Words of Grace: Living Hope in the Diocese of Sheffield

"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 the Anglo-Catholic tradition✝️ Finding a calling at St Matthew’s Carver Street

"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 benefits of group singing🎶 Her vision for building community through music

"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 vision for opening up church✝️ Her heart for hospitality

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 Diocese

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

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

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

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 outsourcing our critical thinking to AI

"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✝️How churches can grow and flourish during vacancy when lay vocations are released ✝️How nothing is wasted by the Lord