Šn AT THE Baptist Church on Sunday the service was conducted by the Rev Chris Thompson and the organist was Calinda Stockhill.

The Tuesday Forum held their garden party and gift day at the home of Connie Pearson. It was a pleasant afternoon with very good refreshments. There were games played and monologues were listened to. Proceeds were for Forum funds.

Šn On Saturday July 7 an ox roast was held in St John’s Church vicarage gardens. Meat was provided and cooked by Michael Thewlis and a selection of deserts were made by church members. Around 100 people attended and enjoyed live music by the folk band Soft Mick. Proceeds were for church funds.

ŠnThe Rev Brenda Mitchell led the Sunday service at 10 family service and also gave the children’s address. Chris Bamford read the bible readings from Luke Chapter 10 about Jesus sending out disciples and spoke about his visit to Cannon Hall to hear and see the archbishop of York, John Sentamu. Betty Taylor led the prayers and music was provided by Ann Norton and Helen Davis.

At a welcome service in the afternoon the Rev Brenda Mitchell baptised Samuel George Higginbottom and Harvey Lennan Simpson.

Šn On Saturday morning at Golcar Providence there was a coffee morning with cake stall, bric-a-brac and mystery parcels. The proceeds were for church funds. Sunday morning worship was led by Mr David Spencer and the organist was Mr Sam Blagborough.

Linthwaite

Šn SUNDAY morning service at Christ Church in Linthwaite was led by Rev David Wilding, who preached, prayed and celebrated Holy Communion. Lessons were by Shirley Haigh and Margaret McQuillan.

At noon the Rev Robin Townsend baptised Lilly Rose Mcilwright. The evening service was led by Margaret McQuillan who preached, prayed and gave a blessing. Lessons were read by Derek Horne. The organist was Rodney Pearson.

Šn At the Methodist Church the preacher was Mrs Judith Senior assisted by Wendy Blackburn. It was a family service and the organist was Alan Baxter. Coffee was served after the service.

On Sunday at the home of Mr and Mrs Brian Moriarty, there was an afternoon tea and a BBQ with proceeds for church funds. On Tuesday, Mr and Mrs Peter Stead of Gordon Street hosted a coffee morning and afternoon tea in aid of Missions .

Longwood

Šn SUFFER Little Children, Come unto Me – from a stained Glass window on the south wall of St Mark’s Church – was the theme for Family Eucharist on Sunday morning, which was led by Rev Jim Hunt ably assisted by several members of the young church. Music was provided by Philip Turner, his music group and augmented choir.

Šn Instead of a service sheet and hymn book, an innovation was a large screen with words and projected images. The Gospel was read by Samantha Yates and Finty Steel. Jim presented Beatrice Elizabeth Cook with her Baptism card and candle. Intercession prayers were presented by children Samantha Yates, Freya Gregory, and Hannah and Emily Jones. Chris Jones was the server and he assisted Jim with Communion. The final hymn, He’s Got The Whole World In His Hands was accompanied by maracas, tambourines and clapping.

The service ended with the singing of the Celtic Blessing led by Jim and the children as they processed to the back of church. Before the service Rev Jim proclaimed two sets of wedding banns.

Šn A Fairtrade Stall, for Church funds was provided and manned by Norma Jones, Liz Gray, and Nikki Littlewood. During the service the congregation were enchanted by the activities of Beatrice Elizabeth Cook – 23 months old– in the centre aisle mimicking the actions of Jim during the singing of the hymns.

Marsden

Šn On Sunday morning it was the junior church anniversary and Mr Steve Bagshaw led the service assisted by his son. The children brought in displays relating to the study on food which they had done. Mr Bagshaw conducted a quiz on food in the bible. The organist was Mr Chris Cook. Tea and coffee was served afterwards and home-made cakes were sold to raise money for Operation Christmas Child which organises the sending of shoe boxes filled with gifts for needy children overseas at Christmas.

Milnsbridge

AT MILNSBRIDGE Over 60’s Mrs Richardson and Mrs Armitage called the bingo. Raffle prizes were won by Mrs Dorothy Martin, Mr Wilf Baron and Mrs H Nichols.

Šn A mid-week bible class Mr T Goswell from Cleckheaton gave a talk entitled A character study of Joshua and Caleb. On Sunday evening Mr R Baynham from Halifax gave a talk entitled Life after Death – a Reality.

Parkwood

AT PARKWOOD Methodist Church there was a sponsored walk organised by Arthur Preston with a Churches Together group from Longroyd Bridge to Parkwood with refreshment stops at five churches along the way raised £1,248 for Christian Aid.

ŠnA drop-In lunch was held at Parkwood Church on Wednesday. On the menu was chicken or lemon sole with parsley sauce, cream potatoes and vegetables, sticky toffee pudding, treacle sponge, cherry pie, mandarin sponge mousse, tea or coffee, organised by Barbara Rushforth assisted by ladies of the church. Marion Lloyd welcomed people to Parkwood Methodist Church on Sunday morning.