See Also...

Tim and Jo move to Bristol

As most people know we are leaving Wharfedale Vineyard and moving to Bristol, but we just wanted to drop a note to say thank you before we go.

Tim and I joined Wharfedale in the autumn of 2005. It had been a rough few months before. We had been trying for a baby, had several miscarriages and our church had closed down six months before. We ended up joining Wharfedale on recommendation from Mark Saxby. I remember asking, "But isn't that the posh church?" He had just joined from North Leeds Vineyard said we could join him in lowering the tone!

Wharfedale was in fact a compromise, Tim didn't want to go to church at all and I wanted to go somewhere before the baby came. Since the Vineyard only met once a month it fitted both of our agendas.

Fast forward four years and we're all gutted to be leaving. We found the Vineyard a place of great safety, healing and peace. Being allowed to 'not agree' with everything, thinking and questioning space through groups such as 'Thinking Aloud' have been really key. I've really appreciated the Women Rock events. Inherent prejudices kept me away from for the first year. I remember Birgit inviting me and I replied, "That's the kind of thing my Mum goes to." Women Rock has been great though, a really safe space and a really supportive group.

The kids have loved their activities, after the carol service last year, when we had sat through the whole hour and as it finished Kezzie turned round to me and said, "Is it time for Jumping Beans now?" Tim has really enjoyed the Bob's activities, our housegroup(s) have been great.

We've got so many great memories, the Funky Bunch weekend away was great fun although we were exhausted when we got home! I also love the family (if chaotic) nature of church, especially how the older kids interact with the younger ones, Bethany and Sarah always look out for Keziah and I really appreciate that. Another great memory was Anita's surprise baby shower at Leadership School, I was highly embarrassed but I think it was one of the nicest things someone has ever done for me!

One of the great thing things about the Vineyard is the way you guys pray for each other, like it's kind of normal. Previously churches I've been in, prayer was something you went to the front for if you were really sinful or really desperate, whereas at the Vineyard, if you ask for prayer every week that's fine, in fact that's great.

We've made many friends and we will miss you all. Moving to Bristol will be a new challenge, but God has used you guys to teach us so much about his love for us, I think this time things will be all right. Please pray that we will settle in and make friends really quickly. I'm such an extravert that the idea of being at home with the kids all day and no friends fills me with dread! Tim's new job is at Natural England and I've got a year's career break and hope to get a job at the BBC in Bristol at some point in the future. It'll be great to be nearer family but I'm hoping the kids won't adopt the Bristol accent!

Our last Sunday is December 13th and then the following weekend we are moving to Bristol. There's been lots of things which God has used to confirm to us this is the right place to be, although we still need someone to take over our tenancy in Leeds… (prayer needed!) We'll update the address book and do keep in touch.

Lots of Love
Jo, Tim, Keziah and Anita

Jo Sunderland, 09/12/2009

Feedback:

	Birgit Peeters	07/12/2009, 20:24
We will really really miss you guys a lot!! We met you guys at the marriage course at ST. George's for the first time and were very surprised to see you again at the wharfedale a few months later, when we went for the first time. We had our kids around the same time, prayed together and had meals together. Thank you for your friendship throughout. Thank you also Jo for your involvement and passion for Belly Buttons. I always loved both of your openess and directness ( are you sure you are not alittle bit South African?) Please Lord, will you sort the tenancy of the Sunderlands house and help them settle and find a church and friends really quickly.
	Sally Lingham	08/12/2009, 13:21
I'm going to miss you Jo. It's been great to get to know you and your fab family. Bristol are very blessed!
	Becky Dowling	08/12/2009, 17:17
Hope it all goes well i will definately be praying that the kids don't develop the accent....
	Ruth Greenhill (Guest)	08/12/2009, 20:48
Hi! I still pop on this website every so often to see what you're all up to and was touched by reading your story. I do really hope it works out for you and pray you will settle in quickly. I don't think I fully appreciated Wharfedale when we were there. 17mths on we're still the only family in Lynn Vineyard which is tough and makes me appreciate how great it was at Wharfedale. On a practical note re making friends do you know about netmums website? (It's not the same as mumsnet.) They have local meet-a-mum boards where people write a bit about themselves and then other mums contact them etc. We only live in a very small town and yet I met a mum who'd moved down from Yeadon 6mths before us! You might not make bosum buddis but it's another way of connecting with people in the early days.
	Helen Walker (Guest)	10/12/2009, 17:23
Thank you again Jo and Tim for all you've done in Vineyard Kids. Thanks you especially Jo for overseeing not just one VK group but two!! You did a great job with both Wild Side and Funky Bunch and we'll really miss your energy and enthusiasm. I hope the move goes well and that you all settle in quickly
	Pauline Wild	11/12/2009, 14:35
Glad things are working out. God bless you all love Jerry and Pauline
	Kate Newman	11/12/2009, 18:08
We have been so priviliged to have had you guys around, thank you for all that you have brought to us. I have fond memories of Ben coming back from the Funky Bunch weekend away saying what a fantastic time everyone had had and how the children connected with God in such a natural way...running around and then the next minute having a word of knowledge for someone. Thank you for your honesty too and your ability to say how it is. We hope and pray you have the best time in Bristol and that God would bless you massively there.
	Maggie Gee	13/12/2009, 14:30
God Bless you guys on your new adventure. I have enjoyed our chats Jo, especially on that long out and about Harewood walk!I pray you would settle in quickly and use that natural extravert-ness - you have been a blessing to us at Wharfedale and I know others will benefit from all the good stuff you have to bring.
	Howard King	16/12/2009, 17:22
We've especially appreciated your work with Wild Side as Tobi loves it! We'll be praying that you both settle in really well and that you find your "calling" there. Bristol are really blessed to be getting you two!