CLAYTON WEST

Parish Communion at All Saints’ Church was celebrated at 9.15am on Sunday. Readings were prepared by Edward Toulson and Raymond Parker from the second book of Kings 5 (vv 1 – 14) and the Gospel of Luke 10 (vv 1 – 11 and 16 - 20) respectively. Rev Joy based her talk upon the essence of the Gospel reading: it is acknowledged that Christians do have a hard time when they are prepared to go out and deliver messages from the Bible – however, people should not be deterred, but rather remember that anything that is done in Jesus’ name will bring rewards, however small.

Several members of the congregation attended Wakefield Cathedral on July 3 to celebrate the ordination of Cathy Reardon into the deaconate; an example of an ordinary person deciding to continue to deliver God’s messages to ordinary people. Prayers for the wider world were written and delivered by George Lane and Jonathan Newcombe. During the distribution of communion, the choir sang Edward Elgar’s arrangement of Ave Verum, accompanied by Jonathan Newcombe. Stephanie Spence and Marjorie Brown prepared and served refreshments to all, after the service.

Sheffield Folk Chorale had a very warm reception on their presentation of their music programme; all monies raised will be directed to the church development fund.

Morning worship at the Methodist Church was led by Lucie Froggatt, a reader in the church. She spoke of the love of God in our lives and how it should guide us to show that love to others. Readings from Romans and the gospel of John expressed that love, and were given by Maxine Lodge and Peter Holt. The organist was Jane Hobson and stewards were Betty Booth and Maxine Lodge. A gift of flowers for the communion table was from Dorothy Fretwell. Coffee and biscuits were served after the service by Wendy Barber.

EMLEY

Ten Gardens in and around Emley village were open to the public on Saturday and Sunday to raise money for St Michael’s Church. The route began from the church where refreshments were served. On Sunday afternoon a strawberry tea was available.

Worship for All was led by the Rev Christine Bullimoor on Sunday morning. The story of the Good Samaritan was illustrated using puppets. The children made booklets containing drawings and showed them to the congregation. Malcolm Jessop played the organ. Later Joseph Charles Roberts was baptised. In the evening a service of Holy Communion was celebrated.

KIRKBURTON

Members of All Hallows Parish Church held a special Church 4 All family service at Kirkburton First School on Sunday. They were welcomed by Mrs Maureen Etchells and Mrs Michaela Schindler and Miss Melissa Schindler. The service was led by the Rev Geoff Clay along with pastoral minister Mr Malcolm Tibbott, churchwarden Mr Glyn Phillips and the children from Kirkburton First School. Pastoral minister Mrs Betty Cross read the prayers of intercession. In his talk Mr Clay took for his theme, A New Start with God. Mrs Gail Marshall was churchwarden and music was provided by Mr Clay and churchwarden John Keighley. Afterwards the worshippers enjoyed a faith picnic lunch and games in the school field. In the evening Mr Clay led a service of Holy Communion in the parish church when he took for his theme, Spread the Message of Jesus’ – Peace!” The prayers of intercession were led by Mrs Pauline Pinder, Mrs Dot Ward gave the reading from the sixth chapter of the letter of St Paul to the Galations and Mr Clay from the Gospel according to St Luke. Pastoral minister Mrs Cross assisted at the distribution of the sacrament. Organist was Mrs Doreen Barraclough.

Members of the Kirkburton Friendship Club enjoyed their traditional strawberries and cream tea when they met at The Hub in the last week of Wimbledon. Mrs Nora Heeley won the raffle and tea was served by Mrs Hazel Ramsay.

SHELLEY

Members of Shelley Over 60s held their weekly meeting in the Village Hall last Thursday. The bingo line was won by Audrey Taylor and the full house was shared by Madge Shaw and Wally Usher. No-one had the first three numbers on one card so the prize was carried over until the next meeting. The whist high of 91 was won by Harry Rose and the low of 62 went to Dorothy Greensmith from seven tables. Members celebrated the birthdays of Jean Eskrett, Mary Milnes and Pat Foster. Raffle prizes were won by Vera Rothson, Vera Wilkinson, Sheila Taylor, Dorothy Greensmith, Ruth Sheffield and Joan Horne.

SKELMANTHORPE

The preacher for Sunday morning service at the Wesleyan Reform Chapel was John Orton of Dalton. His bible readings were from Galations. John also played the piano.

On Friday July 2 a coffee morning was held at Skelmanthorpe Methodist Church. The morning was a success with stalls and lots of people enjoying coffee, scones and bacon sandwiches. The event raised £264 for Christian Aid.

On Sunday at Skelmanthorpe Methodist Church, Pilling Lane, most of the service was led by Mrs Samantha Forster (who is a preacher on trial). The theme was Travelling. During her address to the children, Samantha showed the contents of a holiday case emphasising that, for the journey with Jesus, we don’t need anything. Mr Les Barber enlarged on the theme by drawing examples from the bible readings; read by Samantha, a dramatised piece given by Stuart Merry and Chris Gaunt, with a further reading by Jennifer Brooks. The steward was Stuart Merry. Christine Senior played the organ.

On Monday at the Methodist Church, Pilling Lane, the Skelmanthorpe Wives Group enjoyed an evening of The Life and Times of Granville Stead. Granville became a dancer when he was eight years old with the Doreen France Dance School. From the age of 16 years, his life revolved around Marsden Church Amateurs and Bradley Methodist Church pantomimes. Granville has been involved in amateur dramatics and pantomimes which have played a huge part in his life. Currently he is the chairman of Longwood Amateurs and is a member of Huddersfield Light Opera. He is also a writer, producer and choreographer of Skelmanthorpe Wives’ Group pantomimes. The first pantomime he wrote was Aladdin and since then he has written and produced pantomimes for this group of ladies (including this time’s panto) for 25 years. During the evening Granville involved four members of the group in a dance session to the music A Live Show is the Best Show. This gave the audience an idea of how quickly a routine is learned. He also interacted with the audience answering questions. Granville loves his life in the theatre, his writing and producing and has no immediate plans to retire. He thanked the group for inviting him and told them that tonight they had seen him in a different light. A vote of thanks was proposed by the hosts for the evening, Jean Leach, Greta Capewell, and Carol Charlesworth. Christine Senior played the piano for the hymn When We Walk with the Lord which was chosen by Granville.