GOLCAR
The speaker at the Golcar Providence Friendship Group was the Rev Pam Ward who spoke about Love. Nancy Meadows was the chairlady, Sheila Pearson was the pianist and the supper ladies were Barbara Armitage and Gillian Beever. The Men’s Fellowship arranged a beetle drive in the schoolroom. There were 15 tables and the MC was Ian Day, and later a pancake supper was served. On Sunday a Valentine’s service was led by the Rev Pam Ward. Stewart Coupland read the lesson, the organist was Margaret Israel and a special Valentine’s cake was made by Gillian Beever and was cut up and served with coffee after the service.
On Valentine’s Day Helen Walinski-Kiehl led the service at St John’s Church which was based on the theme of love. Pat Hanson gave the reading from John, Chapter 2 verses 1-11 about the wedding in Kana. The children from Sunday Club gave their own version of the wedding scene. Helen Walinski-Kiehl talked about the many factors about building a successful married life together and Canon Martyn Crompton led a renewal of marriage vows for couples who had been married in recent years at St John’s. Ann Norton was the pianist. In the afternoon Cannon Martyn Crompton led a service of thanksgiving for the birth of Josephine Mae Faulkner.
The Sunday service at Golcar Baptist Church conducted by the Rev Chris Thomson was Songs of Praise with Golcar Band under their conductor Ron Holt.
LINTHWAITE
Morning service at Christ Church, Linthwaite, was led by the Rev Julian Perkins, who also celebrated Holy Communion and gave a blessing. Lessons were read by Russell Wattam and Margaret McQuillan. Anne Leigh preached on national marriage week and prayers were led by members of the Mother’s Union, Margaret Roberts, Dorothy Haley, Joan Bedford, Sheila Bottomley and Cynthia Osborne, the organist was Rhona Jepson. The evening service was led by the Rev Julian Perkins who preached, prayed and gave a blessing. Lessons were read by Margaret McQuillan and Ann Leigh and the organist was Derek Horne.
Rev Jo Archer-Siddall led all age worship at Linthwaite Methodist Church and the theme was based on John 3:16 – ‘For God so loved the World’ as it was Valentine’s day. Rev Jo talked about the past whilst looking to the future. The organist was Linda Nuttall and Peter Stead operated the audio visual equipment. Coffee and biscuits were served after the service.
At the Annual General Meeting of the Christ Church Linthwaite Mothers’ Union, chaired by the vicar, Rev Julian Perkins, Ann Leigh reported on the year’s activities, including the very successful holiday in Berwick on Tweed when members joined in the Provincial pilgrimage to Holy Island. Dorothy Sykes presented a financial report and Ann welcomed Dorothy Haley who is taking over as Branch Leader.ŠThe committee for the coming year will be Dorothy Haley (branch leader), Dorothy Sykes (treasurer), Ann Leigh (secretary), Christine Hyde, Jean Chaplin and Joan Bedford.
LONGWOOD
Temporary Parish Priest Rev Tina Turner led her first Family Service at St Mark’s Church, on the morning of St Valentine’s Day. In her greeting Tina explained that the theme of the Service was to be Love. In front of a fair-sized congregation, which included several new faces and Sunday school children with their leaders Joan Morton, Debbie Yates and Charles Ross, the service began with Philip Turner, his musicians and choir singing Come Now Is The Time To Worship. The church was decorated with red hearts and red tea lights. The gradual hymn Love Is Like A Circle to the tune of Puff The Magic Dragon was led by the children, Samantha, Rosie, Grace, Lotti and Steven with appropriate actions. The Gospel was read by Linda Barker and was followed by an excerpt from the film Love Actually, narrated by Hugh Grant on the big screen on which the order of service – a power point presentation by Nikki Gaukroger – also appeared. Before her talk Tina thanked the young church for making folded paper flower petals, on the theme of I Know God Loves Me. The children placed the petals in a bath of water in the centre aisle, during which Tina read the prayers contained in the petals, which opened in the bath for people to see on the way to Communion later. Tina presented her talk which was based on Love and in which she explained that Love (God) was always around and with us. This was followed with everyone reading the Transforming Lives Prayer. Sharing The Peace and Communion, with Pat Jessop as server came next and the final hymn –Shine Jesus Shine brought the service to a close with the group singing the Celtic Blessing whilst Tina led the children to the west end of church where everyone enjoyed a light lunch and refreshments, provided by some of the church ladies.
MARSDEN
Sunday morning worship at the United Church, Marsden was led by the Rev Mike Smith. He read twice from St Mark, using his own recently-published translation of the Gospel. This is an easy-to-read version with his own commentary. He spoke to the children on one reading and preached on the other after the children had left for Junior Church. Chris Cook was the organist. A service of Holy Communion was led by the Rev Geoff Clay at St Bartholomew’s Church and he also preached the sermon. The first lesson was read by Alison Gibson. Organist was Dennis Brook and sidesmen were Graham Benn and David Fisher. Junior Church was held in the vicarage and there was no coffee served as the hall is in use this week for the Avalance Dodgers’ pantomime. Work for the children was based on a gospel reading from Luke (chapter nine verses 28-36), which describes Jesus on the mountain with Peter, John and James when his countenance changes and his raiment becomes dazzling white. There was a service in church on Tuesday at 9.30am and on Ash Wednesday for the Imposition of Ashes. Lent House Groups start on Tuesday February 23 at 7.30pm in the vicarage.
The church is sorry to be losing the Rev Geoff Clay, as he is soon to move to another parish. His last service at Marsden will be on Mothering Sunday March 14 at 9.30am and there will be a farewell party in the hall on Friday March 12 – all welcome. There will be a faith supper and everyone should bring their own drink.
MILNSBRIDGE
Milnsbridge Christadelphians’ midweek Bible Class was led by Mr R Eglen from Halifax and his subject The Rich Man and Lazarus. Sunday evening Mr K Waterhouse of Milnsbridge and his subject Evidence from God’s Word.
PARKWOOD
A pleasant Wednesday afternoon meeting was held at Parkwood Methodist Church. Guest speaker was Mrs Lorna McDonald, on dancing days. In the chair was Jean Johnson, pianist was Kenneth Rothery, refreshments were served by Betty Sykes and Barbara Beevers. Marion Lloyd welcomed the congregation to Parkwood Methodist Church on Sunday morning. Guest preacher was Mrs Christine Shaw, assisted by Freda Lloyd, readers were Mary Rothery and Reene Wyatt, organist was Kenneth Rothery, coffee was served after the service by Pat and Albert Battye.
SLAITHWAITE
Slaithwaite Good Companions met on Thursday when a bright sunny day brought 26 members to an afternoon quiz in three parts, organised by Maureen Weaving. She was thanked by Patricia Parkinson, Maureen was also the pianist.
St James’ Parish Church Holy Communion service was held on Sunday, led by the Rev Robin Townsend, assisted by Jeanette Seed, the lay reader, and Raymond Denton. The congregation were all given St Valentine’s Day cards. The lesson was read by Elaine Bradley, the gospel by Simon Parkinson, who also gave the address, using first Corinthians Chapter 13, on Love. Prayers by the Rev Robin. Children of the Sunday School using the same theme writing prayers on heart shaped cards and singing a song about love. The music group led the singing, on piano was Hiroko Townsend, and the organist was Alvi Whitehead.
The literary section of Slaithwaite Wesley Guild were in charge of the meeting last Thursday evening. Donald Crowther led the opening devotions and introduced the speaker Professor Steve Carter of Leeds University. Hope at the Bottom of the Pyramids was the title of his talk which gave an insight into educational partnerships taking place in Africa and the hope for growth in the future as the knowledge is passed on.
Mr Arthur Preston led Sunday worship at Slaithwaite Methodist Church. The theme of his sermon was Mountain Top Experiences and included a reading from Exodus by Beryl Smith from II Corinthians by Bessie Whitwam and from St Luke’s Gospel by Steve Perkins. The organist was Roger Mitchell.
