ChadNet – no 166

ChadNet – no 166 – Sunday 28th May 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

Iain Coleman

Or rather sounds from around.

Summer is (more or less) icumen in, accompanied by a great deal of birdsong. Which is all very welcome, apart from the pigeon that chooses to rouse me from slumber at an unearthly hour. Lately, we have been using an app that records and identifies birdsong. To date, wrens, blackbirds, skylarks, house martins, doves, sparrows (a lot), starlings, flycatchers and several more have manifested themselves. Which prompted the thought, what place do birds have in scripture? And what do they represent? The imagery of birds is prevalent throughout the Bible: though birds are often deemed small and insignificant, scripture tells us that they are still cared for by God as part of His creation. We also see powerful birds like eagles as pictures of strength, and owls representing desolation. Birds are often seen as a symbol of freedom, hope, and new beginnings. They may also symbolize joy, peace, and prosperity as well as courage, strength, and intelligence.

Tomorrow is Pentecost Sunday when the disciples first received the Holy Spirit. And one representation of the Holy Spirit is a dove. There is a little more; the dove of Christ means salvation and the dove of David indicates peace, whereas the dove with the olive branch also means good tidings. A dove painted in gold and silver plumage means purity and innocence but a dove with a ring around its the neck suggests the divine word encircled.

Owl

Eagles feature prominently. “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint”. It reminds us that we may stumble and fall, but those who trust in the Lord have a strength that this world cannot offer. When we see an eagle in flight, soaring on invisible air currents, we can be reminded that the Creator who supplies the eagle’s strength will also strengthen those who call upon His name. The eagle is the symbol of St John, the gospel writer.

A bit of a downside. Blackbirds. The blackbird symbolizes temptation and sin and is even attributed to the devil’s workings. The blackbird signifies darkness and evil, and is sent by Satan himself to tempt humans with worldly desires. But there is a little more hope for falcons. In Christian symbolism, the wild falcon represents the unconverted, materialistic soul and its sinful thoughts and deeds. The tamed bird symbolizes the Christian convert pursuing his lofty thoughts, hopes, and aspirations with courage.

The Lark provides the “song of light” and desires “for all to hear and all to know that He is joy.” Jesus is the Light of the World, whose birth was described as a moment of “great joy for all the people” The Lark comes as the “jet of the earth” that brings water to dry inner springs, the “wine which overflows” our very being. Perhaps that pigeon is ensuring that I’m up with the lark to receive that message.

However. A note of caution. There was great excitement when a tawny owl was detected by the app. Unfortunately the sound was generated by our dog’s squeaky toy…….

Iain Coleman


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 28th May – Pentecost (Whit Sunday)

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

At 2.00 pm the Baptism of Eden Thomas takes place in church.

At 6.30 pm there will be a Service of Evensong, led by Ken Scott, in church.

In the Parish Prayer Diary we pray for those who live or work in:
Dartmouth Avenue, Marlbrook Lane. Chesterton Road, West End Gardens, Copley Lane.

In the Trysull Deanery Prayer Diary we pray for: Christ the King, Aldersley.


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 at 10.00 am there will be a service of Holy Communion according to the Book of Common Prayer, led by Revd James Makepeace, in church which will be followed by tea, coffee and cake.

After the service the church will be open from 10.30 am until at least 11.00 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.

At 7 pm on Wednesday Choir Practice takes place in church. Anyone interested in joining the choir should contact Greg Lewin or any member of the choir.


Sunday 4th June – Trinity Sunday

At 10 am there will be a Family Service, led by Gladys Jones and Debbie Francis, in church. This will be followed by a short service of Holy Communion, to which you are all most welcome. Coffee, tea and biscuits will be available after the service. The sixth Confirmation Class will be held after the service.

In the Parish Prayer Diary we pray for those who live or work in: The Greenway, The Square, High Path, Green Close.

In the Trysull Deanery Prayer Diary we pray for: St Michael and All Angels, Himley.


Chalice at Communion

As the numbers receiving communion have increased the PCC has decided that we should resume the use of two chalices on Sunday mornings.


Annual Church Meeting

The Annual Church Meeting was held last week.

The reports are still available on the website (at https://www.pattinghamchurch.org.uk/web/information/pcc-news-and-reports/pcc-reports/) and there may still be some at the back of the church. The Secretary’s Report was missing from the reports but that is now on the website and at the back of the church.

Clive Pendrell and Dorothy Steel were re-elected as Churchwardens. The only changes to the membership of the PCC are that Ken Scott and Gordon Bramall stood down and Anna Davies was elected as a new member.

There are still vacancies for PCC members.


Century Club

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

There are currently 11 vacancies for the Century Club. For more details, please contact Alan Smith on 07757 688518 or or see the website at <https://www.pattinghamchurch.org.uk/web/information/century-club/>

To be included in the next draw on Monday the subscription (£35 for the remainder of the year to November) needs to be paid by the previous day.


Funeral of Jean Wood

Jean Wood’s funeral will take place in church at 10.00 am on Tuesday 6th June.


Confirmation Service

As you all know we are hosting a Confirmation Service on Sunday 11th June at 4 pm when candidates from a number of churches in the deanery, including our own, will be confirmed by the Bishop of Lichfield.

After the service there will be tea, coffee and cakes in the Village Hall and so we obviously need cakes. Anyone who is willing to make a cake is asked to let Gena (700188) or Dorothy (701855) know.


Scarecrow Festival

Scarecrow Festival

Scarecrow registration starts this month from 12th June…
Forms to register your scarecrow in this year’s Scarecrow Festival will be available from Monday 12th June at the Co-op, Martin Thomas Butcher, Pattingham Club and in St Chad’s Church. Forms can also be downloaded from the Scarecrow website at <www.pattinghamscarecrowfestival.org>. Be sure to complete and return your form before the closing date of 20th August !  Let’s make this years’ Scarecrow Festival the biggest and the best since the start back in 2011.

FREE straw and lots of help for you to make your scarecrow…
You will be sent details about this FREE STRAW offer later in the summer once you have registered your scarecrow. Remember to visit the scarecrow website at <www.pattinghamscarecrowfestival.org> for useful information on making your scarecrow, and links to other scarecrow sites to give you help and inspiration.

Sponsorship of Pew End arrangements in Church – as at other recent Festivals we are offering people the opportunity to celebrate their baptism or marriage, or commemorate a loved one, by sponsoring a pew end.  If you would like to do this and have not already received a letter about it, please phone Chrissie Ringrose on 700340 to request an application form – again the closing date is August 20th.

For more details on any aspect of the 2023 Scarecrow Festival, call Chrissie Ringrose on 700340, Mike Coope on 700426, or visit the website at <www.pattinghamscarecrowfestival.org>.


Gardener for the Vicarage

Gardener required for the Vicarage, 20 Dartmouth Avenue, Pattingham WV6 7DP.

Duties include mowing lawns, trimming trees and bushes, weeding, and putting out wheelie bins. Two hours per week until November.

Please email or contact 01902 700257 and leave voicemail with your phone number and your hourly rate if you are interested.

Closing date 1st June 2023.


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. The wishing well is also at the back of the church if you have any spare loose change. Donations, however small, go towards running costs. Don’t be shy, every little helps!


From the Memorial Book

Those whose anniversaries occur between 21st May and 4th June.

Barrie James Gatt – 21st May 1997
Sylvia Gwenythe Giles – 21st May 2020
Olive Dora Williams – 22nd May 1982
Kathleen Mary Russell – 22nd May 2003
Peter Wood – 22nd May 2016
George Weaver – 23rd May 1959
Ronald James Smedley – 23rd May 1987
Dorothy Louisa Newill – 24th May 2011
Alice Mary Bolland – 27th May 2003
Jordan Katherine Taylor – 28th May 1997
Brian Harry Cooper – 28th May 2017
Fiona Jane K. Morrison – 30th May 1975
Emily Jane Price – 31st May 1977
George Wilfred Selvey Clinton – 31st May 1980
Thomas Caddick – 1st June 1998
Harry Kibble – 1st June 2002

You can see all the pages of the Memorial Book on the Memorial Book Online page of the Church 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 117 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