‘Merry’s miscellany’

The Vicar’s monthly letter for the Parish News

October 2026

“Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you.” Romans 15:7

My family and I have lived in Pattingham for over a year now, and we have particularly appreciated how welcomed we have been. People have shown a genuine interest in our family, taken the time to get to know us and, in all sorts of small ways, made us feel at home.

That is something worth noticing, especially at a time when loneliness and belonging are increasingly part of the national conversation. The latest government figures tell us that 7% of adults in England feel lonely often or always, rising to 9% among 16-24-year-olds. Behind those figures are real people: people who may be surrounded by others and yet feel alone, longing for friendship, connection and somewhere they can simply be themselves.

Perhaps this is one of the gifts a village can offer – and a gift we would love people to find at St Chad’s.

We aim to be a church of open doors. Not simply a building with unlocked doors, but a community that is open-hearted: a place where friendships can grow, where people can find warmth and encouragement, where there is someone to talk to in difficult times and someone to celebrate with in the good times.

People become part of our community in many different ways: volunteering at events, joining our social times and concerts, taking part in worship or family events such as Santa at St Chad’s, sharing a meal at Who’s for Lunch, or singing with the Shower Singers. We love making new friends and deepening friendships through conversations wherever they arise.

We hope people feel that they belong when someone remembers their name, notices when they haven’t been around, asks how they are and really wants to know the answer. We want to make space for people who are new, uncertain, different or simply looking for somewhere to belong.

But an open church is never a finished project. We can always become more open, attentive and generous in our welcome. So we want to keep asking: Who might we be missing? Who might find it difficult to cross our threshold? And what could we do to help people discover friendship, support and a sense of belonging?

Please do share your thoughts and suggestions with us.

Jesus welcomed people as they were. We feel that it is our calling to do the same: to keep our doors open, our eyes attentive and our hearts ready to make room for all.

Rev Merry