CROSLAND MOOR

Members of the Association of Christian Fellowship from St. Barnabas’ Church held their monthly meeting in the Parish Hall. Leader Susan Tattersley welcomed everyone with one ofŠ her lovely poems. Notices were then announced, the main one being the Spring FayreŠ and Photographic Exhibition in Church on April 9 for which members are providing the refreshments. Susan then introduced the speaker Malvern Goodall who entertained everyone with an account of some of his family history, in particular his Cousin Ken recently deceased. Mr Goodall’sŠ story was at times both poignant and amusing and always interesting. A vote of thanks was proposed by Andrea Turner, the raffle prizes were won by Kathleen Pratt and Patricia Kaye and the hostesses were Joyce Holdsworth and Alwyn Hallas.

GOLCAR

The service on Sunday at Golcar Baptist was conducted by the Rev Chris Thompson. Organist was Calinda Stockhill and pianist was Chris Woodhead.

Grace and Gillian Beevers welcomed the congregation to the family service at Providence Methodist Church on Sunday. Mr Stuart Rudd led the service, Mr Ian Day read the lessons. Afterwards the men served coffee in the schoolroom. The organist was Mr David Hollingworth.

On Saturday March 12 the Annual Craft Fayre will be held at Providence Methodist Church. There will be various stalls, and snacks served from 10am to 4pm.

The service for the Women’s World Day of Prayer was held at St John’s Church on March 4. Francis Brown, the local organiser of the Day of Prayer, led the service. Members of Scapegoat Hill, Bolster Moor, Golcar Baptist and Providence Methodist Churches took part and the reading had been compiled in book form by the Christian Women of Chile, entitled How Many Loaves Have You? Bread is the staple diet of many people. Chris White-Cannon, wife of the new minister at Scapegoat Hill gave the address, illustrated with slides about Chile as it is today. At the end of the service bread, which was made by Gini Crompton was shared. Ann Norton was the pianist.

The Rev Canon Martyn Crompton welcomed the congregation and led the parish communion service at St John’s. The readings were given by Helen Davis from Exodus and Andrea France from Peter. Prayers were led by Sylvia Hanson. The Rev Harry Gwnnett gave the gospel reading on the transfiguration from Matthew 17, 1-9 on which he based his address. Ann Norton was the organist. The Sunday Club had also been listening to A Story Of the Transfiguration and had put together their own picture of the mountain scene. Sunday Youth were continuing working on their book with individual members designing appropriate covers for it.

LINTHWAITE

An All Age Eucharist service was held at Christ Church led by the Rev Jenni Honeymann, who preached and prayed, celebrated Holy Communion and gave a blessing. A lesson was read by Peter Linsell-Fraser and the pianist was Katherine Longbottom. The evening service was led by the Rev Jenni Honeymann, who preached and prayed and gave a blessing, lessons were read by Margaret McQuillan and the organist was Derek Horne. A coffee morning and book sale is to be held on Saturday, March 26, at Christ Church, LInthwaite between 10am and noon.

Morning worship at Linthwaite Methodist Church was led by Mr Alan Jones. The organist was Linda Nuttall and Peter Stead operated the audio visual equipment. In his children's address Mr Jones spoke about What We Need to Live, Instead of What We Would Like to Live. The children then left to got to Junior Church with their leaders Andrea Morley and Diane Loftus. Alan read from Mark 1 v 35-37 'Pressures of caring.' Instead of preaching a sermon, Alan led a series of Bible readings and prayerful reflections on the theme of How Do We Respond to the Problems in the Middle East? - assisted by John Morrison and Doreen Liversidge reading various Bible passages.

Miss Ann Leigh was guest speaker at Linthwaite Methodist Church Thursday Fellowship. She spoke about St Francis of Assisi, and her experience of being a modern day member of the Lay Franciscan Order. Chairman was Mrs Iris Wood and the pianist Jenny Baxter. Tea and biscuits were served by Margaret Tennant and Doreen Liversidge. The next meeting will be held in the Church Centre next Thursday March 17 at 2:30pm when the speaker will be Ian Baxter talking about Oberammergau 2010 – the passion play.

LONGWOOD

The sung Eucharist Service at St Mark’s Church on the last Sunday morning before Lent, was led by guest celebrant, the Rev Janet Sargent. Churchwarden David Verlander made announcements regarding the forthcoming series of three Lent Lunches in the Parish and Community Centre. There will not be a service on Ash Wednesday at St Mark’s but the congregation is invited to services at Golcar Provident or St Thomas’s Church on that day. Janet proclaimed the marriage banns, for the first time of asking, for David Andrew Barnes and Katy Louise Heaume, and then she welcomed them to the service. Philip Turner was the organist and the first hymn was followed with prayers of preparation and the Collect. Bible readings from Exodus and Peter were by Judith Pearson and Jane Venables. Following her reading, of the Gospel, Janet delivered her sermon from the pulpit, where she based her comments on the many Bible references to mountains as symbolic of being closer to God in Heaven. The Creed was followed by Intercession prayers from Liz Malafronte. Sunday school pupils, with their leader Joan Morton, joined the service in time to share The Peace, and then Communion was given with Chris Jones as server. The service was brought to a close with the final Hymn Guide Me O Thou Great Redeemer and Janet gave The Blessing.

MARSDEN

On Saturday the annual Spring Fayre at the United Church was held. Coffee and refreshments were served in the morning when entertainment was provided by Marsden Junior Brass Band and the training band, with their musical director Brian Boothroyd. There were the usual stalls and lunches were served.

On Sunday morning worship at the United Church was led by Jean Barraclough, the gospel for the day on the transfiguration of Jesus was given as a drama presentation by Rachel Hemmingway, Claire Wooffenden, Jez Hackett and Norman Dias. The organist was Marjorie Boothroyd. After the service pancakes and coffee was served to raise money for Fairtrade.

An All Age Service was held at St Bartholomew’s on Sunday arranged by the Worship group. The Rev Geoff Garside welcomed everyone, especially Joshua, Charles and Matilda, who were baptised during the service, and their friends and families. David Corps led the service. There was a dramatised version of the Gospel Matthew Chapter 17, the Transfiguration of the Lord and a sound-sculpture by Simon Crook. Prayers were led by Simon and Samantha Crook. The organist was Ian Hunt. The sidesmen were Dorothy Lodge and Alison and David Fisher. Coffee was served in the Hall by Mabel Smithies, Evelyn Laidlaw, Glenys Ward, Susan Everill and Joan Bradbury. There followed a service of Holy Communion in the Lady Chapel. Services continue on Tuesday mornings at 9-30am.Lenten House groups are meeting at the Vicarage on Tuesdays at 7-30pm. Confirmation classes commence this week.

A Table Top Sale will be held in the Parochial Hall on Saturday March 26 9am-2-30pm. For details ring 844660.

Cuckoo Day is Saturday April 16 . St Bartholomew’s Church open for visitors and refreshments and stalls in the hall.

Friday May 6 sees the anniversary of the service to consecrate the tower and baptistery. Special bell ringing that weekend and on the Sunday May 8 Eucharist will be led by the Bishop of Pontefract the Rt Rev Tony Robinson. Afterwards a faith lunch in the Hall. Everyone very welcome.

MILNSBRIDGE

On Saturday the Milnsbridge Christadelphian's held their Fraternal gathering. The theme was The Night on Which He Was Betrayed.”The president was Kevin Waterhouse and the speaker Tim Morgan from Stockport, who gave two talks – Judas- That Thou Doest, Do it Quickly and Peter- But Thou Shalt Follow Me Afterwards. A special collection was made in aid of the Bartimaeus resource centre in India. There was a buffet tea following the meeting.

On Sunday, following a family tea, the president for the evening meeting was Martin Spencer and the speaker, Tim Morgan, who gave an interactive talk entitled “ Who are the Christadelphians?”

The sisters’ class met on Tuesday evening, when Pat Charlesworth presided. The speaker was Wendy Sykes from Bradford, her subject was The Role of Sisters in the Ecclesia. At the Bible class on Wednesday evening the president was Kevin Charlesworth who led the discussion group on the readings from the Bible for that day. The Bible seminar group met on Thursday evening and was led by Paul Rose. Tomorrow at 6pm the speaker will be Paul Tovell from Burton-On-Trent, his subject Can the Bible Predict the Future? This talk will also be suitable for children and teenagers and everyone is welcome.

PARKWOOD

A pleasant Wednesday afternoon meeting was held at Parkwood Methodist Church. Guest speaker was Marion Lloyd with a display of her arts and crafts. In the chair was Jean Johnson, the pianist was Kenneth Rothery, refreshments were by Barbara Beevers and Betty Sykes and the secretary was Freda Lloyd.

A senior citizens party, organised by the Parkwood Community service group was held on Saturday afternoon with evening entertainment by the AMC Swing Band, all music consonance group and a small group of singers and pianists from the Halifax Gilbert and Sullivan Society, Transport was provided by Parkwood Scout Group leaders.

Marion Lloyd welcomed the congregation to Parkwood Methodist Church on Sunday morning. The preacher was John Hatton, children’s outreach and evangelism enabler, with Parkwood Beevers and Clubs taking part in the service and visual aids by Joe Lloyd. The organist was Daniel Fields. Coffee was served after the service by Margaret Noble and Christine Johnson.

On Saturday March 19 at Parkwood Methodist Church a community breakfast is being held from 9.30am-noon and in the evening at 6.30pm a Beetle Drive with pie and peas supper, children welcome.

SLAITHWAITE

St James’ Parish Church Mothers Union held a short service, led by branch leader Patricia Parkinson. Speaker Margaret Warren talked about a holiday she spent in Thailand. She was thanked by Pat. Afterwards business matters were discussed and the organist was Val Pimblott.

Slaithwaite Good Companions was led by Maureen Weaving. Speaker was member Wendy Blackburn who spoke about someone she admired greatly, Helen Steiner-Rice who is world-famous for her poems and verses, many of which appear on birthday and other cards. She was thanked by Bessie Whitwam and the pianist was Maureen.

St James Parish Church Holy Communion service on Sunday was conducted by Robin Townsend assisted by Raymond Denton. After prayers and hymns the J John film was Commandment number 2 – ‘You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind or know the real God.’ This is concerned with how we are not to worship God, do not make yourself an idol, worshipping beauty, wealth, fame and power. Today’s media says media is everything. Jesus came to liberate and us having a friendship with God and he will dwell wherever people let her in. This was followed by prayers and holy communion and the organist was Val Pimblott.

Despite being small in numbers Women’s Fellowship had an afternoon of fun and fellowship on Tuesday last. It was an own arrangement day organised by Maureen Weaving who opened the meeting with prayer. She followed by reading poems relating to Spring and one called the Women’s Meeting. Two quiz papers tested the members memories before they enjoyed afternoon tea. A bring-and-buy stall completed the afternoon.

The Women’s World Day of Prayer service took place at St Bartholomew’s Church, Marsden on Friday afternoon. The service had been prepared by the women of Chile and eight churches in the Colne Valley were involved in the service. It was led by Mrs Margaret Wylie, of the Holy Family Church and the speaker was Mrs Wendy Blackburn of Slaithwaite Methodist Church. Thanks to Mrs Joan Biggs for overseeing arrangements at the church, to the organist and to the ladies for providing refreshments.

Mrs Liz Bishop of Linthwaite led the Ladies’ service at the Methodist Church on Sunday. Wendy Blackburn read from Matthew’s Gospel and Liz spoke on the life of Sarah, the wife of Abraham. The hymns chosen by Dot Crowder were accompanied by the Milsom String Quartet comprising Alfie Neal, Tom Owen, Megan Swinchin and Anni Howle-Jones, a group of talented young people who are in their first year studying music at the Huddersfield University. Music by Devorak Borodin, Vaughan Williams, and Hayden was included in their programme. Liz thanked the group for their wonderful contribution to the service and all stayed on for a lunch of meat and potato pie. The arrangements for this meal were in the hands of Sandra Dalton, Hilary Turner and Pauline Gee. Birthday greetings were sung for Donald Crowther for his 90th birthday and cake enjoyed by all.