CLAYTON WEST
Clayton West WI met on Wednesday last week. After the business meeting members attempted to make origami swans and penguins which was great fun. Then they celebrated Yorkshire Day, with a Faith Supper. This was followed by a raffle. The next meeting will be on Wednesday September 5 at 7.30pm when Deborah Ogden, will talk about ‘Style Confidence’.
Morning worship at Clayton West Methodist Church was led by members of the church. They led the thoughts of the congregation on how Jesus described himself to his followers, and to us now in many different ways, as in sayings such as ‘I am the good Shepherd’. Hymns and readings were chosen to follow each theme. Stewards were Betty Booth and Joan Bond and the gift of flowers for the communion table was from Ida Brooke. Everyone enjoyed fellowship and coffee and biscuits served by Jane Woodcock after the service.
DENBY DALE
On Friday evening a family barbecue with games and a Quiz were held and raised £75 for Chapel Funds. Alex Nuttall led the family service on Sunday morning the theme was the fruits of the spirit. Cynthia Nuttall read the Bible and the Sunday School members sang various items. Mike Hopcroft led the Sunday evening service when he spoke about Psalm 117. The pianist at both services was Robert Nuttall.
EMLEY
Despite the holidays, there were more than 50 adults plus children at the “Worship for All” service at St Michael the Archangel Parish Church, Emley, on Sunday morning. The on-screen images again reflected the idea of ‘Bread for Life’ as the study of the importance of bread continued – even our daily bread! – looking at Jesus’s statement that He is the Bread of Life and that spiritual nourishment is as essential as physical food. A video clip of the Hairy Bikers in a Norwegian bakery, making a sour dough – called Maria and described as ‘sexy’ – supported the dramatised reading of a conversation between Jesus and Peter, based on the Gospel of John 6: 24-35. Meanwhile the children were mixing the ingredients for bread and the aroma of baking gradually wafted round the church.
The baptism of Betsy May Lee followed the service, with a packed church and many children taking part in various related activities, including lots of bells, tambourines and rattles to enhance the final song.
The evening service was a reflective service, with no music but plenty of quiet times, thinking about part of Paul’s epistles to the church of Ephesus, and the variety of roles Christians need to take to be disciples.
On Saturday morning, there was an hour of prayer in church before some went off to the Emley Show and the stand there for the Local Churches of Five Parishes.
Work in the churchyard was continued by a valiant trio, led by Michael Lee and church members are especially grateful to Ruth Aspinall and John Clarkson who have spent time tidying and raking the graveyard every day last week. Well done and thanks.
Apart from the Coffee Morning on Mondays, there will be no evening or midweek services or events in August – the ‘church holiday’ – and no Youth Work until September. Two new regular meetings are planned for September: Tuesday @ 2 for babies, toddlers and their carers, every Tuesday afternoon at 2pm and a Men’s Breakfast meeting on every second Saturday, with food, chat and a guest speaker. More details nearer the time.
This coming Sunday, the morning service will be Holy Communion at 9.15am with no evening service. Everyone is welcome.
SHELLEY
At last Thursday’s meeting of Shelley Over 60s in the village hall the bingo line was shared by Vera Hartley and Edith Brooks and the full house was won by Molly James. There was no claim for the first three numbers on one card. The whist high of 90 was won by Walter Astin and Joyce Booth and the low of 53 went to Wendy Kettlewell from eight tables. Before the bingo, members held a minutes silence of respect for Berenice Horsey who passed away recently There were four birthdays to celebrate this week – Stephen Briggs, Jean Jessop, John Wood and Maureen Eastwood. Raffle prizes were won by Iris Starling, Gerald Ibbotson, Fred Huddle, Christine Kent and Gordon Burgin.
SKELMANTHORPE
On Sunday, August 5, the preacher at Skelmanthorpe Methodist Church was Beryl Holt of Clayton West. In her talk to the young people Mrs. Holt used the Olympic Games as a focus. She invited the congregation to remember their sporting interests and achievements. She then invited them to consider what they could bring to a 'Team Jesus' rather than a 'Team GB.' Two extracts from the Bible were read by Jennifer Brooks and John Senior. These were enlarged upon in her sermon when we were encouraged, in order to gain the ultimate spiritual prize, to put all other things to one side. The Stewards for the day were Dorothy Waddington and Anne Wadsworth. The organist was Christine Senior.
