Harvest Festival Thank You!  Many thanks to everyone who helped to make the Harvest Festival and Soup and Puddings Lunch last Sunday 6th October such a wonderful event. The service was inspiring, there were very generous donations of items required by the Cathedral Archer Project, and cash for All We Can, followed by a delicious lunch enjoyed by 55 people. It is impossible to name those involved as
there were so many, but you know who you are! Thank you again!
 

Wear Your Faith Fortnight  The Diocese of Sheffield is inviting Christians across South Yorkshire to wear a symbol of their faith for two weeks (20 October – 3 November). As the season changes and the nights get darker, let’s wear our faith and share the hope and light that Jesus brings. People can wear any symbol of faith to take part – perhaps a necklace, a badge, a wristband, a T-shirt, or something else.  Metal badges and waterproof stickers will be available in church on 20th and 27th
October.
Of course, we don’t need to wear a symbol of faith to show that we’re followers of Jesus – our words, actions and attitude speak volumes. But wearing a symbol of our faith can inspire others and let them know that we’re open to conversations about faith.
‘Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have…’ (1 Peter 3:15)

Help needed!  We are looking for someone willing to act as Safety Officer for SAPLC, to oversee risk assessments, identify hazards and ensure our operations accord with good practice and the Health and Safety policy. This is not likely to be a very onerous or time-consuming role, and training and support would be provided by the Property and Finance Committee. If you think this is something you would be interested in, please speak to John Cripps (Email cripps@uwclub.net Tel 258 8932)

Worship Leaders  Over the next few months, Cheryl will be taking a break from leading our 10.30 am worship. She will, however, continue to lead the monthly 9.15am services and certain specials! We are so grateful to Cheryl and all the leaders of worship at SAPLC for the time, energy and support they offer to the worshipping life of the church.

Important Dates for your Diary

Saltmine Theatre Company will be bringing their stage production of A Christmas Carol to SAPLC on Friday December the 6th. There will be two performances, one for local schools in the afternoon and one for the general public early evening. Please make a note and spread the word.
This will be a wonderful experience for primary aged children and the whole family!
 

At Home Church Community Weekend: June 13th to 15th 2025 Next June we will hold our first Church Community Weekend here at SAPLC. A full schedule of activities will be available nearer the time, but in brief there will be worship, teaching, creative groups, lots of good food, fun and games, and the opportunity to deepen friendship and grow together in the Spirit. Our guest speaker will be the Revd Dr Gary Hall, tutor in Ethics and Preaching at the Queen's Foundation in Birmingham. He is an inspirational person and will be a blessing to us all. Please save the date now: The weekend is for everyone, from the oldest to the youngest among us and activities will be for all.

Sheffield City of Sanctuary letter about Access to Justice The UK’s legal aid system is in crisis. Cuts to legal aid have left many unable to access justice and the reality is stark: over half of people seeking asylum last year couldn’t find a legal aid lawyer.
Entire regions of the UK have become 'legal aid deserts' where no advice is available. Without proper legal support, many individuals are forced to navigate the complex asylum system alone, leaving them stuck in limbo for long periods of time, at risk of removal, and creating greater knock-on costs for local authorities and the wider community.
In every part of England and Wales there is a significant deficit between the need for
immigration and asylum legal advice and the provision available. In South Yorkshire specifically, 2 out of 5 legal aid firms have stopped delivering legal aid immigration services, as of June 2023, and the other three have no capacity. Aside from the Multi-Agency Drop-In, that City of Sanctuary Sheffield facilitate, there is no simple to access, face-to-face immigration advice available in Sheffield.
Please email or write to your MP today to urge them to address this crisis in legal aid for people seeking asylum.
There are copies of the letter from City of Sanctuary in the narthex; this includes a template letter to your MP. You can find your MP here.

Gaza update  Bahzad (child psychiatrist) is working incredibly hard providing stress management and group supervision to frontline medics, nurses etc. He’s also helping his sister and brother to set up schooling for children in their area of tents. Caitlin, and friends working for Oxfam and Norwegian Refugee Council in Amman including Bahzad’s other sister are trying to get funding.
A memorial to Bahzad’s and our friend Dr Maisara Alrayes was unveiled at Guys Hospital Quad, together with a scholarship for Palestinian doctors.
Rana is still hanging on. Her son’s first birthday was at the beginning of October. She doesn’t write much but her sister in Cairo keeps in touch with Caitlin.
Finally, Amal, another friend and colleague, sent her reflections on the last year:
'One year since the last time without fear, displacement, limitation and crisis of everything and hope!
One year, all the world tried to stop Israel but no one can.
One year of genocide, of losing friends, neighbours, relatives, homes, beloved things and
memories
One year of waiting the freedom or at least waiting the life routine before war
One year of continuous nightmares of how we will be killed, I saw myself killed under home rubbles, burning in tents, shooting by sniper or quad copter, smashed under a tank track, phosphorus choking or hunger
Thanks for standing next to me all this time, protesting for Palestine, thinking of us and trying to help and stop those genocide. Thanks for being my backbone when I couldn’t stand.'

Also, here is a link to the 9 th October Guardian interview with Ahmed Alnouq who lived with us in 2019-20
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/oct/09/survivors-guilt-is-overwhelming-the-grief-of-losing-21-relatives-in-one-airstrike-in-gaza?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

News from the West Bank

It is with great sadness and despair to report that the house that Tom Reavey and a team from Amos Trust helped to build in 2022 was today bulldozed by the IDF ( who then sat in the ruins and had their breakfast). It was the second demolition the family had experienced.
A number of members of SAPL contributed to the £2000 that Tom raised for materials and I'm sure they will be equally saddened to read this.
Tom has already volunteered for another build programme but this is not currently possible.
Anne Hollows

Please continue to pray for the people of Gaza and for the West Bank.

CycleBoost electric bike loan schemeElectric bike loans for a month or more are available with the CycleBoost scheme. For a £75 charge per month, people can hire an electric bike, with charger, helmet, lock and pannier, and any repairs needed included in the cost. Google Cycleboost now!

Safeguarding News: Do you listen to podcasts? ‘Podcast on Purpose‘ is a thrilling new podcast series hosted by Philippa Forrester, showcasing the impact of crowdfunding on society. Episode 2 highlights a super fast way to provide financial support to domestic abuse victims through cashpoints. Crowdfunder and the National Benevolent Charity’s
'Home is where the harm is' addresses domestic abuse head-on utilising crowdfunding to provide immediate financial support to victims of domestic abuse.
In the last month they have raised over £20,000 and distributed it discreetly via 100 micro grants through local ATMs to women in desperate circumstances.
‘Podcast on Purpose’ is more than just a podcast; it’s a movement. Each episode highlights the ways people are using crowdfunding to tackle challenges and make a positive impact. By subscribing now, you’ll be among the first to hear these stories of hope and determination.
How to subscribe: Subscribe to ‘Podcast on Purpose’ today by searching for Podcast on Purpose on your preferred podcast provider. The first two episodes will be available on July 30th, with new episodes released weekly.

Friends of The Holy Land Our Christian brothers and sisters in the holy land are really suffering. They desperately need our prayers and support. To read the launch edition of their new magazine Giving Hope, please see here.
This is a new-look update with lots of information about what is happening in the UK and in the Holy Land.

City of Sanctuary Appeal  City of Sanctuary Sheffield's vision is for our city to be a place of safety and welcome for people seeking sanctuary.
The Sanctuary is a utopia in the heart of Sheffield that we are working to build as an alternative to the system. It is a beacon of light in a storm and the soil from which so much good work grows.

This summer City of Sanctuary Sheffield are moving out of The Sanctuary to make way for exciting building works on Chapel Walk. We are taking this opportunity to do some building of our own - vastly improving The Sanctuary for the approximately 1500 people who come through the doors each month. The redesign plans will make The Sanctuary: 

• More welcoming and safe for those seeking sanctuary.
• More useful for all the groups who use the centre.
• More beautiful, becoming a beacon of hope in difficult times.
• More tailored to the requirements of people seeking sanctuary and those working in solidarity with them. 

In order to make these crucial improvements, we need to raise an additional £15,000 and need your help to reach our target. Your support will help us continue to offer a welcoming, safe, and beautiful environment for those seeking sanctuary in Sheffield.

Please click here and consider donating to our GoFundMe appeal and share it with your network to help us reach more people who believe in our mission. 

Bents Green Sunday Evening Service Every Sunday evening at Bents Green Church we meet for informal fellowship and worship, which might include teaching, discussion, activities, Holy Communion and refreshments. It's from 6.30 to about 8.00 pm.
Several people already attend from different churches, and we would like to invite anyone who would like to, to come and join us.
More information from Graham Wassell, Tel: 01142350393 or Mob: 07532054968

Postage stamp collection for the Bone Cancer Research Trust  If you receive post with stamps, would you like to save them to help raise funds for the Bone Cancer Research Trust? There will be a box at church to place them or people can give them to Pat Rogers and they will then be sent off.  Apparently modern stamps are much more valuable than older ones! (Older stamps are pre 2008) Stamps need a border of a finger width (1 cm). Foreign stamps are accepted but please keep these separate. (Channel Islands and Isle of Man count as foreign.)
They will be helping a good cause and be a little bit of recycling.

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.

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. 

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.

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)

Car Parking  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

Calling all potential climate activists!

Action needed please!

Have your say on the future of our local nature
South Yorkshire wants your views on the future of our local nature. Local authorities across South Yorkshire are seeking the views of residents, businesses, and community organisations on the development of its Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS).
Led by South Yorkshire’s Mayor, Oliver Coppard, the LNRS will develop actions to drive nature’s recovery across South Yorkshire. It is one of 48 strategies being developed across the country after the Government called for combined and local authorities to work together to improve our natural world. You can complete the questionnaire here.

Eco Tip – October: Contribute to wildlife conservation.
For most species, place a bird box so that it is facing east, southeast or possibly even south, to keep it out of the prevailing wind and rain. This will ensure that the box stays reasonably warm which will help with the hatching rates.

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