ChadNet – no 337

ChadNet – no 337 – Sunday 6th September 2026

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

Triumph over Tragedy

A Reflection on “Triumph over Tragedy”
by Pattingham Anonymous

It is easy to be happy and bright when everything goes smoothly, but it takes courage and faith to rejoice and be glad when times of tragedy and despair come along.

When the Englishman William Moon was at the height of his academic ability his future looked promising. Then tragedy struck. He became blind – completely! At first, he could not accept this disability and exclaimed “what are my abilities worth now that I am shut up in my room and the whole world shut out”. Slowly he began to realise there could be a purpose in him being afflicted in this way. Because he was sightless, he began to develop a unique system of reproducing the alphabet to assist others in a similar situation. It soon was adapted to fit the language of many different countries including remote areas of the world. Eventually, more than 4 million blind people were enabled to read the Bible, helped greatly by the Bible Society who, today, still translate Bibles in many foreign languages. Blind people found the embossed type William used was easy to learn even though it required more space on the page than the Braille system that later replaced it. William Moon had become a Missionary in an unusual way and had brought the Gospel and the saving grace of the Lord Jesus to a vast number of people. Now he could accept this disability realising God had a wiser plan for this life than the one he envisaged.

It is amazing to see what has been accomplished by those who have been “short changed” in life and have faced challenging circumstances.

John Milton, blind in 1652, wrote his masterpiece “Paradise Lost” after the loss of his eyesight forced him to face retirement.

Isaac Watts had a severe deformity, and though he was weak and sickly he became a Preacher and wrote over 700 hymns his most well-known “O, God our help in ages past our hope for years to come” which is always sung on Armistice Sunday and on other occasions too. Several books of poetry and influential doctrinal works were also written by him.

Fanny Crosby, blind at the tender age of 6 weeks old, triumphed over her handicap and wrote over 8000 hymns: her most well-known “Blessed assurance Jesus is mine” and “All the way my Saviour leads me”.

Beethoven’s deafness began at the age of 28 years and a few years later, when he was totally deaf, he was unable to hear the rapturous applause of an appreciative audience after they had heard the first performance of his magnificent Eighth Symphony. Although often depressed and frustrated, he continued to compose wonderful music only to hear in his mind his compositions.

So many more people could be mentioned whose lives show a determination and acceptance of their disability and a courage, which is too overwhelming for most able-bodied people to imagine. Maybe the following characterises such people:

“For all the trials and tears of time.
 For every hill I have to climb,
 My heart sings but a grateful song,
 It is these hills that make me strong”

I ask myself, what would my reaction be in such a stressful situation? Would I wallow in self-pity, or would I see an opportunity of usefulness? Or could I be as St Paul’s letter written to the Colossians in the New Testament: chapter 1 verses 11 and 12:
“May you be made strong with all the strength which comes from His glorious power, so that you may be able to endure everything with patience and with joy give thanks to the Lord”.

I wonder!! Could I be? Could you?

Pattingham Anonymous

(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. 

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 

Sunday 6th September – Creation in Christ

At 10 am there will be a Family Service, led by Philip Sims, in church. It will be followed by a short service of Holy Communion, led by the Vicar. 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 the Vicar, in church.

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:
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.

This is not a week when the Prayers for Peace group meets but some members of the group will be in church on Tuesday at 6 pm to say prayers. Anyone is welcome to join them.

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. If you haven’t yet ventured in but would like to, why not give it a try?  No charge, no commitment, just lots of 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 October magazine. Send articles to the editor, Jess Robins, at

Sunday 13th September – Fifteenth 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.

Following the service those who wish can gather for a prayer meeting.

In the Parish Prayer Diary we pray for:
All children and young people in the parish.

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

Harvest Thanksgiving

As usual Harvest Thanksgiving is on the last Sunday of September – the 27th.

On Monday 21st September children from St Chad’s School will be coming in to church for Experience Harvest, which offers an interactive way to explore the rich harvest of our land and the spiritual harvest of our lives.

The school Harvest service will be at 9.15 am on Wednesday 23rd September. The church will remain open as a Place of Welcome following the service with tea and coffee and chat for anyone who wants, whether they have been to the service or not. The usual Wednesday morning Communion service will take place after that at about 10.30 am.

Harvest Supper

There will be a Harvest Supper in the Village Hall on Friday 25th September at 7.00 pm. Those who wish to attend should put their names on the list at the back of the church.

Harvest Services – Sunday 27th September

At 10 am there will be an All Age Communion service led by the Vicar.

At 6.30 pm there will be an Evening Service for Harvest, also led by the Vicar.

Those attending either service are encouraged to bring harvest gifts
which will be presented for blessing during the service and will then
be donated to The Well foodbank. See below for a list of items which they are asking for.

Century Club

The winners of the August Century Club draw were:

  • 1st Prize – £150
    •  Gillian Andrews – ball 66
  • 2nd Prize – £100
    • Sue Stirk – ball 52
  • 3rd Prize – £50
    • Clive Pendrell – ball 85

Congratulations to all of them.

Link to Hope Shoebox Appeal

The time is almost upon us to prepare our shoe boxes. We will need to collect them by 25th October. I do hope that we can do something to help these people, for whom life really is a struggle, especially in these difficult times.

The charity asks us to prepare boxes for either a family or an elderly couple. There are leaflets at the back of church which will 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 can’t just put anything in.

the recommended size is an average adult shoebox around a size 8-10 (approximately 18 x 10 x 30 cm).

Please note, they ask for a £3 donation with each Christmas shoebox to cover the cost of shipping.

Last year we collected 43 boxes. I wonder if we can beat that this year? Full details are on the website:- https://linktohope.co.uk/shoebox-appeal-resources-2026

Barbara Tritton
17 High Street, Pattingham
(01902 700065)

International Day of Peace Service

On Monday 21st September at 2.00 pm at 2.00 pm Rev Andrew Mann-Ray will be leading a service on behalf of the Inner Wheel Club of Tettenhall for the International Day of Peace at Tettenhall Wood United Reformed Church, Mount Road, Tettenhall Wood.

The service will be followed with light refreshments. Everyone is welcome.

The Well – the Wolverhampton Food Bank

The Well

Harvest gifts will once again be donated to the Well foodbank to provide food and essentials for those who are in desperate need. Please give as generously as you are able.

Harvest Festival Shopping List

Please choose one or more items from this list to donate to the Well.

  • UHT milk
  • Cereal
  • Tea or coffee
  • Sugar
  • Jam or spreads
  • UHT squash or fruit juice
  • Tinned meat or fish
  • Dried pasta, rice or noodles
  • Pulses or couscous
  • Tinned soup
  • Tinned vegetables
  • Jars of pasta or cooking sauce
  • Tinned fruit, puddings or custard
  • Fruit (tinned)/puddings/custard
  • Snacks or biscuits
  • Nappies – sealed packets, sizes 4, 5 or 6
  • Baby wipes or toiletries
  • Baby food with a long use-by date
  • Women’s and men’s toiletries
  • Household cleaning products

Please note: We can only receive food that is within its use-by or best-before date.

Thank you for supporting The Well.

<www.thewellwolverhampton.co.uk>

Dementia Friendly Church

Weekly Prayer 

Becoming Dementia Friendly Church

For carers in this world,
young and old,
whose love, time & freedom,
sometimes childhood is given
sacrificially for one who is in need.
May they know your blessing, through good
days and bad, and receive as they are given
love in good measure,
flowing as a gentle river
into their hearts & lives.
Amen

(Faith & Worship)

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 30th August and 13th September.

Ida Margaret Burton – 30th August 1980
Irene Painting – 31st August 2017
Gladys Thornton – 2nd September 1997
Brian Woolley – 2nd September 2023
Lance John Hebditch – 2nd September 2025
Susan Jayne Jarvis – 3rd September 2016
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

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.

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“.

JustGiving

We have a JustGiving page to enable people to make one off donations. It’s at <https://www.justgiving.com/page/pattingham-church-jg>. 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.

ChadNet

This bulletin is sent to those who have requested it. We now have 162 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