ChadNet – no 1 – Sunday 29th March 2020
Welcome to the first edition of ChadNet – the eBulletin of St Chad’s Church, Pattingham with Patshull.
View from the Vicarage:
Welcome to ChadNet our first eBulletin from St Chad’s Church for the Parish of Pattingham and Patshull and anyone else who asks to receive it!
March has been a month of firsts. First time of denying the wine to our congregation at a Communion Service. Then first time of denying Communion to everyone else. First time of leading a service in an almost empty church and having it recorded. First time of sharing Daily Prayer with a virtual congregation. First time of using Zoom to facilitate a meeting. First time of then using it to construct and record a service from six different locations! First time of locking up the church and not being able to enter it, even as the vicar!
Many of these ‘firsts’ are experiences I could well have done without, but there are positives coming out of the difficult situation in which we find ourselves. Using technology and Social Media is proving to be an excellent way to stay in touch with our congregation. As is the telephone. I cannot imagine how we would cope without these tools. And the roads are noticeably quieter; the birdsong noticeably louder. Having brilliant weather for this first week of “lockdown“ has definitely helped, but we know we have a long road ahead.
People of faith know that God does not stop us from catching viruses, or guarantee us full recovery, but God will be beside us and can bring us comfort and consolation when we are faced with the reality of contagion and even death.
And if we listen to all the good advice; stay home and ease the pressure on our amazing NHS, then we have more chance of coming through this. God bless and keep you safe. Amen
Sunday 29th March – 5th Sunday of Lent – Passion Sunday
A service in the Iona style has been recorded. It involves a number of people who joined in from their own homes over Zoom. It will be available on the Church website from 10 am on Sunday. Find it on the Worship on the Web page.
The collect and readings for the Eucharist, which would normally be on the pewsheet, are available on the website.
The Church of England online will have a service with the Archbishop of York live from 9 am. There are also other resources linked from that page.
Sunday 5th April – Palm Sunday
There will be a service on the Worship on the Web page of the website.
The collect and readings for the Eucharist, which would normally be on the pewsheet, are available on the website.
Changes due to the current situation
The church building is closed but the church community remains active. Further details can be found on the church website. There is an update page which gives more information. Details of worship and prayers online are on the Worship on the Web page. Maureen is offering daily prayer from the Vicarage which is streamed live on Facebook and is then available on the Worship on the Web page.
The Annual Church Meeting has been postponed. A new date will be fixed in due course.
Giving to the church
While normal services are not being held there will inevitably be a reduction in the money which the church receives. However we will need to continue to pay our bills and we would ask that those who can afford to do so should continue to give regularly.
Although it will not be possible to put money in the plate there are a number of other ways in which you can give to the church. These include the Giving Direct scheme, Just Giving, a standing order or even one off transfers to the church bank account. Details of all of these can be found on the Giving page of the website.
We have set up a JustGiving page to enable people to make one off donations. It’s at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/pattingham-church. 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.
If you wish to make a payment by bank transfer the details of our bank account are: Sort Code: 20-97-78 A/c No: 50655023. If you wish to gift aid it contact the Gift Aid Secretary or the Treasurer.
Century Club suspended
Due to the current situation the Century Club draws are suspended until further notice.
Pattingham Friends
The piece in the April magazine about the Pattingham Friends, who can help those in need, is on the website together with the list of contacts.
The weekly bulletin for each Sunday will normally be sent on the preceding Friday or Saturday. Additional bulletins may be sent if required. It is only being sent to those who have requested it. If you know of anyone who might be interested please tell them about it and ask them to sign up using the form on the website (www.pattinghamchurch.org.uk/web/information/chadnet/sign-up-to-chadnet/) or by email to
—
St Chad’s Church, Pattingham with Patshull Registered charity no 1151604