Words of Grace: Living Hope in the Diocese of Sheffield

"There is a sense of call towards this particular role in the Cathedral. The opportunities are there for reaching so many people – Christians and non-Christians. You’re there for people of the whole community." Dean of Sheffield Cathedral, the Very Revd Abi Thompson, joins Ben and Paul on the podcast today. Abi talks about: ✝️Not growing up in a Christian household ✝️Her career in music and how it...

"Listening to the voices that we don’t always listen to is what Jesus wanted us to do and is what Jesus did. If we ignore those small voices we are missing out on something that God is saying." Church in School Learning Hub Leader Elise Deput is on Words of Grace this week, talking about: ✝️Faith taking on a new dimension during stages of her life ✝️Spells of doubt in her faith journey ✝️The impor...

We’re joined by special guests for our Vocations Special, ahead of Vocations Sunday on the 21st April. Returning to the podcast is Director of Vocations Dan Christian, alongside Reader in training Julie Sandoval and Ministry Experience Scheme candidates Rowan Ireland and Jade Tyrer. The group talk to Ben and Paul about: ✝️Their individual faith journeys ✝️Their different callings and how they were...

"For a long time, I believed the lie that you have to put on a brave face and put on the perfect picture – but that’s not true. The only way we can deal with mess is to get it out into the open" Priest-in-Charge of St Francis Bramley and St Leonard’s Thrybergh – Revd Helen Terry – is on the podcast this week. Helen discusses: ✝️Being born and bred in South Yorkshire and what the Diocese means to h...

"Jesus transformed my life. It came clear to me during a time of trouble that God is with me. Peace just got bigger and more overwhelming." Christians Against Poverty Senior PR Officer Joe Beardsall is on the Words of Grace podcast this week. Joe talks about: ✝️His background in broadcast journalism and radio ✝️The work Christians Against Poverty is doing in helping people across Yorkshire ✝️Overc...

Today we are discussing Part 2 of the Easter Special on Words of Grace, looking at topics such as: ·      Is the resurrection historically credible? Does it matter if it isn’t? ·      Do you have to believe that Jesus physically rose from the dead and that the tomb was empty? ·      What does Easter tell us a...

For Part 1 of our Easter Specials we are joined by: ✝️The Revd Canon Toby Hole, Director of Mission and Ministry at the Diocese of Sheffield ✝️Dr Daniel McGinnis, Principal of St Hild College and currently in ordination training at All Saints Ecclesall ✝️The Revd Dr Beth Keith, Associate Vicar and Liberal Theologian at St Mark’s Broomhill and Broomhall The roundtable discussion focuses on Good Fri...

"There’s been a real joy in seeing an increased youth presence, and that sense that we’re an all age family again" Priest in Charge of Christ Church Stannington, Revd Nick Lattimer, is our guest on the Words of Grace podcast this week. Nick talks about: ✝️ What brought him to Sheffield in 2023 ✝️ How a church graft to Stannington has been going – one year on ✝️ How a trip to Brazil as a student he...

"I love the whole Diocese of Sheffield. On a Sunday I get to be here, there and everywhere, and everywhere I go, I’m learning all these new places and enjoying meeting new people." The Revd Harry Steele, Chaplain to the Bishop of Sheffield, is on the podcast this week. Harry discusses: ✝️ His Pentecostal background and initial scepticism about the CoE ✝️ The importance of Holy Communion and sacram...

The Words of Grace podcast today features The Revd Dr Casey Strine, Minor Canon Theologian at Sheffield Cathedral. Casey talks about: ✝️ Moving to the UK in 2007 from Ohio and to Sheffield in 2013 ✝️ Sheffield Cathedral as a welcoming space for all ✝️ The importance of inter-faith dialogue ✝️ His training as a biblical scholar and historian ✝️ Why he’s stayed in Sheffield and what he loves about t...

We’re delighted to have our Lights for Christ Enabler Hannah Sandoval hosting today’s episode, speaking to Revd Beki Otieno - Associate Minister at the Wadsley and Malin Bridge Benefices. Beki talks to Hannah about: ✝️ Beki’s calling to teaching and ministry ✝️ Praying with young people in her various roles ✝️ Balancing self-supported ministry with children’s work across the diocese ✝️ Being a Lig...

We’re delighted to welcome Ben, Ami and Megane from the St Mary’s Bramall Lane youth group onto the podcast this week. The group discuss: ✝️ Leading workshops at Breathe Deep and other events ✝️ Building each other up in faith ✝️ Asking questions about Christianity and responding to others ✝️ How to make services engaging for young people ✝️ What the Diocese can do to encourage young people Hosted...

"We’ve always said about Centenary Project that it’s a family. The CP family really came through for me. "I’m in a job where I can talk about Jesus all day, every day – and it’s great!" Centenary Project Worker Dave Ludbrook is our guest on the Words of Grace podcast this week. Dave talks about: ✝️ Growing up in Sheffield ✝️ His calling to youth work ✝️ The importance of the Centenary Project in t...

"We always carry that tension of tragedy and triumph with us, and Arise is no different – you see that in our city as we’re walking and praying" CEO of Together for Sheffield and Arise Sheffield, Ben Woollard, is on the Words of Grace podcast this week - talking about: ✝️ Arise:March and prayer-walking across Sheffield ✝️ Volunteering as a chaplain in HMP Doncaster ✝️ Sharing the love and friendsh...

"What I see in the Diocese of Sheffield is a Diocese that is asking the right questions, not ducking them. I believe I have a lot to learn from the Diocese of Sheffield."   The Most Reverend and Right Honourable Stephen Cottrell, Archbishop of York, is our guest on Words of Grace this week.   Archbishop Stephen talks about:   ✝️ Not coming from a faith background ✝️ The new Faith in...

"I had this call from God. It was almost like I was in a dark room – and someone lit a candle. The room lit up and something was different." Revd Canon Adam Priestley, Oversight Minister for the Resurrection Doncaster, joins the Words of Grace podcast this week. Adam talks about: ✝️ The huge change in his life that brought him to faith in his mid-twenties ✝️ How God turned his life around followin...

“What gets me out of bed in the morning is wanting to help people who haven’t heard – or don’t know about – Jesus; to come into a living relationship with him.” The Vicar of St Thomas Kilnhurst, Revd Andy Brewerton, joins Paul and Ben on the podcast. Andy discusses: ✝️ Coming to faith whilst attending a small group at his local church ✝️ Doing a course in broadcast engineering ✝️ Working in engine...

“Those little conversations can lead to something which ignites. You think ‘God’s at work here.’ It’s such a wonderful process to be a part of.” Christine Gore is on the Words of Grace podcast this week. Christine talks about: ✝️ Studying Biological Sciences with Honours in Genetics at the University of Edinburgh, followed by a PhD in Genetics at the University of Glasgow. ✝️ Serving as a Student...

“It’s a moral question. As a person of faith, you bring that determination that there’s a bigger picture; that you’re doing this with the help of God.” Diocesan Environment Officer Dr Cathy Rhodes is on the Words of Grace podcast this week. Cathy discusses: ✝️ Her childhood years in Iran, where her father was a CMS missionary doctor ✝️ Her calling to social activism and medicine, including work as...

“I just felt this incredible peace and joy come over me. It was like all my cares and worries had been picked up and thrown away. I couldn’t explain it.” The Revd Chris Stebbing, Associate Archdeacon Transition Enabler for Attercliffe and Ecclesall, joins Paul and Ben on the podcast today. He talks about: ✝️ Coming to faith whilst studying engineering in Cambridge ✝️ His journey through ordination...

What are some of the best Christmas films? What Christmas song do you have to listen to every year? Is there a staple of Christmas lunch which always has to be included? Ben and Paul gather colleagues and friends at Diocesan Church House over mince pies and festive treats to discuss these questions and more for the Words of Grace Christmas Special. Disclaimer: opinions on Christmas films, songs an...

"It opened the doors for people to talk about mental health, which I think is really important. No one who gets stressed, or has anxiety, is ever a failure". Team Rector at Great Snaith, The Revd Canon Eleanor Robertshaw, joins Paul and Ben on the podcast today. She talks about: ✝️ Her Yorkshire heritage and journey to faith ✝️ Her teaching background ✝️ Her passion for encouraging curates ✝️ Ment...

"Things were different. My body was different and that was it; God had healed me." Revd Chris Low is our guest on the podcast this week. She talks about: ✝️ Serving in North Devon, the Diocese of Bradford and the Diocese of Sheffield ✝️ Being involved with Soroptimist International, a women’s service organisation dedicated to empowering women ✝️ Healing ministry and her journey with Multiple Scler...

"I think I know how God’s going to answer a prayer, but then God answers it in a different way that blows my mind – that happens quite a lot." Centenary Project Mentor Steph Darbyshire is on the Words of Grace podcast this week. She talks about: ✝️ The power of prayer and praying for others ✝️ Wearing and sharing her faith openly ✝️ The role of the Centenary Project in encouraging youth ✝️ Worship...

"If our theology isn’t helping us to love better, we’ve got something wrong. The theology that leads us to loving God, others and ourselves in a more Christ-like and holy way is important." Principal of St Hild College Dr Daniel McGinnis is on today’s podcast talking about: ✝️ Going through the ordination process and exploring theology further ✝️ What called him and his family to Sheffield from Te...