CROSLAND MOOR

Members of the Association of Christian Fellowship from St. Barnabas’ Church met in the Parish Hall for their annual meeting. The vicar, the Rev Julian Perkins, chaired the meeting and opened it with prayers. Reports were given of the past year’s business and activities by leader Susan Tattersley, secretary Kathleen Pratt and treasurer Pauline Martyn. Following elections and re-elections the officers and committee now comprise: leader Susan Tattersley, secretary Kathleen Pratt, treasurer Elaine Broadley, committee members Barbara Dickie, Jo Wilkes and Janet Haigh, Outreach and Action Committee representative Elaine Broadley and the Sunday refreshment's team Margaret Sigsworth, Jo Wilkes and Brenda Whitaker. Donations to the church, the Haiti Appeal, the Air Ambulance and Kirkwood Hospice were approved .The meeting was closed with prayers by Julian, after which a supper of pie and peas was served by the hostesses Margaret Sweeting and Deb Sizer.

GOLCAR

The Sunday service at Golcar Baptist was conducted by the Rev Chris Thompson, the organist was Calinda Stockhill, pianist and reader was Chris Woodhead, and the service included the Sunday School prizegiving. Prizes were presented by Christine Ader.

The All Age Worship service at Golcar Providence Church was led by the Rev Jo Archer-Siddal. Prayers were said and a moment’s silence observed in memory of Graham Shaw who was killed in Afghanistan. Margaret Israel was the organist.

The Rev Brenda Mitchell led the parish communion service at St John’s Church on Sunday and was the celebrant for Holy Communion. Canon Martyn Crompton gave the gospel reading and the address. Readings were given by Roger Hanson and Helen Davis and the intercession prayers were led by Sylvia Hanson. The Sunday Club had been hearing about angels and cherubims and had produced a colourful picture of how they imagined a cherubim might look. Rebecca Hayward was presented with a certificate to mark her recent confirmation. Ann Norton was the organist.

LINTHWAITE

Morning service at Linthwaite Methodist Church was led by Deacon Gill Atkinson-Heck. Gill’s theme for the day was Breaking Of Bread and she spoke to the children about how Jesus shared the bread. The children then took sweet bread out to all the congregation which was in days of yore part of the Love Feast as celebrated by the founder of Methodism Charles Wesley. The children then left to go to Sunday School with their leaders, Ed Archer-Siddall, Diane Loftus, Andrea Morley and Joanna Amber. Graham Hirst read from 1 Corinthians 11 verses 17-34. Deacon Atkinson-Heck then referred to the two Sacraments in the Methodist Church – Communion and Baptism and went on to explain the meanings of the tradition of taking Holy Communion. Linda Nuttall was the organist and Peter Stead operated the audio visual equipment.

The Thursday Fellowship met last Thursday and the speaker was Donald Woolley who spoke about the Mission Aviation Fellowship. The next meeting will be held next Thursday at 2.30pm at Linthwaite Methodist Church and the speaker will be Raymond Brook. His talk is entitled To be a Farmers Boy! This meeting is open to everyone who would like to attend.

The annual Linthwaite Old Folks’ Treat will be on Saturday March 6 and is open to all aged 65 and over who live in the treat boundary. Invitations have been sent out and any eligible person who has not received one but would like to attend is requested to contact Mairi MacKay on 01484-852300.

At Christ Church an all-age service was led by the Rev Jenni Honeyman and Ian Blakeley preached and prayed. The lessons were read by David Hyde. The pianist was Catherine Longbottom. The evening service was read by the Rev Julian Perkins and the Rev Jenni Honeyman preached and prayed. Lessons were read by Margaret McQuillan and Ann Leigh and the organist was Derek Horne. Refreshments were served after the evening service when a presentation had been made to the Rev David Wilding in recognition of help during two interregnums and the Rev Perkins’ illness.

LONGWOOD

Sung Eucharist on the second Sunday before Lent at St Mark’s Church was led by the Rev Tina Turner. The organist was Philip Turner. The singing was led by the choir, who together with the vicar and server David Verlander formed the clergy procession. Following the introit hymn Praise My Soul and opening prayers, Bible readings from Genesis and Revelations were by David Verlander and Margaret Haigh. After reading the Gospel, which this week was from Luke, Tina presented her sermon. Based on a stormy boat trip on the sea of Galilee – which is a lake – she said it reminded her of a similar trip by Jesus. Tina said there were times when we all might suffer feelings of fear. On one occasion when driving her three children in a car down a steep hill in the snow, she became alarmed and actually cried out to God for help. Her neighbours appeared alongside and helped her come to terms with the situation at a time when she was really afraid. Tina said such things happen to us all and we should remember that Jesus is always to hand when needed. Following the creed, Liz Malafronte presented intercession prayers. The young church, with leader Joan Morton, were welcomed by Tina in time to share The Peace and Rosie, Grace and Caitlin explained what they had been doing in Sunday school. The celebration of Communion took place before the final hymn Angel Voices Ever Singing brought the service to a close. Before the blessing, Tina reminded the congregation that the Family Service next Sunday for Valentine’s Day would have the theme of Love. All are welcome at 10.30 am. Following this service drinks, sandwiches and cakes will be served in church.

A series of Lent Lunches will be held in the Parish and Community Centre on the following Sundays, after the services – February 21, March 7 and March 21. All will be made welcome.

MARSDEN

Morning worship on Sunday at the United Church, Marsden was led by Mrs Judith Robinson. The Bible readings were by Norman Dias and Bryan Cowgill. Jean Cowgill played the organ.

Family service at St Bartholomew’s Church was led by the Rev Geoff Clay. During the service the baptism took place of Oscar, the baby son of Victoria and Robert. Many friends and family members attended. The theme of the service was Fishers Of Men. Music was provided by Simon Crook at the organ and the Music Group, accompanied by the children with percussion instruments. The lesson was read by Joyce Pogson and sidesmen were Mary Horn, Jean Pennington and Joan Ladbrooke. Afterwards coffee was served in the hall by the Junior Church and parents. A service of Holy Communion was then held in the Lady Chapel in church.

On Ash Wednesday (February 17) a service will be held in church at 7.30pm. Every Tuesday at 9.30am there is a short service in the Lady Chapel.

MILNSBRIDGE

Milnsbridge Christadelphians midweek Bible class was led by Mr J Walker from Milnsbridge on a discussion of the Bible readings for the day. On Sunday evening Mr F Bhatoy from Halifax gave a talk entitled The Day the Devil was Killed.

PARKWOOD

Marion Lloyd welcomed the congregation to Parkwood Methodist Church on Sunday morning. The guest preacher was Mr Adrian Burton, assisted by Joe Lloyd and Phil McSweeney. The readers were Anne Ivy and Janet Oakley. The organist was Kenneth Rothery, coffee was served after the service by Mary Rothery and Jean Johnson.

A community breakfast will be held at Parkwood Methodist Church next Saturday, February 20, 9am-12noon.

SLAITHWAITE

The Slaithwaite Good Companions met on Thursday, introduced by Pauline Ayre the speaker was Mary Sykes who entertained with a series of poems and tales, thanked by Hilda Haigh. Pauline was also the pianist.

The Sunday family service and baptism at St James’ Church was led by the Rev Robin Townsend, assisted by Raymond Denton. The little one to be christened was Aidan William Cook, son of Rebecca Louise and Christopher Matthew Cook. The lesson was read by Hannah Parkinson, the prayers by Dorothy Gledhill, the address by the Rev Robin and the pianist was Hiroko Townsend. After the coffee break a short service of Holy Communion was celebrated.