GOLCAR

Mr I Day welcomed Mr Andrew Marchington who led the service at Providence Methodist Church, Golcar on Sunday. Mr Marchington talked about The Authority and Power of the Living God. Mr I Day and Mrs S Pearson read the lessons, Mr Daniel Field's was the organist. Afterwards fellowship continued in the schoolroom. Tomorrow, Sunday October 2, the Harvest Festival Service is at 10.30am, All will be welcome.

The Rev Canon Martyn Crompton led the family communion service at St Johns Church and was the celebrant, the gospel reading from Matthew 21 verses 23-32 titled the authority of Jesus questioned was given by Roger Hanson and in his address Martyn asked how we as a congregation think of God and Jesus and what we believe God’s Will to be. Prayers were led by Anne Crosland and Ann Norton was the organist. Sunday Club and Sunday Youth had been talking about their preparations for the harvest festival service on October 9th and hoped to have their window displays ready by next week. At a welcome service in the afternoon the Rev Canon Martyn Crompton baptised Chloe Louisa Kippax. A Tazie service in the evening was led by Kathryn Sykes and the pianist was Ann Norton.

Last Sunday was the Harvest Thanksgiving service at Golcar Baptist Church and the Rev Chris Thompson led worship. The church had been beautifully decorated with flowers, leaves, berries and fruits from the hedgerows by Hilary Lindsay. Members of the congregation brought dried goods to send to Africa. The children had a lot of fun building a shelter from chairs, curtains and cushions to add to the theme of the service which was about the tabernacle, or the tent of God. The Community Cafe continues to be open on Saturday mornings throughout October.

LINTHWAITE

Mr Ieuan Jones led morning worship at Linthwaite Methodist Church with the theme of ‘Get on with it!’ Prior to the children leaving with their leaders, Diane Loftus, Andrea Morley and Joanna Ambler to go to Junior Church, Mr Jones spoke to them about ‘keeping your word - if you say you are going to do something then you should.’ Sue Howard read from Exodus 17 verses 1-7 (Water from the Rock), which was followed by Linda Marshall reading from Matthew 21 verses 23-32 (The Authority of Jesus Questioned). Ieuan then read from Philippians 2 verses 1-13 (Imitating Christ humility). Mrs Linda Nuttall was the organist and William Morrison operated the Audio Visual equipment.

The morning service at Christ Church was led by the Rev Roger Nelson who celebrated holy communion, preached and prayed and gave a blessing. Lessons were read by Enid Taylor and Anne Leigh and the organist was Derek Horne. Evening service was led by Margaret McQuillan who read a lesson and gave a blessing. A lesson was read by Ann Leigh who preached and prayed and the organist was Rhona Jepson.

LONGWOOD

On the 14th Sunday morning, after Trinity at St Mark’s Church, the Family Worship non-Eucharistic service was led by church family member Joan Morton MBE. Musical accompaniment was provided from a power point presentation and CDs. The first song, Now Is The Time To Worship, was followed by Joan saying prayers, reading the Collect and thanking God. Everyone listened to Be Thou My Vision whilst watching a series of pictures on the big screen. The Gospel from Matthew was read by Judith Pearson and the Rev Harry Gwinnett gave a talk, based on the Gospel, including some amusing stories which referred to some people who are indecisive yet others who have definitive answers to questions. I Give You My Heart was sung, followed by Joan leading the affirmation of faith. Intercession prayers were presented by Judith Pearson and were followed by everyone sharing the Peace. Joan read the notices, including a report on the Monday Club trip to Salford Keys and their collection of over £100 which was donated to Christian Aid. The song Shine Jesus Shine was sung and the service concluded with the Blessing from Harry and the popular Celtic Blessing. The service next Sunday morning will be a Sung Eucharist.

MARSDEN

On Sunday 25th September, the United Church Marsden's service was led by Wendy Blackburn from Slaithwaite. The theme of the service was The Kingdom of God. The readings from Isaiah and Matthew were read by Brian Boothroyd and Barry Biltcliffe. The organist was Marjorie Boothroyd. Refreshments were served after the service by member of the congregation.

St Bartholomew’s Holy Communion service was led by the Rev Geoff Garside. David Corps read lessons from Ezekial 18, verses 1-4 and 25-end and from Philippians 2, verses 1-13. The Gospel, taken from Matthew 21, verses 23-32 was read by the vicar. Ian Hunt was organist and sidesmen were Dorothy Lodge and David Fisher. refreshments were served in the hall by Mary Horn, Joan Ladbrooke and Jean Pennington. Services of Holy Communion continue on Tuesdays in the Lady Chapel at 9.30am. Sunday’s Harvest Festival will begin at 10am. Sunday October 8 is the church dedication Festival when Holy Communion will be held at 9.30am.

On Marsden Jazz Festival Saturday and Sunday, October 8 and 9, the church will be open all day and refreshments served in the hall. Unity Voices will sing on Saturday at 2pm in church and in the evening there is a concert in the hall with one of the UK’s most exciting exponents of Gypsy Jazz, Samual C Lees, featuring Jennifer Lees. Tickets at £9 are available online www.marsdenjazzfestival.com or phone 01484 430528 or in person at the LBT Theatre in Huddersfield. A licensed bar and refreshments will be available.

MILNSBRIDGE

At Milnsbridge Christadelphian's’ Sunday evening meeting Pete Barrett presided and Timothy Whittaker from Newcastle gave an illustrated talk on Israel – working out God’s Purpose. The coffee morning reading group met at 10.30am on Tuesday September 27th led by Andrew Walker. The Bible readings for the day were 1 chronicles Chapter 10, Ezekiel chapter 23, & Luke chapter 20.

On Wednesday September 28 at the Bible class , Jonie Barrett presided . Pete Barrett gave a talk based on Hebrews chapter 4 – A Rest for the People.

The planned subjects for this week are: tomorrow evening at 6pm David Simpson is to give a talk on The Angels of God and next Wednesday at 7.30pm when the subject title is Daniel. Next Saturday morning, October 8, between 10am and noon a fund-raising coffee morning in aid of the Macmillan cancer charity is to be held. Support for this event would be very much appreciated.

PARKWOOD

A drop in lunch was held at Parkwood Methodist Church on Wednesday, menu pork in honey and mustard sauce, creamed potatoes and seasonal vegetables, jam sponge, apple and bilberry crumble and apple sponge, tropical fruit meringues with cream, custard or cream, tea or coffee. Organised by Barbara Rushforth, assisted by ladies of the church.

Sandra and Phillip mcSweeney welcomed the congregation to the Harvest Festival service at Parkwood Methodist Church on Sunday morning. Attended by the uniformed organisations with colour flags, preacher was the Rev Pam Ward, Bible reader Richard Jackson and all the children taking part in the services. Organist was Rhianydd Booth, visual aids Joe Lloyd, floral displays Reene Wyatt and Enid Coulson, plus the harvest display. Coffee was served after the service by Jill Ritchie and Christine Johnson. Floral displays were presented to church members and friends and the harvest produce went to Huddersfield Mission.

SLAITHWAITE

Slaithwaite Good Companions introduced by Margaret Cook, Cannon the Rev Michael Storey spoke about his work with Wakefield Diocese and the Anglican church of Tanzania and particularly Mara, one of the most primitive parts of Africa. It is the size of Wales but with only one proper road, but a thriving, growing church. Michael has been out there on numerous occasions, with Water for Life. He told us about life there and showed us many slides. He was thanked by Hilda Haigh and the pianist was Margaret Cook.

About 50 people attended an afternoon of Jam and Genealogy at St James parish Church on Saturday. Steve Whitwam of Golcar was the speaker, and the tracing of his family, much of it from Slaithwaite. Together with family photographs and very old photographs of Slaithwaite. Then extending the country and as far as Australia. His interest starting as a 12-year-old and still as enthusiastic 35 years on. He was welcomed and thanked by Sara Brown. Afternoon tea was served afterwards. Patricia Parkinson thanked the ladies for an excellent afternoon.

Saturday, October 8, at 2.30 in the church lounge there will be a tea and cake and creative tasks with pat Osborne, £2.50 inc tea.

St James Parish Holy Communion service led by the Rev Robin Townsend assisted by Raymond Denton. The reading from Phillipians chapter 2, vs 1-13, Christ’s Humility and Greatness was read by Raymond. The Holy Gospel, Matthew chapter 21, vs 23 onwards, the question about Jesus’ authority and the parable of the two sons and the address was given by Heather Croft. Prayers were led by Jenny Schofield and the organist was Alvy Whitehead.

Slaithwaite Women's Institute held their September meeting in the community centre on Wednesday evening. Jane Barff was in the chair and was introduced by Gary Haigh who was a policeman for 33 years, 28 of which he worked as a detective, latterly as Dci on the Child Protection Unit. A very interesting evening with a touch of humour. Gary was warmly thanked by Susan Fell and Susan was also the winner of the raffle.

The Churches Together monthly ecumenical service took place on Wednesday morning and was led by Mr Ian Baxter. After two short Bible readings Ian spoke of one of the times in his personal life when a birthday gift by his daughter literally moved him to tears. This was a book on the life of Mrs Josiah Lockwood, a pacifist and a member of the Suffragette movement who’s husband was associated with Black Rock Mills. This was followed by Open Prayer with special mention from Ann Leigh as she moves away from the district. Refreshments were served by the church ladies.

Mr Richard Hoyle of Salendine Nook was the preacher at the Methodist Sunday morning service and opened with verse from Psalm 111. Marjorie Crowther read the Old Testament lesson from Exodus and Betty Robshaw read from Paul’s letter to the Phillipians. Psalm 31 was read jointly and Richard gave the gospel reading from Matthew and spoke on John the Baptist’s message of repentance. The organist was Roger Mitchell.