ChadNet – no 269

ChadNet – no 269 – Sunday 18th 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

Alison Colin-Stokes

Do Not Ask Me To Remember

Do not ask me to remember,
Don’t try to make me understand,
Let me rest and know you’re with me,
Kiss my cheek and hold my hand.
I’m confused beyond your concept,
I am sick and sad and lost.
All I know is that I need you
To be with me at all cost.
Do not lose your patience with me,
Do not scold or curse or cry.
I cannot help the way I’m acting,
Can’t be different though I try.
Just remember that I need you,
That the best of me is gone,
Please don’t fail to stand beside me,
Love me ‘til my life is done.

    • Owen Darnell

This poem is written from the viewpoint of someone who has dementia and so many of the lines in this poem resonate with me profoundly as my mum is now 12 years into her ‘journey’ of living with Alzheimer’s. As some of you already understand, an important part of loving a family member throughout their dementia journey means you face a steep learning curve. Although we have all learnt so much about this disease as we have navigated our route as a family, we have so much more to learn. There are still moments when dementia amazes me and this is one such moment I would like to share with you.

I recently took Mum to St. Michael and All Angels church in Tettenhall as it’s very near to the care home Mum now lives in. Initially, Mum was quite agitated and I wasn’t sure I’d be able to get her to go inside, but the moment we walked through the door of the church she smiled. I knew we would be able to stay and as soon as the organist started playing the first hymn and the congregation sang, I could literally see Mum becoming calmer and an ‘inner peace’ seemed to literally ‘fill’ her. Although Mum is essentially non-verbal and does not speak using complete words in coherent sentences now, I was amazed when she was able to join in chanting ‘The Creed’ and in many of the other parts of the service. Years and years of hearing those familiar words mean that they are ingrained into her memory and are still very much part of who she is today even though many other aspects of her personality and behaviours now are so different to how she was. It was truly incredible to witness Mum still able to take part in the service and seeing her so ‘at peace’.

We also see the comfort music brings when visiting mum; we often play and sing her favourite hymns and we can see the positive effect this has on her. Whilst there is no doubting that having a family member with dementia has meant we have faced some incredibly heart-breaking and challenging times as a family, there are still times when there are moments of joy and we treasure those moments. That church visit was one such moment.

If anyone reading this is facing a similar ‘journey’ themselves (or with a family member) and would like to talk, please do reach out. Everyone with dementia (and their families) will go on a different ‘journey’ but sharing experiences and feelings really can help.

Alison Colin-Stokes

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 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.

This week

The church will be open every day. Look out for the “church open” sign outside the porch.

Monday is the first day of Dementia Action Week.

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 Tuesday evening there is a PCC meeting in church.

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.

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

At 2 pm on Saturday the Baptism of Fern Ashley takes place in church.

Sunday 25th May – Sixth Sunday of Easter – Rogation Sunday

At 10 am there will be a service of Holy Communion, led by Revd Paul Brown, in church. Coffee, tea and biscuits will be available after the service.

At 2 pm the traditional Rogation Sunday Walk will leave from St Chad’s Church, making its way to St Mary’s Church, Patshull where the Rogation Sunday Service, which will be led by Iain Coleman, will commence at 4.30 pm. This will be preceded by tea, coffee and cake which constitute appropriate post walk refreshments.

This is a tradition in the St. Chad’s calendar and makes for a most enjoyable, fun afternoon. If you are able to donate a cake please contact Philip Sims on 07515 145339.

Arrangements have been made for those who are not taking part in the walk to get to Patshull Church from the Patshull Road. As this involves going through locked gates it will be necessary to travel together. Those who wish to do so should be at St Chad’s Church lychgate by 3.30 pm, when we shall travel in convoy down the Patshull Road to enter the Estate by the main gate, formerly the entrance to the Hotel & Golf Club. Any cyclists who wish to join the convoy should be at the main gate by 3.35 pm.

There is no evening service.

In the Parish Prayer Diary we pray for those who live and work in:
Hall End Lane, Beech Close, Beech Croft.

In the Trysull Deanery Prayer Diary we pray for:
The Venerable Bede, Wombourne.

At 7.30 pm on Thursday 29th May there will be a service of Holy Communion for Ascension Day, led by Revd Paul Brown, in church.

Ukraine Refugee Centre

Bags of donations in car boot

As indicated in ChadNet no 267 Mary Hayward took donations  to the Ukraine Refugee Centre in Wolverhampton on 9th May. Her car boot was full of donations. She will be going again on Friday 13th June and will be happy to receive more donations to take.

She has received the following letter of thanks from the centre.

RAZOM AUGB WOLVERHAMPTON
Ukrainian Welcome Centre
Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain (AUGB)

Dear Mary & Parishioners of St Chad’s Church

On behalf of the Razom Ukrainian Welcome Centre, I would like to thank you so much for your generous donations of items to our shop for Ukrainian refugees. Frances has shown me the items, and everything is greatly appreciated.

The items you donated will help to continue the support offered by RAZOM (the Welcome centre for displaced Ukrainians in Wolverhampton and surrounding areas).

We feel we are not only meeting the physical needs of our guests, but importantly their emotional and social needs too, so please accept our sincere gratitude in helping us to continue to do this.

None of us know what is coming with Russia’s devastating ongoing war on Ukraine. Our prayers are for this invasion to end now, but whilst it continues, we will, with your help, support the people of Ukraine who are enduring the extreme effects of this terrible war.

We have a dedicated bank account for RAZOM Wolverhampton, (account details below) if anyone you know would like to make a monetary donation.

With warmest wishes and thank you for your most generous support.

Yours sincerely

Hryhorij Greg Kowalczuk and Anna Karpynec
Joint Chairs – RAZOM AUGB Wolverhampton

DONATE TO RAZOM: AUGB WOLVERHAMPTON BRANCH
Sort code – 20-97-90 Account no – 33297012

Let’s Pray Together

Trysull Deanery
Summer Evening of Prayer
with Bishop Tim

Friday 20th June from 7 to 10 pm at Christ Church, Church Road, Tettenhall Wood, WV6 8NQ

Village Fete – Saturday 5th July

The annual fete takes place on Saturday 5th July from 12 noon to 4 pm.

If you are able to help please sign up on the sheet at the back of the church or contact Keith or Alix (email: )

Concert by the Much Wenlock Male Voice Choir – Saturday 12th July

An evening of Singing for Pleasure with the Much Wenlock Male Voice Choir

Saturday 12th July 2025 – 7.00 pm
St Chad’s Church, Pattingham

Tickets £15 per adult
includes a glass of Prosecco or non-alcoholic drink
Children under 16 FREE if accompanied by a paying adult

Box Office: Contact 07757 688518 or

Proceeds and Raffle
in support of St Chad’s Church, The Well Foodbank and The Ukranian Refugee Centre

Church website

A number of things have been added to the church website recently which may be of interest.

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

Dementia Action Week starts on Monday

Weekly Prayer

Becoming Dementia Friendly Church 2024-25

Lord , I am what I am.

I give thanks for the life I’ve had;
For the memories that will live on
Through others when I remember no more;

For the love of family and friends
Who will go on loving me when
I no longer show that I love or care;

For the care-givers, the doctors and nurses
Who are with me and will be with me
Every step of the way.

I am what I am.

I have been nurtured by you, Lord,
And give thanks for the fact that
You love me – for who I was,
For who I am, for what I become.

We can walk this path together
Hand in hand:
I know I am not alone, that you
Will be by my side always.
Amen

(Diocese of Lichfield Dementia Action Week Prayer for May 2025 – written by Heather Wright)

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 11th and 25th May.

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
Bert Nicholls – 20th May 1996
Barrie James Gatt – 21st May 1997
Sylvia Gwenythe Giles – 21st May 2020
Olive Dora Williams – 22nd May 1982
Kathleen Mary Russell – 22nd May 2003
Peter Wood – 22nd May 2016
George Weaver – 23rd May 1959
Ronald James Smedley – 23rd May 1987
Dorothy Louisa Newill – 24th May 2011

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