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.