ChadNet – no 24 – Sunday 6th September 2020
Welcome to the 24th edition of ChadNet – the eBulletin of St Chad’s Church, Pattingham with Patshull.
View from the Pews:
Like some of you, I suspect, a dull wet day means our thoughts turn to kitchen activity, and as I write there is a delightful lingering aroma about the house, following an afternoon assisting in the preparation of jam and chutney, courtesy of our small but hugely prolific damson tree. As Rob was saying last week, soft fruits seem to have done remarkably well this year, with blackberries too abounding everywhere, so no doubt many of you will also have been busy. Keats’ “season of mists and mellow fruitfulness” is certainly coming upon us.
But spare some thought for our farmers who, after a very wet winter, the crops struggling to get established, followed by a hot Spring, are now facing a wet harvest after a rather indifferent July and August. Coupled with all the issues surrounding Covid, and with both yields and prices down, 2020 will be a year they will certainly wish to forget, probably along with the rest of us, for a whole host of other reasons. But grin and bear it they will – as will we.
And we shall be celebrating Harvest as usual at the end of this month, though, as we in the PCC have been deliberating, in a somewhat different format – so do watch this space! It seems sensible to carry on with the, very successful, on-line format of our services whilst the wisdom of the science, directing the central decisions about how to limit the spread of Covid, still hugely restricts normal social contact. Thoughts are being directed too towards Remembrance Sunday and of course Christmas, so more information on those will also be forthcoming shortly.
Talking of wisdom, which is going to be at the heart of Ken’s service today, one wonders where it resides in those who insist on ignoring government rules and guidance, organising and attended those illegal raves? Perhaps he might have something to say about that. Wisdom though, in a different direction, has enabled our children to get back to school this week and we pray that that decision will prove to be the right one for them, and for those families who have been struggling to balance child care with the need fully to get back to work. Our thoughts are with the teachers and staff who have worked so hard to make schools safe for them to return – we think especially of our own St Chad’s School, with grateful thanks for all the preparations Mrs Yeomans and her team have been making to provide a safe environment for our children. From all over the village, we’ve missed their happy voices at break-times in the playground, so we can’t wait to hear those again!
Whatever you’re up to in the coming week, keep smiling, keep safe and enjoy it as best you can.
Best wishes as ever,
Henry Ibberson
Wednesday morning communion services
The Wednesday morning communion services will restart on Wednesday 16th September. Social distancing and the other measures designed to protect all of us will be in place. It will not be possible to have coffee and cake afterwards due to the restrictions in place.
Church opening for private prayer
We normally aim to open the church for private prayer every Tuesday and Friday between 2.30 and 4.30 pm. We do not have volunteers for either day this week yet – unless there is a volunteer we will not be able to open the church.
If anyone would like to volunteer for Tuesday or Friday this week or in a future week please contact Maureen. The church calendar (which can be found on the church website at https://www.pattinghamchurch.org.uk/web/information/calendar/) will be updated to show that the church will be open when we have a volunteer to act as steward for that day.
Annual church meeting
The annual church meeting will be held on Sunday 11th October. As there will be no evening service it may be held earlier in the day than usual, possibly after the morning service. An announcement will be made nearer the time.
If you are not on the Church Electoral Roll and wish to vote at that meeting you have until Monday 14th September to submit a completed application form.
The PCC Annual Report and Accounts is available on the church website at https://www.pattinghamchurch.org.uk/web/information/pcc-news-and-reports/pcc-reports/.
Elections will be held for Churchwardens, Deanery Synod Representatives and PCC Members. Information about those roles can be found on the church website at https://www.pattinghamchurch.org.uk/web/about-us/whos-who/pcc/pcc-membership/
Because a number of existing members will be standing down and not seeking re-election we do need others to come forward for some of those positions. Please consider whether you would be able to serve the church in one of those roles.
As Churchwardens need to have DBS clearance anyone considering standing for election as Churchwarden should contact Gena to discuss obtaining the necessary certificate.
Face coverings in church
The wearing of face coverings is now mandatory. The requirement is the same as for shops and so those who are exempt from wearing them in shops are also exempt in church. Remember that they are mainly intended to protect other people, not the wearer, from coronavirus (COVID-19) and that they are not a replacement for physical distancing and regular hand washing.
Contacts
Maureen can be contacted by phone, text or email. (01902 700257 – 07812 805371 – )
Contact details for other church officers can be found on the Contacts page of the church website. Communications in relation to ChadNet should be sent to
Sunday 6th September – 13th Sunday after Trinity
As it is the first Sunday of the month we have another Family Service, this week led by Ken. The title is “Our wisdom, and God’s”. The music will be provided by Greg and the virtual choir. It will be screened in church as the main part of the service at 10 am. This will be followed by a brief service of Holy Communion for those who wish to stay.
The Worship on the Web service will also be available as usual on the Worship on the Web page of the website from 10 am. For those without internet access it will also be on the Dial a Service phone line (01902 906585) from 9 am – until then last Sunday’s service is on the phone line. The collect and readings for the Eucharist, which would normally be on the pewsheet, are available on the website.
During the week Maureen (or occasionally Ken) will stream Morning Prayer and Compline (Night Prayer) on Facebook Live. Morning Prayer will be at 8.30 am and Compline will be at 9.30 pm (there will be no Compline on Friday).
Sunday 13th September – 14th Sunday after Trinity
The Worship on the Web service will be led by the Youth Group. It will be on the theme of Bubbles. It will be screened in church as the main part of the service at 10 am, when it will be followed by a brief service of Holy Communion for those who wish to stay. It will also be on the Worship on the Web page of the website from 10 am.
The collect and readings for the Eucharist, which would normally be on the pewsheet, are available on the website
Century Club
The Century Club draw took place on Monday 31st August. The winners were:
- 1st prize – £150 – Graham Walker (ball 54)
- 2nd prize – £100 – Helen Smith (ball 7)
- 3rd prize – £50 – Sue Bullock (ball 31)
Congratulations to all of them.
If you would like to join the Century Club with a chance to win in a future draw contact Alan Smith on 07757 688518. As the draws were suspended for four months the subscriptions which were due on 1st August will now be due on 1st December.
From the Memorial Book
Those whose anniversaries occur between 30th August and 13th September.
Irene Painting – 31th August 2017
Gladys Thornton – 2nd September 1997
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
Thomas Harold Beach – 12nd September 1995
Phyllis Mabel Price – 13th September 2007
Annie Mary Caddick – 13th September 2011
You can see the pages of the Memorial Book for the second half of the year on the Memorial Book Online page of the Church website.
For those without internet access – listen to a Pattingham church service by phone
Several members of our congregation who do not use the internet are using the dedicated phone number – 01902 906585 – to listen to our services. Calls are charged at normal rate. The service for each Sunday will be available from about 9 am and will continue to be available until it is replaced be the next week’s. If you know someone who might find it useful please let them know.
The Daily Hope phone line from the Church of England on 0800 804 8044 is also available.
Virtual Sunday School
In the absence of our own Sunday School we encourage children and families to look at the Virtual Sunday School YouTube channel. A new Sunday School video comes out each Saturday. This week’s is Baby Moses & a trip to the river!
They can all be found on the Sunday School on the Web page of our website as well as on YouTube.
The Virtual Holiday Club is still available on their YouTube channel and on the Virtual Holiday Club page of our website.
Other resources for worship and prayer at home
In these times we are all needing to find different ways to pray and worship. There are a lot of different resources which have been made available in lots of different ways. Some of those are listed on the Resources Available Online page of the website. This not anything like a complete list of everything which is available. We also now have a Resources Available for Children, Young People and Families page.
Maureen often shares inspirational posts on the Church Facebook page so it is worth looking at that from time to time.
If you have found something which you have found useful please send the details to so that it can be shared with others.
ChadNet
This bulletin is sent to those who have requested it. We now have 82 subscribers but there may still be some people who are not aware of it and would wish to receive 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
Giving to the church
If you are paying by cheque please make the cheque payable to “Pattingham PCC” or “Pattingham Parochial Church Council”.
In the current circumstances there will inevitably be a reduction in the money which the church receives. However we will need to continue to pay our bills and we would ask that those who can afford to do so should continue to give regularly.
As we are now starting to hold services again it is possible to put money in the plate again. However with the current problems surrounding handling cash we would prefer that you consider one of the other ways of giving your offertory if you can. There are a number of other ways in which you can give to the church. These include the Giving Direct scheme, Just Giving, a standing order or even one off transfers to the church bank account. Details of all of these can be found on the Giving page of the website. Those who normally use the green or yellow envelopes may wish to continue to put their donations in the envelopes ready to bring to church when they are able to come to a service.
We have set up 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.
If you wish to make a payment by bank transfer the details of our bank account are: Account name: Pattingham Parochial Church Council – Sort Code: 20-97-78 – A/c No: 50655023. If you wish to gift aid it contact the Gift Aid Secretary or the Treasurer.
You can also now give by text.
Text PATT 5 to 70085 to donate £5 – texts cost £5 plus one standard rate message.
You can donate any number of pounds between £1 and £20. Just replace the 5 by the amount you want to give.
For a regular monthly donation text PATTREG 5 to 70085 to donate £5 per month – texts cost £5 plus two standard rate messages.Again you can donate any number of pounds between £1 and £20. Just replace the 5 by the monthly amount you want to give. Donors receive a receipt message every time they donate – this tells them how to cancel their donation should they wish – which is by texting STOP to 70085 at any time.
Changes due to the current situation
Although the church building is closed for public worship the church community remains active. Further details can be found on the church website. There is an update page which gives more information.
- The 2020 Scarecrow Festival has been postponed to 2021.
- The Who’s for Lunch lunches are suspended for the time being.
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
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St Chad’s Church, Pattingham with Patshull Registered charity no 1151604