ChadNet – no 275

ChadNet – no 275 – Sunday 29th June 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

Debbie Sims

(This is based on the Pause for Thought which Debbie gave at the Youth Service in May)

At the recent Youth Service, we were thinking about the use of the tongue as a weapon.

The reading from James chapter 3 verse 8 tells us the tongue is wild and full of deadly poison, a world of evil occupying a space in our bodies. James also gives us three analogies: a horse’s bit controlling a large beast, a small rudder directing a large ship and a little flame igniting a great forest fire.

The recurring theme? Don’t be deceived. Although very small, the tongue is powerful and should not be underestimated in its ability to do harm.

How often do we use our tongues wrongly? Do we gossip about the behaviour of others – yet don’t examine our own behaviour? Do we judge people and greet them differently? Speak unsympathetically to those in need, yet not know their story?

We often see news items where people use inciting language and then claim they are exercising free speech, but where should we draw the line? Recently a West Belfast band called Kneecap used language to protest in their songs, it was reported that they crossed the line and began using what is considered ‘hate language’, for instance ‘kill your local Tory MP’. Although they have the right to political protest where does the line become blurred into hate? What effect does it have on society?

God has given us the freedom to chose our words.  We should ask ourselves ‘will our words please our Lord?’ Do they excite, energize or motivate?

It is easy when we are tired and frustrated to spit out unkind words to help release our stress. Next time try to pause, breathe, think – how will our flippant remarks hurt the person we are talking to? Will they feel humiliated or embarrassed? Are those words tantamount to bullying? Will we regret them when we have considered them? Remember James told us that no human being can tame the tongue but we should not give up trying.

Nowadays, its not just the spoken word. There are texts and social media to contend with, sometimes the words used on these platforms can be even more charged as they do not require that eye to eye contact.

You don’t have to physically hit to hurt, but on-line threats, harassment, criticism, causing alarm or distress can be deemed a criminal offence. It can also go unchallenged and we all need to be aware of those around us who may come into contact with this behaviour. Let us be prepared to listen and encourage those younger to share any concerns.

There are many questions here. As I worked as a dental hygienist for 42 years, I thought maybe you could try this. Each night when you are brushing your teeth for two minutes and using your floss and interdental brushes, equally as important, think about your TONGUE. How have you used it that day? To misdirect, to gossip, to ridicule or to encourage, thank and praise? Make this time your Pause for Thought.

Debbie Sims

(As always this View from the Pews is the personal view of the author.)

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 29th June – Saints Peter and Paul

At 10 am there will be a service of Holy Communion including the baptism of Adaline Hill, led by Revd Roberta Maxfield, in church. Coffee, tea and biscuits will be available after the service.

In the Parish Prayer Diary we pray for:
Those who work in health care.

In the Trysull Deanery Prayer Diary we pray for:
St Peter, Kinver.

This week

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

The Century Club draw takes place on Monday.

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 by extension, led by Iain Coleman, 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 Friday from 2 pm to 4 pm ChadART takes place in church. See below for more information.

On Saturday from 12 noon to 4 pm the Village Fete takes place on the Playing Field. It will be opened by Revd Merry Smith, who will be our Vicar from 10th August.

Sunday 6th July – Third Sunday after Trinity

At 10 am there will be a Family Service, led by Alan Smith and Henry Ibberson, in church. During the service the Project Leaders of the Well will be speaking. It will be followed by a short service of Holy Communion by extension, led by Iain Coleman, 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:
Rudge Road, Lower Rudge, Spoonley Gate, Upper Ludstone, Worcester Road.

In the Trysull Deanery Prayer Diary we pray for:
St John the Evangelist, Swindon.

ChadART

Enjoy painting, drawing, printing or mindful colouring?

We have started a new Art Club at St. Chad’s where people can come and socialise as they create.  Bring along your own projects and materials.  While there is no formal teaching, I am sure we will all enjoy sharing our own expertise and ideas.  Everyone is welcome.

Please come and join us at the back of church.  We will be there on Friday afternoons from 2pm-4pm.  Tea and coffee will be available.

If you have any questions, please contact Jo Bramall on (07977) 007537.

Village Fete – Saturday 5th July 2025 – 12 midday to 4 pm on the field

Pattingham Village Fete

Bottles needed.

We need donations of bottles for the bottle stall – bottles of water, bottles of squash, bottles of pop, bottles of beer, bottles of wine, bottles of spirits – in fact any sort of bottles, other than empty bottles. There is a box at the back of the church to put them in. The more bottles we have the more money we should be able to make on the bottle stall.

There is more information about the fete at <https://www.pattinghamchurch.org.uk/web/news-and-events/fete/>.

Concert by the Much Wenlock Male Voice Choir – Saturday 12th July at 7.00 pm

Singing for Pleasure

Tickets are still available

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

The Well – the Wolverhampton Food Bank

The Well

Everyone at the Well is extremely grateful for the gifts of cash and goods which are donated regularly. At present there is a particular need for the following items:

  •     Tinned tomatoes
  •     UHT Milk
  •     Male toiletries
  •     Custard
  •     Noodles
  •     Tinned Vegetables

Project leaders, Gary and Caroline Price, will be speaking at our Family Service on Sunday 6 July.

Again many thanks for your support.

Alan Smith

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

Friend of the Friendless

When I look around me, I see friends and acquaintances with dementia.  It is tempting to look away and tell myself it is somebody else`s problem.
Shepherding Christ,  you went out of your way to find the lonely and the lost. Grant me compassion and insight to feel what it is like for someone who is losing their memory, increasingly adrift in a once familiar world.  Let me be the one to hold out a hand that can anchor them to the life and friendships they knew.
Grant me the wisdom to see how I can help their carer and the will and energy to act on that knowledge.  Let me not make excuses.  Save me from being the one who passes by on the other side of the road.
Lord, you were always ready to speak out for those in need.  Guide me to find out more about dementia.  Give me commitment to be a Dementia Friend and to advocate greater understanding in the community.
May I have your courage not to back away from the unfamiliar, but to reach out the hand of love.
Amen

(Prayers for Dementia and how to live well with it. Fay Sampson)

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 22nd 29th June and 6th July.

Jasper Ronald Curtis – 23rd June 2004
Susan Caton – 24th June 2018
Joan Morgan – 25th June 1991
Katie Margaret Dain – 26th June 2005
Eleanor Hayward – 29th June 1982
Pat Morgan – 29th June 2004
David Sydney Woodall – 29th June 2023
John Alfred Garbutt Harrison – 30th June 2016
Bertie Grainger – 1st July 1961
Guy Charles Benjamin Phillips – 1st July 2001
Dennis Thomas – 2nd July 1995
John Hall Griffiths – 2nd July 2024
Dorothy Jean Haden – 3rd July 1996
John James – 4th July 2009
Molly Dermott Pass – 5th July 2018
Bunty Genna – 6th July 2001

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 143 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