Words of Grace: Living Hope in the Diocese of Sheffield

"I really feel God has been so good to me; I’m so thankful the Lord is here and has brought me to Wentworth" Revd Marie Raffay, Priest-in-Charge at Holy Trinity Wentworth, joins Ben and Paul on the Words of Grace podcast. Marie talks about: ✝️ Her own decision to follow Jesus as a student✝️ Reader ministry✝️ Her calling to ordination in Liverpool✝️ Her belief that the church is called to make a difference in the world✝️ Life in Wentworth and how it felt returning home

Heather Waller, Church Army Evangelist in Sheffield, is on the Words of Grace podcast today.Heather discusses:✝️ What drew her to Church Army✝️ When she set up Messy Church in her own home✝️ Faith and Fun sessions at Porter Croft School✝️ Inclusivity with faith and fellowship✝️ Her recent Admitting and Commissioning Ceremony at Sheffield Cathedral

Revd Gina Kalsi, Pioneer Priest at the Attercliffe and Darnall Centre for Mission, joins Ben and Paul on the Words of Grace podcast today.Gina talks about:✝️ Her calling to ordination✝️ Moving to a new area just before lockdown✝️ Attercliffe and Darnall as a Christian community✝️ The afterschool activity for all ages: ‘Church Create’✝️ Working across denominations 

Revd Canon Ian Smith, Rector of St Peter Warmsworth and Oversight Minister for Wadworth with Loversall and Balby, is on the podcast today in one of his last engagements in the Diocese of Sheffield before he moves onto his new role. Ian discusses:✝️ Being a fervent atheist and how that changed at university✝️ When he considered joining a monastic order✝️ Teaching history in Zimbabwe ✝️ Reflecting on serving 22 years in the Diocese of Sheffield✝️ His upcoming role as Team Rector in the Harwich Peninsula 

Revd Phil Batchford, Vicar of Rotherham Minster and St Paul’s Masbrough, and Christine Batchford, Manager of Rotherham Minster’s Social Supermarket, join Ben and Paul on the podcast today.They talk about:✝️ When they first met whilst working in Hong Kong – and how it wasn’t love at first sight!✝️ Phil’s work in alcohol rehab and Christine’s work in speech and language therapy✝️ How social justice has informed what they do✝️ Being influenced by the work of Jackie Pullinger✝️ Rotherham Minster and St Paul's as a focal point for the local community

"It’s important to know that you’re called and that Jesus is with you. It’s wonderfully joyful to serve in this role".The Rt Revd Stephen Race, Bishop of Beverley, is on the Words of Grace podcast today with Ben and guest co-host Fr Andrew Howard, Vicar of St Wilfrid’s Cantley.Speaking on location ahead of St Wilfrid’s recent Patronal Festival, Bishop Stephen talks about:✝️ Growing up in Zimbabwe during the country’s struggle for independence✝️ Living in apartheid regimes and how it formed his sense of racial justice in ministry✝️ Being called to serve in different places across the world✝️ Spending his entire ordained ministry in the north of England✝️ Having an eclectic taste in music

"Faith has given me experiences that I will remember for the rest of my life"Hannah Robinson, Centenary Project Hubs Oversight Worker, joins Ben and Paul on the Words of Grace podcast today.Hannah discusses: Being bullied as a child for being the daughter of a Vicar South Yorkshire being the first place she’s called home Centenary Project helping people during tough times Serving on the PCC from the age of 16 Giving young people a voice and growing the church younger

"Everything changed in my life; I realised at that moment I had had an encounter with God."Revd Dr Hannah Patton, Priest-in-Charge of St John’s Goole, is on the Words of Grace podcast today.Hannah discusses: Processing grief and building each other up The gospel opportunities she had from growing up in a Bed and Breakfast Her experience of a prophetic word when staying with friends in the USA Being ordained in Chelmsford  The Goole community and the faith stories taking place there