ChadNet – no 290

ChadNet – no 290 – Sunday 12th October 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

Jill Parker

Prisons’ Sunday on 12th October marks the start of the annual week of prayer to raise awareness of issues faced by those affected by the criminal justice system.

We all want to be loved and have hope and this is needed by those in prison. I was a Criminal and Youth magistrate for twenty years having been encouraged to apply by Prue Earl who lived in Pattingham House while a patient of mine. I’d never had contact with the criminal justice system and like most people I expect had pre-conceived views of those in jail.

As a magistrate you’re not there to be a social worker but to do justice and the application of the law while recognising the humanity of those before you.  As a Presiding Justice, speaking on behalf of the Bench, looking the person before you and committing them to custody, watching the handcuffs put on and them being taken down  often in tears isn’t easy. That person was made in the image of God but something has gone wrong in their lives. Jesus always looked beyond the problem to the person, walked with the wounded, talked with the troubled, reached out to the wretched but was never afraid to “say it as it is”. That is justice and mercy walking hand in hand. On appointment you do prison visits and the reality of custody, the endless locks, keys, lack of control, and routine was experienced by me for the first time.

Behind every prisoner is a story. There are victims, families torn apart, children growing up without a mother or father, addiction and cries for help. Often being in prison gives people time to reflect, look for faith, come off drugs, get an education or learn a trade. Many have mental health issues, are illiterate but many are professional highly educated people whose lives have gone astray.  Each one is  precious in God’s eyes and rehabilitation and return to society is the aim.

I  volunteer  in a multifaith prison Chaplaincy Team and feel privileged to meet people at a difficult time in their lives. Breaking the news of a family death, for example, sitting next to them on the bed in their cell is emotional. In these situations  I always ask, if they aren’t known to the Chaplaincy , if they have any faith and offer to pray with them or on their behalf. Often they gratefully accept and if saying the Lord’s Prayer join in as remember learning it as a child.  Many people find or rekindle faith in prison, change their lives and return to society. Prison can be a dangerous, lonely place but also a place of love and hope. Christians are baptised or confirmed and can attend bible study and services.

The following poem for Prisons Week was written by Claire Mothersdale, who is an ex offender who serves as a Prison Fellowship Volunteer.

When you hear the word offender, what words come to mind?
I imagine quite a few—most won’t be very kind.
When you hear the word offender, you may think ‘low-life scum;’
‘They deserve to be locked up and pay for what they’ve done.’
‘They’re probably just a smackhead or an alky, can’t you see?
Let’s get them chucked in prison and throw away the key.’
But when I hear the word offender, I’ll tell you what I see:
I see they’re only human—they’ve made mistakes, just like you and me.
When I hear the word offender, I don’t see addict and I don’t see scum;
I see that the offender is someone’s daughter, someone’s son.
Yes, they’ve made bad choices, yes, they’ve been caught—
But God’s grace brings forgiveness; by His blood they have been bought.
Yes, they’re wretched sinners—of this there is no doubt;
The only difference between them and you is their sin has been found out.
You see, sin is sin in God’s eyes, whether big or small—
But praise God for redemption: Jesus took the fall.
He took on all their sinfulness, He took on all their shame;
His offer of forgiveness lets them live again.
So, the next time you hear the word offender,
See them through God’s eyes,
And pray they accept Jesus as their Saviour
To help navigate their lives. 

If you want to learn more about Prison Fellowship please visit the website: <prisonfellowship.org.uk>

There are all types of volunteering opportunities like Letter Link and prayer groups which are done from outside but mean so much.

Jill Parker

(As always this View 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 12th October – Seventeenth Sunday after Trinity

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

At 6.30 pm there will be a Service in the Iona style, led by Iain Coleman, in church.

In the Parish Prayer Diary we pray for those who live and work in:
Clive Road.

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 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 10 am to 12 noon the Home Instead Memory Café is being held at the Village Hall. 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.

At 12.00 noon on Friday the funeral of Patricia Anne Simmons takes place in church.

On Friday from 2 pm to 4 pm ChadART takes place in church. For more information contact Jo Bramall on 07977 007537.

On Saturday the Diocese of Lichfield Cultural Festival takes place at St. John in the Square, Wolverhampton from 11 am to 5 pm. Details are at <https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/diocese-of-lichfield-cultural-festival-tickets-1710540906899>.

Sunday 19th October – Eighteenth Sunday after Trinity

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 the Vicar, 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:
Patshull Park, Farm Road, Rushey Lane, Patshull Gardens, Patshull Lane.

In the Trysull Deanery Prayer Diary we pray for:
Good Shepherd, Castlecroft.

Ukraine Refugee Centre

Mary Hayward sent this message after she took donations to the Ukraine Refugee Centre on Friday:

I have just delivered all the donations received this month to Wolverhampton Ukraine Centre. My car was completely full including boot, all seats, and all footwells (other than the driver’s of course).

Your kindness and generosity is overwhelming and so much appreciated by the Centre.

At the moment they are short of children’s clothes age 6-13 years, Ladies dresses and coats (winter season). All other items remain the same.

Thank you again. My next visit is planned for 7th November.

God bless
Mary Hayward

Christmas card competition

The box for entries to the Christmas card competition is at the back of the church. It is open to all children and young people up to school year 8 (that is those who are under 14 years old on 1st September 2025) who live in the parish or attend St Chad’s School. The closing date is Monday 20th October.

Details are on the website at <https://www.pattinghamchurch.org.uk/web/information/christmas-card-competition-2025/>. Please spread the word to the children and young people you know.

All Souls’ Memorial Service

The All Souls’ Memorial Service will be held at 6.30 pm on Sunday 2nd November. We will remember by name all those for whom funerals have been held in the last 2 years and those whose names are in the Memorial Book who have died within the last 6 years.

There is a list at the back of church to allow the addition of other names. The list will be removed on Thursday 30th October. Please ensure any names are placed on the list before that date.

Link to Hope Shoebox Appeal

Link to Hope

The closing date for the Shoebox Appeal is approaching. Boxes need to be taken to Barbara or left at the back of the church by Sunday 26th October.

There are leaflets at the back of church (and on the church website) which give greater details and make suggestions about what they would like us to include in the boxes. It is important to read the instructions on the leaflet which clearly define what you can put in the boxes. Due to customs and import regulations, you cannot just put anything in but there are loads of items to choose from.

More details can be found on the Link to Hope website at <https://linktohope.co.uk/shoebox-appeal-2025/> and on the church website at <https://www.pattinghamchurch.org.uk/web/news-and-events/shoe-box-appeal-2025/>.

Barbara Tritton
17 High Street, Pattingham
(01902 700065)
email –

The Well – the Wolverhampton Food Bank

The Well

We have received the following letter of thanks from the Well.

Dear Friends of The Well

Re: Harvest Festival Donations 2025

Thank you so much for your generous support during this year’s Harvest Festival season.

The weight of food/toiletries donated by your church totalled 279.0 Kg

Your support at this time of year makes a huge difference in enabling us to support the continuing high number of families and single people in need. Some days our referral line never stops ringing due to the demand.

Here is a recent thank you we have received from someone who had supported us but then found themselves in need of a food parcel:

‘We just wanted to say thank you so much for the support this week. We really appreciate it. Hopefully we are in a short term crisis and will be able to help with donations again in the future. Bless you all.’

With your help, we have now provided emergency food & toiletry parcels for over 129,000 individuals directly.

In these uncertain days, may you know the nearness of Christ’s love, joy and peace – the source of all hope and a certain future.

If you wish to know more about our work, or would like to know how you can support us in other ways, do connect with us via our website, where you can sign up to our newsletter and link to our Social Media pages: www.thewellwolverhampton.co.uk

God Bless You

Gary & Caroline Price Project Leaders

Dementia Friendly Church

Weekly Prayer 

Becoming Dementia Friendly Church 2024-25

Pour your grace, O loving God, upon all living with dementia.
It is frustrating not to find a word; it is fearful to lose ones memories.
Bless them with patience, a loving and supporting family and days of hope and accomplishment.
In Christ`s name we pray.
Amen

(Adapted from “Prayers of Our Hearts”)

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 5th and 19th October.

M.G. Stuart Jones – 5th October 2017
Janet Sampson – 6th October 2009
Sidney Herbert Guest – 8th October 1976
John Beagle – 8th October 1982
Clive Fordham Parker – 9th October 1993
Barbara Alice Titley – 9th October 2003
Colin Charles Robinson – 9th October 2020
Evelyn Eileen Carlile – 10th October 2010
Graham Roger Gilbert – 12th October 2002
Carol Jane Higginson – 12th October 2004
Emily Elizabeth Penny – 14th October 1993
Philippa Ciceley Bramall – 15th October 2017
Doris Pugh – 16th October 1987
Lilian Mary Monckton – 17th October 1982
June Hazel Wilcox – 17th October 2009
Thomas Stanley Inett – 18th October 1992
Gillian Bloomfield – 18th October 2003

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 152 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