Crosland Moor

The Crosland Moor Branch of the Mothers’ Union from St Barnabas’ Church held their annual Quiz, Supper and Wine Evening in the Parish Hall. The Branch Leader, Joyce Holdsworth welcomed other church members, friends and Mothers’ Union members from other Branches in the Huddersfield Deanery. The quiz was compiled and presented by Sheila Jaworski and the winning team members were Nancy Jones, Andrea Rattigan, Joyce Rawlinson and Jean Royston. The second prize winning team members were Valerie and Kevin Donoghue and Tracey, David and Daniel Netherwood. Raffle prize winners were Doreen Hellewell, Evelyn Laidlow, Joyce Longbottom, Freda Maurer, Kathleen Pratt and Ima Taylor.

GOLCAR

The Rev Canon Martyn Crompton led the family communion service at St John’s Church and gave a special welcome to all those who had responded to the invitation to join the Back To Church service. The gospel reading was given by Maggie Cuss and prayers were led by Richard Lodge. The Rev Brenda Mitchell gave the address and spoke of the fellowship and support in the many aspects of church activities which catered for all ages and interests. It was hoped that this service would encourage more people to return and join in our church life. Sunday Club looked at the life of Jesus as a baby and the many differences compared with present day childhood. Margaret Laycock was the pianist.

At Golcar Baptist on Saturday there was a harvest supper and cabaret with The Andrews Sisters (Lynne, Maria and Joanne). There were two solos by Tom Wilkinson. After the first course of soup and fruit juice, a saxophone solo was given by Hannah Clancy, then My Favourite Things-geriatic version, by Connie and Mary. After the main course Flanders and Swann (Christopher and Chris) and after the sweet, Connie and Mary, another comedy sketch. After coffee, teas and biscuits and mints, closing words and thanks were given by the Rev Chris Thompson. The catering arrangements were co-ordinated by Geoff Ramm and his many helpers.

On Sunday there was Harvest Thanksgiving conducted by the Rev Chris Thompson. He and Michelle Thompson did the children’s address. The organist was Calinda Stockhill and there was a Fair Trade Stall and Tina Blaker told about Fair Trade and about the people who benefit from this.

The Friendship Group at Golcar Providence held a Macmillan coffee evening and cake stall and raised £170. Morning worship was led by Andrew Marchington who spoke about The Parables. Peter Bishop read the lesson and Chris Pearson was the organist.

LINTHWAITE

The Back to Church Sunday morning all age service at Linthwaite Methodist Church was led by Ali Dwyer and Ed Archer-Siddall. Ali told the children the story of Zacchaeus the tax collector, showing pictures of Zachaeus climbing the tree. Mrs Lesley Baxter read from Luke 19 v1-10 – Jesus sought Zacchaeus. Ed spoke about Zacchaeus and the ‘come as you are’ theme which is the basis of back to Church Sunday. Linda Nuttall was the organist.

The morning service was led by the Rev Jennie Honeyman who celebrated Holy Communion and gave blessings. Lessons were read by Michael Hunter and Margaret McQuillan and Ian Blakeley preached and prayed. The organist was Rhona Jepson. The evening service was led by the Rev Jennie Honeyman who read a lesson and gave a blessing. The Rev Julian Perkins preached and prayed and the organist was Derek Horne.

LONGWOOD

On Saturday afternoon the church bells at St Mark’s were pealed for 90 minutes as part of a scheme to encourage young people to take part in running the church duties. In addition to the large bells in the tower, they also tried their hands at ringing a set of hand bells.

Sung Eucharist, on Sunday morning was led by guest celebrant Canon Michael Storey, former vicar of St Barnabas, Crosland Moor. In introducing him, churchwarden and organist Philip Turner read notices which included the forthcoming Songs from the Shows in aid of church funds, the Harvest Festival in two weeks and quiz sheets in aid of the Link Parish, Kowak in Mara, Tanzania. The service opened with the clergy procession led by two acolytes, young trainee servers, Hannah and Emily Jones. The server was David Verlander who also gave the first Bible reading from the Book of Numbers. His wife Dorothy gave the second reading from a letter from James. Canon Michael read the Gospel then continued with his sermon, based on the Gospel with the theme of Good Christian Behaviour. Everyone should put their own lives in order before criticising other people, he said. Michael mentioned Back to Church Sunday being celebrated in many churches, but, owing to belated information, would not be celebrated until a later date at St Mark’s. He suggested the say should be advertised with a slogan, such as “Come along just as you are and be met with smiling faces welcome, enjoy a chat and stay for a coffee afterwards”. Following the Nicene Creed, Margaret Haigh presented prayers. The young church, with leader Joan Moreton joined the service for The Peace. Communion followed and the service concluded with Michael giving the blessing and the clergy processed to the west wall led by the acolytes with lighted candles.

MARSDEN

On Saturday the Cuckoo Festival at the United Church, Marsden, opened with the display of scarecrow made by church groups and village organisations. Tea and coffee was served, some of the organisation had tables of goods for sale or games to play to raise money for their funds. The Church had organised games and activities for children and their parents to enjoy. The Rev Jo Archer-Siddal led a family service on Sunday morning at the United Church, to celebrate the Cuckoo Festival. It was an act of worship for all the family and included members of the Church Rainbow Group. The organist was Christine Gledhill. Tea and coffee was served after the service. A service of baptism was then held for baby Beatrice Elizabeth Hendry.

Harvest Festival Communion at St Bartholomew’s was led by the Rev Geoff Clay and organist was James Harker. Reader was D Corpes and sidesmen were K and P Percell. Coffee was served by B Lonnon, M Hall and J Mitchell. The Junior Church sang God Made The World. Gifts of rice, pasta and pulses, collected for CART, were donated by the congregation and brownies and school stationery was donated by the Operatic Society. There were presentations to Joan Gee and Mabel Smithies for running the Luncheon Club. Joan is leaving the area for Cumbria.

The Operatic Society’s production of Little Shop of Horrors will be staged in the parochial Hall on October 27-31 (7.30pm). Tickets, priced £8, are available from Duncan’s Barbers.

MILNSBRIDGE

At Milnsbridge Christadelphians Midweek Bible Class Mr P Barrett from Milnsbridge gave a talk on “God has given his people rest”. On Sunday evening Mr T Deedman from Sunderland gave a talk entitled “The end of suffering the bible answer”.

PARKWOOD

A pleasant Wednesday afternoon meeting was held at Parkwood Methodist Church with guest preachers, David and Dorothy Verlander with visual aids of Huddersfield buildings. In the chair was Jean Johnson, pianist Kenneth Rothery, refreshments by Barbara Beevers, Betty Sykes and Phyllis Smith. On Saturday evening a country dance and harvest supper was held at Parkwood Methodist Church. The music and dancing was organised by Helen Brockley and the Harvest supper by Freda Lloyd. Sunday morning was “Back to Church Sunday” and the Harvest Festival at Parkwood Methodist Church. People were welcomed by Phil McSweeney, Freda Lloyd and Ashley. Guest preacher was Mr Richard Hoyle, assisted by Sandra McSweeney. Brownies and Rainbows with leaders Maxine Fox and Margaret Taylor placed harvest gifts on display. The choir sang the anthem All Things Bright and Beautiful, conducted by Gareth Beaumont. Pianist was Rhianna. Coffee was served after the service by Audrey Holdsworth.

SLAITHWAITE

Slaithwaite Good Companions met a week last Thursday, introduced by Hilary Ellis, the speaker was Mrs Val Shuttleworth who told us of her three-week visit to Mara in Tanzania with a group of people to teach at two schools. This area has been a successful link for 20 years with the diocese of Wakefield. She had many photographs and artifacts and gifts to display as well as fabrics they had bought to make into shopping bags. A very interesting afternoon. She was thanked by Patricia Parkinson. The pianist was Maureen Weaving. The Good Companions met again last Thursday introduced by Margaret Cook the speaker was Howard Robinson whose topic was “Washday at Grandma’s” together with slides of his family and the old time aides to washday. He had rubbing boards, possers, starch and dolly blue. It certainly got the group talking and reminiscing. He was thanked by Hilary Ellis and the pianist was Pat Muirhead. St James’ Parish Church Holy communion service was led by the Rev Robyn Townsend who also gave the address, the lesson was read by Dorothy Gledhill, prayers by Julie Kane and the organist was Alvy Whitehead.

Members of the Womens Fellowship attended the dedication service for the Sunshine bags at Newsome South Methodist Church which included a slide presentation and talk by Liz Whiteley on her 2008 trip to Nepal. Methodist church members and friends spent an enjoyable evening last Monday watching Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility film.

Ann Walker was in the chair for the Women’s Fellowship meeting on Tuesday. Ann gave a reading from the Friendship Book and offered prayers. It was an own arrangement day and Maureen Weaving entertained with poems on the four seasons. A bring-and -buy stall was held for the groups funds.

The church council met on Tuesday evening with the Rev Jo Archer-Siddal in the chair.

Sunday morning worship was led by Doctor Roy Squire of Sheepridge. There were two readings from St Luke’s Gospel, one by Linda Hansen and one my Karsten Svensgaard. The organist was Roger Mitchell. A stall of cake and plants for church funds was manned by Wendy Blackburn.