BROCKHOLES

Holy communion at St George’s Church was celebrated by the Rev Liam Beadle, who spoke about the Kingdom of God. Elizabeth Mosley read the lesson and Rosalind Watt was the server. The organist was Sue Ogden.

Mr Steven Hardy led morning worship at the Methodist Church when Robert Booth played the organ. The second Advent candle was lit. Mr Paul Grant read from Isaiah Chapter 11 verses 1-10 and Mr Hardy read from Matthew Chapter 3 verses 1-12. Mrs Marie Coombes welcomed the congregation and Mrs Pamela Ackroyd provided coffee and biscuits.

Tomorrow, soup and roll will be served from 11.45am to 1pm followed by a card-making session from 2pm.

Next Sunday, there will be no morning service at 10.30am. In the afternoon at 3pm, a carol service will take place followed by mince pies and coffee or tea. All are welcome.

HOLMBRIDGE

Midweek Holy Communion at St David’s Church was led by the Rev Nick Heaton when lessons were read by Ian Gold. The Monkey Business toddler group met and the free lunches were served.

The parish communion and Advent gift service with creche and young people’s groups was led by the Rev Nick Heaton when members of the congregation brought gifts which will be taken to the local women's refuge for distribution on Christmas Day. Lessons were read by Kathryn Kingdom and Sandy Wise. Intercessions were led by Ian Gold, who also administered the chalice. The organist was Jean Chadwick.

HOLMFIRTH

Methodist Church worship was led by Rev Laura Hardy. There was a Christmas quiz, which made the congregation think about what we really know about Christmas. There was then a story called The Visit, about one church’s experience of having Jesus visit in person. It made the congregation think about our preconceptions and whether we expected Jesus to fit into our plans and ideas rather than being open and willing to follow Him. Communion was celebrated.

HONLEY

Members of the Probus Club congratulated Michael Wood, who provided coffee in celebration of his golden wedding. Introduced by chairman Alec Wallace, speaker Dr Barry Hobson gave an illustrated account of a holiday involving a circular route around Turkey visiting many historical sites. Colin Rawcliffe proposed the vote of thanks.

Parish communion at St Mary’s Church was led by the Rev Liam Beadle. Charles Kaye read the lesson and intercessions were led by Clive Waind. The server was Huw Griffiths and Pat Green assisted with the chalice. The organist was Jean Cheeseman.

On Sunday afternoon, the Cantorelli choir made a return visit to St Mary’s Church and performed a programme of seasonal music with readings by James Sykes.

On Sunday evening, an Advent service of praise, prayer and drama at St Mary's Church was led by the Rev Liam Beadle. Music was performed by the music group.

The 10th St Mary’s street market took place in Church Street. More than 40 stalls sold a wide variety of food and seasonal goods. Throughout the day, a continuous programme of music was provided by Vocal Expressions, Honley Male Voice Choir and Grange Moor Band in church.

NEW MILL

The Holme Valley Area Committee meets at Christ Church, Sude Hill, on Thursday, December 12 at 7pm. Items on the agenda include policing in the Holme Valley and a presentation about Kirklees Council’s budget plans affecting the Holmfirth area. Local councillors will be at the meeting.

SCHOLES

Sunday was the second Sunday in Advent and saw the Methodist Church service start with the Advent Candle Liturgy when Cynthia Osborne read the set reading and lit the second candle. The service was led by Michael Tolson and the congregation had been welcomed at the door by Sylvia and John Parker. Julia Noble was the organist and Barbara Horn read from Isaiah 11 verses 1-10 and Matthew 3 verses 1-12. After the service Barbara and Phillip Horn served tea, coffee and biscuits.

On Friday the community joined the Rev Tim Moore who led carols around the newly-lit village Christmas tree sited in the church grounds. Skelmanthorpe B band, conducted by Philip Garlick, led the music and coffee and mince pies were served after the event.

UPPERTHONG

The Tuesday morning prayer breakfast was held at the Dawsons’ home. Holy communion on Thursday at St John’s Church was led by the Rev Di Ellerton, who was also the celebrant. Hilary Broadbent was the reader. Sue Dawson led prayers and Val Shuttleworth assisted with the chalice. The accompanist was Philip Broadbent. After the service, a Christmas lunch was provided in the meeting room. Donations totalling �135 were raised for the charity Shelter.

Sunday morning Holy Communion at St John's Church was led by the Rev Di Ellerton, who gave the sermon, read prayers and was the celebrant. The readers were Liz Stead and Peter Cole. Philip Broadbent assisted with the chalice and Sarah Drummond was the pianist.

WILSHAW

On the second Sunday of Advent Rev Maureen Read took a service of Holy Communion at St Mary’s, assisted at the altar by Jackie France. John Andrews read the lessons, Elizabeth Pearson was the organist and led the prayers, and Margaret Trayte lit the second candle on the Advent wreath. Next Sunday there will be no morning service as there will be a carol service at St Mary’s at 6pm. All welcome.

WOOLDALE

Morning worship at the Methodist Church was led by Brian Williams and the organist was Nigel Morris. Refreshments were served. Next Sunday, worship at 10.30am will be led by the Rev Richard Thompson and sacrament will be taken. All are welcome.