ABBA Tribute
Welcome to St Chad Hopwas
What a fabulous fundraising night for the Organ Restoration Fund at St Chad's. Everyone enjoying themselves and dancing in the aisles!! Great night of music, laughter and dancing and thanks to Jango Entertainment £1000 raised for the organ fund.
Melody Express concert
Our first social event of the year was fabulous. The audience were entertained by Phil England and Nigel Bullock for the first half of the program, and The Melody Express after the interval. Phil and Nigel played familiar guitar melodies from the forties and fifties with a fabulous balance of sound between the instruments (including a mandolin!). The interval provided an opportunity for drinks plus a selection of nibbles to be consumed before the second half got feet tapping to well-known songs sung by Kath. The evening closed with a rendering of 'Enjoy Yourself".
It was lovely to hear so many positive comments from the audience as they left the church, and how enjoyable the evening had been. The organ restoration fund has now been well and truly started off!! Keep coming back to this page to hear more about our next event - Abba Tribute!
Christingle 2023
The story of the first Christmas
The story of the first Christmas
The story of the first Christmas
Ann, suitable in character narrated the story of the first Christmas
The story begins
The story of the first Christmas
The story of the first Christmas
As the story began, the children brought up the statues of
Mary, Joseph and the donkey to be placed in thestable.
Choir of Angels
The story of the first Christmas
Shepherds watching their flocks by night
The story continued with the angels appearing to the Shepherds
Shepherds watching their flocks by night
Shepherds watching their flocks by night
Shepherds watching their flocks by night
The Shepherds, bewildered by the appearance of angels, proceeded to the crib.
The Magi
Shepherds watching their flocks by night
The Magi (or Wisemen)
We don't know how many Magi attended the Nativity, we only know they brought three gifts.
The Magi (or Wisemen)
Shepherds watching their flocks by night
The Magi (or Wisemen)
This Wiseman was attended by a camel
Baby Jesus in the crib
Baby Jesus in the crib
Baby Jesus in the crib
The story concluded with the birth of Jesus as the baby and the crib were placed in the Nativity scene.
The Christingle
Baby Jesus in the crib
Baby Jesus in the crib
Rev Andrew then gave a little talk on the meaning of the Christingle. He explained the significance of each of the components that make up a Christingle. They were then distributed and lit.
The Christingle
Baby Jesus in the crib
The Christingle
Once the candles were lit, the church lights were dimmed and everyone sang 'Away in a Manger' to conclude the service.
Christmas preparations 2023
Christmas Decoration
Christmas Decoration
There's a lot being going on behind the scenes this week, in preparation for Christmas. Brasses cleaned, windows decorated, tree decorated, Christingles produced. Take a look at the pictures here or in our gallery.
Font
Christmas Decoration
The font has a prayer tree on it where you may write a prayer for something or someone and hang it from a bough.
Silent Night/O Holy Night
Silent Night/O Holy Night
A beautiful winter landscape of snow, animals, log cabin and snow clad trees. Peace and tranquility.
Festive Window
Traditional Decorations
Silent Night/O Holy Night
One to appeal to the children. We have a traditional Christmas stocking waiting to be filled and some typical winter images including snowmen, polar bear and angels. Plus a couple of Santa's reindeers popping into the scene.
Traditional Decorations
Traditional Decorations
Traditional Decorations
This window depicts decorations that were very popular and still are in villages and streets up and down the country. Wreath, pine cones, holly, poinsettia and Christmas tree adorn this window sill.
Traditional Decorations
Traditional Decorations
Traditional Decorations
This window depicts decorations that were very popular and still are in villages and streets up and down the country. Wreath, pine cones, holly, poinsettia and Christmas tree adorn this window sill.
thomas barnes christmas service 2022
Children in the pews singing
Children in the pews singing
Children in the pews singing
What a delightful time this morning with the children of Thomas Barnes School holding their Christmas Service in Church.
Children in the pews singing
Children in the pews singing
Children in the pews singing
They narrated bible stories about the nativity and the true meaning of Christmas.
Infants singing
Children in the pews singing
Infants singing
And they sang a collection of songs, some well known and some new ones. It was wonderful to see the children and parents in church, happy and enjoying the hard work of the children and staff.
Christmas Eve 2020
Carol Service 2020
What a wonderful start to Christmas. A brilliant turn out for our first ever, outdoors Carol Service at St Chad's. Over 50 members of the congregation and village turned out for the short service on the lawn today. Thank you everyone who turned up to make it a lovely start to Christmas. May you all have a happy, healthy and peaceful Christmas.
New Altar Cross
The hidden talent that's all around us! This beautiful new altar cross was made out of an old coffee table belonging to Bruce and Ann by David Hines who lives in the parish. Originally intended to be a plain wooden cross, David saw the brass cross that we use during services and decided to style the new wooden one along those lines. Such skill and patience. A good friend of his turned the buttons depicting the nails. It was blessed at this morning's service by Rev Brian. Thank you David.
Eric Symonds & John Hambridge
A update
I know that some of you will be wondering how Eric Symonds is doing after his fall and subsequent surgery and stay in hospital. Eric is beginning to get about a bit now on his mobility scooter; so watch out! He recently took a trip out and visited John Hambridge. Both of them seem to be doing well, looking at this photo.
Looking Back From The Tow-Path
This beautiful poem by Margaret Dale was chosen by her family to be read at her funeral. Lovely words from a lovely lady. RIP Margaret.
You can see more of Margaret's works on our Poet's Corner page on this website.
RIP
Margaret Dale
We are sad to report the passing of yet another stalwart member of the Hopwas and St Chad's Church Community.
Margaret Dale passed away at the weekend aged 90. She lived in Hopwas with her family before downsizing to Riverside, but she always remained involved with village activities.
A member, and past President, of Hopwas W.I, she organised show exhibits both at local and county level.She also wrote and produced plays - again for members to enjoy and take part in. She also wrote a book of poems, some of which are published on our website page - Poet's Corner
About 20 years ago she started a village painting group, meeting once a week in the chapel school room. (Hopefully this will be able to restart soon, covid-19 permitting.) Less experienced members have always benefited from her expertise. Margaret was one of the village show's original committee members and has always been involved, especially with showing her very talented water-colour paintings.
Always willing to he!p out and be involved, she supported church barbeques, Christmas fairs and attended services regularly. She was also a member of Hopwas garden club.
She will be remembered fondly by all at St Chad's and the wider community. Our condolences are offered to her family at this sad time.
RIP Margaret Dale. God Bless.
Margaret Dale RIP
rip
Honor Evans
Many of you at St Chad's will remember Honor Evans, a stalwart member of our congregation until a short while ago. It is with sadness that we have to announce her recent passing (Friday 11th September). Honor turned 96 a few days before. The family (Perry and Roger) have been in touch and provided the following details regarding her funeral. A funeral service is being held at Seven Hills Crematorium in Ipswich on 6th October at 1.30pm. Further details can be found on the following website link, which also gives you an opportunity to share your memories of Honor with us by posting a message. We have requested no flowers at the service, but Mom spent many hours volunteering at the Acorns children’s hospice charity shop in Tamworth, so we would love to be able to make a donation to them. Details on how to donate are also on the website link. https://honorevans.muchloved.com/ If you would have liked to have come to the funeral but are unable to get to Suffolk (& due to Covid restrictions, we are having to limit numbers), there will be a live webcast of the funeral which we can send you a link. Please contact Perry on 07738022223 or perryevans63@gmail.com & he’ll be able to give you details. However, we will be scattering Mom's ashes at Sutton Coldfield Crematorium on 23rd October. Covid restrictions are also in place for this, so please contact Perry in advance if you wish to attend. RIP Honor Evans.
RIP
Honor Evans
Many of you at St Chad's will remember Honor Evans, a stalwart member of our congregation until a short while ago. It is with sadness that we have to announce her recent passing (Friday 11th September). Honor turned 96 a few days before. The family (Perry and Roger) have been in touch and provided the following details regarding her funeral.
A funeral service is being held at Seven Hills Crematorium in Ipswich on 6th October at 1.30pm. Further details can be found on the following website link, which also gives you an opportunity to share your memories of Honor with us by posting a message. We have requested no flowers at the service, but Mom spent many hours volunteering at the Acorns children’s hospice charity shop in Tamworth, so we would love to be able to make a donation to them. Details on how to donate are also on the website link. https://honorevans.muchloved.com/
If you would have liked to have come to the funeral but are unable to get to Suffolk (& due to Covid restrictions, we are having to limit numbers), there will be a live webcast of the funeral which we can send you a link. Please contact Perry on 07738022223 or perryevans63@gmail.com & he’ll be able to give you details.
However, we will be scattering Mom's ashes at Sutton Coldfield Crematorium on 23rd October. Covid restrictions are also in place for this, so please contact Perry in advance if you wish to attend.
RIP Honor Evans.