GOLCAR
The Golcar Old Folks Treat was held at Golcar Baptist Church on Saturday and 100 people sat down for tea, 33 teas were taken out and there were 14 helpers. Entertainment followed. Barry Fearnley introduced the artists - Richard Cook, Diane Robinson, Norman Mellor and accompanied by Geoff Beaumont. The Sunday service was conducted by Rev Chris Thompson, organist Calinda Stockhill, pianist was Chris Woodhead and the readers were Michelle Thompson and Margaret Woodhead.
The Pennine Singers held a coffee morning in St Johns Church community room on Saturday, April 25. A cake stall, book stall, tombola, craft stall and raffle raised money for Pennine funds.
Canon Martyn Crompton welcomed the congregation at St Johns Church and led a shirt communion service from the Iona liturgy. After a break for refreshments Canon Martyn opened the annual parochial church meeting at which Helen Davis and Jeremy Cuss were re-elected as church wardens. Roger Hanson gave his report as Treasurer and agreed to continue in the role. Canon Martyn spoke of the challengers facing the church with a decline in church numbers and the upkeep of the building. But a very positive thing was the good relationship formed with the local Methodist and Baptist churches. In the electoral role report Ian Crosland reported that 20 new people had joined bringing the total to163. Afterwards the lunch was served in the community room.
At the meeting of the Friendship Group at Golcar Providence Church the Rev Peter Hancock was the speaker, Mrs Barbara Hallas was the chairlady and Sheila Pearson was the pianist. On Sunday morning worship was led by Andrew Marchington and included the annual church meeting. Margaret Israel was the organist.
LINTHWAITE
The Sunday morning service at Christ Church was led by the Rev David Wilding who preached, prayed, celebrated holy communion and gave a blessing. Lessons were read by Cynthia Osborne and Anne Leigh, the organist was Derek Horne. The evening service was led by Margaret McQuillan who also read a lesson and gave a blessing. Anne Leigh preached and prayed and the organist was Rhona Jepson.
The morning Service at Linthwaite Methodist Church was led by Christine Shaw and the theme was How They Met God. Four men from the congregation read accounts of prophets relating to a specific time in their life when they found God - John Morrison read of Jacob’s experience, Henry Tennant of Moses, Ian Baxter was Eli and Graham Hirst read Elijah’s. The new Testament reading was from Luke 23 about Christ on the Cross was read by Lesley Baxter. Linda Nuttall was the organist.
The 196th Sunday School Anniversary will be held on Sunday May 10 at 10.30am, and will led by the Sunday School scholars. The theme is Colour and members of the congregation are invited to wear something brightly coloured.
LONGWOOD
Sung Eucharist at St Mark’s Church, on the 3rd Sunday of Easter was led by Parish Priest Rev Jim Hunt. Guest organist was Ian Greenhalgh. The format was similar to the monthly Family service with the words projected onto the big screen. The young church with their leaders Debbie Yates and Charles Ross were present for the entire service because the Parish Centre was not available for Sunday school due to work being carried out to improve the floor by members of the St Mark’s Players. Jim advised that the Ecumenical Cross had been transferred from Milnsbridge Baptist church to St Mark’s where it will reside for the next three months, before it continues its journey to the other churches who are members of the Lower Colne Valley Churches Together. The buffet lunch for the church AGM, which was provided by Jane Venables, was also in church as was the AGM. which followed the morning service. In place of the sermon, Jim invited everyone to stay for the meeting and gave a series of thanks to everyone for their help during the last year. Intercession prayers were prepared and presented by Margaret Haigh and during Communion Jim was assisted by Pat Jessop as server. The Celtic Blessing concluded the service.
After a short break for refreshments the AGM took place at the front of church. The meeting was chaired by Vicar Jim and in the absence of the church treasurer Phil Turner the financial report was presented by Deputy Warden David Verlander. The secretary for the meeting was the PCC secretary Nikki Gaukroger and the meeting concluded shortly before 2p.m.
The preparation for St Mark’s participation for the Treasures Revealed in Kirklees Festival are well in hand and the church will be open every morning and afternoon from today(Saturday) to Sunday May 10, for people to view the treasures of St Mark’s, which include many unique stained glass windows and furniture. Light refreshments will be available.
MARSDEN
On Saturday in connection with Marsden Cuckoo Day Marsden United Church provided facilities for a craft fair, a fair organ in the car park and a concert by Unity Voices in the church. Church members served refreshments in the church hall during the day. On Sunday morning there was a demonstration of maypole dancing in the church car park which led on to morning worship in church. There was thanksgiving for Cuckoo Day for the all the village activities and for the church’s part in it. The Rev Jo Archer-Siddall led the service which included holy communion. The bible reading was by Brian Cowgill and the organist was Christine Gledhill. Tea and coffee was served afterwards.
MILNSBRIDGE
At Milnsbridge Christadelphians on Sunday evening Mr V Aucott from Nottingham gave a talk on People Jesus Met.
PARKWOOD
A pleasant Wednesday afternoon meeting was held at Parkwood Methodist Church. Guest preacher was the Rev Peter Hancock in the chair Jean Johnson, refreshments were served by Margaret beavers and betty Sykes. Phil McSweeney welcomed the congregation to the 140th anniversary service at Parkwood Methodist Church on Sunday morning, guest preacher Rev Terry Porter from Keighley. Bible readers Mary Rothery and Gareth Beaumont, who also conducted the choir singing an anthem with a saxophone accompaniment by Ann Ivy and the organist was Kenneth Rothery. A faith lunch was held after the service organised by the ladies of the church.
SLAITHWAITE
Slaithwaite Good Companions met last Thursday and had a meat and potatoe pie luncheon provided and served by Margaret Cook and her team, and much appreciated by everyone.
St James’ Parish Church holy communion service was led by the Rev Robin Townsend, assisted by Jeanette Seed, the layreader, lesson was Alison Parkinson, the address was Simon Parkinson and the prayers were done by Patricia Parkinson. Singing was led by the music group and the young people performed a short play and the organist was Alvy Whitehead.
The Methodist Bible Study Group met on Monday evening when the group read Luke 24, the story of the Emmaus Road.
On Tuesday the Women’s Fellowship met with Betty Robshaw in the chair. Beryl Smith was the bible reader, the speaker was Mark Mercer, who told us about the charity REMAP which is a group of retired electrical engineers and other skilled workers, mostly working from their own garages and workshops, who improvise aids that assist disabled children and adults to move more freely, to play games, to garden etc. Referrals are made through Social Services. Thanks were expressed to Mark for a most interesting afternoon on a subject that was new to us all.
On Thursday was the AGM of the Wesley Guild. The Rev Joanne Archer-Siddal was in the chair. Donald Crowther the secretary read the minutes of the previous meeting which were accepted as a true record. The treasurer’s report was given by Wendy Redfearn and all the officials of the various committees were re-elected for a further year. Mrs Barbara Svensguard then gave an informative and fascinating talk on beekeeping. Supper was served by ladies of the literary section and the Guild now takes a rest for the summer.
The church anniversary service was held on Sunday and was led by Mr Peter Hancock. Theme of his sermon being Stones with readers from Peter and Matthew. Wendy Redfearn conducted the choir singing Gods Choir and members enjoyed coffee and biscuits after the service. The organist was Margaret Stephenson.
