Merry Christmas to everyone from us all here in the Parish of #Meltham.

Today, we celebrate the birth of Jesus, born in a dark, dim, cold and draughty stable in and amongst the animals as there was no room elsewhere.

Thanks to all who have joined us throughout this past month at our various events and services, it’s been great to see you all – we hope you experienced the joy and hope that Christmas brings. If you missed out, you can still experience it at our upcoming services – Christmas isn’t over yet – it’s only just begun!

Eat, drink and be merry today (if you’re able) but remember to make room for JESUS in whatever you get up to today.

Enjoy!

SUNDAY 29TH DECEMBER

10:30am – Joint Parish Service of Holy Communion at St Bartholomew’s Meltham.

SUNDAY 5th JANUARY 2025

9:30am – All Age / Family Service to sing, share and celebrate the New Year at St James’ Meltham Mills
11:15am – Holy Communion at St Mary’s Wilshaw

Never mind Elf on a Shelf, Jesus wants to see Ewe in a Pew* this Christmas! 😉
Join us over this festive period here in #Meltham as we celebrate his birth!

CHRISTMAS EVE
4:00pm – Crib Service at St James’ Meltham Mills
11:30pm – Midnight Mass at St Bartholomew’s Meltham

CHRISTMAS DAY
9:30am – Christmas Day Holy Communion at St James’ Meltham Mills
11:15am – Christmas Day Holy Communion at St Mary’s Wilshaw

Please note, unfortunately there won’t be a service at Helme Church as there is no heating!

SUNDAY 29TH DECEMBER
10:30am – Joint Parish Service of Holy Communion at St Bartholomew’s Meltham.

SUNDAY 5th JANUARY 2025

9:30am – All Age / Family Service to sing, share and celebrate the New Year at St James’ Meltham Mills
11:15am – Holy Communion at St Mary’s Wilshaw

ALL WELCOME – it’ll be good to see faces old and new – yes this means EWE! 🤣

*note – not all the churches have pews, but don’t worry, there are chairs instead 👍

Join us to at this special late night service of Holy Communion on Christmas eve as we celebrate the birth and welcome Jesus! There will be carols, prayers and Holy Communion. ALL WELCOME.

The service starts at 11:30pm – we aim for the service to last no more than 1 hour so everyone can get home in reasonable time (including the Vicar).

Toilets are available for those who might need one 🙂

Please note there will be no service at St Bartholomew’s on Christmas day but services will take place at 2 of our other churches in the parish:

9:30am at St James’ Meltham Mills.
11:15am at St Marys, Wilshaw.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ONE AND ALL!

Here is the link to the event on facebook, please share to help us make people aware:
https://fb.me/e/c2vDAp3vL

Join us on Christmas Eve at 4pm at St James’ Church Meltham Mills (the one by the park) for our popular annual Crib Service. This is such a lovely event, perfect for anyone. Young and old – ALL WELCOME

The link to the event on facebook can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/events/873558171656225

Please share it to help us make people aware.

ALL WELCOME!

Join us for a fun rendition of the Christmas story interspersed with all the popular carols. Anyone can take part in our #Meltham Community POP-UP Nativity. Children (and adults) can dress up as their favourite character and join in at the appropriate point as we tell the Christmas story.

We need Shepherds, Angels, Kings, Animals etc.

Alternatively, you can sport your Christmas Jumper if you’re not dressing up!

ALL WELCOME. Just turn up on the day!

Sunday 22nd December – 4pm at St Bartholomew’s Church, Meltham

https://www.facebook.com/events/935377684701901

Join us at Christ Church, Helme for a forest church Christingle!

An interactive event with all the elements of a traditional Christingle but also using our senses to engage with God and the world around us. Meet inside church before stepping outside to follow the Christingle trail. We’ll finish off by lighting our Christingles in church and a warming hot chocolate drink!

Don’t forget to wrap up, wear some boots or wellies, maybe bring an umbrella and a torch!!

Saturday 21st Decemember at 4pm.

So THIS is CHRISTMAS – in MELTHAM!

COME TO CHURCH THIS CHRISTMAS – JOIN WITH US TO CELEBRATE THE BIRTH OF JESUS! – THERE’S LOTS OF FUN FOR EVERYONE!

SAT 14th Dec: Carols in the Pub – 7:30pm – The Waggon and Horses, Meltham.
SUN 15th Dec: Carol Service – 6:00pm – St Mary’s Church, Wilshaw.
SAT 21st Dec: Forest Church Christingle – 4:00pm – Christ Church, Helme. – (Please dress warmly, you need your boots and a torch!)
SUN 22nd Dec: Community Pop-up Nativity Service – 4:00pm – St Bartholomew’s Church, Meltham.
SUN 22nd Dec: Carols by candlelight – 6:00pm – Meltham Methodist Church

CHRISTMAS EVE
Crib Service – 4:00pm – St James’ Church, Meltham Mills.
Midnight Communion – 11:30pm – St Bartholomew’s Church, Meltham.

CHRISTMAS DAY SERVICES
9:30am St James, Meltham Mills.
11:15am St Marys, Wilshaw.

Christmas Jumper Sunday!
We’ve all got ‘em! Those fabulous, loud, cheesey Christmas jumpers.
Wear yours with pride to church on Sunday 22nd December!

Join us up at St Mary’s Wilshaw on Sunday 15th December at 6pm for our annual carol service and share some Christmas joy.

ALL WELCOME

https://fb.me/e/5AZLHu3ay

Come and sing carols from your heart!
The next highlight of Meltham’s Christmas – we’ve had Carols in the Park, now come and join us around the piano in the warmth at the Waggon and Horses in #Meltham for our popular annual evening of festive song, cheer and beer*!

*optional – other drinks are available 🙂

Saturday 14th December 2024 from 7:30pm onwards.

ALL WELCOME

https://fb.me/e/8PyUQMChw

Happy Christmas!
Welcome to the Christmas and New Year edition of the Parish Magazine. If you are reading this for the first time then here’s a very warm welcome to you! The magazine is published 6 times a year and has lots of information of the events and news across the parish.

It’s time to snuggle up get a warm drink and enjoy reading about the exciting news from the Crossroads (pg12/13). The news from the Helme Ladies (pg 9) and of course all the events and services that’s happening over Christmas in the four churches in the centre pages (pg 16-17)

Thank you to everyone who contributed to this edition, either by photo, poem, article or update. Its your magazine so please do continue to do so.

The deadline of the February /March magazine will be:
Monday 20th January 2025

Please send submissions via email to:
melthamparishmagazine@gmail.com

or

via the vicarage letterbox.
(150 Huddersfield Rd, HD9 4AL)

Wishing you a happy Christmas and a great New Year.
God Bless,
Fiona.