St John the Evangelist Farsley

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My Church

	Name - Katy Goodyer What does St John's mean to you? St John's means a sense of community and a load of friends. It's a beautiful building with a load of wonderful history. Any particular memories? The first time I came to a service at St John's, I was struck by the friendliness of the people there. One lady in particular sat down next to me in the pew as I sat alone and introduced herself and said hello. She was very friendly and made me want to come back. I've made a lot of friends and not necessarily who I would have thought I'd be friends with. Another memory is of when the vicar cooked sausages as part of the sermon. They were very tasty!
Name - Marjorie Blake What does St John's mean to you? Family. There’s a real sense of community and fellowship at St John’s. Everybody is so friendly and I feel cared about. It’s lovely to know that so many of my church family are praying for me. Any particular memories? Both my daughters were baptised at St John’s by Derek Briggs – 25 years ago! Holiday Clubs – always popular with children in Farsley. Friendly Churchwardens – such a warm welcome when you come in for the first time! “Hopes and Dreams” – a joint event for the millennium with the community church. Christmas Services – these always feel really special and draw in many who are “on the fringe”.
Name - Anonymous What does St John's mean to you? I cannot imagine not coming to Church to pray and worship. To meet with like minded friends. I have been on PCC, GFS leader, Mothers' Union treasurer and Mothers' Union secretary. Also sidesperson, and for the last twenty years in charge of the flea market - not all at the same time! Mary Jowett and myself started collecting bric-a-brac and the butcher let us have the empty shop in Town Street for two weeks free of charge. Not only were we selling but people were bringing things to sell - we even had a "Georgian" fire surround which sold within minutes! Mary went to live in Bardsey and I took over in May 1989. Our idea was to help towards the 'Old Vicarage Fund'. We never expected it to become such a good source of income. Many thanks to all customers and our faithful band of helpers who turn up come rain, come shine. Rev John White said we had a quiet ministry, a listening ear for peoples' troubles. Any particular memories? Opening the Flea Market in Town St 1980, takings in a fortnight £1000 - now in Church Hall. My husband Maurice making a scale model of the Church which was carried in procession along with others from all the Churches in the Diocese of Bradford in a big meeting in St George's Hall.
	Name - Christine Glover What does St John's mean to you? On a personal level, it gives me the opportunity to reflect on my shortcomings and hopefully to do things/behave in a better way. It is not all negative, it helps me to make sense of events around me, or concerning me personally. On a community level, it provides the opportunity to be involved, and is a focus for the wider Farsley Community, involving through the Church or its associated groups, a cross section of the community. Its ministry, whether formal via services, or informal via visits, during times of joy and sorrow ('hatch', 'match', 'despatch'), via the flea-market, coffee drop-ins, fairs of Springtime and Christmas - are all important for the community of Farsley. In uncertain times, as now with the credit crunch, the Church is seen as a stable influence, something we sometimes take for granted, but proven in times of national disaster, war and threat of war, something to which normally sceptical people will gravitate. So the church to me means spiritual uplift - I always/generally feel this after a service and a vehicle for asking questions about the issues of life, and an important part of Farsley community, and a caring environment, always there when people need it. Any particular memories? Having started to attend, being welcomed warmly by Edith, who has been a good friend and support in my journey to becoming confirmed, which I feel ready to undertake. The service inducting the present vicar - deeply moving, combining the Church tradition and the link between the law and the Church with the living church today.
Name - Gladys Taylor What does St John's mean to you? This church has been part of my life from being a child. I was baptised in 1918, the verger, Mr Scarborough, was my Godfather. Any particular memories? Sunday school was the building opposite the Church on New Street, now made into flats. Junior class was upstairs, Middle grade below, a Seniors in the big hall. My uncle, Harold Gadie, was superintendant of the seniors and my aunt, Edith Cartwright, played the piano. Every three years we had a Bazaar. It was held on three days, each day having a special opening. Saturday was children's day and always opened with a sketch. The hall was decorated by Kenneth Stoker who was a window dresser at Brown Muffs store in Bradford. There was a cafe in the Middle Grade room. I remember being a waitress. We were all dressed alike, in dresses made by our mothers, the material chosen by Mrs Knapton, and lacy aprons and headdresses. Salads were served and trifles and delicious cream cakes from Stephenson's Bakery (Jesse Stephenson was Church Warden). During the three year interval money tokens were sold every week so that everyone had plenty to spend on the stalls. The Busy Bee's stall was popular where they sold pillow cases with crotchet edges and embroidered table covers. The childrens' favourite was always the Bran Tub, run by my aunts.
Name - Anonymous What does St John's mean to you? I have been connected to St John's all my life, being the place of christening, confirmation, marriage and christening of children. I was a Sunday School pupil before a Sunday School teacher. I was a Sunday School teacher for 24 years in two spells broken by teacher training. I was joint leader for GFS for a number of years and helped in the Youth Club from its formation.
Name - Anonymous What does St John's mean to you? Place of marriage and subsequent confirmation, transferring from Methodism to CofE. The confirmation service was held in the old St Pauls, Stanningley - the confirmation being by Donald Coggan (who became Archbishop of Canterbury). I have held a number of offices at St John's, as Auditor, PCC member and Church Treasurer, including the time when causing the panic, the share rose to £1000. Any particular memories? My first memory of Farsley church was of being an opponent of Farsley when playing billiards for Church Lane Methodists, Pudsey in the old Pudsey and District Sunday School league. I transferred to Farsley's team on marriage. I was playing billiards when our elder daughter was being born (this was at the time when fathers were thrown out). I can't remember if I won or lost. About 50 years ago, Rev. David Shepherd had temporarily come of retirement from first class cricket to play for England. In those days, Test Cricket was not played on a Sunday. Rev. David Shepherd was playing for England at Headingley so he had a free day. At that time, Jack Nash was the Yorkshire County Cricket Club secretary besides being an official and deputy organist here at St John's. No doubt, as a consequence, David Shepherd preached here at the Sunday morning service to a packed church, the message having "got round" by word of mouth. David Shepherd consequently became Bishop of Liverpool.
Name - Shirley Rhodes What does St John's mean to you? St John's means being part of a big, loving family gathering, where we are supporting each other whether in sadness or joy, where we know we can express our worries or fears and be reassured by either our friends or the clergy. Any particular memories? Being for by Shirley Walker and accompanied to hospital after being taken ill in church several years ago, and being comforted after the death of my husband.