GOLCAR

The Rev Canon Martin Crompton welcomed the congregation to the Family Communion service at St John’s Church, led the service and was the celebrant. Martin based his address from his Gospel reading John II verses 1-11 – Jesus Changes Water Into Wine – and spoke about the changes Jesus can make in our lives. Intercession prayers were led by Anne Crossland and Ann Norton was the organist. Sunday Club followed the theme of the morning and performed a role play of the Wedding in Cana. Sunday Youth had made a sailing ship and looked at the life of John Newton, who had his life transformed. He became a minister and wrote the hymn Amazing Grace, which the children had written on the sails of the ship.

Mr Raymond Brook led the service at Providence Methodist Church, Golcar. Mrs Janice Swallow welcomed Mr Brook and the theme was The Wonders of God’s Creation. Miss Winifred Ellis gave the Bible reading from Exodus chapter 17 verses 1-7, and Mrs Janice Swallow gave the reading on The Well Wonders, based on John chapter 4, verses 5-42. Mrs Margaret Israel was the organist.

LINTHWAITE

Morning worship at Linthwaite Methodist Church was led by Rev Jo Archer-Siddall with the theme of Grace. The whole congregation read from Paul’s letter in 2 Corinthians chapter 12 verse 9: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” . The Rev Jo spoke on how, if we accept the gift of grace, it gives us new eyes. The young people returned from Junior Church with their leaders Diane Loftus, Andrea Morley and Ed Archer-Siddall before the end of the service, for the children’s address. Linda Nuttall was the organist and Peter Stead and Will Morrison operated the audio visual equipment.

Methodism was born in song and a most prolific hymn writer was Charles Wesley, younger brother of John, the founder of the Methodist Church. Rev Colin Vere, speaker at Linthwaite Methodist Church Thursday Fellowship, outlined the story of his life and highlighted the significance of hymns which we still sing today. Maureen Stead was in the chair and Jenny Baxter played the piano. Refreshments were served by Margaret Sykes and Beryl Woodward.

Linthwaite Methodist Players are presenting the play Wedding of the Year, a comedy by Norman Robbins, on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, March 29, 30 and 31 in the Church Centre.

MARSDEN

On Sunday morning at the United Church there was a united service with the congregation of St Bartholomew’s Church. The vicar Rev Geoff Garside led worship and Holy Communion and preached on the miracle of turning water into wine. Two bible readings were given by Margaret Casson and the Gospel was read by Joan Biggs. Prayers of intercession were led by Jean Broome. The organist was Marjorie Boothroyd. After the service refreshments were served by Jane Dias, Margaret Kenyon and Edward Sheldrake.

On Sunday the congregation of St Bartholomew’s attended the United Church for a shared service of Holy Communion. In the afternoon the vicar, churchwardens and members of the church attended Huddersfield Parish Church for a service of Celebration of Ministry and to welcome the new Archdeacon of Halifax, Anne Dawtry. Services continue on Tuesdays at 9.30am in the Lady Chapel. A new series of Bible Study will be held at 2pm at the Vicarage on the first Wednesday of each month. Everyone welcome.

PARKWOOD

A community breakfast was held on Saturday at Parkwood Methodist Church, organised by Renee Wyatt, assisted by Gill Ritchie, Jean Johnson and John Oldham.

Marion Lloyd welcomed the congregation to Parkwood Methodist Church on Sunday morning. Guest preacher was Wendy Blackburn, Bible readers Freda Lloyd and Gill Ritchie and organist was Kenneth Rothery. In the school room Jez Hackett and Naomi Sharp organised Messy Church for the children with crafts and prayers. Coffee was served after the service by Phil and Sandra McSweeney. In the afternoon members from Parkwood Methodist Church attended a fellowship meal and a meeting for worship in the Quaker tradition at the Friends Meeting House, Paddock, sharing a week of prayer for Christian unity in the lower Colne Valley Churches Together.

SLAITHWAITE

At Slaithwaite Good Companions on Thursday Hilary Ellis introduced the speaker Peter Stead, who showed a film called The Frozen Valley – the Colne Valley through the snows of last winter with a commentary and musical background. It was 25 minutes which illustrated the beauty of the valley whatever the weather. This was followed by one of his picture quizzes, starting in London, then moving worldwide and finally taking in local views of buildings and the countryside. He was thanked by Patricia Parkinson for an excellent afternoon. The pianist was Maureen Weaving.

St James’ Parish Church Holy Communion was led by the Rev Robin Townsend, assisted by Raymond Denton. The lesson from Revelations chapter 19 verses 6-10 – the Wedding Feast of the Lamb – was read by Rev Robin. He also read the Holy Gospel from John, chapter 2 verses 1-11 – the Wedding in Cana, the First Miracle of Jesus. He also gave the address. Prayers were led by Patricia Parkinson. The Sunday School was led by Sarah Brown, with he theme “What we do is more important than what we say”. The organist was Alvy Whitehead.

The January Women’s Institute meeting was held in the community centre on Wednesday evening last. Jane Barff was in the chair and introduced the speaker Pat Osborne who had come to give a talk on the American mother of Winston Churchill – Jenny Jerome or Lady Randy as she became known. Members had been asked to bring along to the meeting a piece of Second World War memorabilia to link up with this talk.

The first ecumenical service of the new year took place at St James Parish Church and was led by the Rev Robin Townend. He read from Mark’s Gospel chapter 3 – Jesus appoints his disciples – and posed the question What sort of people would we gather around us? He then read verses from chapter 10 – the request of James and John – when Jesus replied Jesus reply that they who would want to be first must be a slave to all. Refreshments followed served by the church ladies.

Sunday morning worship at Slaithwaite Methodist Church was led firstly by Mrs Susan Burton of Lepton, who opened from words from Psalm 34 and then the service was taken by the Rev Jo Archer-Siddal whose service was based on Peace. The service included Holy Communion and the hymns were accompanied by Rachel Wybrew on violin.