Dame Evelyn Glennie, a woman with long white hair stands at the front of a church, demonstrating a percussion instrument to a seated audience, who are listening intently. The setting includes rows of chairs, a wooden floor, and a brick wall with a large illuminated cross. Various percussion instruments are placed on the floor near the presenter, and a banner with text hangs on the wall.

Listening as a radical act: A workshop with Sheffield Methodist District

1 December 2025

The Sheffield Methodist District wanted to explore how listening could deepen worship, strengthen pastoral care, and build more connected and engaged congregations. They partnered with The Evelyn Glennie Foundation to create an immersive experience that reframed listening as a creative and communal act.

What we did

Instead of a traditional training day, we designed an experiential workshop blending sound, silence, conversation, and Scripture-shaped reflection.

Participants (preachers and worship leaders) were invited to rediscover listening as:

A creative, embodied act
A spiritual discipline
A form of recognition and respect
A starting point for richer community life

Through live demonstrations and interactive exercises, Dame Evelyn Glennie illustrated how musicians learn to listen, and how those principles can transform ministry.

Outcomes from the day

Evelyn’s session offered a rich, immersive journey into sound and presence. Through a series of demonstrations, metaphors and creative exercises, she illustrated how musicians learn to listen — and how those same principles can deepen our listening to others.

By the end of the workshop, participants had reflected on their own listening habits, identified barriers to attentiveness, and explored how space and environment shape presence and care. They experienced listening through music and sound and discovered parallels between musical and spiritual listening.

Impact

The workshop inspired a shift in perspective: listening was no longer seen as passive but as an intentional, radical act of love, with the power to break routines open.

Leaders committed to integrating listening pauses into worship, encouraging congregational participation, and celebrating listening as a core value.

This collaboration demonstrated how listening can transform not only individual relationships but entire communities. We are extremely grateful to the Sheffield Methodist District for hosting this session and for engaging so openly with the exploration. We look forward to supporting the ongoing journey of building a culture of listening across the district.

Dame Evelyn Glennie, a woman with long white hair stands at the front of a church, demonstrating a percussion instrument to a seated audience. The setting includes rows of chairs, a wooden floor, and a brick wall with a large illuminated cross. — Dame Evelyn Glennie playing one of the instruments from The Collection during the workshop with Sheffield Methodist District.

By partnering with the Foundation, organisations can:

Reimagine listening as a leadership skill and spiritual practice
Equip teams with creative, practical tools for deeper engagement
Create cultures where people feel truly heard and valued

Ready to start your own listening journey?

Partner with us for workshops, resources, and creative collaborations that transform communities through the power of listening. Get in touch.