Palm Sunday was a busy day for members of All Hallows, Almondbury. The 10am service saw a packed church celebrate Christ’s entry into Jerusalem with a procession moving out from the church hall, through the churchyard into the church carrying their traditional palm crosses. During the service the curate introduced his sermon by teaching a new chorus accompanied by guitar and saxaphone, a first for All Hallows. Coffee was enjoyed after the service and Happy Birthday sung to Rita Chambers much to her surprise and a little embarassment. The Fairtrade stall did outstanding trading.
In the afternoon 19 people from across the team parish enjoyed a walk in glorious sunshine starting at Farnley Tyas Recreation Ground, across fields to Farnley Hey and then over to the outskirts of Brockholes before climbing the hill back to Farnley Tyas. Many of the walkers were pretty tired at the end but not the four dogs who had accompanied them.
The day ended on a thoughtful note at an Almondbury Churches Together service, led by the Methodist minister in St John’s Methodist Church Almondbury when he provided some thought provoking ideas about the meaning of Palm Sunday and the days which followed 2000 years ago.
BIRDSEDGE
Birdsedge Church’s Spring Fair was held on Saturday and a packed Sunday school enjoyed their lunches, bought lots of home produce and won on the tombola. This all helped raise £420 towards maintenance. Lesley Sullivan took the Palm Sunday service, reading from Matthew, The triumphal entry into Jerusalem. She spoke of how God has plans for everything, things don’t just happen randomly. ‘See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey’ was written by Zechariah many years before Jesus. We are never in the wrong place at the wrong time as there is usually a reason for this which we understand after the event. We need to be spiritually ready now – before it’s too late.
The Kirkwood Hospice Support Group paid in £1,131 to the hospice as the first quarter’s money raised. This is a very good start to 2009 fundraising thanks to very generous supporters and the efforts of Fairleigh Farm. The group will be serving home produce, lunches and refreshments in the Church Hall on May Day Monday May 4 from 11 am.
CLAYTON WEST
Clayton West WI held their monthly meeting on Wednesday April 1. They were entertained by the Batley Film Group who showed them a range of films, interesting, informative and ending with humour. The evening was greatly enjoyed by all the members and a raffle and refreshments followed. The next meeting will be ‘The Resolutions’ on Wednesday May 6 at the United Reformed Church, in the village.
Palm Sunday worship at the village Methodist Church was led by Jean Heath, a member of the church. She spoke about the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem riding on a donkey, and the joyfil welcome of the people who would later cry 'Crucify'. Everyon received the gift of a palm cross. Joan Bond and Diana Hunt were stewards and the lesson from Philippians was read by Maxine Lodge. Flowers for the communion table were a gift from Wendy Barber and coffee after the service was served by Beryl Holt.
DENBY DALE
At the annual church meeting at the Zion Wesleyan Reform Chapel, all Officers were thanked and relected. Everyone agreed that the centenary year had been a great success and a wonderful year with great blessings to all.
EMLEY
A lively active Worship for All was led by Rev John Marsh on Palm Sunday morning. The congregation went on a journey, processing outside waving palm crosses and singing All Glory Lord and Honour to Thee Redeemer King. Evelyn Barrow gave the talk involving the children, highlighting Jesus’ journey into Jerusalem. Gill Marsh led prayers and Malcolm Jessop played the organ. Later three baptisms were celebrated by Rev Chris Bullimore, Edward Barcley Skol, son of Mark and Katherine; Taylor Gray Torbett-Robinson, son of Ryan and Laura; and Rhys William Blackburn, son of James and Natalie. In the evening a Communion service was held. On Easter morning a sunrise service will be held at 6.15am at High Hoyland Church followed by breakfast at St Michael’s. A service at 9.30am will be held in Emley.
KIRKBURTON
There were two services in All Hallows Parish Church for the last Sunday in Lent, Palm Sunday. The congregation were welcomed by Mrs Meg Tibbott to the morning Sung Eucharist which was led by the Rev Roger Nelson. As they entered the church the sidesmen, Mrs Janet Jessop and Mrs Rachael Atkinson gave each worshipper a traditional palm cross.ŠThis year they came from a village in Zululand, South Africa. Pastoral minister Mr Malcolm Tibbott led the prayers of intercession and Mrs Gwen Lodge gave the reading for the day from St Paul’s letter to the Philippians.ŠMr Nelson told the story of the trial and crucifixion of Christ from the fifteenth chapter of St Mark’s Gospel. Mr Nelson preached his sermon on the theme Palm Sunday. Mrs Joyce and Mr Ken Harris took-up the chalice and paten for the celebration of the communion and Mr Nelson was assisted at the distribution by the Rev Robert Chambers and pastoral minister, Mrs Betty Cross. Music for the service was provided by Mrs Doreen Barraclough and, after the service, refreshments were served by Mrs Margaret Beaumont and Mrs Phyll Taylor.
In the evening,Š pastoral minister Mrs Betty Cross led a service of Evensong and gave the talk onŠ Jesus’ Triumphant Entry into Jerusalem. Palm crosses were again given to the worshippers. Mr Tibbott led the Prayers of Intercession The reading from Philippians was given by organist, Mrs Doreen Barraclough and Mrs Pauline Pinder read about the first Palm Sunday from St Mark. The sidesmen were Mr Mike Steele and churchwarden Mr Glyn Phillips.
Mrs Hazel Ramsay was the leader when the Burton Friendship Club met for their meeting at The Hub on Tuesday afternoon. Assisted by Miss Sandra Spivey and Mrs Stella Ellis she challenged members to identify three types of water and three sorts of bread, including sun dried tomato,Šand three flavours of crisps – including squirrel. The raffle was won by Miss N HeeleyŠ and tea and biscuits were served by Mesdames Calvert and Ellis.
SHELLEY
Shelley Over 60s Club held their meeting in the village hall last Thursday. The bingo line was won by Vera Rothson and the full house by Ruth Sheffield. The first three numbers on one card was not won and the prize carried over. The whist high of 90 was won by Margaret Laycock and the low of 64 went to Joan Small from eight tables. Birthday wishes were sent to Barbara Wadsworth, Sylviane Martin Hirsch, Dora Sanders and Dorothy Ramsden. The group welcomed Kath Oldroyd, Vicki Heywood and Maureen Eastwood as new members. Raffle prizes were won by Molly James, Dorothy Jessop, Robin Small, Vera Rothson, Kathleen Proctor and Kathleen Code.
SKELMANTHORPE
The preacher at Skelmanthorpe Wesleyan Reform Church on Sunday morning was Mr Robert Booth of Dalton. The Bible reading was from Mark. During the service palm crosses were given out to members of the congregation. Holy Communion was held and the steward was Carol Senior.
