ChadNet – no 259 – Sunday 9th March 2025
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 – Tracey Williams
- Sunday 9th March – First Sunday of Lent
- This week
- Sunday 16th March – Second Sunday of Lent
- Church Electoral Roll
- The Well Foodbank
- Dementia Friendly Church – weekly prayer
- From the Memorial Book
- Giving to the Church
View from the Pews
The Importance of Memories
Throughout our lives we accumulate vast amount of memories of varying emotions and experiences. Many not just in our mind but hard copies in the form of photographs or videos. Perhaps you have kept a meticulous diary of your daily life or experiences. For a while with the invention of high tech mobile phones these have become a precious keepsake and photographs took a back seat until you are suddenly reminded of limited storage and review your photographs to revisit memories once again. You may have numerous storage boxes in your loft of photographs or special cards of cherished events of weddings and babies. I have now found that I have reverted to hard copies with photobooks titled and dated for ease. My Dad has found these a great source of comfort and regularly goes through them to remind him of people and places and holidays his Alzheimer’s has taken from him. Not all memories I appreciate are good and some are extremely distressing and sad. However, all memories build our life story to date and to those living with Dementia can be alarmed and distressed as many faces and experiences that fade away. They may even experience false memories (confabulation) whereby they unintentionally create and believe inaccurate memories often completing these with made up details, affecting short and long term memories This sadly can lead to confusion and conflict. As they truly believe these fabricated memories. To manage this situation it is important to validate their feelings even if the memory is incorrect. Gently move to another subject or activity. Avoid confrontation and offer reassurance.
Music is another way of stimulating memories and many with Dementia will spontaneously begin singing or dancing along to a recognisable tune. A family member has put together a playlist for my Dad of the 50,s and 60,s. Memory books are available of different decades that include famous people, buildings, motor vehicles and fashion of that period. All these types of things bring comfort and stimulate conversations and importantly MEMORIES. Some libraries also provide memory bags that have different titles e.g: Gardening, shopping. These bags contain items related to these subjects.
Memory boxes are another wonderful tool that can be used to stimulate recollections. These can be filled with personal items, such as a favourite piece of jewellery, a child’s toy, or even a handwritten letter. Each item can evoke a specific memory or emotion that helps connect the individual to their past.
Furthermore, engaging in familiar activities can rekindle old memories. Activities such as gardening, baking, or knitting are not only therapeutic but can also bring back the joy and satisfaction that the person once felt while engaging in these hobbies. These activities provide a sense of purpose and achievement, which is invaluable for those living with dementia.
Visual aids, such as maps or family trees, can also be beneficial. They can help individuals with dementia trace their lineage or remember geographical locations that were significant in their lives. Tracing a journey on a map or recalling the family’s heritage can spark meaningful conversations and strengthen bonds with loved ones.
Lastly, storytelling is a powerful way to keep memories alive. Whether it’s recounting a favourite childhood tale or sharing stories about family traditions, storytelling allows individuals to relive moments from their past. It also provides an opportunity for family members and friends to learn about their loved one’s life experiences and values.
In conclusion, while living with dementia poses significant challenges, there are numerous ways to support and cherish the memories of those affected. By incorporating photographs, music, activities, memory boxes, visual aids, and storytelling into daily routines, we can help individuals with dementia feel connected to their past and maintain a sense of identity and belonging.
These various methods of preserving and stimulating memories not only help those affected by dementia but also create opportunities for their loved ones and caregivers to connect and engage with them on a deeper level. Emphasising memories fosters a sense of community and shared history, making it easier to support individuals with dementia through their journey.
Therefore, our last action for this years Dementia Friendly Church Certificate is our event on Saturday 15th March 2025 at 2pm being held within our beautiful church. A presentation of a compilation of photographs of Pattingham looking back over the years at people and places. Presented together with a narrative and a display of other items. To promote memories, reminisce and discussion together with cake and tea. So please join us.
Contact Tracey Williams either by email or 07904 039330 to notify of attendance just to ensure we have sufficient refreshments.
Thank you.
Tracey Williams
Dementia Friendly Church Co-Ordinator.
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 afternoon 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 9th March – First Sunday of Lent
At 10 am there will be a service of Holy Communion, led by Revd Roberta Maxfield, in church. Coffee, tea and biscuits will be available after the service.
At 6.30 pm there will be a service of Evensong, led by Iain Coleman, in church.
In the Parish Prayer Diary we pray for those who live and work in:
Letchmere Close.
In the Trysull Deanery Prayer Diary we pray for:
St Chad, Pattingham.
This week
The church will be open every day. Look out for the “church open” sign outside the porch.
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 Sue Watson, 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.
At 6 pm on Wednesday 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 Martin Fox or any member of the choir.
On Saturday at 2pm Pattingham Past and Present is taking place in church.It will be a presentation of photos and facts/stories together with light refreshments to chat and reminisce and is our final action for this year’s Dementia Friendly Church Certificate. Contact Tracey Williams either by email or 07904 039330 to notify of attendance just to ensure we have sufficient refreshments.
Sunday 16th March – Second Sunday of Lent
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 Sue Watson, 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:
The Greenway, The Square, High Path, Green Close.
In the Trysull Deanery Prayer Diary we pray for:
Holy Cross Bilbrook.
Church Electoral Roll
Every six years a completely new Church Electoral Roll has to be prepared and this is one of those years. The process is now underway and the formal notice is displayed in the church porch.
Everyone who wishes to be on the roll will need to complete a form which needs to be returned by the deadline of Monday 21st April. Forms are available at the back of the church and can be downloaded from the website.
More information is on the church website at <https://www.pattinghamchurch.org.uk/web/church-electoral-roll/> and in the March Parish News magazine.
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.
Thank you for your generosity. If you wish to know more about the work of The Well, or would like to know how you can support it in other ways, do look at their website <www.thewellwolverhampton.co.uk>
Dementia Friendly Church
Weekly Prayer
Dear Lord
Shine your ever guiding light on all those that need support caring for or living with the struggles of dementia.
Shine your ever guiding light and embrace them in their darkest days, give them hope and strength and courage.
Shine your ever guiding light to show them where there is support and allow them to live the best life they can.
Shine your ever guiding light to enable them to continue with their faith in all its glory, knowing that they are loved and cherished.
Shine your ever guiding light so that they know you are always by their side, walking with them along this strange and sometimes frustrating path.
Surround them with kindness and compassion, that the light will forever glow and bring comfort on their journey.
Amen
(Tracey Williams St Chad`s Church, Pattingham with Patshull) Tracey submitted this prayer to last year’s Diocese “Share a Prayer” Project for Dementia Awareness Week.
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.
From the Memorial Book
Those whose anniversaries occur between 2nd and 16th March.
Edith Margery Whitty – 2nd March 1999
Gordon Frederick Roberts – 3rd March 2010
Roy Meredith Wilcox – 5th March 2016
Valerie Ann Edwards – 6th March 2024
Anthony John Harley – 11th March 1997
Gordon Francis Thomas – 12th March 1992
Dennis William Lovering – 12th March 2012
Emily Margaret Ada Pugh – 13th March 1991
Ronald Lacey – 13th March 1998
Arthur John Rogers – 14th March 2005
Hilda Northern – 15th March 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
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St Chad’s Church, Pattingham with Patshull Registered charity no 1151604