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May 11 2009 By Express and Chronicle

BIRDSEDGE

Matt Wright took the Sunday service in church with Tom Wood leading Communion. Matt filled a plain glass vase with golf balls, pebbles and sand.

 The golf balls represent God, our family and friends, being the biggest thing in our lives. The pebbles are the less important but still significant parts – jobs, houses etc. and the sand is the trivial stuff and the unnecessary clutter. He read Luke 1– The Parable of the Great Banquet. Tom considered Communion as the greatest banquet. Next Sunday’s service will be taken by Brian Kay of Sheffield.

Hade Edge Children’s/Community Choir will be in concert at Birdsedge Church on Sunday May 17 at 6.30pm to raise money for church improvements. Refreshments will be served. For tickets ring Pat Wood on 606624.

The Hospice Support Group held a coffee morning and lunches in the church hall on Bank Holiday Monday which raised £423. Thanks to all the supporters and workers.

CLAYTON WEST

A warm welcome was given to Jack Joshua and his parents, Paul and Mandy, their friends and relatives, on the occasion of his baptism at All Saints Church. Readings were presented by Mavis Brook and Gillian Hamer from Acts 4 and the Gospel of John respectively. The Rev Joy took as her theme for her talk, the 23rd. Psalm, this Sunday being Good Shepherd Sunday, reminding the congregation of the parallels in the Psalm and the way of life of a Christian. Prayers for the wider world were written and delivered by Jonathan Newcombe. Refreshments were prepared and served by Trish Bond and Edward Toulson.

Saturday saw a large turn out for the monthly coffee morning. Coffee mornings help to raise funds to support the upkeep and development of the church building. This particular morning was extended into the afternoon as part of the Treasures Revealed in West Yorkshire event running between May 2-10, throughout Kirklees. Further details of this event can be obtained from Huddersfield Tourist Information Centre.

Morning worship at the Methodist church was a service of Holy Communion led by the minister the Rev David Priestnall. He spoke about the abundance of God’s love and care for us. Jane Hobson, who was also the organist, read from John’s gospel and Les Barber read from the First book of Kings. Stewards were Betty Booth and Diana Hunt and the gift of flowers was from Mrs Ida Brooke. After the service coffee was served by Wendy Barber.

Next Sunday (May 10) sees the beginning of Christian Aid Week and members of the church along with other friends from Churches Together will be collecting in Clayton West, Scissett and High Hoyland for this worthwhile cause.

DENBY

Denby First School’s Gardening Club made bat boxes and planted raspberry canes during their lunch break on Tuesday. This weekend pupils from Years 4 and 5 are on an out and about PGL residential course at Boreatton Park, in Shropshire. They travelled down yesterday and will return on Monday. Abseiling, zip wire and a Sports Activity Zone are features of the park.

EMLEY

A Worship For All service with Communion on Good Friday at Emley Parish Church was taken by the Rev John Marsh. Katie Barrow read from John about the lost sheep and the good shepherd. Evelyn Barrow gave an illustrated talk, with the children’s help, highlighting Jesus as the good shepherd, always willing to support us in life and help us make the right choices. Prayers were led by Gill Marsh and Malcolm Jessop played the organ. Coffee was served. Later Harry, son of Robert and Rita Mellor, and Emma, daughter of Ian and Lucy Hadfield, were baptised.