GOLCAR

The Rev Canon Martyn Crompton welcomed the congregation at St Johns Church, gave the gospel reading and led a short said communion service. The service was followed by a parish meeting at which a proposed “transformation plan” for the church involving developments in partnership with churches in Golcar and with other churches in the Colne Valley were outlined. The congregation then divided into small groups to discuss this plan which would involve greater lay participation, closer relationships and sharing of resources. The comments and ideas from groups were then shared for further consideration. At a welcome service in the afternoon Canon Martyn baptised Amy Grace Calpin. In the evening a taize service was led by the Rev Brenda Mitchell and Kathryn Sykes. Ann Norton was the pianist.

The ladies forum met and the chair was taken by Connie Pearson. The speaker was Mrs Biltcliffe who showed her screen depicting scenes from the Bible which she had made and her husband had framed as a therapy when her husband was in a deep depression. The tea hostesses were Margaret Edgar and Mary Sykes. Sunday service was conducted by Mr Frank Burhouse, the organist was Calinda Stockhill and the reading was by Mr Geoff Ramm.

At Golcar Provident Church, Sunday morning worship was led by Raymond Brook, lessons were read by Christine Healey and Nancy Meadows and Margaret Israel was the organist.

LINTHWAITE

The morning Service at Linthwaite Methodist Church was led by Mrs Christine Shaw from Longwood, Rodney Pearson was the organist and Peter Stead operated the Audio Visual equipment. Mrs Shaw talked to the children about the being special inside and showed them a wonderful example of an ammonite to demonstrate this. They then left the church to go to Sunday school with their teacher, Diane Loftus. Margaret and Henry Tennant read the lessons to a small congregation, many of the usual congregation being on a group holiday in Torquay. Mrs Shaw preached the sermon about blind Bartimaeus being healed by Jesus. The Haydn Wood Music Festival will be held at Linthwaite Methodist Church Centre from Thursday November 5 to Saturday 7. The Recital Class will be on Thursday 5th at 7pm and would welcome an audience to listen to the talented young performers. All the classes are open to the public for a nominal charge.

Morning service at Christ Church was led by the Rev Jennie Honeyman who celebrated Holy Communion and gave a blessing. Lessons were read by Sheila Bottomley and Margaret McQuillan. The Rev Julian Perkins preached and prayed and the organist was Derek Horn. The evening service was led by the Rev Jennie Honeyman who preached, prayed and gave a blessing. Lessons were read by Margaret McQuillan and Derek Horn. Organist was Rhona Jepson.

LONGWOOD

Parkwood Methodist Church is a member of a group of 21 local Methodist churches currently making plans for forthcoming inevitable changes in worship. Called A way forward for Mission it is a plan for the future when a new Huddersfield circuit will come into being on September 1 2011. Community events, including Longwood Village Group Coffee at the Mechanics, Saturday November 7. PWA on November 4 “India” with Pat and Harry and on November 18 Edible Novelties, Sheila Armitage. November 8 Remembrance Service led by Arthur Preston and receiving of the Ecumenical Cross. A Craft Fair, on Saturday November 21, and on Sunday November 22 Parkwood Messiah at 6.15pm.

Bible Sunday morning Sung Eucharist, at St Mark’s Church was conducted by guest celebrant the Rev John Capstick, from the upper Holme Valley. The organist was Philip Turner. The clergy procession was led by Bob Simpson, the choir and the acolytes Hannah and Emily Jones and server Chris Jones. John introduced himself, on this his first visit to “this beautiful church”, after so many years in the area. Bible readings from Jeremiah and Hebrews were read by Linda Barker and Dorothy Heads. Following the Gospel reading, instead of the sermon, John handed over to parochial church councillor David Verlander who talked about the Parish Plan for the next five years which is about to be submitted to the Bishop in Wakefield. This plan is to be the guide for our church to accommodate many inevitable changes to the way of worship and possibly clergy. How churchgoers become more involved with the community and how members might work more closely with other churches, particularly with other local clergy and worshippers. It was designed to encourage more people to become involved and help to make the church family grow. The young church, with Leaders Joan Morton and Debbie Yates were welcomed to join the service for The Peace, by John, who then continued with Communion before concluding the service with the Blessing. An innovation, at this service was a flip-chart at the church door displaying the notices which included an update on parish priest the Rev Jim Hunt, who is to receive more tests at LGI shortly, which will hopefully lead to him returning to duty in the not-too-distant future. Other information was about our guest celebrant and a reminder for donations for the Christmas Fayre on Saturday November 14. The current issue of the church magazine includes a request for donations and names for memorial candles to be sent to Mrs Carol Hunt at the Vicarage. The Carols by Candlelight Service is on December 18 at 7pm Everybody is welcome to go along and enjoy mulled wine and mince pies.

MARSDEN

Sunday morning worship at the United Church was led by the Rev Mike Smith and Peter Hirst and Barry Biltcliffe gave readings from the Bible. Chris Cook was the organist.

At St Bartholomew's Church the service was led by the Rev G Clay and J Biggs. Organist and reader was D Brooke. The sidesmen were M Horn, J Ladbrook and J Pennington, and coffee was served by P Burgess, E Laidlow and G Ward.

Marsden Royal British Legion will present Avalanche Dodgers in concert at the Royal British Legion on Sunday, November 15 (8pm). Tickets priced £3, include supper and are available from Duncan's Hairdressers, Warehouse Hill, Marsden, and from the British Legion. All proceeds go to the Poppy Appeal Fund.

There will be a 40’s Night with Dewsbury Sing Band at Parochial Hall on Saturday, November 7 from 8pm. Tickets are £7.50 from Duncan's Hairdressers (shop hours only).

The Christmas Fair is in the Parochial Hall (behind Parish Church) on Saturday, November 28, opening at 11am by Simon Armitage. Lunches, raffle and other stalls.

MILNSBRIDGE

At Milnsbridge Christadelphian's on Sunday there was a friends and family day and a talk was given by Mr M Smith from Birmingham on The Bible is Not a Temporary Fix. This was followed by lunch.

PARKWOOD

A pleasant Wednesday afternoon meeting was held at Parkwood Methodist Church. Guest speaker Marion Lloyd spoke about a visit to Singapore. In the chair was Jean Johnson, the pianist was Kenneth Rothery and refreshments were served by Betty Sykes and Barbara Beevers. Marion Lloyd welcomed the congregation to Parkwood Methodist Church on Sunday morning. Worship leaders were Barbara Rushforth, Freda Lloyd and Sandra McSweeney. Also Jack Hayden Rothery, son of Liam and Sarah was christened by the Rev Pamela Ward assisted by church life co-ordinator David Harris. Organist was Kenneth Rothery and visual aids by Joe Lloyd. Coffee was served after the service by church ladies.