Possibly a rather easier crossword puzzle this time! Hopefully our long-term return to being able to meet at Church is proving to be permanent and it might be a good time to remind ourselves of some of our Methodist practices. In this puzzle, many of the questions/answers are focused upon just that, and especially upon our calendar.

The Methodist year (like that of schools) starts in September and ends in August. In this puzzle there are twelve clues where a number appears in brackets - that number refers to the order of the season, festival or event during that twelve month cycle. A few other clues have Methodist connections and some have none! Enjoy!

1 Backwards fish seeks short medicine man (3)

2 (3) - The Sunday when the country stops briefly to think upon those who have lost their lives in conflict. (11)

7 (4) - A time of waiting and hoping. The candles are rich symbols. (6)

8 Friar, push in a loose end (4)

11 Needed to listen! Don’t start ‘wear’ or ‘tear’!! (3)

12 A book or listing of the Bible readings to be heard in Church on each Sunday of the year. (10)

14 Might be ABCDF or G, sing it. (4)

15 (2) - This day is followed immediately by All Souls day - we think about those who have journeyed in the faith before us. (3,6)

16 (10) -The central festival of the Christian Church (6)

17 (9) -The Sunday before Easter Day marks Jesus’ passage into Jerusalem. (4)

18 "O....who camest from above". (4)

20 (11) - A day of rejoicing - some see it as the birthday of the Church (9)

22 Sounds like the local shop is the place to relax (3)

23 Such remains are in abundance at Ribchester. (5)

26 (8) - The first day of Lent (always a Wednesday) - a time of prayer and fasting (3)

27 How the Pope is addressed. Wesley felt we should all aspire to this condition (8)

30 An extra at cricket leads to half a farewell (3)

31 A special Sunday when we remember that John Wesley experienced his heart being ‘strangely warmed’. Named after the street in London where this occurred. (10)

32 Which came first? Chicken or ...? (3)

1 Methodist ministers are either Presbyters or .....? (7)

3 Did he go up for the annual inspection? (3)

4 (7) - At Fulwood we usually hold this service early in the calendar year. A Methodist tradition committing ourselves once more to our discipleship (8)

5 John and Charles bore this surname. Their childhood home was at Epworth (6)

6 (1) - "All is safely gathered in"! (7)

9 (5) - The manger, the babe, the star, our family and feasting and more are all in our minds at this time. (9)

10 The majority of services in Methodist Churches are led by these men and women (5,9)

13 An event where delegates from the whole of the Methodist connexion meet to make decisions. (10)

16 (6) - When we celebrate the story of the Wise Men (8)

19 It is said Methodism was born in song - singing these. (5)

21 (12) - The Sunday when we think about the Three in One. (7)

24 Character in The Merchant of Venice cut his hair and became timid. (3)

25 Traditional wooden footwear offered by chic log shoes! (5)

28 "My .... is love unknown" (4)

29 Not even and no Doctor of Divinity (3)