BIRDSEDGE
The Village Hall Luncheon Club was quiet, probably due to people making the most of the excellent weather. The next club will be held this Thursday January 26, from noon, serving gammon and pineapple with roast potatoes and mixed vegetables followed by lemon sponge.
The coffee morning was fairly quiet but a very friendly atmosphere, raising £110 for hall funds. Quiz Night will be next Friday January 27 from 8pm.
Malcolm Jacob took the Sunday service. Malcolm read John 2 verse 12 to John 3 verse 9. Verse 3 says: “Jesus declared, ’I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again’.” He thought that this was an unpopular verse because it is difficult to understand and recommended reading A Pilgrim’s Progress for help. The next service will be a Worship Service taken by Tom Wood.
CLAYTON WEST
The morning service at Clayton West Methodist Church last Sunday was led by Ian Morris, local preacher from Cawthorne. He spoke about the significance of the gospel account of Nathaniel speaking with Jesus saying that he would see greater things than just believing and following him. The truth would be revealed relating to the Son of Man, giving full meaning to the words Amen, Amen. A Bible reading from Samuel about God’s call to Eli was given by Rosalyn Beevers, and from John, about Jesus calling Philip and Nathaniel to follow him, read by Les Barber. Stewards were Betty Booth and Joan Bond. Jane Hobson played the piano. The gift of flowers for the communion table was from Margaret Firth. After the service everyone enjoyed coffee and biscuits served by Wendy Barber.
Parish Communion at All Saints Church was celebrated by the Rev Joy Cousans on Sunday. The service began with the congregation engaged in a game of Simon Says. This was to link with the Rev Joy’s talk on Vocation and the introduction of a trainee lay reader who will spend some time with the church and its activities this year. Readings were prepared and delivered by Edward Toulson and Raymond Parker from the 1 Samuel 3 (verses 1-10) and the Gospel of John 1(verses 43-end) respectively. The Rev Joy talked of everyone having talents, as we have seen this past year and the willingness of many people to share their skills. This is the time of the year when the church community asks of people who can and might share their talents further in working to place Christ at the heart of everything we do. Prayers for the wider world were written and shared by Wynn Leake. During the distribution of communion the choir sang an arrangement of The Prayer of Richard of Chichester. The music for the morning was provided by Jonathan Newcombe and Gillian Hamer. At the end of the service, refreshments for all were served by Kath McDaid and Marianne Taylor. Check the church website for future activities.
Denby Dale
The Children's Club at Zion Wesleyan Reform Chapel met on Friday evening last week. Last Sunday morning the monthly Family Service was held when Robert Nuttall led the service. The theme of the service was Who am I? and included a quiz and songs sung by the Sunday School. Robert Booth led the evening service when he spoke about the Christians’ responsibility of care for one another. The pianist was Robert Nuttall. Today a charity lunch to raise funds for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance will be held from 11.45am to 1.15pm. Soup, sandwiches and sweets will be served and there will be a fund raising tombola.
KIRKBURTON
Mrs Meg Tibbott welcomed the congregation to All Hallows Parish Church for a service of Sung Eucharist on the Second Sunday of Epiphany. The leader was pastoral minister Mr Malcolm Tibbott and the preacher was the Rev Geoff Clay who took for his theme, God Wants Us to Move and to Say Come and See.
. Mrs Hazel Ramsay led the Prayers of Intercession and Mrs Hazel Ramsay gave the readings from the third chapter of the first Book of Samuel and from the first chapter of the Gospel according to St John. The chalice and paten were taken to the altar by and Mrs Pauline Pindar and Mrs Joy Elson. Mr Clay was assisted at the distribution by pastoral minister Mrs Betty Cross. Mrs Margaret Haigh and Mrs Edie Brook performed the duties of sidesmen and took up the collection. Mrs Doreen Barraclough and Mrs Rachael Atkinson accompanied the singing and, after the service, Mrs Pat Ellis and Mrs Wendy Crookes served refreshments to the worshippers.
There are no evening services during January.
SHELLEY
It was a crowded meeting at the Village Hall when Shelley over 60s held their weekly meeting last Thursday. The bingo line was won by Vera Wilkinson and the full house by Dora Mettrick. No-one had the first three numbers on one card so the prize carried over to our next meeting The whist high of 89 was won by Margaret Haigh and the low of 58 went to Marion Kelly. Members celebrated the birthdays of Bettina Walsh, Pauline Addy, Olga Horn, Jenny Wishart and John Keaveney. Raffle prizes were won by Dora Mettrick, Rene Biggin, Iris Starling, Joan Small and Kathleen Proctor.
SKELMANTHORPE
Last Sunday at Skelmanthorpe Methodist Church, Mrs Judith Howell of Denby Dale was the preacher. Her theme was about God’s Calling and the Bible readings illustrated this. John Senior read The Calling of Samuelfrom the Old Testament and Jennifer Brooks read The Calling of the Disciplesfrom the New Testament. The music group accompanied one of the hymns. Christine Senior was the organist and the steward for the service was Anne Wadsworth.
The Parent and Toddler Group meet every Thursday afternoon during term time from 1.30pm-3.30pm in the Methodist Church school room. Everyone welcome.
