ChadNet – no 149

ChadNet – no 149 – Sunday 29th January 2023

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

Dorothy Steel

I borrowed a book recently, it belonged to Vicar Maureen and had been left in the Vicarage – ‘Soul Friendship’ by Ray Simpson; I spotted it, was tempted to open it, and I did! We often use the term ‘Soul Mate’ and I know I have a couple of people, very dear to me who have lovingly given counsel and helped me find solace throughout my life. One of whom was like me at the time – a mum of two young children trying to follow our path of faith, work, be a good wife and mum and look after ageing parents in poor health. She a was a devout Muslim – but that’s another story!

This book explores the relationship between the ‘soul mate’ and the ‘seeker’; it addresses a formal structured process to work together, how to set ‘ground-rules’ and describes ‘tools’ which will deepen and enhance the experience for both involved. Whilst the book is helping to provide a professional framework, the many ‘tools’ referred to help us all in less formal everyday relationships we encounter as part of our mission. These are for me the basics of the second commandment – ‘Love thy neighbour…’ because, of course loving and helping others involves ‘talking and listening’ as well as ‘doing’. ‘You have ears, why don’t you use them?’ the book challenges (taken from Luke ch 8 v 8) and goes on to remind us to ‘listen’ externally to others (both verbally and non-verbally), but also to take time to ‘listen’ to our internal messages. We are urged to listen to our own feelings, not to neglect our inner needs. The book is based upon Celtic Christians (from Scotland and Ireland) from the third century onwards and reminds us that in the Celtic Tradition, heaven and earth were seen as very close together and death is an opportunity not a threat. The different paths we find ourselves on from birth to death are explored through the metaphor of ‘journey’ for spiritual growth referring to the different stages on our individual journeys through childhood adolescence and adulthood.

I know you may be thinking ‘well I knew all that’, but for me the book has been helpful in both endorsing and reinforcing my commitment to understanding, respecting and responding to my own spiritual journey and to that of others. As the book challenges – ‘…will I be responsible for cradling life in others, or will I retire and live only for myself?’

Let us be kind to each other and remember to receive with thanks the help we get from our ‘soul-mates’ and try and return to others this gift of special friendship and support. Finally, we are reminded to read and ‘use’ the Bible every day – in our busy lives something to try hard to do!

Dorothy Steel

(PS Apologies to the Author and anyone else who has read the book and feels I have ‘got it all wrong’! I enjoyed it!)

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).

Sunday 29th January – The Presentation

At 10 am there will be aservice of Holy Communion, led by Revd. Roberta Maxfield, in church. It will include the baptisms of James Timmins and Ralphie Thomas. Coffee (and tea and biscuits) will be available after the service.

There will be a short PCC meeting after the service.

In the Parish Prayer Diary we pray for we pray for: Businesses in the parish

In the Trysull Deanery Prayer Diary we pray for: St Anne, Lower Penn.

This week

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

The Century Club draw takes place on Monday.

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 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.

Sunday 5th February – The Third Sunday before Lent

At 10 am there will be a Family Service in church, led by Iain Coleman and Clive Pendrell, which will be followed by Holy Communion, led by Revd Roberta Maxfield, for those who wish to stay. Coffee (and tea and biscuits) will be available after the service.

In the Parish Prayer Diary we pray for we pray for those who live and work in: High Street, Meadow View, Broadwell Lane, Old Smithy Close.

In the Trysull Deanery Prayer Diary we pray for: St Bartholomew, Penn.

Century Club

This month’s Century Club draw will be held on Monday.

There are currently 16 vacancies for the Century Club and we need to try to recruit new members. If you know anyone who might like to help support the church and have a chance to win £150 each month then please tell them about it.

To join please send a cheque payable to Pattingham PCC to Alan Smith Cherry Cottage Marlbrook Lane.

Alternatively, you can make a bank transfer to the PCC account as follows:
Sort code:     20-97-78
Account no:    50655023
Account name:    Pattingham Parochial Church Council
Payment ref:     Century Club

For more details, please contact Alan Smith on 07757 688518 or
All surplus monies go to church funds.

To be included in this month’s draw please pay £55 by either method no later than this Sunday (29 January), notifying Alan to ensure your number is entered.

Food Bank Donations for The Well

The need for the Food Bank continues and the box for donations for the Food Bank at The Well in Wolverhampton continues to be 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/>.

From the Memorial Book

Those whose anniversaries occur between 22nd January and 5th February.

Ivy Rhodes – 25th January 2001
George Lloyd – 27th January 2000
Rex Pellow – 27th January 2011
Walter James Matthews – 29th January 1988
Ethel Brough – 30th January 1979
Dorothy Eileen Cooper – 30th January 2020
Norman Bartlett – 31st January 2003
John Stuart Hague – 1st February 2010
Sean Peter Mark Lingford – 2nd February 1995
William Ritchie Farquharson – 2nd February 2007
William John Evans – 2nd February 2010
Gordon Kennedy Morrison – 2nd February 2016
Nigel Martin William Vaughan – 4th February 2000

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