The Spring Lunch took place on Saturday morning, being a smaller version of the previous Spring Fairs. Along with the refreshments and lunches there were pansy plants for sale, a tombola and cake stall with home-made produce. After the small number of items left were sold off on the Sunday morning, £386 had been raised towards decorating the church.

Give Me Strength was the message Mary and Carole brought to the service. David, Samson and Abraham were given as examples. The hymns Be Bold, Fight the Good Fight and Father Hear the Prayer We Offer were used to help understand the benefit of asking for God’s help with the difficult things that we have to do.

The Bob Hall show played at the Village Hall on Saturday and £72.50 was raised towards the building fund from the refreshments, bar and raffle.

Arrangements were discussed for organising an auction to be held in the Birdsedge Village Hall on May 10 at 7.30pm, to raise money for building plans. Items already acquired are a local plane flight, a signed Sheffield United shirt, a signed Huddersfield Giants ball, a pair of Kate Rusby concert tickets and more. Contributions of items for auction will be gratefully received: ring 604289. A supper will be served and the bar will be open.

There will be a Car Boot Sale, for the benefit of the hall, to be held on Cumberworth football field on Park Lane May Day Bank Holiday May 5. Sellers 7.30am and buyers from 8.30 am. Book on 604289.

On Sunday May 18 there will be a Circus Skills Workshop, £10 per person, in the hall for children and parents from 1.45 to 3.45 pm. Refreshments will be available. Booking is necessary, as not many places remain, on 604289.

The Kirkwood Hospice Support Group will be serving refreshments and lunches in Birdsedge Church schoolroom from 11.30 am on Bank Holiday Monday May 5.

CLAYTON WEST

The Sunday morning Communion service at All Saints Church was led by the Rev Joy Cousans, assisted by Sean Fisher. During the service, she baptised Benjamin John, and his baby sister Lily Louise, children of Sarah and Paul Goodman of Clayton West. The New Testament reading was by Wynn Leake and the Gospel reading from John was read by the Rev Cousans. Prayers were led by Kath and Brendan McDaid. Sidesmen were Margaret and Kenneth Morris, and the offertory was taken up by Barbara Gill, Wynn Leake, and Marjorie Brown. The organist was Jonathan Newcombe. After the service refreshments were served.

Clayton West Methodist Church monthly coffee morning was held last Saturday. Home-made cakes were for sale and the Traidcraft stall, offering fairly traded goods, was popular. Rosalyn Beevers cooked and served bacon sandwiches, proceeds were for church funds.

Sunday morning worship was led by Dr Alison Caswell who spoke about Jesus being 'The way, the truth, and the life'. Bible readings from Psalms and Acts were read by Maxine lodge and Fred Green. Stewards were Rosalyn Beevers and Maxine Lodge.Flowers in the church were a gift by Josie Jebson. Coffee and biscuits served after the service by Jane Woodcock.

DENBY DALE

The theme of Sunday morning family service at Zion Wesleyan Reform Chapel was New Life From Following Jesus. Dominic Storr gave the Bible reading and the young people sang two items. Refreshments were served afterwards.

In the evening, Jean Waterfield was the preacher and she spoke on Heaven And How To Get There. Pianist was Robert Nuttall.

This Sunday at 6pm, the first event celebrating the centenary of the present Denby Dale Zion Wesleyan Reform Chapel will be a Songs of Praise service at 6pm

EMLEY

Worship for All Eucharist was celebrated by the Rev Chris Bullimore on Sunday morning at St Michael’s Church. Katie Barrow read the Gospel from John 14, in which Jesus tells the disciples he is the way to God and is God himself. In his talk, the Rev John Marsh involved the children in discussion about fear and dealing with it. Paul Renshaw played the organ and refreshments were served at the close. A baptism service followed for Jeanie Lee, daughter of Jon and Helen. Evening worship was held at 6pm.

KIRKBURTON

Worshippers were greeted by Maureen Etchells and Michaelia Schindler for the celebration of Sung Eucharist at All Hallows on Sunday.The service was led by the Rev Roger Nelson. Pastoral minister Betty Cross led the prayers of intercession and Mr Nelson read the Gospel from St John’s Gospel. Mrs Jean Sutcliffe gave the reading from Acts and in his sermon,Mr Nelson took for his theme, New Life. Chalice and paten were taken to the altar by Geoff and Doreen Slater and the curate, the Rev Robert Chambers, and Hilary Berry assisted at the distribution of the bread and wine.The duties of sidesman was taken by Janet Jessop and Doreen Barraclough was the organist. After the service Margaret Haigh and Edith Etchells served refreshments.

In the evening the monthly youth service, Synaxis or cafe church, for the young and young at heart, was held at the Hub. The meeting was led by Lorraine Lockwood and Vicky Daniels who explored the theme of Not Living in the Past. There were cakes and milk shakes provided by Karen McCann and Mrs Daniels and the music for the contemporary worship was led by the Synaxis band.

The Burton Friendship Group held their weekly meeting at the Royal Hotel. The special guests for the afternoon were Bill and Barbara Emsley of Clayton West. Mr Emsley was compare and his wife entertained the members with her electronic accordion which in her hands was capable of producing a whole range of music from church organ to country and western and even Scottish bagpipe music. Mary Chambers thanked the couple for giving them a splendid afternoon. Mrs M Calvert won the raffle prize and tea was served by Mesdames Calvert, Ramsay and Fagin.

SCISSETT

Prizewinners at the Saturday evening whist drive held in the reading room, Kitchenroyd were Betty Dalby, Betty Lister, Muriel Sykes, Winifred Adamski, Fred Heppenstall and Margaret Dickinson who also won the raffle prize. MC was Jeff Parkes, and the evening concluded with refreshments.

Celebrant for the Sunday morning Communion service at St Augustines Church was the Rev Joy Cousans, assisted by Doreen Sykes.

During the service baby Sofia Skov was baptised. The New Testament reading was by Henryk Skov and the Gospel reading was by Patrick Robertshaw. Prayers were led by Mollie Firth. Sidesmen were Sandra Firth and Geoff Shaw, and the offertory was taken up by Doreen Newbound and Audrey Mosley. The organist was Jonathan Newcombe, and after the service, refreshments were served in the Kent Room.

SHELLEY

Shelley Over 60s met in the village hall last Thursday. The bingo line went to Connie Walters who also won the full house. The whist high 92 was recorded by Dorothy Jessop and the low of 63 went to Greta Hinchliffe from eight tables. Birthday wishes were given to Denise Edinburgh and Renee Hewitt. Raffles prizes went to Colin Littlewood, Marjorie Johnson, Bessie Usher, Margaret Haigh, Jean Porter and Eunice Ramsden.

SKELMANTHORPE

Preacher at last Sunday morning’s service at Skelmanthorpe Methodist Church was Mr A Kimberley. The Bible reading, from Matthew, was by Susan Wright. Mr John Orton was organist.