BIRDSEDGE
The Luncheon Club went well. The next one on Thursday January 27 will be serving pork chops with chips, peas and onion rings with fruit sponge pudding and custard.
The annual senior citizens party will be held in the Village Hall on Sunday February 6 at 4pm for 4.30pm. The musical group Miscellany are providing the entertainment. All eligible friends will be welcome. Transport can be organised. On Film Night Chicago, starring Richard Gere, was enjoyed by the small audience – as were the refreshments.
On Sunday in church, Malcolm Jacob took the service. He went back to Christmas, reading Isaiah 9 – the prophesy of Jesus’ birth stating ‘The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this’. Another reading from Luke 2 v 21-39 where a man called Simeon and a lady called Anna happened to be at the temple courts when Jesus was taken there by Joseph and Mary who had to do what the custom of the Law required. Malcolm asked if we believed in coincidence or the will of God. How many times have we done something or been somewhere for no great reason and discovered there was a reason for it after all, just as if it was part of a bigger plan that we didn’t know about until it happened?
The Church AGM will be held on Sunday February 6 after the morning service and a light lunch.
CLAYTON WEST
A warm welcome was given to Evie, Oliver and her parents, Nicola and Ross on the occasion of Evie’s baptism at All Saints Church on Sunday. The service was led by Rev Joy Cousans who spoke about the surprises that we can find wherever we visit and especially for the first time. This is also true of God, we can be surprised in all situations to find that there has been an extra hand in our arrangements or our thoughts; we should be mindful of these occasions and take every opportunity to listen to the unexpected. Readings from Isaiah 49 (vv1-7) and the Gospel of John 1 (vv 35 – 42) were prepared by Edward Toulson and Raymond Parker, respectively. Prayers for the wider world were written and delivered by Jayne Stanley and Stephanie Spence. The organist was Jonathan Newcombe. During the distribution of communion, the choir sang Mary Did You Know? - an arrangement of the original and accompanied by Jaime Alderson. Refreshments were available to all after the service, prepared and served by Stephanie Spence and Marjorie Brown. Parishioners are reminded of the meal at No.21 on January 29 which will take the form of a Silent Auction. Anyone wishing to attend should contact the church wardens –their details are in church.
DENBY DALE
Churches together is having its regular annual Ceilidh tonight from 7.30 pm in the Pie Hall Denby Dale. This is an ecumenical social event which includes the Anglican, Methodist and Zion Wesleyan Reform Churches of Cumberworth, Denby and Denby Dale. Everyone from the parishes is very welcome to come along and join the fun! There will be a caller who leads the ceilidh and encourages people to get on their feet and attempt the dances, which range from very easy to moderate, depending on the capability of everyone. Food is available during the interval. Adult tickets are £7, children £4 and family tickets (2 adults and 2 children) for £20. They are available from church members or contact Len and Val Hawkes (865763) or Sarah Robinson (864565).
The children's club at Zion Wesleyan Reform church met on Friday evening. On Sunday morning a large congregation from the six churches in Churches Together met at Zion Chapel to celebrate the week of prayer for Christian unity. The service was led by Robert Nuttall. The Bible was read by Val Hawkes and Jayne Storr. Prayers were led by Irene Richardson and the sermon was given by Rev David Priestnall. The offering was given to Bridgewood House. The speaker at the evening service was Mike Hopcroft
EMLEY
The Christmas Appeal by Emley Parish Church, Toilet Twinning to raise money for toilets in Burundi raised £735 and will provide twelve toilets.
Worship for All with Holy Communion was celebrated by Rev Christine Bullimore and led by Gill Marsh. Prayers taken by Mavis Jessop, Bible reading by Luke Tullet and the organ played by Malcolm Jessop. The theme for the service was Trust – based on John the Baptist’s trust in God and his action inviting all to follow Jesus saying Come and See. As Christians it is our job to continue to take this message to all people. Explorers made a big poster showing sheep following the shepherd and showed it to the congregation.
KIRKBURTON
Mrs Meg Tibbott welcomed the congregation to the service of Sung Eucharist in All Hallows Parish Church on the second Sunday after Epiphany led by the Rev Robert Chambers. The Prayers of Intercession were led by Mrs Theresa Quarmby and Mrs Rachael Atkinson gave the reading for the day from the 49th chapter of the Book of Isaiah. Mrs Janet Roberts read from the first chapter of the Gospel according to St John and preached the sermon taking for her theme, Service and Witness to Jesus: Come and See. The chalice and paten were taken to the altar by Mrs Jean Sutcliffe and Mrs Joanne Smith. Mr Chambers was assisted at the distribution of the Sacrament by Mrs Roberts and pastoral minister Mr Malcolm Tibbott. Mrs Pat Ellis and Mrs Janet Jessop were sidesmen and took up the collection. After the service the worshippers enjoyed refreshments served by Mrs Margaret Haigh, Mrs Edie Brookes and Mrs Phyll Taylor. Mrs Doreen Barraclough was organist.
In the evening Miss Grace Daniels launched a new youth orientated service of Cafe Church at the Hub. Replacing Synaxis, the new service is called Light. Mrs Vicky Daniels served refreshments.
LEPTON
Lepton Townswomen’s Guild held their monthly meeting in the Methodist Church when Mrs Hazel Wadsworth presided. Mr T Moody gave a most interesting talk, with slides, entitled The Beautiful Gardens Of The National Trust.Mrs Betty Dove proposed the vote of thanks and Mrs Wendy Gill won the raffle.
SHELLEY
It was a well attended meeting of Shelley Over 60s Club in the Village Hall on Thursday December 39. The bingo line and full house was won by Gordon Burgin. The first three numbers on one card was not claimed and the prize carried over until our next meeting. The whist high of 92 was won by Marjorie Johnstone and the low of 65 went to Joan Cope from eight tables. Members celebrated the birthdays of Bettina Walsh, Pauline Addy, Olga Horn Jenny Wishart (90) and John Keaveney. Members also welcomed Sheila Morris, Gerald Ibbotson, Doris Sommerton, Jean Peck and Stuart Wadsworth as new members. Raffle prizes were won by Molly James, Bessie Usher, Ruth Sheffield, Mary Hobson, Ken Cassinelli and Kathleen Proctor.
On Thursday January 6 members held their first meeting of 2011. The bingo line was won by Bessie Usher and the full house by Pauline Workman. The whist high of 89 was won by Barry Jessop and Fred Huddle, and the low of 56 went to Linda Brauner from seven tables. Happy Birthday was wished to Janet Brook and welcomed Kate Brady as a new member. Raffle prizes were won by Pauline Workman, Jean Eskrett, Arthur Pollard, Audrey Taylor Mary Hobson and Marion Kelly.
SKELMANTHORPE
Carol Senior was the preacher for Sunday morning at the Wesleyan Reform Church. Her Bible reading was from Job. John Orton was the organist.
Mr Adrian Lindley was the preacher at Sunday morning’s worship, his subject was Personalities and using the Bible reading from the letter of St Paul to the Romans as the basis of his address, he emphasised the importance of everybody in the church family weather in the kitchen or making decisions. Elsa Horton was the steward and she read the Bible portion and Christine Senior was the organist.
STOCKSMOOR
Stocksmoor Bridge Club results for Thursday January 6 were: North/South – 1 M Bailey and A Mitchell, 2 E Pearson and K Morley, 3 W Sharman and J Morris; East/West – 1 M Cooper and C Kaye. 2 C Pilling and S Clegg, 3 M Russell and E Covell.
Thursday January 13: North/South – 1 T and M Hirst, 2 M Sandell and S Hancock, 3 W Sharman and J Morris; East/West – 1 M Russell and E Covell, 2 P Turner and M Kenworthy, 3 C Kaye and L Tempest.
