ChadNet – no 295 – Sunday 16th November 2025
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 – Tracey Williams
- Sunday 16th November – Second Sunday before Advent
- This week
- Sunday 23rd November – Christ the King
- Santa at St Chad’s, celebrating St Nicholas Day – Saturday 6th December
- The Well Foodbank
- Dementia Friendly Church – Forget-me-not Teas and weekly prayer
- From the Memorial Book
- Giving to the Church
View from the Pews
This weekend is Safeguarding Sunday in the Church of England.
WARNING: This article is about safeguarding and trauma. I would not wish to cause distress if items contained may cause a trigger to anyone who may have suffered or be suffering. Please reach out.
On Saturday 20th September in my role as Parish Safeguarding Officer I attended the first Safeguarding Conference for the Lichfield Diocese. I found this well-attended, extremely interesting and I left reassured that our diocese is working hard to promote Safeguarding to be an integral part of church life.
Bishop Michael was adamant it should be at the core of everything we do and at the very heart of the church. In light of historical well publicised failings, I left reassured that our Diocese was doing its very utmost to ensure we feel empowered to report any issues knowing we are well supported and due process would be followed. PSOs are the frontline and the Safeguarding Team at Lichfield have a wealth of experience and are always at the end of the phone or email to answer and support. This team has just been expanded by a further 3 whose past careers were as police and probation officers.
The morning session following prayers and hymns began with a presentation by Jo Douglas – Discussing Trauma. 76% of adults will have been exposed to trauma in their lives. 50% women and 33% men have suffered abuse of some kind.
There are various definitions of Trauma. One is: “Trauma results from an event, series of events, or set of circumstances that is experienced by an individual as a physically or emotionally harmful or threatening and that has a lasting adverse effect on the individual`s functioning and physical, social, emotional, or spiritual well-being.” (UK Trauma Council)
None of us know truly each individual back story of each others’ lives, childhoods, adult experiences as we only know what each of us choose to tell. There will be survivors in congregations and the presentation and aim of the Diocese is to cultivate a Trauma-informed Church. For those who have suffered it is well recognised that it may well impact on their faiths and beliefs and it is essential to avoid re traumatisation. (There is a piece in the Church Times 28th March 2025 by Karen O`Donnell “Theology matters: What is trauma theology?” which may be of interest. <https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2025/28-march/faith/theology-matters/theology-matters-what-is-trauma-theology>)
A set of cards were available, one of which is illustrated here, and I will leave the full set at the back of church.
The first session in the afternoon session was Dementia – Safeguarding and Risk Management by the Diocesan Dementia Enabler Sarah Thorpe. There is a Safeguarding & Dementia Blog the diocesan website at <https://www.lichfield.anglican.org/news/safeguarding-dementia.php>
The second afternoon session was Safe Spaces. Launched in September 2020, this service offers support for survivors of church-related abuse whether or not a report has been made. They provide confidential, independent and specialist support, this support is trauma-informed and victim-led. More details are available on our church website under Safeguarding.
A Final Prayer:
God of all, Bless all our churches as places of welcome and hospitality, places of compassion and safety, places of connection and love for all. Bless us to share small acts of love, freely given to one another, so that Christ may be made know in our community. Bless us to walk together as friends, recognising that God journeys with us as we turn our understanding into action and live with hope in our hearts. Amen
Do you feel safe in this church? What do you need to feel safe? If you have any concerns you wish to raise please to not hesitate to contact me.
Tracey Williams
Parish Safeguarding Officer
(As always this View is the personal view of the author.)
There is more information about the Diocesan Safeguarding Conference on the diocesan website at <https://www.lichfield.anglican.org/safeguarding/2025-diocesan-safeguarding-conference.php>. It includes videos of the morning and afternoon sessions.
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 16th November – Second Sunday before Advent
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:
High Street, Meadow View, Broadwell Lane, Old Smithy Close.
In the Trysull Deanery Prayer Diary we pray for:
The Venerable Bede, Wombourne.
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 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 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.
Wednesday is the copy date for the November magazine. Send articles to Mike Moss at
On Thursday at 2 pm the Forget-me-not Tea takes place at St Andrew’s Church, Shifnal. Everyone assured of a warm welcome. For more information speak to Tracey Williams.
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.
There is NO ChadART this week. It is suspended until the spring. For more information contact Jo Bramall on 07977 007537.
Sunday 23rd November – Christ the King
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:
Wolverhampton Road, Newgate, Merchant Close.
In the Trysull Deanery Prayer Diary we pray for:
Our Bishops and Archdeacon.
Santa at St Chad’s, celebrating St Nicholas Day
This new event is to be held at 4 pm on Saturday 6th December in church. There will be a puppet nativity show, a chance to meet Santa with gifts for children, carols, craft activities and much more.
It’s free, donations will be welcome. Advance booking will be required. Look out for more details and how to book nearer the time.
The Well – the Wolverhampton Food Bank
The Well have sent this message.
Cauliflowers Fluffy and Cabbages Green
Over 60 schools, churches, local businesses and community organisations took the time to promote and support the needs of The Well this harvest. A total of 7,656 kg (nearly 8 tons!) was donated. This is just under last year’s weight received and a remarkable amount considering the current economic climate.
Our shelves are now full and overflowing with the full range of items we aim to include in each parcel, ensuring every person has three days of meals as well as essential toiletries.
All at the Well are so grateful to every individual and family who contributed so generously.
“If you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday.” Isaiah 58:10
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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>
At St Chad’s 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.
Dementia Friendly Church
Forget-me-not Teas
The next Forget-me-not Teas at St Andrew’s Church, Shifnal are on Thursday
20th November and Thursday 4th December both starting at 2pm. Everyone assured of a warm welcome. For more information speak to Tracey Williams.
Weekly Prayer
Father, in the name of your son Jesus, I pray for clarity, resolve and steadfastness in dealing with the unknowns.
I ask for knowledge of the disease so that I can act accordingly for the betterment of my loved one.
I pray for financial provision to best care for them.
You know exactly what is needed therefore, I look to you to provide.
Thank you, Lord.
Thank you for being present in this situation.
I trust that I can rely on you for all things.
I commit my loved one to you today and know that for such a time as this, you have placed me here to care for them, pray for them and love them.
I pray all these things in Jesus’ holy name.
Amen
(ibelieve.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 9th and 23rd November.
Rupert Neville Hayward – 9th November 1964
David Challinor – 9th November 2022
Stanley Charles Weaver – 12th November 1999
Alan Hill Stubbs – 13th November 2023
May Weaver – 15th November 1938
Elizabeth Wood – 16th November 1934
Eva Margaret Curtis – 18th November 1981
Harry Nickholds – 18th November 1995
Trevor John Darlington – 18th November 2008
David William Burton – 19th November 2019
Glynne Charles Davis – 21st November 2004
Frank Davies – 21st November 2008
William Ernest Davis – 22nd November 1970
Marjorie Gwendoline Greenway – 22nd November 1996
Brenda Rose Pendrell – 23rd November 2015
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
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St Chad’s Church, Pattingham with Patshull Registered charity no 1151604