Parish Magazine Worsbrough St. Mary’s,

Elsecar Holy Trinity

November 2015 40p

2

Who’s Who at Worsbrough? Vicar:- Revd Alison Earl The Vicarage, Wath Road, Elsecar, S74 8HJ Tel: (01226) 351806 Churchwardens:- Mr Tom Isherwood, 21 Stone Leigh, Tankersley,

Tel: 740775 Mr Martin Pearson, 238 Sheffield Road, Birdwell

Tel : 350330 Secretary:- Miss Margaret Fellows. Tel 299577 Deanery Synod:- Mr Martin Pearson, Mrs A Balme

Organist & Choirmaster:- Mr Andrew Noble, Dip.R.C.M (Teach) A.R.C.M (PG) L.T.C.L Mother’s Union:- Mrs A. Balme (Branch Leader) Tel 281185 Meetings held every fourth Wednesday at 7pm Wives Group:- Miss Pam Kellett (Secretary) Tel: 744612

Meetings held alternate Mondays at 7.30pm V.I.P Club Mrs Diane Lawrance tel: 07773905575

Email – dianelawrance@btinternet,com Meetings held at 10.45am second Sunday of the Month

Magazine Secretary:- Mrs A. Jacques tel 290067 Magazine Editor:- Mr A Gittner alastair@gittner.co.uk 28, Lynham Avenue, Birdwell. Tel 361475 Old School room Miss Margaret Fellows. Bookings Tel 299577 Messy Club Jillian Aranyi. Tel 294625 Check out our Church on the web. www.heritageinspired.org.uk www.achurchnearyou.com/Worsbrough-st-Mary/ http://worsbrough.wix.com/st-marys-choir Parochial Church Council: - Mrs B Gittner, Mr J Driver, Mrs J Cameron, Miss M Fellows, Mrs Y Lunn, Miss I Thompson, Mrs A Balme, Miss M Oglanby, Mrs M Shepard. Mrs S. Hallam, Mr R. Thompson.

Arrangements for baptisms, weddings and the publication of banns can be made by contacting the Churchwardens in the Old School any Thursday evenings from 7pm to 7.30pm or failing this by telephone. If you would like to visit the church and have a look round it will be open each week from 1.30am until 1.30pm every Thursday. Thank you to the St Edmunds Arms, Worsbrough, for our cover photograph. It shows a 1969 Ford Capri and a 1983 Ford Escort. .

3

August diary

Sun 1st Nov Wed 12

th Nov

Thu 13th

Nov

11.00am 12.15am 4.00pm 6.30pm 10.00am 9.30-11.30am 7.30pm

Sung Eucharist Junior Choristers Memorial Service Elsecar Worsbrough Memorial Service Holy Communion/Fellowship Drop in Choir rehearsal

Sun 8th Nov Mon 9

th Nov

Tue 10th

Nov Wed 11

th Nov

Thu 12th

Nov

10.45am 11.00am 12.15am 6.30pm 7.30pm 1.30pm – 3.00pm 7.30pm 10.00am 9.30-11.30am 7.30pm

VIP Club Sung Eucharist Junior Choristers Remembrance Service Wives Group Open Meeting Messy Club Joint PCC Elsecar Holy Communion/Fellowship Drop in Choir rehearsal

Sun 15th

Nov Wed 18

th Nov

Thu 19

th Nov

11.00am 12.15am 6.30pm 10.00am 9.30-11.30am 7.30pm

Sung Eucharist (bring your shoe boxes) Junior Choristers Evensong Last day for articles for the Magazine Holy Communion/Fellowship Drop in Choir rehearsal

Sun 22nd

Nov Mon 23

rd Nov

Wed 25th

Nov Thu 20

th Nov

Sat 28th

Nov

11.00am 12.15am 6.30pm 7.30pm 10.00am 7.00pm 9.30-11.30am

Family Worship Junior Choristers Evensong Wives Group: wrapping parcels Holy Communion/Fellowship Mother’s Union Drop in Choir rehearsal Elsecar Christmas Fair

Sun 29th

Nov Tue 1

st Dec

Wed 2nd

Dec Thu 3

rd Dec

Fri 4

th Dec

Sat 5th

Dec

11.00am 12.15am 6.30pm 10.00am 9.30-11.30am 7.30pm 2.00pm -4.00pm

Sung Eucharist Junior Choristers Advent Carol Service Wives Group Trip to Chester Holy Communion/Fellowship Drop in Choir rehearsal Preparations for Christmas Fair Worsbrough Christmas Fair

4

Rotas for November 2015

Sidespersons

Sunday 1st November

11.00am Mrs K. Goldsby-West & Miss M. Fellows

Sunday 8th November

11.00am Mrs A. Balme & Mrs Y. Lunn

Sunday 15th November

11.00am Mrs A. Sellars & Mrs M. Shepard

Sunday 22nd November

11.00am Mrs A. Jacques & & Mrs M. Moore

Sunday 29th November

11.00am Mrs B. Gittner & Mrs V. Taylor

Sanctuary Guild

Mrs S. Reynolds and Mrs J. Thompson

Church Cleaners

8th November Mesd. Sellars, Lunn, & Saynor

22nd November Mr & Mrs Burkinshaw & Mrs J. Cameron

If anyone would like to help to keep our church clean for worship, weddings and baptisms could they please make themselves known.

5

Be Still...

Dear Friends,

On hunting for a birthday card for my daughter at the weekend I was

horrified- yes horrified to see that Paper Chase and other card outlets,

supermarkets and yes even M&S had already got their Christmas cards or

Christmas decorations on display. The children have only just gone back to

school and these last few weeks we have just celebrated a wonderful Harvest

here at St Mary’s and at Holy Trinity raising £500 for ASSIST Sheffield and £500

+ for Project Paddington respectively – THANKYOU!! -and yet the retailers are

already chasing the end of another year that has already gone far too fast.

It’s almost as though we are not allowed to take a breath from one

season/celebration to the next and as we charge along at break neck speed

there is no wonder that many find it harder and harder to cope with the

demands and stresses of a life in the fast lane that just seems to be getting

faster and faster.

I’m afraid, according to my husband, I am the official Mrs Grumpy and refuse

point blank now to shop anywhere where there’s Christmas stuff on sale in

September.

I love this time of year- the ever changing colour of the leaves, the brightness

of berries, the misty mornings, the diamante sparkling of dewy cobwebs and

the smell of logs burning hanging in the air. To me it reminds me very much on

how the seasons herald a new era or stage in the years cycle. And by just the

feel of the wind on your cheek, the chill in the early morning, the smell in the

air and the leaves turning slowly we are brought gently and slowly to autumn

allowing ourselves to breathe and acclimatise to what is to come.

As the nights draw in and we huddle in front of our fires we move within the

church’s year to remember those who have died and are no longer with us

and once again at both St Mary’s and Holy Trinity there will be Memorial

Services on the 1St November– see the diary page of the magazine for date

and times.

6

It was this time of year, when I was seven years of age, that my cousin died

and I always remember my angry racing out of the house crashing through the

leaves when I was told the news. On reflection if that hadn’t have happened I

wouldn’t be here as your priest now- for in order for my Aunt to make some

sense out of her loss she took me to church for the first time and a seed was

sown and the rest is history...

In a world that constantly rushes and changes we don’t give ourselves time to

think or even contemplate how these life changing experiences affect our

psyche, our well-being . We crash and burn too easily now and to what end.

As human beings we have to be gentle with ourselves and allow ourselves

time to move from one season of our lives to another. Time to take stock and

then gently ease our way into the next stage.

I take comfort from these words from a hymn I find myself quietly singing to

myself quite often at this time:

Be still, my soul: the Lord is at your side;

Bear patiently the cross of grief and pain;

Leave to your God to order and provide;

In ev’ry change he faithful will remain.

Be still, my soul: your best, your heav’nly friend,

Through thorny ways, leads to a joyful end.

Be still, and pay attention to your inner self, know that you are loved by God

and let him heal your soul.

Every Blessing, Alison

7

Dates for your November 2015 Diary Sunday 1 United at Hoyland 10.30 am led by Rev Eileen Sanderson Tuesday 3 Ladies’ Group – Bonfire Bash Wednesday 4 2 to 4 pm Coffee Afternoon 7.00 pm Steering Group (committee meeting) Thursday 5 10.00 am Watercolour Painting Sunday 8 Remembrance Sunday 10.45 am Mrs Ellie Peet Monday 9 Shoebox sorting starts at Hoyland Wednesday 11 2 to 4 pm Coffee Afternoon Thursday 12 10.00 am Watercolour Painting Sunday 15 United at Birdwell 10.45 am Mrs Helen Bishop Wednesday 18 2 to 4 pm Coffee Afternoon Sunday 22 10.45 am Rev Mick Neal; Lord’s Supper Wednesday 25 2 to 4 pm Coffee Afternoon Saturday 28 2pm - 4pm Christmas Fayre Sunday 29 10.45 am Advent Carols 6.00 pm Circuit Service at Pilley

See the top box for details of regular weekly events, such as Little Fishes, Kids’ Clubs, etc., which aren’t included in the ‘dates for your diary’. .

Advent approaches As we begin to look forward to Advent and Christmas, the Christmas Fayre at Birdwell is arranged for Saturday 28th November from 2 pm to 4 pm. Then the end of November brings us to Advent, so please join in our Advent Carols at Birdwell on Sunday 29th November, and/or the Barnsley Circuit Service, to be held at Pilley Methodist Church at 6pm.

Minister: Rev Mick Neal, 12 Orchard Croft, Dodworth, Barnsley S75 3QY Tel: 01226 770422

revmickneal@googlemail.com

SUNDAY SERVICE 10.45am ……..…(Monthly United Service at Hoyland, 10.30 am, see below) WEEKDAYS:

Monday (term-time) ………………….….Healthy Bones – 10.00am…. Kids’ Club (5-7s) - 4.30pm

Tuesday (term-time) …………..……….‘Little Fishes’ (pre-school) group… 9.00am – 11.15am

Thursday (term-time)..…….…Exodus Kidz Klub (8-11s) 5.30pm … Rock Solid (11+) 7.30pm Friday (term-time)….…….Brownies 5.30pm Please ring 290568 for details of other events/times

Visit our website at www.birdwellmethodists.org.uk for more information

8

Concert by the

Jubilee Singers.

Saturday December 12th At 7.00pm.

Birdwell Methodist Church

Services at

Holy Trinity Church Elsecar Every Sunday

9.30 Communion ,

1st, 3rd 5th, Sunday 4.00pm

evening prayer

Church open every Monday

10.30-2.30pm

for tea and coffee, research

records and space to pray.

9

Around the Parish from the Registers Baptisms Louie Paul David Furness And Sonny James Thomas We welcome into the church family Marriages We would like to wish Robert Rowland and Louise Manyou

All the very best as they begin their married life together

In memoriam

I have been contacted by Barbara Slater who would like to inform family and friends of the recent passing of her brother-in-law John Wilfred Leighton who died recently at the age of 91. Barbara would like to thank Alison for the time she spent with her in church praying and lighting candles on the day of his funeral as Barbara was unable to travel to the service. John was married to Barbara’s sister Marjorie (nee Hepplestone.) We pass on our sincere condolences at this sad time to Barbara and all her family and friends who knew John.

10

11

At our last meeting we looked at things that are really important to us, things like our passports so that we can go on holidays, money that we can spend on nice things, our smartphones and tablets, the internet which allows us to connect to games, videos and music. We all have things that are really important to us. A bit like the rich young man in the gospel reading who also had lots of important possessions. We asked ourselves if we thought we could give up everything to follow Jesus?

The rich young man would not give up everything; he loved his possessions more than he loved Jesus. We are asked to put Jesus first in our hearts above everything else.

This is not easy! In fact, it might feel impossible. This is what Jesus told His disciples, “With people it is impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with God. We have to turn to God and ask Him to give us hearts that love Him more than anything, hearts that would give up everything to follow Him!

We each made two heart collages. The first one we have filled with pictures of all our really important things. The second one has a picture of Jesus on it. We then stuck the second one on top of the first one. This showed that whilst we can still love other things, Jesus should always be on top, he should always be first in our hearts.

Our next meeting is on 8th November – all children aged 4 or over are welcome to come and join in the fun.

12

WIVES GROUP On 12th October Radio Sheffield’s Gerry Kersey told us stories of the celebrities he has encountered through his work in radio – from Alex ‘Hurricane’ Higgins and Ken Dodd to Andrew Lloyd Webber and Leslie Caron. Our meeting on 26th October was too late for inclusion in this issue but it was with Roger Walton talking about TV’s Dad’s Army cast – the Magnificent Seven. There is to be an OPEN MEETING on 9th NOVEMBER when Raymond Walker of the Tasker Trust will show us slides of historical photographs of BARNSLEY STREETS. We will be able to see how Barnsley has changed over the years. Our meeting on 23rd November is the traditional wrapping of gifts for our tombola stall at the Christmas Fayre. Again we are including gifts for children which we will wrap in children’s wrapping paper. Please bring your gifts with you on the night. Thank you. TRIP TO CHESTER CHRISTMAS MARKET This is on TUESDAY, 1st DECEMBER and is open to anyone who would care to join us. Please tell your friends as the cost of the trip will be determined by the number of people going.

Pam

Mothers Union News The Annual Meeting in September was well attended and it was good to start the meeting with a Communion Service led by Rev. Earl. The November meeting will be at 7pm on Wednesday 25th and members will enjoy some Christmas Goodies by Margaret Shepard. Please could members bring items in festive red or gold for the Mothers Union tombola stall, ready for the Christmas Fair on Saturday 5th December. This is advance notice that there will be a Deanery Advent Service on Wednesday 9th December at 2.30pm at St. Peters Church Tankersley.

13

Puns for Educated Minds 1. The fattest knight at King Arthur's round table was Sir Cumference.

He acquired his size from too much pi.

2. She was only a whiskey maker, but he loved her still.

3. A rubber band pistol was confiscated from algebra class, because it

was a weapon of math disruption.

4. No matter how much you push the envelope, it'll still be stationery.

5. A dog gave birth to puppies near the road and was cited for littering.

6. Two silk worms had a race. They ended up in a tie.

7. Atheism is a non-prophet organization.

8. Two hats were hanging on a hat rack in the hallway. One hat said to

the other: 'You stay here; I'll go on a head.'

9. I wondered why the baseball kept getting bigger. Then it hit me.

10. A sign on the lawn at a drug rehab centre said: 'Keep off the Grass.'

11. The soldier who survived mustard gas and pepper spray is now a

seasoned veteran.

12. A backward poet writes inverse.

13. In a democracy it's your vote that counts. In feudalism it's your count

that votes.

14. If you jumped off the bridge in Paris , you'd be in Seine .

15. A vulture boards an airplane, carrying two dead raccoons. The

stewardess looks at him and says, 'I'm sorry, sir, only one carrion

allowed per passenger.'

16. Two fish swim into a concrete wall. One turns to the other and says

'Dam!'

17. Did you hear about the Buddhist who refused Novocain during a root

canal? His goal: transcend dental mediction

18. A person sent 10 puns to friends hoping that at least one of the puns

would make them laugh. No pun in ten did.

Those of you who know John Driver won’t be surprised to know that he was the originator of these. Thank you John,

14

Wives Group Centenary

The Wives group celebrated its 50th anniversary in October. Why do we have a Wives group when we already have a Mothers' Union?

It all started when the 'Bird' estate was built.I came back to Birdwell to live and for me it was coming home. I knew people, the shops and I had people I could visit, but it was not like that for some newcomers. They were living in an area they did not know and knowing no one, so John Copeland our vicar and I got our heads together to see how we could help and came up with a Young Wives group. It was not for church members only but for anyone who wanted to join us.

There were nine or ten young women at our first meeting but membership soon grew. I had the meetings at our house and somehow we packed everyone in, even borrowing chairs from a neighbour. We had coffees,a chat and a speaker.

After seven years I retired as leader but Wives carried on with meetings in the Old School. The group is still flourishing but is now the Wives group because no one wanted to leave when they reached the dreaded age of forty. Some of our members graduated to the Mothers Union but still stayed loyal to the Wives. At our 50th celebrations one member told everyone that she had received a very warm welcome when she moved into the village and joined the group. So our original aim is still working, offering fellowship and friendship to all who join us.

V. J. H.

I wish to thank all who rang with messages of support and for the lovely cards I received while I was in hospital. I am getting better now day by day. Thank you for all your prayers. Shirley Jones

15

REBECCA GUEST ROBINSON

The Trustees of Rebecca Guest Robinson invite any

deserving person, being a bona fide resident of Birdwell or

Worsbrough Village, to make application to the Trustees for a

modest grant which could help alleviate acute personal hardship or

distress which cannot be relieved from public funds.

Application forms are available from the Trustees or by applying in

writing to

Mr J. Armitage, Chairman of the Trustees

10 St. Mary’s Gardens, Worsbrough Village, Barnsley, S70 5LU

Registered Charity No: 247266

16

We're doomed if we just 'try harder' An article that I came across from the “Fresh Expressions” web site. This joint Church of England Methodist organisation looks at ways that churches can adapt to a fast changing world through looking at how they worship and minister to people not normally reached by traditional churches.

Graham Horsley a missioner with Fresh Expressions claims that if we just do the same thing over and over again, we're doomed. Einstein may not have defined insanity as doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results but, whoever first said it, it's a great quote. If that's insanity, most of my ministry has been insane! For 35 years, I've enthusiastically followed the latest ideas for ministry, evangelism and church growth. However, none of them have gone deep enough to examine, much less challenge, deep-rooted ideas about what church is - and how it relates to the world at large. Hope has been stirred, and guilt deepened, by those extraordinary individuals who make a 'success' of working in the more traditional ways of doing church. For Methodists, September is the time of year when new ministers (and chairs of District) arrive; often to highly unrealistic expectations. Cue the comment, 'Of course our new minister can singlehandedly reverse 150 years of decline in the Methodist Church - no pressure!' Underlining those idealistic expectations is an often implicit - and not thought through - belief that Church, as we have always known it, is basically sound and that all we need to do is try harder. Unfortunately, the world around us has changed so radically that if we rely on the 'try harder' approach, we're doomed. Many of my generation were challenged as young adults by American writer and futurist Alvin Toffler. His book, Future Shock - published in 1970 - painted a picture of a world where the rate of change was continually accelerating. I suspect that even Toffler himself might be surprised by the accuracy of those predictions.

17

The Church has not coped well with these massive changes happening around us. Too much of our restructuring hasn't challenged our basic assumptions about church, ministry and mission. Changing policies doesn't change our culture - and that's what we need. Much of today's Church in England meets the spiritual needs of a small and shrinking group. Our challenge is to re-invent the structures of circuit and church and re-imagine the relationship between ordained and lay leadership. At our Methodist District level, we need to think not only about buildings but also how:

we engage in mission we do evangelism beyond those buildings in order to further

the work of God. Why? Because the majority of the population will never come to us, however welcoming and 'good' are our churches.

We then must go to where the people are; understand their spiritual longings and accompany them on their spiritual journeys rather than invite them to join ours. If we do this, we may re-imagine church and re-engage with a culture that's lost its moral compass. Also, if we embark on this risky and faith-filled approach to mission, we should not be surprised that some of the values and principles from the very beginnings of the Methodist movement will help us. How do we leave the safety of our buildings and culture and hold fast to these abiding values and principles? Let me briefly outline four aspects of this which seem to be of pressing importance for us today: Prevenient grace Prevenient grace (or preceding grace): the idea that God's divine grace exists before and without reference to anything humans may have done. God is already at work in an unchurched culture in ways that will continually surprise us. The hippy Christians in the Californian Jesus Movement had a saying, 'If Jesus seems far away - who moved?' Their assumption was that we had moved from Jesus by our sinful actions. However, the Jesus of the gospels spent most of his time outside the religious institutions, sharing life with ordinary, vulnerable,

18

marginalised, desperate, broken people. Perhaps today, it's Jesus who has moved away from us to encounter a needy world and is longing for us to go with him. Holiness How do we preach holiness to a world that's largely abandoned the notion of sin? Most of the traditional evangelistic approaches of the Church begin by reminding people that they are sinners and offering them Jesus' help in breaking free from sinfulness to new life. Unfortunately if we start there, most people don't ever hear the second part of the argument. They've already become angry and rejected the notion that they are sinners. Holiness is a vital and powerful part of our Methodist tradition. How can we communicate this effectively in the 21st Century? Can we start with unmet aspirations, a sense of loss or lack, a feeling of brokenness and vulnerability? Transformation Taking inspiration from Romans 12.2, we should not conform to the expectations of a District policy group or Church Council but instead be transformed by the renewing of our minds. How can we approach every business agenda with the expectation that we are transforming church culture rather than maintaining it? How can we think strategically and plan wisely and still remain open to the Holy Spirit breathing new life, direction and vision into our corporate lives? Jeremiah 29 This has been a text which has recurred over and over again in the last five years. Verse 13, in particular, stands out for me: You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. John Wesley's 'warmed heart' was an experience that came out of a desperate longing for a deeper experience of God. At the beginning of a new period of ministry, it is easy to become too busy to seek God with all our hearts but it's vital - both individually and corporately - that we take time to do that. Over the years I have found that I can only do this when I'm part of a small group which holds me accountable for my spiritual wellbeing. How do you do it? How will you do it?

19

KATHRYN

DENTON M.C.S.P..S.R.P

CHARTERED PHYSIOTHERAPIST

PHYSIOTHERAPY / ACUPUNCTYRE

High Hoyland Physiotherapy

5 Church Lane, High Hoyland s75 4BJ

Tel 01226 390032 & 07774 906835

20

21

Reminders Christmas Shoe Boxes Please bring your filled shoe boxes to Church on November 15th when they wil be collected for distribution. Details about what to include in the boxes can be found in the leaflets at the back of church. The Big Tidy The PCC and Church wardens are still hoping to have a “Big Tidy up” of the school room and out buildings. If you have anything stored in the schoolroom could you please look through it and remove anything that you no longer require. Once you have checked your area could you please indicate with a sticker that you wish to keep the contents Many thanks

22

St Mary’s Church, Worsbrough

December 5th 2015

2.00-4.00pm

Birdwell, Community Centre,.

Come for an afternoon of festive hospitality.

Try our excellent refreshments

Get some early Christmas Presents.

A wide range of stalls will be there;-

Gifts, cards, preserves, books, bric-a-brac, Prize Hamper

draw.

cakes and crafts

Plus Entertainment from St. Mary’s Church Choir

.

23

THE PHOENIX SINGERS Mixed Voice Choir -

Kexborough Welcomes new

members Ring Celia on : 0114 2463246

SALON 36

Ladies Hair Stylist 36 Sheffield Road

Birdwell, Barnsley

Tel: 01226 206620

24

25

Jen’s

Formerly of Wentworth Street,

Has moved back to:

to

Telephone: (01226) 203890

22 Coronation Crescent,

Birdwell, Barnsley S70 5RN

Hairdressing

26

TONY PEEL DECORATORS

Interior and Exterior

High Class work to

CHURCHESHOMESSHOPSOFFICES

AND SMALL INDUSTRIAL

Free Estimates

Established Over 35 years

Ward Green Barnsley

Tel 206698 or 204682

27

DAVE’S GARAGE DOORS

SALES*REPAIRS*FITTING

High security doors, existing and new doors

remote controlled.

Insurance work undertaken. No call out charge.

Don’t pay big company overheads – go for a

family run firm for a friendly service with no

contractors.

BARNSLEY 341747 – MOBILE 07961 320102

For all Electrical Work including security & fire alarms, ovens, showers and all wiring work. No matter how small the job, please contact Roger for a free estimate and advice.

Roger Clarke. Tel: 01226 742348 or mobile 07747 698188

Email: Soundelectricals@yahoo.co.uk www.soundelectricals.co.uk Competent Person Scheme member of NAPIT (National Association for Professional Inspectors and Testers).

28

29

30

FREEFOAM APPROVED

INSTALLER

PAUL LEA-KIME 3 GREENSPRING AVE, BIRDWELL. ------------------------------------------- ESTABLISHED 26 YEARS ------------------------------------------- UPVC WINDOWS AND DOORS. WINDOW REPAIRS ------------------------------------------ UPVC FASCIA BOARDS AND GUTTERING ------------------------------------------ FLAT ROOF’S IN FIRESTONE RUBBERCOVER ------------------------------------------ MOST TYPES OF ROOF REPAIRS ----------------------------------------- FOR FREE ADVICE TEL PAUL ON 01226 281438

31

32