GOLCAR

The Friendship Group met at Golcar Providence Church on Thursday when Trevor Moody spoke and showed slides of Nostell Priory. Barbara Armitage was the chairman, Nancy Meadows was the pianist and the supper ladies were Sheena Day and Pat Holroyd. The Sunday morning worship was led by Andrew Marchington, readings were by Barbara Armitage, Peter Bishop, Nancy Meadows and the organist was Margaret Israel.

Leader of the Mothers Union, Dorothy Holden welcomed Canon Martyn Crompton as the speaker at the April meeting. Canon Martyn’s topic was looking back over the past which included growing up on a farm, the many different species of birds, food and favourite verses from the Bible. The supper ladies were Margaret Thompson and Dorothy Quarmby.

The vicar, the Rev Canon Martyn Crompton welcomed the congregation to a short communion service at St Johns before the annual general meeting. The reading given by Margaret Henry was from John 21, versus 1-19. Canon Martyn led the prayers and in his address reflected on the many activities that make up church life and the challenges that we would have to face in the future. Ann Norton was the organist.

The Sunday service at Golcar Baptist Church was conducted by the Rev Chris Thompson and the address was given by the Rev Jane Day, who is the Yorkshire Baptist Association Regional Minister for Mission. The organist was Calinda Stockhill. After coffee the church business meeting was held. On Tuesday the ladies forum met. Connie Pearson presided, the pianist was Audrey Stott and Pauline Ayre, and an illustrated talk of a holiday in Austria with the Baptist Holiday Fellowship was given by Mary Sykes. The tea hostesses were Margaret Edgar and Mary Sykes.

LINTHWAITE

Sunday worship at Linthwaite Methodist Church was led by Mrs Liz Bishop with Linda Nuttall playing the organ. Mrs Bishop chose the theme of Worship for the service, during which she spoke about worship at the Christian Conference at Llandudno at Easter. After Bryan Hirst read from Revelations, Liz spoke to the children about God creating all animals and that we should thank him. The children then left with their teachers, Andrea Morley and Joanna Ambler. Henry Tennant read Psalm 30 – The prayer of Thanksgiving – and Margaret Tennant read from Acts – The Conversion of Saul. Mairi MacKay operated the AV equipment.

Morning service at Christ Church was led by the Rev Stephen Henry who celebrated holy communion and gave a blessing. Lessons were read by Russell Whatham and Margaret McQuillan, Ann Leigh preached and prayed and the organist was Derek Horn. In the evening the service was led by the Rev Jenni Honeyman who read a lesson and gave a blessing. The lesson was read by Margaret McQuillan and Ann Leigh preached and prayed. The organist was Rhona Jepson.

MARSDEN

Morning worship at the United Church Marsden on Sunday included Holy Communion. The Rev Jo Archer-Siddall led the service and was assisted by Mrs Angela Lawson.

An all age communion at St Bartholomew’s was led by trainee layreader Geoffrey Holroyd who also read the lesson. Joan Biggs, layreader, gave the sermon. Simon Crook gave a presentation for the young people. Dennis Brook and Simon were the organists. Sidesmen were Pat Purcell, Jean Pennington and Diane Ellis. Coffee was served by Joan Bradbury, Mabel Smithies and Ima Taylor.

On Saturday St Bartholomew’s Church will be open for visitors to celebrate Marsden Cuckoo Day. Refreshments and lunches will be served in the hall between 10am-4pm.

MILNSBRIDGE

At Milnsbridge Christadelphian's midweek Bible class Mr P Rose from Milnsbridge spoke on Lessons from Timothy, Instructions for the Elders, based on Timothy, Chapters 5 and 6, and on Sunday evening Mr J Nightingale from Castleford, spoke on It’s Not all Bad News.

PARKWOOD

A drop-in lunch was held at Parkwood Methodist Church on Wednesday. Menu – corned beef pie and vegetables, treacle sponge, trifle, strawberry cheesecake, chocolate fudge cake, tea or coffee, organised by Freda Lloyd and assisted by ladies of the church. A community breakfast was held on Saturday morning organised by Elaine Oldham, assisted by Rene Wyatt, Gill Ritchie and Jean Johnson. Marion Lloyd welcomed the congregation to Parkwood Methodist Church on Sunday morning. Preacher was the Rev Pam Ward with visual aids. Reader Gareth Beaumont, pianist Rhianydd Wood. Coffee was served after the service by Mary Rothery and Jean Johnson, followed by the annual general church meeting with reports by Sandra McSweeney, in the chair the Rev Pam Ward.

Parkwood Methodist Church chapel anniversary service on Sunday, April 25 at 10.45am. Guest preacher Rev Cyril Blount.

SLAITHWAITE

A moving and unusual service was held at St James Parish Church on Wednesday. It was a thanksgiving service for the marriage of Mabel and Harry Aspinall. It would have been their diamond wedding. Sadly a few months ago Harry died, but it was such a happy marriage that Mabel was determined that the date would be remembered. Members of various branches of the Mothers Union in the deanery were invited together with husbands. Mabel’s family and life-long friend Geoffrey Bullock, who was their groomsman, accompanied Mabel. The service was conducted by the Rev Robin Townsend, assisted by Raymond Denton. Beautiful hymns had been chosen. The Rev Robin read Harry’s silver wedding card to Mabel from 1975. The reading was 1 Corinthians, Chapter 13 was read by Gill Hirst, a friend. Then came the blessing of Mabel’s wedding ring, followed by special prayers for marriage, then the Mothers Union prayer was said which is dedicated to marriage and family life. Also a poem Miss Me But Never Let Me Go, then a tribute by Malcolm Aspinall, on behalf of the family to their mother and father, about their meeting and courtship. Holy Communion was celebrated then the final prayer and blessing. Mabel thanked everybody for their support and attendance, fearing that no-one would turn up. She was wrong. Alvi Whitehead was the organist giving his best. This was followed by a lovely buffet in the church lounge.

Slaithwaite Good Companions met last Thursday when the programme was Young Musicians. The pianist was Margaret Cook and compare was her husband John. The five young people, ages 7-12, were Janie and Rosie and Oliver Bamforth, Louisa Mansaf and Alice Dalton. All educated at Wilberlee School renowned for its music tuition. Janie and Louisa, who are now at Colne Valley High, School, were the first to perform, playing their flutes. Rosie and Alice each played the viola, and then on their clarinets. Rosie sang her Mrs Sunderland piece, called A Little Spanish Town, Janie a selection of three songs. Next came ballet, with Janie performing her bronze medal programme, and younger sister Rosie her ballet piece. Alice recited a poem called The Computer Swallows Grandma. Young Oliver performed on his drum. The four girls did a contemporary dance to finish the programme. An excellent afternoon, the programme was arranged by the children themselves. All have been successful in the Haydn Wood Festival and Mrs Sunderland Contest. They are members of Kirklees Music Centre and the Young People’s Choir. Such talent from these five youngsters. Hilda Haigh thanked them for a superb afternoon. A total of £26 was raised from the sale of cakes for a Scouting holiday later in the year.

St James’ Parish Church morning service on Sunday was led by Jeanette Seed, the layreader. The lesson, Psalm 30, was read by Jean Lobley. The gospel, John Chapter 21, “When Jesus Appears at the Lakeside” was read by Heather Croft and this was the theme of her address. The prayers were by Jeanette. The Sunday School had the same study and told a fishy story. They’d also cut out fishes to hand out to the congregation. The organist was Alvi Whitehead.

Mr Stephen Day the superintendent minister for the Huddersfield Pennine Circuit conducted worship at the Methodist Church on Sunday. Hilary Ellis read from Acts and Gordon from Johns Gospel. The organist was Margaret Stephenson.

Members enjoyed a fun evening on Monday as they watched the film Night at the Museum 2.