CROSLAND MOOR

Members of the Association of Christian Fellowship from St Barnabas’ Church held their monthly meeting in the parish hall.

Leader Sue Tattersley opened the meeting with a prayer and a respectful silence was kept for a member who had recently died, Joan Farrell. Speaker Chris Helme entertained with a slide show of old postcards of Sunny Vale Pleasure Gardens, Hipperholme. These were opened in 1883 by Joseph Bunce and the venue was a very popular place of entertainment until the end of the Second World War. Mr Bunce sold the Pleasure Gardens in 1945, but they gradually lost their popularity when other places became more accessible and people travelled to places like Belle Vue and Blackpool. A vote of thanks was proposed by Andrea Turner, the raffle prize was won by Nora Blackburn and the hostesses for the evening were Janet Haigh and Brenda Whitaker.

GOLCAR

The vicar, the Rev Canon Martyn Crompton welcomed the congregation, including friends from Providence Methodist and Golcar Baptist Churches to the special service of thanksgiving and celebration for his 20 years of ministry at St John’s Church. Readings were by Roger Hanson and Jeremy Cuss and the curate the Rev Brenda Mitchell gave the gospel reading. In his address the Rev Martyn described the events leading to his appointment as vicar, and his ambitions for the future of the parish. He talked about his various experiences in the parish and some of the problems which lay ahead for all churches. On the positive side he was encouraged by the sharing of services, plans and thoughts for the future, which were now a growing element in the relationships with local churches. In her intercession prayers Helen Davis gave thanks for the guidance that the Rev Martyn had shown to the team. To mark the occasion Sunday Club presented the vicar with drawings, balloons and various gifts including a 20-year crown. They also volunteered, amid some laughter, their ideas on what the duties of the vicar entailed. And after commemorative cards had been presented by Sunday Youth, they all led the congregation in their favourite hymn, Come On and Celebrate. Ann Norton was the organist. Following the service a commemorative cake and drinks were served in the community room.

The Rev Brenda Mitchell Kathryn Sykes led a taize service in the evening. Ann Norton played the piano. Afterwards refreshments were served in the community room.

LINTHWAITE

The Rev Jo Archer-Siddall led the morning service at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary on Sunday assisted by members of Linthwaite Methodist Church. Linda Nuttall was pianist.

Philip McSweeney led the family service at Linthwaite Methodist Church. Linda Nuttall was organist and Peter Stead operated the audio visual equipment. Mr McSweeney talked to the children about Favourite Things. Jennifer Baxter read from Psalm 125 and Margaret Moriarty read from James 2. The Rev Jo Archer-Siddall christened brothers Cody-Jack Henry and Shay Jackson, sons of Lindsey and Nicolas Curry of Manchester Road, at Linthwaite Methodist Church.

LONGWOOD

Sung Eucharist, on the thirteenth Sunday morning after Trinity at St Mark’s Church began with a welcome from churchwarden Philip Turner, who explained that because Rev Jim Hunt was in hospital, the service would be conducted by the wardens. Philip also introduced guest organist Ian Greenhalgh and he announced that the restrictions on Communion wine had been lifted. Philip also announced that two members of the church family, Dorothy Collier and Connie Lunn had sadly passed away in the last few days. Linda Barker joined Philip to present the service. Bible readings from Isaiah and James were by Judith Pearson and Olive Houghton. Following the Gospel reading, Linda Barker talked about the various reports about the gathering which preceded the death of Jesus, which was held by Martha and Mary. Intercession prayers were presented by Liz Malafronte. Children from Sunday school, with their Leaders Joan Morton and Debbie Yates joined the service for The Peace. During Communion Linda Barker distributed the consecrated wafers and Pat Jessop served the wine. The service concluded with more announcements from Philip, including reminders about Longwood Festival next weekend and the Family Service conducted by the young church. He also introduced the final Hymn He’s got the whole World in His Hands, following the advice of a recent Celebrant Dean Henry Stapleton, who enjoys hearing happy children singing. Linda Barker closed the Service by reading the Blessing message.

On Sunday afternoon the Rev Brenda Mitchell, from St John’s, Golcar baptised Faith Rose Wright and Henry James Whitwam. Brenda was assisted by Pat Jessop of St Mark’s. The weekly newssheet contained the information about Longwood Festival Weekend from this weekend September 11-13. The Arts festival in The Mechanics Hall was yesterday and today and the St Mark’s family service is on Sunday morning. The 136th Longwood Sing is tomorrow at 2.45pm at Nab End Tower – in St Mark’s church if wet.

MARSDEN

Morning worship on Sunday at Marsden United Church was led by the Rev Jo Archer-Siddal. It was the annual covenant service which included Holy Communion. Two people were welcomed into membership of the church by the Rev Jo, Brian Boothroyd and Peter Hirst. The organist was Christine Gledhill.

Sunday’s Family service at St Bartholomew’s Church was led by the Rev Geoff Clay and organist was James Harker. Reader was J Corpse and sidesmen M Horn, J Ladbrook and J Pennington. Coffee was served and prayers read by members of the Junior Church.

On Wednesday there will be an exciting Battle Of The Organs, featuring James Harker and friends, with music played on the famous Binns organ. Wine and juice will be served in the interval and there will be a retiring collection. CDs will be available later, priced £10.

A Family Ceilidh will be held in the parochial hall on Saturday September 19 from 7-11pm, featuring Enoch’s Hammer. Tickets, priced £7.50, include supper.

Harvest Festival at St Bartholomew’s Church on Sunday September 27 will be in support of the Christian African Relief Trust.

Choral Eucharist at 10am on Sunday September 20 will feature Viern’s Messe Solonelle and Faure’s Cantique de Jean Racine. This will be followed by Choral Evensong at 4pm featuring Stainer’s Hail Gladdening Light, Harker’s Responses from Dyson in D and Balfour-Gardner’s Evening Hymn. For more information: www.organrecitals.com.

MILNSBRIDGE

At the Milnsbridge Christadelphians Midweek Bible Class Mr P Murgatroyd, from Halifax, gave a talk on "The book of the Wilderness" and on Sunday Mr M Smith, from Hull gave a talk on The Next World Empire.

PARKWOOD

A drop in lunch was held on Wednesday at Parkwood Methodist Church organised by Sheila and Robin, menu - roast beef and Yorkshire puddings, potatoes, vegetables, chocolate gateau, syrup sponge, apple and strawberry tart with tea or coffee. Assisted by ladies of the church. Marion Lloyd welcomed the congregation to Parkwood Methodist Church on Sunday morning, when the guest preacher was Mr Stuart Rudd, the steward was Ann Ivy, Bible reader was Gill Ritchie, and organist Kenneth Rothery. Coffee was served after the service by ladies of the church.

On Saturday, September 12, at 4pm, a welcome to Mr David Harris and family at Parkwood Methodist Church with entertainment and a meal.

SLAITHWAITE

Fifteen members of the Methodist Walking Group took part in their ramble on Bank Holiday Monday led by Hilary and Gordon Ellis, the group walked from Westwood Church to Share Hill and Bolster Moor.

Sunday Morning worship at the Methodist Church was led by Deacon Gill Atkinson-Heck of Golcar, who opened the service with verses from Psalm 147. The theme of her sermon was God is Love . Gill read from John 1 and Sandra Dalton from the Gospel of St John. The organist was Margaret Stephenson.

St James’ Parish Church Slaithwaite Mothers’ Union held their annual service where members of other churches in the deanery were welcomed by branch leader Patricia Parkinson. The celebrant for the service was the Rev Mildred Butterworth assisted by Raymond Denton. The Mothers’ Union banner was presented by Jean Clayton. The lesson from Deuteronomy, the great commandment was read by Patricia Parkinson. The Holy Gospel from Matthew was read by Jean Lobley and the address was by the Rev Mildred, with the theme "The values of the Mothers Union and its principles and how we interpret them in our lives". Margaret Ingham, faith and prayer representative, led the prayers, followed by the Mothers’ Union prayer. This was followed by the Eucharist. Hymns and the singing were really joyful, the service uplifting special. The organist was Alvy Whitehead. Afterwards tea was served. The proceeds were for the Mothers Union Overseas.

Slaithwaite Good Companions was introduced by Pauline Ayre. Margaret Laycock was the speaker who entertained the goup with the life of Gracie Fields and playing and singing her well-known songs. She was thanked by Margaret Ingham.

Slaithwaite Mothers’ Union took part in the Wave of Prayer on Friday. This is to prayer for Mothers’ Union members throughout the World and especially the areas where the Wakefield Diocese are linked. They are linked with Uganda, West Africa and Australia.

Sunday service at St James’ Parish Church was led by Robin Townsend and assisted by Raymond Denton. The little one to be christened was Rhys Lewis, son of Nathan Richard and Joanne Claire Gibson. All the children were invited up to watch the naming and then go among the congregation giving the Peace. The address was the Rev Robin on "how God loves us whoever we are, good or bad and whatever colour we are". The lesson was read by Peter Gilbert, prayers by Margaret Ingham and the pianist was Hiroko Townsend. After the coffee break there was a short service of Holy Communion.