ChadNet – no 202 – Sunday 4th February 2024
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 – Debbie Francis
- Sunday 4th February – Second Sunday before Lent
- This week
- Sunday 11th February – Sunday before Lent
- Young Responders – first aid course for 12-18 year olds
- The Well Foodbank – donations and prayers needed
- Ash Wednesday – 14th February
- Lent Fellowship Lunch – Sunday 18th February
- Century Club – Result of January draw
- Dementia Friendly Church – weekly prayer, Forget-me-not Tea and notices
- From the Memorial Book
- Giving to the Church
View from the Pews
Does it sometimes feel like every day is Groundhog day, not just 2nd February!
It can feel like it, especially at this time of year when it’s difficult to get out and about like we do in the summer. And the darker days are proven to affect our sense of wellbeing and bring our mood down. But I do think there is something we can do about it.
I recently joined a conversation at work about mental health and what people do to help improve their outlook. It was amazing what people came up with. There were the expected activities like yoga, meditation, and general exercise. But I also learnt a new phrase – self date. This is when you take yourself off for some ‘me-time’; one lady had started going to the cinema once a fortnight and someone else went out for a meal by themselves. We discussed that it didn’t have to be something that takes a lot of time, it can be just 5 minutes a day when you just focus on yourself for a change.
I had my own Groundhog moment last year and decided it was time to do something new for myself. In Pattingham we are lucky to have a number of activities but a new one started up last summer which appealed to me. The Shower Singers meet in Church every Wednesday at 6pm to spend an hour singing as loud as you like (no-one cares if it’s in tune or not). It’s only one hour, is suitable for all ages and we sing a wide range of songs from Dean Martin to Bryan Adams. Everyone enjoys themselves and we all leave humming along to different tunes we’ve just sung. It really helps lift the spirits even on a cold dark January evening.
Singing might not be right for everyone but I would encourage you all to have a look around and find one new activity you can take up; whether its an all-consuming activity you’ve always longed to do or just 5 minutes every now and then. We all need to keep the groundhog at bay!
Debbie Francis
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 4th February – Second Sunday before Lent (Sexagesima)
At 10 am there will be a Family Service, led by Iain Coleman, in church. It will be followed by a short service of Holy Communion, led by Revd Paul Brown, 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 who live and work in Windsor Road, Greenway Gardens, Sandringham Road, Braemar Road.
In the Trysull Deanery Prayer Diary we pray for:
St Anne, Lower Penn.
This week
The church will be open every day. Look out for the “church open” sign outside the porch.
Contractors are continuing work on various repairs and work to the church this week. There will be scaffolding and the contractors will be working in and around the church. The church and churchyard will remain open but please take care while using them. Access to the toilets will be kept unlocked.
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 Wednesday at 6 pm 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 Wednesday evening there is a PCC meeting in church.
At 7 pm on Thursday episode 8 of series 3 of The Chosen will be screened at Christ Church, Tettenhall Wood. Refreshments and snacks provided! Contact Christ Church on 01902 238988 for more information. Catch up for free at https://watch.angelstudios.com/thechosen
Sunday 11th February – Sunday before Lent (Quinquagesima)
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 Iain Coleman, in church.
In the Parish Prayer Diary we pray for:
Those who live and work in Snowden Road, Burnhill Green Road, Lower Snowden.
In the Trysull Deanery Prayer Diary we pray for:
St Bartholomew, Penn.
Young Responders
The church is supporting a 2 hour Young Responders course which is being run by St John Ambulance in Pattingham Village Hall on Thursday 15th February 2024 1.30pm to 3.30pm.
It is totally free of charge to attendees and is open to anyone aged 12 to 18 and places are limited. Those attending will learn lifesaving First Aid for real life situations to keep them and their friends safe.
Moe information can be found on the church website at <https://www.pattinghamchurch.org.uk/web/news-and-events/young-responders/>. Those interested should contact Keith Eden on 07527 237862 or
The Well – the Wolverhampton Food Bank
The Well continues to need our donations and prayers.
The box remains at the rear of the church for donations of food and toiletries and the wishing well for donations of cash.
Foreign coins can be a Well of love
If, over the years, you have travelled abroad, you may have a veritable treasure trove of random notes and coins from countries you’re not sure you ever visited, or still exist (and even if the country does, the currency may not). These can be turned into spendable cash, including pre Euro notes and coins such as the French Franc, German Mark and Italian Lire.
You may have found you cannot exchange foreign coins and low denomination notes which means you’re left with worthless currency but they can be used for a good purpose.
So, if you have any of these, please put them into the wishing well at the back of the church (in a separate bag please) and they will go to help the needy in Wolverhampton.
Thank you for your support.
Ash Wednesday
Ash Wednesday is on 14th February. In addition to the usual Wednesday morning Communion Service at 10 am (which will be taken by Revd Paul Brown) there will also be a service in the evening at 7.30 pm, which will be taken by Revd Sue Watson.
Lent Fellowship Lunch
On Sunday 18th February, which is the first Sunday in Lent, there will be a chance for everyone to join together for a lunch of soup, bread & cheese. This will be an opportunity to extend the fellowship that has grown in the successful gatherings after morning services.
The lunch will be held in church and will commence at 12 noon to give time for the usual refreshments after the morning service.
To give an idea of numbers attending we would ask you to put names on the list available on the table at the back of the church, ideally by Sunday 4th February.
A voluntary donation of £5 is suggested with proceeds going to the Bishop’s Lent Appeal.
Lent Lunches
Lent Lunches will be held on Wednesday 6th and Thursday 21st March. More details will be available in due course.
Century Club
The winners of the January Century Club draw were:
1st Prize – £150
Mike & Gena Richards – ball 11
2nd Prize – £100
David Horton – ball 100
3rd Prize – £50
Richard Clarke – ball 25
Congratulations to all of them.
There are currently six vacancies for the Century Club. The annual subscription is £60. If you would like to join the Century Club or 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
Dementia Friendly Church
Weekly Prayer
A Prayer for the Caregiver
(by Bruce McIntyre)
Unknown and often unnoticed, you are a hero nonetheless. For your love, sacrificial, is God at his best.
You walk by faith in the darkness of the great unknown and your courage, even in weakness, gives life to your beloved.
You hold shaking hands and provide the ultimate care:
Your presence, the knowing, that you are simply there.
You rise to face the giant of disease and despair, it is your finest hour, though you may be unaware.
You are resilient, amazing and beauty unexcelled, you are the caregiver and you have done well.
Amen
If you would like to suggest (or write) a prayer for inclusion in this series please let Tracey Williams, our Dementia Friendly Church Co-ordinator, know.
Notices
There are some new notices on the Dementia Friendly Church notice board in church and on the Dementia Friendly Church page of the website (<https://www.pattinghamchurch.org.uk/web/information/becoming-dementia-friendly-church/>)
They are about:
- Share a prayer through dementia – the diocese invite us to write and share our own prayer through dementia
- Care and Share groups – 12.30 to 3.30 pm on 1st and 3rd Fridays at Albrighton Methodist Church
- Dementia Focus Group at The Seniors Hall, Curriers Lane, Shifnal.
The next Forget-me-not Tea at St Andrews Shifnal will be on Thursday 15th February at 2pm. You can be guaranteed a warm welcome.
Tracey Williams ()
Dementia Friendly Church Co-ordinator
From the Memorial Book
Those whose anniversaries occur between 28th January and 11th February.
Walter James Matthews – 29th January 1988
Ethel Brough – 30th January 1979
Dorothy Eileen Cooper – 30th January 2020
Edna Joan Custance – 30th January 2022
Norman Bartlett – 31st January 2003
John Stuart Hague – 1st February 2010
Sean Peter Mark Lingford – 2nd February 1995
William Ritchie Farquharson – 2nd February 2007
William John Evans – 2nd February 2010
Gordon Kennedy Morrison – 2nd February 2016
Nigel Martin William Vaughan – 4th February 2000
Beville Bentley – 7th February 1999
David Stephen Patrick – 8th February 2008
Brian William Broxton – 8th February 2011
Keith William Bishop – 9th February 2022
James Christopher Maclean – 11th February 2009
Margaret Watton – 11th February 2020
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