BIRDSEDGE
The lunch in the village hall on Thursday went down well. The menu for the next one on Thursday July 14 will be roast beef and Yorkshire pudding followed by lemon meringue pie.
Birdsedge Festival takes place today on Birdsedge school field at the back of the village hall. Entry to the event, which starts at noon, is free due to a grant from EPIP. A fun family day with stalls, games and attractions will include Shepley Band, Africo Productions, sheep dog and geese herding, belly dancers and much more. The beer tent will be serving real ales from Leeds brewery and the barbecue will be cooking local produce from Fairleigh Farm shop in the village. Refreshments and teas will be served throughout the afternoon, in the hall. The evening event in the tent, also with free entry, will have entertainment provided by local musicians Gareth Dickinson, Modern Misfits, The Undiscovered and Detox from 7pm.
Sunday’s church service was taken by Mike Smith. The family service tomorrow will be taken by the junior church.
CLAYTON WEST
Morning worship at the Methodist Church was a service of Holy Communion led by the church minister, the Rev David Priestnall. He spoke about the meeting of Blind Bartimaeous with Jesus, and how as he sat by the roadside he asked Jesus to heal him of his blindness, and when he did he immediately followed him on the road and became a follower and changed his life. Jesus challenges us to change our lives and follow him too. Les Barber read the story of Bartimaeous from gospel of Mark and Lucy Froggatt led prayers of intercession. Stewards were Betty Booth and Joan Bond. Maxine Lodge assisted at communion. A gift of flowers for the communion table was from Joan Bond. After the service Jane Woodcock served coffee and biscuits.
Last Tuesday the afternoon fellowship enjoyed a visit from Rose and Stuart Merry who entertained with music and song, readings and poetry. Refreshments were served afterwards – a very enjoyable meeting.
A very successful coffee morning was held on Saturday, raising money for All Saints Church funds. The next coffee morning will be on Saturday August 13 at 10.30am.
Parish Communion on Sunday was led by the Rev Joy Cousans with a theme of invitations. Readings were prepared and delivered by Kathryn Hullah from Habakuk 2(vv1 – 4) and the Gospel of John 20(vv24 – 29). The Rev Joy talked of invitations to events and an acceptance allowing time to plan for that event. All Saints’ will be issuing invitations to people in the parish during the month of September, hoping that acceptances will make for a large congregation at the start of October. This service will need a plan, hence the reason for starting to think about it at the start of July. During communion, distribution the choir sang Howard Goodall’s arrangement of The Lord is my Shepherd. Refreshments for all after the service were served by Barbara Gill and Ann Bunn.
DENBY DALE
Zion Wesleyan Reform Chapel pastor Robert Nuttall entertained members of the congregation at a birthday lunch on Thursday. Michael Hoyle and Ruth Booth organised a Family Ramble on Friday evening. On the ramblers’ return Robert Nuttall and Sylvia Sunderland served supper. The theme of Sunday mornings Sunday school was Obeying God and the stories and artwork were about the prophet Jonah. Robert Nuttall was the speaker at the Sunday evening service when he spoke about trusting in the power of God. The service included the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper when the steward was Carol Mosley.
EMLEY
On Thursday evening Sprouts and Roots enjoyed a picnic in Emley Parish churchyard as the end of term treat. They will resume meetings in mid September.
On Sunday morning Worship for All was taken by the Rev John Marsh and assistant priest the Rev Ann Young. Alison Smith read the Bible, Mavis Jessop led prayers assisted by the children and Malcolm Jessop played the organ. Jayne, John Ryder and Carol Lee took part in a brief drama relating to the new way forward in the new ministry. The Rev Ann Young’s talk dealt with today’s society, worries, noise and anxieties; everyone wrote down their problems on a card, the children collected them, and they will be put on the altar for the evening Communion service and offered up to God. Everyone was urged to share their load of anxiety with God. All sang Be Still For The Presence Of The Lord Is Moving In This Place. A letter of thanks was received for the collection of more than £500 taken at the Licensing Service held in June. It will be donated to the Mara Fund. Later Kelsey May and Joshua Thomas Hadfield were baptised by the Rev John Marsh.
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 Second Sunday after Trinity. The service was led by reader Mrs Janet Roberts and Mrs Lorraine Lockwood gave the talk. Pastoral Minister Mr Malcolm Tibbott led the prayers of intercession. The theme was Seeing Differently, The conversion of Saul, and Mrs Roberts gave a series of readings about the work of St Paul. Mrs Pauline Pinder along with Mrs Joy Elson and her two grandchildren Josh and Jessica performed the duties of sidesmen and took up the collection. The singing was accompanied by the Church Music Group. After the service Mrs Joanne Smith and Jean Sutcliffe served coffee and refreshments to the worshippers.
In the evening Mrs Roberts led a service of extended communion; the sacrament having been consecrated before the service. She took for her theme, Faith in Jesus and His Power to Heal. The prayers were led by pastoral minister, Mrs Betty Cross and Mrs Pauline Pinder read from the ninety-first Psalm. Mrs Shirley Lingwood and Mrs Roberts read passages from the Gospel according to St Matthew. Mrs Roberts was assisted at the distribution by Mrs Cross. Mrs Doreen Barraclough was the organist.
SHELLEY
At Thursday’s meeting of Shelley Over 60s Club in the village hall all enjoyed strawberries and cream before whist and bingo. The walking group, which meets every second Thursday, walked from Roydhouse through Thorncliffe to Kirkburton. Birthday greetings were sent to Gerald Ibbotson, Jean Eskrett, Stewart Watmuff, Mary Milnes and Pat Foster. New member Suzanne Wright was welcomed to the club.
SKELMANTHORPE
Last Sunday the preacher at Skelmanthorpe Methodist Church was Mr Ron Sand. Using his various experiences when he lived in Ireland, he illustrated important lessons for life. When he went to live there, he and his wife Cath were welcomed warmly by people of all faiths, realising that on further acquaintance people are friendly. He also illustrated how God helped him in his preaching appointments both in the north and south of the country. Always giving him an appropriate message whether the occasion be prepared or instantaneous. Stuart Merry was the steward of the day and the organist was Francis Priestnall.
On Monday night the Wives’ Group made final preparations for the Christian Aid Coffee Morning yesterday. This was followed by an interesting and informative talk by Mrs Linda Muirhead who is a member of the Independent Monitoring Board at HMP at Send. The evening was organised by Dorothy Waddington, Patricia Woodhead, and Carole Senior, who introduced the speaker, led the devotions and provided the supper.
Preacher for Sunday morning service at the Wesleyan Reform Church was John Orton, who also played piano. Holy Communion was held and the steward was Susan Wright.
