Praying tomorrow for another exciting and spirit-filled Breathe Deep at Sheffield Cathedral. #LightsforChrist

Next week is Racial Justice Sunday (8 February), and this year's theme ‘Love Your Neighbour’ gives opportunity to explore what it really means to love our neighbour. A range of resources can be found here: www.sheffield.anglican.org/racial-justice-sunday/

The Energy Footprint Tool is now open for churches to enter data for the 2025 calendar year. Data from the EFT will help the Diocese gain a clearer picture of our progress towards Net Zero Our Environment Team are on hand to help you - [email protected]

The Church of England’s theme for Lent 2026 is Draw Near: Life-giving habits for Lent. This year’s resources have at their heart the theme of a ‘rhythm of life’ - habits and patterns which help us grow as disciples of Christ day by day.

Breathe Deep is a youth event targeted at Christian young people from all over the diocese to be a large expression of church together. Sign up here 👇 www.sheffield.anglican.org/event/breathe-deep/

There's just over a week to go until Breathe Deep! 📅Saturday 31 January 🕛9.30am - 4pm ⛪Sheffield Cathedral Breathe Deep is a youth event targeted at Christian young people from all over the diocese to be a large expression of church together. www.sheffield.anglican.org/event/breathe-deep/

In 2026 we are launching a series of online Q&A sessions on all things Energy and Net Zero. Net Zero Carbon Programme Manager David Castle will lead the sessions along with members of the Church Buildings Team. www.sheffield.anglican.org/event/energy-net-zero-qa-sessions-for-churches/

‘One of the things I noticed this Christmas was that more of our congregation were inviting friends and family along than in previous years'. St John's Goole held two Carols by Candlelight services for the first time in 2025 👇 www.sheffield.anglican.org/christmas-roundup-in-the-diocese/

'From a simple prayer asking for God’s guidance, we are now blessed with a lively and enthusiastic choir of over 40 members'. Read more about the new choir at St Nicholas’ Parish Church, Thorne in our Christmas roundup article 👇 www.sheffield.anglican.org/christmas-roundup-in-the-diocese/

The Diocese is benefitting from the next round of funding from The CoE's Disability Project. Holy Trinity Wentworth has been awarded a grant of £2,540 to create a sensory trail with six stations exploring faith through the senses www.sheffield.anglican.org/funding-boost-for-disability-projects/

St John's Park hosted an Intercultural Churches network meeting in November, organised by our Racial Justice Team. It offered space for churches to hear how others are navigating the challenges & opportunities of intercultural communities of worship www.sheffield.anglican.org/intercultura...

Our new small group resource for Lent 2026 is available to download at www.sheffdio.org/lent 'Being Lights for Christ' is a series of four small group session plans introducing the idea of Christian discipleship. Sign up for one of our webinars next week: www.sheffdio.org/events

Revd Sara Goodman joins Paul and Ben on the podcast today. Sara discusses: ✝️ Teaching in Tanzania and living in Ethiopia ✝️ Answering the call to ordination after years of discernment ✝️ The love and support she received when she had cancer ➡️ sheffdio.org/podcast

✝️The Bishop of Sheffield’s Annual Lecture 2026 🤖AI and the Purpose of God 🔈Speaker: Rev Dr Simon Cross 📅Monday 2 March (University of Sheffield) 📅Tuesday 3 March (Sheffield Cathedral) Book here 👇 www.sheffield.anglican.org/event/the-bishop-of-sheffields-annual-lecture-2026-mon/

Each year the national church asks churches to return a range of information about the number of people coming to church through the year, to Easter and Christmas services, and about the numbers of baptisms, weddings, funerals and the worshipping community of the church.

✝️Sunday 8 February is Racial Justice Sunday This year the theme ‘Love Your Neighbour’ gives opportunity to explore what it really means to love our neighbour. www.sheffield.anglican.org/racial-justice-sunday/

We're hiring! 🙌Children and Families’ Worker ⛪ St Chad's Sheffield 🕛24 hours per week 💷Salary £17,472 – £19,968 (FTE £27,300 – £31,200) 🚨Closing date: Midnight, 25 January 2026 www.sheffield.anglican.org/vacancies/children-families-worker-st-chads-woodseats/

This week's Barnabas Blog has been written by Beth Burras, Lead Lay Ministry Enabler. www.sheffield.anglican.org/lay-ministry-whats-the-vision/

Rachel Baker, Young Leaders’ Community Enabler, is on the podcast today. Rachel talks about: ✝️ Growing up in Bristol ✝️ Helping to release young people into leadership roles in the church ✝️ How God called her to Rotherham ✝️ The church leaders who inspired her ➡️ sheffdio.org/podcast

🎙️You can now catch both parts of our Words of Grace 2025 Christmas special Part 1: Christmas Experience at All Saints Church, Totley Part 2: Christmas Live with Christ Church Stannington ➡️ sheffdio.org/podcast

St Matthew's Carver Street has received a positive review for its Nursing Project - find out more in the 2025 report 👇 www.sheffield.anglican.org/st-matthews-carver-street-gets-positive-review-for-nursing-project/

Breathe Deep is back in 2026! 📅Saturday 31 January 🕛9.30am - 4pm ⛪@dioceseofsheffield Breathe Deep is a youth event targeted at Christian young people from all over the diocese to be a large expression of church together. www.sheffield.anglican.org/event/breathe-deep/

There've been lots of good news stories, announcements & testimonies shared across the Diocese in 2025: 🤲 Arise Rotherham 💷 Funding for diocesan projects ✝️ Leah announced as Bishop of Doncaster 🌱 Confirmations & church growth www.sheffield.anglican.org/our-diocese/whats-on/news-stories/

Today we pray for: New Year’s Eve: spend some time reflecting on the past year, for you & for your church. Give thanks for the good things, pray for on-going needs #SheffPrayer

Today we pray for: The Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell #SheffPrayer

Today we pray for: The Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell #SheffPrayer

Today we pray for: Retired clergy, giving thanks for their valuable support in many parishes #SheffPrayer

Today we pray for: The Holy Innocents: pray for all children suffering in war zones or due to violence, including Ukraine, Gaza, Sudan, and many more places #SheffPrayer

🎙️Catch up on our Words of Grace Christmas Specials: 2023 - Ben & Paul gather colleagues & friends at Diocesan Church House 2024 - Roundtable discussion with Revd Canon Toby Hole, Revd Amy Hole & Revd Dr Daniel McGinnis 2025 - All Saints Totley Christmas Experience ➡️ sheffdio.org/podcast

Today we pray for: St John the Evangelist: ‘the disciple Jesus loved’. Give thanks that Jesus loved all of them! And reflect today that He loves you too #SheffPrayer

✝️ A prayer on Boxing Day Holy Jesus, by being born one of us, and lying humbly in a manger, you show how much God loves the world. Let the light of your love always shine in our hearts, until we reach our home in heaven, and see you on your throne of glory. Amen.

Today we pray for: Stephen, the first martyr: Stephen prayed ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit’ (Acts 7:59). Pray for Christians who face danger or death today for their faith #SheffPrayer

‘I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people’ (Luke 2:10). Wishing you a very Merry Christmas from the Diocese of Sheffield! #LightsforChrist #Christmas

Today we pray for: Christmas Day: ‘I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people’ (Luke 2:10). Pray for opportunities to be good news & to speak the good news today #SheffPrayer

'How are you going to make room in your heart for the birth of Jesus?' Bishop Leah gives a reflection on getting ready for Christmas, and highlights some of the ways we might want to prepare. www.youtube.com/shorts/JDgTF...

Today we pray for: Christmas Eve: for those holding crib services and midnight services of Holy Communion – a warm welcome to visitors with a powerful celebration of this amazing night #SheffPrayer

Today we pray for: St James Doncaster: Michael Parnell #SheffPrayer

‘We love our country, but we're also called to love one another as Jesus has loved us'. Revd Anesia Cook, Racial Justice Officer, has written a response and reflections following concerns about flags 👇 www.sheffield.anglican.org/we-love-our-country-but-we-are-also-called-to-love-one-another/

Today we pray for: Benefice of St Wilfrid Cantley with St Hugh of Lincoln New Cantley: Andrew Howard #SheffPrayer

Today we pray for: Advent 4 - Love. Candle prayers. We light this candle to remember God's love for the whole of creation. God loves us into being and enfolds us safely forever #SheffPrayer

Today we pray for: Bishop Pete & Bishop Leah: for their leadership in the diocese, opportunities to share good news over the Christmas season & for some rest #SheffPrayer

💡Assistant Lights for Christ Enabler 🕛Part-Time, 21 hours per week 💷Salary £29,500 – £31,500 FTE (£17,700 – £18,900 Pro-rata) 🚨Closing date: Midnight, 14 January 2026 Apply here: www.sheffield.anglican.org/vacancies/assistant-lights-for-christ-enabler/

Today we pray for: St Francis of Assisi, West Bessacarr: Richard Heard, Liz Gibson #SheffPrayer

Breathe Deep is back in 2026! 📅Saturday 31 January 🕛9.30am - 4pm ⛪Sheffield Cathedral Breathe Deep is a youth event targeted at Christian young people from all over the diocese to be a large expression of church together www.sheffield.anglican.org/event/breathe-deep/

Today we pray for: The Archer Project and other places offering support to homeless people, especially over Christmas #SheffPrayer

Revd Amy Hole, Vicar at Heeley Parish Church, featured yesterday evening on ITV Calendar as part of a feature on different Blue Christmas services taking place across Yorkshire this year. Watch from 12:50 👇 www.itv.com/watch/news/catch-up-on-itv-calendar-north-from-tuesday-16th-december/mnf9bwl

Today we pray for: Doncaster Minster St George: for the wardens & congregation in a time of vacancy. Peter Das (curate) #SheffPrayer

‘I remember putting my hands up and I felt such an overwhelming presence - I can’t describe it’. Toby Butler, Church Planting Support Lead for Faith in the North, is on the podcast today. ➡️ sheffdio.org/podcast

Today we pray for: All Saints, Denaby Main: Martijn Mugge, Tom Brown #SheffPrayer

Today we pray for: St Peter, Conisburgh: Martijn Mugge, Tom Brown #SheffPrayer