Over the Easter weekend, Susannah and Jonathan took a few days holiday at Blackpool.  It was very pleasant to have time when we could just relax and not have to do anything.

 We looked at the sights,

 went to chapel at the local Independent Methodist Church, where we were made very welcome, and Susannah had a paddle.

 All too soon it was time to come home again.
During the months from Easter to August, Susannah and Jonathan preached at 15 services in various places.  We attended preachers' fellowship meetings held in the circuit and represented the church at the planning meetings for the circuit events.

The two events planned are:
1) A stall in Norfolk Park over the August Bank Holiday weekend.  We willbe organising children's craft activities, giving out literature and having conversations with people.
2) An evening with Maureen Greaves and Paul Hinton.  This will take place at Sharrow Vale Wesleyan Reform Church, 215 Sharrow Vale Road on 9th October at 7-30p.m.  Maureen will be interviewed by Paul and Paul will then speak.

 At work in the market we held a "Dress as a Superhero Day" in aid of Hallam fm's charity appeal.  Jonathan dressed as Dangermouse, and Susannah chose to dress as a real life superhero, Emily Davison.

 In August, we went to Askham Bryan College to see our son Nathan collect his award and certificate following a year's study of arboriculture.

Autumn 2013, Winter and early 2014

Sorry for the long delay since last posting anything.  Not only is church very busy over Christmas, but our work has also been very busy as the market moved in Sheffield.  After a frantic couple of weeks at the end of November, we are now happily settled at the new Moor Market in Sheffield.    More details are available at our work blog s-and-j-s.blogspot.co.uk
There were over 600 copies of the church Christmas Card to be printed, put into envelopes and distributed round the area.
As well as the church activities detailed in the church blog, there were other events such as the circuit meeting, where Jonathan presented Julia with her certificate to mark 20 years service as a local preacher.

 It is people who respond to God's calling, and serve with dedication such as this who are the bedrock on which our churches are built.
At this meeting, Jonathan came to the end of his two year stint as circuit president, and handed over to the capable hands of Carole Parkinson.
The invitations to the church party were printed and sent out to members, friends and people who have served our fellowship over the last year.
The church meeting met, and so did the Leaders of worship and preachers' fellowship.  Jonathan and Susannah  led the meeting on the theme "Symbols in Worship".
Jonathan represented the church at the funeral of Cedric Cocker, the well-known "Banner Man" of Sheffield, often to be seen in Fargate, and sometimes much further afield across the nation.  He carried a banner to the last.

More details of his witness can be seen at

 http://www.thestar.co.uk/news/tributes-to-jesus-banner-man-cedric-1-6433558 

and an account of his funeral is at

 http://www.thestar.co.uk/news/sheffield-funeral-of-fargate-banner-man-1-6476021

The preacher invited to our circuit evangelistic event in October came to speak at our St. Mary's Church, and we were able to listen to him and find out what his style was.  There will be other meetings to finalise the main event, and also tom plan the stall in Norfolk Park in August.

The President of the Wesleyan Reform Union came to Sheffield in early March.  He attended a meal at our Richmond church and spoke afterwards.  Jonathan and Susannah attended the after dinner part of the event.  The president than came to Mayfield on Sunday and preached on the story of Ruth.

Summer and Early Autumn 2013

Once again, time has been our enemy, and blogging has had to take a back seat.  Over the months there have been hundreds of copies of leaflets made and distributed.  "Summer 2013" and "Autumn 2013" were both distributed to over 600 homes.

Two editions of the newsletter have also been produced and printed.  

Susannah and Jonathan have represented the church at meetings for the circuit outreach events, and all the leaflets were produced for the circuit outreach stall at Sheffield Fayre in Norfolk Park.

The event was a great success, with many conversations being had with people passing by, and many requests for prayer being left with us.  We gave away many leaflets, texts, bibles, tracts and books.

Some of our members found the attractions of the Fayre an added bonus!

There was a circuit meeting at Mayfield in early September, and a meeting to examine the outcome of the outreach events in early October at Hampden View Church.

Over the three months, Susannah and Jonathan preached at 13 appointments, including a visit to Hough Lane Wesleyan Reform Church in Wombwell, where we were sent on the "Connexional Plan".  This an arrangement whereby preachers are asked to volunteer to be at churches where they would not normally visit.

March, April and May 2013

Apologies to our readers, but Susannah and Jonathan have had a busy three months, which has meant that blogging has taken a back seat.  In addition to everything at church, we have closed a business ("Bright and Beautiful", a pet supplies shop on Fulwood Road) and opened a new one ("S and J's Pantry", a stall on ?Sheffield Market selling Traditional, Artisan, Local and Fairly-Traded produce)  If you would like details of the new business, please have a look at http://s-and-j-s.blogspot.co.uk.
In the three months, Susannah and Jonathan have preached at 13 services,

produced and printed two newsletters, a leaflet and several posters.
We have got to church in dreadful weather

We have attended the circuit Good Friday service, two church meetings, a local preachers' fellowship and two planning meetings for the proposed circuit outreach event.  We also cooked for the pie and pea supper at our Owlerton Church,

and attended a concert at Philadelphia.
There were meals, and events to organise,

and the visit of the Union President to Sheffield to cater for at our Philadelphia Church.

February 2013

At the beginning of February Jonathan was busy producing the printing the newsletter ready for the new month.  Susannah was preaching at Mayfield on the 3rd, when she Christened Jasper.  On the 10th, Susannah preached at our Greenhead church and Jonathan preached at Tapton Hill Congregational church at 2-45 in the afternoon.
Jonathan then had to produce about 600 copies of the "Early 2013" leaflet and then he and Susannah had to distribute them round the area before the Lent course started on the 19th.
On the 17th, Jonathan preached at our Philadelphia church and Susannah was again at Greenhead.
On the 24th, Jonathan preached at Mayfield at 10-30a.m., and at Grimesthorpe at 6-15p.m.,  Susannah preached at Tapton Hill Congregational Church at 2-45p.m.
On the 28th, Susannah and Jonathan attended the meeting regarding outreach opportunities for the Sheffield Circuit.  Jonathan chaired the meeting, which was very productive.

January 2013

On January 6th, Jonathan led the covenant Service at Mayfield, and Susannah led the Covenant service at our Greenhead chapel. 
On January 13th, Susannah led worship at Mayfield. 
Susannah led the meeting at Chapeltown Methodist Church in the afternoon of the 17th.  Jonathan attended the cleaning day at Mayfield. 
On the 18th, Susannah went shopping for the food and other bits for the church party on the 19th.  On the 23rd, Susannah and Jonathan attended the funeral of "Mac" Collier, a member of the congregation, which was led by Brian Kay. 
On the 24th, Susannah and Jonathan went to the circuit Preachers and leaders of worship fellowship where Andy Wilcock led our thoughts on "Leading your congregation in prayer".  On the 25th Susannah went to the coffee morning at Greenhead.
The Church AGM was due to be held on the 30th, but we decided to postpone the meeting due to the weather.  It was subsequently rescheduled for the 13th of March.

December 2012

Earlier in the year, we were inspected by the Food Standards department of the Environmental health office at Sheffield Council.  We are proud to say that we have been awarded top marks by the inspector.

Early December started with taking out about 700 Christmas cards to the local area.
On the 6th, Jonathan and Susannah attended the circuit meeting at St. Mary's church.  Jonathan chaired the meeting.
Several visits were necessary to the shops too get the ingredients for the "Five courses and Carols" on Dec. 13th.  Preparation of the meal and property started on Wednesday evening.  After the meal, the property needed getting ready for the Advent carol service, this was done on Friday.
The circuit calendar had to be prepared.  This involved getting people to send pictures of the churches in the circuit and preparing an engagement calendar.  This had to be printed and circulated to church secretaries.
On the 28th, Susannah and Jonathan took their sons to the coffee morning at Greenhead chapel.