ChadNet – no 13 – Sunday 21st June 2020
Welcome to the 13th edition of ChadNet – the eBulletin of St Chad’s Church, Pattingham with Patshull.
View from the Vicarage:
Who stole the summer?
After the driest May on record, June is not so much flaming as somewhat soggy so far! Although I believe that the hot weather will be back by the end of the week.
But let us rejoice that the threat of Covid – while not yet gone, appears to be starting to recede. I pray that the gradual easing of lockdown does not result in a second wave, but only time will tell.
This week sees an easing of our own constraints. I was able to record Sunday’s service inside St Chad’s with just one other person present. And on Saturday 20 June we are opening for private prayer for the first time. Just for two hours to begin with and with me present to check that people can understand and comply with the limitations we have had to introduce in an effort to make sure that we all stay as safe as possible.
Next week, all being well, we will extend the provision. If you would like to help by offering some time when you could be in church to greet people coming in and ensure they abide by the notices, then please get in touch! There is still some debate about whether or not we need someone present when the building is open, but it cannot harm. Unfortunately, because of increased risk from the virus with age, I need to stipulate that you must be under 70 to offer to do this.
This past week I have been struck, yet again, by the innate kindness of people in this community. That has been one of the good things that has come from this pandemic. We have – on the whole – realised that life is so much more pleasant when we come together and help each other, rather than adopting the dog eat dog approach that characterised so much of the end of the last decade.
Of course, Christianity has long had something to add to this narrative with the question, “And who is my neighbour?” This plays into the current “Black lives matter” movement. Now I appreciate that this is controversial for some, and slavery was a fact of life and history for much of the Bible. Sadly slavery is not only a reality of history – it exists to this day and not that far away from Pattingham. Modern slavery with the trafficking of human beings is a stain on us all and needs to be called out and confronted whenever we find it. And where our ancestors benefitted from historic slavery, then yes – I do think we need to acknowledge it and ask forgiveness – without expecting that it will be given by the descendents of those nations affected.
And I find it fascinating to discover the people of colour in our history who have never been accorded the honour and fame they deserve.
Anyway, next Sunday’s service – on 28 June – will take as it’s theme, “The kindness of strangers”. If you have any good examples that you would like to acknowledge, get in touch and I can build them into the service!
Maureen.
Opening of the Church for Private Prayer
The church will be open between 12 noon and 2 pm on Saturday, 20th June for private prayer.
If you come in, please read all the notices and respect the need for social distancing.
Future occasions on which it will be open will be announced on the church website and Facebook page.
The relaxation of the rules has also meant that the church clock is now going again.
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 21st June – 2nd Sunday after Trinity
There will be a service on the Worship on the Web page of the website from 10 am. It was recorded inside the church and reflects that outside the church it’s Fathers’ Day – the heading is “How deep is the Father’s love?” The music will be provided as usual by the virtual 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 28th June – 3rd Sunday after Trinity
There will be a service on the theme “The kindness of strangers” 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 15th June and 28th June.
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
Jasper Ronald Curtis – 23rd June 2004
Joan Morgan – 25th June 1991
Katie Margaret Dain – 26th June 2005
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.
Sunday School
There is no Sunday School on the Web this month but there are other versions of Sunday School which are available online.
Try Virtual Sunday School, which is a YouTube channel started by the Spring Harvest Organisation. A new Sunday School video comes out each Saturday. Last week’s was called “Jonah & the BIG FISH in the bathroom”. This week’s should be available soon.
There is also the Faith at Home material from the Church of England. All the videos are available at https://www.churchofengland.org/faith-action/faith-home/faith-home-videos
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.
Maureen often shares inspirational posts on the Church Facebook page so it is worth looking at that from time to time.
A Poem from the Bible Society.
This week’s resource is a poem for these strange times, inspired by Dylan Thomas . The link Is to a short video and a rendition of the poem by the author.https://youtu.be/YfA27M11piA
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 74 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.
- 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