BROCKHOLES

A united service was held by members of St George’s Church and the Methodist Church on Sunday. The service at the Methodist Church was led by the Rev Tim Moore. The readers were Mrs Rosalind Watt, Mrs Kate Drake, Mr Paul Grant and Mrs Jan Gaunt. The organist was Mr Robert Booth.

HEPWORTH

The annual Burns Supper, organised by Hepworth Church, was held in the village hall last Saturday when 62 diners enjoyed the traditional meal which was cooked and served by Janine and Kathryn of J K Catering of Holmfirth. The master of ceremonies was John Blunden, the Selkirk Grace was said by Jim Selkirk, and Chris Gardner gave the toast to the Immortal Memory of Robert Burns. The toast to the lassies was given by Mike Bancroft and the evening ended with the singing of Auld Lang Syne.

The Rev Keith Griffin celebrated parish Eucharist at Hepworth Church on Sunday morning. The reader was Richard Southam, prayers were led by Stella Southam and the organist was Jane Robertson.

Hepworth Church meeting room was the venue for the Mothers Union annual meeting on Tuesday. The meeting was chaired by Doreen Glover and reports were given by Maureen Buckley, secretary and Barbara Goldthorpe, treasurer. The meeting was preceded by a faith lunch.

HOLMBRIDGE

Midweek communion at St David’s Church was conducted by the Rev Geoff Bamforth. The service was followed by meetings of the Monkey Business group, the free lunch and over 60s club. Ian Gold led Friday prayers.

Parish Eucharist at St David’s Church was led by the Rev Nick Heaton when Sally Darley read the lesson. Intercessions were led by the Rev Geoff Bamforth and the chalice was administered by Helen Woods. The organist was Eddie Purcell.

HOLMFIRTH

Holy Communion to celebrate the third Sunday of Epiphany was led at Holy Trinity Church by the Rev Val Clarke who also led the intercessions. Diane Whitford read the lesson from Revelation and the vicar Rev Keith Griffin read the gospel from St John on which he based his sermon. Linda Smithers assisted with the chalice, sidesmen were Raymond and Susan Steel and Alan and Vicki Winpenny served coffee after the service. The Sound of Music singalong takes place on Saturday afternoon, beginning at 2pm and tickets are still available price £4 for adults £2 for children under 16. There will be no service at Holy Trinity next Sunday as the Team Anniversary Service will be taking place at New Mill, starting at the earlier time of 10am. All welcome.

HONLEY

Members of the Probus Club observed a silence in memory of senior member Jack Littlewood, who died recently. Club member Peter Marshall presented an excellent slideshow consisting of photographs of Honley from the archives of the Honley Civic Society. His commentary focused on changes which have taken place in the village – many during the lives of club members. Jim Taylor proposed the vote of thanks.

Parish Eucharist at St Mary’s Church was celebrated by Dean Henry Stapleton. Pat Dransfield read the lesson and intercessions were led by Huw Griffiths. Jean Chadwick was the organist.

SCHOLES

On Sunday the congregation at the Methodist Church were welcomed at the door by Michelle Booth and Phillip Horn. The organist was Barbara Horn and coffee and biscuits were served after the service by Rodger and Hillary Deakin. The reader was Margaret Thompson who read the bible passages from Mark 1, verses 14-20 and Jonah 3, verses 1-5 and 10. The preacher was Barbara Rochester.

UPPERTHONG

The Tuesday early morning prayer breakfast was held at the home of the Dawsons.

Holy Communion on Thursday at St John’s Church was conducted by the Rev Val Clarke, who was also celebrant. Lunch followed in the meeting room.

Family communion at St John’s Church was led by the Rev Di Ellerton, who preached the sermon and was celebrant. Les Hopkins was the reader and Sarah Drummond gave the gospel reading. Prayers were led by Ray Thompson, who also assisted with the chalice. Peter Travis was the organist. Refreshments were served afterwards by Hilary Roberts.

WOOLDALE

The service at Wooldale Methodist Free Church on Sunday was led by Mrs Margaret Tinker, who took her theme from Jonah and the whale, describing the whale eating Jonah then spitting him out. The reading was from Jonah chapter one verses 1 to the end. Two different prayers were read – one praying for the people we don’t like and the other for people that we do – both explaining that God loves us whatever, so we should love one another even the people that we don’t get on with so well. The organist was Mr Peter Coldwell.

Morning worship at the Methodist Church was led by Paul Joseph, assisted by Brian Williams. The organist was Nigel Morris and refreshments were served afterwards.

Members of the monthly women’s fellowship belatedly held their Christmas party.