BROCKHOLES

The service at the Methodist Church on Sunday was led by Mr Paul Joseph and Mrs Jan Gaunt. Mr Noel Clark played the organ, Mrs Eileen Littlewood and Mr Graham Nicholson gave the scripture readings, Mrs Christine Williams welcomed the congregation and Mrs Anita Platt provided refreshments. Members heard that it was Mr Joseph’s last service and noted that his Christian ministry would be greatly missed at Brockholes.

Holy communion at St George’s Church was led by the Rev Liam Beadle. The preacher was Dean Henry Stapleton, who spoke about Mary, the mother of Jesus. Dorothy Coldwell read the lesson and Rosalind Watt was the server. The organist was Paul Arthur.

HOLMBRIDGE

Three’s Company took place on Monday, led by Carolyn Burley, when those attending shared holiday memories. Holy communion on Wednesday at St David’s Church was led by the Rev Nick Heaton when Ian Gold read the lessons. It was followed by the Monkey Business toddler group, the free lunches and the Over 60s Club.

Parish communion on Sunday was led by the Rev Nick Heaton when the lesson readers were Ian Gold and Ian Macdonald. Intercessions were led by Carolyn Burley and the chalice was administered by Mr Gold. Charlene Smith delivered the sermon and the organist was Jean Chadwick.

HOLMFIRTH

Holmfirth Methodist Church enjoyed a very well attended and busy service on Sunday morning. Rev Laura Hardy led the proceedings which included the baptism of Lilly-Anne, daughter of Katrina Gooderham and Steven Shaw. Kate Gamble spoke on behalf of all the family members, reaffirming their unending love and support for Lilly-Anne. She concluded with A Poem For Parents. Glynnis Woodward then presented the baptismal candle. Andrew Denton was also welcomed into the membership of the church by Margaret Hinchliffe. Laura then explored the nature of loving parenthood with the aid of a clip from the film Finding Nemo and the Bible story of The Lost Son from Luke’s Gospel. She spoke about the difficulties and sometimes painful experiences related to ‘letting children go’ and reflected on how we are all similarly given free will by a Father God – to go our own way. A parallel was also drawn with understanding nature of that same Father God - who let his own son, Jesus, venture into a cruel world - to demonstrate God’s love and willingness to surrender what is most dear, for the sake of forgiveness of even the most wayward and lost among us. The gift of that ultimate sacrifice was then celebrated in Holy Communion. There followed the Annual Church Meeting, at which, amongst other business, the importance of ‘going out’ in the name of mission was highlighted and officers were elected for the coming year. Refreshments were served afterwards in the newly completed community room.

HONLEY

At a meeting of the Probus Club, trophies for the club bowls competition were presented to John Swallow for the singles and Douglas Barrowclough and Colin Rawcliffe for the doubles. The 25th annual bowls competition against Wombwell Probus Club, home and away, resulted in a rare win for Honley.

Probus Club chairman Alec Wallace introduced Geoffrey Budd, who presented an illustrated account of a four-week holiday including a journey of 6,000 miles visiting 16 states of the USA. This started in New York and went via Washington, Chicago, Denver and Las Vegas, ending in Palm Beach, California and visiting Niagara Falls and the Grand Canyon. Alec Wallace proposed the vote of thanks.

At the patronal festival at St Mary’s Church, communion was celebrated by the Rev Liam Beadle. The Very Rev Henry Stapleton read the gospel and gave the address. Huw Griffith read the lesson and was also the server. Mary Stapleton assisted with the chalice and the organist was Jean Cheeseman.

On Saturday evening, a party was held at the vicarage to celebrate the birthday of the Virgin Mary. Guests from St George’s Church joined those from St Mary's Church to enjoy a buffet and drinks.

St Mary’s Mothers’ Union held a coffee morning and raised more than £200 in aid of the outreach work of the Mothers' Union.

MELTHAM

Meltham WI held their meeting on August 6 with President Barbara Sheard in the chair. The tea ladies were Betty Peel and Josie Beevers. The speaker for the evening was Jean Broadbent and her talk was called Plastic! Fantastic! This was a slide show showing how plastic is used in everyday life. She brought along samples to show the members. This was very interesting and enjoyed by all the members. The vote of thanks was proposed by Joan Lucas. The raffle, organised by Jean Howard, was won by Eileen Ellis.

SCHOLES

On Sunday September 8 Mr Terry Frost led morning worship at the Methodist Church. The congregation were welcomed by Edward and Amy Booth and Julia Noble was the organist. The sermon was based on the bible reading from Jeremiah 18 v1-11 read by Christine Lockwood who also read from Luke 14 v23-33. After the service coffee and biscuits were served by Christine Lockwood and family.

UPPERTHONG

The Tuesday morning prayer breakfast was held at the home of the Dawson family. Midweek communion on Thursday at St John’s Church was led by the Rev Di Ellerton, who was also the celebrant. A faith lunch followed in the meeting room.

Family communion at St John’s Church was celebrated by the Rev Di Ellerton, The reader was Karen Beattie and the talk was given by David Steele. Bill Brown assisted with the chalice and the organist was Ian Greenhalgh. Refreshments were served by Carol Brown.