BIRDSEDGE
The Junior Church service was taken by Pat Wood with help from the young people. Moses and Daniel had been chosen as very interesting people. Relevant passages were chosen to remind the congregation of the stories as there wasn’t time to go through it all. Noah read from Exodus 3 and 8 about Moses, and Andrew read from Daniel chapters 6 and 16. Both men had very interesting lives and Pat encouraged everyone to read the whole stories at home. Puzzles were passed round for the congregation to attempt which showed some of the different methods of helping us remember: word search, a maze and jumbled words. God had had His hand on these people right from the beginning of their lives and they trusted God. The service next week will be taken by Brian Kay of Sheffield.
The hospice support group were pleased to announce the sum of £ 610.38 raised in the second quarter of 2011. Thanks very much to all helpers and supporters. There will be a coffee morning with light lunches in the Village Hall on Saturday August 13, from 10.30am.
CLAYTON WEST
On Wednesday June 6 Clayton West WI went on a mystery tour into South Yorkshire. It was a lovely evening and members went on the quiet roads and were able to appreciate the views before visiting a pub and then driving back to Clayton West. The next meeting will be a visit to an open garden on Wednesday August 3, meeting at 6.30pm outside the hairdressers.
Parish Communion on Sunday at All Saints was led by the Rev Joy Cousans. This was a joint service with parishioners from Scissett. Readings were prepared and delivered by Alex Collins and Mavis Brooke from Paul’s letter to the Romans 8 (verses 1-11) and the Gospel of Matthew 13 (verses 1-9 and 18-23 respectively). The latter reading was entitled the Parable of the Sower which talks of the quality of soil into which seeds are planted, having a bearing upon their growth. Rev Joy based her talk upon this parable, linking this to invitations which all members of the congregation were to receive at the end of the service for distribution to other members of the community. Only God would determine who would be proactive on the receipt of the invitation and attend a church service on Back to Church Sunday at the start of October. Music during the service was provided by Jonathan Newcombe. He accompanied the choir in their singing of an arrangement of Love Divine by Howard Goodall during the distribution of communion. Refreshments for all were served by Jean Newby and Gail Banks after the service.
A ‘talents’ coffee morning and afternoon teas are available at 29 Pennine Rise today (Saturday) between 10am and noon and 2-4pm.
A graveyard ‘tidy up’ session is to be held on Sunday at High Hoyland from 1.30pm. All helping hands are welcome.
A car treasure hunt is to take place from Cawthorne Park car park on Saturday evening, July 23 starting at 6pm. More details in church and around the village.
Morning worship at the Methodist Church was led by Dr Alison Caswell from West Bretton. She spoke about the need for us to read the word of God, and understand it for ourselves so that we can then go out and tell others how it fits into their lives. We need to have open minds to receive the truth it brings to our daily living and be prepared to change. A reading from Isaiah was given by Jane Hobson, who was also the organist. The parable of the sower and the seed was read from Matthew’s gospel by Rosalind Beevers. Diana Hunt and Joan Bond were stewards and a gift of flowers for the communion table was by Wendy Barber, who also served coffee and biscuits after the service. Today, Saturday the monthly coffee morning, including bacon sandwiches will be held between 10.30 and noon.
EMLEY
On Friday evening at St Michael’s, Lorelei Loveridge, a Canadian, gave a talk on her experiences of world travel and played guitar, singing her own songs and almost £200 was raised for church funds.
On Sunday morning Eucharist was celebrated by the Rev Ann Young. Bible readers were Jayne Ryder and Margaret Popplewell, Sallie Dickins led prayers and Jill Marsh led the service. The talk by Ann was based on the parable of the Sower from Matthew chapter 13 and Ann’s advice to the congregation for future growth of Christians in Emley resulting in a bumper harvest needs action from us all. We need to pray and listen to God, to show love and service to those in need , just as Jesus did; to be aware of suffering in the world especially in East Africa at present; to be aware of those in need in the local community and to take time for ourselves instead of rushing around every day. A retiring collection for East Africa and donations next week will be welcome. Refreshments were served.
KIRKBURTON
Mr David Utasi welcomed the congregation to All Hallows Parish Church for a service of Sung Eucharist last Sunday. The leader and preacher was the Rev Robert Chambers and he took for his theme The Sower. Pastoral minister, Mr Malcolm Tibbott led the Prayers of Intercession. Miss Melissa Schindler gave a reading from St Paul to the Romans and Mr Chambers read about the parable of the sower from the Gospel according to St Matthew. The chalice and paten were taken to the altar by Mrs Pat Ellis and Mrs Jean Sutcliffe. Mr Chambers was assisted at the distribution by pastoral minister Mrs Betty Cross and Mrs Hilary Berry. Mrs Gwen Lodge and Mrs Rachael Atkinson performed the duties of sidesmen and took up the collection. Mrs Doreen Barraclough accompanied the singing and, after the service, Mrs Margaret Haigh, Mrs Edie Brook and Mrs Phyl Taylor served refreshments to the worshippers. In the evening Mr Chambers led a service of evensong. Mrs Shirley Lingwood gave the reading from Matthew and Mr Chambers led a meditation on the parable of the sower.
SHELLEY
Shelley Over 60s Club held their weekly meeting in the Village Hall last Thursday. The whist high of 91 was won by Bessie Usher, and the low of 63 went to her husband Wally. The bingo line was won by Dora Mettrick and the full house by Walter Astin. Their was no winner for the last three numbers on one card, so the prize was carried over until the next meeting. Members celebrated the birthdays of Joan Oversby and Jenny Taylor and welcomed Lilian Laine as a new member. On Tuesday July 5 a party had a lovely day out at Thornton Le Dale and Whitby. Raffle prizes were won byJean Eskrett, Dora Sanders, Marion Kelly, Margaret Haigh, Harry Rose and Dora Mettrick.
SKELMANTHORPE
The preacher for Sunday morning service at the Wesleyan Reform Church was Barry Parker of Sprotborough. Bible readings were by Celia Pickles and the organist was John Orton.
Last Friday Skelmanthorpe Methodist Church and Wives Group held a coffee morning to raise money for Christian Aid which resulted in a record amount of £391 being raised. Thanks to everyone who helped make it such a wonderful day.
On Sunday at the Methodist Church, the Rev David Priestnall conducted the service of All Age Worship, the theme of which was ‘the parable of the sower’. The story was dramatised by members of the congregation, with a modern day explanation to it. The music group accompanied two of the hymns. The steward was Dorothy Waddington and Christine Senior was the organist. Refreshments were served by Lin Pearson and Margaret Firth.
On the same afternoon, the 108th Skelmanthorpe Sing was held at St Aidan’s Church. A parade through the village, headed by Skelmanthorpe Band and the uniformed organisations, preceded the hymn singing in church. During the Sing, the hymns were introduced by Rev Philip Reynolds and the congregation sang eight traditional hymns accompanied by the band, along with four more modern hymns accompanied by the Music Group. Skelmanthorpe Band, conducted by Mr John Roberts, also played a musical variation. A monetary collection was taken which will be distributed to various local charities.
A Village Quiz is to be held at the beginning of the school holidays on July 22. The event is to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the King James’ Bible. Each of the local shops in the village will display a very well-known saying, along with the text in the Bible where it comes from. The solvers will be given the quotes and will need to find the text by going from shop to shop. This will give people an opportunity to learn more about the Bible whilst joining in a fun community event. In addition, to celebrate the ‘Authorised Version’ Anniversary, the Methodist Church nationally is compiling a handwritten bible and Skelmanthorpe church has been given the task of handwriting the psalms. Therefore, on Saturday July 23, members of the church will be outside the Savoy Squash Club, inviting passers-by to write a few verses of a psalm. Anyone of any age can join in.
