Words of Grace: Living Hope in the Diocese of Sheffield

"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,...

‘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 acas...

‘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 dive...

"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...

"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 ben...

"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...

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 D...

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 Host...

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...

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.

Revd Dr Simon Cross, guest speaker at this year’s Bishop’s Annual Lecture, is a guest on Words of Grace today. Simon talks about: ✝️ His lecture topic - ‘Artificial Intelligence and the Purposes of God’ ✝️ Growing up in an atheist household ✝️ His time in aviation as an airline pilot ✝️ Ordination and his calling to the permanent diaconate ✝️ The importance of not outsourc...

"I remember thinking there is more to life than all of those material things… and his name is Jesus." Revd Nick McKee, Director of Ministry Development for the Church of England, joins us for a special Vocations Sunday episode of Words of Grace. Nick talks about: ✝️ Why vocations matter more than ever ✝️ How every Christian has a vocation ✝️ Sharing his journey from shyness to national leadership...

Ben and Paul introduce this week’s episode, featuring a recording of Revd Dr Simon Cross at Sheffield Cathedral and his talk on ‘Artificial Intelligence and the Purposes of God’ at this year’s Bishop’s Annual Lecture. Simon discusses in his lecture: ✝️ The possible scenarios that could happen if AI advances further ✝️ What AI means for our relationship with God ✝️ The pros and cons of AI for the C...

Hannah Butler, Development Manager for House of Opportunity, is today’s guest on Words of Grace. She talks about: ✝️ The work the group do to prevent human trafficking and exploitation ✝️ Helping at-risk young people in Southeast Europe ✝️ Her calling to Sheffield and Rotherham ✝️ Coming to faith at the age of 3 ✝️ Being part of the worship band at The Rivers Team Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/pr...

The Rt Revd Dr Tim Ellis, Chair of the Diocesan Advisory Committee, and Chris Ellis, Church Buildings Officer, are on Words of Grace today for a special father and son episode. They talk about: ✝️ Why Sheffield is a special place for them both ✝️ Passion for ministry in deprived areas ✝️ How Tim becoming a bishop felt like reconnecting with parish ministry ✝️ How the idea of Church Explorers Week...

"In Jesus, God draws near to wipe away tears. May this annual celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ - and his victory over death and darkness and despair - fill your hearts with joy this Easter". Bishop Pete shares his Easter message of joy and hope. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Emma Johnson, Centenary Project Worker at St John’s Goole, joins Paul and Ben on the podcast today, talking about: ✝️ The impact her nan had on her faith ✝️ How an Alpha course helped to encourage her journey with Jesus ✝️ The Goole community ✝️ Encouraging youth work ✝️ The story of an upside-down bible Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Revd Hannah Hupfield, Associate Archdeacon Transition Enabler (AATE) for Adwick le Street & Snaith & Hatfield, is today’s guest for our 150th episode of Words of Grace. Hannah talks about: ✝️ Her upbringing in Tamworth ✝️ Getting married and preparing for ordination whilst studying at university ✝️ Studying for theological college in Cambridge ✝️ Feeling called to the Diocese of Sheffield...

Beth Henshaw, Focal Minister across Aston, Ulley, and Todwick, joins Ben and guest co-host Graham on the podcast today. Beth talks about: ✝️ Growing up in Aston in a Christian family ✝️ Having ME as a teenager ✝️ Being diagnosed with autism last year and how it helped her understand herself better ✝️ Her passion for learning ✝️ Leading Godly Play and Messy Church Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/pri...

Revd June Fox, Focal Minister for St James Woodhouse, joins Paul and Ben on the podcast today. June discusses: ✝️ Being a ‘distinctive deacon’ and what that means ✝️ Living and working in the same deanery throughout her life ✝️ How a church initiative helped to bring her to faith ✝️ Serving in different church roles across the years ✝️ The best crime thriller series Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/...

Rev Helen Terry and Rev Debbie Coyne-Fearn are our guest hosts for today’s International Women’s Day special. Helen and Debbie interview Charlene and Megan from The Rivers Team congregation, and talk about: ✝️ The women who inspire them ✝️ The women in the bible they’d like to meet ✝️ Charlene and Megan’s parents’ experience of moving from Zimbabwe to the UK ✝️ Experiences of preaching at a young...

Leo Colson, HR Manager for the Diocese of Sheffield, is today’s guest on Words of Grace. Leo talks about: ✝️ The HR support available for parishes ✝️ How to get in touch for any help ✝️Why his current role is the best he’s ever had Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

‘I believe God calls us to change this world and demonstrate the kingdom of God in practical and tangible ways’ The Venerable David Gerrard, Archdeacon for Sheffield and Rotherham, is today’s guest on Words of Grace. David talks about: ✝️ Growing up in a Methodist family in Prestatyn ✝️ Getting married, graduating and starting a new job in a matter of weeks ✝️ Why evangelism and social action must...

Revd Cliff Kay, Rector of Gleadless with Frecheville Parish, joins Paul and Ben on the podcast today. Cliff discusses: ✝️ Growing up in Bradford during a difficult childhood in various houses ✝️ Coming to faith in his teens, but realising God was always with him ✝️ His mum coming to faith later in life ✝️ Knowing when he met his now wife Jane that she was the one ✝️ Sharing his testimonies on his...

Revd Ben Lacey, Assistant Curate at All Saints Ecclesall, is on the Words of Grace podcast today. Ben talks about: ✝️ Growing up in churches around the Diocese of Sheffield ✝️ The importance of unity across traditions ✝️ The tough decisions made in his ordination journey ✝️ The rich experiences he had of teaching in a Catholic school ✝️ How he failed his driving test outside Church House Hosted on...