BROCKHOLES

Brockholes Women's Institute met last Thursday in the Methodist Church parlour, when the speaker was Margaret Laycock on Gracie Fields – Her Life And Career. Margaret explained how Gracie began on the stage at an early age and how she progressed to be a huge star of stage and screen before and after the Second World War. The talk was punctuated by Gracie’s famous songs played on the piano and sung by Margaret. Sheila Hirst thanked Margaret for an entertaining and amusing evening which evoked many memories. Irene Greatorex won the monthly competition.

Mr Granville Dews led worship at the Methodist Church on Sunday when lessons were read by Mrs Jan Gaunt. Mr Noel Clark was the organist.

Parish communion at St George’s Church was celebrated by the Rev David Barnes, who spoke about Resisting Temptation. Jean Spencer read the lessons and Roger Kenworthy was the server.

Following the service, members of the congregation enjoyed lunch in the village hall. The meal had an Irish theme to celebrate St Patrick. All proceeds from the event will go towards funding expenses for the 150th anniversary of St George's Church in 2013.

Sung evensong at St George’s Church was led by the Rev David Barnes. Rosalind Watt read the lessons. The organist for the day was Verena Wood.

The young people of the AD group met for an evening of crafts, songs and games on an Irish theme. The leaders were Kate Drake, Dorothy Coldwell and Verena Wood.

HEPWORTH

At Holy Trinity Church on Sunday morning, the Rev Keith Griffin celebrated parish Eucharist, assisted by the Rev Valerie Clarke who also preached the sermon. The reader was Jane Selkirk, prayers were led by Cheryl Roberts and the organist was Jane Robertson.

On Tuesday evening, the Hepworth Ladies Group met at the home of Ruth Brook for an evening of Bingo – something many of the ladies had never played before.

The Annual Meetings of Hepworth Church were held on Wednesday, chaired by the Rev Keith Griffin. Hilary Fletcher and Sheena Blunden were elected as churchwardens for the coming year; and the Parochial Church Council for the coming twelve months was also elected.

During Lent, Hepworth Church is hosting a series of Come to Lunch on Friday dates and this week, several diners enjoyed the soup and bread, tea and cake lunch.

This morning, Saturday, over 100 people enjoyed a Big Breakfast which was cooked and served in Hepworth Village Hall between 9am and 11.30am.

HOLMBRIDGE

Members of the Camera Club focused on Table Top Photography at their recent meeting. The session was led by Geoff France.

A Shrovetide quiz followed by a pancake supper took place on Tuesday. The quiz was organised by Ian Macdonald and refreshments were provided by Margaret Tupling.

On Wednesday, meetings were held by the Monkey Business group followed by the free lunch and over 60s club.

In the evening, Holy Communion with the imposition of ashes took place at St David’s Church. The service was led by the Rev Nick Heaton and lessons were read by Ian Gold. The organist was Eddie Purcell.

The Tumble Tots met on Thursday. Friday evening prayers were conducted by the Rev Geoff Bamford.

The Rev Nick Heaton celebrated parish Eucharist on Sunday when he baptised Samuel Hornby. Lessons were read by the Rev Geoff Bamford and the chalice was administered by Ian Gold. The crèche and junior church were led by Helen Woods and Glynnis Askew. The organist was Jean Chadwick.

HOLMFIRTH

On the first Sunday of Lent, it was announced at Holmfirth Methodist Church that there will be a Lent lunch on offer every Friday from12.15-1.30 and a Lent study course held in church on Tuesday evenings at 7.30. All are welcome. The children who collect for JMA have raised over £100 and were thanked by the congregation.

Rev Charlotte Lorimer led the communion service with the question, ‘How many apples were there in the Garden of Eden?’. Contrasting the reading from Genesis 2.15-3.7, when Eve is tempted, and Matthew 4.1-11, when Jesus was tempted, we were reminded that temptations are many and varied. If we resist and choose obedience, the reward is life in all its fullness.

The first Sunday of Lent was celebrated at Holy Trinity with Holy Communion according to the Book of Common Prayer at 8am,when Anita Womersley read the lesson. Holy Communion was also celebrated Šat 10.30am led by the vicar, Rev Keith Griffin and Rev Val Clarke. Sidespersons were Keith and Barbara Jones and Keith also read the lesson from St Paul’s epistle to the Romans. After the service, coffee was served in the Gallery room by Mike and Linda Smithers.

HONLEY

Parish Eucharist at St Mary’s Church was led by the Rev David Barnes. Cynthia Hepper read the lesson and intercessions were led by Jane and Graham Wardman. The organist was Jean Cheeseman.

St Mary's Men’s Society held its annual Shrove Tuesday social in the parish room. Members, wives and friends enjoyed a pie and peas supper and quizzes arranged by secretary John Ambler and his helpers. Proceeds were for church funds.

SCHOLES

At a meeting of the Men's Monday Club of Scholes Methodist Church, Mr Jeffrey Turner gave a talk entitled Colonel Bogey, British March King.

Sunday saw the Methodist Church full to capacity with many ex-scholars and friends celebrating 150 years of Methodism in Scholes.All wereŠ greeted by Norman and Marina Kelly. Julia Noble played the organ and accompanied the choir conducted by Christine LockwoodŠ as they sang Jesus Name Above All Names.The service, led by Rev Tim Moore, included the readings from Deuteronomy chapter four and 1Peter chapter two. Special guest, the Rev Dr Martyn Atkins, general secretary of the Methodist Church of Great Britain, gave the address. Afterwards everyone was invited to lunch in the hall of Scholes J and I School .

Š

UPPERTHONG

The weekly prayer breakfast was held at the home of the Dawsons. Midweek communion at St John’s Church was conducted by the Rev Di Ellerton, who was also the celebrant. Lunch followed in the meeting room.

Family Eucharist on Sunday was led by the Rev Di Ellerton, who read the gospel, preached the sermon and was the celebrant. The readers were Angela Cole and Bill Brown. Karen Beattie gave prayers and Bill Brown assisted with the chalice. The organist was Ian Greenhalgh. Refreshments were served afterwards by Ruth Schorah.

WOOLDALE

Sunday service at Wooldale Methodist Free Church was led by Mrs Wendy Bower. Her reading was taken from Galatians, chapter five verses 16 to 25, which is talking about the fruits of the spirit. She then gave illustrations on each of the works. Two poems were also read. The hymns were chosen by members of the congregation. Peter Coldwell was the organist.

The Sunday service at the Methodist Church was led by Paul Rand. Nigel Morris was the organist.