It’s not such a Happy New Year for many of our communities as flooding continues to devastate many homes and businesses across our diocese. Communities in the Calder Valley and Todmorden areas have been hit hard and churches have been working to help in the clear-up efforts. In Ripon Episcopal Area, travelling across the region has been severely impaired by the closure of the A59 near Blubberhouses (on January 6th until further notice) because of landslide fears - the Boxing Day Pilgrimage was also abandoned. And communities have also been affected in Leeds and Bingley. 
In the Calder Valley, churches and church leaders of all faiths have been at the forefront of clean up and support operations. Christ Church has just closed as the main hub for Sowerby Bridge and church warden, Peter Henry said last night it is finally beginning to look like church again - but members are continuing to support the parish.
Christ Church, Sowerby Bridge set itself up as a hub for shelter, as a point of contact and for flood and clean-up donations immediately after the floods hit on Boxing Day. And donations came from far and wide – with duvets, blankets, offers of beds, food and cleaning equipment. 
Further up the valley, the Revd Jeanette Roberts opened up St Peter’s in Sowerby and most parishes across the deanery and in the wider Huddersfield Episcopal Area have teamed up with offers of help, donations and support.
Cornholme, Walsden and Todmorden were particularly severely hit. The Revd Nancy White, assistant priest in the United Todmorden Benefice said her sister and family had now moved in with her sfor the foreseeable future until their house was repaired and that many people were living in the upper floors of their homes or had had to move, including church members.
Church members have also played a crucial role in supporting flooded households. Rachel Brandwood, a member of St Peter's Walsden helped set up the Todmorden hub and co-ordinate the Calder Valley Flood Support Facebook forum. The Todmorden Hub model was then rolled out to Hebden Bridge with the teams working across Todmorden, Hebden Bridge and Mytholmroyd.
As well as this the Todmorden Food Drop-in team (St Mary's Church) provided a safe space and refreshments for people when the Town Hall Hub was closed at night in the initial days as support was put in place.
Said Nancy: "It has been a very challenging start to the year for this whole area and as parishes we are all going to have to provide much pastoral care for members of the community over the coming months."
The Halifax MP, Holly Lynch set up a parliamentary office in Christ Church, Sowerby Bridge to give people advice and help. And the Bishop of Huddersfield, the Rt Revd Jonathan Gibbs, saw for himself the devastation across the valley and was in touch with the Calderdale Chief Executive to ask how the churches may better help. You can read his reflections here
Mark is typical of some of the stories of devastation churches have been hearing since the floods hit as Christ Church churchwarden, Peter Henry explained: “Mark called in yesterday. His ground floor flat was flooded from floor to ceiling and he has lost everything he had. He was in a state of shock. ”
‘All we could do was listen to him, and offer him help and support.”
Over in Hebden Bridge, the vicar, the Revd Howard Pask organized an interfaith service where Sikhs and Muslims came together
Ravi Singh, CEO/Founder of Khalsa Aid talked about the work of Leeds-based Khalsa Aid in the floods.
"My faith inspires me to carry out the humanitarian work. But we came to help in the UK floods as fellow Britains and countrymen. Sadly it takes such a disaster to bring us all together. Thank you for your hospitality towards all our volunteers."
The Association of Muslim Charities, which represents: One Nation, Batley; Helping Hands;Pakistan and Kashmir Welfare Association, Batley; Mount Cricket Club; Knottingley Cricket Club; Jammu Kashmir National Awami Party, Batley; Mini Executive Travel, Batley; the Pakistan and Kashmir Welfare Association; Womens' Day Group, Ikram Butt of the White Ribbon Campaign and Mufti Mohammed Amin Pandor, Imam, also spoke movingly about the inspirational service.
Mohammed Sadiq Patel, the co-ordinator of the charities group said: “The message to you all from The Association of Muslim Charities is very simple, the help has just started, until each and every affected individual, family, business, voluntary organisations, sports clubs, places of worship etc normality has not been restored, only then the practical help will cease, but our love and friendship will be everlasting.
“Kindly continue giving with your hearts ! Let us all make 2016 a truly special and historic year,” he said.
In Ovenden, St George’s Church are asking for volunteers to help run a pop up shop in the Woolshops Shopping Centre, Halifax, to raise money for the Calderdale Flood Aid pot.
The vicar, the Revd Gordon Barley said: "It is staffed by a number of community organisations including St George’s Community Trust and volunteers from St George’s Church. All money raised will go to Calderdale Community Foundation Flood Relief which, hopefully, will be matched £1 for £1 by the government. People are generously donating, and since it opened we are taking a daily average of £600. On Friday (last Friday) this reached £1,000, just on that day! "
St George’s Community Trust are working with Jo Woodhead (on behalf of the community) in this two week project to raise money for those in the Calder Valley who were hit hardest by the Boxing Day floods.
The shop will be put up next to The Body Shop between Monday 4th January and Sunday 17th January and will sell items donated by those living locally.
Lisa, from St George's Community Trust, says, “We need volunteers to help staff the shop and sort through donations between 9am and 5pm from Monday to Saturday, and from 10am to 4pm on Sunday.
“We want to raise as much money as possible because the Government will match it pound for pound!
“All monies will be paid [to those affected by the floods] via the Community Foundation for Calderdale Flood Aid Fund that has been set up.”
If you would like any further information on the pop up shop, please contact Lisa at: lisa@sgct.org.uk.
Areas like Mytholmroyd, Hebden and Elland, still need the support and and prayers of the Diocese.
Flooding in Bingley
Old Main Street in Bingley, West Yorkshire, was flooded when the River Aire breached its banks. The parish church is located on higher ground opposite the flooded terraced houses. The vicar, churchwarden and members of the church rallied to the aid of residents providing tables to help raise furniture and belongings out of water’s harm, wading through water, waist high, in order to salvage belongings and feeding flood victims. The church remained open offering coffee and tea making facilities. Flood victims brought possessions - furniture, fabric, pictures and photos into the church for their safety and to try and dry them out. When the waters receded, church members helped local residents clean up and the church is fundraising for those who have no insurance or financial security. The manager of the local pub has been awarded a small grant from the Church
You can donate at a LocalGiving webpage for relief in the Calder Valley at: https://localgiving.com/appeal/Flooding
Find Christ Church on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Christchurchsb