ELY ELY Ely Cathedral SERVICES for May 22 - 28 THURSDAY: 7.40am – Morning Prayer; 8am – Holy Communion; midday – Quiet Hour; 12.10 - Holy Communion; 5.30pm – Evensong; 7.30pm – Sung Eucharist. Friday: 7.40am – Morning Prayer; 8am – Holy Communion; midd

ELY

ELY

Ely Cathedral

SERVICES for May 22 - 28

THURSDAY: 7.40am - Morning Prayer; 8am - Holy Communion; midday - Quiet Hour; 12.10 - Holy Communion; 5.30pm - Evensong; 7.30pm - Sung Eucharist.

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; 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.

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

St Peter's Church

SUNDAY: the celebrant and preacher at the 9.15am 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 at 1pm and a Bible Study at St Peter's House at 7.30 pm.

St Mary's Church

SUNDAY: Holy Communion at 8am with preacher John Isaacs; 10.30am - Family Communion with preacher David Noble; 6.30pm - Evensong with preacher Alan Partridge.

INFO: www.ely parishchurch.net or 01353 658550.

The Olive Tree Fellowship

SUNDAY morning's worship drew our attention to God's faithfulness and His desire for the same from us. Holy Communion underlined these themes. We heard news from a couple in the Church who had spent the previous week with the leaders and people of a sister church in the south of France, and the pastor shared a little news from a meeting of the Barnabas Fellowship of Churches International Strategy Team, of which he is a part. He later spoke on the fear of the Lord, drawing from Proverbs 16.

Sunday: morning worship - 10.30am. The speaker will be the pastor. Crèche and Sunday School will be provided. On Friday, from 10am till noon, the Open Door Café (in the Church, in Silver Street) will provide a place to meet in a friendly setting with refreshments. All are welcome.

Fenprobe

FENPROBE is the Talking News Service for the blind and partially-sighted in East Cambridgeshire. Every week, a cassette of local news is delivered to members, free of charge, courtesy of a Royal Mail concession.

At the East of England conference of the national Talking Newspapers Association in April, several progressive innovations were introduced - digital conversations, memory sticks, internet access and so forth - inevitable improvements in talking news services to the blind and partially sighted.

The conference was attended by Fenprobe's new chairman Bill Pickess and by vice president and technical expert Harry Fresco, and they could not help but be impressed with the new technology.

On the other hand, a few months ago Fenprobe had carried out a survey of the opinions of their own East Cambridgeshire blind and partially sighted listeners of how the Fenprobe service might be improved. The conclusion, by more than 80 per cent of those asked, was the 'status quo' - just what Fenprobe have been providing, week by week for the past 27 years, an edited sound cassette of local news on the doorstep every Friday.

So it was agreed at the last committee meeting that perhaps the new and impressive technology might not be suitable at the present time.

INFO: For further information ring Janet Smith on 01353 861153 or Peter Heald on 01353 775391.

Ely City WI

THE meeting was held on May 12. Apologies were read out. The minutes of the last meeting were read out and signed. Members were told who the new list of members on the executive were. A quiz night will be held at March on July 18. Members were invited to enter teams. There will be a coffee morning at the Cathedral Centre on June 7 in aid of the RAF Association. Transport was arranged for the group meeting on Thursday 22. For the birthday meeting members decided to go out for a meal. Patricia was asked to arrange it. There were three birthdays this month. Cards and presents were given out to Joan, Nora and Chris. Yvonne then read out the resolution for the ban on bottom trawling. Members gave their view on the subject and voted 'yes' to the resolution. The second resolution was for the government to provide special mental places for mentally ill people in secure hospitals instead of prison. After much discussion it was agreed that we should vote 'yes' to this resolution. The competition was won by Rita with five points, Nora four and Helena three. After refreshments, Hazel Watson demonstrated how to make treasure boxes. After showing us how they were made, we were all invited to make one ourselves. This proved popular with everyone making a box to take home. A vote of thanks was given by Yvonne and the meeting closed by the singing of Jerusalem.

Ely Northwold W.I

PRESIDENT Rosemary Green welcomed guest Wendy Elliott, WI members from Ely City and Littleport, and Jill Carter a member of the Federation Executive to the May meeting of Ely Northwold WI. Congratulations to Rosemary, who has just been voted the new Federation chairman of the Isle of Ely. Birthday cards and gifts to Sue Eden and Wendy Barnes. Members discussed the two resolutions to be put forward at the 2008 annual meeting to be held in June; namely the ban of bottom trawling which causes problems to sea life and the imprisonment of people with severe mental illnesses. The speaker for the evening was Chris Clarke from Bottisham. She started her career with Vidal Sassoon and went to work with Granada Television and the Royal Shakespeare Company as a make-up artist and hair stylist.

She was thanked by Chris Cheale. The winner of the competition, judged by Chris Clarke, was Cecelia Cooper and second Lia Conder.

Thursday: Group meeting at Queen Adelaide.

Saturday: visit to Norfolk.

Next month's meeting will be Wednesday, June 11 at the Old Dispensary at 7.15pm, when the speaker will be Gillian Peak. Visitors welcome.

INFO: contact Christine on 01353 663398.

Countess Freechurch

PASTOR Jim Mullin gave the message at the Fellowship Hour on May 14. The message was based on 'changes'. John Baldock gave the message at the Sunday morning service on the relevance of The Holy Spirit and the importance of Christians having a relationship with Jesus. A time of prayer focused on world-wide issues and local issues were offered up to God within the service. The 5.30pm prayer session was focused on intercessory and thanks-giving prayers. Joan Johnson and the musicians began the 6.30pm service with a time of worship. Rob Booth gave the message from the Book of Colossians. The Youth Group and prayer meetings met during the week. The Sunday school teachers met on Monday evening.

Thursday: the Two by Two Baby and Toddler Group meet in the morning for their weekly session of games and fellowship. In the evening, the Music Group meet for practice in the church.

Saturday: the elders and deacons meet for prayer at 7am. In the afternoon, the bowls club meet in the hall. Next Sunday morning, Paul Coghlan will lead a family service. Keith Waters will be the speaker at the evening service.

CHETTISHAM

Parish Church

MORNING Prayer at St Michael and All Angels on Sunday was led by Ruth Dennigan. The organist was Rita Bartle. The first lesson was read by Linda Aylott and the offertory was presented by Lee Howard.

Next Sunday, Sung Eucharist will be held at 9.15am.

HADDENHAM

Baptist Chapel

THE morning service was taken by the Rev Jim Mullen. June, Alan and David were the musicians. Jim welcomed everyone and gave out the notices. Happy Birthday was sung to Lois and George. Jim spoke to the children about confidence. Rachel and Daniel took up the offering. Jim read a Bible reading: Philippians 3, v 1 to 10. The theme for his sermon was 'new confidence in Christ'. The service closed with hymns and prayers. Next Sunday, Puppet Power from Grimsby will lead the service.

LITTLEPORT

Evangelical Church

ON Sunday, Pastor Barnds taught on 'birth of the church'. On Sunday, Pastor Barnds will be teaching about 'Peter's sermon'. We will be having a Holiday Club for youths aged 4-15 from Tuesday, May 27 through to Friday, May 30. The club will meet each day from 9am until noon. There will be no entrance fee. A tuck shop will be available. Services - Thursday at 7pm and Sunday at 10.30am.

INFO: For information ring 07960 119824 or 01353 860693.

TreeHouse Club

WE will be having a Holiday Club for youths aged 4-15 from Tuesday, May 27 through to Friday, May 30. The club will meet each day from 9am until noon. There will be no entrance fee. A tuck shop will be available. The weather is warm and there are plenty of outdoor activities at TreeHouse. Football on the all-weather sports pitch, basketball, trampoline and other games are also available. For the indoor type we have crafts and other games. TreeHouse is open on Fridays, from 6.30pm till 9pm and is located at the Evangelical Church, Globe Lane. Admission is £1 and a tuck shop is available.

INFO: For more information ring 01353 860693 or 07960 119824.

St George's Church

A MOST enjoyable organ recital was given by Iain Harvey on Saturday. The vicar presided and preached at the 8am Holy Communion and at the 10am family service and baptism, at which two babies were received into the church, on Sunday. The sermon was delivered by Jane Harris. There was a bring-and-share lunch in the Parish Room with our visitors from Schnaitheim, Germany, who spent the weekend with us. This was an ideal opportunity for the parishioners to meet our guests socially.

Saturday: Puppet Workshop at 9.30am.

Sunday: The vicar will preside and preach at the 8am Holy Communion. She will also preside at the 10am Parish Eucharist, when the preacher will be John Marshall. The Evensong, at 6.30pm, will be led by Carol Swain.

Wednesday: Holy Communion is at 9.30am.

Thursday: Arts and Crafts Fair at the church.

July 12: Summer Fair.

St John's Methodist Church

REV June Mallabon led the morning service for Trinity Sunday. Brenda Harrison, Stella Strachan and Pam Sole read the lessons and Janice Weatherall was the organist. Rev Edwin Myers was the preacher for the evening service. Pat Hodson was the pianist. Next Sunday, the morning service will be taken by Georgina Newell from Soham at 10.45am, and the evening service will be united at St George's Parish Church at 6.30pm.

Littleport Flower Arrangement Club

PAM Haynes, chairman of the flower club welcomed Adele Kent from Hethersett, nr Norwich who was the demonstrator on Friday evening. Adele's title for the arrangements was 'blooming marvellous'.

Her designs depicted friends, her job, church, travel, swimming and family. Hazel Palmer thanked Adele for her entertaining demonstration.

Littleport, Ely and District Spiritualists

LEADS would like to thank medium Colin Anderson for the messages that he gave during our service last week and for his opening address from which we all found uplifting. Once again, new faces joined us, receiving messages from loved ones with indisputable evidence that life is eternal. Thank you for joining us and for having an open mind.

Meetings are held on Thursdays at the village hall in Main Street in Littleport.

Doors open at 6.35pm for spiritual healing, which begins at 6.40pm through to 7.20pm.

Divine Service at 7.30pm. We have two guest mediums this week; Alan Albiston and Judy Moule. A raffle is held at the end of the service followed by light refreshments.

Raffle donations gratefully accepted. For further information, contact

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

The Vine Community Church

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

Sunday: service is at 10:30am with contemporary music worship and the sermon by Pastor Don Gee. This week is a family service.

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

Ladies' Group meets on Wednesday and Men's Group is Friday, both at 7:30pm.

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

LITTLE THETFORD

St George's Church.

OUR Communion Service was taken by the Rev John Isaacs who spoke about Trinity and of Unity within Christianity.

Sunday: Morning Praise with Scott Eversman at 9.30am.

Baptist Chapel.

EVENING service was conducted by Liz Herrington who spoke of Christ's command to go and make disciples of all people. Girl's Brigade will meet at 6pm on Friday.

Sunday: 6.30pm service will be led by Malcolm Franklin.

Both congregations continue in prayer for the healing of Peter and Rene Cockerton and Margaret Digweed.

SOHAM

Heart beat Health Walk

ON Monday, 36 walkers, plus the two leaders Liz Gwinnett and David Clarke, enjoyed a walk of 2.5miles around Soham.

Phoenix Club

THERE was a good attendance at the meeting of the club on Wednesday.

Jannice Kinnear welcomed everyone before introducing the morning's speaker Marion Thulborn who is partially deaf and was accompanied by her dog Cole who is a hearing dog for the Deaf. Marion gave an interesting talk on the history of Hearing Dogs for the Deaf which was established in 1982 and is the only organisation in the UK dedicated to training dogs to act as assistants and companions for people who are severely or profoundly deaf.

Jannice presented Marion with a donation and thanked her on behalf of everyone. Members also made a collection during the break for refreshments. Names were taken for a proposed outing in August and Jill Powley organised the raffle assisted by Marion.

Over 60's Club

MEMBERS of the club met in the Walter Gidney Pavillion on Friday. Peggy Gibbon welcomed everyone before handing over to Christine Peachey from the Edinburgh Woolen Mill at Ely. As this was the second visit to the club, Christine began the afternoon with a short talk on the history of the Tartan. This was followed by a fashion show with six of the members as models and Christine describing and pricing each of the items they were wearing.. Following the show, Christine quizzed members on what they had learned about tartan. There was an opportunity to purchase items from the stall at the meeting. Thanks were extended to Christine and her staff for a lovely afternoon. Peggy gave out the announcements and the ladies served the refreshments. The men enjoyed games of dominoes in the adjoining room. Vera Seal organised the raffle. The meeting closed with the singing of the club him.

Methodist Church

MORNING Worship on Sunday was led by Roy May at 10am and at 6.30pm by John King.

Sunday: Morning worship will be led by Alan Mason.

There is no evening service as we will be joining the Open Air Service on the Recreation Ground.

May 28: a Prayer Meeting will be held in the vestibule at 10.30am.

June 3: our fortnightly mid-week worship will begin at 7.30pm. Both of these meetings are led by our minister the Rev Edwin Myers and all are welcome to share these times of fellowship.

Our ladies sisterhood meets at 2.30pm on Wednesdays. New faces always welcome

Soham Churches Together

SOHAM Churches Together will be holding its annual open-air Carnival Service on Sunday at 4pm on Soham Recreation Ground next to the Pavilion. This year's service will be led by Soham Community Church. All are welcome.

STRETHAM

WI

MEMBERS have had a busy first quarter year, with two traditional meetings in the village hall followed by two outings. For our fifth monthly get together we were back in the Parish Rooms. We have happily acquired three new members and this was their first resolutions meeting. Mrs Roman outlined the two resolutions for us. The first on banning trawling the sea bed, because it is leaving oceans deserts; the second on finding alternatives to stuffing our prisons with mentally ill people. Joy Smith thanked Liz for her clear analyses and conducted the voting, which was positive on both accounts. The speaker for the evening was fellow member Jean Adamson, who demonstrated how her series of children's books had continually changed throughout the last century to reflect new interests and attitudes towards young children. The evening ended with refreshments and a draw.

WARDY HILL

Dominoes

THERE were three tables in play at the dominoes held on Friday night in the social club. Mrs M Dewsbery was MC. Winners were: Mrs L Dewsbery, Mrs A Houghton, Mr B Gillett and Miss M Murfitt; highest halves: Mrs O Goodjohn and Mr F Tall; consolation: Mrs B Norman; draw Miss M Murfitt, Mrs B Norman, Mrs O Goodjohn and Mrs A Houghton.

Whist Drive

THERE were three tables in play at the whist drive held on Monday night in the social club. Mrs M Dewsbery was MC. Winners were: Mrs H Sturman, Mr K Cornwell, Mr B Copping and Mrs P Brand; highest halves Mrs Sizer and Mr F Tall; most elevens Mrs N Bean; consolation Mrs M Dewsbery; draw Mrs H Sturman, Mrs A Houghton, Mr K Cornwell and Mrs P Jordan.

WITCHFORD

St Andrew's Church

THE Rev Anna Hult was the celebrant at the family communion service on Sunday, her last Sunday service at Witchford. Rackham School choir took part in the service. Sunday: Holy Communion at 10.30am.

Tuesday: Holy Communion at 10am.

Wednesday: Morning Prayer at 9.30am.

Toddler praise service at 10am on the third Sunday of every month. The Baby Café meets at 9.30am in St Andrew's Hall on Fridays during the school term. The next family service will be on Sunday, June 1 at 10.30am.

Baptist Church

ON Sunday, Norman Gulliver from Eden Baptist Church in Cambridge led the worship. This Sunday's service, at 10.30am, will be taken by the Rev Tricia Troughton from Cambridge.

All welcome.