BIRDSEDGE
The Royal Wedding was celebrated in the Village Hall. People dropped in throughout the day, with 40-50 adults and 20 children enjoying the community atmosphere.
Quiz Night was won by the Black Sheep. A few were too full of wedding party food to join in the supper but still plenty of curry and pies and peas were eaten.
The family barbecue on Monday was quiet as the weather was a bit cool. Those stalwarts who did attend enjoyed the food and company.
The church re-dedication service was taken by Cliff Darby and Terry Frost. Cliff talked to the children about it being difficult to take things back after we’ve done or spoken something unkind. Better to think twice that to say or do anything you might regret later. Terry spoke to the adults about the transfiguration, reading Matthew 17 v 9-16. The disciples thought that Moses, Elijah and Jesus were equal but God told them to listen to his son. Cliff took the re-dedication with the congregation joining in with some very special hopes for the future of the church. Well known and loved hymns had been chosen and the music made the walls sing. Hopefully many more services will be so busy in the future. Lunch was served after the communion, giving people plenty of opportunity to talk with one another.
The family service next week will be taken by Leslie Sullivan.
The sum of £313 was raised when lunches and refreshments were served in the church hall. Many thanks to all supporters and workers.
CLAYTON WEST
A service of Morning Worship was held at All Saints’ Church, Clayton West on Sunday May 1. The service started with activity from the children’s group as an introduction to their continuing work during the service. The service was led by Wynn Leake who also read the first lesson from Acts 2 (verses 22-32); the Gospel reading was from John 20 (verses 19– end) prepared by Mavis Brook. Jayne Stanley (churchwarden) delivered three thought-provoking meditations based on the Gospel reading from material written by Eddie Askew. Prayers for the wider world were composed by Stephanie Spence and Jayne Stanley. Refreshments were served for all by Carol Vidal and Jayne Stanley.
Next Saturday, May 7, there is an opportunity for book lovers throughout the area to peruse and purchase bargains in a book sale from 10am-4pm inside the church – refreshments available all day.
Morning worship at the Methodist Church was led by three members of the church, Beryl Holt, Joan Bond, and Wendy Barber. The theme was the Beatitudes given by Jesus and spoke of the blessings bestowed on people in many different ways. Thoughts based on a book by Richard Bewes, former Rector of All Souls Church in London and a broadcaster were used to explain and meaning to the Beatitudes.The organist was Jane Hobson who also read from Corinthians and Matthew. Stewards were Diana Hunt and Joan Bond. Flowers for the communion table were a gift from Rosalyn Beevers. Coffee and biscuits were served after the service by Maxine Lodge.
DENBY DALE
The Sunday School at Zion Wesleyan Reform Chapel Denby Dale held a DVD morning on Sunday. The Rules for Christian Living was the theme of Sunday evening’s service when Martin Hopkinson was the speaker. The pianist was Robert Nuttall. The Chapel members are holding a Charity Lunch for Martin House Children's Hospice on Saturday. Lunches of soup, sandwiches and sweets will be served from 11.30am to 1.30pm. There will be bring and buy, cake and meat stalls and a raffle.
KIRKBURTON
Mrs Maureen Etchells and Mrs Michaelia Schindler welcomed the congregation to a special family service of Church4All at All Hallows Parish Church on the First Sunday after Easter. The service was led by the Rev Geoff Clay and he took for his theme Opening Doors. Mrs Schindler gave the reading from the second chapter of the Acts of the Apostles. During the service, the Rev Robert Chambers baptised and welcomed into the fellowship of the church, Poppy Grace Hanson. Mrs Wendy Crooks and Mrs Pat Ellis performed the duties of sidesmen and took up the collection. The singing was accompanied by Jean Selby and the Church Music Group. After the service Mrs Joanne Smith and Jean Sutcliffe served coffee and refreshments to the worshippers and everyone joined in singing Happy Birthday to Megan Smith on her eighteenth birthday.
In the evening the Rev Geoff Clay led a service of communion. He took for his theme Doubt, Faith, Sainthood. The Prayers of Intercession were led by reader Mrs Janet Roberts who also assisted Mr Clay at the distribution. Mrs Dot Greenwood gave the reading from the 20th chapter of the gospel according to St John and the vicar accompanied the singing on the guitar.
SHELLEY
Shelley Over 60s met at the Village Hall last Thursday. The whist high of 95 went to Elaine Shaw and the low of 61 to Eunice Ramsden from seven-and-a-half tables. The bingo line was won by Joan Horne and the full house by Olwyn Berry. Birthday greetings were sent to Judith Woods, Baz Thornton, Eve Astin, May Elliott, Connie Walters, Anita Wood and Kath Oldroyd. Raffle prizes went to Anne Matthews, Dorothy Greensmith, Linda Brauner, Harry Rose and Rene Biggin. Thanks were given to all who had helped, donated towards and supported the recent Coffee Day.
SKELMANTHORPE
The Sunday after Easter is often known as Low Sunday, because of the ‘flat’ feeling after the excitement of Holy Week. However, on Sunday last at the Methodist Church the service of Worship, which was conducted by Mr Gordon Kay of Wakefield, was all about ‘hope’, continuing the message of Easter. Bible readings were given by Annie Senior and Clare Dodsley, who was also the steward. The organist was Frances Priestnall.
On Monday last the Skelmanthorpe Wives’ Group enjoyed an informative and fun evening about ‘Exploring Your Antiques and Collectables’ by Dr David Allen, MA LTCL FRSCM, who is a guest speaker of various topics. Dr Allen spoke about valuations and the difference between a personal value of an item and the actual value, which can be very different. He also discussed the 26 items on display which had been brought along by members of the group. The ladies were each asked to describe their item and where it came from, which was interesting. Dr Allen gave some good information about each item, and found some really exciting, interesting and rare pieces. A vote of thanks was proposed by the hosts for the evening: Margaret Stephenson, Bernice Hutchinson and Greta Capewell who provided a lovely supper afterwards.
