ELY Ely Cathedral SERVICES for December 4 - 10 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

ELY

Ely Cathedral

SERVICES for December 4 - 10

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; 12.30pm - Walsingham Cell Mass; 5.30pm - Evensong.

Sunday: 8.15am - Holy Communion; 10.30am - Sung Eucharist; 2.30pm - Steam Dreams Carol Concert; 4pm - Evensong; 6.30pm - Advent Taize Service.

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

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

Wednesday: 7.40am - Morning Prayer; 8am - Holy Communion; midday - Quiet Hour; 1.00pm - Pre-School Christmas Service; 5.30pm - Evensong.

St Mary's Church

Sunday: 8am - Holy Communion; 10.30am - All Age Worship; 6.30pm - The Nativity.

INFO: 01353 659550.

St Peter's Church

Sunday: the celebrant and preacher at the 9.15am Sung Eucharist will be the Rev Alan Partridge.

Wednesday: there will be a 'stations of the nativity' service at 1pm, followed by a bring-and-share lunch at St Peter's House.

Olive Tree Fellowship

SUNDAY morning worship was earlier and shorter than usual, but still included praise, prayer, testimony and a brief address. The change was made so we could open our Christmas Fair at 10am.

Sunday: worship is at 10.30am (including Holy Communion). The speaker will be Simon Payne.

Friday: from 10am until noon the Open Door Café will offer a friendly setting in which to enjoy refreshments and good company. All are welcome. Donations please.

Countess Freechurch

SUNDAY morning's service began with a time of celebration led by the music group and singers. During the service, a toy collection was made. Pastor Lowman's message was from Exodus 32. A fellowship tea was held and later, an all-age service in the church was led by Louise Lomax. The Housegroup met in the week for a time of prayer and praise and Bible Study. Terry Day was the speaker at the Fellowship hour on Wednesday afternoon. The service on Sunday will include a baptism. The evening service will be led by the Pastor.

New Connexions @ High Barns

(Free Church)

Advent - Just Chocolate Calendars? That's the question we looked at on Sunday. After some quotes and time for discussion, we looked at how we celebrate Advent and look forward to celebrating the birth of Jesus.

Children's Club explored a similar subject and enjoyed a chocolate game before chatting about what we're looking forward to about Christmas and making an Advent paper chain.

Toddlers have a supervised area with time for Bible story and some themed play or craft activity. Also, a soft area within the main theatre is provided for those wishing to stay with their little ones or young babies.

So who are we? Each week, a bunch of ordinary folk gather together at St Mary's School Theatre, for an informal café style church. Sometimes modern, sometimes more traditional, we share a time of worship, before the children and adults separate to look at the week's topic.

If children want something to do on a Sunday morning, why not send them along or drop them off for about an hour, it's fine if you don't want to stay yourself, but we'd love to see you.

Whether you've been a Christian for years or never entered a church before; be assured a friendly welcome and a chance to find out more about us.

On Sunday we'll be asking 'virgin birth - pull the other one'? 10.30am at The Theatre, St Mary's Junior School, High Barns.

If you want to know more, call or email Keith Waters on 01353 612158 or fool@xalt.co.uk

Isle of Ely Philatelic Society

THE society welcomes Mrs P Grimwood-Taylor as the speaker at today's (December 4) meeting. Her talk and display will be on Australian social history.

The society meets in the library of the City of Ely Community College, Downham Road, starting promptly at 7.30pm. Visitors welcome.

INFO: Hon Secretary on 01354 659358.

Methodist Church

SUNDAY morning's service was led by the Rev Barbara Garwood at 11am. As it was Advent Sunday, the choir sang a hymn while the first candle was being lit to represent the beginning of Advent. A prayer was said then the first hymns were sung. The first reading was taken from the Old Testament and the second reading from the New Testament. The sermon was based on Advent, offerings were taken and hymns were sung, followed by the blessing. The musician was Donald Monk.

There was no evening service as a united service was held in Newmarket.

Thursday: Shoppers' lunch - noon till 1pm

Sunday: morning service at 11am with Colin Nickless, evening service at 6.30pm with the Rev June Mallabon. The musicians will be Pam Austin and Alan Bulley.

CHETTISHAM

Parish Church

CELEBRANT and preacher at St Michael and All Angels on Sunday was the Rev Chris Barber. The organist was Beth Stokes and the first lesson was read by Linda Aylott. The offertory was presented by Lee Howard.

Sunday: morning prayer will be held at 9.15am.

HADDENHAM

Parish Council

THE parish council met on November 12.

Catherine Shilton, rural housing enabler of Cambridgeshire ACRE and Oliver Cook, development and enabling officer of East Cambridgeshire District Council attended the meeting to address the council on a Housing Needs Survey to be carried out in Haddenham and Aldreth to assess the need for affordable housing in the community. It is hoped that the survey will come out in early December and all householders are urged to respond.

The redundant telephone kiosks at Top Corner, Cherry Orchard and Aldreth High Street will be adopted by the Parish Council under the Adopt a Kiosk Scheme.

Congratulations were extended to the Bonfire Committee for a fantastic fireworks display.

Cllr Gareth Wilson reported that the poor performance of Veolia regarding the collection of recycling sacks and responding to customer complaints is being looked into. The planning application for a barn in Hillrow has gone to mediation. Mereham has raised its head again coming up in the East of England Regional Assembly plan. Cllr Wilson, Cllr Fred Brown and Cllr Bill Hunt have all issued statements to the press saying that it should be rejected.

Baptist Chapel

THE Rev Jim Mullin conducted the service for the first Sunday in Advent.

Sunday: Children's Advent service.

Methodist Church

THE service for the first Sunday in Advent was taken by Jan and Paul Cobley of Sutton; stewards were Mavis and John Middleton and the organist was Lorna Delanoy.

The monthly coffee and cake morning planned for Saturday, December 13 will be a bumper one with extra stalls and competitions; copies of quizzes to be completed over the holidays will be on sale and everyone is invited to come and enjoy real Fen hospitality from 10am till noon. That evening, there is a special Christmas presentation at the Baptist Church for all ages and all denominations.

Saturday: Christmas Cracker party will be held from 2pm to 4pm. Tickets are available for the More to Christmas event which is being held at the Holy Trinity Church on December 13. George and Sarah lit the Advent candles. It was announced that Bob is now recovering from a stroke. Happy Birthday was sung to John, who is nine. Jim said prayers, followed by songs and a video called Birthday Calendar. He then read a Bible reading with Sue, from Isaiah and Matthew concerning the birth of Jesus, followed by prayers. Gabrielle and Georgina took up the offering. We sang again, followed by the Lord's Prayer. Jim read another Bible reading from Isaiah 6, v. 1 to 8. The service closed with prayers and saying the Grace, lobbying the county council to put up signs on the dangerous bend in Grunty Fen. Cllr Bill Hunt continues to work to try to minimise the potential damage that HGV vehicles supplying the A14 improvements and Northstowe will have on Haddenham and surrounding villages. He continues to press the county council officers to consider the Angel Drove, Ely site in tandem with Witchford Road, Witchford for the new household waste-recycling centre. Cllr Hunt has been appointed as the county council's sole voice on LITTLEPORT

St George's Church

THE vicar presided and preached at the 8am Holy Communion and the 10am Parish Eucharist when John Marshall delivered the sermon. At 6.39pm, and we had an Advent Carol Service and readings.

Sunday: The vicar will preside and preach at Holy Communion and Parish Eucharist. The First Sunday Praise at 6.30pm will be led by the Venerable David Fleming and will include a presentation by the Men's Breakfast Club.

An Evening Prayer Service will be held at 5pm, from Monday to Friday.

Tuesday: Pram Service at 1.45pm.

Wednesday: Holy Communion at 9.30am.

Friday: Choir Practice at 7.30pm.

Saturday: Christmas Fair. Stalls, from 10am till 2pm.

St John's Methodist Church

TONY Murfitt led the first Advent morning service. Jean Murfitt read the lesson. Janice Weatherall was the organist.

Sunday: the Rev June Mallabon will lead the morning worship at 10.45am and the Rev Sheila MacInally will lead the evening service at 6.30pm.

On December 13, there will be an alternative Christmas Carol/Christingle Service at 6.30pm. During the service gifts of food will be received for Winter Comfort in Cambridge.

Ian Weatherall will take the Sunday, December 14 service at 10.45am. The evening service will be a traditional carol service at 6.30pm led by the Rev Mallabon.

Littleport Ely and District Spiritualist Church

A DIVINE Service is held every Thursday evening at Littleport Village Hall in Littleport.

Doors open at 6.40pm for Spiritual Healing which takes place until 7.20pm for which there is no charge. This is followed by the service at 7.30pm.

This week, we have guest medium Barbara Price to take the service for us.

There is an Awareness Course, which runs monthly on the first Monday evening of the month; the next one is in February. This is at the village hall and for those interested in taking part in this course, contact Wendie as places are limited. There is a small charge of £2.50 to cover the hall costs.

We have a raffle for which small donated prizes are always welcomed. Thank you to all who donated prizes last week.

December 11: there is no service.

We have a Carol Service when we return on Thursday, December 18, with guest medium Pauline Porter.

INFO: visit our website at: www.mjgoodall/lead-spirit.htm. Alternatively contact Wendie on 01353 667300.

LITTLE DOWNHAM

St Leonard's Church

A SERVICE of Parish Communion was held on Sunday morning and the Rev Pauline Scott spoke on 'looking to the future'.

Sunday, the second in Advent, there is a traditional communion service at 9.30am and an all-age service at 11am. Our young people's group, Xtrapol8, meet for their Christmas Celebration at 6.30pm in the Community Rooms. Our under-5s group, Jellytots, is on Tuesday afternoons from 1.30pm to 3pm and Friday from 10am till 11.30am in the Community Rooms.

Saturday: between 10am and noon we have a Christmas Coffee Morning in church with Father Christmas, books, gifts, cakes, Christmas cards and children's lucky dip. Proceeds towards our Spend-a-Penny Appeal.

LITTLE THETFORD

Baptist Church

THE preacher for Advent Sunday was Brian Mizon. The theme of the service was the first coming of Christ, and the second coming, with an appeal to 'be ready'. A Christmas Coffee morning was held on Tuesday in aid of the Friends of Princess of Wales Hospital in Ely. The Girl's Brigade will meet on Friday at 6pm.

Sunday: the preacher at 3pm will be Mervyn Howard.

St George's Church.

OUR service of morning praise for the First Sunday of Advent was taken by David Noble with a meaningful sermon about waiting for Jesus and being ready.

Sunday: our service of morning praise at 9.30am will be led by Judy Kerridge.

SOHAM

Soham Methodist Church

MORNING Worship, including the celebration of Holy Communion, was led by the Rev Edwin Myers. Our annual Christingle Service was held at 3pm. The Rev Edwin Myers welcomed everyone and then introduced Elsie Salmon who led the service. At the end, the children were given their lighted Christingles and stood at the front of the church as we all joined in singing. After the final blessing, refreshments were served in the schoolroom.

Sunday: service led by George Ginn at 10am.

There is no evening worship.

Tuesday: Midweek Worship in the schoolroom at 7.30pm.

Wednesday: the Boys Brigade are holding their Carol Service at 7pm. During this service, the boys will be presented with their badges they have earned over the past year. Everyone is welcome to come along and support the boys and their leaders and sing some carols.

Soham Community Church

Sunday: Soham Community Church is hosting a Christmas crafts morning at the Lode Centre. The fun begins at 10:45am. The event is open to the public and admission is free. The church will provide the crafts materials and will be serving up some festive refreshments.

Sunday (December 14) worship service will be held at Simon and Clare Rowe's house at 10:30am on December 14. We will gather at Soham Methodist Church on Berrycroft for a joint Christmas worship service at 10am.

Heart beat Health Walk

ON November 24, 27 walkers, plus the three leaders, Liz Gwinnett, Laurie Budd and David Clarke enjoyed a brisk walk of 2.7miles around Soham .Welcome hot drinks were available at The Ship and Megabites.

Over 60's Club

Ruth Ginn welcomed members to the club on Friday afternoon. Unfortunately, the speaker could not make the meeting so a beetle drive was organised. There was the usual raffle to boost club funds and refreshments were served. Peggy Gibbon gave out the notices reminding members that the social afternoon starts at 1.30pm. The meeting was brought to a close with the singing of the club hymn.

STRETHAM

St James' Church

OUR Christmas Fair was held last Saturday and a 'big thank' you to everyone who helped or came along to support us. £624 was raised. A Communion service was held on Sunday morning led by the Rev Pauline Scott. In the evening, there was an Advent Songs of Praise at which the speaker was the Rev Jane Hulme.

Sunday: morning service is Morning Praise with Sunday Club for the children at 9.30am led by Terry Day. In the evening at 5pm there is our Christingle Service where the children light up their Christingle oranges. The collection will be for the Church of England Children's Society.

Monday: between 10am and 11.30am, Little Bears, for babies, small children and their mums and carers is in the church.

SUTTON

Christmas Quiz

MULLED wine and mince pies will be served at the Sutton Feast Week Christmas Quiz, to be held at the Pavilion at 7.30pm on Friday. Entry fee for teams of six people is £15 or just turn up on the night and pay £3 per person.

Special prizes, good fun, all welcome.

WARDY HILL

Dominoes

THERE were two tables in play at the dominoes held on November 21 in the social club when Mrs M Dewsbery was MC. Winners were: Mrs D Perrin, Miss M Murfitt Mrs M Dewsbery and A Bell; Consolation: Mrs L Dewsbery; Draw: B Copping, Miss M Murfitt, Mrs M Dewsbery and Mrs D Perrin.

WITCHFORD

Baptist Church

SUNDAY'S service was led by Andrew Dalwood.

Sunday: the Rev Tricia Troughton, from Cambridge, will conduct the service at 10.30am. Holy Communion will be taken.

All welcome to attend.