Words of Grace: Living Hope in the Diocese of Sheffield

‘I woke up one day and realised: acting isn't making me happy, and ministry is.’Revd Rebecca Hare, Curate at Thorpe Hesley and the Cornerstone Mission Area, joins Paul and Ben on the podcast today.Rebecca discusses:✝️ Her earlier career in professional acting✝️ How youth ministry inspired her and led to ordination✝️ The repeated calls she heard to move to Sheffield✝️ Why you should play Dungeons and Dragons

‘”What I really want to do is become a vicar”. I heard those words come out of my mouth...and I just went, “Oh, where did that come from?”’Revd Dr Genevieve Langdon, Sub-Prior of the Community of St Paulinus, is on the Words of Grace podcast today.Genevieve talks about:✝️ Working in blast engineering✝️ Working in Cape Town for 15 years✝️ Being drawn to ordained ministry in the CoE – with no Anglican background✝️ Serving at Sheffield Cathedral and St Leonard’s Arbourthorne

‘There was something in that moment that really changed my whole perspective on life and even my calling.’Revd Steffany Nantes, Curate at St Thomas Crookes, is on the Words of Grace podcast today.Steffany talks about:✝️ Moving from Brazil to Portugal as a child, and the differences in culture there✝️ Growing up in a Pentecostal church✝️ Her passion for intercultural worship✝️ When she felt the presence of the Holy Spirit as a child

‘I turned up that Sunday, and I’ve been back each week ever since.’Hayley Thorne, Centenary Project Funding Officer, is on the Words of Grace podcast today.Hayley talks about:✝️ How faith helped her through grief and loss✝️ A chance step into St Leonard’s being the turning point in her journey✝️ How she was drawn to the Centenary Project✝️ The importance of honest prayer

Today’s Words of Grace episode is a recording of our live podcast special at last week’s Diocesan Conference, featuring The Rt Revd Rhiannon King, Bishop of Southampton, The Rt Revd Dr Pete Wilcox, Bishop of Sheffield, and The Rt Revd Leah Vasey-Saunders, Bishop of Doncaster.The panel talk about:✝️ Leading Your Church into Growth (LYCiG) and practical applications for the Diocese✝️ A Q+A with the audience✝️ Bishop Rhiannon’s faith journey and path to ordination✝️ Positive signs of growth in the Diocese of Sheffield

‘I want what you have - how can you have hope and joy in the middle of everything?’Bob Goody, CEO of Rural Missions, joins Paul and Ben on the podcast today, talking about:✝️ The challenges and opportunities rural churches face✝️ The power of a simple welcome ✝️ A life-changing encounter with Jesus at 16✝️ How small and intentional steps can help with missionPlease note this episode comes with a trigger warning about trauma in childhood and addiction.

"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, grace and honest conversation ✝️ What it means to gather - and be sent out - as one body in Christ

‘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 diverse communities✝️ A heart to make Jesus known in Maltby and Laughton