Words of Grace: Living Hope in the Diocese of Sheffield

Beth Henshaw, Focal Minister across Aston, Ulley, and Todwick, joins Ben and guest co-host Graham on the podcast today.Beth talks about:✝️ Growing up in Aston in a Christian family✝️ Having ME as a teenager✝️ Being diagnosed with autism last year and how it helped her understand herself better✝️ Her passion for learning✝️ Leading Godly Play and Messy Church

Revd June Fox, Focal Minister for St James Woodhouse, joins Paul and Ben on the podcast today.June discusses:✝️ Being a ‘distinctive deacon’ and what that means✝️ Living and working in the same deanery throughout her life✝️ How a church initiative helped to bring her to faith✝️ Serving in different church roles across the years✝️ The best crime thriller series

Rev Helen Terry and Rev Debbie Coyne-Fearn are our guest hosts for today’s International Women’s Day special. Helen and Debbie interview Charlene and Megan from The Rivers Team congregation, and talk about:✝️ The women who inspire them✝️ The women in the bible they’d like to meet✝️ Charlene and Megan’s parents’ experience of moving from Zimbabwe to the UK✝️ Experiences of preaching at a young age✝️ Encouraging other women

Leo Colson, HR Manager for the Diocese of Sheffield, is today’s guest on Words of Grace.Leo talks about:✝️ The HR support available for parishes ✝️ How to get in touch for any help✝️Why his current role is the best he’s ever had

‘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