INTRODUCING: The Sweetmans
INTRODUCING is a blog series introducing you to some of the members of Redeemer. You will meet some of them through their fact file, their life story, or their faith journey.
🇨🇦 HANNAH & CONOR SWEETMAN 🇨🇦
Hannah & Conor recently moved from Canada to the UK - with Hannah taking up the role of the Children’s Ministry Coordinator at Redeemer.
Hannah & Conor
We are so excited to have joined such a wonderful, warm community that is Redeemer Church Colchester.
Back when we were in the first flush of dating and eventually marriage, dreaming about what a future in England could look like together, we had no idea the way God would slowly put the pieces into place in a way that drew on each of our individual experiences and dreams, weaving them together in a way that still wows us today. The warm, spirit-filled welcome that we have received here in Colchester has been nothing short of incredible, and we’re excited to see how God allows us to contribute to the life of the church and the city.
Going back to the beginning of our relationship, I (Hannah) have lived a variety of chapters that originated in rural Ontario about 4 hours north of Toronto in a community called North Bay, where I grew up in a tight-knit family with one older sister who invited me along on her adventures as a constant tag-along companion, a father who devotedly pastored a small church of 100 people, and a fun-loving mother who left her teaching career to keep the family running through her wit, energy and constant support to our church family.
Eventually, as I graduated secondary school, I felt led to move to Toronto to attend a Christian University (a foreign concept for the UK, so we’ve heard!) called Tyndale University. In this context through studying Business, Philosophy and Theology, I found my eyes and mind opened in a way that allowed me to grow in my faith and understanding of the world in all its multifaceted complexity and beauty. That season taught me to see God in a new way that wasn’t the simple Sunday school boxes that I had previously put Him in. It also was a time of repentance, refinement and deep spiritual growth with God and others. Through each different chapter of my life, through working at summer camps, leading children’s ministries, and the studious and social years of university and eventually a few years working in administration in the corporate office of a paediatric healthcare company, I can confidently say that God used each period to shape the unique blend of my personality, interests and skills today.
One of the defining features of my journey has been the realisation and fusion of two different sides of myself: a desire to take God and the world seriously through intellectual understanding and a philosophical acuity, and the side of myself that loves to have fun, care deeply, and bring joy to those around me as best I can through ministry and working with children. I've always believed that deep faith and learning can coexist in a joyful, childlike way. This perspective has led me to become a licensed minister who can switch seamlessly between serious theological or apologetic discussions and then in the next moment playing on the floor with a toddler. I'm all about merging these two sides, offering depth but also the warm and casual dynamic that hopes to make everyone feel at home.
For me, (Conor) watching Hannah grow into who God has called her to be has been a beautiful and encouraging experience, especially as I’ve seen how the Lord has married us together in a traditional sense, yes, but also in a way that allows us to thrive according to our unique journeys and passions. My journey of faith began in the context of a large family of 4 siblings, all homeschooled throughout our childhood by our devoted and caring mother, and a father who brought creative and intellectual energy to the household as he worked in Student Life at Tyndale University, where Hannah & I would eventually meet. After a childhood full of reading, drawing, going to camp, navigating life with a physical disability, and getting into plenty of squabbles with my many siblings, I began to take my faith seriously just before secondary school, as I had a few memorable experiences of worship and presence with the Holy Spirit that made a lasting impression on me. Throughout secondary school, I found a group of friends from different churches who spent every weekend together hanging out and praying on Friday nights. During those worship nights, I grew substantially in my social life, biblical knowledge and experience of Christ in worship.
However, as I entered my university years, I realised my faith was not as strong as I once thought, and I had trouble integrating my longing for a sense of glory and power that I experienced in worship and even in my own interest in the arts and literature, with the practical demands of day-to-day life and the social and educational strain of that time. Throughout the early years of university, I experienced a period where I “deconstructed” my beliefs and attempted to figure out what I actually wanted to believe in and obey. It was a time of questioning and introspection, a journey of understanding what I truly believed and why.
Out of the confusion of that time, I emerged with a more solid and mature faith, especially after a semester of studying Shakespeare at Oxford in my last year of university. As my undergraduate years came to an end, my understanding of the intellectual foundations of my faith deepened, and my heart underwent a transformation through repentance. I gained clarity on the God-ordained balance of beauty, goodness, and truth. Throughout this time I began to seek a deeper connection with God, and devoted myself to a commitment to service. This journey of faith led me to create Ekstasis Magazine, a project that merged my interest in faith and the arts, and now my full-time job today.
In retrospect, my journey was marked by various influences–experiences in circles such as Toronto Airport Church (Toronto Blessing), studying the mysticism of old saints, grappling with doubts, my own disability and struggles, and finding the redemption and kindness of God through it all.
Our individual journeys, as different as they may seem, have converged beautifully into the present. It's here that we find ourselves in a place where faith and creativity intersect, where our shared passion for God's beauty, the church, and service to others can flourish. My path has been one of seeking the transcendent through the arts and literature, while Hannah's journey has emphasised the importance of merging loving God with your heart and your mind!
We also have both enjoyed serving in many different capacities over the years such a leading the Marriage & Pre-Marriage Courses for our church, helping with Alpha Courses, working with the homeless, opening our home to two young girls every month through Safe Families, an organisation that provides respite care for young mothers in crisis, and of course, serving in children’s ministry!
And that brings us to the present moment. Together, Conor and I believe that our union is about more than just merging our individual journeys. It's about what we can do together, how our unique qualities and experiences can combine to create something even greater.
Our marriage story over the 4 years, is one of growing in new directions, following the call of Jesus, and continually aiming towards growth. It's a reminder that wherever you start, God has a plan to take you to the next stage. As we step into this new chapter, our vision is clear. We want to be vessels through which the Holy Spirit can actively bring joy, creativity, and intellectual curiosity to our church and wider community.
We want our home to be a cosy gathering place where yummy food, laughter and meaningful conversation is in abundance! We also hope to travel and experience the world and the different cultures that surround us. But most importantly, to honour God in everything that we do.
We are looking forward to getting to know everyone better over the coming months!
God Bless,
Conor & Hannah