ChadNet – no 181 – Sunday 10th September 2023
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 – Rosemary Claxton
- Sunday 10th September – Trinity 14
- This week
- Sunday 17th September – Trinity 15
- Looking ahead …
- Harvest Donations for The Well
- Sunflowers for Prayers for Peace notice board
- Dementia Friendly Church – weekly prayer
- From the Memorial Book
- Giving to the Church
View from the Pews
“All good gifts around us, are sent from heaven above”.
It will soon be harvest and we thank God for sending the rain and the sun. Pattingham is known as the ‘Damson Village’; I had long wanted a local damson tree and my prayers were answered when I had a conversation with Gordon Bramall at one of the Fellowship Groups. Gordon said, he had a seedling damson tree that would suit me. I knew he had fertile soil in his cottage garden. I cultivated the damson seedling for three years and it grew into a healthy bush, and then success! Five damsons appeared! Each year the produce increased, and last year was a bumper crop. It was August, and the fruits were deep purple and soft to touch.
Time to make some jam! I inherited a large preserving pan from my grandmother which was perfect for the task. After picking the damsons I washed them carefully. Next I sterilised some jam jars at 160 degrees Centigrade for 20 minutes (which reminded me of my working life as a biologist in the laboratory). I followed the recipe, heating the damson mixture, scooping off the stones as they floated to the top. After boiling and cooling, the jam was poured into the jars and sealed. The final touch was to add a label and date. It was quite satisfying to see a row of homemade preserves – the fruits of my labour! Perfect to give as a personal gift. Maybe next time I’ll attempt making damson gin! Anyone have a good recipe?
Who would have thought a small seedling could end up producing such bountiful fruit to feed so many – rather akin to the well-known parable of Jesus feeding a large crowd with just 5 small loaves of bread and 2 fish. In the parable, Jesus takes the food from the boy and, before sharing it out, he thanks God for it. We should remember to do likewise – thank God daily for our food and share with those less fortunate. As we approach another harvest time, let us give thanks for the world, the variety of food, the farmers and everything that helps food to grow.
Rosemary Claxton
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 10th September – Fourteenth Sunday after Trinity
At 10 am there will be a service of Holy Communion, led by Revd James Makepeace, in church. Coffee, tea and biscuits will be available after the service.
At 4 pm in The Loft in church the first session of Kidz Club takes place. It is for children ages 3 to 11. Ask Anna Davies for details – 07968 891927.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: Hall Close, Dodds Field, Hall End Close.
In the Trysull Deanery Prayer Diary we pray for: Holy Cross, Bobbington.
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 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. Those attending will receive a warm welcome.
On Wednesday at 6 pm in church the Pattingham Shower Singers meet in church. All are welcome – just come and sing and have fun! If you need more information, contact Alix at
Wednesday is the copy date for the October magazine. Send articles to Mike Moss at
Sunday 17th September – Fifteenth Sunday after Trinity
At 10 am there will be a service led by the Youth Group in church. This will be followed by a short service of Holy Communion, led by Revd. Paul Brown, to which you are all most welcome. Immediately after communion we will be serving refreshments, tea and coffee.
In the Parish Prayer Diary we pray for those who live or work in: Rudge Road, Lower Rudge, Spoonley Gate, Upper Ludstone, Worcester Road.
In the Trysull Deanery Prayer Diary we pray for: Holy Cross, Bilbrook.
Looking ahead …
Scarecrow Festival
The Scarecrow Festival takes place between Friday 22nd and Sunday 24th September. More information can be found at <https://www.pattinghamscarecrowfestival.org/>
Cakes needed
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.
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.
Help needed for Brass Band Concert
Volunteers are needed please to help with the concert on Saturday 23 September as follows:
- Set up from 6pm
- Door from 6.30pm
- Selling raffle tickets from 7pm
- Drawing the raffle and counting the proceeds
- Assisting Gena in setting up the refreshments and serving them in the interval
- Tidying up at the end
If you are able to help in any way please contact Alan Smith on 07757 688518 or e mail at
Harvest Supper
The Harvest Supper will take place on Monday 2nd October at 7.00 pm at the Dartmouth Arms, Burnhill Green. For tickets or more information contact Gena Richards (700188).
Harvest Donations for The Well
Harvest produce this year will again be donated to the Food Bank at The Well. A shopping list is printed below and there are hard copies at the back of the church. All donations are gratefully received and will go to provide food parcels and essentials for those in need across Wolverhampton and the surrounding area.
| Milk (UHT) | Cereal | Tea/coffee | Sugar |
| Jam/spreads | Squash/fruit juice (UHT) | Meat/fish (tinned) | Pasta/rice/noodles (dried) |
| Pulses/couscous | Soup (tinned) | Vegetables (tinned) | Pasta/cooking sauce (jar) |
| Fruit (tinned)/puddings/custard | Snacks/biscuits | Nappies (sealed packs size 4, 5, 6) | Baby wipes/toiletries |
| Baby food (long use by date) | Ladies/men’s toiletries | Household cleaning products |
No baked beans please. Only food within its Use by/Best Before dates please.
Stocks are currently very low and, as winter approaches, the need will increase further so please give generously if you are able.
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!
Sunflowers for Prayers for Peace in Ukraine notice board
There is a Prayers for Peace in Ukraine notice board in St. Chad’s Church to highlight aspects of the ongoing situation and war with Russia.
As part of the Scarecrow Festival this year we would love to fill this board with Pattingham sunflowers, the National flower of Ukraine! 🌻 We would love to see your photos of sunflowers grown in your garden (past and present) or sketches/paintings/artwork even a favourite old birthday card from the back of a drawer!
Take a snap and send it to us to show visitors to Pattingham of our love and support for Ukraine.
Dementia Friendly Church
Weekly Prayer
God of countless years, every moment of our lives is still fresh and precious in your heart.
Help me too to treasure our pasts.
Let the need for care in the present day not blind me to the person they once were.
May I be the one to unlock treasured memories.
Help me to take the trouble to think what would enrich the recollections of the one I love.
May their present situation not lead me to treat them condescendingly.
Inspire me to celebrate what has gone before and welcome them to relive what gives them pleasure and self-worth.
Give me the grace that I too may lay down a store of memories that will light the twilight of my old age.
May walking in your way make mine a life richly lived and worth remembering.
AMEN
(Prayers for Dementia, and how to live it well. Fay Sampson)
From the Memorial Book
Those whose anniversaries occur between 3rd and 17th September.
Elizabeth Ann Sampson – 5th September 2022
Margaret Mary Bartlett – 6th September 2004
Ian Smart – 7th September 2006
Olive Bentley – 8th September 2001
Doris Scarth – 8th September 2003
Rosemary Anne Tonks – 8th September 2009
Edna Mara Broom – 8th September 2014
Lesley Margaret Dain – 10th September 2015
Michael Patrick Curtis – 10th September 2021
Thomas Harold Beach – 12th September 1995
Phyllis Mabel Price – 13th September 2007
Annie Mary Caddick – 13th September 2011
Jonathan Hassall – 13th September 2019
Reginald John Henshaw – 14th September 2006
Jan Zdanowski – 14th September 2011
George Price – 15th September 1961
Peter John Curtis – 15th September 2005
Dorothy Caddick – 17th September 2007
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
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St Chad’s Church, Pattingham with Patshull Registered charity no 1151604