ChadNet – no 177

ChadNet – no 177 – Sunday 13th August 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

Greg Lewin

or rather View from the Organ Stool

After nearly five years as Organist at St Chad’s the time has come for me to move on. Sue and I have decided to make a leap of faith and retire to the North Wales coast. We are both very thankful that Sue has beaten the odds and that we are now able to take this step.

Of course leaving will be a wrench: I have greatly enjoyed my time at Pattingham and I am grateful for the friendship and encouragement that I have found here. The Choir has been a great support – rarely complaining about my choice of music and the congregation has been very patient too – I’m still waiting for someone to complain that I play too loudly!

I have always felt ‘at home’ in Pattingham – particularly after I found out that I have a remote family connection to bygone villagers. In the eighteenth century my 6th great-granduncle, Edward Barlow, farmed in the parish. Two of his daughters were married here – as was Edward himself when he married his second wife, Margaret Cole in 1775.

Many years later, as an apprentice organist, I was taken to visit the Walkers organ factory in North London – just at the time the Pattingham organ was being built there. I have often looked over at the ironwork on the front of the organ. Do I remember that rather distinctive pattern from my visit to the factory or am I just being fanciful?

I am sorry to be going – I would have liked to stay longer – but I’m not getting any younger and I want to make the move while I’m still active enough to enjoy the adventure.

Thank you all for making my stay at Pattingham so spiritually and musically rewarding. I shall miss you.

Greg Lewin

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 13th August – Tenth Sunday after Trinity

At 10 am there will be aservice of Holy Communion including the Baptism of Jaxon Crowley, led by Revd James Makepeace, in church. Coffee, tea and biscuits will be available after the service.At 6.30 pm there will be a Service of Evensong, led by Iain Coleman, in church.

In the Parish Prayer Diary we pray for those who live or work in: Nurton Hill Road, Holyhead Road, County Lane, High Park.

In the Trysull Deanery Prayer Diary we pray for: St Mary the Virgin, Enville.

This week

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

Bellringing practice takes place on Monday at 7.45 pm. Anyone interested in finding out about ringing should contact Geoffrey Dann or any of the ringers.

On Tuesday Prayers for Peace will be said in church at 6 pm. Please do join us and if you would like more information or are willing to lead a session, please contact Mary Hayward ().

On Tuesday evening there is a PCC meeting in church.

On Wednesday at 10.00 am there will be a service of Holy Communion according to the Book of Common Prayer, led by Revd Paul Brown, 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. Those attending will receive 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.

At 3 pm on Friday there will be a wedding rehearsal in church.

Sunday 20th August – Eleventh Sunday after Trinity

At 10 am there will be a service of Holy Communion, led by Revd Sue Watson, in church. Coffee, tea and biscuits will be available after the service. (There is no Youth Service in August.)

In the Parish Prayer Diary we pray for those who live or work in: Wolverhampton Road, Newgate, Merchant Close.

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

Our organist – a message from the Churchwardens

Our Organist Greg Lewin plans to retire to Wales and we thank him for all he has done for us and wish him well in his retirement.

Greg, (together with the Choir) has been with us throughout the challenges of ‘Covid’, supported our Sunday services and made our worship more meaningful throughout the year. He has led us in carols at Christmas, in our celebrations on Easter Day, at our All Souls’ and Remembrance services and at many weddings, baptisms and funerals and numerous other events.

It is sad to say ‘goodbye’ to such a valued member of our church family, we will miss him so much, but we wish him and his wife a peaceful and fulfilling move to Wales.

Greg was planning his last service with us to be 13th August but now may be with us for a further couple of weeks.

God Bless

Ride and Stride – Saturday 9th September

Ride and Stride is the sponsored event in aid of the Staffordshire Historic Churches Trust.

On the second Saturday of September every year, all over England, cyclists and walkers (and drivers) are sponsored to visit churches; and churches open between 10am and 6pm to receive them. Half the money raised is returned to your church to use how you wish; the other half is given in grants to churches of all denominations towards the cost of repairs and maintenance. Ride and Stride is one of the principal source of income for SHCT.

There is a nice group of churches in South Staffs waiting to receive visitors this year. So why not head off and have a lovely day visiting St Jude’s in Wolverhampton, Christ Church in Tettenhall Wood, Patshull St Mary (a redundant church, not often open), Bobbington Holy Cross (fine Norman church), Swindon St John, Trysull All Saints, Himley All Saints (Georgian), Wombourne St Benedict Biscop and Pattingham St Chad.

More information can be found at <https://staffordshirehistoricchurchestrust.org/rideandstride/rideandstridedocsthisyear/>

Holiday Club

St. Chad’s Church Holiday Club 2023 took place on Monday 7th and Tuesday 8th August at The Kingswood Trust.

It was led by Frank Steel and Olive Barnett. On each day Frank and Olive were joined by Jill Baker and Morgan who volunteered their time and talents to ensure the children had a fun time! Carla and Jude from The Kingswood Team worked with the children having fun bug hunting, camp fire and den building, pond dipping and caring for animals.

Thanks to Alan Smith and Olive Barnett co-ordinating all the bookings the event was well planned and the children loved it!

Photographs can be found on the church website at <https://www.pattinghamchurch.org.uk/web/about-us/young-people/holiday-club/>

Looking ahead …

Scarecrow Festival – closing date for registration and pew end orders – 20th August

The Scarecrow Festival takes place between Friday 22nd and Sunday 24th September.

The closing date for registration for scarecrows and for the pew ends is Sunday 20th August. Forms can be downloaded from <https://www.pattinghamscarecrowfestival.org/>

Pattingham Shower Singers

The Pattingham Shower Singers, on Wednesday evenings from 6 to 7 pm in church, resumes after its summer break on 6th September.

Barn Dance

There is a Barn Dance on Friday 22nd September at 7.30 pm. Tickets £8 each available from Anna Davies.

Brass Band Concert

There is a Brass Band Concert in church on Saturday 23rd September at 7.30 pm. Tickets are £15 each and are available from Alan Smith or any member of the PCC.

St Chad’s Church Kidz Club

Every second Sunday of the month from 4 to 5 pm – starting 10th September 2023 – for ages 5 to 11.

Join us in the Loft for Stories, Crafts and lots of Fun!

Ask Anna Davies for details – 07968 891927.

Every child is a child of GOD.

Dementia Friendly Church

Weekly Prayer

Becoming Dementia Friendly Church 2023-24

Lord help us accept with grace
that this journey of life
is limited both by time 
and the process of growing old.
May we leave the path
a little easier to follow, 
less overgrown with weeds
or thorns likely to cause pain,
an encouragement for others
to step out in faith with you.
AMEN

(Faith & Worship)

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 6th and 20th August.

Hilda Cecilia Whitty – 8th August 1993
Patricia Mabel Fildes – 8th August 1995
Daniel Wood – 9th August 1943
Kath Bennett – 10th August 2008
Hedley Charles Oxley Russell – 11th August 1982
Thomas Raymond Ellis (Ray) – 13th August 2019
Robin John James – 15th August 2009
Alan Anthony Guest – 18th August 1995

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 121 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