Welcoming all, Following Jesus, Growing together.
We are a friendly and inclusive church, practising a traditional style and progressive teaching.
We seek to grow in Jesus’ truth through service and bible study.
We seek to grow as a community, coming together in Jesus’ name.
For some years, St Augustine’s has used the ‘strapline’ above, which we hope gives an ‘in a nutshell’ answer to the question of who we are and what we believe. We are a member of Inclusive Church, a network of churches, groups and individuals uniting together around a shared vision:
“We believe in inclusive Church – church which does not discriminate, on any level, on grounds of economic power, gender, mental health, physical ability, race or sexuality. We believe in Church which welcomes and serves all people in the name of Jesus Christ; which is scripturally faithful; which seeks to proclaim the Gospel afresh for each generation; and which, in the power of the Holy Spirit, allows all people to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Jesus Christ.”
Central Mission Partnership
What is the Central Mission Partnership? Mission Partnerships are the Diocese’s policy for developing the Mission and Ministry of parishes at a time of shortage of full time clergy. On average there are only enough paid clergy to provide two for every three parishes. The solution is not to amalgamate parishes (as seems to be the response of Roman Catholic and Methodist churches faced with the same problem) but to find ways of working together. This will be much more than sharing clergy and other ministers. It should lead to learning from each other, combining resources on joint projects, and lending resources of people to parishes which need help. To make this work we will need to get to know the other parishes, through social events, joint services and shared study programmes. As an example, one suggested project that is under development is to organise lunches during the school holidays for the many children who qualify for free lunches during term time. This has been explored by the Children’s Ministers in the Partnership working together.
Most Mission Partnerships will be between two parishes, some for three but ours, the Central Mission Partnership, is for four. Of these perhaps St Peter’s and St Oswald’s is most like St Augustine’s in worship and membership. St Mary’s Bramall Lane, with whom we share our Parish Priest Claire Dawson, is quite different. It is embedded in a thriving Community and Conference centre, serving a multicultural inner city parish. St Andrew’s Psalter Lane is an Anglican/Methodist Partnership currently served by a Methodist Minister. This rich variety of churches should be able to develop our responsibilities for the Church’s Mission and Ministry in this part of Sheffield.
We are fortunate that a Development Worker has been appointed to help develop this potential. She is Catherine Rooker-Brown who lives in the Parish of Woodhouse and until recently worked for the South Yorkshire Workplace Chaplaincy. For the first two years this post is paid for by the Diocese using national development funds.
Mike West 02/01/2017
Groups and projects we have recently supported
Mike, Ashley & Laura carrying logs – helping to raise awareness of the struggles others endure daily. Christian Aid Walk.
S2 Foodbank
Please leave items for the foodbank in the box at the back of the church. The S2 Food Bank is a network of community and faith organisations who have come together to provide food parcels to those in need of food who live in the Sheffield S2 area.
Archer Project
The Archer Project offers help for the homeless and vulnerable.
Haven House
The Haven House Project provides temporary supported accommodation for women and children who find themselves homeless due to domestic abuse.
Christian Aid Christian Aid Walk + collections during Lent.
New to Church? What happens in a service?
Services are usually a little over an hour long, following the pattern given in a seasonal booklet. Most services use the following basic pattern:
- Welcome and opening hymn. At St. Augustine’s we use a mixture of modern and traditional hymns.
- Two readings, from the Old and New Testaments. Followed by a hymn.
- A reading from one of the four Gospels.
- Sermon – a reflection on the readings and/or news relevant to the church.
- Preparation for communion (sharing of bread and wine) and the Peace (usually in the form of shaking hands).
- Communion. This takes place at the altar; people are free to go the altar if they feel ready to do so.
- Sharing of children’s work and notices.
- Thanks, final hymn and blessing.
Morning Prayer services include only two readings and omit communion.
We follow the Common Worship lectionary. A list of readings can be found here (click on the reading to view the Bible text).