GOLCAR

The Rev Martyn Crompton welcomed the congregation and led the Parish communion service at St John’s Church. Readings were given by Sue Boulder and Richard Lodge. Layreader Helen Bentley gave the gospel reading from John, chapter 20 "Jesus Appears to his Disciples" on which Helen based her sermon. Prayers were led by Jeremy Cuss. Sunday Club and Sunday Youth had made pictures with opening doors of the disciples in the upper room. Ann Norton was organist.

The Ladies’ Bright Hour at Providence Methodist was led by Mrs Barbara Hallas, who spoke on various high lights of the Easter story. The pianist for devotions was Mrs Nancy Meadows. Tea and hot cross buns were served after the meeting and each member received a chocolate filled cream egg. On Sunday morning at Providence Methodist the service was led by Andrew Marchington, a lesson was read by Mrs Janice Swallow and the organist was Mr David Hollingworth.

At Golcar Baptist Church on Sunday the Rev Chris Thompson conducted the service and the pianist was Chris Woodhead. The service included communion and the servers were Connie Pearson and Dave Howard.

LINTHWAITE

The Service on Sunday morning at Linthwaite Methodist Church, was led by the Rev Peter Bedford from Gledholt, and the theme was Doubting Thomas. Mr John Hill read a lesson. The Sunday School children sang a song they learnt at the Good Friday Holiday Club. The organist was Mrs Linda Nuttall.

Members of the Methodist church and other helpers spent Saturday morning working on maintaining the cemetery and surround areas. The next workday will be held next Saturday from 9:30 to12noon, and anyone who can spare an hour or two will be welcome to help with the maintenance of the flower beds, grass cutting and hedge trimming. Just turn up on the day.

Linthwaite Methodist Sunday School anniversary will be held on Sunday May 10 at 10:30am and will be led by the Sunday school teachers and children.

LONGWOOD

Before introducing guest celebrant Dean Henry Stapleton, at St Mark’s Church, Deputy Warden, Judith Pearson, on the advice of West Yorkshire Police, warned the congregation to be aware of a scam being carried out locally by an Eastern European unkempt man who was knocking on doors requesting money because his car was broken. Judith advised parishioners to contact police if approached. Dean Henry welcomed the congregation and led the sung Eucharist for Low Sunday morning, assisted by Chris Jones. Guest organist was Ian Greenhalgh.The choir processed for the opening hymn and Bible readings were by Pat Jessop and Dorothy Heads. For his sermon, Henry compared modern newspapers and their differing ideas about news items with the different interpretations of Bible stories by various disciples when writing the Gospels. Henry continued with information he had researched regarding Bishop Azariah who is featured on one of the stained glass windows in this church. He was the first Bishop of the Anglican Church in Pakistan and has possible connections to a former vicar of Huddersfield Parish church called Venn, who was also a missionary. Following The Creed, intercession prayers were presented by Judith Pearson. The young church joined the service for The Peace then after Communion Dean Henry closed the service with a Blessing. Tea, Coffee and squash were served by Jane Venables with proceeds for the bell ringers.

MARSDEN

A family communion service led by Rev Geoff Clay was held at St Bartholomew’s Church, the organist was James Harker and the reader Audrey Armitage. The sidespersons were Graham Benn, David Fisher, and Dorothy Lodge. Coffee was served by Audrey Armitage, Noreen Carr and Elsie Lingard. On Saturday, May 2 a concert with Marsden Silver Prize Band and Unity Voices will be held in church at 7.30pm, admission £6 on the door.

The Rev Mike Smith conducted the service at the United Church, Norman Dias and Barry Biltcliffe were the readers, and Christine Gledhill was the organist.

MILNSBRIDGE

At Milnsbridge Christadelphians Midwek bible class Mr W Leadbeeter from Halifax gave a talk entitled Pillars Enscriptor. On Sunday evening Mr G Newton from Harrogate gave a talk entitled Isreal today fulfilling Bible Prophecy.

PARKWOOD

A drop-in lunch was held at Parkwood Methodist Church on Wednesday. The menu was chicken and cheesy potatoes with mixed vegetables, lemon sponge, chocolate sponge or strawberry sponge with custard, cheese and biscuits, tea or coffee, organised by Freda Lloyd, and assisted by ladies of the church. A community breakfast was held on Saturday monring organised by Freda and Joe Lloyd as team leaders, plus church members. The congregation was welcomed by Nora Baumont to a musical hymn service at Parkwood Methodist Church on Sunday morning. The leader was Mr Gareth Beaumont, choir master, choir members leading the singing, and the oragnist was Kennth Rothery, with bible reading by Sandra McSweeney and Freda Lloyd. Coffee was served after the service by Mary Palmer. And Anniversary service will be held on Sunday, April 26 at Parkwood Methodist Church at 10.45am, with guest preacher the Rev Terry Porter.

SLAITHWAITE

The April Echumenical Service took place on Wednesday at St Bartholomews Church, Marsden and was led by the Rev Goeff Clay, It was a time of meditation and prayers for the Colne Valley.

The WI met in the community centre on Wednesday evening with Maureen Weaving in the chair. It was the AGM and was overseen by two WI Marsden members. The new committee was formed and the new chairman is Gill Walker. The cup for the most points scored over the year for the competitions was awarded to Elma Copley with daughter Heather in second place. Members enjoyed a supper of jacket potatoes with various fillings and the evening closed with a head and tails auction

27 walkers took part in the Methodist Easter monday walk after climbing to Westwood. They walked by Head Wall Green on to Wellhouse, then along the canal back to Slaithwaite. The walk was led by Jenny and Steven Perkins.

Sunday worship at the Methodist Chruch was led by Richard Hoyle, of Salendine Nook. A reading from Luke was given by Snadra Dalton, and Richard read from Johns Gospel. The organist was Margaret Stephenson.