BIRDSEDGE
Pat Wood took the family service at Birdsedge Church. Members of Junior Church started the service with readings. Pat talked to the young people about light and readiness. She asked them what they had at their birthday parties and then what they had at Christmas – very similar. Christmas is Jesus’ birthday and we’re all invited to the party, she said. Tom took the Christening service of Abigail Joan. A short story of Christmas was shown to finish the service. December 16 will be the service of Carols and Readings. December 23: normal morning worship; December 25: Christmas day Family Service at 9.30am.
The next village hall Lunch Club on Thursday will serve a full Christmas dinner with turkey and all the trimmings, Christmas pudding, mince pie, crackers and mints for £4. Anyone who wasn’t at the previous Lunch Club and wanting the Christmas lunch should book on 604289, please.
The coffee morning and lunches in the Hall December on Saturday went very well with a brisk sale of newly available 2013 village calendars with dates of forthcoming village events already noted. To buy a calendar at £5, ring 604289 or 606533.
The monthly quiz will be held on Friday at 8pm. Committee members will be selling raffle tickets to help pay for the Christmas tree. The raffle will be drawn in the Hall on Christmas Eve after carols round the tree starting 6.30pm. For information about events at the Hall see www.birdsedgevillagehall.co.uk or ring 604289.
CLAYTON WEST
Morning worship at All Saints for the second Sunday in Advent was led by Keith Randerson, a preacher from Penistone. He spoke of the message of John the Baptist that God calls everyone to come to him and all are welcome. The second candle for Advent was lit and readings and a prayer were given by Joan Bond and Maxine Lodge, who were also stewards. A reading of Psalm 27 was given by Fred Green and from Luke by Lucie Froggatt. Coffee and mince pies were served after the service by Rosalyn Beevers.
The Christmas coffee morning was held last Saturday, with cake stall, Traidcraft and Christmas stall. Hot mince pies were served.
The annual collection of toys and gifts was for Blenheim House, the Bradford Refuge for women and children. The churches together all support this worthy cause, and they were delivered last week for their distribution.
EMLEY
The Holy Communion service on Sunday at St Michael The Archangel reflected both the prophets and John the Baptist – conflicting information from the guidelines. While the children coloured in pictures of a wild-looking John the Baptist, the congregation thought about the real preparations for Christmas. There was no evening service.
Weekly events and services continue with Coffee Morning in church on Monday at 10.30am, Holy Communion on Tuesday at 7pm and on Wednesday at 9am, followed by coffee in church, a Tots Praise service for the Tuesday @ 2 group for babies, toddlers and their carers. There will be no youth groups on Thursday evening.
Saturday morning was Men’s Breakfast when a group of about a dozen men listened to an interesting talk about the state of the NHS, while eating an excellent breakfast, thanks to the culinary skills of our chef – John Ryder.
In celebration of Advent – the church’s waiting time – the church will be open for a variety of events: December 14 and 15: Christmas Tree Festival; December 16: Carols by Candlelight 6pm; December 20: Christmas Sing 7.30pm; December 24: Christingle Service 5.30pm; December 25: Christmas Communion 10am; December 30: Café Church with Flockton 10am; February 2013 Parish Weekend in Scarborough — the biennial weekend away as a church family, with sister church, St James’ Flockton. For more information and reviews of other events try the website: www.stmichaelsemley.org and follow the links, or see posters displayed outside the church.
SHELLEY
Despite the bitterly cold weather Shelley Over 60s held a well attended meeting in the village hall last Thursday. The bingo line was won by Kathleen Code and the full house by Elaine Shaw. The winner of the first three numbers on one card was Vera Rothson. The whist high of 92 was won by Marion Kelly and the low of 62 went to Wendy Kettlewell from nine tables. There were six birthdays to celebrate this week – Sylvia Stevenson, Nicky Shorey, Audrey Taylor, Derek Womersley, Merle Smith and Russell Langton. Raffle prizes were won by Sheila Taylor, David Matthews, Joan Small, Iris Starling, Fred Huddle and secretary Olwyn Berry.
SKELMANTHORPE
Skelmanthorpe Methodist Church held a Christmas Tree Festival from Friday, December 7 to Sunday December 9. Trees, decorated by various village organisations and businesses, were on display. On Friday choirs from St Aidan’s first school and Skelmanthorpe first school sang Christmas music. On Saturday morning St. Aidan’s junior choir gave a performance of Hosanna Rock. At other times organists, pianists and music groups performed seasonal music. Lunches were served on Friday and Saturday whilst refreshments were available throughout the three days.
On Sunday morning, December 9, Deacon Jane Paine led Family Worship at Skelmanthorpe Methodist Church. In her talk she explained that God was larger than anything anyone could imagine including the universe, whilst at the same time, at that first Christmas, God gave us His Son, Jesus Christ, to be our Saviour. In her prayers she included the prayer cards left by visitors to the Christmas Tree Festival. The second Advent Candle was lit by Emma and Barbara Casson. Barbara and Ailsa Horton read the two lessons whilst Frances Priestnall was the organist.
STOCKSMOOR
Stocksmoor Bridge Club results for Thursday November 29: North/South – 1 D Cliff and C Bolland, 2 M Sandell and S Hancock, 3 M Hicks and J Pearson; East/West –1 E Pearson and K Morley, 2 J Shaw and E Tullie, 3rd= T and M Hirst and M Dey and R Makings.
Thursday December 6: North/South –1 M Sandell and S Hancock, 2 W and A Dowlen, 3 M Bailey and A Mitchell; East/West – 1 D Swaine and P Wright, 2 C Kaye and L Tempest, 3 J Smith and T Hirst.
