Services for District Chair

This summer, we say both goodbye to our current Chair of District, Revd Gill Newton, and welcome our new Chair, Revd Victoria (Vicky) Atkins.

Gill has served the Sheffield District for the past 11 years and has also stepped in to act as Superintendent for a number of Circuits across our region during that time. She also served as President of Conference for 2023-24 whilst District Chair. Gill leaves with our very best wishes, love and prayers as she takes up a new role within Connexion.

Vicky will take up her new post as Chair of the Sheffield District from 1st September 2025 for an initial period of 6 years, subject to the annual stationing of the Conference. She will be leaving her current role as Superintendent Minister of the Calderdale Circuit, in the Yorkshire West District.

To mark these events, the District are holding two services:

District Farewell Service

Sunday 20th July at Greenhill Methodist Church, 3 pm
All are welcome as we say goodbye to the Revd Gill Newton at Greenhill Methodist Church, Sheffield. The preacher will be Deacon Kerry Scarlett, Vice-President of Conference 2023-24. The service will be followed by light refreshments.

District Welcome Service

Sunday, 31st August at Central Methodist Church, 3 pm
All are welcome at the service at Central Methodist Church, Saltergate, Chesterfield,to welcome the new District Chair, Vicky Atkins. The preacher will be Revd Barry Lotz. The service will be followed by light refreshments.
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Reasoned Statement
Nomination for Chair of the Sheffield District
The Revd Vicky Atkins

The Revd Vicky Atkins is currently serving as Superintendent Minister of the Calderdale Circuit. She has previously served as a presbyter in two circuits and as Chaplain to the Woodhouse Grove School; prior to that she was a deacon, serving as a District Mission and Evangelism Enabler and in a circuit diaconal appointment. Before following her call into ministry, Vicky spent time in social work, managing teams of volunteers and prior to this taught art therapy to adults and children – which is something she has continued to utilise in her ministry. Vicky demonstrated to the Chairs' Nominations Committee that she will bring a broad range of skills and a depth of experience in strategic leadership, pastoral care, creativity and oversight to the role of Chair of the Sheffield District.

Recommendation: That the Revd Vicky Atkins be nominated to the Synod/Conference as Chair of the Sheffield District from 1st September 2025 for a period of six years.

Please pray for all who are involved in this discernment and those who would be impacted by this nomination, as they discern God's calling upon their lives and ministry in the coming months.

Rev'd Margaret Mwailu,

Convenor of the Chairs Nomination Committee on behalf of the Sheffield Methodist District Synod