BIRDSEDGE
The Lunch Club on Thursday was very busy probably due to the inclement weather. The next menu will be pork chops with vegetables and potatoes followed by trifle.
The Quiz Night will be held on Friday May 25 from 8pm. A Car Boot Sale will be held at Fairleigh Farm on Sunday morning, booking on 01484 604289.
The Sunday service was taken by Tom Wood. Linda Jacob read 1 Corinthians 3 v1-23 – ‘Divisions in the church’. As the previous week’s message ‘we should build our life on solid foundations’, Paul’s letter to the church in Corinth asked them to remember what the church was built on and not to fight with one another. Remember we are God’s fellow-workers, we are God’s field and God’s building. The next service will be taken by Tony Hudson.
The Hospice Support Group have decided to serve hot pork sandwiches at the Race Night held in the Village Hall on Saturday June 16 from 7.30pm.
Birdsedge’s Jubilee celebrations on Tuesday June 5 will start at noon. There will be live big screen coverage of celebrations, hot food, cream teas and refreshments will be on sale. Children’s games and entertainment will be part of a big village party.
CLAYTON WEST
Morning worship at the Methodist Church was a service of Holy Communion led by Rev Brian Jenner from Penistone. He spoke about the Ascension of Jesus and how he would return, in the gift of the Holy Spirit, to all believers. During the service Emily and Isobel were received into the church by baptism, and Joan Bond on behalf of the church gave a lit candle to each child, signifying Jesus the light of the world. Their Parents and Godparents, family and friends supported them on this special occasion, as did all the church members. The story of the Ascension from Acts was read by Maxine Lodge and stewards were Betty Booth and Joan Bond. Flowers were a gift from Margaret Firth. After the service Lucie Froggatt served coffee and biscuits. The monthly coffee morning was held last Saturday. Homemade cakes were on sale and the Traidcraft stall and book stall also there. Bacon sandwiches were cooked and served by Beryl Holt and Lucie Froggatt, all proceeds for church funds.
DENBY DALE
The theme of this week's Sunday School was the return of Jesus to Heaven with crafts and games at Zion Wesleyan Reform Chapel. Robert Booth led the service on Sunday evening when he spoke about the Ascension of Jesus and the conversion of John Wesley. The pianist was Robert Nuttall. Next Sunday is Pentecost Sunday. In the morning there will be a special celebration for the children at 10.30am and at 6.00pm there will be a Songs of Praise evening. The service will be led by Robert Nuttall and the singing by Hobson's Chorus.
EMLEY
Protection Racket was the interesting title for Sunday morning’s service – a Worship for All with Holy Communion – at St Michael’s Church. With pictures of various people who need protective clothing or appliances in their jobs or hobbies, assisted by a striped apron, a hard-hat with ear protectors and a visor, and a high visibility jacket, the Rev John Marsh illustrated how appropriate “gear” ensures safety, reflecting how God offers believers protection and defence in their daily life and mission. The young people assembled “Church kit bags” to equip them for their faith journey, and assisted with actions to illustrate the ancient Celtic prayer, St Patrick’s Breastplate.
The evening service, led by Rev Anne Young, focussed on Blessing through song, reflection and silence, with image and music to illustrate a reading from Henri Nouwen’s Life of the Beloved – a moving, thought-provoking quiet time.
The next social event is a Singathon on Saturday May 26 between 2 and 5pm – giving a chance to drop in and sponsor your favourite sacred song or hymn, singing along with organ, singers and backing tracks, whilst enjoying a cuppa or just listening to other people’s choices.
The service on Sunday is Holy Communion at 9.15 am celebrating Pentecost – the coming of the Holy Spirit. All welcome.
SHELLEY
Shelley Over 60s met in the Village Hall last Thursday. The whist high of 92 was won by Margaret Haigh and the low of 65 went to Betty Cassinelli from eight tables. The bingo line was won by Wendy Kettlewell and the full house shared between Olwyn Berry, Margaret Haigh and Phillip Pool. The first three numbers on one card was shared by Joyce Booth and Vera Rothson. There were four4 birthdays to celebrate – John Mayhew, Arthur Walters, Sylvia Richardson and Isobel Saville. Members held a minutes silence of respect for Ken Briggs who passed away recently. Raffle prizes were won by Joan Pool, Molly James, Fred Huddle, Robin Small, Vera Rothson and Wendy Kettlewell.
SHEPLEY
Shepley Methodist Choir will be holding a Diamond Jubilee Concert featuring traditional proms type songs and music. Guest performers will include nine-year-old harpist Heidi Green, who has just been accepted to the Junior Royal Northern College of Music, and local tenor, Paul Holroyd. The concert is at Shepley Methodist Church at 7pm on Saturday, June 2. Tickets £4/£3 concessions, available from Shepley News agents, choir members, on the door on the night or from Rita Paskell on 01484 603338.
SKELMANTHORPE
On Sunday, May 13 at Skelmanthorpe Methodist Church, the baptism of Josephine Lily Bennett took place. The baby was christened by Rev Ann Buckroyd and Ann Sherratt, who also conducted the service of workshop. The theme of the service was about God’s love towards us. It was also the Sunday Club anniversary and the children took part in accompanying the hymns along with members of the music group, Frances Priestnall, Rose Merry and Margaret Taylor. During the address, the children were kept busy decorating a scraper board cross. The steward was Clare Dodsley and refreshments were served after the service by Eunice and Martyn Radley.
Residents at Longroyds and Pilling House elderly residential home are set to mark the Queen's Diamond Jubilee. Staff at the home in Skelmanthorpe are organising a garden party to take place on Tuesday, June 5. The event will get under way at 2pm with music from ladies singing group The Songbirds. There will also be a tea party to raise funds for the Marie Curie cancer charity, with cakes and buns donated by the local Co-operative store.
A Jubilee Trail will take place in Skelmanthorpe from June 2-12 to celebrate the Queen’s Jubilee. Forty-four village shops and businesses will each display a poster of a crown, along with a letter and a number (also with a little fact about Queen Elizabeth just to read for fun). Entry is free and there are lots of prizes donated by the Methodist Church which is organising the quiz as part of its Jubilee celebrations. Quiz sheets can be obtained from the Post Office and from Premier Essentials (Baz’s) on Commercial Road. The quiz has been devised by Frances Priestnall and Deacon Jane Paine.
A celebratory service to mark the Queen’s Jubilee will be held at Skelmanthorpe Methodist Church at 10.30am on Sunday, June 3. Lunch will be provided after the service and then a DVD about the Queen’s reign will be shown on the big screen.
