BIRDSEDGE

The Village Hall Luncheon Club was well attended and appreciated. Next Thursday, April 15, braising steak with mashed potatoes and vegetables along with jam sponge and custard will be served. A Race Night will be held next Saturday, April 17, from 7pm.

A cooked breakfast was enjoyed on Easter Sunday before a very full church was informed by the young people about the Alpha Course they had been studying. Using power point they spoke about whether or not we believe that Jesus is the Son of God and whether the Easter story is fact or fiction. Young members of Hade Edge Band accompanied the hymns and Easter eggs were given out at the end of the service. The Family Service tomorrow will be taken by Terry Frost. A Spring Fair is due to be held today (Saturday).

CLAYTON WEST

In Clayton West, Holy Week saw parishioners being invited to attend meditations on the Stations of the Cross during evening meetings at 7.30pm. Churches Together held a communion service at Wakefield Road Methodist Church on Maundy Thursday. There was a children’s event on Good Friday morning at St Augustine’s Church, Scissett and the day was concluded with Reflections on the Cross at the United Reformed Church.

A dawn Eucharist was celebrated on Easter Day in the churchyard at High Hoyland by the Rev Joy Cousans and attendees from the Churches Together group in Clayton West and Scissett, and members of the five Upper Dearne Valley Churches. Breakfast was enjoyed afterwards at All Saints’ Church, Clayton West.

Parish Eucharist was held at 9.15am, following the usual service format with seasonal music from the choir at its start – See What A Morning – and throughout the sharing of Holy Communion – Walking In The Garden and This Joyful Eastertide. Readings were prepared by Wynn Leake and Edward Toulson reading from Acts 10(vv34 – 43) and the Gospel of Luke 24(vv1 – 12) respectively. The Rev Joy reminded the congregation of the story of Easter while preparing an empty cross from a single sheet of paper. The significance of the empty cross being that Jesus is risen from the dead – overcoming death and sin – the core of the Christian message that all can be freed from their sins. Prayers for the wider world were led by Kate Currie. Refreshments were prepared and served by Trish Bond and Edward Toulson.

Another successful coffee morning was held on Saturday, during which the church was decorated for Easter.

The Churches Together communion service was held on Maundy Thursday evening at the Methodist Church, led by the Rev David Priestnall. This included a meditation on the 23rd Psalm. Taking part were Beryl and Peter Holt, Les Barber, Rosalyn Beevers and Neil Woodcock. The Old Testament reading from Exodus was read by Jonathan Newcombe and the New Testament reading from John by Wendy Barber. People left quietly after the service.

Easter morning celebrations began with the traditional breakfast, enjoyed by members and friends. Proceeds were given to the Methodist Relief Fund.

Worship for Easter Sunday morning was also led by the Rev David Priestnall, who conducted Holy Communion. This was preceded by placing daffodils on the empty cross, the triumphant last part of the Lenten Cross, led by Beryl Holt and Wendy Barber. Lessons were read by Maxine Lodge, who also assisted at the communion service, and Jane Woodcock. Lucie Froggatt read a meditation on Mary Magdalene. Stewards were Betty Booth and Joan Bond. The flowers on the communion table were a gift from Ida Brooke. The cross filled with flowers was taken outside after the service and placed in front of the church.

EMLEY

Holy Week at St Michael’s was busy. Meditations were held on the first three evenings and a Passover meal was celebrated on Maundy Thursday evening. On Good Friday afternoon church members met at the cross in the village centre, sang There Is A Green Hill Far Away and then processed down Church Street carrying a wooden cross. A quiet service of meditations, Bible readings and hymns in church was led by the Rev Christine and John Bullimore. On Saturday evening a Vigil was held.

The Rev Joy Cousans from Clayton West conducted a Holy Communion service in High Hoyland churchyard as the sun rose over Barnsley. People from Emley, Clayton West and Scissett joined in the celebration. Emley worshippers returned to St Michael’s for a full English breakfast. At 9.30am a Communion service was held in church celebrated by the Rev Christine Bullimore. Carol Lee and Katharine Moorhouse read the Bible, Sallie Dickins led prayers and Malcolm Jessop played the organ. The choir sang the anthem When I Survey The Wondrous Cross. In his sermon John Bullimore stressed the importance of sharing the good news of Easter. Refreshments were served.

KIRKBURTON

Holy week at All Hallows was celebrated with a special service on Maundy Thursday and on the morning of Good Friday there was Eastermania at the Hub. In the evening there was a reflective service An Hour at the Cross. On Easter Sunday the church was dressed with flowers and banners proclaiming The Risen Lord as well as the traditional Easter display of the garden and empty tomb when worshippers met for a special Easter Breakfast before the 11.15am service of Family Communion. A warm welcome was given to the new priest-in-charge, the Rev Geoff Clay, who led the service and preached the sermon. Pastoral minister Mr Malcolm Tibbott led the Prayers of Intercession and Miss Sophie McCann gave the reading from the Acts of the Apostles. The Rev Robert Chambers read about the Resurrection from the Gospel according to St John. The chalice and paten were taken to the altar by Mr and Mrs Geoff Slater. Mr Chambers and reader Mrs Janet Roberts assisted at the distribution. Sidesmen were Mrs Shirley Lingwood and Mr and Mrs Dennis Goring. Music was Griff Jones. Refreshments were served after the service by Mrs Mary Chambers and Mrs Freda Crabb.

SHELLEY

Members of Shelley Over 60s Club held their weekly meeting at the Village Hall on Thursday. The bingo line was won by Dora Mettrick and the full house by Lilian Armitage. The first three numbers on one card was won by Joan Cope who got £3. The whist high of 89 was won by Audrey Taylor and Wally Usher and the low of 62 went to Colin Littlewood from eight tables. Members celebrated the birthdays of Barbara Wadsworth, Sylviane Martin-Hirsch, Dora Sanders (90) and Dorothy Ramsden. New members Edna Glover, Ray Spencer, Phyllis Thompson and Pat Bradshaw were welcomed. Raffle prizes went to Nancy Lear, Joan Cope, Colin Littlewood Jenny Rose and Marjorie Johnstone.

SKELMANTHORPE

On Easter Sunday at Skelmanthorpe Methodist Church, the service of all age worship was conducted by Stuart Merry. The theme of the service retold the Easter Story. Stuart asked the congregation to think about how they conducted their lives in relation to the disciples and the Easter Story. Communion was taken. Bible readings were by Rose Merry and John Senior from Luke – Mary Magdalene, Johanna and Mary go to the tomb and find Jesus gone – and ŠActs – Peter asks the disciples to spread the good news about Jesus. The distribution of small chocolate eggs (donated by Ann Buckroyd), was undertaken by children Joseph and Benjamin Dodsley. A power point presentation of the service, with images and hymn words, was given by Stuart Merry. Organist was Christine Senior. Coffee was served afterwards by Anne Wadsworth and Barbara Casson.

The United Churches of Skelmanthorpe held a meditation service at the United Reformed Church on Good Friday. Mrs Carol Senior was leader, Chris Ward conducted the choir and Jonathan Woodcock was organist. Tea and coffee was served. John Orton was preacher at the Sunday morning service and communion. Steward was Susan Wright.