BIRDSEDGE

Tom Wood took the morning church service with Malcolm Jacob taking Communion. Tom referred again to 2 Kings 4, verses 8-17: Elisha and the Shunammite’s son. He concentrated on verse 10 and the furniture, saying we should live a ‘well furnished Christian life’. Malcolm started with Psalm 130 which fitted in with the previous hymn – ‘Only by Grace can we enter’.

The Harvest Festival will be taken by Lesley Sullivan. Donations of dried and tinned goods can be handed in at church and will be taken to CART (Christian African Relief Trust at Lockwood).

The village hall Lunch Club on Thursday October 17 will be serving meat and potato pie followed by peach flan.

At the monthly Management meeting arrangements were made for the Halloween party at 6.30pm on Thursday October 31 and Bonfire Night on Tuesday November 5 at 6.30pm.

The Games Night will be on Saturday October 19 from 7pm and not as mentioned previously.

Take That 2 will be performing on stage in the hall on Saturday December 7 on Ladies’ Xmas Night. Tickets are £11 pre-booked only on 604289. Doors open from 7pm; food and bar available. For information about events at the Hall see the web site www.birdsedgevillagehall.co.uk or ring 604289.

Due to popular demand another Hospice Support Group Beetle Drive will be held on Saturday November 2 from 6.30pm Light supper at half time and bar throughout. Adults £2, children £1; finishing time is usually around 8pm. Christmas cards are now available.

CLAYTON WEST

Morning worship at the Methodist Church was led by Jean Heath, a local preacher and church member. She spoke of Paul’s care and encouragement of Timothy, a young apostle and follower of Jesus. She said we should always be willing to encourage others. Bible readings from the letter to Timothy and Luke’s gospel were given by Wendy Barber and Joan Bond, who was also a steward along with Betty Booth. The organist was Jane Hobson. After the service everyone enjoyed fellowship and coffee and biscuits served by Rosalyn Beevers. A gift of flowers for the communion table came from Dorothy Fretwell. The harvest weekend begins this Friday with a concert given by Hobson’ Chorus at 7.30pm. Refreshments will be served at the interval..

DENBY DALE

The children’s club at Zion Wesleyan Reform Chapel met on Friday evening. The Sunday School’s preparations for the Harvest Festival continued with great enthusiasm.

The Sunday evening service was led by Robert Nuttall when the theme of the service was Walking with Jesus. The Bible was read by Cynthia Nuttall, Susan Wright, Margaret Cocking, Ruth Booth and Mike Hopcroft. The service included Holy Communion when the steward was Carol Mosley and the pianist was John Orton.

SHELLEY

Shelley Over 60s members held their weekly meeting in the village hall last Thursday. The whist high of 86 was won by Barry Jessop and the low of 55 went to Greta Hinchliffe from eight tables. The bingo line was won by Iris Starling and the full house by Jean Jessop, who received �4. No-one had the first three numbers on one card, so the prize was carried over. There were five birthdays to celebrate this week – Phillip Peel, Dorothy Isles, Christine Kent, Meg Dunford and Peter Holloway. Raffle prizes were won by Maureen Deeley, Linda Brauner, Madge Shaw, Audrey Taylor, Anne Matthews and Margaret Laycock.

SKELMANTHORPE

Skelmanthorpe Methodist Church Sunday morning worship was led by Deacon Jane Paine. The Music Group accompanied all the singing with Stuart playing guitar, Rose the recorder, Margaret clarinet and Emma helping out with the tambourine. The congregation gave thanks for all the varied activities and amenities of the village which give us pleasure and help us in our daily lives. They were asked to think about the challenges that people of the village might face and ideas on how we might be of help. A short meeting was held after the service to discuss ways in which the Church might reach out and encourage others to join in our worship.