He joined the Community of the Resurrection in Mirfield in 1955. He was ordained deacon in 1956 and priest in 1957. He was curate of the Church of All Saints, Bingley, from 1956 to 1958. Then, while studying for his degree, he was curate of Almondbury 1958–1960. He gained his Bachelor of Divinity at the University of London in 1960. He was vicar of St Mary's, Gawthorpe and Chickenley Heath, near Dewsbury and Ossett, 1960–1974. He then became joint vicar of Christ Church, New Mill and Thurstonland 1974–1989. Between 1989 and 1991 he was team vicar for the same parishes. He retired in 1991 with permission to officiate in the Wakefield diocese from that date. He died on 25 April 2008 aged 83 at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary. John Sean Robertshaw, from 1996 Rev. Canon John Sean Robertshaw was born in Huddersfield in 1966. He graduated from Cranmer Hall, St John's College, Durham in 1990. He was ordained deacon in 1993, and ordained priest in 1994. He was curate of St Peter's parish church, Morley with Churwell, Wakefield, from 1993 to 1996. He then became team vicar for Upper Holme Valley, including Thurstonland, from 1996 to 2001. He was appointed Chaplain to the Forces for the Territorial Army in 1998. He was team rector for Upper Holme Valley 2001–2013. He was made Honorary Canon of Wakefield Cathedral on 8 September 2011. On 26 June 2012 he was appointed a director of Wakefield Diocesan Board of Education. In November 2012 he gained a postgraduate degree in theology and ministry at York St John University. Services and parochial activity This ministry serves Thurstonland and Stocksmoor, and works with the local community, including Thurstonland Endowed (VC) First School, the two village associations, and the local pub and cricket club. The following services occur regularly: all-age worship, holy communion and family communion. There is a regular sung eucharist, and also a children's church service twice a month. Lay people are involved in church services, in practical contribution such as flowers and refreshments, and in those local events such as music concerts and Harvest Festival which take place at St Thomas' church and in the Church Room at the back of the nave. The magazine Parish News, listing services and events, is distributed from the church building. The church is involved in charity work, and organises occasional family Sunday Fundays. It hosts Rainbows, Mothers' Union, a