ELY Ely Cathedral SERVICES for March 25 - 31 THURSDAY: 7.40am – Morning Prayer; 8am – Holy Communion; 12.10pm - Holy Communion; 5.30pm – Evensong. Friday: 7.40am – Morning Prayer; 8am - Holy Communion; 5.30pm – Evensong. Saturday: 7.40am – Morning Pra

ELY

Ely Cathedral

SERVICES for March 25 - 31

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

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

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

Sunday: 8.15am - Holy Communion; 10.30am - Procession with Palms and Sung Eucharist; 4.pm - Evensong.

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

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

Wednesday: 7.40am - Morning Prayer; 8am - Holy Communion; 5.30pm - Evening Prayer; 7.30pm - Tenebrae.

St Mary's Church

SUNDAY: 9am - Holy Communion with preacher Mike Hughes; 10.30am - Family Communion with preacher Mike Hughes.

INFO: www.elyparishchurch.net

St Peter's Church

FRIDAY: 7pm - Meditation on the Stations of the Cross, led by the Rev Peter Taylor.

Sunday: 9.15am - Sung Eucharist with celebrant and preacher Canon Chris Barber and singing led by St Peter's Singers.

Tuesday: 10am - Holy Communion with celebrant Canon Laurie Blanchard.

Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday at 8pm: Compline.

Methodist Church

CHURCH anniversary and Gift Day. The stewards welcomed the congregation on Sunday with notices and prayers. The 10.30am service was led by Rev June Mallabon whose sermon was 'Rejoice in the Lord'. Prayers, hymns and Bible readings then offerings were taken. The evening service, at 6.30pm, was a Songs of Praise, led by Rev Barbara Garwood.

Thursday: noon-1.30pm - Shoppers' Lunch; 7.30pm - Music Group.

Saturday: 10.00am-noon - Coffee Morning in aid of CAMSAR.

Sunday: 10.30am - Stewards' Arrangement; 6.30pm - Circuit service at Sutton.

Countess Church

AT Family Service on Sunday morning Geoff and Shelley Martin led the service, looking at the Christians' response to global warming and environmental issues and linking that to the Great Commission in Matthew Chapter 28.

Sunday: services are at 10.30am and 6.30pm and will be led by Rev Gordon Lowman. Messy Church, activity, worship and food based on Palm Sunday is at 4pm. All are welcome at any of these events.

INFO: countessely.co.uk

New Connexions @ High Barns

(Free Church)

ON Sunday we heard about how, in the Bible, God always chose the people with 'dodgy pasts' to do his work. This led us to talk about whether it is a bad thing to have a dodgy past. The children's club talked about how you can meet God anywhere, anytime. The pre-school group learned about being brave and talking to friends about Jesus. We meet on Sundays at St Mary's School Theatre, High Barns, with a caf�-style service and for the children's groups. Everyone welcome!

INFO: Keith Waters on 01353 612158 or email fool@xalt.co.uk.

The Olive Tree

SUNDAY morning worship was an uplifing reminder of how true God is to his promises. We heard news from our sister Churches in Africa and our partners in Israel. The Pastor led us in a meditation on the road to Calvary, encouraging us to consider the anguish of the journey to the cross as well as the joy of the victory at the resurrection.

Sunday service: 10.30am (including Holy Communion). The speaker will be the Pastor. Cr�che and Sunday School will be provided.

Tuesday: at 7.30 we have The Bridge, a meeting for fellowship, praise and Bible study.

Friday, between 10am and noon, the Open Door Caf� will offer a friendly setting in which to enjoy good company, freshly brewed tea and coffee, and home-made cakes.

INFO: For further information about these events please call the Pastor on 01353 612 316.

City of Ely Flower Club

THE next meeting of the City of Ely Flower Club will be held at the City of Ely Community College in Downham Road on April 1. The demonstrator will be Lesley Beeton and her theme will be 'not fooling around'. Visitors welcome. Starts: 7.20pm.

CHETTISHAM

Parish Church

CELEBRANT and preacher at St Michael and All Angels on Sunday was the Rev Margaret Talbot. The first lesson was read by Linda Aylott and the offertory was presented by Lee Howard.

Sunday: (Palm Sunday) Sung Eucharist will be held at 9.15am.

Good Friday: Service of Objects of the Cross will be held at 9.30am.

Easter Sunday: Communion at 9.15am.

HADDENHAM

Baptist Chapel

JONATHAN welcomed everyone and gave out the notices. He also welcomed Rev Ian Randall and his wife who conducted the service. Home Groups will be on Tuesday and Thursday. Lent Lunch will be on March 27, at 12pm. Rev Randall read from Psalm 2, followed by a hymn. Mrs Randall spoke to the children about Easter Eggs. After a song, Mrs Randall read from John 12, followed by a hymn and prayer, then another hymn. Rev Randall read from Psalm 130, followed by a prayer. The theme for his sermon was "Jesus going through dark times". The service closed with a hymn and prayer.

Sunday: Rev Jim Mullin will take the service.

Methodist Church

THE Lent lunch was well attended on Saturday and raised more than �220 for Christian Aid.

Saturday: a similar event will be hosted by ladies of the Baptist Church.

On Sunday evening members will worship with those at Sutton Methodist Church for the last service to be held there. On Maundy Thursday all are invited to a service at 7pm led by Rev Garwood and on Easter Day the preacher will be the chairman of the East Anglian District, Rev Thompson.

Parish Council

THE Parish Council met on March 10 and agreed to support in principle an application to the Section 106 Investment Strategy for funding for The Big Idea Project at Top Corner, subject to match funding being secured. The Council also supported a funding application for a fire alarm system linking the Arkenstall Centre, Haddenham Library and the caretaker's flat.

Dr Alan James attended the meeting to give an update on the actions of the East Cambs HCV Group and its fight to stop lorries using the Fen roads.

The kerbside collection of plastic bottles will end on March 26 and any left out after that date will be removed as refuse. The police are appealing for any information relating to the recent vandalism of a child's headstone in Haddenham Cemetery. Speed checks have been carried out in Haddenham and surrounding villages and several tickets have been issued.

The district council increase in Council Tax will be 2.9 per cent for 2010/11.

Allotment plots at the burial ground site will be measured prior to the next renewal date on October 1 and charged by per metre frontage.

A new safety surface has been laid under the double swing at Haddenham Play Area and the swing will be re-instated as soon as possible. A separate group has been formed to progress the refurbishment of both play areas.

The Annual Parish Meeting will be held on April 21. Guest speakers will include Emma Greaves, Community First Responder Scheme Co-ordinator, Sgt Will Davis of Cambridgeshire Constabulary, Nick Baker from Haddenham Windmill and Representatives of Haddenham Youth Club.

A planning application will be submitted to extend the dropped kerb at the front of Aldreth Village Centre to allow more off road parking. Cllr Hugo advised that the Aldreth village sign would be officially unveiled on May 9 to coincide with Blossoms & Bygones Day.

The next meeting will be held on April 14 at 7.30pm.

LITTLEPORT

St George's Church

THE Venerable David Fleming presided at Sunday's Holy Communion. Carol Swain officiated at the Family Service with baptism, when one baby girl was received into the church. Jane Harris was the preacher.

Sunday: 8am - Holy Communion with the vicar; 10am - Palm Sunday Eucharist with Reading of the Passion Narrative led by the vicar; 6.30pm - Music for Holy Week.

Monday: 7.30pm - Eucharist and Meditation.

Tuesday: 1.45pm - Pram Service for pre-school toddlers; 7.30pm - Eucharist and Meditation.

Wednesday: 9.30am - Holy Communion; 7.30pm - Eucharist and Meditation.

Thursday: Maundy Eucharist and Vigil to 10pm.

Good Friday: 10am - Walk of Witness; 11am - United Service at the Evangelical Church; 2pm - Last Hour Around the Cross.

Easter Sunday: 6am - Dawn Eucharist with renewal of Baptismal Vows; 10am - Parish Eucharist.

St John's Methodist Church

SUNDAY: 10.45am - Morning Service with Tony Murfitt; 6.30pm - Evening Service united with either Sutton Methodist or St George's Parish Church. Good Friday (April 2): 10am - Walk of Witness starting from YPL, Granby Street; 11am - Service at The Vine Community.

Saturday (April 3): 9am-11am - Easter Extravaganza Coffee Morning.

Easter Day (April 4): 10.45am - Morning Service with Rev June Mallabon including the Celebration of Holy Communion; 6,30pm - Evening Celebration Service with Rev Barbara Garwood and 'New Life'. All welcome to join in any services/events.

LEADS

Littleport, Ely and District Spiritualist

OUR service is held at the village hall in Victoria Street in Littleport on Thursdays. Doors open at 6.40pm for healing, which ends at 7.20pm. This is free to all who would like to have healing. The Divine Service starts at 7.30pm and this week we have an evening of presenting our fledglings, some of whom are preparing to take their mediumship further. Please come along and support them. Next week (April 1) we have our international medium Donna Stewart to look forward to. There is a raffle for which donated prizes are gratefully accepted and we also have a goodwill gesture collection. There is no charge for entry and we are open to everyone. The evening closes with tea and coffee and light refreshments for which there is no charge.

The Vine Community Church

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

Sunday services begin at 10.30am, but tea and coffee is served from 10.15am onwards. The 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 after a time of praise and worship for all. Afterwards, refreshments are served.

Sunday's morning service at 10.30am will see the pastor continuing a series of talks on 'Seven Laws of Life'.

Sunday: Part 6 of the series, 'Stay Close to God' will be the theme. The talks are followed up in home groups during the week.

The following Friday, April 2, is Good Friday. The annual 'Walk of Witness' will take place in Littleport, with members of all the churches joining together to walk through the village, starting at 10am at YPL. The walk will conclude with a joint service at the Evangelical Church.

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

Salvation Army

SUNDAY'S service, at 11am, was led by Major Bram Holland.

On Tuesday there was a Fellowship cum Singers' practice at 6pm in the hall.

The funeral of Ken Woodruffe was held on Wednesday at the Salvation Army Hall. Ken lived and worked in Whittlesey for many years but before that he lived and worked in Littleport and had many friends there.

The 11am meeting on Sunday will be led by Geoff Porter.

LITTLE THETFORD

St George's Church

THE Sunday service of Holy Communion was led by Rev Margaret Harper with a sermon from James Harrup based on John's gospel. On Tuesday at 6pm there will be informal hymn singing in the church. All welcome.

Sunday: the Palm Sunday Morning Praise at 9.30am will be taken by Rev Margaret Harper.

SOHAM

Methodist Church

SUNDAY'S service was led by Ian Weatherall.

Sunday: 10am - Morning Service led by Duncan Palmer; 6.30pm - united circuit service at Sutton.

Ann and Sarah's coffee morning at Byways in Barcham Road, Soham is tomorrow (Friday) from 10am till noon.

The last of this year's Lent Lunches will be held tomorrow (Friday) at Berrycroft Methodist Hall, 12.15 for 12.30pm.

The Flower and Friendship Group is holding a Coffee Morning at Berrycroft Methodist Hall on Friday, from 10am till noon. As well as the usual stalls there will be a short flower arranging demonstration and flower arrangements for sale.

On the last Tuesday of each month there is going to be a film evening held in the hall at 7.30pm. The film for this month is The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.

All are welcome at any, or all, of these events.

CAROL Gilbey welcomed members to the meeting of the Wives Group on March 18. She gave out the notices before welcoming the speaker for the evening. Ruth Sindal spoke on cake decorating, followed by a demonstration on decorating an Easter cake which she donated for the raffle. Carol thanked her on behalf of the members. Arlene King gave the epilogue, members sang the vespa. Refreshments were served and there was a raffle. The next meeting is on April 15 when the speaker will be Val Stallard.

Heartbeat Health Walk

THE Monday walk is increasingly popular as more walkers joined the regulars on March 15. David Clarke led 47 walkers in a 3.2 mile ramble around Soham. Refreshments were available at The Ship or Saucy Megabytes.

Over 60's Club

RUTH Ginn welcomed members to the club on March 19. Barrie Hawkins from GSD Homefinders was given a warm welcome. Barrie is the chairman of the East Anglian Association for rehoming and rescuing German Shepherd dogs and gave a talk about his work which spans nearly 20 years. He was thanked by Ruth.

The notices were given out, Diane organised the raffle and the ladies served refreshments. The speaker at the next meeting on March 26 will be John King.

SUTTON

Cricket Club

A BINGO evening is being held to raise money for club funds. Eyes down at 8pm on April 1 at the Brooklands Centre. Great prizes on offer.

WITCHFORD

St Andrew's Church

SERVICES in Holy Week :

Palm Sunday (28): 10.30am - Liturgy of Palms.

Maundy Thursday (1): 7.30pm - Holy Communion at Wentworth Church; 8.30pm-midnight - vigil and altar of repose: Witchford.

Good Friday (2): 2pm - Service at the Cross.

Holy Saturday (3): 8pm - Holy Communion and Vigil.

Easter Sunday (4): 10.30am - Family Service with Holy Communion