CROSLAND MOOR
The choir of St. Barnabas’ Church, Crosland Moor gave a concert in church for the benefit of the Church Urban Fund.
The programme consisted of both sacred and secular music and besides choir items, solos and duets were performed, by Elizabeth Jones, Rebekah Haigh, Delores Swift, Ann Wilkes, Joyce Rawlinson, Alan Haigh and the curate the Rev Jenni Honeyman. The choir director was Tim Wilkes, who also accompanied on the piano and keyboard, besides playing piano duets with Kathleen Pratt and also solo pieces. The organist was Geoffrey Hallas, who gave a solo performance as well as accompanying some of the choir items. The compère was John Wilkes senior, the concierge was Malcolm Haigh and refreshments were served during the interval by Joyce Holdsworth, Andrea Rattigan and Ann and David Bradford.
GOLCAR
Sunday service at Golcar Baptist Church was conducted by the Rev Chris Thompson, the organist was Calinda Stockhill and the pianist was Mrs Woodhead. The servers at Communion were Geoff and Anita Ramm. As it was shoebox Sunday the congregation and friends supplied 55 shoeboxes for the East European countries.
The monthly meeting of the Mothers’ Union was held in the community room at St Johns Church on November 10. Leader Dorothy Holden opened the meeting with prayers.A jacket potato and Parkin supper was served by members of the committee, followed by two quizzes organised by Sheila Ribbons.
The Rev Brenda Mitchell led the service at St John’s Church and was the celebrant for the parish communion. Readings were given by Pamela Gillet and Marion Hall. The Rev Canon Martyn Crompton gave the gospel reading and based his address on the readings which called on us to persevere with following the Christian Life. Canon Martyn also led the prayers. Sunday club and Sunday Youth had been discussing how God made each individual different and special and the children were invited to say what qualities they had which made them special. The organist for the service was Ann Norton.
At Golcar Providence Friendship Group the speaker was Joyce Worsfold who spoke about Quiet Gardens. Gillian Beever was the chairlady and Nancy Meadows was the pianist. Alice Illingworth and Pat Smith were the supper ladies. Sunday morning worship was led by Brenda Ellis, lessons were read by Gwen Iredale and Janice Swallow and the organist was Margaret Israel.
LINTHWAITE
Mrs Wendy Blackburn led the service at Linthwaite Methodist Church on Sunday morning. The theme of the service was Taking Steps for Jesus and the children’s address also followed this theme. The Bible readings were Matthew 14 v22-33 and Romans 10 v 5-15 read by Ali Dwyer and Hilary Baxter. Diane Loftus and Andrea Morley led the Sunday School session for young people. Sue Howard operated the audio visual equipment and Mrs Linda Nuttall was the organist. December 22 will see the beginning of Angel Week’ when members of the congregation draw a name of someone to whom they will be ‘an angel’ for the week. It might just be sending a card and greetings or an act of kindness towards that person.
Sunday morning service at Christ Church was led by the Rev Jenny Honeyman who preached, prayed and celebrated Holy Communion and gave a blessing. Lessons were read by Russell Wattam and Margaret McQuillan and the organist was Rhona Jebson. The evening service was led by the Rev Julian Perkins who read lessons and gave the blessing. Margaret McQuillan preached and prayed and the organist was Derek Horne.
LONGWOOD
The Christmas Fayre, last Saturday, raised approximately £1,000 for church funds.
On the second Sunday morning, before Advent, at St Mark’s Church the sung Eucharist was led by guest celebrant the Rev Robin Fletcher. The organist was Philip Turner and the clergy procession was led by Bob Simpson and the choir with Acolytes Hannah and Emily Jones. Bible readings were by Margaret Haigh and Olive Houghton from Daniel and Hebrews. Following the Gospel reading Robin delivered his sermon based on the theme of access to God being available to everyone at all times. Intercession Prayers were prepared and presented by Judith Pearson, after which the young church, with leaders Joan Morton and Charles Ross, from Sunday school in the parish centre, joined the service in time for the sharing of “The Peace”. The server during Communion was Pat Jessop. The service concluded with the recessional Hymn Fight the Good Fight followed by the Blessing by Robin. A meeting will be held, in the parish and community centre, on Wednesday evening, to plan the forthcoming Carols by Candlelight and Christingle” events in church.
MARSDEN
Sunday morning worship at the United Church was led by Mr Hedley Siddall and included Holy Communion. Readings were given by Jean Broome and Barry Biltcliffe and the organist was Christine Gledhill.
Family communion at Marsden St Bartholomew’s Church was led by the Rev G Clay. Pianist and reader was Audrey Armitage, sidemen were K and P Purcell and D Beaumont and coffee was served by N Carr, A Armitage and E Lingard.
There will be a Christmas Fayre at the church next Saturday (November 28) which will be opened at 11am by celebrated Colne Valley poet Simon Armitage, who attended the church in his youth. The fayre will feature lunches provided by the Marsden Parish Church Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society. Other light refreshments will be served throughout the day, a grand raffle and lots of stalls selling home-made cakes, jams and pickles, Usborne books, gifts, crafts, jewellery, Phoenix charity cards and tombola. All will be made welcome.
On Sunday evening a Poppy Appeal Concert featuring the Yorkshire Avalanche Dodgers was held in Marsden British Legion Club. This enjoyable event raised £364.40 for the Poppy Appeal. The St Bartholomew’s Christmas concert featuring Marsden Band and the Colne Valley Male Voice Choir is on Saturday December 19, start 7.30pm. Tickets are now available from church, choir and band members and from Duncan’s Barbers.
MILNSBRIDGE
At Milnsbridge Christadelphian's midweek bible class Mr J Marshall, from Halifax gave a talk entitled Prayer Without Ceasing. On Sunday evening Mr N Smith from Sunderland gave a talk entitled Better the Devil You Know.
PARKWOOD
A drop-in lunch was held at Parkwood Methodist Church on Wednesday. On the menu was chicken and vegetable hot pot with mixed greens, apple pie, syrup sponge and lemon tart, and tea or coffee. It was organised by Freda Lloyd assisted by ladies of the church.
Marion Lloyd welcomed the congregation to Parkwood Methodist Church on Sunday morning, Worship leaders were Freda Lloyd and Sandra McSweeney, assisted by drama readings around the table by Gareth Beaumont as Zacchaeus; Robin Whitam, Simon the Leper; Mary Rothery, Mother of Jesus; Barbara Rushforth, Mary Magdalen and Joe Lloyd as Judas. The pianist was Rhianydd. Coffee was served after the service by Gill Ritchie and helpers.
On Sunday, November 22 at 6.15pm at Parkwood Methodist Church there will be a performance of the Messiah.
SLAITHWAITE
At Slaithwaite Good Companions on Thursday, Hilary Ellis led the afternoon which was a coffee afternoon and Bring-and-Buy sale. The secretary was Maureen Weaving and she entertained with humorous poems, and the 90th birthday of Madge Joy with birthday cake and good wishes. Madge said perhaps she should use a walking stick now but had second thoughts about it. The results of the Bring and Buy sale were donated to the Leprosy Mission.
St James Parish Church Holy Communion Service was led by the Rev Robin Townsend, assisted by Raymond Denton, the lesson was read by Peter Gilbert, the address was given by Heather Croft, using the gospel of St Mark’s Chapter 13. Prayers were led by the Rev Robin and children from the Sunday School narrated and told us of their morning studies. The music group led the singing, the pianist was Hiroko Townsend and the organist was Alvy Whitehead.
Sunday worship at the Methodist Church was led by the Rev Jo Archer Siddal who asked the congregation Who are You? Psalm 16 was read by Betty Robshaw and the organist was Shirley Scott. On Monday evening, members enjoyed the film Miss Austin Regrets. The evening had been arranged by Jennifer Twycross.
Women’s Fellowship met on Tuesday afternoon. Bessie Whitwam who was in the chair, read a Helen Stiener-Rice poem and led prayers. The speaker was Mrs Jean Barrowclough whose talk was entitled Time For Change. Birthday greetings were sung for two members, Margaret and Bessie, and tea and cakes were served.
On Wednesday morning friends from the Colne Valley churches attended the November Ecumenical service at the Methodist Church. It was led by the Rev Jo Archer-Siddal and the pianist was the Rev Mike Smith. Coffee and fellowship was then enjoyed after the service.
