ChadNet – no 12 – Sunday 14th June 2020
Welcome to the 12th edition of ChadNet – the eBulletin of St Chad’s Church, Pattingham with Patshull.
View from the Vicarage:
“When can we go back into church?”
This is a question I have been asked several times this week – understandably – since the Government made a surprise announcement last Saturday evening and the Prime Minister followed up by bringing the start date back a further two days in the middle of the week!
And since then I have been consulting with the Churchwarden and the lovely Mandy who cleans the church, as to how we can best open up while still making it as safe as possible for the community to come in.
The short answer is, we are not quite sure precisely when yet – there are a few things we need to do first. And when you do come in, it will not be free access to all parts of the building I am afraid. You may well find signs and notices asking you to move in single file, respecting social distancing, to touch as few surfaces as possible and to leave a laminated card on your seat indicating that you have been present in church. And any papers or prayer/worship material that you may bring with you – please take away too. And of course you will be expected to use the hand sanitizer on entering and leaving the building. And Mandy (or someone) will be cleaning the areas where people have been each day.
But having said all that – then I expect that before next weekend – 20 June, we will be open for private prayer only, at least for a few hours.
God of course, does not depend on buildings to be present. He is faithful and is with you whenever and wherever you pray and speak his name. The Collect for this Sunday seems quite appropriate to use at this point –
O God, the strength of all those who put their trust in you,
mercifully accept our prayers and
because through the weakness of our mortal nature
we can do no good thing without you
grant us the help of your grace,
that in the keeping of your commandments
we may please you both in will and deed,
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen
Grace, meaning favour or gift, refers to God’s unconditional love for the world in all its beauty and frailty, shown in the gifts he gives to the human race – life, food, intelligence, friendship and, above all, forgiveness and the new life in Christ. None of these things is earned or deserved. They are simply gifts – to be received humbly and gratefully.
Stay safe and God bless,
Maureen.
Opening of Churches for Private Prayer
Although the law would now allow the church building to be open for private prayer the government has only just published the official guidance for the safe use of places of worship during the pandemic. We have to consider that guidance, as well as guidance from the diocese and the national church, in deciding how and when St Chad’s Church can be open for private prayer. It will certainly not be open until towards the end of this week at the earliest. There will be more information in next week’s ChadNet.
Scarecrow Festival postponed until September 2021
A big disappointment to us all, but with the many unknowns concerning the coronavirus pandemic and our collective moral responsibility to Pattingham village residents, the Festival Steering Committee has agreed that the 2020 event will not now take place.
The support we have received over the years from the village, from sponsors, from our local farmers, and of course from all the Scarecrow makers has been tremendous and we shall look forward to working with you all again in 2021 – SEPTEMBER 24th 25th & 26th – put it on your calendars now !!
Steering Committee : Chrissie Ringrose – Kath & Mike Coope – Dave Challinor – Iain Coleman – Clive Pendrell
Contacts
Maureen can be contacted by phone, text or email. (01902 700257 – 07812 805371 – )
Contact details for other church officers can be found on the Contacts page of the church website.
Communications in relation to ChadNet should be sent to
Sunday 14th June – 1st Sunday after Trinity
As it is the second Sunday of the month the service will be put together and led by the Youth Group. The theme of the service is People, Presence and Power. It will be on the Worship on the Web page of the website from 10 am. The music will be provided by members of the Youth Group and the church choir. For those without internet access it will also be on the DIal a Service phone line (01902 906585) from 9 am – until then last Sunday’s service is on the phone line.
Join Maureen and other members of the congregation for a chat and a virtual cup of tea or coffee over Zoom from 11 o’clock. [The invitation to the Zoom meeting is only included in the edition of ChadNet which is emailed to subscribers.] You can join at any time up until 11.30 am.
The collect and readings for the Eucharist, which would normally be on the pewsheet, are available on the website.
During the week Maureen will continue to stream Morning Prayer and Compline (Night Prayer) on Facebook Live. Morning Prayer will be at 8.30 am and Compline will be at 9.30 pm.
Sunday 21st June – 2nd Sunday after Trinity
The will be a service of the word led by Maureen on the Worship on the Web page of the website from 10 am.
The collect and readings for the Eucharist, which would normally be on the pewsheet, are available on the website.
From the Memorial Book
Those whose anniversaries occur between 8th June and 21st June.
Henry Parkes – 9th June 1989
Nellie Elizabeth Warrilow – 9th June 1967
Violet Agnes Davies – 11th June 1992
Gwendoliyn Mary Pellow – 11th June 2010
Geraint Samuel Jones – 12th June 2013
Annie Parton – 13th June 1987
Gerald Victor Rowley – 14th June 1993
Frederick Seymour Toy – 15th June 1971
Ian Brian Price – 15th June 1973
Winifred Jane James – 15th June 2006
Anthony Robert Kiddle – 16th June 2015
Mitchell James Lingford – 18th June 1989
Kenneth Joseph Russell – 19th June 2010
Wilfrid Leslie Darlington – 20th June 1981
Giving to the Church
While we are not able to take offertory collections in church please think about giving in other ways. See the Giving page on the website to see how or go straight to our page on JustGiving.
For those without internet access – listen to a Pattingham church service by phone
Several members of our congregation who do not use the internet are using the dedicated phone number – 01902 906585 – to listen to our services. Calls are charged at normal rate. The service for each Sunday will be available from about 9 am and will continue to be available until it is replaced be the next week’s. If you know someone who might find it useful please let them know.
The Daily Hope phone line from the Church of England on 0800 804 8044 is also available.
Other resources for worship and prayer at home
In these times we are all needing to find different ways to pray and worship. There are a lot of different resources which have been made available in lots of different ways. Some of those are listed on the Resources Available Online page of the website. This not anything like a complete list of everything which is available. We also now have a Resources Available for Children, Young People and Families page.
Sunday School continues to be available online on the Sunday School on the Web page.
Maureen often shares inspirational posts on the Church Facebook page so it is worth looking at that from time to time.
Sameboat@home – Free resources for you
Same Boat Music is part of the Out of the Ark family. They have a number of free resources which include devotional sheets for families to go with their songs. It is definitely worth a look.
If you have found something which you have found useful please send the details to so that it can be shared with others.
ChadNet
This bulletin is sent to those who have requested it. We now have 73 subscribers but there may still be some people who are not aware of it and would wish to receive 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
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. Those who normally use the green or yellow envelopes may wish to continue to put their donations in the envelopes ready to bring to church when services resume.
We have set up a JustGiving page to enable people to make one off donations. It’s at www.justgiving.com/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: Account name: Pattingham Parochial Church Council – Sort Code: 20-97-78 – A/c No: 50655023. If you wish to gift aid it contact the Gift Aid Secretary or the Treasurer.
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.
- The 2020 Scarecrow Festival has been postponed to 2021.
- This year’s Holiday Club has been cancelled.
- The Church Fete has been cancelled for this year.
- The Century Club draws are suspended until further notice.
- The Who’s for Lunch lunches are suspended for the time being.
- The church clock has stopped as guidance from the Church of England prevents it from being wound. The carrilon continues to play automatically three times a day.
- Publication of the magazine is suspended for the moment.
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
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St Chad’s Church, Pattingham with Patshull Registered charity no 1151604