ChadNet – no 179

ChadNet – no 179 – Sunday 27th 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

Philip Morgan

One night I dreamed a dream.

As I was walking along the beach with my Lord.
Across the dark sky flashed scenes from my life.
For each scene, I noticed two sets of footprints in the sand,
One belonging to me and one to my Lord.

After the last scene of my life flashed before me,
I looked back at the footprints in the sand.
I noticed that at many times along the path of my life,
especially at the very lowest and saddest times,
there was only one set of footprints.

This really troubled me, so I asked the Lord about it.
“Lord, you said once I had decided to follow you,
You’d walk with me all the way.But I noticed that during the saddest and most troublesome times of my life,there was only one set of footprints.
I don’t understand why, when I needed You the most, You would leave me.”

He whispered, “My precious child, I love you and will never leave you.
Never, ever, during your trials and testings.
When you saw only one set of footprints, It was then that I carried you.”

I often think of this saying which is based on Deuteronomy Chapter 1 Verse 31.

When you are in the evening of your life you often become reflective. I believe that is a healthy thing to do. Due to my terminal illness I have plenty of time for reflection. I remember the good times with happiness but like everyone there have been difficult times and the little story helps me to rationalise these times and appreciate the help he gave me.

Strangely the medium which he uses to help varies depending on circumstances.

Some of you may know that when I lived in Worcestershire I was lucky enough to have a thirty acre smallholding. Hil was going through the trauma of breast cancer, which the skill of a fantastic team from the NHS has helped her keep going for the last nine years and hopefully for a good few more. I often took time to reflect on our situation. In the winter, when the cattle were in, I would sit on a bail of straw with a cow’s face only a foot away. Those beautiful dark eyes, eye lashes most women would envy. She would look at me and listen most patiently. After half an hour or so this animal was able to silently communicate peace, tranquility and hope.

My faith has helped me throughout my life and I hope it helps you as well.

Philip Morgan

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 27th August – Twelfth Sunday after Trinity

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

At 6.30 pm there will be a Service in the Iona style, led by Ken Scott, in church.

This will be Greg’s last Sunday as our organist and we will mark the occasion after each service.

In the Parish Prayer Diary  we pray for: The Parish Council and all elected representatives.

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

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.

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 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.

On Thursday at 10.30 am the funeral of Stephanie Roberts takes place in church.

Sunday 3rd September – Thirteenth Sunday after Trinity

At 10 am there will be a Family Service, led by Anna Davies, in church. This will be followed by a short service of Holy Communion, led by Revd Roberta Maxfield, to which you are all most welcome. Coffee, tea and biscuits will be available after the service.

In the Parish Prayer Diary  we pray for: Those members of the congregation who live outside the parish.

In the Trysull Deanery Prayer Diary we pray for: Schools and Young People in the Deanery.

Century Club

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

There are eight 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/>

Looking ahead …

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.

Ride and Stride

Ride and Stride takes place on Saturday 9th September. St Chad’s Church (and some other churches in the area) will be open for those who wish to visit by foot. bicycle or car.

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

Scarecrow Festival

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

More information can be found at <https://www.pattinghamscarecrowfestival.org/>

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.

Could you make a cake for the Scarecrow Festival?

If you would like to help in this village event and enjoy making a cake, let Iain Coleman know (07896 586091 – ).

Cakes should be delivered to the Village Hall on Friday 22nd September from 1 o’clock onwards.

St Chad’s Church Kidz Club

Every second Sunday of the month from 4 to 5 pm – starting 10th September 2023 – for ages 3 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

Heavenly Father, we pray for all affected by Dementia.
In this difficult journey, we pray that you grant them hope, comfort, peace and strength.
May they feel your love and presence to let them know you are with them always.
Grant their caretakers the patience and compassion they need to care for their loved ones.
Through Christ our Lord.
AMEN

(Author unknown)

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 20th August and 3rd September.

Marion Darlington – 22nd August 1980
Alice Mary Bramall – 23rd August 1976
Tina Jandrell Poston – 23rd August 2011
Ethel May Haden – 24th August 1979
Joseph Caddick – 28th August 1979
Norah Patricia Chaplin – 28th August 2017
Dorothy Winifred James – 29th August 2010
Ida Margaret Burton – 30th August 1980
Irene Painting – 31st August 2017
Gladys Thornton – 2nd September 1997

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 122 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