ELY Ely Cathedral SERVICES for April 24 – 30 THURSDAY: 7.40am – Morning Prayer; 8am – Holy Communion; midday – Quiet Hour; 12.10 - Holy Communion; 5.30pm – Evensong. Friday: 7.40am – Morning Prayer; 8am – Holy Communion; midday – Quiet Hour; 5.30pm – E

ELY

Ely Cathedral

SERVICES for April 24 - 30

THURSDAY: 7.40am - Morning Prayer; 8am - Holy Communion; midday - Quiet Hour; 12.10 - 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; 1.30pm - Wood Green Animal Sanctuary Service; 4pm - Evensong.

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.

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

Methodist Church

SUNDAY Morning Service at 11am was led by Rev June Mallabon. Morning service was opened with a prayer. There was one reading from Peter and four hymns were sung, followed by a prayer of thanksgiving. Text for the week was 'bind us together, Lord'. The sermon was based on building a church for God, and the Sunday School children built a church of Lego. More prayers were said for the sick people in hospital, then the offering was taken.

The evening service, at 6.30pm, was led by Tony Murfitt. Musicians were Pam Austin and Ginny Klein.

On Monday there was Bible study in the church.

Thursday: Shoppers' lunch from noon to 1pm.

Sunday: 11am service with David Middleton. Evening service, at 6.30pm, with Rev Edwin Myers and Holy Communion.

Lavender House

THE Fellowship Hour was held on Sunday, from 3-4pm. It was led by Michael Freeman who gave a reading on the Relationship of God and hymns were sung. The musician, Ali, read from Psalm 27 and the meeting closed with a prayer. Tea and biscuits were then taken.

The next Fellowship Hour will be on May 11 from 3pm-4pm.

Women's Institute

THE meeting was held at the Old Dispensary on April 14. the president welcomed all members and introduced the speaker for the evening, Ruth Sindall, who demonstrated how to make cakes using Fair Trade ingredients.

The minutes of the last meeting were read and signed. Correspondence was read and members were invited to look at leaflets which had been sent to the president. Members were reminded to find their photographs for the competition and to bring them to the next meeting so they can all be posted together. There will be a Photographic Evening on June 20 at March.

The invitation to visit Northwold and Witchford WI had been well received. Finances were read out and birthday cards and gifts were given to members who had birthdays in April. A report from the Spring Council Meeting at March was given by Ruth Sindall and several members attended and all agreed that the speaker, Ann Widdicombe, was very interesting and amusing.

The competition for four cakes on a plate was judged and the winner was Ruth Sindall, with Joan second.

The meeting finished with the singing of Jerusalem.

Associated Board of Royal Schools of Music

THERE have been successes in recent piano exams for pupils of Ely music teacher, Pamela Austin.

These are: Rachel Frost (Haddenham), Grade 1; Ellen Suckling (Ely), Grade 2; James Austin (Ely), Grade 2; Georgina Fletcher (Ely), Grade 2; Rebekah Suckling (Ely), Grade 7. All pupils passed with Merit.

St Mary's Church

Services for Sunday: 8am - Holy Communion with Alan Partridge; 10.30am - Family Communion with Alan Partridge; 6.30pm - Evensong with Piers Coutts.

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

Countess Freechurch

THE Family Service on Sunday morning was led by Pastor Lowman and was well attended by young families. The theme of the service was 'creation', which was illustrated by photos. The young children participated by doing sketches and singing hymns with the theme. In the afternoon, Mike and Julie Freeman, members of the church, led a time of fellowship and hymns singing at Lavender House for the elderly. The 5.30pm prayer meeting was focused on intercessory and thanks-giving prayer. The 6.30pm service began with worship led by Louise Lomax.

Thursday: the Music Group meet for practice in the church, led by Ken Ellis.

Sunday: Rob Booth will give the morning message and in the evening Keith Waters will speak the Lord's message.

Rotary Club

AT Wednesday's luncheon meeting of Ely Rotary Club, David Dutson, of Brynmawr Rotary Club in Wales, gave a presentation lecture on the subject of Lifestraws, a revolutionary piece of equipment designed to protect the peoples of any disaster area in the world from contaminated water.

Not only is this essential in the problem countries of Africa, but it could be used beneficially in earthquake or flooding disasters, even in America or this country, when safe, filtered drinking water is urgently required. With average usage of about 700 litres, for one person it can last up to a year with regular back-washing, and currently costs about £2.50 each.

Ely Rotary is furthering this project with its 19th annual wine and cheese buffet Sunday lunch on May 18 in the beautiful gardens of Sue Ryder Care, entrance off The Gallery (just a few yards down opposite the cathedral).

Tickets are on sale now at only £9 per person, including a glass of wine, and, as well as helping in the Filtastraw project - and construction of a water well in Zambia, another Ely Rotary initiative - promises to be a memorable day out.

Entrance is by ticket only, available from chairman of the International Committee, Marion Grant, by telephoning 01353 749778, or by e-mailing ericgrant@talktalk.net.

Filtastraw is a unique filtering system, only 10 inches long, with a rope designed for hanging it round the neck, one end for dipping into a puddle, river, pond or lake, the other for sucking water up through the filters, and thereby saving the drinker from waterborne diseases, such as typhoid, cholera, dysentery, and diarrhoea.

INFO: more information is available at: www.elyrotary.co.uk , which also gives details of all this year's events, together with general club news.

City of Ely Flower Club

THE club will meet on Thursday, May 1 for a demonstration by Jacky Eyre entitled 'country weekend' at Needhams Hall in the City of Ely Community College, Downham Road at 7.15pm.

Olive Tree Fellowship

SUNDAY morning worship was at first marked by unrestrained joy and celebration, as we reflected on all that we had seen our God do for us in recent days. As we approached Holy Communion we sensed a deeper wonder and reverence. Our speaker was Brian Garratt, from a sister church in Cheshire. He spoke about the power of the Holy Spirit. He and his wife, along with another couple, had also led a marriage weekend on Friday evening and Saturday, encouraging the couples in the church to take a fresh look at the great potential of marriage, reviewing progress so far, and seeking ways to take the relationship on.

Friday: from 10am until noon, the Open Door Café will run at the church in Silver Street, offering a friendly place to meet friends over tea or coffee, and with home-made cakes.

Sunday: worship at 10.30am and the speaker will be the pastor. Crèche and Sunday School will be provided. All are welcome.

St Peter's Church

SUNDAY: the celebrant and preacher at the 9.15 am Sung Eucharist will be Canon Chris Barber, and the singing will be led by the St Peter's Singers.

Wednesday: there will be a lunchtime service in the church at 1pm and Bible Study at St Peter's House at 7.30pm.

CHETTISHAM

Parish Church

Morning prayer was led by Ruth Dennigan, and the organist was Rita Bartle. The first lesson was read by Joyce Briggs and the offertory was presented by Michael Richer. On Sunday, the family service was led by Alan Partridge on the theme of 'keys'.

Sunday: Sung Eucharist at 9.15am.

LITTLEPORT

The Salvation Army

WE celebrated the 120th anniversary of the foundation of the Salvation Army in Littleport this weekend. One member, Joyce Cole, has been attending here for nearly 90 years! Ipswich Citadel Songsters led the meetings at City Road and also formed a small band, conducting an open-air service at Anchor Court.

Major Carolyn Read (Cole) accompanied the Ipswich visitors and Major Ruth Downey (Cowgill) also joined us for the weekend. Ruth has served in South Africa.

Major Diane Boyd (Cole) has returned to leadership here after 40 years of service that included a period in Moscow. We are quite a small church but were reminded of the wide influence of 20 young people who entered various ministries from Littleport over the years.

St George's Church

ON Sunday we celebrated the feast of St George, and the vicar presided and preached at both the 8am and the 10am services. The sermon and the Sunday School activity were centred on St George. In the afternoon, there was a Sunday at Home in the Parish Room from 2.30pm till 4.30pm.

Sunday: The vicar will preside and preach at the 8am Holy Communion and the 10am Parish Eucharist at which the preacher will be Carol Swain. At 6.30pm we will be joined by our friends from St John's Methodist Church for Evensong, which will be led by John Marshall. Ian Weatherall from St John's will preach.

Tuesday: Pram Service for pre-school toddlers and their parents or carers at 1.45pm.

Thursday: Deanery Service for Ascension Day at Holy Cross Church, Stuntney at 7.45pm. The preacher will the Rev Alan Partridge.

Saturday: Men's Breakfast Club in the Parish Room.

Saturday, May 10: Coffee Morning in the Parish Room, from 9.30am till noon.

LITTLE THETFORD

St George's Church.

OUR service of morning praise for St George's Day, including Baptism of Olivia Watts, was led by the Rev P Scott, sermon on the early church.

Sunday: morning praise with David Noble at 9.30am.

Baptist Chapel.

THE evening service was led by Brian Westropp.

Sunday: service at 6.30pm with Richard Law.

Both congregations continue to pray for healing for Peter and Rene Cockerton and Margaret Digwell.

STRETHAM

Over 60's Club

THIRTY members were present at our meeting on April 16, held in the church hall.

Card games were played, and tea and biscuits were served by Pat Brown, Edith Sadler and Mary Carter.

Dick Phillips brought leeks and rhubarb, which were auctioned. Proceeds went to the club funds. A raffle took place and the meeting closed with the club hymn.

Bowls Club

A GROUP of volunteers met at the club on April 19 to prepare the green, club house and facilities for the new season. This kicks off with a fish and chip drive on April 25 at 6pm. Old and new members welcome to attend.

WARDY HILL

Dominoes

THERE were four tables in play at the dominoes held on April 11 in the social club, when Mrs M Dewsbery was MC. Winners were: Mrs O Goodjohn, Mrs A Houghton, A Bell, Mrs P Martin and Mrs L Dewsbery. Highest halves: Mrs M Dewsbery and F Tall; consolation: Mrs D Perrin; Draw: A Bell, Mrs M Dewsbery and Mrs A Houghton.

Whist Drive

THERE were four tables in play at the whist drive held on April 14 in the social club, when Mrs M Dewsbery was MC. Winners were: K Cornwell, Mrs D Perrin, Mrs A Houghton, Mrs M Dewsbery and B Gillett. Highest halves: Miss M Murfitt and B Copping; Most Fours: Mrs E Sizer; Consolation: A Bell; Draw: Miss M Murfitt, Mrs E Sizer, B Gillett and N Synejko.

WITCHFORD

Baptist Church

LAST week we were greatly blessed with a visit from the Rev Dr D Brewer. On Sunday at 10.30am our service will be led by Cliff Dennis from Ely. A warm welcome to all.