The Crosland Moor Branch of the Mothers' Union celebrated Holy Communion in St. Barnabas' Church, when the celebrant was Rev Julian Perkins and the reader was Brenda Whitaker.
Afterwards at their monthly meeting in the Parish Hall the speaker was Brenda Mitchell, the curate at Golcar Church, who spoke about her visit to the Taize Community in France.The meeting was presided over by the Branch Leader Joyce Rawlinson who also proposed the vote of thanks. In the afternoon, members attended Christ Church, Linthwaite for the Linthwaite Mothers' Union Festival.
The Association of Christian Fellowship from St. Barnabas' Church had their annual outing to the Derbyshire Dales, organised by Welcome Days Out. They were met by their guide for the day at Baslow then stopped at Masson Mills, Matlock Bath for coffee and shopping, afterwards visiting the Sir Joseph Whitworth Centre at Darley Dale before having lunch at the Whitworth Hotel. The last stop of the day was at Caudwell's Mill and Craft Centre, Rowsley, where the party enjoyed afternoon tea. Thanks were expressed to Kathleen Pratt who had arranged the outing
GOLCAR
A short service was held in the school room at Golcar Providence, before departing on the church outing to St Anne’s On Sea. The service was led by Stewart Culpin and Ian Day. Frank Meadows was the pianist. Lunch was served at The Drive Methodist Church and the trip was organised by the Men’s Fellowship.
Canon Martyn Crompton welcomed the congregation to St John’s for the annual Sunday Club prizegiving and he gave a talk using the book The Very Hungry Caterpillar to illustrate the theme of change and growth in Christian life. Chris Bamforth gave the Bible reading and also led the children in an animated story. The Sunday School prizes were distributed by St John’s lay reader Helen Bentley. Prayers were offered by Sylvia Hanson and communion was led by curate, the Rev Brenda Mitchell. Organ and piano were played by Ann Norton. The Sunday Club team were thanked for their dedication and hard work over the year, which was illustrated in the enthusiasm shown by the children each week.
Golcar Band were in concert at Golcar Baptist Church on Saturday night, delighting the audience with a varied programme, under the direction of Ann Bartholomew. Items included a sing-song session. Proceeds will be shared by band and church.
The congregation went back to Sunday School at Golcar Baptist Church on Sunday to mark its anniversary. All sat at desks and were given paper and pencils and were asked to think of items to thank God for – beginning with eight different letters . At the end, the letters spelled out ‘thank you’. The congregation reminisced and remembered their own days in Sunday school, as well as taking part in a dramatised bible reading and making a banner to illustrated the words of Psalm 136. The Rev Chris Thompson led the service and his wife Michelle organised the Sunday School activities.
Golcar Baptist Tuesday Forum Garden Party and Gift Day will be held on Tuesday July 23 at the home of church member Connie Pearson. The gift day appeal of £10 each, plus money from the stalls, will be for Forum funds. Visitors are asked to bring items for a bring-and-buy stall and to bring a parcel of items valued at £1 for sale.
Churches together in Golcar service will be held at Bolster Moor on Sunday July 20 at 6.30pm, with a speaker still to be announced.
Golcar Baptist Church meeting will be held on Saturday July 13 at noon and everyone is asked to make a big effort to attend.
Slate has been stolen from the roof of Clough Head Junior and Infant School, Clough Head, Golcar around June 11. Also in the village, garden furniture has been stolen and thieves took a 17ft x 14ft aluminium trailer with fittings for a lid from another home.
Stones were thrown at a mill in Dale Street, Longwood, on June 14, when damage was caused to first floor windows.
LINTHWAITE
The Sunday morning service at Christ Church, Linthwaite was led by the Rev Julian Perkins who preached, prayed and celebrated communion and gave a blessing. The lessons were read by Roland Ellis and the Rev Jenni Honeyman.
The Rev Jenni Honeyman is the new curate for the United Benefice of Christ Church Linthwaite and St Barnabas, Crosland Moor. After the morning service, members of St Barnabas attended for a faith lunch to welcome Jenni.
Evensong was led by Rev Julian Perkins. Lessons were read by Rev Perkins and Rev Honeyman. Anne Leigh preached and prayed. Organist for both services was Derek Horne.
Linthwaite Methodist Sports Club will hold a Promise And Gift Auction on Friday September 19 at the Rose and Crown pub at Cop Hill. Tickets are £5 and include pie and peas. Any donations will be gratefully received – contact Diane Loftus. Tickets will be available later.
There are still places available on Linthwaite Methodists’ October holiday in Bournemouth between Saturdays October 25 and November 1. Anyone interested should contact Jenny Baxter or Fiona Woodhead.
Linthwaite Methodist Church welcomed old scholar Dr Richard Vautrey, who led a special service on Sunday morning to mark the 17th anniversary of the church centre and gift day. Readers were Ali Dwyer, Margaret Moriarty and Alan Vautrey and Ian Baxter and Graham Hirst performed a sketch. Linda Nuttall was organist and coffee and biscuits were served afterwards.
Alan and Katherine Vautrey will hold a Open Day at 19 The Mount, Thorn, Wakefield on Saturday July 19. Coffee will be served from 10.30am and lunches will be available from noon onwards. All welcome.
LONGWOOD
The sung Eucharist on the sixth Sunday after Trinity at St Mark’s Church, celebrating the Feast of St Peter and St Paul, was led by Parish Priest the Rev Jim Hunt, dressed accordingly in red vestments. He was assisted by Chris Jones as server, with Philip Turner on the organ. Bible readings were by David Verlander from Zachariah and Dorothy Verlander who read from Timothy.
In his sermon Jim reported on the recent Deanery meeting and the future plans for the church to move forward. Many changes were envisaged, with controversy surrounding some changes, such as women priests and possibly Bishops. The period from 2008 to 2013 coincides with the 125th Anniversary of Wakefield Diocese. Jim asked everyone to invest in our faith, think and pray. Recent changes at St Mark’s include a new format for family services and the formation of a new Wardenship Team of two church wardens and four deputy wardens. It is hoped that this will lead to growth in the church. The young church were welcomed from Sunday School to join The Peace. Intercession prayers were prepared and presented by Judith Pearson.
Announcements at the end included the Mothers’ Union Linthwaite Festival and banns of marriage for Warren Pickard and Janette Storey, for the second time of asking. A service of worship will be held at 4pm next Sunday by Holy Trinity Church from Ossett on the occasion of their walk and picnic in this area. Members of the congregation were invited to attend. The service concluded with a blessing by Jim.
MARSDEN
The congregation of the United Church, Marsden joined in a service with their neighbours at St Bartholomew’s Church on Sunday morning – the last service in Marsden for the Rev Sue Pegg. During the service a banner made by lay reader Joan Biggs was unveiled. The banner illustrates the strong links between Marsden’s two churches and will take pride of place in the United Church. The service was led by the Rev Geoff Clay and the Rev Sue Pegg gave the sermon. Prayers were offered by Caroline Hansom, reader was Elsie Lingard and new organist was James Harker from Shaw. Sidesmen were Mary Horn, Joan Ladbroke and Jean Pennington. Coffee was served by Operatic Society members and sherry and birthday cake was served after the service to celebrate the birthdays of five of the congregation.
MILNSBRIDGE
Mr A James of Halifax was the speaker at Milnsbridge Christadelphians’ Midweek Bible Class, talking about the Cherubim. On Sunday evening, Mr K Charlesworth from Milnsbridge talked about Life’s Journey.
Brenda Richardson and Margaret Bush were callers for bingo at this week’s meeting of Milnsbridge Over 60s Club. Raffle prize winners were Joan Lewis, Marie Brook and Brenda Richardson.
Last Sunday at Milnsbridge Baptist Church, the Rev Mike Roberts took a Communion service. The sermon continued the theme of Christian beliefs and this week focused on Conversion. The reading was from Acts, chapter nine, verses one-20, dealing with Paul’s conversion on the road to Damascus. The next Sunday evening service will be on July 13 at 6.30pm, when all are welcome to take part in Songs of Praise, when favourite hymns will be sung.
Thieves climbed over the wall and into a compound at Scar Lane Filling Station, Scar Lane, Milnsbridge last week and stole three catalytic converters from vehicles awaiting disposal.
Window boxes and plant pots were stolen from a garden in Milnsbridge on July 9. Three days later a fully erected tent and contents stolen from garden in the village.
Milnsbridge Playgroup meets every Monday (12.15-2.45pm), Wednesday (9.15am-2.45pm), Thursday (9.15am-11.45am) and Friday (9.15am-2.45pm) in the village hall.
The group is aimed at children aged between two and five years old and funding is available for three-year-olds. The group operated as a ‘wrap-around’ service for Crow Lane Junior School.
PARKWOOD
Marion Lloyd welcomed the congregation to Parkwood Methodist Church on Sunday morning. Guest preacher was Christine Shaw and readers were Mary and Kenneth Rothery. Prayers of intercession were offered by Freda Lloyd and organist was Susanne Smelt. During the service two sunflower plants were placed on the church windowsills, presented by the Rainbow group, who are celebrating being 21 years old. A faith lunch was held afterwards.
SLAITHWAITE
A disco for pupils of Wilberlee School was held at Upper Slaithwaite Church on Friday evening. DJ was Dave Jones and a ‘healthy’ hot dog supper was served. The event was deemed a great success.
A DVD documenting the conservation work carried out at Merrydale by pupils of Wilberlee and Two Gates schools, Slaithwaite was launched on Saturday and Upper Slaithwaite church ladies served afternoon teas.
Sunday morning sees the third Pennine X Mountain Bike Challenge, starting from Upper Slaithwaite Church. Organisers Gary Clay, Alison Buckle and Keith and Sonia Hanson have worked out a gruelling route of about 30 miles – from Shred to Scammonden, Ripponden, Holingworth and back on the Pennine Way to Marsden and then back to the church. Already over 60 bikers have registered – from 18 to 64 years. Other riders can register on the day from 8-8.30am with the start at 9am. There are refreshment bays en route and cakes and bacon sandwiches are served at the finish. Local businesses have helped sponsor the event.
Fundraising for the National finals is under way at Slaithwaite Bandroom, with a Treasure Hunt organised for this Sunday July 6. Meet between 2 and 3pm at the Bandroom , Ing Head, Slaithwaite. Entry is £2 for adults and 50p for children there is a BBQ and the bar is available.
The Methodist Walking Group took part in a ramble on Saturday morning, with 16 members – led by Jeanne and David Whitwam – walking from Kirkburton towards Emley Moor.
David Prior led Sunday worship at the Methodist Church. He preached on the subject Let Us Fix Our Eyes on Jesus, reading from Romans. Hilary Ellis gave a reading from Genesis. Organist was Shirley Scott.
Pat Parkinson was the speaker at this week’s meeting of Slaithwaite Good Companions, reading a selection of poems and anecdotes. She was thanked by Bessie Whitwam and pianist was Maureen Weaving.
Holy Communion at St James’ Church on Sunday was led by the Rev Robin Townsend, assisted by lay reader Jeanette Seed and churchwarden Raymond Denton. Pat Parkinson read the lesson and prayers were offered by Chris Dunkeyson. Music during Communion was sung by the ladies’ music group. Members of young church acted out their morning study, with music on the piano from Hiroko Townsend. One of the young scholars, Evie Smith, played the cornet, performing two solo items.
