Join us at St Bartholomew’s Church in #Meltham on Palm Sunday (2nd April) at 4pm to hear this rendition of the Easter Story. It will be sung by our augmented choir of over 25 voices and two guest soloists; Richard Cook (Tenor) and David Kaye (Baritone).

Described as a sacred cantata, ‘Olivet to Calvary’ recalls the scenes which mark the last few days of Christ’s life on earth. Part 1 starts with Christ’s jubilant journey to Jerusalem and ends with the scene on the Mount of Olives.
Part 2 begins with the Feast of Passover with Christ’s commandment to his disciples to ‘Love one Another’ and ends with the Crucifixion at Calvary.

It will also feature images relating to the story displayed on the big screen as it is being sung and is interspersed with congregational hymns for everyone to join in together.

Free admission. All welcome.

Join us at one of our special celebration services on Mother’s Day. We’ll be celebrating and giving thanks for Mums, Grandmas and all those who care for children.

9:30am at St James – Meltham Mills (the Church by the park)

11:15am at St Mary’s – Wilshaw

Fun and engaging worship in a safe and friendly environment. Both services will be child friendly but will also be sensitive for those where for various reasons, Mother’s day can be a difficult day.

ALL WELCOME! – Mums and Grandmas (and of course Dads and Grandads, Brothers and Sisters) – bring the whole familly!

Please note there will be no services at St Bartholomew’s – Meltham or at Helme. Please join in one of the services above.

Hello!
Spring is in the air! Snow drops and daffodils and other pretty spring flowers are beginning to appear and bring colour to our wonderful world. So I had to feature the snowdrops from Robert Ashton park on the front cover. Thank you as ever to those who have contributed this month. Its hard to believe this time last year the war in Ukraine was just beginning, T4U offer their reflections on this (pgs 12-13). Jenny shares a prayer for a greener church (pg9). Finally after 18 months the Parish Hall is looking a lot fresher and brighter, read what has been done on page 15. Have you been going to a lent group and want to share your thoughts or reflections? Then please do send them in.

Due to the high energy prices and in order to reduce heating costs, services will only be held in two churches each Sunday instead of all four during January, February and March 2023:

The services held during January and February have been great joining together to worship and keep warm. If you’ve not yet been able to yet, it’s not too late to come along and join together at one of the other churches if there is not a service at the one you would usually attend. Let’s stick together (and worship together) during these difficult times.

Holy Communion services are marked †

Sunday 5th March
9.30am at St James’ Church, Meltham Mills
11.15am at St Mary’s Church, Wilshaw †

Wednesday 8th March
10.30am at St Bartholomew’s Church BCP †

Sunday 12th March
9.30am at St Bartholomew’s Church †
11.15am at Christ Church, Helme

Wednesday 15th March
10.30am at St Bartholomew’s Church BCP †

Sunday 19th March – Mothering Sunday
9.30am at St James’ Church, Meltham Mills †
11.15am at St Mary’s Church, Wilshaw

Wednesday 22nd March
10.30am at St Bartholomew’s Church BCP †

Sunday 26th March
9.30am at St Bartholomew’s Church
11.15am at Christ Church, Helme †

A Pancake party will be held after school at #Meltham Church Hall on Tuesday 21st February between 3:30pm and 5:00pm.

All children (accompanied by an adult) are welcome to come along to mix and eat pancakes. Drop in anytime between the above times – it’s free!

Christians in many traditions attend Church services on Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent, in which many choose to be marked with ash, made from burnt palm branches, in the sign of a cross on their forehead. A short and reflective service of Holy Communion with ashing will take place at St Bartholomew’s in Meltham at 7:30pm – Weds 22nd February. ALL WELCOME

Due to the high energy prices and in order to reduce heating costs, services will only be held in two churches each Sunday instead of all four during January, February and March 2023:

The services held during January have been wonderful – everyone joining together to worship and keep warm. If you’ve not yet been able to join a service during January, you’re encouraged to join together at one of the other churches if there is not a service at the one you would usually attend. Let’s stick together (and worship together) during these difficult times.

Holy Communion services are marked †

Wednesday 1st February

10.30am at St Bartholomew’s Church BCP †

Sunday 5th February

No service at St Bartholomew’s

9.30am at St James’ Church, Meltham Mills

11.15am at St Mary’s Church, Wilshaw †

Wednesday 8th February

10.30am at St Bartholomew’s Church BCP †

Sunday 12th February

9.30am at St Bartholomew’s Church †

11.15am at Christ Church, Helme

Wednesday 15th February

10.30am at St Bartholomew’s Church BCP †

Sunday 19th February

No service at St Bartholomew’s

9.30am at St James’ Church, Meltham Mills †

11.15am at St Mary’s Church, Wilshaw

Ash Wednesday 22nd February

10.30am at St Bartholomew’s Church BCP †

7.30pm at St Bartholomew’s Church †

Sunday 26th February

9.30am at St Bartholomew’s Church

11.15am at Christ Church, Helme †

Welcome to the February edition, I couldn’t resist putting the photo that Grace Dronsfield took on our
front cover, it gives hope that Spring is in the air and on its way!

There are lovely reflections from the popular, Churches Together Covenant Service (pg’s 13 & 19). Also Nigel gives his thoughts on hospitality (pg 15). Finally I have to mention, you may like it or you may not but Denis A has been busy this month trying to put a smile on your face and he has a whole page to himself! (pg 20). – Don’t expect it every month Denis!

Thank you so much to those who have contributed this month. It is great to see and read so many thoughts
and reflections from different people. As Lent is on the horizon this month there is space to add yours too.

The next deadline of the magazine will be: Monday 20th February 2023. Please send them via:
melthamparishmagazine@gmail.com
or
via the vicarage letterbox.
(150 Huddersfield Rd, HD9 4AL)

God Bless,
Fiona.

Come along to the joint Covenant Service, an annual Methodist tradition which has become a favourite with all the Meltham Churches worshipping together.  This is a service at which we can celebrate together all that God has done for us and affirm that we give our lives and choices to God. There will be no other services in the Parish – this will be the place to be as we worship together and keep warm together.

Sunday 15th January – 10:30am – Meltham Methodist Church – ALL WELCOME – Do join us!

A covenant with God

I am no longer my own but yours.
Put me to what you will,
rank me with whom you will;
put me to doing,
put me to suffering;
let me be employed for you,
or laid aside for you,
exalted for you,
or brought low for you;
let me be full,
let me be empty,
let me have all things,
let me have nothing:
I freely and wholeheartedly yield all things
to your pleasure and disposal.
And now, glorious and blessed God,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
you are mine and I am yours. So be it.
And the covenant now made on earth, let it be ratified in heaven.’

The Methodist Covenant Prayer

Methodists hold an annual Covenant Service, at which we celebrate all that God has done for us, and affirm that we give our lives and choices to God.

Most churches hold the service in the New Year, but some hold them in September, at the beginning of the Methodist year.

The traditional Covenant prayer (shown above) makes it very clear that this affirmation is a serious one that embraces the whole of our life, in all its parts. Most people find it quite tough to say, and really mean it. But the prayer is so central to the Christian life that other Churches have also adopted it.

In our culture we tend to prize our ability to make decisions and choose our own path in life. It can feel very hard to give that up. But this prayer is like a love poem. It is about surrendering to God in love and joy.

More info can be found here:

https://www.methodist.org.uk/about-us/the-methodist-church/what-is-distinctive-about-methodism/a-covenant-with-god/the-covenant-service/

Happy New Year!

Wow! What a great edition to kick start the new year. Hear about all the wonderful events that took place across our parish in the run up to Christmas; especially the trip Judith took with the Meltham Shoe boxes and also the ever popular Carols in the Park and Pub.

This month’s edition is running a little late. I’m sure as a valued reader you will forgive me and understand the time that this magazine needs as well as the pressures of being a mother and the vicar’s wife too! As a result February’s edition will be coming very soon.

Therefore please can you send in your contributions to me as soon as possible so I can include them.
The next deadline of the magazine will be Friday 20th January 2023. Please send them via:
melthamparishmagazine@gmail.com or via the vicarage letterbox (150 Huddersfield Rd, HD9 4AL).

God Bless,
Fiona.