The Upper Holme Valley Team Ministry (UHVTM) was confirmed at The Court of Buckingham Palace on the 2nd August 1989. The Team consists of eight parishes which span the Upper Holme Valley stretching from the Parish of St David Holmbridge in the West some ten miles towards the East where St Thomas Thurstonland makes the boundary with the ancient Parish of All Hallow Kirkburton. The Team flanked in the North by the Meltham and Newsome Team Ministries and in the South by the most southerly outpost of the Diocese the Penistone Team Ministry.
The Valley population is growing very quickly, and despite climbing house prices many of the now redundant mills are been converted into dwellings. The Holme Valley is a popular and pleasant place to live, easy access being gained to major cities, towns and airports along the M62 corridor. Holmfirth itself is a market town nestled under the looming and beautiful Peak District National Park. Having been made popular in the early part of this century by both the film and postcard businesses, and more latterly the long running comedy television series ‘Last of the Summer Wine’ Holmfirth and the surrounding villages are populated throughout the whole year by tourists, either enjoying the great outdoors or the excellent gift shops, pubs and restaurants in the town.
Within this context the Anglican Team Ministry supports the pastoral, spiritual and worshipping life of the valley. On most days throughout the week, services are taking place in our churches. We meet twice weekly on Tuesday and Thursday lunchtimes to pray together and for our Team members. Our churches range from traditional Anglican to more progressive expressions evangelical, however all shades of being the Church of England are manifest in some way in our churches.
We are an eclectic bunch comprising of two full time clergy and a team missioner who are well supported by a group of readers, non stipendiary ministers, ordained local ministers, those with permission to officiate and a group of readers and pastoral visitors. We generally work in three clusters although we are always exploring ways for greater collaboration and ways to worship together. We share the responsibilities through our respective parishes for the administration of the occasional offices and pastoral oversight.
The Team Council meets five times during the year and discusses a wide variety of issues both national and parochial. We work in collaboration with the other denominations and religious groups where possible.
Half of our churches have a Junior Church section, and across the Team we have a 10/15 Youth Group which meets twice monthly. The Team supports a part-time youth worker through the Café 100 cyber café project and also is committed to supporting mission both at home and overseas, particularly in our link Diocese Mara. We also support the ministry in the local Holme Valley Memorial Hospital, and provide a monthly service at the White Rose Nursing Home.
There are a good number of schools in the Valley, the largest being Holmfirth High School into which most of the junior schools feed. We are active in these schools, taking assemblies, hosting church visits, and occasionally taking the odd lesson.
We enjoy a wide spectrum of ministry and despite the large geographical site on which we are based week by week we are committed to the prayerful teaching of God's word from the Scriptures and the administration of God’s sacraments and care.
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