A quick update from the Hawthorne household.

A quick update from the Hawthorne household. I'm short of time so it will have to be quick!

Family

We're are all well which is a great blessing. Helen is well settled in now as a Lunchtime Assistant at school. Rebekah has told her friends, "That's not 'Miss'. That's my mummy". So all Rebekah's friends call her Rebekah's Mum! We've just had parents' evenings and the kids are all doing well. Reuben especially academically is nearly two years ahead of the national average in all his subjects. They have a good group of friends each too. Joshua is about to take his Year 6 SATs. The school are putting him in for an extended maths paper, so we will see how he gets on with that.

We spent bank holiday Monday with Helen's parents in Kent. It was a lovely sunny day so ice cream definitely in order. They were both in fine form too.

(If you like the dress Helen is wearing ask her - she made it herself!)

Meanwhile I've had a birthday recently. 37 seems a lot older than 36 for some reason. I don't feel especially wiser but I do feel a little creekier! As usual Helen invited a whole bunch of people over, and some of our friends from church got together to buy me a Kindle. Most appreciated!

Church

Church continues to be a blessing. There are a few new faces about as ever. We've begun a Christianity Explored course on a Sunday evening as part of our Connected series. We've been a little disappointed that not more people have come, but delighted with the few who have. 

Meanwhile our morning series is in the book of Romans. Some of the audio from the sermons is up on our website: www.sjwrbc.org

The website is having an overhaul at the moment, so watch this space. The new one is coming together bit by bit.

Church Anniversary

This year is the church's 187th anniversary. We would love to see you if you are able to meet with us on Saturday 25th May, from 2pm-4pm for a Thanksgiving reception with Geoff Gobbett speaking. You would also be welcome to join us on Sunday 26th May for our Anniversary Service, "Church; It's Not What It Seems" with Dick Lucas preaching for us.

Please do pray for us. Pray that our love would abound in knowledge and depth of insight. And praise God for his continuing faithfulness over such a long time.