THURSTONLAND PARISH NEWS Jan - Feb 2021

Because of the birth of Christ, we are not left to face our fears alone. God pledges and acts to be with us and among us. And that makes all the difference in the world.

Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby 25.12.20

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Let the Christmas Gospel [John 1.14, 16-18] lead us into the New Year?

Read And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth. From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. The law indeed was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. It is God the only Son, who is close to the Father’s heart, who has made him known.

Look God’s glory is seen in a beautiful sunset or landscape. God’s glory is known in the transcendence of worship or the stillness of prayer. God’s glory is revealed quietly and wonderfully in the birth of Jesus and the life of Jesus. God’s glory seen, fully, in a human being.

Reflect with Chine McDonald the Head of Community Fundraising and Public Engagement for Christian Aid and author.

Everything changed the day my son was born. He burst into the world on a Sunday morning and my husband and I held him in our arms and felt this immense and overwhelming sense of love. Our lives would never be the same again.

The weary world Christ entered into at Christmas on that Holy Night – a world that had been “in sin and error pining” – had been waiting for him, just as we had been waiting for our son. Christ’s birth changed everything. His presence brought hope and light where there had been despair.

This is the wonder of the incarnation: God becomes human. God bursts into our darkness, with a light dazzling in its hopefulness.

Whatever we might be facing this year and in the coming months, what a comfort it is to know that God himself walks with us. This is the beauty of the incarnation.

How might you bring a glimpse of glory to another person today? What might you give, or say, or do, that offers beauty or wonder, goodness or grace?

Pray God of glory, thank you that you walk with us. Fill us with your grace today, that others may see, reflected in us, your glory, as we see you in them. Amen.

Family activity

What brings joy today? Make a list, what do you enjoy doing together that makes you happy? Remembering all those journeying to find out about faith

Some of the people who visited Jesus followed a star to find their way. Many folks in Thurstonland decorated their homes with a large star or Angel for the Christmas Window Appeal. Thank you to Angela who helped organise the event and congratulations to Pablo and Fabien Selka, Hettie Langrick and Guy Bailey who followed the trail and won a box of celebrations having collected the letters which revealed the answer to the quiz: ANGEL GABRIEL

Who needs comfort today? Can you think of someone in our village who needs help or support, perhaps they live alone, or are recently bereaved or have not been able to go to work during the Covid pandemic, or they may have been ill! Remember that kindness costs

us nothing and our time is the greatest gift we can give to anyone.

People struggling with illness of whatever kind

Hospitals don’t close over Christmas. They carry on caring for people who are ill. Send a card to your local hospi- tal to thank the staff who were working over the holiday.

THURSTONLAND CRICKET CLUB

This time of year would usually see references to the AGM, details about a Christmas Draw and looking forward to the Ladies Dinner and the start of indoor net practices in January. For obvious reasons things are on hold at the moment although balance sheet details and my secretary’s annual report were circulated to committee members in late November.

The Huddersfield Cricket League is hoping that a more normal season is possible by the time April comes around and plans have been made ac- cordingly but, of course, everything depends on getting the coronavirus situation under some sort of sustained control.

The club was pleased to receive a copy of the earliest known photograph of a Thurstonland CC team dating from 1895 when it won a trophy com- peted for by teams in and around the Holmfirth area. It was forwarded by the Village Association and can be seen on their website and on the club’s. It is good to be aware of heritage and the debt owed to so many who played for and looked after the administration and general upkeep of the club in days gone by and so enabling us to be part of the village and the wider community to this day must not be forgotten.

The years seem to pass more quickly as the years advance and one has to be aware of wishing life away but 2024 will see the 150th anniversary of the founding of the club and no doubt nearer the time, not all that far in the future, plans will be made to celebrate in suitable fashion. Andrew Pearson

There are two new ways to stay in touch with what is happening at your local church and in the parish.

One is to join St Thomas’ Parish Church Thurstonland Facebook group and follow the church

The second is to add St Thomas Parish Church Thurston- land on the Church of England national hub to you useful website tags. https://www.achurchnearyou.com/church/18076/

Either way you can click on the webpage for up to date information.

Jenni Wohlman writes:

I cannot write this page without reference to Audrey Taylor, a loyal and valued member of our Branch for a great many years, who passed away in November. With the restrictions imposed on us by the pandemic, it was obvious that all the members who wished to show their respects could not be accommodated inside the church so we arranged to stand opposite the gate, holding up our Mothers’ Union banner. Blessedly, the morning of that day was relatively mild. I was absolutely delighted at how many of you joined me, along with a number of other villagers, and I know it meant a great deal to the family to see such clear evidence of the affection in which Audrey was held by her beloved village of Thurstonland. Our erst- while Branch Leader, Barbara Neale, travelled down from her new home to be one of our party and was welcomed warmly.

November also featured Mothers’ Union’s 16 Days of Activism to raise awareness of gender-based violence in all its forms. This is such a worthwhile cause that I hope in 2021, when life should be returning to a more normal pattern of regular meetings and opportunities to plan events and fundraising, we might make a point of partici- pating more significantly in the campaign as a Branch.

Regarding 2020 and Covid-19, as the MU website reported, ‘All around the world proud Mother’s Union members, took action. This action helped prevent the trans- mission of the virus. It allowed hope and ushered in much needed confidence. From Papua New Guinea to Canada, from Argentina to Ireland, Mothers’ Union has been leading communities and uplifting people the world over … In a world blighted by loss of all kinds, the good work of the Lord will be vital. There have been bereave- ments. There has been the loss of livelihoods. There have been far reaching break- downs in relationships. There have been areas around the globe where progress has stagnated or gone backwards … In 2021 we will rebuild, and we will grow, and we will thrive.’

The gowns in the picture were made in response to an appeal put out by a Maidstone group that was sewing for NHS and keyworkers. An MU branch in Coxheath responded. Altogether, 23,000 items were made by the entire group which has now been nominated for a National Diver- sity Award celebrating Unity in Society. Coxheath MU Branch was pleased to make its contribution and new friendships have been formed.

2020 certainly challenged all of us but, when we look back, we shall no doubt see the many blessings that befell us as well. Have a Peaceful Christmas and a Safe and Healthy New Year. 6

Thurstonland Community Choir News

The choir was all ready in October to start rehearsing with a nearly full set of singers when we were all out into lockdown again. As we still had hopes of singing together for Christmas, if only via a recording, we went back to full Zoom based rehearsals to learn some new carols. Singing together over Zoom has to have everyone muted because of the different time delays on broadband connections, so while we went through the choir notes in detail, it was impossible to know what was actually being sung! Given that, the choir cheerfully came along each week and we had some chat to cheer us all up.

The move to Tier 3 restrictions actually allowed us to meet in church, so we managed one hour’s rehearsal on our 3 new carols, followed the next week by a video recording session in church to be part of St Thomas’ Christmas carol service. I was very proud of the work that the choir put in on their own to learn the music and I hope you’ll all be pleased to listen to the service in your own homes when it is issued.

As you know, the Community Choir usually raises money for charity each year, and the support from the village is always excellent, allowing us raise lots of money from our various events. Of course we haven’t got any public events this year, but we decided to still raise money for a key local cause, the Welcome Centre, via a JustGiving web page.

One of our sopranos is a volunteer at the Welcome Centre and knows just how much their charity is in demand, particularly this year. You’ll probably have seen their collecting bins at the supermarkets, but donations of money give them the flexibility to use those funds where they are most needed. We have already raised an excellent £600 for them, but we will keep this open until the 6th January to collect any further donations. If you would normally have come carol singing or enjoyed the village concert, then please consider donating something via the following link: Choir Justgiving

We look forward to returning to rehearsals in the New Year, dependent upon restrictions and our strict COVID-19 safety procedures!

A HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL VILLAGERS AND FRIENDS FROM THE T.V.A.

The year 2020 has certainly been one to remember, or for many, one to forget. As this is being written just a few days before Christmas, ’I m struggling to keep up with the changing rules and advice for the various tiers. Covid has had a massive effect on people, even in a small village like ours– the limit on numbers has impacted on both weddings and funerals, and large gatherings like the annual gala have been cancelled with a financial blow to the school, church and cricket club. When there has been a chance to meet up with others, even with social distancing, villagers have turned out in unex- pectedly large numbers – the VE Day celebrations being a case in point.

If there has been an upside to the effects of the epidemic, a greater appre- ciation of our surrounding countryside has been noticeable. During the first lockdown many of you sent in quite brilliant photographs of fauna and flora, and some turned skywards for inspiration with pictures of planets and clouds. The numbers of people, both visitors and locals, walking around Thurstonland definitely increased!

As the days shortened and the weather deteriorated, I’m sure many of you found the second lockdown a struggle. It’s not so bad celebrating someone’s birthday in a group of six (socially distancing, of course) on The Rec in good weather, but there have been few opportunities in autumn and winter to do the same. With the new tiers brought in before Christmas, many of you will not have seen your children, grandchildren, friends or relatives.

One thing is certain - villagers have been so kind – helping others with gro- ceries, ringing round and checking people more at risk and generally trying to stay positive. Let’s make our resolution for 2021 to maintain our positivity and strength of community. Comfort and contentment to you all!

100 Club Winners:- November- Will Proud; December – Carol Parker

Website: www.thurstonland.org Phone: 660661 or 07989 650398 Email: [email protected] 8

Christmas Thurstonland First School Well Christmas may have looked a little different in Thurstonland Frist School this year, but there has still been lots of singing, Christmas card making, nativity preparation - and even some snow! We didn’t want the children to miss out on Christmas preparations so staff have worked extra hard to make sure that most things could still take place in a safe environment.

The younger children performed the nativity outside and a short clip of this can be viewed on the school website: https://thurstonlandfirst.org.uk/classes

It was a little cold and windy – but hopefully you can still hear the beautiful singing, introduced by Mrs Kitchen the Federation Deputy Headteacher. The older children have also been carolling around the village, entertaining our elderly residents and people who we knew lived alone. They also made Christmas cards to send to residents in Croftlands Care home.

We have been trying to improve our Design Technology skills across the federation this term with some fantastic outcomes. The youngest children at Thurstonland made paper toys, and moving vehicles – scissors can be very tricky for little hands! The Year 2 and 3 children really impressed us all with their weav- ing skills and pop up cards. The oldest children combined their Victorian topic with Electricity to make a Victo- rian themed Christmas card with lights in the windows that really work, using their knowledge of electrical circuits. We will be continuing to improve our skills in Design Technology throughout the year as the teaching staff across the federation share their ideas and support each other with planning.

As we reflect on this past year in school and acknowledge that it is certainly one none of us can have prepared for, we are able to celebrate many positives. Thurstonland First School, as part of the Greenhills First Fed- eration and the community at large, have shown how well we can support each and work together. People have constantly stepped up to the challenge and the mood, despite constant changes and uncertainties, has generally been positive.

We wish you all a safe and Happy Christmas - from the staff, children and governors.

TOWERING VISTAS

The two masts most easily spotted from the Holme Valley tower over all that the we do.

I love Peter Hoyle’s picture of Emley Moor Mast transmitting station which is the highest free standing structure in the United Kingdom at 330.4 m (1,084 ft) . It can be seen beautifully lit up at night with its red aircraft warning lights

Here’s the Vicar’s picture of Home Moss taken from Harden Reservoir. Holme Moss transmitting Station is the highest in England at 524 m (1,719 ft) . Situated in high Moorland on the border between the Holme Valley district of Kirklees in West Yorkshire and the High Peak district of Derby- shire in England. Historical- ly on the boundary between the West Riding of Yorkshire and Cheshire, it is just inside the boundary of the Peak District National Park. Whose county? Is it, “God’s own?” I think so Ed!

Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell encourages hope and prayer in this New Year

Stephen Cottrell, is sharing short reflections throughout Jan 2021 on the theme, ‘Our Hope is Found’ as the country continues to combat the effects of the global Covid 19 pandemic. His reflections will include a prayer or a poem. The first of this nine-part series will be released on Jan 1st 2021.

Archbishop Stephen said, “2020 has been an incredibly hard year for everyone, and it is going to be a long time before we begin to feel some semblance of normality return. We all need hope, and I believe that our hope is found in the person of Jesus Christ. Knowing God through him brings life, peace, and hope that no matter what happens he is with us. As people listen to the reflections I pray they can see that as we trust in God and seek to follow him, we can have a peace which is beyond our understanding and a hope that is sure and steadfast for what is to come.”

In his first reflection, the Archbishop considers the story in the Old Testament of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego who refused to worship the king’s golden idol. They continued to hold on to what they thought was right, putting their hope and trust in God, whether or not he rescued them from the fiery furnace into which they were to be thrown. [Daniel 3:16-28] Archbishop Stephen likens this to where we are today. We can trust in God whether times are good or bad. After reading some verses of the poem ‘Powers of Good’, written by Dietrich Bonhoeffer in the new year of 1945, the Archbish- op prays that the light of Christ may shine in our darkness. He then encourages us to send our prayer into Bishopthorpe Palace. Alongside the reflections, the Archbishop is encouraging anyone who wishes a prayer to be said for themselves or others, to send this in to Bishopthorpe Palace, where he will pray.

To access the reflections you can visit the Archbishop of York’s • Website: www.archbishopofyork.org • Facebook page or YouTube channel.

If you would like to send in a prayer request, you can complete the online request or email: [email protected] putting ‘Prayer request’ in the subject line.

If you would like to write your request for prayer, please post to: Prayers, Office of the Archbishop of York, Bishopthorpe Palace, Bishopthorpe, York YO23 2GE.

Please be aware that names may be shared with the Sisters of the Order of the Holy Paraclete in Whitby who will be supporting the Archbishop in prayer. 11

FESTIVE AFERNOON TEA Many of you will have seen in the last Parish News that there could be no Christmas Afternoon Tea in church this year due to the Covid 19 protocol restrictions. Not to be outdone, the team of Lunch Club Ladies decided to do a “Take-away” version with profits going to the appeal for the restoration of the east window in St Thomas’ Church.

There was an amazing response and so on Friday 11th December, the day we would have held the Tea in church, 41 Afternoon Teas were prepared and collected - all keeping to the Covid guidelines.

Thank you to all who responded, and apologies to those who missed it, but thanks in particular to the Lunch Club Team who donated all the fresh food and helped to prepare the bags – Catherine, Jo, Joy, Julie, Lynda & Sue you were amazing! The chocolates came courtesy of the Lunch Club profits. We had some lovely comments about the Teas and hope everyone enjoyed them.

As a result of the event, with the profit made and the additional donations given on the day, we were able to boost the window appeal by £260. Well done to all involved. Please remember that there is still a mountain to climb with the fundraising but that every little helps.

We do not know when we can commence the Lunches again, but watch this space as we will do so as soon as ever possible. In the meantime, I hope everyone has a good Christmas and that the New Year brings you all peace, health and joy.

A Happy New Year. Janet Wiltshire 12

Living in Love and Faith (LLF), The Church of England’s landmark set of resources on questions of identity and which draws together the Bible, theology, science and history with powerful real-life stories has now been published.

The product of three years’ work, led by the Bishop of Coventry, Living in Love and Faith includes a 480-page book, a series of films and podcasts, a course and an online library of other publications, in what is thought to be the most extensive work in this area by any faith group in the world. It is the start of a pro- cess of discernment and decision-making on questions of identity, sexuality, relationships and marriage which will take place in 2021.

In a foreword to the Living in Love and Faith resources, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, and Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, acknowledge and apologise for the “huge damage and hurt” that has been caused particularly to LGBTIQ+ people within the Church. “At the heart of our failure is the absence of a genuine love for those whom God loves in Christ, knowing as God does every aspect of all of our lives,” they write. But addressing the future, they add: “Our prayer for the Church through this work is that collectively we demonstrate the same love to one another that we have experienced from God.”

The book opens with an account of how Jesus invited people to sit down together as he fed the 5,000. It notes how Jesus often sat down with people with radically different lives and views. In their invitation to the church, the bishops say: “Our prayer is that as all of us, the people of God, take time to listen and learn together, our love for one another will be deepened and our faith in Jesus Christ strengthened so that His joy will be made complete in us.”

The resources can be found and used here: https://www.churchofengland.org/resources/living-love-and-faith

ST THOMAS’ CHURCH SERVICES www.thurstonland.org or www.newmillpc.org.uk

JANUARY 2021

Service Date Sun 3rd Sun 10th Sun 17th Sun 24th Intercessor Jenni Marianne Lynda Sides-person Sue Jo Brian L Vernon Reader Barbara Vernon Marianne Lynda Readings Isaiah 60:1-60 Acts 19 1 Samuel Genesis V1-7 3:1-10 14:17-20

FEBRUARY 2021

Service Date Sun 7th Sun 14th Sun 21st Sun 28th Intercessor Michelle Jenni Marianne

Sides-person Jenni Lynda Sue Jo Reader Michelle Vernon Jenni Marianne Readings John 1 2 Corinth Genesis Romans 4 V1-14 4 v3-6 9:8-17 V13-25

Brass cleaning in February - Sue

Thank you to those people who helped deliver the seasonal Santa gifts in Thurstonland and Stocksmoor.

Stocksmoor News

Many families with young children enjoyed the Halloween Trail. The 8 Terracota pumpkins with clues for the competition were supplemented by some brilliant displays of witches in gardens

Thanks go to Maxine and Susanne for organising this enjoyable event.

Prayers for our neighbours

DURING JANUARY

Pray for all those who live and work in:

Cranglefields, Cross lane and Stocksmead

DURING FEBRUARY

Pray for all those who live and work in:

The Village, Greenside and Bankside

PLEASE PRAY ALSO FOR ALL THOSE WORKING IN CARE AND THE NHS Please note: Online Services in Jan & Feb

Sunday 31st Jan Exploring the Conversion of St Paul online live at 10am

Wednesday 17th Feb Ash Wednesday online live at 7pm

Please contact [email protected] or 01484 683375 for a link to the services or visit: www.newmillpc.com.uk

Epiphany Word Search

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CORNS – VERRUCAE Mob: 07799 462196 CALLOUSES (Hard Skin) e-mail: ATHLETES FOOT, Etc. [email protected]

Home visits – Prompt attention Colin Smith Tel: 01484 687632 45 Oakes Lane 07971355078 Brockholes HD9 7AR

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A.P.H.C. LICENSED PLUMBER Tel: 01484 663860 Mb: 07811 950829 Call 01484 602010 Email: st [email protected] 1 class job at a reasonable price

SAINT THOMAS’ The Parish of Thurstonland in the Upper Holme Valley Team Ministry in the Anglican Diocese of Leeds

Ministers Rev Canon J. Sean Robertshaw 683375 Rev Dr Steve Dixon 687376 Rev Ailsa Brooke 681155 Churchwardens Janet Wiltshire, 52, The Village, Thurstonland 663123 Richard Wood, 11, Moor Top Avenue Thurstonland 662752

PCC Secretary Janet Wiltshire, 52, The Village, Thurstonland 663123

PCC Treasurer Lynda Booth, 3, Moor Top Avenue, Thurstonland 662202

Parish Giving Officer Brian Lightowler, 1, Norton Terrace, Stocksmoor 605526

Mothers’ Union Jenni Wohlman ‘Hudd Royd’ 4 Top of the Hill, Thurstonland 663996

Children’s Ministry and Mustard Seeds contact Sean or Ailsa

Usual times of Church Services

10.00am 1st Sunday each month A Service of the Word. 9.30am 2nd Sunday each month Sung Holy Communion BCP 9.30am 3rd Sunday each month Sung Family Eucharist 9.30am 4th Sunday each month Sung Family Eucharist 10.00 am 5th Sunday each month Joint Eucharist with New Mill

(See website, magazine and the church notice board for more detail)