BROCKHOLES

Parish Communion for Palm Sunday at St George’s Church was led by Dean Henry Stapleton. A procession around the church was led by the choir. The lesson was read by Rosalind Watt and the Passion Gospel was read by Roger Kenworthy, Martin Dove and Dean Henry Stapleton. The server was Elizabeth Mosley and the organist was Verena Wood.

The service was followed by a faith lunch and St George’s Church annual general meeting. Reports were received on the fabric of the church, the financial situation, the choir, the AD Group, Brockholes School and the Deanery Synod. Churchwardens Rosalind Watt and Margaret Kenworthy were re-elected. Noel Clark and Joan Oldfield were re-elected to the PCC. The vicar gave an optimistic report, looking forward to 2013 when the church celebrates its 150th anniversary. He thanked all those who worked hard at St George’s and was thanked in turn by Verena Wood.

Trevor Jones led worship at the Methodist Church when the reader was Granville Dews. The sixth symbol was laid on the Lent cross. The pianist was Eileen Littlewood.

HOLMBRIDGE

Members of the Camera Club held a Wit And Humour competition, which was won by Phil Hack with Julie Jessop second and Derek Hudson third.

The Little Gang Easter service at St David’s Church was led by Joyce Smith, Margaret Cullen and Ian Gold.

The Rev Geoff Bamford led Midweek Communion when the reader was Ian Gold. Meetings of Hilary’s Keep Fit Class, the Monkey Business group and the Free Lunch and Over 60s Club were held during the week. The Tumble Tots met on Thursday. During the evening, the final session of the Lent Group was led by the Rev Geoff Bamford. He also led Friday evening prayers.

Sunday Parish Eucharist at St David’s Church was conducted by the Rev Geoff Bamford. The service started with a procession of palms from the parish room to the church. The lesson was read by Susan Barber and the Passion narrative was read by John Parker and the vicar. Prayers were led by Thelma Nelson and Dorothy Parker led intercessions and administered the chalice. Joyce Smith and Judi Bamforth led the crèche and junior church. The organist was Eddie Purcell.

HOLMFIRTH

Palm Sunday was celebrated at Holy Trinity with a service at 8am when the Rev John Capstick was the celebrant and Anita Womersley the reader. At the service at 10.30am there was a new addition to the usual service format with some of the worship being led by a string ensemble comprising of regular congregation members Linda Smithers (violin) and Louise Davies (cello), with Vernon Horne and John Robins from Thongsbridge and Thurstonland churches on guitar. The strings also added to a dramatic Passion Narrative reading from Luke's Gospel by the Rev Keith Griffin, providing music between some of the verses. Keith also led the Intercessions. Brian Shaw assisted with the chalice, Ann Holmes was sidesman and Richard and Elizabeth served coffee later.

HONLEY

Parish Eucharist for Palm Sunday at St Mary’s Church was celebrated by the Rev David Barnes. Shirley Turner read the lesson and a dramatic version of The Passion Gospel was read by Pauline Ellis, Dennis Thewlis and Stephen Waind. Intercessions were led by Leslie Chadwick. The choir led a procession of the congregation around the church, carrying palm crosses. The organist was Jean Chadwick. The Lent course continued in the parish room, led by the Rev David Barnes.

MELTHAM

St Bartholomew's Church Women's Fellowship held their annual coffee morning on Saturday March 20 in the church hall. There were various stalls including a cake stall, card stall and a tombola. Coffee and biscuits were served and £287 was raised for fellowship funds.

UPPERTHONG

Lent groups met on Monday and Wednesday at the home of the Rev Di Ellerton and Sue and Graham Dawson. Tuesday’s prayer breakfast was held at the home of the Dawsons.

Dean Henry Stapleton led Holy Communion at St John’s Church on Thursday. A Lent Lunch was held in the meeting room afterwards.

The Rev Di Ellerton led the Palm Sunday service and communion at St John’s Church. A dramatic version of the Passion gospel was read and Val Shuttleworth assisted with the chalice. Peter Travis was the organist. Refreshments were served afterwards

WOOLDALE

The Service for Palm Sunday at Wooldale Methodist Free Church, was led by the Rev John Capstick. The readings were taken from Luke and Philippians and were by Margaret and Wendy respectively. In his sermon Mr Capstick spoke of the different crowds relating to the lead up to Easter. The pianist was Sylvia. There was a morning meeting of Readings and Reflections yesterday (Good Friday) and The Easter Sunday service tomorrow will be at the usual time of 10.30am. All are welcome to join in the service.

The Palm Sunday service at the Methodist Church was led by Barbara Rochester. Palm crosses were presented to the worshippers. Nigel Morris was the organist.