BROCKHOLES

The Rev Laura Hardy led worship at the Methodist Church and administered the sacrament. The fifth symbol was laid on the Lenten Cross. The reader was Paul Grant and the organist was Michael Brown.

Parish communion at St George’s Church was celebrated by the Rev David Barnes, who spoke about showing the love of Christ to others. Sue Clay read the lesson and Rosalind Watt was server. Organist was Verena Wood.

HOLMBRIDGE

Members of the Camera Club viewed prints of the Antarctic by Colin New at their meeting on Monday evening. Meetings of Hilary’s Keep Fit Class, the Monkey Business group, Tumble Tots and the Over 60s club with free lunches were held at St David’s Church during the week.

Midweek Holy Communion at St David’s Church was conducted by the Rev Geoff Bamford, Ian Gold read the lesson. The Rev Geoff Bamford also led the Lent course on Thursday evening. Ian Gold led Friday evening prayers. Early communion on Sunday was led by the Rev Roger Nelson. Later he conducted parish Eucharist for Passiontide when lessons were read by Dale Woods and Judi Bamford. Ian Gold led intercessions and the chalice was administered by Helen Woods. The crèche and junior church were led by Sandy Wise and Glynis Askew. The organist was Rodney Pearson.

HOLMFIRTH

The Fifth Sunday of Lent was celebrated at Holy Trinity Church with 10.30 Parish Eucharist. The celebrant was the Rev Di Ellerton. Brian Shaw assisted with the chalice. Sue Winter read from Isaiah 43 v16-21 and Neil Sykes led the Intercessions. Vicky and Alan Wimpenny served refreshments. Palm Sunday services tomorrow will be at 8am and 10.30. All welcome.

The morning service at Holmfirth Methodist Church on Sunday was led by Mrs Jo Rand. She spoke to the children about the many ways of communicating thanks. She referred to Mothering Sunday, an opportunity for everyone to thank mothers for their love, help and encouragement, with a card or flowers. Martha and Mary, sisters in a Biblical story, offered hospitality, often overlooked as a bird of giving, in thanks for good news about their father Lazarus. Martha offered the usual food and drink, Mary gave Jesus perfume, an overwhelming costly gift, an act of love and service. Today, generous acts of love an service, without strings, can greatly benefit our community and demonstrates God’s love.

HONLEY

At a meeting of the Probus Club in the community centre, a silence was observed as a mark of respect for founder member Norman Buckley, who had died recently. Chairman Martin Dove introduced Philip Horn, who gave an illustrated account of a cruise among the fjords and islands of Norway as far as the Arctic Circle and North Cape. Cyril Minett proposed the vote of thanks.

A party of Probus Club members and their wives enjoyed a lunch at Wortley Hall during a recent outing.

Family communion at St Mary’s Church was celebrated by the Rev David Barnes. Clive Waind read the lesson and intercessions were led by Pat and Cliff Green. The organist was Vernon Briggs.

The Wednesday evening Lent study group met in the parish room under the leadership of the Rev David Barnes.

MELTHAM

On Sunday morning, an All Age Baptism and Communion service was held at St Bartholomew’s Church. The Rev Maureen Read gave a talk about being baptised and explained how the whole church congregation, including the vicar, has a role to play in supporting the child and likened this to how a football team needs its supporters as well as the manager and medical staff. The Rev John Radcliffe conducted the baptism and was the celebrant. The gospel reading was read by Stephanie Ball and the organist was Simon Ball. After the service, the annual meeting was held in the church hall, where reports were presented from the various church organisations and the accounts were approved.

The choir started rehearsals for the performance of Olivet to Calvary which will take place on Good Friday at 7.30pm in the church, and are also looking forward to the special songs of praise service which will take place on Easter Sunday at 6pm, which will see them wearing their new ‘brightly coloured’ choir robes. Everyone welcome.

Several special services will be taking place across the parish of Christ the King, Meltham during Holy week in the run up to Easter. Details of these can be found on the new church website which was launched this week - www.achurchnearyou.com/meltham

SCHOLES

At a meeting of the Men’s Monday Club at Scholes Methodist Church, Miss M Noble give an illustrated talk entitled Orchid Growing.

UPPERTHONG

Lent groups met on Monday and Wednesday at the homes of the Rev Di Ellerton and Sue and Graham Dawson. The weekly prayer breakfast was held on Tuesday at the Dawsons’ home.

Midweek communion at St John’s Church was conducted by the Rev John Marsh. A faith lunch followed in the meeting room.

Holy communion at St John’s Church was led by the Rev Keith Griffin, who read the gospel, preached the sermon and was celebrant. The readers were David Steele and Karen Beattie. Les Hopkins led prayers and Philip Broadbent assisted with the chalice. The organist was June Asquith. Wine and cake were served afterwards to celebrate the ruby wedding anniversary of Pat and Les Hopkins.

The Rev Di Ellerton presided at the annual parish meeting when Philip Broadbent and Graham Dawson were re-elected as churchwardens. Sue Dawson and Lawrence Park were re-elected to the parochial church council for a further three years. Graham Dawson, Ray Thompson and Ashley Ward were elected as representatives on the team council. The sidesmen were re-elected en bloc. Philip Broadbent was re-elected PCC vice-chairman and Hilary Broadbent was re-elected as PCC secretary and treasurer. Reports were given by Graham Dawson, Sue Dawson and the Rev Di Ellerton.

WOOLDALE

The service on Sunday at Wooldale Methodist Free Church was led by Mr R Horn, who read from Esther and Mathew. In his sermon he talked of Prayer for Healing and the need to understand why we have to be careful when we pray.The organist was Colin Hudson

Robert Booth preached on Passion Sunday at the Methodist Church. The organist was Sue Ogden.

The monthly social meeting at the Methodist Church was called Treasured Keepsake, when those attending were invited to bring a keepsake and tell a story about it.