CROSLAND MOOR

Members of Crosland Moor Mothers' Union from St Barnabas’ Church, accompanied by friends and husbands enjoyed their annual outing, which this year was to Harewood House and Gardens. There was ample time to walk through the house admiring all the beautiful furniture, pictures and ornaments and to walk in the gardens, including the bird garden and by the side of the lake. Members also enjoyed the splendid views whilst having a cup of tea or coffee on the terrace, on what must have been the most glorious day for weather this year. After spending nearly six hours at Harewood, the party travelled to Harry Ramsden’s for a welcome evening meal. The day was organised by Nancy Jones and Sheila Jaworski and a vote of thanks was expressed by Geoffrey Holdsworth.

Members of the Association of Christian Fellowship from St. Barnabas’ Church and friends, enjoyed the annual car rally. Eight cars were entered and the route covered the Colne Valley area, the final destination being The Great Western Hotel, Standedge, Marsden, where a welcome supper was waiting. The route and clues were devised by Margaret Cooper, Anne and Colin Harris and the winning team was Barbara and Stuart Dickie and Margaret and Peter Cole, who were also drawn to organise next year’s rally.

GOLCAR

The Sunday morning worship at Golcar Providence Church was led by the Rev Pam Ward, whose theme was Join the Team. Baby Ruby, daughter of Rachael and David Sharp was baptised, the lessons were read by Gillian Beever and Sheila Pearson, prayers were by Christine Heeley and the pianist was Winifred Ellis.

The Rev Canon Martyn Crompton led the family communion service at St John’s Church. Richard Lodge gave the gospel reading from Luke 9 versus 51-62 and Martyn followed this up in his sermon by underlining the importance of looking forward and planning ahead rather than dwelling on the negative aspects of life. Helen Dais led the intercession prayers and Ann Norton was the organist. Sunday Youth performed a role play about Elijah and the Widow for Zarephath who gave Elijah food. Sunday Cub talked about their own friends and the friendship of Elijah and Elisha. In the evening Kathryn Sykes led a Taize service.

At Golcar Baptist Church on Saturday breakfast was served followed by prayer as part of the day of prayers throughout the Golcar churches. On Sunday it was the Sunday school anniversary. The service was conducted by the Rev Chris Thompson, the organist was Calinda Stockhill and the pianist was Chris Woodhead. The children enacted the story of Joshua and the destruction of the walls of Jericho. Thanks were expressed to the teachers, Michelle Thompson, Fiona Woodhead and Christine Ader.

LINTHWAITE

Worship at Linthwaite Methodist Church was led by Rev Colin Vere who also celebrated Holy Communion. Before the children went to Sunday School, Rev Colin spoke to them about the Methodist Conference which was being held in Portsmouth, and how our own minister Rev Jo Archer-Siddall would be ordained into the full Methodist ministry. The Sunday School Teacher were Sarah Nuttall, Joanna Ambler, Diane Loftus and Andrea Morley. The reading was from Galatians 5 v 1, 13-25, on which Rev Colin based his sermon ‘Paul looks at the darker side of human behaviour,’ and talked about Paul’s ‘Prediction,’ ‘Plea’ and ‘Promise.’ Margaret Moriarty read part on the Communion celebrant, and Adrian Calverley, Hilary Baxter and John Morrison were communion stewards. Linda Nuttall played the organ and Mairi MacKay operated the Audio Visual equipment.

On Sunday July 4 at 4pm there will be a celebration Service for the Rev Jo Archer-Siddall at Linthwaite Methodist Church to which everyone is invited.

The Sunday morning service at Christ Church was conducted by the Rev Julian Perkins, the lessons were read by Peter Linsell-Frazer and the Rev Jennie Honeyman. The Rev Jennie gave the sermon and led the prayers. The theme for the Junior Church was the feeding of the 5000 and the group leader was Mrs Kim Harrison. Evensong was led by the Rev Julian who also gave the sermon and led the prayers. The lesson was read by Ann Leigh, the organist at both services was Derek Horn. There will be a concert in church on Saturday, July 3, 7.30pm given by Rodney Pearson on piano and Jennie Honeyman, soloist.

LONGWOOD

Sung Eucharist, on the fourth Sunday Morning after Trinity at St Mark’s Church was conducted by Rev Jane Austen, the guest celebrant and former vicar at Meltham. The organist was Philip Turner. Jane proclaimed banns of marriage, for the third time, between Jason Swales and Jane Margaret Williams and Robert Joel Armitage and Nicola Jane Morgan. A small choir comprising Janet Watson and Sue Smith and acolytes Freya Gregory and Emily Jones accompanied the clergy procession, together with server Chris Jones. Readings from the Bible – Kings and Galatians – were by David Verlander and Janet Watson, and were followed by Jane reading the Gospel from St Luke. Moving to the pulpit Jane delivered her sermon. With World Cup football currently in mind she used the subject of balls and their differing construction and compared them to Jesus being at the centre of the ‘Christian Faith Ball’ and able to control the faith and deal with all matters, both good and bad in everyone’s lives. Intercession prayers were prepared and presented by Margaret Haigh and Sunday School children, with Leader Charles Ross joined the service, in time to share The Peace before Communion. The service concluded with the final hymn and Jane giving the blessing.

MARSDEN

Morning worship at the United Church on Sunday was led by Mrs Angela Lawson. Jean Broome gave the bible reading and Marjorie Boothroyd was the organist.

MILNSBRIDGE

At Milnsbridge Christadelphian's midweek Bible class Mr P Simpson from Rochdale gave a talk on Spiritual Senses: Sight. On Sunday evening Mr A Walker form Doncaster gave a talk on Will God punish the Wicked in Hell?.

PARKWOOD

A drop in lunch was held at Parkwood Methodist Church on Wednesday. The menu was beef cobbler, cabbage, cauliflower and potatoes, bread and butter pudding, treacle sponge, apple and strawberry pie, apple and plumb crumble, apple sponge, cream or custard, tea or coffee. It was organised by Pat Battye, assisted by ladies of the church.

Parkwood Scout Group organised the 22nd Annual Golcar Gala on Saturday with entertainment, stalls and fun fair, supporting the Forget-Me-Not Trust.

Phil McSweeney welcomed the congregation to Parkwood Methodist Church on Sunday morning. Parkwood worship team leaders Freda Lloyd, Sandra and Phil McSweeney led the service plus input from Barbara Rushforth. Visual aids were by Joe Lloyd and Ann Ivy, organist was Suzanne Smelt, coffee was served after the service by Ken and Margaret Fairclough and Mary Palmer.

SLAITHWAITE

Slaithwaite Good companions were invited once again to visit to Wilberlee Junior and Infant School to be entertained by the youngsters during the afternoon. The middle years were at the swimming baths, so the little ones performed with songs with actions, much to members’ delight. The older ones played their musical instruments, two clarinets, flute, recorders, and four violins and two saxophones. Wilberlee School is one of the Heights cluster of small schools together with three others, who are putting on a concert at the Lawrence Batley Theatre in two weeks’ time, so the older children performed some of the songs on the theme The Fabulous 50s Fun. Their head teacher Mr Richard Bottom, and his staff, certainly nurture the children in all forms of music and dance. The children then served afternoon tea and cakes and asked about memers’ lives during the 50s. There was then an invitation to look at the newly opened adventure playground. This was partly funded by the Examiner Challenge for Schools. A gloriously sunny afternoon but very windy at this school on the hill. Members were again made so welcome and the children were a joy to meet.

St James’s Parish Church held an Ascot race night on Saturday evening –another event for the members to share in a family event. It was very successful. Ladies in their hats and finery with their partners were welcomed to a champagne reception and an excellent four course meal with racing between the courses. Anthony Gledhill as MC, was very persuasive in getting members to be horse owners and his mum, Dorothy “Claire Baldwin” Gledhill to interview them also added to the fun. Gloria Duckworth, whose idea it was, organised the catering with a band of willing workers, who at the end of the evening were shattered but happy. The youngsters who were waiters and waitresses were outstanding and charming. To the PCC and all their helpers a big thank you. It was an excellent fun evening. The next family event will be a 40s Night with music, songs and dancing to be held in October.

St James Parish Church Holy Communion service was conducted by Rev Robin Townsend, assisted by Jeanette Seed, the layreaders and Raymond Denton. The lesson One King chapter 19, was read by Rev Robin, as well as the Holy Gospel. His address The Jesus Journey, emphasising commitment, courage and the clear call. Prayers led by Jeanette Seed, hymns led by the music group and the organist was Alvi Whitehead.

Women’s Fellowship held their last meeting before the summer break. Pauline Gee was in the chair, read a Helen Steiner-Rise poem on Friendship and led prayers. She introduced a speaker Dr Lisa Colton of Huddersfield University Music Department who spoke of research she had done on words and numbers found on the reverse of a 1684 will of George Dawson of Longwood. A most interesting afternoon about the oldest known music from the Colne Valley and how she solved this musical puzzle and translated the numbers into notes of music.

Sunday morning worship at the Methodist Church was led by David Brook of Crosland Moor. The readings were from Kings 2 by Pauline Gee, from Luke's Gospel by Jennifer Twycross and David read from Paul's Letters to the Galatians. The organist was Shirley Scott. A certificate from the Oak Tree foundation has been presented to the church for their contribution of boxes for the charity.