The Crosland Moor Mothers' Union met in St Barnabas' Church to celebrate Holy Communion. The celebrant was the vicar the Rev Julian Perkins and the readings were by Dorothy Nixon. Afterwards in the parish hall the members held their annual general meeting chaired by the vicar. Reports were given by the branch leader, branch secretary, treasurer, programme secretary, card secretary, worldwide representative, Australian link correspondent, indoor member correspondent, Teddies for Tragedies co-ordinator, and the Gideon collection representative. The branch secretary and treasurer were re-elected and the retiring representative on the Huddersfield Deanery Committee, Bernice Fleming, was replaced by Joyce Rawlinson. The officers and committee now consist of branch leader Joyce Holdsworth, branch secretary Nancy Jones, treasurer Sheila Jaworski, programme secretary Valerie Donoghue, worldwide representative Elaine Broadley, Australian Link correspondent Brenda Whitaker, Deanery representative Joyce Rawlinson, and committee members Margaret Cooper and Andrea Rattigan. Hostesses for the morning were Valerie Donoghue and Mavis Armitage. The vicar Rev Perkins closed the meeting with a prayer after which thank you gifts were presented to the vicar, Geoffrey Holdsworth and Geoffrey Hallas, for their help and support throughout the year.
GOLCAR
The Rev Brenda Mitchell led the Parish Communion service at St John’s Church on Sunday. Canon Martyn Crompton was the celebrant for Holy Communion. The theme of the service was Commitment, Faith, Hope and Love. Readings were given by Dorothy Holden, Susan Whitwam and Helen Bentley who was also the preacher. Intercession prayers were led by Jeremy Cuss. The Sunday Club had made a friendship frieze of cut-out figures linked together and Sunday Youth were making papier mache. Margaret Laycock was the pianist. The Rev Brenda Mitchell and Kathryn Sykes led a Taize Service in the evening. Margaret Laycock played the piano. Afterwards refreshments were served in the community room.
The Sunday service at Golcar Baptist was conducted by the Rev Chris Thompson, the organist was Calinda Stockhill and the pianist was Chris Woodhead. This was followed by the church business meeting.
At the meeting of the friendship group at Golcar Providence Church, Howard Robinson spoke about Wash Day at Grandmas. Sheila Pearson was the chairman, Nancy Meadows was the pianist and the supper ladies were Barbara Hallas and Beverley Senior. Sunday morning worship was led by Stuart Rudd who’s subject was Giving. Lessons were read by Nancy Meadows and Janice Swallow and Margaret Israel was the organist.
LINTHWAITE
Clr Andrew Marchington led the morning worship at Linthwaite Methodist Church on Sunday and Mrs Linda Nuttall was the organist. The theme of the service was Love is ... Graham Hirst read from Jeremiah 1 v 4-10, Margaret Tennant read from 1 Corinthians chapter 13 v 1-13: “If I speak in the tongue on men and Angels, but not have love ...” Jenny Hill read from Luke 4 v 28-30. The Sunday School teachers were Sarah Nuttall, Diane Loftus and Ed Archer-Siddall.
Morning service at Christ Church was led by the Rev Julian Perkins who celebrated Holy Communion and gave a blessing. Lessons were read by Joan Bedford and Margaret McQuillan. Anne Leigh preached and prayed and the organist was Derek Horne. The evening service was led by the Rev Julian Perkins who also gave a blessing. Lesson were read by the Rev Jenni Honeyman and Margaret McQuillan and Anne Leigh preached and prayed. Organist was Rhona Jepson.
LONGWOOD
The sung Eucharist on the fourth Sunday of Epiphany (Candlemas) at St Mark’s Church, was led by guest celebrant Dean Henry Stapleton. Before starting the service, Henry proclaimed banns of marriage for the third time for John Stuart Bailey and Karen Nichol and he prayed for this couple who are to be married, at St Stephen’s Church, Lindley, on February 14. Music was performed by organist Philip Turner and choir. On this bitterly cold but sunny morning the congregation soon felt warmer singing the opening Hymn For the Beauty of the Earth during the clergy procession, led by acolytes Freya Gregory and Emily Jones accompanying the choir, server Pat Jessop and Dean Henry. Bible readings, from Ezekiel and Corinthians, were read by Linda Barker and Mark Gregory. Dean Henry read the Gospel from St Luke and then followed with his sermon, based on anecdotes from his earlier years as a vicar, in London after the Second World War, when he remembered his senior citizens who reminded him of biblical characters such as Simeon and Anna and their relationships with Jesus. He continued by saying that the mature people, in the congregation as well as the children, should continue to spread the work of the church in the local community, especially the Light of the World. Following The Creed, the young church, with leaders Joan Morton, Debbie Yates and Charles Ross were welcomed by Henry and then Judith Pearson read the intercession prayers she had prepared earlier. After sharing The Peace came Communion with Dean Henry and server Pat Jessop. The rousing recessional Hymn Tell Out My Soul brought the service to an end and Dean Henry gave the Blessing.
St Mark’s Players will present their annual pantomime Pirates from Atlantis in Longwood Mechanics’ Hall from February 15-20. Tickets are now on sale.
MARSDEN
Holy Communion at St Bartholomew’s Church on Sunday was led by Joan Binns and Geoffrey Holroyd in the absence of the vicar, the Rev Geoff Clay. Simon Crook was the organist and pianist was Audrey Armitage. Carolyn Hansom read the first lesson and Geoffrey read the Gospel for Candlemas – the presentation of Christ in the Temple. Sidesmen were Enid and David Ackroyd. Afterwards, coffee was served in the hall by G Ward, P Burgess, E Laidlaw and A Fisher.
Every Tuesday at 9.30am there is a short service in the Lady Chapel in church to which everyone is welcome. Lent House Groups will start on Tuesday February 23 at 7.30pm in the Vicarage. Again – all welcome.
At Marsden United Church the preacher was the Rev Deborah Hopkinson. Christine Gledhill was the pianist and was presented with a bouquet as she is leaving.
MILNSBRIDGE
At Milnsbridge Christadelphian's the midweek Bible class Mr K Waterhouse from Milnsbridge gave a talk entitled The Veil of the Temple. On Sunday evening Mr E Grey from Cleckheaton gave a talk entitled The Certainty of Christ's Second Coming.
PARKWOOD
A pleasant Wednesday afternoon meeting was held at Parkwood Methodist Church. Guest speaker was the Rev Pam Ward who spoke about life in the post office. In the chair was Jean Johnson, the pianist was Kenneth Rothery and refreshments were by Barbara Beevers and Betty Sykes.
Marion Lloyd welcomed the congregation to Parkwood Methodist Church on Sunday morning. Guest preacher was Mr Raymond Brook assisted by drama readers Christine Johnson, Margaret Noble, Anne Ivey and Sandra McSweeney. The organist was Suzanne Smelt. A faith lunch was held after the service organised by ladies of the church. The eucumenical cross has now left Parkwood Methodist Church and was presented to St Thomas’ Church at Longroyd Bridge during the service on Sunday morning by Nora Beaumont and Renee Wyatt, members of Parkwood Methodist Church.
SLAITHWAITE
On Wednesday evening last 24 members of the Slaithwaite Women’s Institute were ferried by fellow members to Outlane Golf Club where they enjoyed a meal and fellowship.
The Rev Joanne Archer Siddal was the preacher at the Methodist Church for the annual covenant service. She used water, salt and bubbles to illustrate her sermon together with a slide presentation of churches then and now as described in the book of Revelation. The service included Holy Communion and the organist was Wendy Blackburn.
Pauline Gee was in the chair for the Women’s Fellowship meeting on Tuesday and led prayers. She welcomed the speaker Marjorie Crowther who gave an informative talk on the craft and industries mentioned in the Old Testament – weavers, builders, tunnel makers etc. Pauline thanked Marjorie for a most interesting afternoon.
