ChadNet – no 285

ChadNet – no 285 – Sunday 7th September 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

Henry Ibberson
Henry Ibberson

Sometimes one comes across something which really strikes a chord. The article below came from a very old friend of mine up in Derbyshire, who receives thoughts and reflections from a retired minister of his acquaintance, now finding time to think and analyse the world in a little more detail than when he was in post. I have read it through a number of times and I wonder if you might agree that, without being too contentious or political, he sums up pretty well where we are today in our somewhat chaotic world. You may also recall, that “Hope” was the theme of one of Barbara’s Youth Services a few months ago. See what you think.

Henry Ibberson

Overflowing with hope this September.

Some of the salient notes of the Christian faith sounded by St.Paul in his letter to the Romans are hope, peace and joy. It is easy in the light of events to despair of the world. It is so now, it was so then, and it was so when Winston Churchill addressed a cabinet meeting in Britain’s darkest hours. Some would have given up the struggle, but Churchill looking round his dispirited cabinet, apparently said, “Gentlemen, I find it rather inspiring”. So Barclay records in his commentary on Romans. There is something in Christian hope that nothing can kill, and that something is the conviction that God is still alive.

In this world of 2025 with all its hopelessness, the Word of God speaks to us of abounding hope. It’s important to recognize that this hope is, primarily hope for what is beyond this present life and beyond history as we know it…..hope of life with Christ after death….hope of God’s triumphant accomplishment of His good and gracious purpose for us and all people, and for His whole creation, and much more. But, this is not to lull us into a supine acceptance of the injustices of the present. This hope will, should, and must compel us to challenge courageously and resolutely, evil and stupidity wherever they present themselves.

As I read it in St. Paul’s letter to the Romans, we can, and must declare with confidence that, even should the wickedness and incredible stupidity of the world’s rulers and those who follow them, bring upon us untold misery and reduce this earth to a more terrible and far longer dark age than any it has yet suffered, our hope shall still not fail of fulfilment.

The God who has revealed Himself in Jesus Christ will still be supreme in everlasting majesty and mercy. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, it is He, and He alone, who reigns. Those who have this hope of which St. Paul speaks will strive with determination to turn women and men away from the madness of the nuclear arms race, amongst many other hideous crimes, and get on fearlessly and energetically with all those other works of justice and mercy, for which those who are God’s sons and daughters have been set free.

How badly the world needs today women and men of all faiths and none to abound in this hope.

So as St.Paul says in his letter to the Romans 15 v 13…” May the God of hope fill us too with all joy and peace in believing so that you may overflow in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit”, to His glory and to our neighbours’ good!

(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

The Vicar’s post is half time so Merry will not be working every day. Her usual working days are Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday but this is subject to change. Her phone number is 07486 066065 and her email address is  When she is not working she will not normally answer the phone, listen to messages or respond to emails. 

Calls to  the old phone number (01902 700257) are forwarded to Merry’s phone.

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 7th September – Twelfth Sunday after Trinity

At 10 am there will be a Family Service, led by the Barbara Dias, in church. It will be followed by a short service of Holy Communion, led by the Vicar, to which you are all most welcome. Coffee, tea and biscuits will be available after the service.

The Earl of Dudley’s Memorial Garden at Himley Hall will be open after a Songs of Praise service at Himley Church at 3 pm. Jill Parker wrote an article about this garden in the June Parish News.

In the Parish Prayer Diary we pray for:
Those who are in residential care.

In the Trysull Deanery Prayer Diary we pray for:
Schools and Young People in the Deanery.

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 Tuesday at 7.30 pm a wedding rehearsal takes place 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 the Vicar, 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. For more information contact Jo Bramall on 07977 007537.

On Saturday at 1 pm the wedding of Sophie Kinnersley and Paul Yeubrey takes place in church.

Sunday 14th September – Thirteenth Sunday after Trinity

At 10 am there will be a service of Holy Communion, led by the Vicar, 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:
The Greenway, The Square, High Path, Green Close.

In the Trysull Deanery Prayer Diary we pray for:
Holy Cross, Bobbington.

International Day of Peace Service at St Bart’s Penn

At 2 pm on Tuesday 30th September the Inner Wheel Club of Tettenhall will be holding an International Day of Peace Service at St Bart’s Church, Penn.

All will be welcome; tea and coffee will be served following the service.

Ukraine Refugee Centre

In response to the request last month someone kindly donated a television which Mary Hayward took to the centre on Friday together with  a boot full of ladies and children’s clothing , bedding and household items. They were greatly appreciated and everyone is thanked for their kindness and generosity.

Mary’s next planned visit to take donations will be on 10th October.

Scarecrow Festival – 26th to 28th September 2025

The Pattingham Scarecrow Festival is taking place from Friday 26th to Sunday 28th September.

At 7.30 pm on Friday 26th September there will be a Barn Dance in the Village Hall. Tickets are just £15 each which includes a Hog Roast as well as a fantastic night of country music and dance. For tickets call Anna on 07968 891927 or email

At 7.30 pm on Saturday 27th September there will be a Sounds of Brass Concert in the church. The Staffordshire Brand will be performing a wonderful variety of brass band tunes. Tickets are £15 per adult, which includes a glass of prosecco or something softer, and are available from Alan Smith on 07757 688518 or email

Harvest Festival – 28th September 2025

This year’s Harvest Festival will be on Sunday 28th September and, once again, donations will go the Well food bank. This year some will also go to the Ukraine Refugee Centre. A list of produce which would be particularly welcome is below.

Please make a note of the date in your diary and be as generous as you are able.

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. 

Harvest produce from the church and school will again be donated to the Well this year. The following “shopping list” shows the items which are particularly needed.

Harvest Shopping List

  • Milk (UHT)
  • Cereal
  • Tea/coffee
  • Sugar
  • Jam/spreads
  • Squash/fruit juice (UHT)
  • Meat/fish (tinned)
  • Rice/noodles (dried)
  • Pulses/couscous
  • Soup (tinned)
  • Vegetables (tinned)
  • Pasta/cooking sauce (jar)
  • Fruit (tinned)/puddings/custard
  • Snacks/biscuits
  • Nappies (sealed packs size 4, 5, 6)
  • Baby wipes/toiletries
  • Baby food (long use by date)
  • Ladies/men’s toiletries
  • Household cleaning products

No baked beans / tinned pasta please.
Only food within its Use by/Best Before dates please.

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

Gracious Lord,
I entrust my loved ones
affected by dementia into 
Your nurturing embrace.
Please shower them with Your
grace and love, providing them 
with comfort and reassurance.
Give them the strength to
endure their condition and the 
assurance of Your unwavering
presence.
Amen

(Prayerslife.com)

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 31st August and 14th September.

Irene Painting – 31st August 2017
Gladys Thornton – 2nd September 1997
Brian Woolley – 2nd September 2023
Elizabeth Ann Sampson  – 5th September 2022
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
Michael Patrick Curtis – 10th September 2021
Thomas Harold Beach – 12th September 1995
Phyllis Mabel Price – 13th September 2007
Annie Mary Caddick – 13th September 2011
Jonathan Hassall – 13th September 2019
Reginald John Henshaw – 14th September 2006
Jan Zdanowski – 14th September 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 151 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