MARSDEN
Sunday morning worship at the United Church was led by Mr Hedley Siddall and included Holy Communion. Readings were given by Jean Broome and Barry Biltcliffe and the organist was Christine Gledhill.
Family communion at Marsden St Bartholomew’s Church was led by the Rev G Clay. Pianist and reader was Audrey Armitage, sidemen were K and P Purcell and D Beaumont and coffee was served by N Carr, A Armitage and E Lingard.
There will be a Christmas Fayre at the church next Saturday (November 28) which will be opened at 11am by celebrated Colne Valley poet Simon Armitage, who attended the church in his youth. The fayre will feature lunches provided by the Marsden Parish Church Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society. Other light refreshments will be served throughout the day, a grand raffle and lots of stalls selling home-made cakes, jams and pickles, Usborne books, gifts, crafts, jewellery, Phoenix charity cards and tombola. All will be made welcome.
On Sunday evening a Poppy Appeal Concert featuring the Yorkshire Avalanche Dodgers was held in Marsden British Legion Club. This enjoyable event raised £364.40 for the Poppy Appeal. The St Bartholomew’s Christmas concert featuring Marsden Band and the Colne Valley Male Voice Choir is on Saturday December 19, start 7.30pm. Tickets are now available from church, choir and band members and from Duncan’s Barbers.
MILNSBRIDGE
At Milnsbridge Christadelphian's midweek bible class Mr J Marshall, from Halifax gave a talk entitled Prayer Without Ceasing. On Sunday evening Mr N Smith from Sunderland gave a talk entitled Better the Devil You Know.
PARKWOOD
A drop-in lunch was held at Parkwood Methodist Church on Wednesday. On the menu was chicken and vegetable hot pot with mixed greens, apple pie, syrup sponge and lemon tart, and tea or coffee. It was organised by Freda Lloyd assisted by ladies of the church.
Marion Lloyd welcomed the congregation to Parkwood Methodist Church on Sunday morning, Worship leaders were Freda Lloyd and Sandra McSweeney, assisted by drama readings around the table by Gareth Beaumont as Zacchaeus; Robin Whitam, Simon the Leper; Mary Rothery, Mother of Jesus; Barbara Rushforth, Mary Magdalen and Joe Lloyd as Judas. The pianist was Rhianydd. Coffee was served after the service by Gill Ritchie and helpers.
On Sunday, November 22 at 6.15pm at Parkwood Methodist Church there will be a performance of the Messiah.
SLAITHWAITE
At Slaithwaite Good Companions on Thursday, Hilary Ellis led the afternoon which was a coffee afternoon and Bring-and-Buy sale. The secretary was Maureen Weaving and she entertained with humorous poems, and the 90th birthday of Madge Joy with birthday cake and good wishes. Madge said perhaps she should use a walking stick now but had second thoughts about it. The results of the Bring and Buy sale were donated to the Leprosy Mission.
St James Parish Church Holy Communion Service was led by the Rev Robin Townsend, assisted by Raymond Denton, the lesson was read by Peter Gilbert, the address was given by Heather Croft, using the gospel of St Mark’s Chapter 13. Prayers were led by the Rev Robin and children from the Sunday School narrated and told us of their morning studies. The music group led the singing, the pianist was Hiroko Townsend and the organist was Alvy Whitehead.
Sunday worship at the Methodist Church was led by the Rev Jo Archer Siddal who asked the congregation Who are You? Psalm 16 was read by Betty Robshaw and the organist was Shirley Scott. On Monday evening, members enjoyed the film Miss Austin Regrets. The evening had been arranged by Jennifer Twycross.
Women’s Fellowship met on Tuesday afternoon. Bessie Whitwam who was in the chair, read a Helen Stiener-Rice poem and led prayers. The speaker was Mrs Jean Barrowclough whose talk was entitled Time For Change. Birthday greetings were sung for two members, Margaret and Bessie, and tea and cakes were served.
On Wednesday morning friends from the Colne Valley churches attended the November Ecumenical service at the Methodist Church. It was led by the Rev Jo Archer-Siddal and the pianist was the Rev Mike Smith. Coffee and fellowship was then enjoyed after the service.