ChadNet – no 93

ChadNet – no 93 – Sunday 2nd January 2022

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:


Face coverings must now be worn in church, except by those who are under 11 or exempt for medical or other reasons. They may be removed while singing.

The church doors will remain closed during services to help to keep the church warm. The PCC has considered the official guidance on the need for ventilation and is content that there is sufficient ventilation with the doors closed. It will, of course, continue to monitor the guidance.

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

Girl Guides badge

It all began with a badge.

I was keen to work my way through the Girl Guide Badge Handbook.  One of the first badges in this book was Boatswain  –  not really achievable in the landlocked Midlands!  Next was Bellringing, and my training began at St John in Bedwardine Worcester. Little did I realise then, that over 50 years later I would still be ringing church bells.

When I was asked to write a view from the pews I thought that at this time of year it would be appropriate to think about church bells.  I have done a little bit of research.

Did you know that
    • There is no mention of bells as we know them in the bible, just the ‘sound of bells’ on the robes of priests, and horses harnesses?
    • Church bells were first authorised for use in Christian churches in the thirteenth century mostly in monasteries across Europe?
    • It was after the reformation in the sixteenth century that church bells, as we know them, began to evolve?
    • Records show that the sound of church bells has been heard in Pattingham since 1553?

The sound of the bells ringing may be a call to worship, to mark a celebration or indeed for remembrance. It is quite humbling to be part of a tradition that spans over four centuries.

After lockdown restrictions were lifted when we were able to resume ringing here in Pattingham, many people commented on how much they had missed the sound of our church bells. They form part of the character of our beautiful village.  They have a fascinating history, and have marked National and Local events over the centuries.

Jane Whittall

(Note from the editor. If you are interested in finding out more about bell ringing generally see <https://cccbr.org.uk/bellringing/what-is-bell-ringing/>. Information about ringing at Pattingham can be found at <https://www.pattingham-ringers.org.uk/>.)


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 2nd January – Christmas 2 / The Epiphany

At 10 am there will be a Family Service in church, led by Elaine Dow, which will be followed by Holy Communion, led by Revd Roberta Maxfield, for those who wish to stay. Coffee (and tea and biscuits) will be available after the service.


This week

Except on New Year’s Day the church will be open 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 9th January – Baptism of Christ

At 10 am there will be a service of Holy Communion, led by Revd James Makepeace, in church.Coffee (and tea and biscuits) will be available after the service.

Sunday School will be held in The Loft during the 10 am service and be led by Anna Davies. Contact Anna on or 07968 891927 for further information.

At 6.30 pm there will be a service of Evensong, led by Iain Coleman, in church.


Century Club draw

The winners of the December Century Club draw were:

    1st prize – £150 – Bob Cheetham (ball 88)
    2nd prize – £100 – Mike Coope (ball 69)
    3rd prize – £50 – Steve Batchelor (ball 71)

Congratulations to all of them.

For more information please contact Alan Smith on 07757 688518 or


Scarecrow Festival Calendars

Sales of the Scarecrow Festival Calendar are now closed.

At total of 86 calendars were sold, making a profit of £481 for church funds.

A big thank you to Mike Coope for his work in putting the calendar together as well as printing and marketing it and also to the Scarecrow Festival Committee and all those who made scarecrows, without whose efforts there would not have been a Scarecrow Festival or a calendar.

From the Memorial Book

Those whose anniversaries occur between 26th December and 9th January.

Kim Harley – 26th December 1964
Kathleen Williamson – 26th December 1988
Jane Sarah Dulson – 27th December 1958
Maurice Scarth – 27th December 2005
Evelyn Annie Taylor – 28th December 1982
John Earl Titley – 28th December 1983
A.B. Thorma Bridge – 28th December 1990
Eileen Shelton – 28th December 1999
Iris Postance – 31st December 2011
Percy George Williams – 1st January 1976
Stanley James Potts – 2nd January 1999
Harriet Minnie Clinton – 3rd January 1960
Paul Kemp – 4th January 2007
Trevor John Davis – 4th January 2012
Elizabeth Toy – 6th January 1995
Alan Johnson – 6th January 1999
Caroline Mary Bradford – 6th January 2005
Leslie Harry Hawkins – 7th January 1984
Winne Sheldon – 7th January 1993
Barrow Samuel Woodhall – 8th January 1999
Ewart Eardley Jones – 8th January 2009
William Ernest Whitty – 9th January 1986

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


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