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).
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:
Everyone is 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 †
Sunday 8th January 9.30am at St James’ Church, Meltham Mills 11.15am at St Mary’s Church, Wilshaw †
Wednesday 11th January 10.30am at St Bartholomew’s Church BCP †
Sunday 15th January 10.30am Covenant Service † at Meltham Methodist Church, Mill Moor Road
Wednesday 18th January 10.30am at St Bartholomew’s Church BCP †
Sunday 22nd January 9.30am at St Bartholomew’s Church 11.15am at St Mary’s Church, Wilshaw †
Wednesday 25th January 10.30am at St Bartholomew’s Church BCP †
Sunday 29th January 9.30am at St James’ Church, Meltham Mills † 11.15am at Christ Church, Helme
Please find below, information regarding the background and reasons for these changes as outlined by Rev John in his monthly letter:
Very few will have failed to notice the increase in the cost of living we have experienced in recent months and the most startling increases for most of us are represented by our gas and electricity bills. Whilst the government is apparently spending many billions of pounds to soften the effects of increased energy costs November has seen a doubling of household prices. This is on top of what were already significant price increases over the previous year, and it seems there are more increases on the way.
The government is also providing some assistance to businesses and charities (which includes Churches) though this help is significantly less generous. This presents quite a challenge to our four parish Churches. If we continue as normal and use the same amount of energy as we did last year our collective annual bill is likely to be increased by tens of thousands of pounds per year for at least the next couple of years.
So, what should we do? We could seek to increase our income to cover the additional costs but, while this will need to be a part of the answer, simply asking people for more and more money especially when the cost of living is increasing so quickly can’t be right. We need to try and reduce our spending particularly on energy and the only way to do this in the short term is to reduce the amount of energy that we use.
There have been various suggestions as to how we might achieve this including the distribution of hot water bottles and blankets. However, the most realistic suggestion seems to be that, for the coldest months being January, February, and March, we do not open all four Churches every Sunday morning. Options as to how and if we should do this will be considered by our Parochial Church Council. I am very aware that this is not a first-choice option for many and wish to be clear that all four Churches will be open as usual from Easter Day (9th April).
I recently received an email that said: “This is our saying of the day after someone asked what I thought about the church closing for 3 months” “we are not closing churches we are doing this to keep our churches open.”
I can’t begin to express how much I agree with and support this response. The closing of any Church causes me real personal sadness, and this would of course be all the greater if the Church in question were one of ours. Last year, the congregation at Christ Church, Helme chose not to meet for a while because they were waiting for their heating system to be repaired. A number of people, including brides who had weddings booked contacted me destressed because they had heard a rumour that the Church had closed.
Please let’s all listen carefully to what is being said, observe the punctuation, and recognise the spirit with which it is said. Rumours can be damaging and cause genuine hurt and distress, so let me repeat:
“We are not closing churches – we are doing this to keep our churches open.”
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 🙂
Join us at Helme Church for our Christingle Service to help get you in the mood for Christmas.
An atmospheric and joyful occasion for all ages on Saturday 17th December – 4pm.
Christingle is a candle-lit, festive celebration that’s perfect for bringing families and communities together.
The celebration is named after the Christingles that are lit during the celebration. Christingles are made from an orange decorated with red tape, sweets and a candle.
Join us this Christmas at any of our 4 parish churches as we celebrate the birth of Jesus! There’s something to suit everyone – ALL WELCOME! Please share……….
Happy Christmas! A very warm welcome to those who may be reading this for the first time. We hope you like it and find something that interests you in it. The magazine is printed every month and is available in our Churches or on the parish website: www.melthamparish.co.uk
Thank you to all who have contributed this month and throughout the year. I really couldn’t make it the magazine it is without you. This month is a great Christmas edition and you can find out about all what is happening in our Churches this Christmas on the centre pages. Also there is an update from Meltham Mustard Seed project and and from The Crossroads project too.
The next deadline for the delayed January magazine will be: Tuesday 3rd January 2023 Please send them via: melthamparishmagazine@gmail.com or via the vicarage letterbox. (150 Huddersfield Rd, HD9 4AL)
Carols in the Park with Meltham & Meltham Mills Band.
Sunday 4th December – 4pm at the Robert Ashton Memorial Park.
Celebrating Real Love at Christmas – Jesus born in Bethlehem, the Light shining in the Darkness!
We are giving thanks all the good things that happen in the Meltham community.
Supported by Crossroads, Meltham Town Council and Morrisons.
Don’t forget your torch!
There will be hot chocolate in St James’ Church afterwards along with some Christmas stalls.
Please, if you’re able to offer help with stewarding or setting up etc. please contact Mike on 07867 951512 for further details, or to let him know you can help. Thank you!
St Bartholomew’s Church Christmas Market and Santa’s Grotto – Saturday 3rd December – 10am – 4pm. Put on your Christmas Jumpers and join us at Meltham Church Hall to celebrate the beginning of the festive season and find something truly special whilst supporting our local traders. We ho-ho-hope to see you there! 🙂
Today we remember the fallen from Meltham and the surrounding areas of Helme and Wilshaw. Their names will be read out during the Remembrance service which starts at 10:30am.
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them.
This wonderful display of 600 poppies was created from the wreaths laid last year. It continues with a further 200 poppies inside the church.
Thank you to Margaret Thorley and Tom Bolland who salvaged the poppies from the wreaths last year and glued them onto the skewers. Also to Margaret Walker who helped ‘plant’ them in the pouring rain……and anyone else involved.
