Golcar

The Rev Brenda Mitchell welcomed the congregation at St John’s Church on Sunday and was also the celebrant for the Family Communion service. Patricia Walker gave the gospel reading from Matthew 25 (separating the sheep from the goats) and Rev Brenda used this text as the basis of her address. Sylvia Hanson led prayers and Ann Norton was the organist.

Fifteen members of Golcar Baptist Tuesday Forum enjoyed lunch at Nont Sarah’s. Afterwards, 11 went to the home of Connie Pearson, where they played games of indoor cricket and held a quiz. Mary Sykes read two ‘politically correct’ bedtime stories and tea and cakes were served.

Sunday morning service at the Baptist Church was taken by the Rev Chris Thompson. Organist and pianist was Chris Woodhead.

The speaker at the Men’s Fellowship was Robert Dearnley, who talked about his life in the Territorial Army. Stewart Culpan was chairman and David Knight was the pianist.

Speaker at a meeting of the Friendship Group was Marjorie Upson, who talked about Christmas Customs. Gillian Beever was chairlady and Nancy Meadows was pianist. Supper was served by Thelma Holroyd and Elsie Turrell.

Morning service was held at the Hope Chapel in the Infirmary and was led by Deacon Jill Atkinson-Heck. Pianist was Frank Meadows.

Morning worship at Providence Cheple was led by Brenda Ellis. Ian Day read the lesson and organist was Chris Pearson.

LINTHWAITE

Twenty-four members of Linthwaite Methodist Thursday Fellowship enjoyed a meal at the Rose and Crown, Cop Hill last Thursday.

Sunday morning worship at the Methodist Church was taken by Richard Hoyle. A lesson was read by Peggy MacKay and organist was Linda Nuttall.

Sunday morning service at Christ Church was taken by the Rev Julian Perkins, who celebrated Holy Communion and gave a blessing. Lessons were read by Cynthia Osborne and the Rev Jenni Honeyman, who also led prayers, and Ann Leigh preached.

Evening service was led by the Rev Jenni Honeyman, who also led prayers and gave a blessing. Lessons were read by Margaret McQuillan and Ann Leigh. The Rev Julian Perkins preached and organist was Derek Horne.

A market stall manned by church members at the Huddersfield Open Market last Tuesday raised £170 for church funds.

LONGWOOD

On Sunday morning at St Mark’s Church, Mark Gregory read the notices, reminding the congregation about the Church Gift Day and Parish Lunch on Saturday December 6 and a coffee morning in the Parish Centre on December 13. He introduced the Rev Jim Hunt, who conducted Sung Eucharist for the day of Christ the King. Jim then introduced guest speaker Canon Martyn Crompton. Philip Turner was the organist and Chris Jones the server. Jim said that his wife Carol was in the Infirmary, together with other members of the church family, Bina Verlander and churchwarden Linda Barker – recently transferred from Leeds and making good progress. Jim also told about recent gifts that had been received from the Link Parish of Kowak in Tanzania –dressmaking materials and a brightly-coloured African shirt, which Peter was proudly wearing. Bible readings were by Janet Watson (Ezekiel) and Olive Houghton (Ephesians). In his sermon Canon Martyn asked everyone to move closer to the front and explained that people generally prefer not to change their habits. The subject of his sermon was Change – especially how it affected the church. He spoke about the ‘Birth Bulge’ after the war and said that big changes in finance meant that all churches could now no longer expect to have a vicar of their own. Locally, he said his own church of St John’s, Golcar would probably be the first to lose their Vicar when he became eligible to retire, and probably then Rev Jim would become responsible for both St Mark’s and St John’s. These changes are inevitable and everyone must be prepared, he said. Wakefield is one of the poorest Dioceses in the Country but is promoting the Transforming Lives edicts then looking forwards and upwards to God helping us through the changes .Jim then welcomed the young church who brought photographs of the model church they built last week to be handed round. Intercession prayers were prepared and presented by Judith Pearson followed by the sharing of the Peace. Before the final blessing Jim proclaimed the Banns of Marriage between Lee Joseph Cleminson and Sally Clarkson for the secon time of asking.

MARSDEN

Colne Valley Male Voice Choir and Marsden Silver Prize Band will give a concert in St Bartholomew’s Church on Saturday December 20. Tickets, priced £7 (children £5) are available from the bandroom, choir, church and from Duncan’s Barbers.

St Bartholomew’s Christmas Fair is being held today (Saturday) and features a wide variety of stalls. Lunches will be served. Junior church members were due to open the event at 11am.

Sunday’s Holy Communion service was led by Joan Biggs and the Rev Geoff Clay was preacher and celebrant. Dennis Brooke was organist. Reader was Geoffrey Holroyd and prayers were offered by Caroline Hansom. Sidesmen were Mary Horne, Joan Ladbrooke and Jean Pennington and coffee was served afterwards by Mabel Smithies, Joan Gee and Joan Bradbury.

Sunday morning worship at the United Church, Marsden was led by Mr J Francis Horton of Honley. Readers were Jean Broome and Carl Butters and organist was Christine Gledhill.

On Friday December 5, a service of carols and nine lessons will be held at the United Church – a joint service with St Bartholomew’s – at 7pm. Saturday December 6 sees the start of the Christmas Tree Carnival, when Christmas trees, decorated by businesses and village organisations, go on display in the United Church. During the morning, there will be a fun time for children, with games, stalls and coffee and cakes from 10am-noon. The church will open again between 4pm and 7pm, during which time refreshments, including light meals, will be served and the Christmas lights in the village streets are switched on at 6pm.

On Sunday December 7, Christmas Tree Carnival morning family worship will be led by the Rev Jo Archer-Siddall at 10.30am.

MILNSBRIDGE

Mr J Halstead from Halifax was the speaker at Milnsbridge Christadelphians’ Midweek Bible Class, giving a character study of Sarah. On Sunday,Mr D Smith of Sunderland, asked the question: Thy Kingdom Come: What Does It Mean?

Brenda Richardson and Yvonne Armitage were callers for bingo at this week’s meeting of Milnsbridge Over 60s. Raffle prizes were claimed by Margaret Bush, Yvonne Armitage and Margaret May.

This week, members enjoyed a trip to the Victoria Garden Centre at Featherstone, followed by a visit to the Lakeside shopping centre at Doncaster.

PARKWOOD

A Pleasant Wednesday Afternoon meeting was held at Parkwood Methodist Church. Guest speaker Margaret Brook spoke on A Walk On The Great Wall of China for Kirkwood Hospice. Jean Johnson was in the chair and pianist was Kenneth Rothery. Refreshments were served by Barbara Beevers and Betty Sykes.

A Craft Fair was held at Parkwood Methodist Church on Saturday, with a variety of stalls and refreshments and £1,100 was raised for church funds.

A service to celebrate 100 years of scouting was held at Parkwood Methodist Church on Sunday morning and flags were paraded. Preacher was the Rev Peter Bedford, assisted by Clare Earl and the service also included a visual aid, featuring Thomas The Tank Engine. Copies of St Mark’s Gospel were presented to all leaders, Beavers, cubs scouts and Explorers, who renewed their promises. Organist was Suzanne Smelt and refreshments were served afterwards.

On Sunday evening an augmented choir of 77 voices sang The Messiah at Parkwood Methodist Church. Soloists were Heather Seekins (soprano), Lucy Appleyard (alto), David Gee (tenor) and Philiop Wilcox (bass). Organist was Dr Geoffrey Lockwood and conductor was Kenneth Rothery. The Rev Peter Bedford began the evening with a prayer and ended by proposing a vote of thanks. A collection was taken for church funds and ladies of the church served refreshments.

SLAITHWAITE

Upper Slaithwaite Church Christmas Fair raised over £690 for church funds. The event was opened by the children, who sang and played Christmas songs. Stalls included cakes, a Christmas bring-and-buy, jewellery, cards and wrapping and a tombola. Shirley Armitage gave a Sugar Craft demonstration, making Santas, choirboys and angels, which were sold in aid of the Yorkshire Air Ambulance. Altogether, 98 adults visited the event and many enjoyed festive teas, which included turkey sandwiches, mince pies and cakes.

The Methodist Women’s Fellowship met on Tuesday last. Betty Robshaw was in the chair and led prayers. Wendy Blackburn read verses by Helen Steiner-Rice. A quiz on Radio In The 70s was organised by Maureen Weaving, who was also the pianist. Birthday greetings were sung for Maureen, Beryl Smith and Pauline Gee, who all provided afternoon tea.

On Wednesday, the Rev Joanne Archer-Siddall led the monthyl ecumenical service, with prayers said for the Colne Valley churches. The Rev Mike Smith was pianist and the Methodist Church ladies served coffee and biscuits at the close of the service.

The literary section of the Wesley Guild met on Tuesdasy evening with Donald Crowther in the chair, who led prayers and introduced the speaker.The Lone Rower was the title of the talk given by Rita Savage, describing how her daughter Rosamund rowed single-handedly to complete the 2005 Atlantic race. It was a fascinating story and held members spellbound. Supper was served by the section ladies.

Sunday morning worship at the Methodist Church was led by Clr Andrew Marchington of Golcar, who readed verses from Psalm 95. Verses from Ezekiel were read by Paline Gee, from Thessalonians by Jenny Perkins and Matthew’s Gospel by Maureen Weaving. Organist was Roger Mitchell.

The November meeting of the Women’s Institute was held on Wednesday in the Community Centre with Maureen Weaving in the chair. She introduced speaker Graham Barraclough, who was making his second visit and continued his talk That’s Entertainment by recounting humorous tales from his time as entertainment manager for Kirklees Council. Refreshments were served by the tea hostesses.

Pauline Ayre introduced speaker, the Rev Martyn Crompton at this week’s meeting of Slaithwaite Good Companions. He has just returned from Assisi and he spoke about St Francis and the Franciscan order. He was thanked by Pat Parkinson and pianist was Pauline Ayre.

Sunday morning Holy Communion service at St James’ Church was led by the Rev Robin Townsend, assisted by Jeanette Seed, lay reader, and Raymond Denton. A reading was given by Jean Lobley and prayers were offered by Julie Kane. The music group led singing and organist was Alvi Whitehead.