ChadNet – no 299

ChadNet – no 299 – Sunday 14th December 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

Olive Barnett

A Cyprus Christmas
 
The following article is one I have just received from one of my dearest friends, who is Greek but who lives in Leigh-on-Sea in Essex. Keith and I first met Ellie and Tony, her husband, in 1967 when they were near neighbours at Hadleigh in Essex.  Tony became our Solicitor and we have had several holidays together, but sadly Tony died ten years ago.  Ellie is now 84 and has been a wonderful friend. Here, she recalls with great affection her childhood memories of Christmas’ in Cyprus, which I thought were so lovely that I wanted to share it with you all through ChadNet. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I did.

Olive Barnett

“In the furthest part of the Mediterranean sea as east as you can go, stands my small homeland island of Cyprus, the place where I was born and brought up, then colonized by the British.  Without going into its political history, now even smaller.  And as far south as you can go stands the town of Limassol, my town. Just a small distance from the sea in a  large field with views of the sea, there is my home that used to be, but still have and often think of and remember with great love. A beautiful piece of land filled with vines, orange and lemon trees, quinces, medlar trees, and apples and pears and figs and lots more!!  In a corner of this paradise stood a stone cottage complete with a well in the garden, beautiful flowers and my ‘stete’, my granny, hundreds of years old, always dressed in black in her home made dress, sitting in the sunshine with a small bowl of sugar, her forever treat which ate her teeth away.

This stone cottage ouzed with love, fun and kindness, and housed my very special mama, papa, and all my family.  Somewhere in the cottage hanging on the wall there was a home -made embroidered picture with the words ” Ehi O Theos” Greek for 
“God will Provide”.  Well, he didn’t always provide, but he did provide lots of love. 
Though He did always provide us a wonderful Christmas.  In the corner of the living room a Christmas tree stood; well, I say a Christmas tree, but not as I would have liked.  
Not a beautiful fur or pine tree, but cut branches from an overgrown lemon or olive tree, together with branches of any tree from the large garden that needed pruning. 
Placed tight together in a bucket and decorated with red bows, small lemons and oranges, maybe some winter flowering pieces of a shrub, bay and rosemary, and always little clip-on red candles.When decorated, I have to say it looked beautiful, if somewhat eccentric, but 
HE provided on that occasion.!! Well, what would be the sense to cut down a healthy tree that provided shelter and a home for birds and bees and small animals, only then to be useless and thrown away. My papa’s philosophy!! 

Christmas morning was special; up early to go to church for communion before breakfast. Maybe wear our new short white socks and a new hat for my little brother, Mario –  well, being  a boy he was special!! Then home for a hearty breakfast of goat’s milk, tea and halloumi on toast drenched with olive oil, until lunchtime when the Turkey, that mama helped rear from a small chick, was ready and papa did the necessary to prepare.
As small children we were allowed diluted wine to toast the family and absent friends and enjoy ALL He provided. Then the goodies were put on the large table for all to enjoy. All the beautiful fruits from the garden had been preserved in syrup by mama and then crystallized to perfection. Together with home grown almonds and walnuts, pastries with honey and a large cake filled with mama’s crystallised fruits – it was all just wonderful and never to be forgotten.  BUT no presents, HE could not provide those, but if we put our clean and polished shoes by the front door, AND if we had been good through the year, or some of the year,( ha ha,) a few copper pennies OR even a silver Shilling  was placed in our shoes and found in the morning with great delight.

We were so lucky, so happy happy, BUT I have to say, the little tartan red kilt I was hoping for never appeared, – shame, but you never know, maybe it went to a more deserving little girl!!

I want to wish you all a most wonderfully Happy and Healthy Christmas, ouzing with 

Love and Happiness. 

Ellie Giles xx “

(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 the editor, Mike Moss, at or to  (Mike will acknowledge emails so if you do not get an acknowledgement he may not have received your email).

Sunday 14th December – Third Sunday of Advent

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 4 pm the Christingle Service will be held in church.
As usual there will be Christingle oranges for the children, and the collection taken to support the work of the Children’s Society to help fund their work with those less fortunate than ourselves.  There are collection candles available from the Church. 
For those who kindly have house boxes please bring them along to the service too, or hand in to a sidesman at any service before Christmas – Chrissie Ringrose can collect boxes if necessary, just call her on 07580238567. 

There is no 6.30 pm service.

In the Parish Prayer Diary we pray for:
Those members of the congregation who live outside the parish.

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.

On Tuesday Prayers for Peace will be said in church at 6 pm. Please do join us and if you would like more information please contact Mary Hayward (). In December and January Prayers for Peace is being held only once a month – on the 16th December and 20th January.

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 1.30 pm on Wednesday the funeral of Elaine Lavender takes place in church followed by committal at Bushbury Crematorium at 3.00 pm. (Refreshments at the Mount Hotel, Mount Road, Tettenhall Wood. Please let Peter know if you will be joining him and the family for refreshments (text or WhatsApp on 07795 236638). Flowers to Roy Quinton Tettenhall Wood or donations which will go to Compton Care.)

At 5.30 pm on Wednesday the Pattingham Shower Singers meet at 5 Greenway Gardens for mulled wine, mince pies and nibbles followed by singing Christmas songs. See below for more information.

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.

At 8.15 pm on Wednesday the choir will be singing carols in The Pigot Arms. All are welcome to join them.

At 9.30 am on Thursday the school Christmas service takes place in church.

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.

Sunday 21st December – Fourth Sunday of Advent

At 10 am there will be a service led by the Youth Group in church. The theme of the service is “Giving not Getting”. Christmas gifts for The Well will be offered up at the same time as the collection. If you can please bring something a bit Christmassy for The Well. 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.

At 6.30 pm the Service of Nine Lessons and Carols, led by the Vicar, will be held in church.

In the Parish Prayer Diary we pray for those who live and work in:
Nurton Hill Road, Holyhead Road, County Lane, High Park.

In the Trysull Deanery Prayer Diary we pray for:
Christmas Services across the Deanery.

Christmas

Services for Christmas:

  • Sunday 14th December
    • 4.00 pm – Christingle service
  • Sunday 21st December
    • 6.30 pm – Service of Nine Lessons and Carols
  • Tuesday 24th December
    • 4.00 pm – Crib Service
    • 11.30 pm – Midnight Eucharist
  • Wednesday 25th December
    • 10.00 am – Christmas Morning Communion Service

Carol singing

  • Wednesday 17th December
    • 8.15 pm – Carol Singing in the Pigot Arms
  • Monday 22nd December
    • 7.30 pm – Carol Singing in the Pattingham Club

Christmas cards from the church, with details of services for Advent and Christmas, have been, or will soon be, delivered to all homes in the parish. For those who do not live in the parish spare cards are available at the back of the church. A copy can also be found on the website at <https://www.pattinghamchurch.org.uk/web/christmas-2025/>

Follow the Star Wolverhampton – A City Centre Nativity Parade – Saturday 13th December

A family friendly Walk beginning at St John’s in the Square Church at 3pm and ending in St Peter’s Square about 4.30pm, stopping along the way to tell the story of Joseph and Mary and the birth of Jesus, and sing carols accompanied by The Band of the West Midlands Fire Service.

Shower Singers

You may be aware that Betty and Norman have been unable to get to Shower Singers recently so, for the last one of the year, we are taking it to them!

On Wednesday 17th December we will meet at Keith and Alix’s new pad at 5 Greenway Gardens at 5.30 pm for mulled wine, mince pies and nibbles. Then at 6 o’clock we will go next door to see Betty and Norman and sing Christmas songs.

All welcome so if you haven’t been for a while, or not at all and fancy giving it a try, do join us.

Scarecrow Calendars

YOUR LAST CHANCE TO ORDER YOUR SCARECROW CALENDAR!

The 2026 Scarecrow Festival Calendar has sold well and we are about to start the last print run, so if you have still to order yours, act quickly because this will be the LAST run. Contact Mike Coope to order on 01902 700426, 07774 844519 or

The last day to accept orders will be Thursday 18th December. 

Youth Service – Giving not Getting

The theme of the Christmas Youth Service next week is “Giving not Getting”.  A member of the Youth Group has suggested that we could have a collection of Christmas gifts for The Well at the service.  These will be offered up at the same time as the collection.  If anyone would like to bring something a bit Christmassy to put in the box, please bring it to the service.

Ukraine Refugee Centre

Mary Hayward has received the following letter from the Ukraine Refugee Centre after her latest visit taking items which had been donated.

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

8th December 2025

Dear Mary & Parishioners of St Chad’s Church On behalf of the Razom Ukrainian Welcome Centre, I would like to thank you once again for your generous donations of Chocolates, Selection Boxes, Presents, Toiletries, Clothes, Children’s Shoes, Bedding & Towels to our shop last Friday, 5th December 2025.

Everything you donated is so 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). 

Our prayers are for this invasion to end now, but whilst it continues, we will, with your ongoing 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 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

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.

Reverse Advent Calendar

The Well’s annual Reverse Advent Calendar is back. The idea is really simple – put the item on the calendar into a box/bag each day in December leading up to Christmas, then donate it to the Well food bank. Please leave it at the back of the church or, if collection is required, contact Alan Smith on 07757 688518. 

The items on the calendar for this week are:

  • Monday 15th December – squash
  • Tuesday 16th December – tinned fish
  • Wednesday 17th December – marmalade
  • Thursday 18th December – microwave rice
  • Friday 19th December – tinned tomatoes
  • Saturday 20th December – pasta sauce
  • Sunday 21st December – tinned potatoes

Dementia Friendly Church

Weekly Prayer 

Becoming Dementia Friendly Church 2024-25

To Know Myself As God Knows Me

Oh God, I am losing myself to this disease.
Slowly, but surely dementia eats away at me.
Little by little it takes away what makes me who I am.
But you merciful God, continue to know me fully.
Dementia cannot change who I am in your eyes.
To you I am the sum of all I have been and all I will be and so you celebrate all of me and all of my life.
You wrap all of who I am in love, acceptance and forgiveness.
So God, I ask you to help me step outside my moments of loss and help me know myself as you know me.
Help me see nothing of me is lost to you.
Help me celebrate with You.
Help me embrace your gifts of love, acceptance  and forgiveness.
You will always and forever know me fully and love me deeply.
For this I give you thanks and praise, God of my life.
Amen

(Unknown)

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 7th and 21st December.

Mary Elizabeth Inett – 7th December 1996
Norman Alfred Bramall – 8th December 2021
Robert James Hayhurst – 9th December 1994
David John Jennings – 10th December 2012
Robert Lewis Pass – 10th December 2016
Alec Christopher Harley – 10th December 2016
Eliza Newton – 16th December 1953
Brian John Darrell – 16th December 2013
Raymond William Haden – 17th December 2005
Margaret Alice Gardener – 19th December 2003
Pamela Jones – 19th December 2023
Stanley Charles Bentley – 21st December 1989
Elsie May Nickholds – 21st December 1999
Audrey Mary Vaughan – 21st December 2008
Paul Anthony Piper Snape  – 21st December 2023

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 154 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