ChadNet – no 87

ChadNet – no 87 – Sunday 21st 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

Alison and her daughters

‘Stir Up Sunday’

If you were asked what you missed doing most during the pandemic – I wonder what your answer would be. I think many of us would say we have really missed the opportunity to ‘get together’ with loved ones, friends, family and neighbours. I am fortunate enough to have a large, very loving and close extended family and we’ve all missed our gatherings enormously.

As a little girl, I have fond memories of the family gatherings in November when we’d get together to make the Christmas puddings. As I grew older, I realised that this wasn’t just our family tradition but has an historical background as the last Sunday before Advent is known as ‘Stir Up Sunday’. It gets its name from the beginning of the collect for the day in the Book of Common Prayer, which begins with the words, ‘Stir up, we beseech thee, O Lord, the wills of thy faithful people’ but it has become associated with the custom of making Christmas puddings on that day.

The tradition started back in Victorian times when families would gather to get their fruit puddings stirred up, steamed and stored ready for the festive season. According to a few internet searches, it appears that even though the Christmas pudding is said to have been introduced to Britain by Prince Albert, the reality is that the meat-less version was introduced from Germany by George l in 1714.

The challenges of the last 20 months or so have certainly made me and my family realise how precious time spent with our friends and families is, so we’ve resolved to take the positives out of the situation and embrace any opportunity for a gathering or a party. This year ‘Stir Up Sunday’ falls on 21st November and as we’ve missed our family gatherings so much we’re  re-instating our family tradition and will all be getting together on Sunday afternoon to make our Christmas puddings. I wonder what positives you and your family have taken from your experiences throughout the pandemic. 

Must go – I’ve got ingredients to get! Alison x

Alison Colin-Stokes

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 21st November – Christ the King – Sunday next before Advent (“Stir up Sunday”)

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.

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.

Sunday 28th November – Advent Sunday

At 10 am there will be a service of Holy Communion in church, led by Revd Taiwo Olumuyiwa, who is the C of E Chaplain at HM Prison Oakwood. While our services were all ‘on line ‘ Jill Parker forwarded the services to him and was delighted to receive an invitation to lead worship here. He has obviously seen pictures of the village and surrounding countryside as well as many people who took part in the services and is looking forward to seeing the area & meeting people face to face. Coffee (and tea and biscuits) will be available after the service.

At 6.30 pm there will be an Iona Style Service, led by Ken Scott, in church.

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.

Scarecrow Festival Calendar

If you are looking for a Christmas present the Scarecrow Festival 2022 Calendar might be suitable. They are £9.00 each, complete with envelope.

There is a display at the back of Church, together with Order Forms which on completion should be delivered to Mike Coope. Order forms can also be downloaded from https://www.pattinghamscarecrowfestival.org/
Orders can also be placed by phoning Mike on 01902 700426 or email to

From the Memorial Book

Those whose anniversaries occur between 14th and 28th November.

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
Vivienne Roper – 25th November 2009
Malcolm Alfred Sargeant – 26th November 2020
Alan Thomas Hastilow – 28th November 1975

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