ChadNet – no 86

ChadNet – no 86 – Sunday 14th November 2021

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:

The restrictions in church have been further relaxed. The doors are no longer kept open during the services.

Face coverings not only protect the wearer but also other people. It is up to each individual to decide whether or not they should wear a face covering in church.

So that those who wish to ensure that they can maintain social distance feel comfortable social distancing must be maintained in the pews by the wall in the South Aisle.

Do not attend church if you have any covid symptoms or are meant to be isolating.

View from the Pews

Angharad and her children

‘Turn your thoughts on this occasion
To those who fought and died in the war.
Years have passed and time has forgotten,
But we will remember the soldiers once more.’
(Out of the Ark music)

These words, a short song, but one which I have sung yearly on 11th November at the school where I work. Watching 500 children aged between 5 and 11 standing smartly and singing proudly never ceases to bring a lump to my throat. Nevertheless it has always raised the question about how much they truly understood about why they were singing this song each year. Of course we always talk about the reason for Remembrance Day and the sacrifices made by soldiers but could generations today really understand what happened all that time ago? The row upon row of stark white graves, a testament to the millions dead, but so far away in France and Belgium. The first world war was a lifetime ago. There is no one left now who fought in that conflict and yet each year children across the country talk about the events of this conflict and are expected to pay tribute to these people from history, to remember those events over the Channel. How can they possibly understand and why is it important for them to remember?

Growing up my passion has always been, and still is, the study of history and often the question asked is ‘what is the point? It is all in the past!’ But every year we are reminded that it isn’t all just in the past and irrelevant to the children of today. Yes, the world is a very different place today than 1914 but what isn’t different are the stark realities of humanity. History is full of tales of love and loss, fortune and misfortune, fear and courage. Our lives today are no different. Children today may not understand the events of war but what they can understand is what it is like to lose someone they love or miss a friend when they are not at school. They know how it feels to make sacrifices to help other people, especially after the events of the last two years. By encouraging children to study the past and take an interest in the lives of people from different times it can help to develop skills of empathy but also help them to recognise that they are not alone. They are part of a wider picture of the world and share links with generations of people who have faced adversity with bravery, determination and grit. Throughout history people have survived.

As a family together we regularly enjoy visits to historical places of interest, in our local area and beyond, but what both my children love is talking to the guides and volunteers . They love hearing the stories of the past; the humorous stories as well as those of survival and adventure. It is the human side of history, brought to life through oral retelling that captures their interest and it is the human connection that they have through talking to another person. Through opportunities such as Remembrance Day children can continue to embrace the past and take the lessons learned to help them in shaping the future. They are the future. They will be the ones continuing to tell the stories. They will be the ones remembering the courage, the humanity and the sacrifice. Through Remembrance we learn that we are not alone and that we can survive. Children do understand and they do know why it is important to remember. We should not underestimate their capacity to embrace the past nor should we shy away from discussing difficult events. Let’s take opportunities to talk to the younger generation. In the words spoken each Remembrance Day….’Lest we forget.’

Angharad Aliingham

Contacts

We do not have a VIcar at the moment. For matters which would normally be dealt with by the Vicar the churchwardens are the first point of contact. The Vicarage phone (01902 700257) is redirected to the churchwardens. When they are not available a message can be left on the voicemail and they will return the call when they are available. 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 evening 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).

Notices, which should be received by Friday evening 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 14th November – Remembrance Sunday

At 10.30 am (note the time) there will be a Remembrance Sunday Service in church led by Revd James Makepeace. It will include the reading of the names of the fallen and the laying of the wreaths. Coffee (and tea and biscuits) will be available after the service.

There will be no Communion Service, no Sunday School and no service in the evening.

The collect and readings for the Eucharist, which would normally be on the pewsheet, are available on the website.

This week

The church will be open as it used to be before the pandemic every day. Look out for the “church open” sign outside the porch. Please observe the instructions in the notice on the door.

On Wednesday there will be a service of Holy Communion according to the Book of Common Prayer, led by Revd James Makepeace, in church at 10.00 am which will be followed by tea, coffee and cake.

Wednesday is the copy date for the December magazine. Send articles to Mike Moss at

Sunday 21st November – Christ the King – Sunday next before Advent

At 10 am there will be a service in church, led by the Youth Group, which is entitled Living in the Present and is about making the most of today. .It will be followed by Holy Communion, led by Revd Lin Vawer, for those who wish to stay. Coffee (and tea and biscuits) will be available after the service.

The collect and readings for the Eucharist, which would normally be on the pewsheet, are available on the website.

Century Club subscriptions

A message from Alan Smith for members of the Century Club.

The annual subscription of £60 is due on 1 December. Payment can be made as follows: Bank transfer (preferred)
Account name: Pattingham Parochial Church Council
Sort code: 20 97 78
Account no: 50655023
Payment reference: Centuryclub

Payment should be taken automatically from those who have set up a standing order

Cheque payable to Pattingham PCC or cash. If possible please can this be delivered to me at Cherry Cottage Marlbrook Lane, alternatively I’m happy to collect if that’s easier. Please call or text me on 07757 688518 to arrange.

Thank you for your continued support and good luck.

For more information please contact Alan Smith on 07757 688518 or

Christmas cards

The church Christmas cards should be ready for delivery to all homes in the parish by the end of this month. An email has been sent to all those who normally deliver them for whom we have their email addresses. Anyone who normally deleivers cards who is unable to do so should let Ken Scott know. Anyone else who would be able to volunteer to help with these deliveries should also contact Ken.

A Bunch of Amateurs

A Bunch of Amateurs

Pattingham Drama present “A Bunch of Amateurs”, a comedy play by Ian Hislop and Nick Newman, in the Village Hall from Wednesday November 17th to Saturday November 20th at 7.30pm.

Tickets cost £8 and can be obtained by phoning Chrissie 01902 700340 or emailing

Please note this play contains strong language.


The war memorial

Greg Lewin has put together some information about those who are recorded on the war memorial. It is on his website at http://www.greglewin.co.uk/brewood/pattingham.php and includes biographies of those from the First World War. Elsewhere on that website are details of some other local memorials.

From the Memorial Book

Those whose anniversaries occur between 7th and 21st November.

Hilda Mary Smedley – 7th November 2013    7 November 2013
Elizabeth Scarth – 7th November 2014    7 November 2014
Rupert Neville Hayward – 9th November 1964
Stanley Charles Weaver – 12th November 1999
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

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

Resources for worship and prayer at home

Some of resources which can be used at home are listed on the Resources Available Online and the Resources Available for Children, Young People and Families pages of the website.

For those who are unable to attend church there are still a number of services which are available online, including a weekly service on the Church of England 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 103 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

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St Chad’s Church, Pattingham with Patshull Registered charity no 1151604