ChadNet – no 268

ChadNet – no 268 – Sunday 11th May 2025

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

Rosemary Claxton

Bibles

I decided to tidy up the bookcase and was surprised by how many Bibles I had!

The Bible is the Christian Holy Book divided into two sections – the Old Testament (the first 39 books) and the New Testament (the subsequent 27 books).

I obtained my first Bible when I was just 11 years old, a ‘King James’ version of the Bible which had a coloured glossy front cover of Jesus feeding the crowd of 5,000 people. I used to take it to Sunday School and we would all read a verse. I remember being pleased that I could pronounce the word ‘synagogue’!

Next, I was presented at school with a Gideon New Testament & Psalms. Later, I inherited my Grandparents’ Bible, with the date of birth and names of their children inscribed on the back pages, and in due course I inherited my Mother’s Bible, priced at two shillings! 

In later life, I treated myself to a large print ‘Good News Bible’. Over the years there were other occasional Bibles bought and given as gifts for Weddings, Christenings and Confirmations.

My two daughters have amassed their own collections of Bibles. They each received a Children’s Bible, and had a ‘Good News Bible’ presented to them on leaving St. Chad’s Primary School. After being a member of Crusaders for 12 months, they both received a beautiful leather bound Bible. 

There were numerous Children’s Bible Story Books in my house when my daughters were young – I remember one called ‘365 Bible Stories’ and another called ‘100 New Testament Stories’. We also used these when I was teaching at Sunday School, where we would sing:
“Oh, the best book to read is the Bible,
The best book to read is the Bible,
If you read it everyday,
It will help you on your way,
Oh, the best book to read is the Bible.”

Like many others, I have always found the Bible to be a guidebook for life, providing advice, guidance and reassurance. It provides a framework for understanding God and navigating life’s challenges. Throughout my life the Bible has offered a sense of purpose and hope, and helped me to find meaning and direction. I treasure all my Bibles and they are very well used!

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 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 11th May – Fourth Sunday of Easter

At 10 am there will be as service of Holy Communion by Extension, led by Iain Coleman, in church. Coffee, tea and biscuits will be available after the service.

At 11.30 am the Annual Church Meeting takes place in church. Everyone is welcome to attend. 

  • Reports etc can be downloaded from the website at  <https://www.pattinghamchurch.org.uk/web/about-us/whos-who/pcc/pcc-membership/> and are also at the back of the church. As part of our commitment to EcoChurch please consider reading them on your computer.
  • The churchwardens and up to seven members of the PCC will be elected. Nomination forms for Churchwardens and Elected PCC Members are on the church website and at the back of the church.
  • There will be a presentation on the plans for the North Aisle.

At 2pm Pattingham Day takes place.

  • Please spare an hour or so to join us and help litter pick in the streets and lanes surrounding Pattingham.
  • We will meet at the church at 2pm
  • High-Vis vests, Black bags and litter pickers available.
  • Meet back at the church from 3pm where we will dispose of the litter collected
  • Refreshments served at the side of the church afterwards.
  • If you have any questions contact Tony Ainsworth.

At 3 pm the Baptism of Colton Crowley takes place in church.

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:
High Street, Meadow View, Broadwell Lane, Old Smithy Close.

In the Trysull Deanery Prayer Diary we pray for:
St Philip, Penn Fields.

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.

Wednesday is the copy date for the June magazine. Send articles to Mike Moss at

From Wednesday to Saturday at 7.30 pm Pattingham Drama Group present Electric Rosary in the Village Hall. See below for more details,

On Friday from 10 am to 12 noon there is a Memory Café at the Village Hall. See below for more details.

At 2.30 pm on Saturday cleaning of Patshull Church takes place. If you are able to help contact Philip Sims on 07515 145339.

Sunday 18th May – Fifth Sunday of Easter

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:
Moor Lane, Elms Paddock, Little Moor.

In the Trysull Deanery Prayer Diary we pray for:
St Michael & All Angels, Tettenhall Regis.

Pattingham Drama Group’s production of “Electric Rosary” by Tim Foley has its first night on Wednesday.

Electric Rosary

The play is set in St Grace’s Convent which is in crisis! There are only five nuns left after the Mother Superior’s recent death. Acting Mother Superior Elizabeth has a plan. A council funded robot arrives. “Mary” was intended to be a labour-saving device but slowly becomes more “human”….. whatever that means. The play is set sometime in the future in the context of social breakdown and upheaval, and explores themes of AI and it’s impact on society and faith. It is sharp, dramatic and funny, whilst also being very thought-provoking. It promises to be a great evening’s entertainment.

  • Note: seating for this performance is along the two sides of the village hall and on raised seating at the rear. The play will be performed effectively in the round.
  • Pattingham Drama Group look forward to seeing you at the show.
  • Performances run from Wednesday May 14th to Saturday May 17th inclusive – 7.30pm in Pattingham Village Hall.
  • Tickets are £10 each and are available from Ticketsource through their website/order page: <https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/pattingham-drama>

Memory Café

Home Instead are commencing Memory Café at Pattingham Village Hall.

Meeting every 3rd Friday of the month from 10.00am to 12.00 noon starting 16th May 2025

These are free informal sessions designed for individuals living with dementia and their carers to meet in a relaxed environment.  Enjoy simple, engaging activities, while connecting with others who understand the challenges of dementia.

No need to book.  Just pop along

The following future dates are planned:

  • Fri 20th June 25
  • Fri 18th July 25
  • Fri 15th Aug 25
  • Fri 19th Sept 25
  • Fri 17th Oct 25
  • Fri 21st Nov 25
  • Fri 19th Dec 25

Rogation Sunday at Patshull

The Rogation Walk will leave St. Chad’s at 2pm on Sunday 25th May, making its way to St Mary’s Church, Patshull where the service will commence at 4.30pm. This will be preceded by tea, coffee and cake which constitutes appropriate post walk refreshments.

This is a tradition in the St. Chad’s calendar and makes for a most enjoyable, fun afternoon.

If anyone is available to help with the cleaning of the Church at Patshull on Saturday 17th May at 2.30pm or is able to donate a cake on the 25th will they please contact me on 07515 145339.

Philip Sims

The Well – the Wolverhampton Food Bank

The Well

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

Becoming Dementia Friendly Church 2024-25

Do not fear what may happen tomorrow;
the same everlasting Father who cares for you today
will take care of you then and everyday.
He will either shield you from suffering, or will give you unfailing strength to bear it.
Be at peace and put aside all anxious thoughts and imagination.
Amen 

(St Francis de Sales 1567-1622)

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 4th and 18th May.

William Henry Critchley – 5th May 2000
Alice Scriven – 6th May 1991
Terence Curtis – 6th May 2000
Donald Victor Newill – 8th May 1995
Lilian Graham – 10th May 2002
Ernest Brian Lindley – 10th May 2003
Paul James Claxton – 10th May 2008
Jennifer Jane Nicholson – 10th May 2017
John Weaver – 11th May 2001
George Williamson – 12th May 1995
Kenneth Charles Ray – 12th May 2020
Neville Jeffrey Dulson – 13th May 1962
Ada Caddick Booth – 13th May 1977
Margaret Crowther Reynolds – 13th May 1986
Pamela Ann Stephens – 13th May 2017
Violet Hughes – 14th May 1977
Edna Mary Beagle – 14th May 1999
Edwin Harold Woodroffe – 14th May 2013
George Albert Elliott – 17th May 1996
Catherine Isabel Harrison – 17th May 2010
Ernest Parton – 18th May 2020
Joyce Beatrice Henshaw – 18th May 2022

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 141 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