CROSLAND MOOR

Crosland Moor Mothers' Union members celebrated Holy Communion in the Lady Chapel of St Barnabas' Church. The celebrant was the Rev Jenni Honeyman, assisted by Andrea Rattigan and the readings were given by Alwyn Hallas. Afterwards in the parish hall the members held their monthly meeting chaired by the branch leader Joyce Holdsworth. After coffee and a short business meeting, the Rev Jenni Honeyman gave an account of her visit last year to the Diocese of Mara in Tanzania, Africa. Mara is linked with the Diocese of Wakefield and the Rev Jenni was with a small party from the Wakefield Diocese, including the Rt Rev Tony Robinson, the Bishop of Pontefract. The Rev Jenni gave a very informative and interesting account of her visit and while there was able to establish links between two schools there andŠ Dryclough Infant School, Crosland Moor, and Ardron Infant School, Linthwaite, both of which are church schools in the Rev Jenni’s parishes.ŠA vote of thanks was proposed to the Rev Jenni by Andrea Rattigan and the hostesses were Margaret Sigsworth and Brenda Whittaker.

GOLCAR

Members of the congregation at Providence Methodist Church on Sunday were welcomed by Mrs E Turrell and Mrs P Smith. The Rev Pam Ward led the service which included Holy communion. Mrs B Hallas read the lesson. Fellowship continued in the schoolroom afterwards where coffee was served.

The Friendship group at Providence Methodist Church enjoyed a talk and slide show about Israel given by the Rev Canon Martyn Crompton.

The Rev Canon Martyn welcomed the congregation and led the family communion service at St John’s Church. Betty Taylor gave the gospel reading from Matthew 6, titled Do Not Worry on which Canon Martyn based his address. Richard Lodge led the intercession prayers. Sunday Club had been busy colouring trees, butterflies and flowers, creating a collage of the World. Also a long banner, supporting Fairtrade was displayed. Sunday Youth are compiling a book and this week looked at the enemies of Jesus. Anne Norton was the organist. A Taize service in the afternoon was led by Kathryn Sykes.

The Sunday service at Golcar Baptist Church was conducted by the Rev Chris Thompson. The organist was Calinda Stockhill and the pianist was Chris Woodhead.

LINTHWAITE

Lesley Baxter opened worship at Linthwaite Methodist Church by leading the opening prayers and giving the children's talk which was about the Bible and the part it played in the service. As usual, the children left to go to Junior Church with their leaders, Ed Archer-Siddall, Andrea Morley, Joanna Ambler and Diane Loftus. Mr Byran Hirst read from Isaiah 49 8-16 – The Restoration of Jerusalem – and Andy Rushby gave the New Testament reading from Matthew 6 v24-36 – God’s Possessions. Mrs Linda Nuttall was the organist, and the appointed preacher David Brook spoke about the Old Testament reading and that God will Provide. Thanks were expressed to Maureen Stead by the Rev Jo Archer-Siddall, at the end of her work as a circuit steward over the past six years. the Rev Jo presented Maureen, who is the church secretary, with a bunch of flowers.

It is Linthwaite Old Folks’ Treat today, Saturday, from 12.30pm until 3.15pm.

LONGWOOD

The Family Worship Service on the second Sunday morning before Lent at St Mark’s Church was something of a milestone in the history of this church, as it was conducted by members of the church family without having vicars or clergy present. The service was led by Judith Pearson. A power point order of service was projected on to the big screen by Michelle Gregory. Music was provided by Philip Turner, on keyboard. Judith greeted everyone, and explained how this was a new experience for her, saying she felt like Daniel in the lion’s den, very nervous. The first hymn – Guide Me O Thou Great Redeemer – was followed by opening prayers and the Collect. Judith then introduced Dilys Eastwood who read the Gospel from Matthew. A talk on the subject of Trusting was delivered by guest lay reader Helen Bentley from St John’s, Golcar. Everyone joined in the affirmation of faith which was followed with the song Father I Place into Your Hands and then Margaret Haigh presented intercession prayers while Philip played soft background music and a series of still pictures, ending with a cross, were projected on the screen. Be Still For The Presence Of The Lord was sung prior to the sharing of the peace and was followed with the hymn One More Step Along The World I Go. Finally, Judith said a short prayer of thanks and wished everyone to go in peace to love and serve the Lord and The Celtic Blessing brought the service to an end.

Longwood Village group are holding a coffee morning in the Mechanics Hall today, Saturday and Parkwood Methodist will hold a community breakfast on Saturday March 19.

Free Lent Lunches in Longwood Parish and Community Centre will be held on Sundays March 13, 20 and April 10, from noon until 2pm.

St Mark’s Parish Centre Clean up will be on Thursday April 7 from 9.30am until noon. All help will be appreciated.

MARSDEN

Sunday morning worship at the United Church was led by Mrs Christine Shaw ably assisted by Mr Matt Smith who gave a most inspiring address. Mrs Marjorie Boothroyd was the organist and coffee and biscuits were served afterwards.

MILNSBRIDGE

At the Milnsbridge Christadelphians last Sunday, Pete Barrett presided, when a power point presentation was given by Andrew Fenner of Ormskirk, entitled The Gospel – Four Books One Message. On Tuesday morning the coffee morning Bible reading group met to read and discuss the daily readings. This was led by Andrew Walker, of Doncaster. On Wednesday evening at the Bible class, Kevin Waterhouse presided and Timothy Goswell gave the lecture God is Our Refuge ( Psalm 46). The seminar group met on Thursday evening led by Martin Spencer. Tomorrow, Sunday, at 6pm, Tim Morgan from Stockport is to give a talk on Who are the Christadelphians?

PARKWOOD

Marion Lloyd welcomed the congregation to Parkwood Methodist Church on Sunday morning to a special Gideon Society service. Preacher was Mr David Carrins, assisted by Pam Carrins, pianist was Rhianydd Booth. Coffee was served after the service by Audrey Holdsworth and Reene Wyatt.

A drop in lunch will be held at Parkwood Methodist Church next Wednesday, March 9.

SLAITHWAITE

OnThursday Slaithwaite Good Companions were led by Margaret Cook and speaker was Alison Lockwood who described a visit to Kenya with two friends, living a basic life and there to study the animals, giraffes, elephants etc. She also shows slides of the event. She was thanked by Margaret Cook, who was also the pianists.

St James’ Parish Church Holy Communion service was conducted by the Rev Robin Townsend and assisted by Raymond Denton. After hymns and prayers, the J John film this week was about Commandment Number 3: Do Not Misuse the Name of the Lord or Take God seriously, including the implication of the way we all use words. Our names are reputations, the respect of our names, would we use our names to insult? No we use the name of Jesus in ways which insults him, In good times we say we’re lucky, in bad times why did God let it happen? in books, films and among our friends we have become numb in the language we use. When we say what we please, does what we say please God? Prayers and Holy Communion followed. The organist was Alvi Whitehead.

The Wesley Guild met on Thursday evening last week. Gordon Ellis, vice-chairman of the devotional section, opened the meeting with prayer. The speaker was Deacon Gill Atkinson-Heck who is the co-ordinator for the town centre workplace chaplaincy, a team of five based at Huddersfield Mission cover Kingsgate, Queensgate and all main streets, offering care and support to shop workers and management. Gordon thanked her for a very informative talk and supper was served by the committee ladies.

Sunday morning worship was led by Clr Andrew Marchington, of Golcar, who opened with verses from Psalm 131. The Old Testament lessons from Isaiah was read by Hilton Crowther, Pauline Gee read from Paul's Letter to the Corinthians and Ann Walker the gospel reading from Matthews Chapter 6. Ann Andrews’ sermon was based on versus from this reading. The organist was Wendy Redfearn.