ChadNet – no 142

ChadNet – no 142 – Sunday 11th December 2022

ChadNet - the eBulletin of St Chad's Church, Pattingham with Patshull

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

Jill Parker

A recent survey conducted by The Church of England shows that more than seven million people have contact with Church Community Action Programmes . Almost half (47 %) agreed the local church was an important part of their local community. Do you think it would be the same if we surveyed our parishioners? I think it would.

St Chad’s provides a focal point for the village with its tower lit up every night, the sound of the bells ringing out, a place to commemorate significant life events such as death, marriage and baptism but it is more than a beautiful historic building .

St Chad’s sadly has been without a Vicar since Maureen retired but has continued to grow and flourish in many different ways. There are a variety of services which cater for those who like a traditional service, those who prefer an Iona type evening service and the vibrant Youth and Family Services with a more relaxed and informal style but still with a message. At these services a shortened Communion allows those who wish to share bread and wine. As you’ll see from the information delivered to every household in the Parish there have been and continue to be activities which cater for all, young or old, the lonely, the gregarious or those who want the opportunity for quiet prayer and contemplation. The door is open!

St Chad’s isn’t just a building. It’s a living breathing community which would like all to be members not just for the bad times in our lives but to give thanks for the good. No doubt we all ask God to help us in difficult times but can we help in some way for us all to live a better Christian life in 2023?  We can never underestimate the giving out of kindness to those we meet. Gifts such as compassion, understanding, patience are priceless. The smile or ‘lovely to see you’, an offer of a cup of tea or a listening ear may make the difference to someone. Don’t put off making that phone call or email because one day it will be too late.

Take the step to enter the church if you rarely do and join with others to
‘Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures for ever’ (1 Chronicles 16:34)

Jill Parker

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

We do not have a VIcar at the moment. For matters which would normally be dealt with by the Vicar the churchwardens are the first point of contact. The Vicarage phone (01902 700257) is redirected to the churchwardens. When they are not available a message can be left on the voicemail and they will return the call when they are available. 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 evening 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 (note – this is different to the address used before November 2020 which no longer works).

Notices, which should be received by Friday evening 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 (note – this is different to the address used before November 2020 which no longer works).

Sunday 11th December – Third Sunday of Advent

At 10 am there will be a service of Holy Communion, led by Revd James Makepeace, in church.Coffee (and tea and biscuits) will be available after the service.

At 4 pm the Christingle Service will be held in church. As usual the collection goes to the Children’s Society and there are “Christingle Candles” on the font in church for those wishing to save loose change to bring to the service.  SOCIETY HOUSE BOXES can also be brought along to Christingle, or left with a sidesman at any December church service, or phone Chissie on 700340 to arrange collection. Looking forward to seeing many of you

There will be no service in the evening.

This week

The church will be open every day. Look out for the “church open” sign outside the porch.

Monday is the copy date for the January magazine. Send articles to Mike Moss at

On Tuesday Prayers for Peace will be said in church at 6 pm. Prayers for Peace now takes place on Tuesdays only during the winter months. Please do join us and if you would like more information or are willing to lead a session, please contact Mary Hayward ().

On Tuesday at 7.30 pm the popular Christmas Carol Singing at the Dartmouth Arms, Burnhill Green, will take place. All are welcome. For more information contact Gena Richards.

On Wednesday there will be a service of Holy Communion according to the Book of Common Prayer, led by Revd James Makepeace, in church at 10.00 am which will be followed by tea, coffee and cake.
After the service the church will be open from 10.30 am until at least 11.30 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. The church heating will be on so those attending will be warm as well as receiving a warm welcome.

On Wednesday from 4 pm to 9 pm the church will be open for those who are decorating trees for the Christmas Tree Festival.

On Thursday at 9.30 am the School End of Term Service takes place in church.

On Thursday from 10.30 am to 2 pm and from 4.30 pm to 9 pm the church will be open for those who are decorating trees for the Christmas Tree Festival.

On Thursday at 3.30 pm the funeral of Jennifer Ann Garbett takes place in church.

On Friday the Christmas Tree Festival takes place in church from 12 noon to 7 pm.

On Saturday the Christmas Tree Festival continues in church from 10 am to 5 pm.

On Saturday at 7.30 pm there is a concert by the Brewood Singers, “It’s Christmas Time”, in church. Tickets £10 each (includes a glass of mulled wine and a mince pie) available from Mike Coope on 01902 700426.

Sunday 18th December – Fourth Sunday of Advent

At 10 am there will be a service led by the Youth Group in church.The theme of the service is Peace at Christmas. This will be followed by a service of Holy Communion, led by Revd. Sue Watson, for those who wish to stay. After the whole service there will be seasonal refreshments and tea and coffee.

The Christmas Tree Festival continues in church from 11.30 am to 5 pm.

At 6.30 pm the Service of Nine Lessons and Carols, led by Iain Coleman, will be held in church.

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day

On Christmas Eve there are two service in church:

  • the Crib Service, led by Lisa Ainsworth, at 4.00 pm;
  • the “midnight” Eucharist service at 11.30 pm, which is led by Rt Revd Clive Gregory, the Bishop of Wolverhampton.

We now have a priest for Christmas Day.

  • The service at 10 am will be a Christmas Morning Communion Service led by Rt Revd Janet McFarlane, Canon Custos at Lichfield Cathedral.
  • There will be no service in the evening.

Century Club

Annual subscriptions for the Century Club are now due.

  • Payment of £60 can be made by bank transfer to
  • Account name: Pattingham Parochial Church Council
  • Sort Code: 20-97-78
  • Account No: 50655023
  • Payment reference: Centuryclub

Due to recent deaths and resignations there will be a number of vacancies from December. If you would like to join the Century Club at a cost of £60 per year or for any further information please contact Alan Smith on 07757 688518 or

Christmas Tree Festival

Christmas Tree Festival

The 2022 Christmas Tree Festival will take place from Friday 16th to Sunday 18th December.

It will be open from 12 noon to 7 pm on Friday, 10 am to 5 pm on Saturday and 11.30 am to 5 pm on Sunday.

‘It’s Christmas Time’ – a concert by the Brewood Singers – will be held on the Saturday at 7.30 pm. Tickets £10 each.

The trees

Those decorating the trees can do so from 4 pm to 9 pm on Wednesday 14th and from 10.30 am to 2 pm and from 4.30 pm to 9 pm on Thursday 15th. Tree decorations are to be cleared by 9pm on Monday 19th December.

Cleared trees will then be available for sale at a cost of £10 per tree; please register your interest in purchasing a tree by contacting Tony Ainsworth on 07748111816 or email

Stewards needed

Thank you to those who have agreed to act as stewards for the Christmas tree festival. We still need volunteers for the Saturday and Sunday so, if you can help, please add your name to list at the back of the church.

Any queries please call Alan Smith on 07757 688518.

Experience Christmas

Last Monday and Tuesday we held a very successful Christmas Experience in St Chad’s Church for all the children in St Chad’s School. The children came in their class groups, with teachers, in five separate sessions spread over the two days, to learn about Christmas using six stations, each of which related to a part of the Christmas story.

 We are very grateful to the members of the congregation who gave their time to build the six displays and also to those who came to explain the different aspects of the Christmas story to the children.

The whole exercise was much appreciated by the children and the school staff, so much so that the Head Teacher, Mrs Yeomans, is keen to repeat the event based, however, on different aspects of the Christian story.

As a Church we are helping to ensure that all the children who attend St Chad’s School have a good knowledge of what the Christian faith is all about. Many thanks to all who gave their time so willingly.

Ken Scott

More information and photographs of the displays are on the church website at <https://www.pattinghamchurch.org.uk/web/news-and-events/experience-christmas/>

Food Bank Donations for The Well

The box for donations for the Food Bank at The Well in Wolverhampton is at the back of the church. Details of the items wanted are on the table and can also be seen on the church website at <https://www.pattinghamchurch.org.uk/web/harvest-2022/>.

Reverse Advent Calendar

The Reverse Advent Calendar lists items for each day. We are encouraged to donate those items to The Well. They can be put in the box at the back of the church or, if collection is required, please contact Alan Smith on 07757 688518.

The items listed for this week are:

  • 11th December – toilet roll
  • 12th December – shower gel
  • 13th December – coffee
  • 14th December – tinned peas
  • 15th December – squash
  • 16th December – tinned fish
  • 17th December – marmalde
  • 18th December – microwave rice

For more information see <https://www.thewellwolverhampton.co.uk/blog/reverse-advent-calendar-2022>

From the Memorial Book

Those whose anniversaries occur between 4th and 18th December.

John Reynolds – 4th December 1985
Lorna Briscoe – 4th December 1994
Stanley William Thomas Jones – 4th December 2007
Harry Burton  – 5th December 1975
James Ellis – 5th December 2019
Julie Amanda Morgans – 6th December 2011
Mary Elizabeth Inett – 7th December 1996
Norman Alfred Bramall – 8th December 2021
Robert James Hayhurst – 9th December 1994
David John Jennings – 10th December 2012
Robert Lewis Pass – 10th December 2016
Alec Christopher Harley – 10th December 2016
Eliza Newton – 16th December 1953
Brian John Darrell – 16th December 2013
Raymond William Haden – 17th December 2005

You can see all the pages of the Memorial Book on the Memorial Book Online page of the Church website.

Resources for worship and prayer at home

Some of resources which can be used at home are listed on the Resources Available Online and the Resources Available for Children, Young People and Families pages of the website.

For those who are unable to attend church there are still a number of services which are available online, including a weekly service on the Church of England 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.

We have 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.

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“.

ChadNet

This bulletin is sent to those who have requested it. We now have 113 subscribers but there may still  be some people who are not aware of it and would wish to receive it. 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