GOLCAR

At the Baptist Church the Tuesday Forum had an interesting afternoon listening to Mr and Mrs Stuart Coulpan talking about their visit to China, illustrated with a video. The chairlady was Olga Whitehead and tea hostesses were Margaret Whitwam and Eva Watkins. The Sunday service was conducted by the Rev Chris Thompson, organist was Calinda Stockhill, the pianist was Chris Woodhead, and the reader was Enid Cowley.

The speaker at Golcar Providence Church Friendship Group was Shirley Longwood whose subject was a new beginning. Gwen Iredale was the chairlady, Nancy Meadows was the pianist, and the supper ladies were Shena Day and Margaret Lockwood. The Sunday morning worship included communion and was led by the Rev Cyril Blount who spoke about Aldersgate Sunday and Margaret Israel was the organist.

The Rev Brenda Mitchell led the family communion service at St John’s Church. The Gospel reading was given by Margaret Henry, titled “Jesus Prays for his Disciples”, on which Cannon Martin Crompton based his sermon. Cannon Martin and Jiny also spoke about the pleasure of officially opening “Lily House” a home for the doctor attached to the dispensary and school at Issenye Mara which the church is helping to fund. Helen Davies led inter-session prayers, celebrating ascension day Sunday Club let a large helium filled balloon into the sky and had a treasure hunt, and Sunday Youth had a quiz about the disciples. Ann Norton was the organist and Helen Davies played the guitar. There will be no 10am service at St John’s on May 31, as we will join with Golcar Baptist at Providence Methodist Church for a joint Pentecost service at 10.30am.

LINTHWAITE

A joint service with the Colne Valley Churches was held on Ascension Day at Christ Church, and the service was led by the rural Dean Martyn Crompton who celebrated Holy Communion and gave a blessing. Lessons were read by Rev Jenni Honeyman, Margaret McQuillan, and Ian Blakeley, who also preached and prayed. On Sunday morning the service was led by Rev Anna Wallace, who also celebrated Holy Communion and gave a blessing, lessons were read by Michael Hunter, Margaret McQuillan, Rev Jenni Honeyman, who also preached and prayed. The organist was Derek Horne. Evening service was led by Rev Jenni Honeyman who preached and prayed and gave a blessing, lessons were read by Margaret McQuillan, and Derek Horne and the organist was Rhona Jepson.

LONGWOOD

St Mark’s Church sung Eucharist on Sunday morning, was led by guest celebrant Dean Henry Stapleton. The organist was Philip Turner with the ladies of the choir. Bible readings were by Janet Watson from Acts and Linda Barker who read from John. For his sermon Dean Henry chose the subject of Baptisms, recalling his own at St Matthias church near Earls Court. He then told of his visit to Westminster Abbey for Ascension Service last Thursday, and mentioning the fact that two of his grandsons are choristers there. The atmosphere and the music confirmed his faith, he said. Following The Creed, intercession prayers were presented by Judith Pearson. The young church, with their leaders Joan Morton, Debbie Yates and Charles Ross, joined the service before Communion. The service concluded with Dean Henry giving the Blessing. Notices included requests for helpers for the Mamma Mia nights, in June and bottles for the Mothers Union stall to Pat Jessop or Olive Houghton.

Forthcoming events in the district include Longwood Village Group coffee morning at the Mechanics on Saturday June 6 and St Mark’s Church trip to Llandudno on June 15, Golcar Gala on the 27th and Churches Together quiet day on the 20th June.

MARSDEN

A pre-blessed communion was led by Joan Biggs and Geoff Holdroyd, at St Bartholomew’s Church, the reader was Carolyn Hamson, prayers by Graham Benn, side-persons were D and E Ackroyd, and A Armitage, coffee was served by Junior Church. On June 18, a Royal Ascot Ladies Day will be held at the Hey Green Hotel, Marsden. Tickets £35, from hot line 07826273960, reception 12noon, buffet lunch, full afternoion tea, big screen tv, auction and prizes for best dressed ladies and others.

Morning worship on Sunday was led by the Rev Mike Smith, the readers were Marjorie and Brian Boothroyd, the organist was Christine Gledhill.

PARKWOOD

A coffee day with bring and buy stall was held on Wednesday at the home of Jean and Clifford Johnson and raised £115 for Christian Aid. Marion Lloyd welcomed the congregation to Parkwood Methodist Church on Sunday morning. Guest preacher Mrs Jean Barrowclough, readers Sheila Swain and Jean Johnson, prayers of intercession Sandra McSweeey. The choir sang the anthem God So Loved the World conducted by Gareth Beaumont, organist Kenneth Rothery, coffee was served after the service by Audrey Holdsworth and Muriel Ferrary.

SLAITHWAITE

Slaithwaite Good Companions met on Thursday when Joan Dransfield introduced the speaker, the Rev Cannon John Sykes who brought photographs and told the group of his time as chaplain to the Queen and his duties in this capacity. He was thanked by Joan Dransfield. The pianist was Maureen Weaving. On Sunday at St James’ Parish Church a Holy Communion service was held led by the Rev Robin Townsend, assisted by Raymond Denton who also read the lesson. The address was by the Rev Robin who later took the prayers.

Children of the Sunday School told the Good Companions of their activities, the music group led the singing, pianist was Hiroko Townsend, and the organist was Alvy Whitehead.

Pauline Gee was in the chair for the Methodist Women's Fellowship meeting on Tuesday, led prayers and gave the reading. She introduced the speaker, Mr Ian Kelly of Linthwaite, who gave a talk on St Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, who was born in the fourth century BC, a British born Christian missionary. At the age of 14 he was enslaved by Irish raiders for seven years and Ian illustrated his talk with slides. Once again he gave a most interesting talk on St Patrick’s life.

The May WI meeting was held in the community centre on Wednesday evening. President Gill Walker was in the chair.

The speaker was Paul Webley, who gave a slide presentation and talk on the ancient art of dry stone walling. He explained the different styles of walling and showed slides of walls that he had built in various places in this country, in the USA and Australia. A most informative evening. The competition for an African artifact was won by Jan Webley. The monthly Eucomenical service for the Colne Valley Churches was held at Holy Family Church and was led by Fr Andrew Phillips. The service took the form of a reading from Luke on the Annunciation and Meditation on the Virgin Mary. Sunday worship at the Methodist Church was led by Wendy Blackburn, her theme being Stepping out for Jesus, the gospel readings were from Matthew by Sandra Dalton and from Romans by Maureen Weaving. The organist was Wendy Redfearn.