The Vicar Writes – Page 12 – The Church of England in Marsden and Slaithwaite

I am a work in progress

May 20, 2020 Rev Holdsworth Reflection

This Wednesday, Dave Fisher shares the result of his reflection on the question, “who am I?” – adding to the voices of Marsden and Slaithwaite as we think about ‘who we are’ in relation to who Jesus is. It has been wonderful hearing from so many different people, and we hope to have more to share each Wednesday. If you[…]

Jesus and me

May 13, 2020 Rev Holdsworth Reflection

People from Slaithwaite and Marsden continue to share their faith with readers of this website, and today Carol Holdsworth answers the questions from last Sunday’s Sermon: Who are you, and who is Jesus? During the sermon we were invited to think about these questions and write, list, draw, paint or doodle the answers – to basically do what we find[…]

The faith of children

May 6, 2020 Rev Holdsworth Childrens Church activity, Church life, Prayer, Reflection

Wednesday’s update is usually something reflective, an opportunity to share our faith. It was delightful to hear from Ali and her retreat in Northumbria, and from Elaine on how her faith helps her find peace. Over the past two weeks I have been inviting the children from our Shred Sunday School, and from Slaithwaite CofE Junior and Infant School to[…]

Faith and inner peace

April 29, 2020 Rev Holdsworth Church life, Letter, Reflection

It is wonderful when people share their stories of faith, because it often helps us gain confidence in our own experience of God, and faith, and such like. This week we have a reflection on faith and school life from Elaine Bradley, whom many of those living in Slaithwaite will know… …from Elaine Bradley To introduce myself for those who[…]

God at work

April 22, 2020 Rev Holdsworth Church life, Letter, Reflection

There are so many businesses based in Marsden, Slaithwaite and the surrounding countryside, all trying to work out how to operate while this pandemic sweeps through our lives. I spoke to a business owner who is torn apart by the conflicting desire to help their employees financially by working and staying open, while equally wanting to stay at home /[…]

Northumbria Retreat

April 15, 2020 Rev Holdsworth Church life, Letter, Reflection, Retreat

It is lovely for our church website to have many voices, representing the many people who worship together from Marsden and Slaithwaite with East Scammonden. Today we have some art and a reflection from Ali Baxter. This was written during Lent on a retreat at Nether Springs, the home of the Northumbria Community. Ali has offered her own artwork, and[…]

What does today’s church look like to you?

April 1, 2020 Rev Holdsworth Church life, Reflection

This website for St James’, St Bartholomew’s and Shred is a new one, and I’m collecting photographs, drawings and images to help illustrate what the life of our churches looks like. When creating a church website from scratch, the obvious thing to do is populate it with lots of images of the gorgeous and awesome ancient buildings we worship inside…[…]

Image of book with words, "To you O Lord I lift up my soul"

Let us pray with one heart and mind

March 26, 2020 Rev Holdsworth Church life, Prayer

One the the most significant stages in the growth of my faith, was learning to say Morning Prayer from the Church of England’s Daily Office. It isn’t the only form of regular prayer devotional, but it was the one which resonated with me. There was something about the liturgy (here I mean the words we say together as a church)[…]

A letter to our community

March 24, 2020 Rev Holdsworth Church life, Letter

To the people of Marsden, Slaithwaite and the surrounding communities: Peace be with you. I’m the new Vicar of St Bartholomew’s, St James and Shred and I pray for everyone in our towns and villages every single day. I try to picture in my mind, aspects of our community; our schools and homes, our businesses and the places we play,[…]