Welcome Service for Revd Jonathan Gaylord and Revd Karl Rutlidge - 13th September 2026

Over 100 people filled Emmanuel Church with others joining the live stream from Jonathan's previous church in the USA, Karl's previous church in Kingston, London and locally.  The roof was raised with wonderful singing and hearts were uplifted in prayer.  Everyone wished Karl and Jonathan a smooth transition to their new ministry in Sussex and welcomed their families into our midst with tea, cake, good wishes and the usual friendly chat.  

The Reverend Jonathan Gaylord joins the Methodist Church in Britain from the United Methodist Church in Western North Carolina (USA). He has been in fulltime ministry since 2014. He enjoys learning new things and has a habit of collecting hobbies in the pursuit of learning new skills and worlds. In 2013 he completed a thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail a 2000+ mile footpath running from Maine to Georgia and still enjoys camping and hiking. He enjoys reading, mostly in the horror and sci-fi genres.  He is joined by his wife Keri and their children Henry and Leo. Keri is a psychotherapist and will continue working with her clients in the USA. Henry and Leo are in primary school. They are all excited to be here!  

Karl has a background in physics and enjoys science, board games, medieval and Tudor history, cryptic crosswords, long walks and photography. This is his second appointment, after nine years in the Kingston Circuit in South-West London. He is married to Sally, who also works for the Methodist Church as part of the Connexional Team.

Farewell service to Revd Will Fletcher and Revd Paul Tabraham - 12th July 2026

Haywards Heath Methodist Church was packed to the rafters yesterday to bid a very fond farewell to 2 of the CSUA Ministers who are moving to become Superintendents in September.  Rev Will Fletcher has been the minister at Burgess Hill Methodist, Haywards Heath Methodist and, until it's closure in December 2023, Hurstpierpoint Methodist Churches for 7 years.  Rev Paul Tabraham has been a minister at Emmanuel Church in Eastbourne for 12 years having overseen the closure of 4 churches to come together as the newly built Emmanuel Church in September 2025.  

The service was written by Paul and Will who managed to ensure every minister within the Area and our URC Co-Leader had a part to play.  The CSUA wishes Paul, Will and their families every good wish in their new homes, churches and Circuits/Areas.  Their new colleagues are very lucky to have them and we will miss them! 

Rev'd Will Fletcher (left) and Rev'd Paul Tabraham (right)

The ministers of the CSUA including Paul & Will, our URC Co-Leader, Minister in Training and Area Administrator

Will & Paul receiving some of their gifts from our Methodist Co-Leader

To read the 2025 Methodist Conference Business Digest, please click here.

To read the 2025 URC Assembly Business Digest, please click here.