Words of Grace: Living Hope in the Diocese of Sheffield

‘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 go hand in hand✝️ How the calling to his role here came about✝️ Which sci-fi franchise he owns the entire DVD collection of

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 journey to ordination and then SheffieldThis episode comes with a trigger warning due to some of the subjects discussed.

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

‘I just burst into tears – which is not like me at all – and said, “I’ve been running away from God for too long”. I started exploring ordination after that’. Revd Kath Lonsborough, Assistant Curate at St Paul’s Wordsworth Avenue, joins Paul and Ben on the podcast.Kath discusses:✝️ How being confirmed at 11 helped shape her faith in adulthood✝️ Her sense of social justice from a young age✝️ Feeling called to serve at the Parsons Cross foodbank✝️ Her first calling to ordination in 2007 and initially rejecting it✝️ Getting her black belt in martial arts

Revd Helena Roulston, Head of Chaplaincy at Sheffield Hallam University, is on the podcast today.Helena talks about:✝️ Growing up in an inter-church family✝️ Her university thesis on The Eucharist: ‘A Sacrament of unity in a divided church’✝️ Being asked for advice by mainly non-religious students in her current role✝️ The importance of a multi-faith chaplaincy✝️ Training for ordination at Wescott House

‘Very quickly, it made sense. Within a couple of months of reading my bible and praying…I had fallen in love with Jesus’. Revd Mike Gilbert, Associate Archdeacon Transition-Enabler for Ecclesfield and Hallam, is on the podcast today.Mike talks about:✝️ Being drawn back to faith as a teenager✝️ Doing mission work in Hong Kong with Jackie Pullinger✝️ Seeing what brought former triad gang members to faith✝️ Missional challenges and opportunities during his time in Eyam✝️ Serving his curacy in Sheffield

‘It was a real outpouring of the Holy Spirit and we didn’t really know what we were experiencing at that time’Revd Sara Goodman joins Paul and Ben on the podcast today.Sara discusses:✝️ Growing up with Methodist and Anglican services✝️ Teaching in Tanzania and living in Ethiopia✝️ Answering the call to ordination after years of discernment✝️ The love and support she received when she had cancer✝️ Feeling rooted in Sheffield

Rachel Baker, Young Leaders’ Community Enabler, is on the podcast today.Rachel talks about:✝️ Growing up in Bristol ✝️ Helping to release young people into leadership roles in the church✝️ How God called her to Rotherham✝️ Worshipping at St Francis Bramley✝️ The church leaders who inspired her

Explore Part 2 of our 2025 Words of Grace Christmas Special, as Ben is joined by his wife, and guest co-host, Revd Debbie Coyne-Fearn as they journey through Christmas Live with Christ Church Stannington.Hear Ben and Debbie talk about:✝️ How Christmas Live has been going for over 30 years✝️ Their chats with Revd Alison Cook - one of the main organisers✝️ How it draws hundreds of people every year✝️ The cast performing between different locations in one night✝️ Meeting Jo Jo the donkey➡️ sheffdio.org/podcastThis episode is composed of edited highlights of Christmas Live, and not the full evening.Don't forget to catch Part 1 of our 2025 Christmas Special at All Saints Totley!