BROCKHOLES

The annual united open air service was attended by members of Brockholes St George's Church and the Methodist Church, which was held at the recreation ground. The service was led by the Rev David Barnes, whose talk on Heroes Known and Unknown involved contributions from the congregation. The readers were Rosalind Watt and Margaret Kenworthy. Hymns were accompanied by Vintage Brass and conducted by Noel Clarke. A collection was taken for the Help for Heroes charity.

In the afternoon, a service for Inner Wheel and Rotary Club members was held at St George's Church. The Rev David Barnes led the service and the readers were Robert Haigh and Josephine Swallow. Musical items were performed by Freya Smith on oboe accompanied by pianist Sue Ogden. The organist was Verena Wood.

HEPWORTH

Members of the Hepworth branch of the Mothers’ Union were out in force on Sunday morning at Hepworth Church to see four new members – Rebecca Battye, Penny Cavendish-Kilby, Julie Berkeley and Sheena Blunden – admitted to the union. The service was led by the Rev Di Ellerton, assisted by MU Enrolling member Doreen Glover. Children from the Sunday School also helped with the service by presenting gifts to the four new members and by joining the vicar for the final blessing. The reader was Graham Latham, prayers were led by Louise Vigor and the guest organist was Noel Clarke. Celebratory cake was served with the coffee afterwards by MU members.

On Wednesday at 10am, the Rev John Capstick celebrated mid-week Communion.

HOLMBRIDGE

The parochial church council met on Tuesday under the chairmanship of the Rev Nick Heaton.

Midweek communion at Holmbridge St David's Church was conducted by the Rev Geoff Bamford when lessons were read by the Rev Nick Heaton. It was followed by Monkey Business and the Free Lunch and over 60s Club. Tumble Tots met on Thursday. Carolyn Burley led Friday evening prayers.

Parish Eucharist at St David's Church was celebrated by the Rev Nick Heaton when lessons were read by Ian Gold and Dorothy Parker, who also administered the chalice. Intercessions were led by the Rev Geoff Bamforth. The crèche and junior church were led by Carol Heaton and Kathryn Kingdom. The organist was Jean Chadwick. The winner of the Know Your Hymns quiz, which was held to raise money for the Royal School of Music, was Marian Gill.

HOLMFIRTH

Sunday service at the Methodist Church was led by the Rev Charlotte Lorimer and began with the invitation to worship. The children played various instruments as the congregation sang a lively hymn to pianist Carol Hamer’s accompaniment. The children then left for their teaching and craft group. Rev Charlotte spoke about chapter 13 of Matthew’s Gospel – The Parable of the Sower, reflecting on the seeds of hope for the Church today. The reading from chapter 14 was Peter walking to Christ on the water. Just as he needed faith to get out of the boat, we today need faith to do something to help with today’s problems locally, nationally and worldwide, she said. It is so easy to become overwhelmed by the drought in Africa and the recession as well as today’s social problems, but do nothing when we could hold them in prayer and find ways of giving in money, time or goods. The service was followed by the church AGM when various church groups gave positive accounts of their achievements. Peter went through plans for developing and enlarging the church space. The meeting ended with the hymn Go Forth And Tell The Greatness Of The Lord.

HONLEY

Why Hitler? was the subject of a talk by Richard Wimpenny at a meeting of the Probus Club in the community centre. Mr Wimpenny, who was introduced by chairman Maurice Harper, gave a detailed account of the rise of Adolf Hitler in the years leading up to the Second World War. Bill Sewell proposed the vote of thanks.

Members of the Probus Club and their wives enjoyed a day at Salford Quays and several of the party took part in a conducted tour of the Lowrie Gallery.

Parish Eucharist at St Mary's Church was celebrated by the Rev David Barnes. Andrea Gossling read the lesson and Clive Waind led intercessions. The organist was Jean Cheeseman.

UPPERTHONG

The weekly prayer breakfast was held at the home of the Hopkins family. A spirituality forum met on Wednesday in the meeting room. A working party carried out work in the church grounds.

Holy Communion on Thursday at St John's Church was led by the Rev Di Ellerton, who was also the celebrant. Lunch followed in the meeting room.

An Italian meal was served on Friday at the home of the Dawsons to raise £255 for church funds.

Holy communion on St John's Church on Sunday was conducted by the Rev Di Ellerton, who read the gospel, preached the sermon and was celebrant. The readers were Les Hopkins and Rachael Haslam. Ray Thompson led prayers and assisted with the chalice. Hazel Thompson was the organist. Refreshments were served afterwards by Celia Ward.

WOOLDALE

The service on Sunday at Wooldale Methodist Free Church was led by Mr Robert Bray, who took various readings from the bible all about the promises of God and fitted hymns around them, which helped the congregation to understand the various promises made, culminating in the knowledge that God promises to be with us always. The organist for the service was Mr Peter Coldwell. There will be no service on Sunday as the congregation will join with friends from the Wooldale Methodist church (near the Co-op in Wooldale) for a joint service. The following Sunday (the 24th) a reciprocal visit will be made to the Free Church, when preacher will be Mr Steven Turner

Morning worship at the Wooldale Methodist Church was led by Granville Dews. The organist was Nigel Morris.