ELY Ely Cathedral SERVICES for December 10 - 16 THURSDAY: 7.40am – Morning Prayer; 8am – Holy Communion; 12.10 - Holy Communion; 5.30pm – Evening Prayer. Friday: 7.40am – Morning Prayer; 8am – Holy Communion; 5.30pm – Evensong. Saturday: 7.40am – Morni

ELY

Ely Cathedral

SERVICES for December 10 - 16

THURSDAY: 7.40am - Morning Prayer; 8am - Holy Communion; 12.10 - Holy Communion; 5.30pm - Evening Prayer.

Friday: 7.40am - Morning Prayer; 8am - Holy Communion; 5.30pm - Evensong.

Saturday: 7.40am - Morning Prayer; 8am - Holy Communion; 12pm - Shoppers' Carol Service; 3.30pm - Christingle Service; 5.30pm - Evensong.

Sunday: 8.15am - Holy Communion; 10.30am - Sung Eucharist; 4.00pm - Evensong.

Monday: 7.40am - Morning Prayer; 8am - Holy Communion; 5.30pm - Evensong.

Tuesday: 7.40am - Morning Prayer; 8am - Holy Communion; 5.30pm - Evensong; 9pm - Advent Compline.

Wednesday: 7.40am - Morning Prayer; 8am - Holy Communion; 5.30pm - Evensong.

St Mary's Church

SUNDAY: 9am - Holy Communion (traditional service) with preacher David Noble; 10.30am - Morning Praise with preacher David Noble.

INFO: www.elyparishchurch.net or call the church office on 01353 659550.

St Peter's Church

THE celebrant and preacher at the 9.15am Sung Eucharist on Sunday will be Canon Chris Barber.

Methodist Church

SUNDAY'S morning worship at 10.30am was led by minister Ruth Arnold. The music group sang a Christmas hymn and offers were taken. The evening service at 6.30pm was led by Keith Penn. The organists were Donald Monk and Alan Bulley.

Thursday: 7.30-8.30pm - Music Group.

Friday: Wesley Guild devotional evening.

Sunday: 10.30am - nativity with Rev Barbara Garwood; 6.30pm - Holy Communion with Rev Christopher Bishop. Organists will be Pam Austin and Christopher Polkinghorne.

Countess Church

THE nativity service is being held at 5pm on December 13. All welcome to join in the activities which begin at 4pm or just go for the nativity, followed by refreshments.

On Sunday morning Rob Booth will lead a service at 10.30am. Creche and Sunday school run at the same time.

INFO: www.countessely.co.uk

The Olive Tree

THE speaker at Sunday's morning worship was Tim Frost, Elder in the church.

Sunday: 10.30am - Holy Communion service, cr�che and Sunday School will be provided.

On Friday the Open Door Caf� will offer a pleasant setting for meeting and making friends while enjoying refreshments, between 10am and noon. All welcome.

Inner Wheel Club of Ely

THE November meeting was held at the Old Dispensary where Andrew Bateman, the clinical manager at the Oliver Zangwill Centre in Ely, was welcomed. He gave a talk on the work being carried out at this Neuropsycholgical Rehabilitation specialist brain injury centre where people with brain injuries are helped to get back into everyday life. President Betty Flack presented Andrew with a cheque to help support the valuable work being carried out at the centre.

Afterwards arrangements were made for the next meeting which will be a festive meal at the Nyton Hotel. Members were also asked to put their names forward to sing to residents at Lily House and Baird Lodge, both in Ely, on January 9 to celebrate International Inner Wheel Day.

The City of Ely Flower Club

THE City of Ely Flower Club held an Open Meeting on December 3 with demonstrator Nick Grounds from March on the theme Christmas Carols. He made eight arrangements including 'three ships come sailing' and 'we three kings'.

The next meeting will be on February 4 at the Community College in Downham Road when the demonstrator will be Jackie O'Hare with 'anything goes'.

CHETTISHAM

Parish Church

MORNING Prayer at St Michael and All Angels on Sunday was led by Piers Coutts. The organist was Margaret Haynes who also read the first lesson. The offertory was presented by Michael Richer.

Sunday: Sung Eucharist will be held at 9.15am.

HADDENHAM

Methodist Church

SUNDAY'S service was led by local preacher John Gautrey from Chatteris.

Sunday: a carol service will be held at 3pm in lieu of morning service.

The recent sausage supper organised by Mavis and John Middleton raised �70 for Children in Need; there is an opportunity to raise funds for the Methodist-based Action for Children (formerly National Children's Home) by carol singing outside Tesco at Ely on December 19 from 3pm or on December 21 from 6.30pm...come and join in the festive occasion.

Saturday: the monthly coffee and chat morning will be held in the hall when the quizzes will be on sale.

Baptist Chapel

SUNDAY'S morning service was a Family Nativity Service. Rev Jim Mullin welcomed everyone and lit the advent calendar. David gave out the notices. Joyce, Alan and David were the musicians, Ruth led the singing. This was followed by Words of Praise. A short prayer was said by Joy. The opening hymn was "O Come all Ye Faithful". The puppets display was entitled 'the light'. The selective song was Light of the World which was led by Ruth. Prayers were given by Sylvia. The offering hymn was Come and Join the Celebration, with the offering being taken by Rachel and Gabrielle. Joy directed the service from this point. Bob gave a Bible reading and we sang Emanuel. Jenny gave another Bible reading and Away in a Manager was sung with the children singing the first verse on their own. David gave another Bible reading and we sang While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks by Night, We Three Kings and In the Bleak Midwinter. Closing prayers were given by Sue and Joy.

Gabrielle will be baptised next week and the service will commence at 10.45am.

LITTLEPORT

St George's Church

THE vicar presided and preached at Sunday's 8am Holy Communion and the 10am Parish Eucharist. The 6.30pm First Sunday Praise on the theme of St Andrew was led by John and Rosemary Marshall.

Sunday: 8am - Holy Communion with the vicar; 10am - Family Service and Baptism with the vicar when Jane Harris will preach; 6.30pm - Carol Service at St John's Methodist Church.

Tuesday: 12.45pm - Daily Prayer; 1.45pm - Pram Service for pre-school toddlers.

Wednesday: 9.30am - Holy Communion.

Thursday: 11am - Branching Out and The Limes at St George's.

Friday (18):10am-3pm - Advent Day of Reflection in the Parish Room; 6.30pm - Junior Choir; 7.30pm - Senior Choir; 9pm - Compline.

Sunday (20): 6.30pm - Nine Lessons and Carols.

Tuesday (22): 9am - Christingle Making. Help is needed; 5.30pm - Evensong at the Cathedral.

Christmas Eve: 4pm - Christingle Service; 11.30pm - Midnight Mass.

Christmas Day: 10am - Family Communion.

Everyone is welcome at any or all Services.

INFO: The vicar on 01353 860207.

St John's Methodist Church

Saturday: 9.30am - Prayer meeting in the Vestry.

Sunday: 10.45 - Morning Service with Rev June Mallabon; 6.30pm - Traditional Carol Service led by Ian Weatherall.

Sunday (20): 10.45am - Morning Service with Colin Nickless; 3.30pm - Caf� Church.

Thanks to all who supported the Christmas Fair held on December 5.

All welcome at services and events.

The Vine Community Church

LIVELY non-denominational Christian church meeting at the Regal in Hempfield Road.

Sunday services begin at 10.30 am. Tea and coffee from 10.15am onwards before the service. Cr�che for the youngest children is open from 10.15am and older children enjoy a separate meeting during the second half of the service. Afterwards, please join us for refreshments and a chance to chat.

Saturday: 8.30am - Prayer Breakfast.

Sunday: 10.30am - morning service led by pastor Don Gee.

Sunday (20): 3.30pm - Carol Service at the Regal. No morning service. Afterwards there will be a 'bring-and-share' tea.

There are other opportunities to sing carols. Along with friends from other churches in the village, we will be going into Care Homes to sing to the residents on: December 14 at 2.30 pm at The Grange; December 16 at 2.30 at Laburnham Lodge and December 17 at 2.30 at The Old Vicarage.

All welcome.

INFO: Don Gee on 01353 864690 or 01353 860885 or www.thevinelittleport.org.uk

Littleport Ely and District Spiritualist (LEADS)

SERVICES held every Thursday at the village hall, Victoria Street. Doors open at 6.30pm for healing which ends at 7.20pm. This is free to all who would like to have healing. Anyone requiring healing should arrive early. Divine Service begins at 7.30pm.

There is no service this week (December 10).

Next week, December 17, medium Keith Thomson will attend. This will also be the LEADS Christmas carol Service to which all are welcome. There is a raffle and a goodwill collection, all donations welcomed. The evening is closed with tea/coffee and light refreshments, again for which there is no charge, and all are welcome.

There are places available for Development Circles.

INFO: www.mjgoodall.co.uk/lead-spirit.htm or Wendie on 01353 667300

LITTLE THETFORD

St George's Church

THE service of Morning Praise for the second Sunday in Advent was led by Rev Margaret Harper with the sermon on Advent preparation by ordained Stephen Wilson. Sunday: we unite with our friends at 10.30am at the Baptist Chapel for the tree service, where gifts of toys will be accepted for children in local foster homes.

The Christmas Fayre on Saturday raised �1,300. Very many thanks to all involved, especially Alan Hall who organised and co-ordinated the event.

Tuesday evening from 6pm-7pm all welcome to join the informal singing of hymns old and new.

Baptist Church

THE service on Sunday morning was conducted by Norman Gulliver and the challenging message for Advent was based on John Chapter 6 and linked the birth of Christ to the cross of Calvary. During Holy Communion prayers were said for the sick and for the persecuted Christians in the world.

The Girls' Brigade will meet on Friday at 6pm.

Sunday: at 10.30am there will be the United Tree and Toy service when toys can be brought and placed under the tree to be donated to children living in foster homes. An offering will be taken for Highfields School for disadvantaged children.

On December 16 the Christmas Special Coffee Morning will run from 10.30am to noon, with mince pies, cakes etc. Festive Carol music will be played.

SOHAM

Methodist Church

SUNDAY'S service at 10am was led by Rev Bernard Arnold. Holy Communion was celebrated. There was no service at 5pm but some members of the congregation joined with friends at St Andrew's Parish Church for a Christingle Service.

Sunday: service at 10am will be led by Terry Day from Ely. At 6.30pm there will be the annual carols service with the Soham Comrades Band.

All welcome.

Heartbeat Health Walk

THIRTY walkers plus the three leaders took part in a walk to Fordham and back, approximately 4.3 miles, on November 29. A stop was made at The Ship or Sauce megabytes for refreshment.

Over 60's Club

RUTH Ginn welcomed everyone to the club's Christmas prize bingo, thanking everyone who had donated the prizes. Betty Lanagan called the numbers for the bingo assisted by Jean Peacock, Jean Wells, Vera Seal and Diane Wheeling checking the cards. Refreshments were served and there was a raffle. The afternoon was brought to a close with the club hymn.

Soham The Fen and Barway WI

ON December 4, members convened at Sergio`s in Soham for their Christmas meeting. President Sheila Knight read out the resolutions for 2010 and a vote was taken. Everyone enjoyed a Christmas meal and there was a free raffle. Members were reminded that the next meeting at Keith Leonard House will be on February 5, 2010 when the speaker will be Charles Garland.

WARDY HILL

Dominoes

THERE were three tables in play at the dominoes held on November 20 in the Social Club when Mrs A Houghton was MC. Winners were: Mrs D Perrin, J Hines, F Tall, Mrs J Crown, Mrs P Martin and A Bell. Highest halves: Mrs A Houghton; Consolation: B Copping; Draw: Mrs A Houghton, Mrs O Newell, B Copping and F Tall.

THERE were four tables in play at the Christmas dominoes held on November 27 in the Social Club when Mrs M Dewsbery was MC. Winners were: Mrs M Dewsbery, Mrs A Houghton, Mrs D Perrin, B Copping, Miss M Murfitt, A Bell, Miss G Canham, Mrs O Newell and Mrs P Martin. Highest halves: Mrs M Coulson and R Dewsbery; Consolation: F Tall; Draw: Mrs M Coulson, R Dewsbery, B Copping, Mrs D Perrin, Miss M Murfitt, Miss G Canham and Mrs M Dewsbery.

Whist Drive

THERE were three tables in play at the whist drive held on November 30 in the Social Club when Mrs M Dewsbery was MC. Winners were: Mrs P Jordan, F Tall, B Copping, K Cornwell, Mrs A Houghton, Mrs H Sturman and Mrs P Brand. Highest halves: Mrs N Bean and Miss M Murfitt; Most Eights: Miss G Canham; Consolation: Mrs E Sizer; Draw: Miss G Canham, Mrs P Jordan, B Copping, Mrs E Sizer, Mrs P Brand and Mrs N Bean.