Do read to the end, not all new notices are at the beginning! 😊    

CANDLEMAS 2020 Each week we invite you to light a candle as the service begins. At Candlemas we invite you to bring your old Christmas candles to church and receive a new candle as a symbol of the light of Christ. This Sunday at the 10am Service, you are invited to light your leftover candles at home and we will bless one of your candles which you could light in the weeks to come… 

LENT 2021  This year’s Lent groups with all be on Zoom. We are using some excellent material from USPG (2020) celebrating the diversity of the church and challenging us about how this relates to our local situation. The course is entitled Living with a World of Difference. If you are interested in taking part, please send an email to Sarah Rousseau, [email protected], letting us know, and also indicating the times of day and days of the week when you would be available. Thanks to everyone who has given their availability, if you haven’t done so yet please email the office BEFORE TUESDAY 2nd FEBRUARY. 

We’ll let you know which group you’re in at the beginning of February. You can access the material by following this link to the Study and Learning menu on the church website https://stmarkssheffield.co.uk/lent-2021/. If you are asking for a printed copy please make sure you ask for the 2020 Lent Course, Living with a world of difference. John Schofield 

CREATIVE PRAYER SUNDAY  Join us via zoom on Sun 31 January at 4pm to explore creative prayer ideas in our own homes. All ages very welcome. Short liturgy plus time to chat will be included! Look out for the Zoom Code in the Friday email.  Jen Ryder 

NEWS FROM ST ANDREW’S URC It is with sadness that we heard that James Dickson died in the early hours of Tuesday morning.  James and Jean have been key members of St Andrews and close friends of St Mark’s through Church Together.  We hold Jean and all our friends at St Andrews in our thoughts and prayers at this time. The funeral will take place on Friday 12 February at 1.30pm. The service will be webcast. If you would like to have the link please let me know. Sue 

NEW CLERGY APPOINTMENT For the last few months the PCC have been working on our next steps forward as a church community, and have come to two decisions. 

First, to appoint a new member of clergy to complement our team. The role will be advertised as ‘Liberal Theologian’ and experienced priest, to emphasise that we are seeking someone who is a good communicator in the Liberal Theological tradition, and also able to support Sunday services and occasional offices.  We are offering the house in Betjeman Gardens and a part time stipend. The advertisement will appear in the Church Times for the first time on Friday January 29th, both digitally and in print. 

Second, PCC have appointed a Strategy Working Group to focus on St Marks strategy for the next few years. The group will be small enough to work effectively, but with representation from the different parts of our community. It will be chaired by an external consultant. 

These are two important and exciting initiatives.  Please hold both of these in your prayers over the next few weeks, and if you are aware of someone who might be just the right person for the role of Liberal Theologian at St Marks, please will you bring the advert to their attention.  Thank you. Pat Hunt & James Oliver 

SACRISTAN HELP I’m going on placement to St John’s Ranmoor for sixth months from Ash Wednesday. Would someone like to take on the roll of sacristan whilst I’m away? You need to be in Sheffield until September and available to come into church weekly (but that can be discussed!). I’ll provide support throughout my time away so you won’t be on your own and will brief you fully before you start. If you’re interested please send me an email ([email protected]) or contact the office. Lu Skerratt 

FAIRTRADE FORTNIGHT 22 February to 7 March 2021 For two weeks each year thousands of individuals, companies and groups across the UK come together to share the stories of the people who grow our food and drinks, and who grow the cotton in our clothes, people who are often exploited and underpaid. Please get involved and look at the Fairtrade website www.fairtrade.org.uk But don’t wait til then Valentines Day is coming SOON and must be an excuse for buying someone a bunch of Fairtrade roses from www.Arenaflowers.com one of the only 2 Fairtrade florists in UK. Go for Letterbox Fairtrade roses or buy from Sainsbury’s or Aldi who have a few flowers with the Fairtrade mark. Fairtrade wine available Sainsbury’s, Waitrose , Morrisons and Coop, and chocolate from Good Taste in Broomhill currently online www.goodtaste.org.uk due to Covid. Divine chocolate Tony’s Chocolonely and Choc Affair some of these also in local supermarkets. Dilys Noble 

NEW SCM GROUP The young adults are excited to be starting a new Student Christian Movement group at St Mark’s. This group will meet on the 3rd Sunday of each month at 4pm over Zoom and is open to anyone who is interested in taking part. Contact [email protected] for Zoom details. Young Adults’ Core Team 

CHRISTIAN CONTEMPLATIVE PRAYER AND MEDITATION – If you are seeking a safe space to meet in silence and be still with God, have you considered JULIAN PRAYER? During lockdown we are an e-mail based group which offers a weekly e-mail with a short reading or reflection which you can use as you wish to aid a period of silent or contemplative prayer. Once lockdown ends and it is safe to gather again, we will meet in church on a Monday evening at 6.30 pm. If you would like to integrate this form of prayer into your lifestyle, please e-mail or phone [email protected] Tel 07598 156817 Shan

NEW ADDRESS Roy and Beryl Barry’s family have been in touch to say that they have both moved and are now in a care home together and would be delighted to hear from St Mark’s friends. Their new address is: Troutbeck Care Home, Crossbeck Road, Ilkley, LS29 9PJ.  Briony and Shan. 

FRIENDSHIP CLUB Issue 12 of “Let’s Connect”, the club newsletter, is NOW out. It’s a New Year number, full of interest, information and fun, and is edited by Carol Rowe. If you would like to receive a copy, please tell Sarah in the church office. Rosalind 

MARK’S MESSENGER The Messenger has worked well for most people as a virtual paper in lockdown. While we are continuing to produce print copies for those who need them – and for visitors and casual readers when lockdown is over – we have decided that in future most subscribers will continue to receive it by e-mail. If you are NOT on the subscriber list but would like to receive it, please email Sarah Rousseau at the office and she will add you to it.  We will continue to offer the Messenger free of charge – but do consider making a donation (again, contact the office) – it’s an important part of our life as a community. Frances Gray 

ST MARKS WEBSITE Can you help? It would be really great to have some help with putting content (prewritten) on the website – I’d be happy to teach you how (via Zoom).  Please contact me if you’re interested in knowing more. Sarah R 

PHILIP’S EMAIL ADDRESS I am no longer using the email address [email protected] But if you want to get in contact with me, you can use my other account, [email protected] Philip Booth. 

ST MARKS LIBRARY – did you know that you can view the library catalogue online? And if you’d like to order a book to be sent to you (cost £3) please contact the office. Check out the Library page of the website for more information. Sarah R 

RENT FREE Two bedroom flat in Walkley available from next month. No rent needed, the only requirement is for you to cover your bills. More details from [email protected] or 07506277658. Gary Grief

QUIET PRAYER or “HOME COMMUNION” IN ST MARK’S We are pleased that individuals (& households) are still able to attend pre-booked quiet time in St Mark’s. Please contact the office and suggest your availability.  An email will be sent outlining the necessary precautions. ([email protected]). Sarah R    

WE ARE PRAYING FOR YOU – Each week during morning and evening prayer, the clergy and pastoral care team pray for each one of you. If you have a specific prayer request for the pastoral care team or for intercessions at services, please let us know by e-mailing [email protected],co.uk or by contacting one of the clergy. Specific requests will remain on the intercessory prayer list for 4 weeks. If there is a need for the request to remain in the prayers for longer, please have a conversation with one of the clergy team. Thank you. Shan        

BROOMHILL COMMUNITY LIBRARY NEWS We are delighted to have been chosen as one of the Co-op’s local causes in this round, which runs from now until 23rd October 2021. We shall be featured in Crookes, Broad Lane and Clarkson Street Co-op stores. However, you can shop at any Co-op and contribute to our cause. You can also encourage your friends and relatives anywhere in the country to nominate BCL as their cause too, by going to our dedicated page. We are currently open for order and collect – and really looking forward to be allowed to offer browsing and computer use – we will do that as soon as we can, in line with government guidance. Kathy Harbord 

Helen Cottrell has been out walking, and finding joy in the countryside – she’s sent some lovely photos.

On some very wet, soggy, and frankly miserable days, I’ve been looking out for fungi and moss when I’m out walking  – I know nothing about them, so can’t identify them, but it’s good to see some new growth and colour.

If you’d like to share some photos from your walks please send to the office.