BROCKHOLES

Lay reader Beverley Playle was the preacher at a service held at St George's Church on November 24. She reminded the congregation that security is in God. Holy communion was celebrated by the Rev Liam Beadle. Sye Clay read Psalm 46 on which the sermon was based. Rosalind Watt was the server and the pianist was Kate Drake.

Mrs Barbara Rochester led November 24 morning worship at the Methodist Church when Mr Robert Booth played the organ. Mr John Gaukroger read the Bible lessons. A sketch was read by Mr Michael Pears and Mrs Jan Gaunt. Mrs Barbara Oldfield welcomed the congregation and refreshments were provided by Mrs Anita Platt and Mrs Jennifer Pears.

Mr John Gaukroger led the Bible study group.

The service at St George’s Church for the first Sunday of Advent was the all-age Holy Communion celebrated by the Rev Liam Beadle. Abigail Burhouse lit the Advent candle and her brother Thomas led the vicar in his address which was to encourage us to be prepared. John Roberts read the lesson, Elizabeth Mosley was the server and the organist was Peter Biedukiewicz.

The Rev Laura Hardy led the first Advent service at the Methodist Church and the first candle was lit. Mrs Kath Gaukroger played the piano. The Rev Hardy read The Visit by Adrian Plass. Mrs Jan Gaunt read the Bible lesson and the congregation was welcomed by Mrs Anita Platt. Mrs Christine Williams provided refreshments. The Monday evening Bible class was led by Mr John Gaukroger.

GATEHEAD

The Carol Service at the Methodist Church will be held on Sunday December 15 at 3pm and will be led by the Rev Tim Moore. Guests are Skelmanthorpe Band. There’s a warm welcome to all.

HOLMBRIDGE

A meeting of St David’s parochial church council was chaired by the Rev Nick Heaton. The Rev Nick Heaton and Carolyn Burley chaired the final session of the Just Listen course.

Holy Communion with creche and young people’s group at St David’s Church was conducted by the Rev Nick Heaton on November 24 when lessons were read by Sally Darley and Carolyn Burley, who also led intercessions. The chalice was administered by Ian Gold and the organist was Jean Chadwick.

Midweek Holy Communion was led by the Rev Nick Heaton. The Monkey Business toddler group met and the free lunches were served.

Worship Together for Advent was led by the Rev Nick Heaton on the theme of getting ready for Christmas. Lessons were read by Lizzy Burdon and Nathan Heaton. Les Chadwick led intercessions and the music group was led by Eddie Purcell. In the afternoon the Youth Group met in the parish hall.

HONLEY

A return visit by Ben Richardson, speaking about more amusing incidents experienced during his career as a detective working in Dewsbury kept a meeting of the Probus Club entertained. He was introduced by chairman Alec Wallace and thanked by secretary Leslie Chadwick.

Members of St Mary's Church met in the parish room before travelling to Meltham to attend Meltham Gilbert and Sullivan Society’s excellent production of Ruddigore. The evening was organised by John and Pauline Adams.

Parish Eucharist on November 24 at St Mary’s Church was led by the Rev Dean Henry Stapleton when lay reader Beverley Playle gave the address. The lesson was read by Andrea Gosslin and Pat and Cliff Green led intercessions. Laurence Jones was the server and Mark Stapleton assisted with the chalice. The organist was Jean Cheeseman.

All-age Worship with Baptism at St.Mary’s Church was led by the Rev Liam Beadle. Kate Walter read the lesson and intercessions were led by the Rev Jenny Barnes. Music was provided by the Music Group. During the service the Rev Liam Barnes baptised Isaac William James Noble, son of Rebecca and Craig, and Denver Jay Donkersley, son of Jayne and Jay.

On Sunday evening the Rev Liam Beadle celebrated Parish Communion. Pat Green read the lesson, the server was Pauline Adams and the organist was Elizabeth Jones.

SCHOLES

On Sunday December 1 the Rev Tim Moore led Holy Communion at the Methodist Church. All the hymns had been chosen by the congregation. Phillip Horn, Jessie Cottle and Christa Peace were the door stewards. Andrew Raggatt lit the Advent Ring. The organist was Christine Lockwood and Alison Cromack read from Exodus 15 verses 1-8 and Romans 10 verses 5-13 .Coffee and biscuits were served after the service by Margaret Andrea and Cynthia.

UPPERTHONG

A service including prayers for healing was held at St John’s Church on Sunday November 24. The service was led by the Rev Di Ellerton when the readers were John Ellerton and Les Hopkins. Sue Dawson led prayers. Val Shuttleworth and Pat Hopkins administered the sacrament and refreshments were serviced afterwards by Jane Brinkman.

The Tuesday morning prayer breakfast was held at the Dawsons’ home. Midweek communion was conducted by the Rev Nick Heaton. Lunch followed in the meeting room.

Early morning communion on Sunday was led by the Rev Di Ellerton who also led the all-age family worship. Children decorated the Jesse Tree and the first Advent candle was lit by Stephen Hogley. Music was provided by the Drummond family and refreshments were served afterwards by Ruth Schorah.

WILSHAW

The Rev Jenny Shields led a service of Holy Communion at St Mary’s on Advent Sunday. The Rev Judy Kenworthy read the prayer as Georgie Lindley lit the first candle on the Advent wreath. Liz Pearson was the organist and read the lessons. Jacqueline France read the intercessions and Kim Howe assisted with the chalice. The Rev Jenny encouraged us to love one another as we make ourselves ready for the coming of Jesus.