BROCKHOLES

Family communion at St George's Church, Brockholes, was celebrated by the Rev John Barnes, who spoke on the Jewish festival of Passover. John Roberts read the lesson. Roger Kenworthy was server and Verena Wood organist.

Following the service, Margaret Kenworthy chaired the annual meeting at which reports were received from the treasurer, the choir, the AD young people’s group and different areas of responsibility. Churchwardens Rosalind Watt and Margaret Kenworthy were re-elected. Members of the district church council and the parish council were re-elected. Thanks were expressed to the three retiring priests who have led worship during the interregnum, the treasurer and the churchwardens.

Mrs Eileen Littlewood led the Readers Service at Brockholes Methodist Church. Mrs Pat Gaukroger played piano. Mr John Gaukroger read the sermon and Mrs Eileen Littlewood led prayers. Barbara Kaye and Averil Bennett shared the Bible readings. Mr Robert Beadle welcomed the congregation and Barbara Kaye provided refreshments.

GATEHEAD

A coffee morning will be held at the Methodist Church on Saturday April 20 from 10am until 12.30pm. There will be a bring-and-buy stall and cakes will be on sale. Admission of £1 includes coffee or tea and biscuits. All welcome.

HEPWORTH

At Hepworth Church on Sunday morning, the Mothering Sunday family service was led by the Rev Keith Griffin. Mothers' Union members took a major part in the service with Joan Warrender doing the reading, Maureen Buckley and Louise Vigor, along with three Sunday School children, led prayers. Organist was Jane Robertson and the children handed out flowers to all ladies in the congregation. After the service, a produce stall organised by the Mothers' Union raised £67 for Make A Mother's Day, a national MU project helping less fortunate mothers.

Parish Eucharist was celebrated by the Rev Keith Griffin on Sunday morning. Prayers were led by Canon Chris Bullimore, the reader was John Bullimore and the organist Jane Robertson. The notices were read. Parishioners met outside the Butchers Arms for the traditional Palm Sunday procession down to church led by their friendly donkeys in time for parish Eucharist.

The monthly Quiz Night at the Sports & Social Club was well supported. Questions were set by Denise and John Armitage and the winning team of John Blunden, Mel Holmes and Jim Osborne will set the questions for the next Quiz Night on Saturday May 4 starting at 9pm.

Parish Eucharist was a family affair at the Hepworth Church on Sunday morning when the Rev Canon Chris Bullimore led the service and husband John gave the address. The reader was Louise Vigor, prayers were led by Lorraine Pollitt and the organist was Jane Robertson. Refreshments were served by Dorothy Walker and Cheryl Roberts.

HOLMBRIDGE

Midweek holy communion at St David’s Church, Holmbridge, was led by the Rev Nick Heaton when lessons were read by Ian Gold. The Over 60s Club met during the week and Friday evening prayers were led by Ian Gold.

The Worship Together service on the theme of New Life was led by the Rev Nick Heaton. Lessons were read by Carole Heaton. Organist Eddie Purcell was accompanied by the newly-formed musical group.

HONLEY

The family service at St Mary’s Church, Honley, was led by the Rev John Barnes, whose illustrated address dealt with the significance of the Passover Supper to the Crucifixion and Resurrection. The lessons were read by Rebecca Noble and Jane and Graham Wardman led the intercessions. The singing was led by the music group.

On Sunday evening the Rev Jenny Barnes celebrated parish Eucharist. Clive Waind read the lesson and the server was John Adams. The pianist was Jean Cheeseman.

MELTHAM

Meltham WI met on April 2 with President Barbara Sheard in the chair. The tea ladies were Catherine Moulson and Zena Firth. The speaker for the evening was Janet Jones and her talk was entitled A Lifetime Of Success And Happiness. The vote of thanks was proposed by Ann Kaye. The raffle, organised by Ann Kaye, was won by Sheila Brook.

SCHOLES

On Palm Sunday the Rev Richard Thompson led worship at Scholes Methodist Church. Despite the treacherous Marsh Road 34 worshippers braved the elements to be welcomed on the door by Roger Deakin. The Lockwood and Cottle families began the service with relevant readings and by bringing palm leaves to the Lenten Cross. Palm crosses were distributed to the congregation by the children. Christine Lockwood played the organ. The addresses from the minister were Finding Solutions In Scripture' and Adulation To Accusation. Margaret Thompson was in charge of serving coffee and biscuits and Amy Booth provided 18th birthday gateau.

UPPERTHONG

The Tuesday morning Upperthong Prayer Breakfast was held at the home of the Dawsons. Holy communion on Thursday at St John’s Church was conducted by the Rev Di Ellerton, who was also the celebrant. Lunch followed in the meeting room. Early communion on Sunday was led by the Rev Di Ellerton, who also took the family service, which included the baptism of Chloe Isabel Kaye. Refreshments were provided afterwards by Liz Stead. On Sunday lunchtime, the annual Upperthong parochial church meeting took place. Philip Broadbent and Graham Dawson were re-elected churchwardens and Sue Dawson, Lawrence Park and Tony Booth were elected to the parochial church council. The sidesmen were re-elected with the addition of Jane Brinkman. Team council members Graham Dawson and Hilary Broadbent were elected. Hilary Broadbent is secretary/treasurer and Philip Broadbent PCC chairman.

WILSHAW

It was a special day at St Mary’s Church for Charlotte Ruby Harper last Sunday, as she was welcomed into the church family at her baptism. Her parents Simon and Mary Lynn chose the hymns and her Unlce Andrew read the lesson. The Rev Judy Kenworthy rook the service. Charlotte’s dad lit the paschal candle and godparents were Lucy Bamforth and Andrew Harper. Organists were Liza and Clive Pearson. Peter Pearson was sidesman. A baptism candle was lit and presented to Charlotte’s family.