Almondbury

A busy few weeks at All Hallows has included a coffee evening, when Fairtrade good were on sale. November 1 was All Saints Day and also the church’s patronal festival and began with coffee morning and book stall. Assistant organist John Foster played a varied selection of organ pieces. A buffet lunch was of the type described in the reopening of the church after restoration work in 1874 and included a selection of cooked meats and salmon. The day ended with a concert by the Huddersfield Methodist Choir. Under conductor, Stuart Brierly, they performed Vivaldi’s Gloria and lighter items. Soloists were mezzo-soprano Jane Hobson and soprano Sarah Ogden, who give a fine selection of songs and then amused everyone with their finale rendition of the Cat Duet.

At Sunday morning Festival Eucharist, guest preacher was the Rev Michael Storey, former vicar of St Barnabas, Crosland Moor. He spoke on the link between the Wakefield Diocese and the Diocese of Mara in Tanzania and then emphasised the true nature of All Hallows and Halloween, being critical of the modern ghouls associated with Halloween in America. All Souls Day was remembered quietly with an evening communion when the congregation remembered departed loved ones.

BIRDSEDGE

John Mann took the Sunday service, talking about the work done by the Nigeria Health Trust. After asking the children what the most precious thing on earth is Michael Jacobs read Matthew 25 v31-40 –, ‘when I was thirsty you gave me something to drink’. He showed pictures of a visit to Nigeria last March. The work ranged from providing houses for people who have recovered from Leprosy to water pumps. The church donated £100 to help support their work.Next week’s service will be a worship service.

The Church will be holding a Christmas Fair, with lunches, on Saturday November 29 11am-2pm.

Hospice: The next hospice raising event will be a Christmas Party at Mary Heeley’s between 2-4pm on Tuesday November 25.

The Village Hall AGM will be held on Tuesday December 2 at Park Head Farm House at 8pm. All are welcome. The Santa morning will be held in the Church School Room on Saturday December 6 from 10 am. Hot sandwiches and mince pies will be served throughout.

CLAYTON WEST

A warm welcome was given to Daniella Evie Wood on Sunday morning at All Saints’ Church. Her parents – Vicky and Sean – along with Jessica and members of her extended family attended Daniella’s baptism. Jessica received a lighted candle on Daniella’s behalf, representing the light of Jesus and a way of life which Daniella might follow. Rev Joy Cousans encouraged all members of the congregation to use their talents to the full. The theme was echoed in the two readings: – Psalm 98 and the Parable of the Three Servants from St. Matthew’s Gospel. The choir performed two recent additions to their repertoire - Take This Moment – a liturgical song written by members of the Iona community and Christ Has No Body Now, But Yours – written by David Ogden (based on a prayer of St Teresa of Avila) – a conductor and trainer of the Millennium Youth Choir. Jonathan Newcombe was the organist. During the service, prayers for our wider world were led by Winifred Leake. Members of the congregation are reminded of the lay-led service tomorrow, Sunday and the whole community - of the Advent Carol Service at All Saints’ church – 4pm on the November 30 – a churches together service.

The monthly coffee morning at the Methodist Church was held last Saturday. Home-made cakes were for sale and bacon sandwiches were cooked and served by Lucie Froggatt. Proceeds were for church funds. Traidcraft food and goods were also for sale.

Sunday morning worship was led by Rev David Priestnall who spoke about our worth being in the way we live our lives, not our possessions. Lessons were read by Fred Green and Jane Hobson, who also played the organ. Stewards were Joan Bond and Diana Hunt, flowers for the communion table were a gift from Josie Jebson. Coffee was served after the service by Rosalyn Beevers.

DENBY DALE

The Denby Dale District Collectors Society held their November meeting at Wakefield Road Methodist Church, Clayton West, where Roger Outing gave a talk about the development of banking and cheques. On display were cheques from 1684 to the present day along with the first cheque books issued and decorative cheques. Mr Outing was thanked for his evening’s work by Stewart Davis, Secretary. The next meeting will be on Dec 11 where Tasneen Marshall will give a talk and display about Comics’N’ Things. The society welcomes new members. Contact Susan on 01266 383644 or Stewart on 01924 281935.

The monthly Family Service at Denby Dale Zion Wesleyan Reform Chapel was held on Sunday morning. The service was led by Rhea, the Bible was read by Dominic, and Robert spoke about thinking of others. Refreshments were served after the service. Lesley Sullivan was the preacher on Sunday evening when she spoke about Christian love and joy. The pianist was Robert Nuttall.

Members of the Methodist Church worshipped at Lower Cumberworth last Sunday when the preacher was Deacon Con Taylor. Members of the Junior Club came up from Denby Dale to with biscuits they had made and decorated to sell for Children in Need. The Denby Dale Centre Coffee Morning made £100 for Children in Need also.

Tomorrow at the Methodist Church the preacher will be Dr. Frank Lukey and on Friday (28th) at 6.30pm a Jumble Sale will be held.

EMLEY

On Friday evening, John Woodhead gave an interesting talk on Firework Making in Huddersfield since 1850. The audience was surprised to learn that a world-famous industry had been on their doorstep – though sadly, no longer.

Sunday morning Worship For All at Emley parish Church was led by the Rev John Marsh, bible reader was Katie Barrow and organist Paul Renshaw. Evelyn Barrow led prayers, with help from the children and coffee was served afterwards.

Later, the Rev Chris Bullimore baptised Harry Nicholas and Ruby Mae, children of Nicholas and Alison Hepworth, and Gabrielle Louise, daughter of Simon and Stacey Collins. In the evening, a candlelit Taize service was held.

KIRKBURTON

The Rev Robert Chambers led the Celebration of Sung Eucharist in All Hallows Parish Church for the second Sunday before Advent. Rachel Atkinson gave the reading for the day from the fifth chapter of the first letter of St Paul to the Thessalonians. Reader Janet Roberts read from the twenty-fifth chapter of the Gospel of St Matthew and preached the sermon, taking for her theme,ŠUsing Our Resources and Our Talents. During the service Mr Chambers performed an adult baptism when he welcomed into the fellowship of the church David Bela Utasi. Mr and Mrs Ken Harris took the chalice and paten to the altar and Mr Chambers was assisted at the distribution by Janet Jessop and Hilary Berry. The duties of sidesmen were performed by Mrs Jessop and Gwen Lodge and they took up the collection. After the service, the worshippers enjoyed refreshments served by Pauline Pinder and Christine Rangeley.Š Doreen Barraclough was the organist.

In the evening, the young people organised and led their monthly Cafe Church service, Synaxis, at the Hub. They were served milkshakes, coffee, tea, fruit, cakes and popcorn.ŠA NOOMA DVD, Kickball, was used to stimulate discussion of what we want from God and what we can give. There were prayers and games and the songs were accompanied by Hallowed, the Synaxis Band. One of the adult leaders, Vicky Daniels, extended a warm welcome to these lively contemporary services and said that the next one would be in two months time, on January 25.

Hazel Ramsay welcomed Elizabeth Smith when she came to speak at the weekly meeting of the Burton Friendship Group at The Hub. Wearing a stunning turquoise sari, she talked about the recent visit she had made to India for a meeting of the World Wide Association of Girl Guides at Sangam, one of four World Centres of the movement. She also showed slides of some of the places she had visited including Amber Fort, Puna, the Taj Mahal and Agra. She was thanked for giving members a most interesting afternoon and presented with a box of chocolates. The raffle was won by Freda Crab and tea was served by members Morton, Whitaker and Simpson.

LEPTON

Lepton Townswomen’s Guild held their monthly meeting in the Methodist Church Hall. Mrs Joan Peel presided and the the speaker was G Oatfield who gave an interesting talk on chartered physiotherapy. A vote of thanks was given by Jenny Bothroyd. D William won the raffle. Members enjoyed a parkin supper afterwards.

SHELLEY

Shelley Over 60s held their meeting in the village hall last Thursday. The bingo line was won by Gordon Burgin and the full house by Mollie James. The first three numbers on one card was not claimed and the prize will be carried over. The whist high of 92 was won by Colin Littlewood and Beryl Hutchinson and the low of 63 went to Vera Wilkinson and Dora Sanders from eight tables.Birthday wishes were given to Sam Priest and Margaret Baker, who celebrated her 80th and was presented with a bouquet. Raffle prizes were won by Bill Triggs, Nancy Lear, Connie Walters and Berenice Hornsey.

Emmanuel Church Winter Fayre will be held at Shelley Village Hall on Saturday November 29 from 10am to 2pm.

SHEPLEY

Shepley First School Christmas Fair will be held on Friday December 12 from 3.30pm to 5pm.

SKELMANTHORPE

Robert Booth was preacher for Sunday morning service at Skelmanthorpe Wesleyan Reform Church. His bible readings were from Matthew. Holy Communion was served during the service, the steward was Thelma Norton and the organist was John Orton.