St Andrew's Psalter Lane Church
Weekly Newsletter
Sunday 15th June
Trinity Sunday
10.30 am Morning Worship Chris Sissons
Collect
Holy God,
faithful and unchanging:
enlarge our minds with the knowledge of your truth,
and draw us more deeply into the mystery of your love,
that we may truly worship you,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Readings Proverbs 8.1 – 4; 22 – 31
John 16.12 - 15
Hymns StF 726 Come to us, Creative Spirit
StF 397 The Spirit lives to set us free (1 verse & chorus)
H&P 52 O God thou art the Father
H&P 695 I bind unto myself today
StF 678 Come, all who look to Christ today
This service will also be live streamed and you can watch it here from 10.30 am.
There is a Junior Church Activity sheet available here.
You can read this week's Newsletter here.
NEXT SUNDAY
Sunday 22nd June
First Sunday after Trinity
10.30 am Holy Communion Revd Canon Cheryl Collins
THIS WEEK
Every Monday
10.00 am – 12 noon Knit and Natter Group in Room 1, Shirley House
Everyone welcome to come and knit, sew, craft or just chat and enjoy a drink and a slice of cake.
Every Tuesday
2.00 - 4.00 pm - Tuesday Café in Shirley House
The café is for those living at home with memory loss or dementia and their carers. Hot drinks and cakes, music, memories, singing, stories and more. For further information ring the church office (0114 2678289) or email office@standrewspsalterlane.org.uk.
Every Wednesday
10.30 am Wednesday Service in Church
Monday 16th June
7.30 pm Artificial Intelligence and a Religious Response - Shirley House Interfaith
Centre and online
Tuesday 17th June
7.30 pm Worship Planning Meeting in Shirley House, Room 3
NEW! You can listen to a podcast of our recent services here!
Same sex marriage at SAPLC
At St Andrew’s Psalter Lane Church, we seek to be an inclusive church, and a place in which every person is celebrated and affirmed.
We are delighted to announce that we have now received consent from both the Methodist Church and the Church of England to use SAPLC for the solemnisation of same sex marriages conducted by a Methodist Minister according to the rites of the Methodist Church, and we have made an application for the church building to be registered for such occasions.
We welcome enquiries from anyone who is considering getting married and who would like to explore this further. Please contact the Revd Naomi Cooke: minister@standrewspsalterlane.org.uk
You can also donate by BACS: Sort code: 05-08-08 Account Number: 36930499
or by cheque payable to: St Andrew’s Psalter Lane Church, and posted to St Andrew’s Church Office, 31 Psalter Lane, S11 8YL.
Don't forget to Gift Aid your donation if you can, as this will increase the amount we receive by 25%!
Regular Giving to St Andrew's Psalter Lane Church If you do not give to the church through the envelope scheme or by bank standing order, please have a word with Rodney Godber (tel 0114 266 3893) who will explain how this makes your giving to the church easier and more beneficial. If you would like to join the envelope scheme, please contact Janet Loughridge (tel 0114 258 4164)
NOTICES
Christian Aid A big thank you to everyone who participated in the distribution and collection of envelopes for all your effort and contributions made during Chrisitan Aid Week. Our total of £2,490 (plus about £350 Gift Aid) is excellent, though not quite as spectacular as last year! Please click onto the link Thank you for supporting Christian Aid Week 2025 to see what else has happened in Yorkshire.
Confirmation We are delighted that David King is to be confirmed at 6.00 pm on Sunday 29th June at All Saint's Ecclesall. Please come along to support David.
Sponsorship needed please! My partner Tom Reavey, for whom you have prayed since his cancer diagnosis, is hoping to give something back by raising money on the Big Hike on 14 June (13 miles). He has a sponsorship page at https://fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/page/toms-big-hike-20
But in case you are not an on-line donation fan, I will bring some sponsorship forms to church. You can sponsor for the whole walk, or for a particular mile.
His son Jack is also hiking, and I’m marshalling. Thank you in anticipation. Anne Hollows
Monthly house group - new members welcome! If you would like to join the monthly house group that meets at the Morris' house at 7:45pm on alternating first Sunday and Monday of each month, please message Emma on 07454562180. The next session is on Sunday 1st June.
The National Churches Survey: giving every church a voiceThe National Churches Trust is carrying out a survey to help politicians, the media, and the wider public better understand the challenges churches, like yours, face and to highlight the vital work they do.
If you work or volunteer at a church, chapel, meeting house or cathedral from any Christian denomination in the UK, they want to hear from you. Your response will provide essential evidence to build a clearer picture – to tell a stronger, more informed story about your church, and others like it, so that together we can address some of the biggest challenges facing churches and help ensure their future.
To fill in the survey go to https://www.nationalchurchestrust.org/survey.
The survey will close on Monday 30 June.
Old Jewellery and Watches to a Good Cause You may be interested to know that old jewellery and watches, in any condition, even if broken, can be donated to the Alzheimer’s Society. There’s a Freepost address which is: Freepost RTKL-TKLJ-STER, Alzheimer’s Society, Unit 14 Amber Business Village, Amber Close, Tamworth, B77 4RP.
Is your pension contributing to Israel's attack on Gaza? You are paying into the South Yorkshire Pension (SYPA) if you are a member of the pension scheme, or through paying your council tax. The pension scheme invests in arms manufacturers that are helping the destruction of Gaza and the murder of innocent civilians, including thousands of children
The South Yorkshire Divest for Palestine Campaign is running a petition to urge SYPA to divest from this harm and instead, to invest in sustainable local enterprises such as green energy, social housing and home insulation. There are postcards in the narthex or you can get more information at
Https://linktree.ee/SYDPC Anne Hollows
Please pray for lasting peace, healing and the restoration of communities in Gaza and Israel.
Sheffield City of Sanctuary statement
Our church has signed up in support of this statement:
At City of Sanctuary Sheffield we believe in a country where people are safe, welcomed, and treated with dignity. The Government’s new immigration proposals, and the rhetoric accompanying them, take us further away from this vision.
Let’s be clear: yes, there is deep inequality in our society. But it is not caused by people seeking sanctuary. It is the result of political decisions: to underinvest in our public services, to allow a housing crisis to deepen, and to prioritise the super-rich over working people. Scapegoating migrants is a dangerous distraction; one that divides communities, fuels xenophobia, and hides the real roots of inequality.
It’s been less than a year since towns across the UK, including Sheffield, faced far-right violence that targeted people seeking sanctuary and communities of colour. We have seen first-hand the harm caused when government rhetoric and policies encourage hostility.
These are not the actions of a country committed to building stronger communities. They are the actions of one trying to blame the most marginalised instead of addressing systemic failures. These policies isolate, exclude and punish people who are ready to contribute. People who deserve protection and a fair chance, not hostility.
There is a better way.
In Sheffield, we see every day how people seeking sanctuary enrich our city: as carers,students, volunteers, neighbours, colleagues, and friends. We know that when people are welcomed, they contribute creatively and help build thriving communities. When people are properly supported and included - to study, to work, to live in a stable home - they thrive. Safety turns into belonging.
We call on politicians, the media and our communities to reject scapegoating and to join us in building a future rooted in welcome, justice and solidarity.
Sacred Space at SAPL This service, offered on the last Thursday of the month could also be described as ‘church at the edge’. An invitation not only for our regular churchgoers but for those who may not usually walk through the doors of this building for a variety of reasons.
Many of us find sustenance within a ‘space’ where we can be still, breathe and remember the love which holds us all.
A small, dedicated team plan a themed service for all of us to experience a quiet contemplative hour, being guided to reflect with some meditative self-inquiry, readings, poetry and music. A sacred space to help us reconnect with the inner wisdom of our hearts and cultivate both a sense of calm and self-care for body, mind and soul.
When we nurture ourselves with gentleness, we are revived and feel safely held. As a result, we ultimately have greater capacity to love and give to others in all the ways we feel called to.
Please feel warmly welcome to join us on the last Thursday of each month, keeping a check on dates via SAPL newletter/website.
To express your interest, or for further info: please contact Fiona
Watson: wildgustfiona@gmail.com or Nessa
Hargraves: nessahargraves@gmail.com
Who to contact for asylum seekers/ refugees
Asylum seekers accommodated in Sheffield will normally be in touch with City of Sanctuary. Melinda (see below) may help in an emergency. The Wednesday ‘drop in’ ( around 150 people) has clothing, conversation, and advice on law, health, accommodation, finance etc.
For people granted refugee status, for a newly granted case please call 0114 221 1845.
SPRING is the Sheffield Project for refugee integration and growth. For urgent SPRING referral (newly granted refugees in Sheffield only) please email to adminspringcoss@sheffield.cityofsanctuary.org
for newly granted refugee referral please use the link https://sheffield.cityofsanctuary.org/our-work/the-sheffield-project-for-refugee-integration-and-growth/
If you have an urgent request for City of Sanctuary, please contact one of the following people:
Governance/ CoSS - Tom Martin ( Director) (tom@sheffield.cityofsanctuary.org)
The Sanctuary &The Drop In – Anna Aitken (anna.aitken@sheffield.cityofsanctuary.org)
Volunteering : emma.milne@sheffield.cityofsanctuary.org
System Change and Advocacy – Melinda Mo Martinez (melinda.momartinez@sheffield.cityofsanctuary.org)
Communications and Media work – Annie Feetham (annie.feetham@sheffield.cityofsanctuary.org)
Finance – Angela Argenzio (angela.argenzio@sheffield.cityofsanctuary.org)
There is a copy of this information sheet on the board in the narthex
Anne Hollows
Action for Children - Paying the Price campaign launched Children across the UK are paying the price of poverty but we are campaigning to change that. The government has promised to lift children out of poverty with a new plan that it's publishing soon. Change is possible – but it will require real investment and a commitment from the government to do what's right.
Please join our campaign. We've only got a short time to get our message across to government, before it publishes its plan. By taking action today, you can help ensure more children's lives aren't defined by poverty.
Please sign our open letter here and share it with others.
All We Can Loose Change Appeal
Thank you so much for all your donations to All We Can. The collection bowl will be out during Sunday service so please bring along any small change. Thank you again.
Revd Kate Bottley on Words of Grace Podcast “Because of the place I came from in faith, I have such a heart for people who don’t think they belong”. We welcome Revd Kate Bottley today for this special Words of Grace podcast episode.
Kate talks about:
* Growing up in Sheffield not going to church
* the moment she considered ordination, and how it felt when she heard women could be priests in 1994
* Challenging misconceptions about Christians and the media
* Connecting with people who are unsure about their faith
* Sparking conversations about faith through her media work
Don’t forget you can submit questions and express an interest in coming on the show by emailing wordsofgrace@sheffield.anglican.org. Listen now on the Diocesan website, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Clifford All Saints School
Community monthly prayer group If you are unable to attend but would like to share a prayer request for the group please click here.
The Psalter Lane building is now closed, and the whole school is at the Ringinglow Road site. The Morris School window - originally one of the pair in old St Andrew’s, of which the one in the narthex is the other - has now been installed in the Ringinglow Road building and looks wonderful. There is a photograph of it on the board in the narthex.
Clifford School Building The old Clifford School building on Psalter Lane is under consultation by Historic England for listing but heavy plant is already on site. It may well get demolished before it is protected. Sheffield could protect it by issuing a Building Protection Notice, but at the moment is not willing to do so. We are being asked to write to the Council’s ‘heritage champion’ at janet.ridler@councillor.sheffield.gov.uk to urge them to protect Clifford. Please do so if you feel inclined.
The Tuesday Café The café is open every Tuesday from 2.00 - 4.00 pm in Shirley House. The café is for those living at home with memory loss or dementia and their carers. Hot drinks and cakes, music, memories, singing, stories and more. For further information ring the church office (0114 2678289) or email office@standrewspsalterlane.org.uk.
Car Parking As an Eco Church we would urge you not to bring your car to Church, but to use public transport, walking, cycling and car sharing if possible. If you do come here by car and need to park in the nearby roads, please do so with due consideration to our neighbours. In particular do not block accesses such as by parking on both sides of Cherry Tree Drive, and leave quietly. Thank You!
If you are parking at church, please take care not to park directly opposite the yellow lines marking the path towards Shirley House and Southcroft, as this blocks pedestrian access for people coming to church from Southcroft
Methodist podcast Have you discovered the weekly Methodist Podcast? Available here and on most audio streaming services. Half an hour of inspiring stories, emerging ideas and latest news from across our national church.
Sheffield Interfaith news Visit the Sheffield Interfaith website for news on what they are doing, such as this talk on Monday 16th June.
Please also note this post about getting the Zoom links for their events.
EVENTS
Thriving Familes
Join us on Monday 16 June (10.00 am – 2.15 pm) for a free online event exploring ministry with children under 5 years. How do we shape what we do in churches so that our youngest children thrive and their faith flourishes? The day is a fantastic opportunity to focus on key aspects of their life and faith. With presentations from a range of skilled practitioners and professionals, it’s a great way to grow your knowledge and skills to enhance all you do with this age group and their related adults.
Thriving Families is an ecumenical event arranged by a variety of denominations and organisations. Including representation from: Roots for Churches, United Reformed Church, The Church of England, Quakers in Britain, The Methodist Church and Daniel’s Den.
Find out more and book here.
The Migration Matters Festival 20-28 June
The festival’s central aim is to bring together all the people of the city, for all Sheffielders to recognise each other, and to see people not for the labels that divide us, but for the unique talents and skills that make us who we are. For 10 incredible years the festival has programmed everything from internationally renowned artists, award winning companies, spectacular dance troupes and powerful community celebrations with a strong emphasis on platforming refugees and people who have experienced displacement, detention or the UK’s inhumane asylum system.
This is in addition to the events where people have broken bread together at Open Iftars, played football in intercultural tournaments, made puppets, zines, shirts, learned to vogue chi, tell stories, dance and find lasting friendships.
For full information and programme go to https://www.migrationmattersfestival.co.uk/
Holberry – Saturday 21st June
This new play by David Price, author of Sheffield Troublemakers, will be performed as a dramatised play reading at Upper Chapel, Norfolk Street, S1 2JD. The performance will begin at 7pm and entry is free. No tickets are required but there will be a retiring collection in aid of the two churches involved in this production.
The play is being performed on the anniversary of Holberry’s death in York Castle on 21st June 1842.
The Lord’s Prayer Tour
Sheffield Cathedral June 25, 2025, 7.00 - 9.00 pm
Join the Archbishop of York for an Evening of Prayer, Reflection, and Inspiration.
Have you explored how The Lord’s Prayer shapes not only the way we pray, but the way we live? Whether you are familiar with the prayer or curious about its meaning, come and join the Archbishop of York as part of a series of events across the North of England.
The event will feature music, film and a powerful teaching session led by the Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell. There will also be an opportunity for a Q&A, offering a chance to reflect and ask questions. This event is open to all—whether you are part of a church community or simply curious about faith and prayer.
Christian Aid Night Hike
The 2025 Sheffield Night Hike will be on Saturday 5 July 2025. Starting from Hathersage Methodist Church, Hope Valley, S32 1BB, with check-in from 7.30 pm and walk start at about 8.00 pm.
The route is about 9 miles from early evening to midnight. This is a brilliantly well organised and supported sponsored walk through a beautiful part of the countryside, ideal for youth, older uniform groups, or families with older children. If you would like to walk in 2025, see details and Eventbrite registration.
Calling Justice Seekers!
An "Act Now, Change Forever" mass lobby of Parliament is being planned for Wednesday 9 July. It is organised by the UK Climate Coalition and supported by all the major NGOs and bodies such as South Yorkshire Climate Alliance. The aim is to remind MPs that the vast majority of people in the UK are looking to them for leadership on climate change. Are you, or someone from your church, ready, with others from your constituency, to arrange to meet your MP in Westminster?
Register here. Please let Jenny Carpenter (email: jennyc106@btinternet.co.uk) know your name and your Parliamentary constituency if you intend going in person. It would be great if each of the South Yorkshire MPs received a delegation calling for vital funding to communities hit hardest by climate change; reduction in energy bills; secure transition to green jobs; a fairer future for all; restoration of biodiversity. Eco churches especially should be rising to this challenge!
Jenny Carpenter (Justice Seekers)
Foodbank and Baby Basics
Firvale Foodbank and Baby Basics are still desperately in need of help, so that they can help the most vulnerable members of society. If you are able to give anything, donations can be dropped off at the following addresses.
Food Bank
A message to food Bank Supporters:
Dear food bank supporters
On behalf of everyone at Firvale we'd like to thank you for your continued generous support to the food bank
We don't know who you all are but we're grateful for your support
Your kindness makes a difference to the lives of less fortunate people
Thank you all so much
Regards
Joe & Liz
Donations can be left at the rear of 16 Edgehill Road, S7 1SP or in Church. Fir Vale continue to take referrals and just under 100 people are being supported. Food and cash donations are welcome. Food is especially welcome. The Food Bank particularly need pasta, rice, UHT milk, toiletries and toilet rolls, but are ever grateful for canned goods.
They need
- Baked Beans
- Canned Tomatoes
- Pasta/rice
- Toothpaste
- Canned meats/fish
If you would like to give cash, you can donate here, or you can send a cheque made out to St Cuthbert’s (write Fir Vale Food Bank on the back) and send to Joe Dey at 16 Edgehill Road, S7 1SP, who will hand it over when he delivers to the Food Bank at St Cuthbert’s.
Gifts, especially nappies, toiletries and hand-knitted items (cardigans and jumpers for 2-5 year olds rather than babies if possible), and the following items for 2-5 years are always in short supply: pyjamas, underwear, socks, tights and warm trousers/jogging bottoms for boys and girls.
At the moment, they really need 0-3 month clothing, baby socks and scratch mitts, 3-6-years clothing, baby wipes, nappy cream, cotton wool, 0-2year toothpaste and brushes, kids shampoo & conditioner for afro/curly hair.
Donations can be left in the basket at 51 Barkers Road, S7 1SD or in Church; cash donations should be put through the letter box. If Pat is away she will remove the basket from her front door step and she asks that items aren’t left at her door if the basket is not there. If you have something you can put through the letter box, that would be alright. The Facebook page also has information about donating via their Amazon wishlist. Donations can be left in the box at 51 Barkers Road, S7 1SD; cash donations should be put through the letter box. Pat would be able to collect donations if you cannot get them to her – telephone her on 2014881 if you would like to donate this way. You can also now donate online.
We are grateful to all the very kind people who are taking these donations to where they are so desperately needed.
Help Needed!
(Not necessarily an accurate representation of a Working Party!)
A message from John Cripps:
'Many thanks to everyone who helped at the Working Party on Saturday 7th June. The next Working Party will be on Saturday 5th July. Do come along and help – even an hour can help make a great difference to the appearance of the church grounds, which we can all enjoy. More volunteers would be very welcome!
Everyone is welcome to carry out gardening tasks at other times convenient to them. The compound has a new lock and that and the tool box have combination padlocks. Please ask me (01142 588932, 07914 290016, cripps@uwclub.net) if you want to know the combination and if you open either lock, please take care the combination is set correctly before closing it. The tool box contains the mower, strimmer and some small tools and there are additional tools in the cellar.'
The Green Box
Calling all potential climate activists!
Sheffield Energy Hub Opening 23rd June - Sheffield Community Energy, South Yorkshire Climate Alliance, Sheffield City Council and a number of other private, public and third sector bodies are working together to open up a one-stop shop in a prime position on Cambridge Street in the city centre to provide information on sustainable energy, efficiency and grant.
Please sign the petition "Sainsbury's & Tesco: publicly support real action to cut plastic production" Since 2021, major UK supermarkets, including Sainsbury's and Tesco, have been rolling out front-of-store collection points to recycle soft plastic packaging. An investigation revealed that 70% of the tracked soft plastic bundles that reached a final destination is burnt, not recycled. You can read more and sign the petition here.
Traidcraft loo roll
This toilet paper is special because...
*It's made in the UK from 100% recycled paper (no imported bamboo) and it funds tree planting projects to actively restore nature.
*It supports producers around the world - every purchase is fighting for a fairer trade system.
*It includes free delivery straight to your door and extra long rolls for brilliant value.
Subscribe to save: When you subscribe (cancel at any time) - you save 10% (with this discount 36
rolls cost £31.49) and there's no hassle of reordering - it's all done for you.. We want you to get the best deal here so we've created a guide to how often you should order based on household size...
1-2 person household: once every four months
3-4 person household: once every three months
5-7 person household: once every two months
Business, church or big household: once a month
So in a world of worry, let this toilet roll be one less thing on your mind - and more than that - let it be a joy. When you switch to Traidcraft loo roll, you are are using the power of your everyday purchases to make the world a better place.
You can place your order here.
We all want to care for the planet, but can’t do everything at once. Here is the next in a series of tips to think about. Some can be done today, some this month, and some will not be for you. But remember - everyone can do something!
Eco Tips
June: Personal
Move away from Microbeads – Stop using body scrubs, facewashes and toothpastes laced with microbeads. These tiny, plastic balls are so small they sail straight through filtration systems and end up in our oceans and fresh waterways – 8 trillion a day, according to scientists.
For more practical ways to enjoy, nurture and defend nature, sign up to A Rocha UK’s Wild Christian email: arocha.org.uk/wild-christian
See the Eco Group page for more Green news!
This page contains information about upcoming services and events and groups that we support.
Please contact clare@standrewspsalterlane.org.uk or janet.loughridge.45@gmail.com if there is anything you would like to see or to add, or anyone you would particularly like us to pray for.
This Newsletter will continue to be emailed instead of being printed to hand out in church. This will be better for us as an Eco-Church. There will be printed copies in church, but only for people who cannot receive the emailed newsletter.
We will be live-streaming our main Sunday morning services, for those people who aren't able to join us in church.
All contributions, serious or light-hearted, would be very welcome!