ChadNet – no 347

ChadNet – no 347 – Sunday 15th November 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

Ken Scott

Sometimes life can bring most unexpected occurrences in unlikely places. Anne and I went on an 11 day cruise in October in the Mediterranean, starting in Alicante and ending in Malta.

We enjoyed lovely weather and saw interesting ports and scenery along the way, but the unexpected highlight of the trip was to find that there was a chaplain on the ship. We have done a fair number of cruises before but never found a chaplain on one of them.

The Rev. Richard Frost was on the ship for the whole 71 days of the cruise but we only did a short section of it. He and his wife Jill were exercising a ministry to both the passengers and the crew who were onboard. He was a retired C. of E. priest attached to the Mission to Seamen who had begun his ministry in North Devon. He had been a policeman before ordination and had also had a spell in a church in Cyprus in the European Diocese.

He held a very informal midweek Morning Prayer in the Observation lounge, dressed in shorts and polo shirt. His brief talk was about the wonder of God’s creation and its vulnerability. It was easy to identify with this sitting high up on the ship surrounded only by the sea and the sky. He also had a session in a coffee lounge where anyone could come and talk to him and his wife about their concerns and problems. He and his wife were seen around the ship talking to all manners of guests and we were struck by not just how unexpected this ministry was, but by how valuable it seemed to be. Just because people are on holiday does not mean they have no problems or questions about their faith or lack of it.

About 60 guests, out of about 1000 people on board, attended the Sunday morning communion in the theatre, which seemed a pretty good number.

It was pleasure to meet other Christians, from all parts of the UK, and of all denominations, and hear of their successes and difficulties in church life.

The organ was played by one of the crew showing how Richard’s influence extended to the 500 or so of them. Rev. Richard was a great communicator and of an evangelical bent.

He preached on Matthew 8:27 “What sort of man is this, that even the wind and the waves obey him?”

As part of his sermon, he described a time when he himself had gone through a difficult spell spiritually. The couple have a son who is schizophrenic and dealing with him has proved not at all easy. He recalled hearing a phrase in a Methodist Church in Dublin, which helped him greatly, when someone said, “there is nothing more real than God”. No matter what life brings of good or ill, God is “real”: present, available, loving, and sustaining in every circumstance of life.

Travelling on a ship at night you get a very clear view of the sky and the stars and as I watched, from the balcony, a stunning Ursa Major I was reminded of Merry’s all action rendering of “Who put the colours in the rainbow”? and the line “Who put the sparkle in the stars?” The answer of course is “God made all of these” and his creative power was revealed uniquely in the Jesus who could make the wind and the waves obey him.

A God who is “real” in the universe is just as real in our everyday lives and that reality is most clearly seen in the love and care of fellow Christians just like the Rev. Richard and his wife Jill.

Ken Scott

(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 not sure who to contact and the churchwardens will be able to forward it to the correct person.

Notices, which should be received by Thursday 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 15th November – Second Sunday before Advent

At 10 am there there will be a service led by the Youth Group in church, including a short act of Communion, led by the Vicar. Coffee, tea and biscuits will be available after the service.

At 6.30 pm there will be a service of Evensong for Interfaith Week, led by Iain Coleman, in church. Jill Parker will be giving the address.

In the Parish Prayer Diary we pray for:
The Parish Council and all elected representatives.

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.

Work on the churchyard paths continues all week. Please take care if visiting the churchyard during working hours.

On Tuesday the Prayers for Peace Group meets in church at 6 pm. Please do join us and if you would like more information 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. 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.

At 11.30 am on Thursday the funeral of Gloria Joyce Scriven 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 22nd November – Christ the King

At 10 am there will be an All Age Communion Service, led by the Vicar, in church. The theme is Perspectives on Power. Great for kids – everyone welcome – something for everyone. Coffee, tea and biscuits will be available after the service.

In the Parish Prayer Diary we pray for those who live and work in:
Rudge Road, Lower Rudge, Spoonley Gate, Upper Ludstone, Worcester Road

In the Trysull Deanery Prayer Diary we pray for:
Our Bishops and Archdeacon.

Rend Collective UK Tour 2027 – Birmingham 15th May

Rend Collective is an Irish Christian folk rock band who formed in 2002. They are best known for the worship songs My Lighthouse, Build Your Kingdom Here and Counting Every Blessing although there are many more.

Anyway, you might be interested to know that they are touring the UK
next year and play at the O2 Institute, Birmingham in the evening on Saturday 15th May. Tickets are £40 approx.

For more information or if you would like to attend the concert, please
speak to me at Church or contact me on email –
 – or mobile 07779 435637.

I’m not sure how quickly the tickets will last but they are a very popular live act.

Martin Fox

Century Club

A reminder that annual subscriptions are due on 1st December. The annual subscription is £60.

If you would like to join the Century Club or for more details, please contact Alan Smith on 07757 688518 or or see the website at <https://www.pattinghamchurch.org.uk/web/information/century-club>.

Santa at St Chad’s – Saturday 5th December

Saturday 12th December 7.30 pm in church

The second annual Santa at St Chad’s event will take place on Saturday 5th December at 4 pm in church.

There is an article about last year’s event on the website at <https://www.pattinghamchurch.org.uk/web/news-and-events/santa-at-st-chads-2025/>

Come with your children or grandchildren to see and hear the miracle of the Christmas Story, while enjoying food and drink, experiencing crafts and seeing Santa. There will be Christmas Carols, a Puppet Nativity Show, Craft Activities and Drinks and Cakes. Children will receive a small gift from Santa. 

Tickets are FREE but you will need a ticket for each child to see Santa, accompanying adults do not need a ticket. All children must be accompanied by parent, grandparent or guardian.

More details – including how to book – are on the church website at <https://www.pattinghamchurch.org.uk/web/about-us/young-people/santa-at-st-chads/>

There is an article about last year’s event on the church website at <https://www.pattinghamchurch.org.uk/web/news-and-events/santa-at-st-chads-2025/>

Charity Christmas Cards

I am a Pattingham resident and regular member of the congregation of St. Chad’s and a member of the Bellringing band. Since my retirement I have been working on a new career as an artist. My main interest is capturing the emotional memory of land, sea and sky.

Last year I produced Christmas cards featuring my watercolour painting of a robin. They were sold and raised £450 for The Well and Compton Care. There are still some packs left for those who missed out or would like some more this year.

After requests for another card this year, I have produced a series of four paintings based on popular carols: Silent Night, Away in a Manger, O Little Town of Bethlehem and See Amid the Winter’s Snow. I will meet the printing costs as a charity gift so that 100% of all the money paid by customers will be sent to The Well and Compton Care.

Should you wish to see the original art, they will be displayed as part of the “Step into Christmas” display in church and I would welcome bids for these originals, the proceeds of which would also be donated to the same charities.

For more information or to buy the cards please speak to me at church or by email () or phone (07977 007537)

Jo Bramall

Photos of last year’s card and the four new cards for this year are on the church website at <https://www.pattinghamchurch.org.uk/web/news-and-events/charity-christmas-cards/>

Ukraine Refugee Centre

Mary Hayward received the following email from the Ukraine Refugee Centre after she took donations there last month.

Dear Mary & the Parishioners of St Chad’s Church

On behalf of the Razom Ukrainian Welcome Centre, I would like to thank you for your generous donation of bedding, ladies’ clothes, shoes, kitchenware, TV, heater, raffle prizes and fashion accessories to our shop for Ukrainian refugees, on Friday 23rd October 2026.

The items you donated will help us continue to support displaced Ukrainians in Wolverhampton and the surrounding area. Thank you for the anonymous cash donation of £50.

Our Welcome Centre not only meets the physical needs of our guests, but importantly their emotional and social needs too.

We have a dedicated bank account (sort code: 20-97-90 account no: 33297012) if anyone you know would like to make a monetary donation.

With warmest wishes and thank you for your ongoing and most generous support.

Yours sincerely
Hryhorij Greg Kowalczuk and Anna Karpynec
Joint Chairs – RAZOM AUGB Wolverhampton

Mary’s next visit will be on 20th November. If you have anything you wish to donate please contact Mary at or in Church.

The Well – the Wolverhampton Food Bank

The Well 20 years

A message from The Well.

Christmas can bring extra pressure when money is already stretched. At The Well, we support local people facing hardship with food and essential toiletries. 

At just 17, Yan had lost her parents and was caring for her three younger siblings. With no food in the house and a broken boiler, she reached out: “Can you please help me?”

This Advent, we’d love you to help us support local people facing crisis. Our Reverse Advent Calendar is coming soon: put aside the suggested food or toiletry items, then donate your collection to The Well.

You can take part at home, with colleagues, or through your church, school or community group. Give what works for your budget.

Look out for our next email. We’ll share the finished calendar pack and everything you need to get started.

God Bless you

With warm wishes,
The Well team

<www.thewellwolverhampton.co.uk>

Dementia Friendly Church

Weekly Prayer 

Becoming Dementia Friendly Church

Merciful God
As I face this year
My journey with dementia continues
As I do my best to walk the path set before me
Please guide my feet along the way
Guide my thinking and relating
See me though the rough patches
And help me enjoy the good times that come
God of all of living
Remind me of your constant presence when I feel alone
Open my eyes to those who show their care and support
And give me to help others as I am able
God of compassion
Soothe my anxiety
Help me sort out my confusion
Comfort my sadness
Hold me in my fear
And carry me when I can go no further
Amen

(“Reflections of Hope for people living with dementia” Claire Craig and Rosemary Hurtley, published by CWR)

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

Memorial book

Those whose  anniversaries occur between 8th and 22nd 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

You can see all the pages of the Memorial Book on the Memorial Book Online page of the Church website.

Enquiries about adding names to the Memorial Book should be addressed to Margaret Lingford.

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“.

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 172 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