow Grange

Conference & Spirituality Centre, Sheffield S11 9PZ £6 (7pm – 9pm). This is

the first in a series of three evenings, each a standalone event, but you are

encouraged to join Philip for all three. www.whirlowgrange.co.uk/pray-and-love-1/

20th A call to the Mountaintop with Dr Howard Morgan from Atlanta, USA.

Celebrating a day with worship and teaching at Bush Fire Ministries, 427

Halifax Rd, Grenoside, S35 8PB. Starting at 10.00 am. Tea/coffee will be

provided but please bring own lunch. A love offering will be received during

the meeting. 0114 2451599 or 07940222707 whiteginnie@gmail.com

22nd Minister’s Fellowship Meal Curry Buffet Night (for leaders and leadership

teams). A time for fellowship, friendship and building of relationships among

key leaders and leadership teams from across the borough. Organised by

29

Churches Together Rotherham, please contact Adrian Dexter for details on

07790030899.

24th ONE Sheffield at The Montgomery See Page 6 or www.onesheffield.org

OCTOBER

4th-6th A Weekend with the Saints A Godly Play practitioners course, Going

deeper into the stories of the Saints from Volume 7. Residential at Bretton

Youth hostel nr Eyam, Hope Valley, Yorkshire, S32 5QD. Cost £145 - to include

full board and basic accommodation in dorms. Bookings www.godlyplay.org.uk/

4th-6th Radical Obedience Conference @ The Hub, Rotherham

www.thehubcentral.org.uk

19th Sheffield Praise Day @ Ponds Forge www.jesus.org.uk

NOVEMBER

1st-2nd Fabulous Conference @ Hope City Church with Jeff Lucas & Kevin Loo

www.hopecitychurch.tv

16th Re-Imagining Worship and Preaching for Today a conference for Lay and

Local Preachers, Readers, Worship Leaders and Ministers at Central United

Reformed Church, 60 Norfolk Street, Sheffield S1 2JB, 9am for 9.30 to 1pm. The

lead speaker is Bishop Steven Croft, Bishop of Sheffield. Cost £5 per head,

Organised by the Yorkshire Regional Training Partnership and the Anglican,

Methodist and United Reformed Churches. john-young@talktalk.net.

JOB VACANCIES

Church of St. Columba, Crosspool Children and Families Missioner (part-

time) 20 hours per week, Salary £8 500 - £9000 p.a. Building on the excellent

foundations laid by the previous post-holder, we invite you to join our team in

the next phase of our growing ministry with children and families. Closing date:

Friday 20th September, Interviews: 4th October. www.stcolumbacrosspool.org.uk/

Prospects Support Worker (Learning Disabilities) in Crookes and

Stannington. Prospects is a Christian charity helping to transform the lives of

people with learning disabilities by breaking down the barriers that limit individual

choice. We are now recruiting staff for our brand new service in Sheffield to

provide a Christian service to enable people with a learning disability that we

support to live their lives to the full. For more information about Prospects see

www.prospects.org.uk. For a recruitment pack email yorks@prospects.org.uk

Organist wanted Could you give an inspirational and helping hand to 3 rural

parishes, strapped for cash of course, who have wonderful and different organs:

St Cuthbert’s Fishlake, St. Mary’s Kirk Bramwith and Trinity Sykehouse. Please

contact Eve eve.atherfold@virgin.net OR 01302 841396

30

24th September 2013

7pm-9.30pm

The Montgomery

Surrey St

Sheffield S1 2LG

Encouraging

Refreshing

Uniting

You are invited to a time of fellowship, refreshment, worship and prayer.

Let’s learn from one another what God is doing all over Sheffield and

then worship and pray together for the good of the city. Let’s do what

Jesus prayed in John 17:21and be one …so that the world will believe the

Father sent Jesus.

John 17: 20-21 20 “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will

believe in me through their message, 21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as

you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may

believe that you have sent me.

Sponsored by The Montgomery and Plexus; supported by individuals like

you from many different churches all over the city.

Further details from www.onesheffield.org

Or contact

The Montgomery: 0114 2720455 info@TheMontgomery.org.uk

Hilary Jones: 01909 774349 Hilary@TheMontgomery.org.uk

Spotlight is produced by The Montgomery, an operating name of Montgomery

Arts & Christian Centre Sheffield Ltd, a non profit making company limited by

guarantee, registered in England and Wales No. 07963026. Charity No. 1148489

For more information about our activities or resources please call into or

telephone us at the Resource Centre in reception on the first floor of The

Montgomery. Our opening times are 9am to 4pm Monday to Friday with late

night opening on Tuesdays until 6pm

Articles for the next edition of Spotlight need to be in by:

Tuesday 19th November 2013

THE MONTGOMERY

Surrey Street

SHEFFIELD

S1 2LG

Tel: (0114) 272 0455

email: info@themontgomery.org.uk

website: www.themontgomery.org.uk

Please note disabled access is not yet available at The Montgomery