ChadNet – no 186

ChadNet – no 186 – Sunday 15th October 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

Henry Ibberson

(This is an edited version of the Pause for Thought which Henry gave at the Youth Service last month)

When Barbara’s delightfully delicate ‘finger of destiny’ points in your direction and you have accepted her invitation to prepare a Pause for Thought, her next question invariably is “what would you like as your theme?” That’s the first pause for thought! This weekend is a “Pause” for someone else, but last month it was down to me and after some reflection and a further discussion with her, I suggested the theme might be “challenge”. That one word was all that was needed for Barbara to conceive, design and produce a wonderful service that our Youth Group delivered and I have no doubt at all that this weekend’s service will be equally inspiring.

Last month, we heard of the challenge of Ananias’ fear of Saul, which he overcame, enabling him to restore his sight and totally transform Saul’s persecution, into forceful support for Jesus and his disciples. Fear was overcome too in a delightful little playlet between two birds – the one encouraging the other to take the first leap towards being able to fly, which pointed up that the crucial first step towards conquering our anxieties, leads us to realise that often we worry needlessly and that things are not always as bad, or as difficult, as we first thought.

A reading by Jessica underlined the message that with any ambition we may have, we must just take those first steps, however small, to help us achieve our aims. She mentioned Baird with his television dreams and a wonderful story how, after a simple idea to use cans discarded in the desert in which to plant seeds, grass and ultimately crops appeared over a huge area previously barren. We have only to think of Jeff Bezos, Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, Elon Musk and others who have become household names today, recalling that each huge organisation they have grown, which have had life-changing effects on us all, started either in a garage or a bedroom; we only have to think of them to realise that by rising to a challenge, great things can be achieved.

Malachi read from Luke’s gospel, which was was tough in a different way, with Jesus urging the Rich Man to give away all his wealth and possessions and follow him if he wanted eternal life. We wondered whether he did change his mind after all and rise to Jesus’ challenge? Moreover, it causes us to think – where do we stand? How would we react to being urged to give up all we own in our material lives? And even if not all we own, how much do we sacrifice for the benefit of others, whilst seeking to live what we believe is a Christian way of life, following the principal commandments to which Jesus referred in that reading. Tough questions are they not?

But challenge doesn’t need to be all about fear or risk of failure. We can challenge someone’s views or beliefs, without resorting to pistols and swords as used to happen centuries ago, and maybe learn something about ourselves in the process. We can challenge ourselves, either physically, for example by climbing mountains, running marathons and cycling hundreds of miles (like my family love to do), or simply walking more to benefit our health; by learning new skills, a new language perhaps, how to cook maybe; read more and learn about other countries, other faiths perhaps, which I confess I know all too little about. We tend to talk about the challenges of life, whether they be world and political matters, or personal physical, mental or financial issues, in a more or less negative way; and I suppose this is inevitable, since 24 hour news is constantly feeding us with the worst of what is happening around us, with only rare glimpses of heart-warming stories and news of the opportunities others are taking, to try to make the world a better place in which to live.

And opportunity is what I wanted us to focus upon and take away from that service a month ago, for in challenge there is also positive opportunity.

We in St Chad’s are currently facing enormous challenge – we haven’t had a vicar for more than 2 years and much of the weight of keeping this Church fully functioning has fallen on a small but very willing and efficient number of shoulders. We hope and pray that a new incumbent will be found in the coming months, but just like us, other parishes are also without a priest, in the same position as ourselves and the pool of ordained clergy is hugely diminished.

We took a moment to look around us in Church that morning. Apart from our splendid Youth Group and members of their families, how many young faces did we see? Not many were there? And we are an ageing Church community. When you really think about it, the harsh reality is that St Chad’s Church and all that happens here, for 80% of this community, apart from being an attractive building, is considered to be irrelevant. In 10 years or so, when many of us will no longer be here or unable to take active roles, will there be a functioning Church at all? What are we going to do about it?

Well, a lot of thought and work has already been put into this and you know that plans are made and seeking approval from the Diocesan authorities, to convert the North Aisle to create a more welcoming space, enabling a much broader range of activities to take place within our church building, giving us the opportunity to respond more widely to the needs of the community. This idea has been in discussion for years and the PCC are now fully committed to bringing it to fruition.

Allied with this, discussions are at an early stage about the possibility of offering part-time employment to a Families and Children’s Worker, to help develop new interest and activities for our young people, pioneering new work that will enable children and families to encounter the love of God in the gospel of Jesus and to become part of our church as a more inclusive, all age community of faith. The PCC will be considering some proposals on this in the coming weeks and more detailed plans will be forthcoming, but please think about this and pray that it may be one of the ways in which we can overcome some of the challenges we are currently facing. We simply cannot afford to allow this plan to drag on for as long as those for the North Aisle have  done – we need to rise to this challenge and have the courage to take those first steps towards a joint ambition.

Other opportunities are right before us, to build on the work which Tracey Williams has started in caring for those with dementia. The opportunity to create and nurture, within this planned new space, more activities for our young teenagers; to build on the formation of our new Kidz Club. The opportunity to host other events using the proposed new kitchen facilities; perhaps to combine a meal together before or after our services – something which happens regularly in other church denominations. These and other possibilities will all be open to us.

And with these plans and objectives, allied with all that we are already doing, how much more attractive might St Chad’s be to any future incumbent?

Much to think about and pray about, is there not? So, just like those birds in the story I mentioned above, we need to take those first steps, have the faith to embrace the challenges we face, embrace the change which will inevitably have to take place, but welcome the opportunity this gives us to grow and develop as a church family, better to ensure that St Chad’s endures for future generations.

Henry Ibberson

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 15th October – Nineteenth 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 Roberta Maxfield, 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: Letchmere Lane, St Chads Close, Yew Tree Road and Retreat Gardens.

In the Trysull Deanery Prayer Diary we pray for: Good Shepherd, Castlecroft.

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

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

On Thursday at 2 pm the monthly “FORGET ME NOT” Tea takes place at St Andrew`s Church Shifnal – for carers and their loved ones. A warm welcome is assured. More details from Tracey WIlliams, our Dementia Friendly Church Co-ordinator.

Sunday 22nd October – Twentieth Sunday after Trinity

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

There is no evening service.

In the Parish Prayer Diary  we pray for: Village organisations.

In the Trysull Deanery Prayer Diary we pray for: The Church at Perton.

All Souls Memorial Service

The All Souls Memorial Service will be held at 6.30 pm on Sunday 29th October. We will remember by name all those for whom funerals have been held in the last 2 years and those whose names are in the Memorial Book who have died within the last 6 years.

There is a list at the back of church to allow the addition of other names. The list will be removed on Thursday 26th October. Please ensure any names are placed on the list before that date.

Thank you

Brass Band Concert

Thank you to everybody who supported the concert on Saturday 23rd September. There was a surplus of £990 which will be divided between the church, the Well and the Haven.

Harvest produce

A total of 195kg was donated and is greatly appreciated by the Well. A number of pupils from year 4 went to the Well to sort and label their produce.

Scarecrow Calendar

Orders are being taken for the Pattingham Scarecrow Festival Calendar for 2024. 

  • A4 spiral bound with hanger …
  • Monthly pages with write-in panels for each day …
  • Lots of favourite scarecrow photos …
  • Just £10 each with envelope.

Order forms are available from the church or by phoning Mike Coope on 01902 700426 or email  to or downloaded from <https://www.pattinghamscarecrowfestival.org/>

Link to Hope Christmas Shoebox Appeal

Link to Hope

There are only two more weeks for the shoebox appeal. Details were in previous editions of ChadNet and can also be found on the Link to Hope website at <https://linktohope.co.uk/shoebox-appeal-2023/> and on the church website at <https://www.pattinghamchurch.org.uk/web/news-and-events/shoe-box-appeal-2023/> and on the leaflets at the back of the church.

 I ask that these boxes are brought to me, or left at the back of church, by Sunday 29th October – to allow me time to take them to the collection point.

Barbara Tritton
17 High Street, Pattingham
(01902 700065)
email –

Dementia Friendly Church

Weekly Prayer

Becoming Dementia Friendly Church 2023-24

Dear God, thank you for trusting me with the precious role of caring for another. Infuse me with your strength when this crisis saps my energy; comfort me when I am lonely and fearful.  Remind me that you are the Great Protector and that you are holding me and my family safely in your hands.

AMEN

Date for your diary
FORGET ME NOT Tea at St Andrew’s Church, Shifnal on Thursday 19th October at 2 pm. I can assure you of a warm welcome.

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 8th and 22nd October.

Sidney Herbert Guest – 8th October 1976
John Beagle – 8th October 1982
Clive Fordham Parker – 9th October 1993
Barbara Alice Titley – 9th October 2003
Colin Charles Robinson – 9th October 2020
Evelyn Eileen Carlile – 10th October 2010
Graham Roger Gilbert – 12th October 2002
Carol Jane Higginson – 12th October 2004
Emily Elizabeth Penny – 14th October 1993
Philippa Ciceley Bramall – 15th October 2017
Doris Pugh – 16th October 1987
Lilian Mary Monckton – 17th October 1982
June Hazel Wilcox – 17th October 2009
Thomas Stanley Inett – 18th October 1992
Gillian Bloomfield – 18th October 2003
David Thornton – 20th October 1997
Hazel Jeanette Frost – 20th October 2004
Violet May Watkins – 21st October 1977
Margaret Gosling – 21st October 2012
John Robert (Bob) Pinches – 21st October 2013

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 123 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