BROCKHOLES

Mrs Barbara Rochester led worship at Brockholes Methodist Church when the pianist was Mrs Eileen Littlewood. The readers were Mrs Janet Grant, Mr Granville Dews and Mr Paul Grant. Refreshments were served afterwards.

Dean Henry Stapleton celebrated holy communion at St George’s Church. The sidesmen were Beth and Martin Dove. The reader was Rosalind Watt and the organist was Verena Wood.

HELME

On Sunday November 25 the congregations of St James, Meltham Mills; St Mary’s, Wilshaw; Christ Church, Helme; and St Bartholomew's, Meltham gathered together to celebrate the Feast Day of Christ the King. The Rev Maureen read led the service and was the celebrant. The Rev Dennis Shields gave the talk based on ministry and on Christ the King after who the parish is named and who inspired the service. The Rev Peter Rolls and Rev Dennis assisted with the chalice. Sidespeople were Pat Radford and Sheila Sinclair and Janet Rocket and Jean Gooden presented the elements. The Rev Judy Kenworthy led the lessons and Liam Blackburn was the organist. Presentations were made the layreaders Nigel Priestley, Chris Ryan, Hestor Deacon, Mary Crawshaw and Mandy Aspland, who between them have given 101 years service to the churches in the parish. The Rev Maureen also expressed thanks to all who exercise so many different ministries within the parish of Christ the King and out in the communities we serve. Refreshments were served following the service.

HEPWORTH

Parish Eucharist at Holy Trinity Church on Sunday morning was celebrated by the Rev Keith Griffin. The reader was Canon Chris Bullimore, prayers were led by John Bullimore and the organist was Jane Robertson.

Hilary Fletcher assisted with the chalice during communion and Sunday School was led by Chris Fletcher. Coffee was served after the service by Sheila Scholefield and Maureen Buckley.

HOLMBRIDGE

Midweek holy communion at St David’s Church, Holmbridge, was conducted by the Rev Nick Heaton when lessons were read by Ian Gold. The Monkey Business group met as well as the Free Lunch and Over 60s Club. Friday evening prayers were led by Carolyn Burley.

Parich Eucharist with creche and young people’s group at St David's Church was led by the Rev Nick Heaton. Lessons were read by Sally Darley and Glynnis Askew. Intercessions were led by Ian Gold, who also administered the chalice. The organist was Jean Chadwick.

HOLMFIRTH

Last weekend focused on the teenagers at Holmfirth Methodist Church. On Saturday members of the Sunday night Youth Club and their leaders organised a magnificent three course meal for 65 members of the Church and friends. Together with a raffle and a hilarious auction of items generously donated by local businesses the evening raised over £1200 for three chosen charities – The Forget me not Children’s Hospice, The Teenage Cancer Trust and Christian Aid.

The Sunday morning worship was led by Kath Beetlestone ably supported by the Young People and their leader, Martin Harrison. The theme of the service was “Achievements”, especially recognising what God has achieved for us, making each one of us unique and special, and what we should achieve for God by the way we live our lives, especially in thinking about others. The congregation were wowed by a DVD presentation of a song “I am amazing” by Philippa Hannah. The Young People dramatised the Parable of the Rich Fool and four of the recent achievements by the Church were recognised. Pete and Rebekah spoke about the National Methodist Youth Brass Band’s trip to Italy which had been supported by the Church, the hard work of many collectors during Christian Aid week which resulted in the best ever total for the Holmfirth area, the success of the Youth Club’s Summer Challenge when two groups raised over £300 for local charities by a number of imaginative activities and, of course, the Saturday Night Restaurant.

The usual lively hymn singing was greatly enhanced by a range of musicians - Laura (flute), Jonathan (violin), Carol (brass), Pete and Isaac (percussion) and Barbara (piano). After the service coffee was served in the schoolroom. Next Sunday is a Family Service beginning at 10.30 am. It includes the annual Toy Service when toys are donated for a local refuge.

The early morning communion was led by Rev Laura Hardy and at the start of the morning service there was a presentation to Betty Roberts to celebrate her 80th Birthday.

HONLEY

The speaker at a meeting of Honley Probus Club was Mr Alun Pugh, whose talk on his experiences as a teacher was given the title Do It To Them Before They Do It To You. Colin Hill proposed the vote of thanks.

Parish Eucharist at St Mary's Church was led by Dean Henry Stapleton, whose address was on Christ the King. John Adams read the lesson and Carol Hirst led intercessions. The server was Brenda Wildman and John Dean assisted with the chalice. The organist was Jean Cheeseman.

On Saturday evening, a group from St Mary's Church enjoyed a meal in the parish room before travelling to see a performance of The Gondoliers by Meltham Gilbert & Sullivan Society. The evening was organised by John and Pauline Adams.

SCHOLES

The congregation were welcomed at the door of Scholes Methodist Church on Sunday November 18 by Vera Parker and Michelle Booth. The service was led by the Rev Tim Moore. Julia Noble was the organist for baptismal blessing of Stanley Quarmby Crick, the Sunday School prize-giving and the Samaritans Purse Shoebox Appeal. The shoeboxes this year are going to Eastern Europe. Barbara Horn read the passage from John chapter 7 verses 37-44. Special baptism cake was served with coffee after the service by Carole and Tracey Quarmby.

On Sunday, November 25, Mr Robert Booth led the service when his theme was Jesus Is The King. Sally Dudley and Celia Poole welcomed the congregation as door stewards and Barbara Horn was the organist. Peter Lockwood read from John chpt 18 v 24-37 and Revelation 1 v 4-8. Coffee and biscuits were served by Michelle Booth and Betty and Eric Chilvers.

UPPERTHONG

The Upperthong Tuesday morning prayer breakfast was held at the home of the Dawsons. Holy communion on Thursday at St John’s Church was led by the Rev Keith Griffin, who was also the celebrant. Lunch followed in the meeting room.

Family communion on Sunday at St John’s Church was conducted by the Rev Di Ellerton, who preached the sermon and was the celebrant. The readers were Hilary Roberts and Tim Cock. Les Walton led prayers. Val Shuttleworth assisted with the chalice and Ian Greenhalgh was the organist. After the service, a laying on of hands and prayers for healing were held in the Lady Chapel for anyone who wished to take part. Refreshments were served afterwards by Hilary Roberts.

WOOLDALE

Steven Harvey led worship at Wooldale Methodist Church. The organist was Sue Ogden. Refreshments were served afterwards. The Women’s Fellowship held a coffee afternoon and bring and buy sale.