Belief, No Belief, Religious Life Centre—Shef Uni

Congratulations to all of our new students, we are so excited to welcome you in a few weeks! 🎉

If you didn’t get what you wanted, or today didn’t go as planned, please know it’s not the end and there are so many opportunities out there waiting for you. And it’s also okay not to know what you’re doing or have a plan yet 💜

Congratulations to all those who've secured a place to study at the University of Sheffield, including those who will be arriving this September!

We've got a wide range of welcome events lined up, including Mindfulness Walks on campus, a Peak District Walk and various belief-specific activities.

They're listed here: sheffield.ac.uk/bnbr-life-centre/events/orientation-welcome

Our team members Ameena Blake and Patsy Cunningham spoke at a women's event along with women from local communities, South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard, South Yorkshire Police and Sheffield City Council members.

The event was organised as a result of the recent racist and Islamophobic riots and anti migrant violence across the region. It focused on the themes of strength, hope and women's voices and was well received by all.

In the first photo Ameena, our Muslim Chaplain, is on the right and Patsy, our Jewish Advisor, is on the left.

Members of The University of Sheffield community with concerns about the national disruption and riots are welcome to use our Listening Ear Service.

Open to students and staff, this can be in the form of an in-person or online meeting with a Chaplain.

Please email [email protected]

Our snapshots of 2023-24 📸

1⃣Welcoming new students
2⃣Team members at Activities Fair
3⃣Inter Faith Week
4⃣Islamophobia Awareness Month
5⃣University Carol Service
6⃣Peak District walks
7⃣International Women's Day
8⃣Stalls in Students' Union
9⃣Temporary move to 9 Mappin Street

The University of Sheffield
University of Sheffield Students
Sheffield Students' Union
University of Sheffield Alumni

📢 Calling Postgraduate Research Students: Join us and PGR Connect on Friday!

We'll go by train to the Peaks. The cost of the train ticket is £5.60, or less with a railcard.

If the cost is difficult, please email [email protected]

Sign-up form: http://forms.gle/JJQkSMHeQJk3dFXN9

University of Sheffield Students

🌟We've temporarily relocated to 9 Mappin Street!🌟

You're very welcome to visit us here.☕️

We're on Floor 2 for the summer period. The postcode is S1 4DT.🗺️

Full info: https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vTcYioqnCMtGGt03LmSkuW1wUZkrmObypX9Ng12BqRKubToV8EjGeEwb6DRHq55jZc-sH05q8gXaC0z/pub

Google Maps: https://google.com/maps/place/9+Mappin+St,+Sheffield+City+Centre,+Sheffield+S1+4DT/@53.3812536,-1.4800937,19.25z/data=!4m6!3m5!1s0x4879827f81d87b45:0x9a81090cf86cba1c!8m2!3d53.3812801!4d-1.479387!16s%2Fg%2F11dzsf1fqs?entry=ttu

The University of Sheffield
University of Sheffield Students
Sheffield Students' Union

Student Christian Movement conference: Inner Peace & Outer Pacifism➡️movement.org.uk/civicrm/event/info?id=116&reset=1

Sat 22 Jun, 11am-5.15pm, Central London. Tickets £30.

To help cover ticket & travel costs, University of Sheffield Students can apply for Christian Residential Experience Grants.➡️ http://students.sheffield.ac.uk/bnbr-life-centre/grants

As the next 3 weeks is exam season, we're taking part in the university's Stress Busters programme.🙂

Check out our events, plus others things that may interest you in our latest e-news: http://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vRWo5EGdx-4e5nqTT8kBBKNBp0SPkixWi9iiIMmJMSem1CKPbLLKeL3OgJPpQKRflzHA7NgCoYmF7OE/pub

The full Stress Busters programme is here: http://su.sheffield.ac.uk/events/giag

All the best to those with exams and/or deadlines!

University of Sheffield Students
The University of Sheffield
Sheffield Students' Union

The next Good Grief! group begins on Tuesday 21 May, 12.30-1.30pm.

Good Grief! is a peer support group for students who would like to share their experience of loss or bereavement with others in a similar position.

Express interest in joining: https://forms.gle/VgUL75XGpuiqBfew7

Join us for a walk in the Peak District from Bamford to Ladybower Reservoir and back.

It's on the morning of Friday 3 May.

Full details & sign-up: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfXHKLLaKWKhnhAJpL0lM_cI0c3dhOiIUo_gfoEOFCfYmaPkQ/viewform

Eid Mubarak to all those celebrating!

The University of Sheffield
University of Sheffield Students
Sheffield Students' Union
University of Sheffield Alumni

Eid Mubarak to all our staff, students and community who celebrate! 🎉

Students of any belief or no belief are welcome on these trips, which are heavily subsidised.

To those who celebrate, Happy Easter holidays! 🍫🐣🌸

Our Muslim Chaplain Ustadha Ameena Blake took part in a
university-wide event on .

Here she is giving a talk about and .

Why not join Shelley this Thursday? 🧶

We've taken many students of any or no belief to Community of the Resurrection. All seemed to enjoy the experience!

Experience life at a monastery on one of our 24-hour trips!

Enjoy the peace and tranquillity of the Community of the Resurrection, which is set in beautiful countryside.

More info via linktr.ee/shefchristian.

All current University of Sheffield Students are welcome!

Welcome to our March e-news!

As has recently started, we offer advice about how you can support students and staff during this time.

There's also details of a Peak District walk, and two student trips to a monastery near Leeds.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vSyiUf5LNFH4tSyQYGh9LpoqVPD-SMOHiuPDy4C5O1D4I2T85RcoDRZtoFOJKpA3q0EI0ewKu6VXnsg/pub?urp=gmail_link

University of Sheffield Students
Sheffield Students' Union

Today our stall in Sheffield Students' Union had a theme!

Our Muslim Chaplain Ustadha Ameena Blake (pictured) has written this information and advice about Ramadan: https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vQZaRlO-ztbmKJ1OY6jFsB5ePd9OUsoXFzfzUc41kI4oBk80Y9NlxUZNk70Yp8toyFai79b82gHut4W/pub

The University of Sheffield
University of Sheffield Students

***Supporting Muslim students and staff during Ramadan***

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, which is based on the lunar cycle, and begins with the sighting of the new crescent moon. It is believed that during this month Allah (God) revealed the first verses of the Quran, Islam’s sacred text, to Prophet Mohammed more than 1,400 years ago.

This year, Ramadan will begin on the evening of Sunday 10 March and will come to an end on Tuesday 9 April, lasting for 30 days.

How is Ramadan observed?

Ramadan is observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting, prayer, reflection and community. Fasting for Muslims has two requirements: the abstinence of food, drink, intimacy and smoking, as well as reducing negative behaviour and increasing positive deeds and charity.

Children under the age of puberty, and adults who are either unwell, have very physical jobs or are pregnant/ breastfeeding do not have to fast. They can make their fasts up at a later time. Fasting is not meant to place hardship or harm on people.

During the month, observing Muslims wake up before sunrise to have a pre-fasting meal, or Suhoor, and break their fast with a post-sunset meal, or Iftar.

Fasting in Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam, along with the declaration of belief in the One God (Allah in Arabic), the daily prayers, zakat (giving to charity) and Hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah).

Alongside fasting, observing Muslims also perform the compulsory five prayers each day. Following Iftar, many gather after nightfall in the mosque for taraweeh, the special communal prayer. Reading or listening to the recitations of the Quran is also encouraged.

How can I support Muslim students and staff?

Generally, Muslims are happy to navigate through the month of Ramadan themselves and have very few requirements. However, there are a few things we can consider for our students and colleagues:

1. Avoid scheduling meetings at Iftar (breaking fast) time, between 5 and 7pm.

2. During lecture or work time, colleagues and students may require comfort breaks of around 15-20 minutes each for afternoon prayers.

3. Students and staff may be tired due to staying up for night prayers so may ask for slightly later start times as a result.

Generally, during fasting Muslims should be able to carry on as usual, schedule-wise. However, if any queries come up, contact the University's Muslim Chaplain Ustadha Ameena Blake for a chat and guidance. https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/bnbr-life-centre/muslim

Our Religion & Belief Tandem Learning programme is up and running again, with several people paired.😀

It's a form of autonomous learning where students and staff participate in structured conversations on a range of issues relating to ethics and belief.

https://students.sheffield.ac.uk/bnbr-life-centre/tandem-learning

Lovely group of Postgrad Research Students for a walk from Grindleford to Hathersage in the Peak District!

No put off by lots of mud, we made it to Hathersage for a tasty café lunch.😋

As ever it was great to collaborate with the wider Student Equality, Diversity & Inclusion team.

University of Sheffield Students
The University of Sheffield

'Sharing the Christian Story: Why Public Witness Matters'

Next Monday The University of Sheffield is hosting the Bishop of Sheffield's annual lecture.

This year's guest speaker is Bishop Graham Tomlin.

Mon 26 Feb 7.30-9pm, the Diamond building (pictured) lecture theatre 7.

http://sheffield.anglican.org/event/the-bishop-of-sheffields-annual-lecture-2024-2/

We’re co-leading this walk for Postgrad Research Students (PGRs).😁

As part of Student Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, we offer several walks a semester. While they are normally open to all University of Sheffield Students, this one is only for PGRs.

Info & sign-up: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfXHKLLaKWKhnhAJpL0lM_cI0c3dhOiIUo_gfoEOFCfYmaPkQ/viewform