Baildon, Yorkshire - Mar 2025

It has been a bittersweet time at Baildon recently. We were so happy to welcome back Br James Woolford after a period of ill health and he led us into Advent with hope and enthusiasm. Members participated in Choral singing and poetry in the District Advent service with the Moravian Singers, held this year at Gomersal and Sr Maria Hanson and Glynis Wilkinson performed a beautiful duet, 'In the bleak midwinter'. Our 'Baildon at Christmas' event, shared with the whole village, was as busy and successful as always and during the day, 'The Minister of Magic' aka James, performed a great magic show with a Christian message. Our services over the festive period were joyful and well attended. Christingle was especially memorable as we were visited by a camel who carried one of the wise men. He was very informative and told us how Jesus was for everyone, everywhere. I hope he returns to see us next Christmas! Edward Woolford also sang a lovely solo.

We were very saddened however by the deaths of two of our dearly loved members. After a few months of deteriorating health, Sr Libby Mitchell was called home. She has been a vibrant member of our congregation for many years, touching the lives of so many and well known throughout the province for her work with Summer schools, church tours and the MWA. We feel her loss in the church and privately too and the church was packed to the rafters for her funeral service just before Christmas, which indicates how much she was loved by so many. Then in January again after a period of illness, our friend, church committee member and regular worship leader, Br David Crompton passed away. David was a quiet, deep thinker with a fund of fascinating stories which we will greatly miss. He was loved and respected as a former schoolteacher and prison visitor.

Sr Ruth France