ELY Ely Cathedral SERVICES for March 26 – April 1 THURSDAY: 7.40am – Morning Prayer; 8am – Holy Communion; midday – Quiet Hour; 12.10pm – Holy Communion; 5.30pm – Evensong. Friday: 7.40am – Morning Prayer; 8am – Holy Communion; midday – Quiet Hour; 5.30

ELY

Ely Cathedral

SERVICES for March 26 - April 1

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

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

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

Sunday: 8.15am - Holy Communion; 10.30am - Sung Eucharist and Ministry of Healing; 4pm - Evensong.

Monday: 7.40am - Morning Prayer; 8am - Holy Communion; midday - Quiet Hour; 5.30pm - Evening Prayer.

Tuesday: 7.40am - Morning Prayer; 8am - Holy Communion; midday - Quiet Hour; 5.30pm - Evening Prayer; 9.00pm - Compline.

Wednesday: 7.40am - Morning Prayer; 8am - Holy Communion; midday - Quiet Hour; 5.30pm - Evening Prayer.

Methodist Church

STEWARDS welcome and prayers preceded the Mothering Sunday service led by the Rev June Mallabon. Readings, hymns and prayers were said. Rev Mallabon spoke of Jesus teaching in the temple. The gifts of flowers were given to the mothers on their special day. Offerings were taken, the closing hymn was sung and then came the blessing. The evening service at 6.30pm was taken by Ian Ballard. The musicians were Pam Austin and Sarah Ballard.

Thursday: 12-1.30pm - Shoppers' Lunch.

Saturday: 10am - exhibition of paintings in Methodist Church Hall.

Sunday: 10.30am - Rev Bernard Arnold; 6.30pm Rev June Mallabon. Musicians will be Donald Monk and Helen Shanassy.

Isle of Ely Philatelic Society

AS the society continues to celebrate its Silver Jubilee year, the speaker on April 2 is former president David Heal who will display his collection of royalty items.

The society's meetings are held in the library of the City of Ely community college, Downham Road and start promptly at 7.30pm. Visitors are welcome.

INFO: Chris on 01354 659358

St Mary's Church

FULL details of these and other services and events are on our web site www.elyparishchurch.net or call the church office on 01353 667831 659550.

Sunday: 8am - Holy Communion with preacher Alan Hulme;

10.30am - Family Communion with preacher Piers Coutts;

6.30pm - Evening Prayer with Alan and Jane Hulme.

St Peter's Church

ON Sunday (Passion Sunday) the celebrant at the 9.15 am Sung Eucharist will be the Rev Nigel Abbott.

Countess Freechurch

MOTHERING Sunday was celebrated by looking at the role of mothers both in our worship time and in our learning time. Paul Coghlan led worship looking at the example of mothers on our lives and giving thanks for mothers. The children gave gifts of primroses to the congregation. The Rev Gordon Lowman spoke on the influence of Christian mothers. In the afternoon, Messy Church welcomed about 70 people to join in activities, using the stories of Ruth and Naomi, worship and a meal.

Sunday: services are at 10.30am and specially at 6pm an all-age service led by Andy Watson to which families are particularly welcome.

New Connexions at High Barns (NC@HB)

WE meet at the Theatre at St Mary's Junior School, High Barns at 10.30am each Sunday morning.

In the Children's Club, the theme was cleansing, and the need for us to think and improve how we live our lives. The children made envelope baskets and gave flowers to the mums. Next week the theme of our service will be 'Jesus' - day in court'.

We welcome all to join us; we have a cr�che and Children's Club, - with games, stories and craft activities - and the adults worship in an informal atmosphere.

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

The Olive Tree Fellowship

SUNDAY morning worship included Holy Communion, and as always expressed wonder at what God has done for us in Jesus. Viv Haresnape spoke of many occasions where the very nature and content of the Bible suggest that it was written as an eye-witness account, at the time of the events recorded, and should therefore be regarded as a credible historic document. This encourages us to believe it for what it is, the very word of God. On that basis we later laid hold of some specific promises of God in a Psalm.

Sunday: worship is at 10.30am and the speaker will be Billy Onen, a Ugandan who lives in Devon. Cr�che and Sunday School will be provided.

The Open Door Caf� will open from 10am until noon on Friday, offering a warm and welcoming setting in which to enjoy refreshments in good company.

All are welcome at these events

CHETTISHAM

Parish Church

CELEBRANT and preacher at St Michael and All Angels on Sunday was the Rev John Sansom. The organist was David Catling. The first lesson was read by David Norman and the offertory was presented by Lee Howard. At the end of the service posies of flowers were given to members of the congregation.

Sunday: sung eucharist will be held at 9.15am.

HADDENHAM

Baptist Chapel

THE Mothers' Day service was conducted by the Rev Jim Mullin. The musicians were Joyce, Eddie and David. David welcomed everyone and gave out the notices. Sunday: service will include a celebration of a member's anniversary of 50 years since Baptism. Happy Birthday was sung to Joy. Prayers followed, together with a new song. Joy and the children gave each lady present of a biscuit and a rose. Jim spoke about having time for mothers. Georgina and Gabrielle took up the offering. Jim gave thanks and said prayers. He then read from John 14, v. 1 to 18. The theme for Jim's sermon was "A mother side of God". The service closed with a hymn and prayers.

Parish Council

THE Parish Council met on Wednesday, March 11. Minutes of the last meeting and accounts to be authorised were agreed and signed.

Cllr Pauline Wilson advised that the next Neighbourhood Panel meeting would be held on Monday, April 27 at 7pm at Coveney Village Hall. Meetings for the rest of the year will be held on July 27 at Witchford Village Hall and October 26 at The Glebe in Sutton.

Investigations are being made into the possibility of certain trees in Station Road being pruned back to alleviate the problem with straw being scraped off the top of the loads as they pass by.

The next litter-pick event will be held on Sunday, March 29 at 2pm meeting outside the Pavilion.

Work on the Recreation Field has started again. Cleaning at the Pavilion is being looked into with a view to improving the service.

The Archive Team at Haddenham Library is still seeking 1950s photos and negatives for the picture show to be held on Thursday, April 2 at 7.30pm at Robert Arkenstall School Haddenham School. The school literacy visits continue and borrowing is still buoyant. The family reading group FRoGs meets every third or fourth Wednesday of the month. Two new volunteers are awaiting CRB checks and hope to be trained by the summer. The Library hopes to be open for Blossoms & Bygones.

Inspector Alan Savill will attend the Annual Parish Meeting on Wednesday, April 22 to give a talk on the Speedwatch Scheme and Cllr Gareth Wilson hopes to have the equipment available to give a short demonstration. Refreshments will be served following the meeting.

Permission was given for Haddenham Conservation Society to hold a plant and cake sale on The Green on Saturday, May 2 from 9am till 1pm.

The next meeting will be held on April 8 at 7.30pm at the Arkenstall Village Centre.

Littleport Ely and District Spiritualists

SPECIAL thanks to Cherry Smith and Richard McDonald who were our guest mediums for the evening of March 19, for the messages they delivered to those in need. Also for the way they worked, making everyone around them happy giving great upliftment and we hope to see them back again in the future. For the newcomers we hope we made you feel very welcome and, of course, thank you to all our regulars. It is an inspiriation to see so many of you and we hope you enjoyed our service.

There is no charge for entry to church. We do, however, appreciate small donations of prizes for the raffle and thank you to all who donated last week.

Our service is held at the village hall, Victoria Street, Littleport.

Doors open at 6.40pm for healing which ends at 7.20pm. This is free to all who would like to receive healing.

The divine service begins at 7.30pm to which everyone is welcome.

This week, Thursday, March 26 we welcome back Bababara Price as our guest medium. Barbara never fails to deliver a great service.

Medium for Thursday, April 2 we have international medium, Geraldine LLoyd and we look forward, once again, to Geraldine serving our church.

At the end of the service we have light refreshments which are free and you are welcome to stay behind to join us, giving you the chance to make new, like minded friends or just to have a chat amongst yourselves.

INFO: For information of our 2009 programme please visit our website at: www.mjgoodall.co.uk/lead-spirit.htm

Alternatively contact Wendie on 01353 667300 or email: wendie11@btinternet.com

St John's Methodist Church

REV Barbara Garwood led the Mothering Sunday service. Janice Weatherall and Pam Sole read the lessons and Peter Kirby was the pianist. During the service, Cradle Roll certificates were handed out to children who had been christened during the past year and also posies of flowers were given to members of the congregation. The evening service was united at St George's parish church and the preacher was the Rev Edwin Myers.

Sunday: morning service will be led by Duncan Palmer, starting at 10.45am. The Rev Sheila MacInally will lead the evening service at 6.30pm, which will include the celebration of Holy Communion.

The Flower & Friendship Group will meet on March 30 at 7.30pm. On April 4 there will be a Spring Fair entitled 'April Shower' from 9am - noon. All welcome.

Salvation Army:

MOTHERS' Day was celebrated at the Salvation Army looking at Biblical references to motherhood with particular reference to Paul's Epistle to the Romans 16:13, greeting Rufus and his mother who had 'been a mother' to Paul as well. The singers received a message of thanks for their leadership of Songs of Praise at Southery Methodist Church.

Sunday: the afternoon meeting at 3pm will include an illustrated account of a recent visit to the Holy land by Barbara Brown and will be followed by a Faith Tea.

On Sunday, May 10, members of the 1960s Salvation Army 'Joystrings' Pop Group that reached the Top Ten will lead meetings at 11am and 3pm. Contact: 01353 862851 or email:salvation.cambs@virgin.net if you want more information.

Littleport Flower Arrangement Club

FOLLOWING the AGM of Littleport Flower Arrangement Club held in

the village hall, on Friday, March 20 a cheque for �200 was presented

to The Friends of the Princess of Wales Hospital. Michael Richer

was present to receive the donation, collected during the past year,

from president Alayne Saville and chairman Pam Hayes.

Wendy Munnion from Malden was the demonstrator for the evening,

choosing 'wish you were here' for her title. Her colourful designs

depicted her favourite places on the island of Grand Canaria where

she had spent many happy holidays. A vote of thanks was given by

Margaret Kraemar.

The next meeting will be on Friday, April 17, the start of a new year

and so subscriptions of �15 will be due. Visitors are always welcome

at �3.

The Vine Community Church

WE are a lively non-denominational Christian church meeting at the Regal on Hempfield Road in Littleport.

Sunday: service will be at 10:30am with contemporary music worship and the sermon by Pastor Don Gee.

Youth and children's Sunday school is provided during the sermon and our cr�che is open for the little ones throughout the service, from 10:15am.

After the service, we welcome you to stay for coffee, tea, and fellowship.

Next week small groups will be meeting to fellowship and encourage one another in their designated homes.

Ladies' Group will be meeting on Friday at the Regal for an evening of meditation and prayer.

Men's Group will also be meeting on Friday for pop corn and a movie.

INFO: contact Pastor Don Gee at 01353 860885 or 01638 780457 or visit us at www.thevinelittleport.org.uk

St George's Church

ON Sunday, the vicar presided and preached at the 8am Holy Communion. She presided at the 10am Parish Eucharist, when the Sunday Club children gave a Mothering Sunday presentation in place of the usual sermon. The Rev Edwin Myers was the preacher at the 6.30pm Evensong.

Saturday: 9.30am Coffee Morning in the Parish Room.

Sunday: The vicar will preside and preach at the 8an Holy Communion. She will also preside at the 10am Parish Eucharist at which Carol Swain will deliver the sermon.

Monday: 12.30 - Daily Prayer.

Tuesday: 12.30pm - Daily Prayer.1.45pm - Pram Service for pre-school toddlers; 7.30pm Stations of the Cross.

Wednesday: April 1 - 8.30am - Morning Prayer; 9.30am - Holy Communion.

Thursday; 9am Daily Prayer.

Friday: 7.30pm - Choir Practice; 9pm - Compline.

Sunday: April 5 ( Palm Sunday ) Palms will be distributed at both morning services. At 6.30pm: Iain and the choir will lead a service of music and readings for Holy Week.

LITTLE DOWNHAM

St Leonard's Church

ON Sunday there was a Family Service for Mothering Sunday led by the Rev Pauline Scott. It was lovely to have the Little Downham Brownies join us for the service. Sunday: there will be a service of Parish Communion at 11am with Sunday Club for the children. Richard Dean is the preacher at this service. In the evening, in the Community Rooms at 6.30pm, there will be a Taize/Reflective service for Lent. Jellytots for under-5s and their carers is on Tuesday at 1.30pm and Friday at 10am in the Community Rooms.

Saturday: from 9.30am to 12.30pm, there will be special interactive displays in church called 'experience Easter'. Designed to help children understand the Easter story you are welcome to come along with or without your children. On Saturday, April 4, Breakfast with Fiona Castle is being held in the Community Rooms at 10am. Tickets (�5) are available from Pauline on 01353 698410. Fiona Castle is the wife of the late Roy Castle and is a very well known speaker. Everyone is very welcome at all our events and services.

LITTLE THETFORD

Baptist Church

COLIN Cresswell conducted the service on Sunday afternoon and the sermon was based on Exodus Chapters 1 and 2. Prayer and Bible study was held on Tuesday. The Girls' Brigade will be holding an open evening tomorrow at 6pm with the theme 'food glorious food'.

Sunday: the service will be at 3pm and the guest preacher will be Rob Booth.

St George's Church

THE Mother's Day service was conducted by David Noble centring on mothers being so precious. Isobel, a member of the Girls' Brigade read from St Luke's gospel. The music group accompanied the singing. At the end of the service bunches of daffodils were presented to the mothers. The next Sunday, the Rev Alan Harper will be preaching.

SOHAM

The Causeway

ON Tuesday, a successful fund-raising evening was organised by Sylvia Audus and Shirley Bavister to raise funds for The Causeway Day Centre. A cookery demonstration was given by Helen from The Pampered Chef who gave a very informative talk on the many products available. Everyone sampled Yorkshire puddings with maple syrup, adult pizza, jam tarts and a special pudding which had all been cooked in stoneware products. A raffle was organised and thanks extended to everyone who had donated the prizes. Geetha Partha thanked Helen, Sylvia and Shirley for a lovely evening which raised approximately �175 for the Causeway Day Centre funds. The day centre is always looking for voluntary drivers. If anyone has time to spare on a Wednesday morning or afternoon the centre would be pleased to hear from you.

Heartbeat Health Walk

40 walkers, plus the three leaders Liz Gwinnett,David Clarke and Laurie Budd, enjoyed a walk of about three miles around Soham. A stop was made at The Ship or Saucey Megabytes for refreshments.

Methodist News

THE Wives Group met at The Causeway Day Centre. Carol Gilbey gave out the notices reminding members the coach will pick up in Soham at 5.15pm for the outing to Scotsdales Nursery. Carol welcomed Malcolm Crowe from Capricorn Crafts who gave a talk on how he retired as a teacher at 50 and pusued his love of puppet making and woodcraft, making games and toys. Malcolm had brought with him his clown puppet and gave a demonstration. On display were a range of his beautifully crafted games of solitaire and toys which members were able to purchase if they wished. During the break for refreshments members were invited to try out the games.Carol thanked Malcolm on behalf of everyone and presented him with a donation for his charity. The epilogue was given by Audrey Palmer and members joined in for the singing of the vespa. A raffle took place during the evening. The speaker at the next meeting on April 15 will be Linda Baxter on reflexology.

Over 60's Club

RUTH Ginn welcomed everyone to the meeting on Friday, February 20. A warm welcome was extended to Lizze from Bonnies Gemms who gave a short talk of how she got involved with making jewellery. There was an excellent selection of her work on display and also a selection of handcrafted cards. These were all available for members to browse and purchase if they wished. Ruth thanked Lizzie on behalf of the members. Vera Seal organised the raffle and the meeting was brought to a close with the singing of the club hymn.

Soham Methodist Church

ON Sunday morning, Alan Mason led our worship.

Sunday: the service will be led by the Rev Edwin Myers at 10am. This is a family service and baptism evening worship at 6.30pm will be led by Tony Murfitt at 6.30pm .

Thursday (26) there is bingo at the Causeway Day Centre at 6.45pm for 7pm. There will be a prize draw and refreshments. Proceeds to Soham Methodist Church Property and Developement Fund.

Friday: (27) Ann and Sarah Willett are holding a Coffee Morning at Byways, Barcham Road, Soham, from 10am till midday. Proceeds to Soham Methodist Church funds.

STRETHAM

St James' Church

ON Sunday, the Family Service for Mothering Sunday was led by the Rev Pauline Scott. It was lovely to have the Stretham Beavers join us for the service.

Sunday: there is a service of Parish Communion (Methodist liturgy) at 9.30am with Sunday Club for the children. The service will be led by the Rev Pauline Scott.

Saturday: New Life, a Christian band, are joining us in church for a concert at 7.30pm. A collection will be taken for the Maramanti project, which supports a school for deaf children in Kenya. Little Bears for under-5s and their carers is on Monday at 10am in the church. Coffee-at-the-Lion, the local history group, is having lunch on Tuesday at the Red Lion as this is the last meeting before Easter. Because of this there will be no Morning Prayer on Tuesday.

On Tuesday, April 7, at 10.30am, we are holding a Coffee Morning in church at 10.30am with raffle and stalls. Everyone is welcome at all our events and services

Over 60's Club

MEMBERS enjoyed a pleasant afternoon on March 18 in the church hall playing bingo. Tea and biscuits were served by Mary Cornwell, Daphne Ellwood and Joan Quinsee. A raffle took place. Birthday greetings were sung for Joan Vail. The meeting closed with the club hymn.

WARDY HILL

Dominoes

THERE were three tables in play at the dominoes held on March 13 in the social club when Mrs M Dewsbery was MC. Winners were: Mrs J Hardiment, Mrs M Dewsbery, A Reed, Miss M Murfitt and Mrs D Perrin; Highest Halves: Mrs O Goodjohn and F Tall; Consolation: Mrs S Saberton; Draw: Mrs J Hardiment, Mrs M Dewsbery and Mrs A Houghton.

WITCHFORD

St Andrew's Church

THE Rev Teresa Dixon was the celebrant at the Mothering Sunday service, which was attended by Scouts, Cubs and Brownies.

Bunches of daffodils were distributed for all mothers.

Sunday: there will be Holy Communion at 10.30am and Evensong at 6pm.

Tuesday: (with the exception of 31st) there is Holy Communion at 10am.

Wednesday: Toddler Praise service at 2pm and a Family Service on Sunday, April 5th at 10.30 a.m.