Words of Grace: Living Hope in the Diocese of Sheffield

"It was really great for the community to see an opportunity of loving people with our faith, but through sport and through having fun." Holly Phipps from Love Running Sheffield is on the Words of Grace podcast today. Holly talks about: ✝️ Running this year’s Sheffield 10k (Sunday 27 September) to raise money for the S6 Foodbank ✝️ Advice on sharing faith with people through sport ✝️ How Sheffield is the place to be ✝️ Her work with Christians in Sport Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"We're always in pursuit of revival. We're always in pursuit of the Holy Spirit being poured out on our whole city." Dan Brown, Vicar of Wadsley Church, joins Paul and Ben on the Words of Grace podcast today. Dan discusses: ✝️ The moment he gave his life to Jesus as a teenager ✝️ How he stepped out into faith and trusted that God would provide ✝️ Growing up in Sheffield ✝️ Why he supports Sheffield United Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alex Townsend, Sheffield Youth Hub Coordinator, is on the Words of Grace podcast today. Alex talks about: ✝️ Coming to faith at Spring Harvest at the age of 15 ✝️ The importance of giving young people a voice in church ✝️ Working with the Sheffield Youth Hub and Centenary Project ✝️ Teaching in a secular context Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

‘The Bible spoke to me about a way of life, about a love, about hope, a focus for living.’ Revd Dr Julian Raffay, Bishop’s Adviser on Spirituality , is on the Words of Grace podcast today. Julian talks about: ✝️ Discovering faith through reading the Bible as a teenager – and why it was better than church ✝️ His work in mental health and spirituality ✝️ A remarkable story of God's provision while stranded in Iceland ✝️ Exploring the relationship between spirituality and wellbeing Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

‘I woke up one day and realised: acting isn't making me happy, and ministry is.’ Revd Rebecca Hare, Curate at Thorpe Hesley and the Cornerstone Mission Area, joins Paul and Ben on the podcast today. Rebecca discusses: ✝️ Her earlier career in professional acting ✝️ How youth ministry inspired her and led to ordination ✝️ The repeated calls she heard to move to Sheffield ✝️ Why you should play Dungeons and Dragons Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

‘”What I really want to do is become a vicar”. I heard those words come out of my mouth...and I just went, “Oh, where did that come from?”’ Revd Dr Genevieve Langdon, Sub-Prior of the Community of St Paulinus, is on the Words of Grace podcast today. Genevieve talks about: ✝️ Working in blast engineering ✝️ Working in Cape Town for 15 years ✝️ Being drawn to ordained ministry in the CoE – with no Anglican background ✝️ Serving at Sheffield Cathedral and St Leonard’s Arbourthorne Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

‘There was something in that moment that really changed my whole perspective on life and even my calling.’ Revd Steffany Nantes, Curate at St Thomas Crookes, is on the Words of Grace podcast today. Steffany talks about: ✝️ Moving from Brazil to Portugal as a child, and the differences in culture there ✝️ Growing up in a Pentecostal church ✝️ Her passion for intercultural worship ✝️ When she felt the presence of the Holy Spirit as a child Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

‘I turned up that Sunday, and I’ve been back each week ever since.’ Hayley Thorne, Centenary Project Funding Officer, is on the Words of Grace podcast today. Hayley talks about: ✝️ How faith helped her through grief and loss ✝️ A chance step into St Leonard’s being the turning point in her journey ✝️ How she was drawn to the Centenary Project ✝️ The importance of honest prayer Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today’s Words of Grace episode is a recording of our live podcast special at last week’s Diocesan Conference, featuring The Rt Revd Rhiannon King, Bishop of Southampton, The Rt Revd Dr Pete Wilcox, Bishop of Sheffield, and The Rt Revd Leah Vasey-Saunders, Bishop of Doncaster. The panel talk about: ✝️ Leading Your Church into Growth (LYCiG) and practical applications for the Diocese ✝️ A Q+A with the audience ✝️ Bishop Rhiannon’s faith journey and path to ordination ✝️ Positive signs of growth in the Diocese of Sheffield Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

‘I want what you have - how can you have hope and joy in the middle of everything?’ Bob Goody, CEO of Rural Missions, joins Paul and Ben on the podcast today, talking about: ✝️ The challenges and opportunities rural churches face ✝️ The power of a simple welcome ✝️ A life-changing encounter with Jesus at 16 ✝️ How small and intentional steps can help with mission Please note this episode comes with a trigger warning about trauma in childhood and addiction. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"Who is missing from the table? And how do we make sure there is space for everyone?" Revd Adam Priestley and Revd Anesia Cook host today’s Racial Justice and Working-Class special. Adam and Anesia talk about: ✝️ Ministry on the margins in Doncaster ✝️ The realities of working-class life and feeling left behind ✝️ Racial justice, identity and belonging in the Church ✝️ Creating spaces of welcome, grace and honest conversation ✝️ What it means to gather - and be sent out - as one body in Christ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

‘I’d been chasing fullness of life - just in all the wrong places. I found peace again in Jesus’. Revd Luke Graham, Priest-in-Charge of St John’s Park, is on the podcast today with Paul and Ben, talking about: ✝️ Growing up in church - and drifting into a double life ✝️ Finding peace through God ✝️ How John 10:10 inspires him ✝️ Church grafts and why they’re not takeovers Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

‘I didn’t recognise it at the time — but I know now I was being held by God'. Beth Langner, Priest-in-Charge of St Bartholomew's Maltby and All Saints Laughton-en-le- Morthen, is on the podcast today. Beth talks about: ✝️ Being told she wouldn’t amount to anything because of where she’s from ✝️ A powerful encounter with God at Sheffield Cathedral ✝️ Stepping into ordained ministry and serving diverse communities ✝️ A heart to make Jesus known in Maltby and Laughton Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"I haven't been to church in 12 years, what do I do?" Richard Dawidek, Churchwarden at St Matthew’s Carver Street, joins Ben and Paul on the podcast this week. Richard shares his story, including: ✝️ Growing up with a cultural connection to church but falling away at University ✝️ The journey that led him from "there is no truth" to "there must be" ✝️ Embracing Christianity after stumbling across the Anglo-Catholic tradition ✝️ Finding a calling at St Matthew’s Carver Street Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"I’ve always said that the way I pray is through singing." Emily Cooper, Music and Liturgy Administrator at Sheffield Cathedral, joins Ben on the podcast today. Emily talks about: 🎶 Growing up in church choirs and a lifelong love of music 🎶 Her role bridging clergy and music at the Cathedral 🎶 Walking the Camino pilgrimage 🎶 Her PHD study examining the mental, physical and social wellbeing benefits of group singing 🎶 Her vision for building community through music Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"I think a community needs to be rooted in love. That is my role – that I should love as deeply as possible anyone who comes into my path" Mother Caroline Wyman, Priest in Charge of St James Clifton, joins Ben and guest co-host Matt Grindrod on the podcast today. Caroline talks about: ✝️ Growing up in South Africa ✝️ Initially resisting a call to priesthood ✝️ The community in Clifton ✝️ Her vision for opening up church ✝️ Her heart for hospitality Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joe Goodchild, Assistant Lights for Christ Enabler for the Diocese, is on the Words of Grace podcast today. Joe talks about: ✝️ Discovering faith as a student and learning the “why” behind belief ✝️ Studying theology and church planting alongside working in the Diocese ✝️ Moving out of his comfort zone ✝️ His passion for discipleship ✝️ What Lights for Christ means for everyday faith in the Diocese Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jonny Patton, Worship and Operations Director at St John’s Goole, joins Paul and Ben on the podcast today. Jonny discusses: ✝️ Coming to faith just before heading to university ✝️ The change in church style from Northern Ireland to Chorleywood ✝️ Finding his calling in worship and creativity ✝️ Navigating ministry across different traditions ✝️ How God has made a difference at St John’s Goole Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Charlotte Roberts, Head of Education at Sheffield Cathedral, is on the podcast today talking about: ✝️ Walking the St Cuthbert’s pilgrimage solo ✝️ Doing the Camino pilgrimage with Sheffield Cathedral colleagues ✝️ Her pride of being born and bred in Sheffield ✝️ Helping to make heritage relevant and engaging in her current role ✝️ Her background in teaching Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Katie Bell, CEO and Diocesan Secretary for the Diocese, is today’s guest on the Words of Grace podcast. Katie talks about: ✝️ Her lifelong Yorkshire roots ✝️ What she learned from her time working with the Salvation Army ✝️ Feeling called into diocesan leadership ✝️ How her faith has shaped her working life ✝️ Her passion for mission Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.