ChadNet – no 329 – Sunday 12th July 2026
Welcome to this week’s edition of ChadNet – the eBulletin of St Chad’s Church, Pattingham with Patshull.
In this week’s ChadNet:
- View from the Pews – Margaret Lingford
- Sunday 12th July – Trinity 6
- This week
- Sunday 19th July – Trinity 7
- The Fete
- Part Time Administrator
- Poppy Participants – Coffee/Tea & Cake – Saturday 8th August
- The Well Foodbank
- Dementia Friendly Church – weekly prayer
- From the Memorial Book
- Giving to the Church
View from the Pews
‘If music be the food of love, play on’.
These opening lines from Shakespeare’s ‘Twelfth Night’ lead me to the topic of this article — Music and all that it means to us. It is intrinsic, instinctive, it gives us much joy, solace, pleasure, puts rhythm into our steps, conjures up memories and can transport us.
Think of how babies love to hear soft music, how they can be pacified by a lullaby and we are told that, even before birth, they are aware of these sounds.
How very fortunate we are, at St Chad’s to be surrounded by the music which is integral to Christian worship. As we make our way to church we hear the trills of song-birds (and haven’t they been full-throated this Spring, though I have only once heard a cuckoo). The bells are summoning us, rung by our talented team of ringers, and, as we enter the building we hear the sound of our splendid organ being played by our inspirational organist and choirmaster, Martin (with John taking his place when Martin is away). Martin is often accompanied by the exquisite flute-playing of his wife, Cath, and from time to time there is the extra bonus of Peter’s guitar.
The choir files in to lead us in our singing. We appreciate that we still have a choir — many churches no longer do. At our Youth Service once a month we enjoy listening to their band and the different instruments represented.
And let’s not forget that we have a very musical Vicar!
It is now the turn of the congregation and how we enjoy singing the hymns whether they be traditional or the more recently written ‘Worship Songs’.
Very occasionally, we have the well-attended ‘Songs of Praise’ services but the music is not confined to services. The popular ‘Shower Singers’ meet on Wednesdays and we are always delighted to host concerts.
There are many references to singing and musical instruments in the Bible. In the Old testament, the origin of music is attributed to Jubal, ‘the father of all those who play the lyre or pipe’. Music was an important part of the life of ancient Israel and played an important role on family occasions — weddings, parties, homecomings and in daily activities such as well-digging, treading grapes and harvesting.
Instruments were made from animal horns, skins or intestines, as well as brass and natural materials such as wood, pottery and stone. Some are familiar to us — cornet, flute, harp, cymbals, others more obscure — sackbut, psaltery and dulcimer.
David immediately comes to mind as a Biblical character associated with music and recognised as such in the Book of Samuel.
Weekly, we sing, or chant, psalms attributed to him.
Even though the New Testament has fewer references to music, it must have played a vital role in the early Christian community. Jesus and the disciples attended the temple and synagogue. We read in Mark 14 v26 ‘When they had sung the hymns, they went out to the Mount of Olives.’ Ephesians 5 v9 tells us early Christians engaged in the singing of ‘psalms and hymns and spiritual songs’.
Here are two examples of pieces of music which can stir the emotions profoundly. Mendelssohns’s ‘Wedding March’ played on the organ when the bride enters the church, traditionally on her father’s arm. The music soars joyfully, full of promise of a happy life ahead (though the mother of the bride may be wiping away a few tears surreptitiously).
The cherished hymn ‘Abide with me’ by Henry Francis Lyte. It’s very moving whether sung at Evensong on a dark winter’s night or at a funeral.
I’m quite sure everyone has favourite pieces of music, of all types, which are especially meaningful for them.
My final quote is from Charlie Parker, the great American jazz saxophonist ‘Music is your own experience, your thoughts, your wisdom. If you don’t live it, it won’t come out of your horn’.
Margaret Lingford
(As always this View is the personal view of the author.)
Would you like to write a View from the Pews?
We welcome contributions for View from the Pews from anyone who would like to write one. It does not need to be on any particular subject. If you would like to write one please send it to or contact Henry Ibberson ( / 01902 701136).
.Contacts
The Vicar’s post is half time so Merry will not be working every day. Her usual working days are Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday but this is subject to change. Her phone number is 07486 066065 and her email address is When she is not working she will not normally answer the phone, listen to messages or respond to emails.
Calls to the old phone number (01902 700257) are forwarded to Merry’s phone.
Emails to will be received by the churchwardens.
Contact details for church officers can be found on the Contacts page of the church website. You can use if you are nore sure who to contact and the churchwardens will be able to forward it to the correct person.
Notices, which should be received by Friday afternoon for inclusion in that week’s ChadNet, and other communications in relation to ChadNet should be sent to
Articles for the magazine should be sent to
Sunday 12th July – Sixth Sunday after Trinity
At 10 am there will be a Service of the Word in the Iona style, led by Philip Sims and Dorothy Steel. There will be no Communion. Coffee, tea and biscuits will be available after the service.
In the Parish Prayer Diary we pray for:
Village organisations.
In the Trysull Deanery Prayer Diary we pray for:
St Benedict Biscop, Wombourne.
This week
The church will be open every day. Look out for the “church open” sign outside the porch.
This is not a week when the Prayers for Peace group meets but some members of the group will be in church on Tuesday at 6 pm to say prayers. Anyone is welcome to join them.
On Wednesday at 10.00 am there will be a service of Holy Communion according to the Book of Common Prayer, led by Revd Paul Brown, in church which will be followed by tea, coffee and cake.
After the service the church will be open from 10.30 am until at least 11.00 am as a Place of Welcome when anyone who wants to will be welcome to share in the coffee, cake and chat, whether they have been to the service or not. Those attending will receive a warm welcome.
At 6 pm on Wednesday the Pattingham Shower Singers meet in church. All are welcome – just come and sing and have fun! If you need more information, contact Alix at .
At 7 pm on Wednesday Choir Practice takes place in church. Anyone interested in joining the choir should contact Martin Fox or any member of the choir.
On Friday from 10 am to 12 noon the Home Instead Memory Café is being held at the Village Hall.
These are free informal sessions designed for individuals living with
dementia and their carers to meet in a relaxed environment. Enjoy
simple, engaging activities, while connecting with others who understand the challenges of dementia. No need to book. Just pop along.
Sunday 19th July – Seventh Sunday after Trinity
At 10 am there will be a service led by the Youth Group in church. This will be followed by a short service of Holy Communion, led by Revd Lin Vawer, to which you are all most welcome. Coffee, tea and biscuits will be available after the service.
At 6.30 pm there will be a service of Evensong, led by Iain Coleman, in church.
In the Parish Prayer Diary we pray for:
Those who are in residential care.
In the Trysull Deanery Prayer Diary we pray for:
St Paul, Pendeford.
The Fete
The estimated net proceeds of the fete are £6,132. A full breakdown is on the church website here.
Thank you to everyone who attended and supported this brilliant event on Saturday. Weather ideal (dry and pre heat wave) and the music from the Staffordshire Band and dancing exhibition gave the feeling of traditional village fete. As you will see, once again, over £6,000 was raised; in addition, we have purchased twenty new tables thanks to the generosity of our sponsors. In addition, we now have three marquees, all for use at future PCC events.
We are grateful to Alix and Keith, sponsors and all helpers and volunteers who supported us on the day, in particular, as ever, the Air Cadets. From starting the marquees at 6.30 am to falling into the Crown at 7pm it was a long day, but well worth it. Looking forward to 3 July 2027!
Part Time Administrator
St Chad’s Church, Pattingham requires an administrator to support the Church and the Parochial Church Council in their mission.
We are looking for someone; with good communication skills; who is proficient in using computer office applications, Social Media, Google calendar and can interact well in person and on the phone.
Part time: 10 hours per week (Competitive rate of pay)
Closing date for applications: 24th July 2026
Interviews: Taking place in the second week in August 2026
More information and an application form are on this page of the church website.
Poppy Participants – Coffee/Tea & Cake
An Invitation to all Poppy participants to Coffee/Tea & Cake in Church on Saturday 8th August from 10 am to midday. A chance to meet up and have a get together and a little thank you for all your hard work. (Please let Tracey know if you can make it).
The Well – the Wolverhampton Food Bank
All donations are welcome but, in particular, our top needs are:
- Meat soup
- Tinned tomatoes
- Tinned peas
- Jam/marmalade
- Sugar
Thank you for your continued support.
If you wish to know more about the work of The Well, or would like to know how you can support it in other ways, do connect via their website, where you can sign up to the newsletter and link to their Social Media pages: <www.thewellwolverhampton.co.uk>
Dementia Friendly Church
Weekly Prayer
Lord help us accept with grace
that this journey of life
is limited both by time
and the process of growing old.
May we leave the path
a little easier to follow,
Less overgrown with weeds
or thorns likely to cause pain,
an encouragement for others
to step out in faith with you.
Amen
(Faith & Worship)
If you would like to suggest (or write) a prayer for inclusion in this series please let Tracey Williams, our Dementia Friendly Church Co-ordinator, know.
From the Memorial Book
Those whose anniversaries occur between 5th and 19th July.
Molly Dermott Pass – 5th July 2018
Bunty Genna – 6th July 2001
Campbell Harris – 10th July 1966
David John Rushton – 11th July 1995
Walter Newman Foggin – 11th July 2014
Jennifer Anne Baxter – 14th July 2007
Henry Charles Peever – 15th July 1991
Charles Herbert James Gosling – 16th July 1989
Florence Gladys Roberts – 17th July 1998
You can see all the pages of the Memorial Book on the Memorial Book Online page of the Church website.
Giving to the church
Details of the various ways in which you can give can be found on the Giving page of the website.
You can make a bank transfer to our bank account (Account name: Pattingham Parochial Church Council – Sort Code: 20-97-78 Account No: 50655023).
If you are paying by cheque please make the cheque payable to “Pattingham PCC” or “Pattingham Parochial Church Council“.
We have a JustGiving page to enable people to make one off donations. It’s at <https://www.justgiving.com/page/pattingham-church-jg>. You will be asked if you want to make a contribution on top of your donation. If you do it will go to JustGiving and not to charity. If you do not want to make such a contribution select “other”. If you are a taxpayer please consider gift aiding your donation.
ChadNet
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St Chad’s Church, Pattingham with Patshull Registered charity no 1151604