Christmas Greetings from the Simms Family

As it's Christmas Eve, and we've still not got around to sorting out the cards for this year, here's a brief summary of our family's activities over the past year, which comes with our best wishes for a blessed Christmas and our hopes that 2014 will be a great year for you and yours.

The logo of the new Sheffield Circuit

Work-wise 2013 has been a year of consolidation and change. Life in the churches that John looks after continues to provide routine and surprises, and it was a great joy recently to bring 7 new people into membership, including two who have come into the life of the church through Toddler Group & Messy Church. Church life is now lived on a slightly bigger canvas, as the eight Sheffield circuits merged in September to  become one mega-circuit, and this has meant that John is seeing a lot more of the city than hitherto. So far it seems to be going well.

Crouton - oh yes it is!

John also made his debut in the Walkley Ebenezer pantomime in February (oh yes he did!) playing Crouton the head dough-boy in 'Beauty & the Beast', and is currently in rehearsal for the role of Grizelda the Witch in next year's production.

This year John & Jude celebrated their Silver Wedding in April with a meal at the Michelin-starred 'Old Vicarage' and then an 11-day cruise to the Canary Islands - both were fabulous!

This is our 'official' Silver Wedding portrait, taken on board the Cruise Ship.

 We've worn well, I think!


Jude finished work in September, as her job disappeared with the merger of the circuits, but continues to study for her degree in English at Sheffield Hallam University. She continues to write as well, and has just been awarded second prize in the International Rubery Book Awards Short Story competition: needless to say she (and all of us) was delighted! The anthology of the short-listed stories will be published early next year.

Mike on stage

James in Cymbeline

Mike continues to work as a barrister barista at the local Costa, as well as being involved in church life and writing and performing his music. He leads worship regularly, and was involved in a Mission Trip to Sicily earlier in the year. James completed his BTec in Drama at Norton College with a Distinction, and is now embarking on a Foundation Degree in Drama at the same college. He has performed in 'Macbeth', 'Cymbeline', 'How Many Miles to Basra' & 'Guys & Dolls', all of which were excellent (but then we would say that, wouldn't we).


Once again, we hope you have a great Christmas and a peaceful and prosperous new year!