CLAYTON WEST

A service of holy communion at the Methodist Church was led by the Rev Richard Thompson who spoke about the call of God in our lives, to serve him in many different ways. The Old Testament lesson from Isaiah, read by Beryl Holt, had the words ‘here am I, send me’, and the lesson from Luke, read by Jean Heath, told how the disciples were called to serve. The organ was played by Jane Hobson and stewards were Betty Booth and Joan Bond. Flowers for the communion table were a gift from Wendy Barber, who served coffee and biscuits.

The feast of Candlemas was celebrated on the day itself, with members of both St Augustine’s and All Saints’ churches coming together for a sung holy communion service. A clear message of strong personalities upholding their faith in a young boy of the time; this should be translated in our own lives – of using the light of Christ in all situations we meet.

A service of parish communion was held at 9.15am on February 7 at All Saints’ Church, Clayton West. Readings were presented by Mavis Brooke and Edward Toulson from Genesis and the Gospel of Luke respectively. Kate Currie, a trainee lay reader, spoke of her acknowledgement of and continuing growth into the Christian faith, likening her journey to the characters of Adam and Eve in the first reading and then the disciples observing a strange calmness in the story from Luke. The celebrant was the Rev Joy Cousans. Prayers for the wider world were offered by Olivia England and George Lane. After the service, refreshments were available for the whole congregation, served by Wynn Leake and Marjorie Brown.

Clayton West Men’s Society held their bi-weekly meeting on Friday February 5. Mr David Tomkins from the RSPB was the guest speaker for the evening, his subject was Birds of Prey. Mr Tomkins also spoke about how birds of prey had been persecuted and to a degree still are, but with the help of various interested groups are being re-established.The Men's Society invite ladies to join them at the next meeting when G Carr's talk will be about Local Wildlife. The Society's meetings are held in the schoolroom behind the UR Church, Clayton West. The next meeting will be next Friday at 7.30pm.

EMLEY

Sunday saw a full church at St Michael’s. The Music Group, with Martin Bailes, Graham Russell and Gillian Emms on guitars, Esther Ryder and Penny Yates on flutes, Sophie Ryder on trumpet and Malcolm Jessop on piano and organ provided music. Mavis Jessop led the service on the theme of A Glimpse Of God. The reading – Isaiah’s Story – was read by Rebecca Tullett and ended with the words ‘I must go and speak God’s word’. The talk was given by Jill Marsh, who took people’s mental picture of God as the subject and stated that we may see God in our own minds individually, yet we cannot see him in reality: this does not mean that God does not exist, but that we need to develop a picture of God through faith. The church children were busy throughout the service, creating coloured angels, which were shown to the congregation. Freddie Smith drew emphasis on the words Hallelujah and Praise The Lord. The Rev Christine Bullimore led prayers, remembering Haiti and Afghanistan, as well as those sick, suffering or grieving. She also gave thanks for our homes, families and friends. Notices included a reminder of the Ash Wednesday service at 7pm on February 17 in church. The Rev Christine read the banns of marriage between Simon Horsey and Diane Bissett and Vaughn Thomas and Sarah Wood. Happy Birthday was sung to both Daniel James, who was two years old, and to Gordon. The service closed with coffee and biscuits.

KIRKBURTON

The Rev Ann Sykes has been announced as a new minister in the parish. She began her ministry as a reader before being ordained and has played a significant part within the Emmanuel Team.

There were two services in All Hallows Parish Church on the second Sunday before Lent. In the morning Mrs Meg Tibbott welcomed the congregation to a celebration of sung Eucharist which was led by curate, the Rev Robert Chambers. The preacher was reader Mrs Janet Roberts, who took for her theme: Humanity’s Gift of Free Will. Mrs Hazel Ramsay led the prayers of intercession and Mrs Jean Sutcliffe gave the readings for the day, from the second chapter of Genesis and the fourth chapter of The Revelation of St John the Divine. Mr Chambers read the Gospel from the eighth chapter of St Luke. The chalice and paten were taken up to the altar by Mrs Rachel Atkinson and Mrs Sutcliffe. Mrs Roberts and Mrs Hilary Berry assisted at the distribution of the Sacrament. The sidesmen were Mrs Shirley Lingwood and Mr Dennis Goring. After the service, Mrs Sue McPherson and Mrs Theresa Quarmby served refreshments. Pastoral minister, Mrs Betty Cross led a service of evensong. She took for her theme Faith and Building our Relationship with God. Readings were given by Mrs Pauline Pinder and Mrs Shirley Lingwood. Mrs Doreen Barraclough was the organist at both services.

On Sunday afternoon Mrs Lorraine Lockwood and Mrs Vicky Daniels led a special Passion Service at the Hub. This is a relaxed, informal, style of worship for people searching to explore their faith.

On Tuesday afternoon the Burton Friendship Club held their first weekly meeting of the year at the Hub. Mrs Hazel Ramsay organised a quiz and members had a discussion about their future meetings and arrangements to be made over the following weeks. Mrs Betty Wragg won the raffle and tea and biscuits were served by Mesdames Calvert, Ramsay and Ellis.

SHELLEY

Due to the inclement weather, a much lower than usual number of members of Shelley Over 60s held their weekly meeting in the Village Hall last Thursday. The bingo line was won by Walter Astin and the full house by Kathleen Code. The first three numbers on one card was not won and the prize money carried over until the next meeting. The whist high of 96 was won by Harry Rose, and the low of 71 went to Audrey Taylor, Margaret Lee and Dora Sanders. Members wished Happy Birthday to Vera Hartley, Ann Horsley, Margaret Laycock, Marian Swift, Viki Heywood and Robert Slater. The club welcomed Janet Brook, Joan Smith, Dorothy Thorp, Judith Crowther and Margaret Lee as new members. Raffle prizes were won by Eunice Ramsden, Jenny Rose, Sheila Taylor, Marion Kelly and Audrey Taylor.

SKELMANTHORPE

Carol Senior was preacher for Sunday morning service at the Wesleyan Reform Chapel. Her Bible readings were from Ephesians and a service of holy communion was held. The steward was Susan Wright and John Orton played the organ.