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‘Churchwardens’ Chat’
We are now in an interregnum following the retirement of the Vicar and so the monthly letter for the Parish News is written by the Churchwardens
April 2022
“So how can you tell me you’re lonely, and say for you that the sun don’t shine …”
We are over halfway through Lent and thinking and praying about the suffering our Lord Jesus endured for us all. At the same time, we are hearing daily reports about the terrible suffering from the war in the Ukraine.
We have all tried to help in small ways, for example donating much needed items such as paracetamol, soap and handwash. We have also been meeting every day except Sunday, at 6pm in Church to light a candle and have 15 minutes of prayer. Time for us to reflect on Christ’s suffering and relate it to the suffering war brings. Please join us if you can: the power of prayer helps the light of Christ to shine in the darkness. As refugees arrive let us all make sure we give them the welcome we would all hope for if we were in their shoes.
One of this year’s Lent Group messages has made us all think about diversity and difference in terms of relationships. Whatever our personal or family relationships ‘look like’ we are all God’s children, God made us and loves us all. This is something we need to be thankful for and rejoice about. Everyone is welcome at our church, choose the service which suits you best, come along and try it out. During Holy Week we will have a range of services and hopefully you will find there is something for everyone! (see the magazine and ChadNet for details).
Holy Week is a very special time and as we look forward with joy to Easter Day don’t forget our Good Friday special outdoor service for children to build the Easter Garden; all are welcome. And by the way, someone whispered to us that there will be chocolate eggs for the children! Try also to join our afternoon Good Friday service when we can remember Christ’s last hour on the Cross.
Easter Day will be joyous and remember there will also be a chocolate egg for children to celebrate! Then more joy will follow as all the plans for Platinum Jubilee Celebrations in Patting ham come together into a programme with something for everyone!
“Following Christ in the footsteps of St Chad, by living out our faith; taking the church to the community and growing the church” – thank you for your patience, encouragement and prayers. We really are doing our best, so if you like something, or if you really don’t like something we are doing – please do tell us; feedback is always welcome.
As Alan Stubbs said in his View from The Pews (ChadNet no. 104 20/3/22):
Change is constant.
For what was, thanks be to God.
For what is, thanks be to God.
For what will be, thanks be to God.
God Bless you and take care.
Clive Pendrell and Dorothy Steel
Churchwardens