SVB
Outlook February - March 2018
The magazine of the churches of The Sodbury Vale Benefice: Chipping Sodbury, Old Sodbury, www.svbcofe.org.uk Little Sodbury and Horton. 1 1
Our Team The Rector
Associate Priest
The Revd. Canon David Bowers 01454 313159, rector@svbcofe.org.uk
The Revd. Peter Fewings 07795206590 ptfewings@gmail.com
Day off Monday
Work Days Tues, Wed, Thur & Sun
Churchwardens St John’s, Chipping Sodbury
St James’ Horton
Joy Gibson 01454 319288
Tina Hildick-Smith 01454 320380
Jane Jones-Williams 01454 324970
Richard Needs 01454 329890
St Adeline’s, Little Sodbury
St John’s, Old Sodbury
Brenda Cordy 01454 316447
Karen Hunter 01454 319903
Church Office 01454 325160
office@svbcofe.org.uk Open in school term time, Mon - Tue - Thu mornings 9.00 - 12.00
Administrators
Safeguarding Nominated Person Mrs Hilary Holder
Michelle Jenkins, Trish Gailey and helpers
01454 327118 Contact to express concern about suspected abuse of a child or vulnerable adult
Advertising Volunteer required
Published by The Sodbury Vale Benefice Church Office, St John’s Church Centre, Wickwar Road, Chipping Sodbury, BS37 6BQ Editor - Michael Stephenson outlook@svbcofe.org.uk
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A word from Peter Lent - giving up or giving out?
Stewardship Talking of stewardship we could give some finance towards our church building. At St John’s church the boiler has just been replaced after breaking down. When the church was cold, we had to disappoint some people because it was not comfortable enough for them to use, including concerts and Storkies. So now some of your generosity could help to restore the depleted church resources used to install a new boiler. The Lord is good to us as individuals, so we can give cheerfully.
Lent Course
I can remember sitting in a church meeting and listening to various ideas of what we could give up for lent– alcohol, cigarettes, chocolate, meals out etc – even to do a regular weekly fast. I normally give up biscuits because it is my ‘bête noir’. It is something that makes me think, if the biscuit tin is empty. But what do I think I am giving it up for?
Giving out Lent is all about preparing for Easter and there are traditionally 40 days of preparation starting at Ash Wednesday on February 14th. Giving something up is only one way of doing Lent – the notion that “If Jesus gave up His life for me is there some little thing I could give up for Him?” If we change give up in life to give out life as Jesus went on to do in the resurrection, then we have a different perspective to Easter preparation – giving to others, or generosity. It is this aspect I would like to concentrate on as we approach our celebration of Christ’s death and resurrection so that we might live. Lent is an important part of our spiritual life. What about exercising some giving out each day, or let’s call it an act of generosity. This allows us to be outward looking and not just inward looking as generosity, by definition, is relating to other people.
Best wishes for a good Lent. Details of the Lent course on
“Fruitfulness on the Frontline” are on page 9. It starts on Wed Feb. 21 7.30pm and Thurs Feb. 22 11.00am in the Church Centre.
One way of giving out is signing up to www. 40acts.org.uk organised by ‘Stewardship’. It is not new, and this will be its 7th year, but you can sign up to receive an email each day of Lent with a short act of generosity outlined, costing very little time or energy, with three levels of generosity to choose from. It gets people acting and talking and often you get delighted people as a result. Giving up can be sombre and challenging. Giving out can be joyful as well as challenging. 3
“Thousand Colours of Sunset” Requiem Mass Premiere Performance March 10th 2018 is a big day for Jonathan Crow, organist at St John's Church, Chipping Sodbury. It is the premiere performance of his "Sunset" requiem as part of a Son et Lumière concert at the beautiful St Mary’s Parish Church, Wotton-under-Edge.
He has spent two years composing it and writes that it was his ambition to compose a “truly inspirational piece of music through which to communicate the most powerful innermost expression of profound feelings of life and death”. The work was part inspired by a near drowning experience and the composer’s own life and death struggle can be heard in the powerful waves of music which are at times quite overwhelming, none more so than in the Libera Me movement where the cry Libera Me (Deliver Me) is heard repeatedly over the ceaseless beating of waves in the bass line.
Tickets £10 are available through the following outlets: Chipping Sodbury Tourist Information Office, Wotton-under-Edge Historical Society & Heritage Centre, and
Yate Choral Society. The “Sunset Requiem” is a work of profound faith and They are also available onfeeling and is an expansive composition lasting over line via Eventbrite 40 minutes. It comprises 10 movements and is based (www.eventbrite.co.uk). on the ancient form of the Requiem Mass set in Latin. It is scored for an ensemble of soloists and choir. 4
It is written in an “affekt” style with piercing melodic lines and harmonies. Jonathan has purposely followed in the footsteps of the great composers and produced a beautiful work that stands as a reaction against the shallowness and spiritual impoverty of much of the modern world. It has been remarked that Jonathan’s Requiem sounds like all the Requiems ever written. The eye-catching title “Thousand Colours of Sunset” denotes the importance of colour in the work. Each movement has its own distinct colour theme and the colours have been chosen purposely to express the colours of sunset under the title. Colours have been chosen on account of their physical and spiritual symbolism. The Introduction with its falling chromatic bass line describes the “setting sun” and leads into the First Movement “Requiem aeternam” set to blue to reflect the colour of sea and sky. The Son et Lumière production is designed to enhance the colour theme of the music with the coloured lighting changing at each movement.
“Affekt style” This is a style of composition which is full of fervour and written with warmth and passion to arouse the desired emotions in the audience.
“Performed by the Arcus Singers”
The concert will be performed by the Arcus Singers and will also feature a variety of other pieces by the lead soloists, including Faure's beautiful Elegy for Cello Jonathan uses a layered technique of composition by and Elegy for Piano, layering melody upon melody to build up huge climaxes. This is used to great effect in the “Agnus Dei” Mozart's Laudate where one particular countermelody is set against the Dominum for soprano and Messiaen's principal “Agnus Dei” (Prayer) theme. This countermelody appears in the cello and bears the title L'Apparition de l'Eglise Eternelle for organ, “Rainbow”. In it the shape of a rainbow can be traced in the pattern of notes. Watch for the lighting when the played by Nick Sherwood, Jonathan’s predecessor at rainbow makes its appearance! St John’s. Further details can be found on website: All are welcome to the www.svbcofe.org.uk/sunset. There you can find a full concert which, it is hoped, synopsis of each of the movements and the colours will be a profoundly they relate to. moving experience. One motif in particular recurs throughout the work as a Thema principal - “Theme of a Thousand Sorrows” always in the cello. See which movements it makes an appearance and count how many appearances it makes if you can!
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Thoughts from David Webster. O,Oh! it’s that man again! Invisible but always talking or writing. Maybe it is, but I feel I should share things that have been helpful to me and might be helpful to others.
Bishop Rachel’s visit
On Sunday, 25 February at 6.00pm at St John’s Some of us are rather dithery. We sometimes do or say Chipping Sodbury things then immediately start wondering whether they are right or wrong, helpful or unhelpful, “Oh”, we might think, “That’s my personality. I was made that way and that’s how I’ll always be! I have been in that category for many years now, but it’s not the best way to live – either for oneself or for others. As long as you have given serious consideration to your thoughts and the words you have spoken, then you should let them rest. The worst that can happen is that you will be rebuked and, if that happens, you should be humble enough to accept the rebuke. I’d like to share with you the way I deal with such situations. I’ve got a vivid imagination and often use mental pictures to help me. At the end of each day – and sometimes immediately after an incident – I say “Ho”, I pull the shutter down on the past day (or the incident) and stand the cross between it and myself, and I usually make the sign of the cross. At first it requires discipline and determination, but as time goes on I have discovered that it works! I find I can sleep better at night and the dark clouds don’t spoil the day.
Photo by James L.W on Unsplash
Have I scriptural support for this? I think so: Psalm 37 verse 5 reads: “Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will bring it to pass.” Ponder these things, If anyone wants to discuss them with me, they can obtain my telephone number from the Church Office. David Webster 6
Bishop Rachel will visit our Benefice for a special Evening Prayer and Devotion for Lent: “Meeting at the Cross”. This will be at St John’s, Chipping Sodbury and is one of four Sunday evening events that are being held during Lent throughout the Diocese. The evening will begin with refreshments and there will be a talk by Bishop Rachel, with discussion and prayer. It is wonderful to welcome our Bishop and we hope there will be a good attendance as we make our journey through Lent.
Market
Cross
Baptisms: We welcomed into the Church: Daisie Kemp at St John’s, Chipping Sodbury on 19 November 2017 Lola Miller at St John’s, Chipping Sodbury on 19 November 2017 Jenson Michael Ash at St John’s, Old Sodbury on 14 January 2018
Funerals: We extend our sympathy to the families and friends of: David Rugman at St John’s Old Sodbury on 28 November 2017 Frank Perryman at Westerleigh Crematorium on 23 November 2017 Pauline Hope Cornall at St Johns Old Sodbury on 10 November 2017 Olive Ball at Westerleigh Crematorium on 20 December 2017 Christopher Benton at St John’s Chipping Sodbury on 21 December 2017
Children’s Society Box Collection 2017
“Your change will bring change to the most vulnerable young people this year”
The collection for this year is now underway. If I haven’t collected your box yet – I will be with you shortly. I would like to share some information, sent to me by The Children’s Society, which shows just how invaluable your gifts are to this worthwhile charity. 5147 Total number of The Children’s Society house box networks 90,000 Box holders – ranging from 6 years of age to 92! 17 Average number of box holders per network £330 Average network gift £17 Average contents of a house box £1.7m Total annual income from house boxes
If you are not a box holder at present but would like to be, then please contact me, Hilary Hurley, on 01454 311515 and I will be pleased to arrange for you to have one.
Thank you for playing a part in helping this country’s most vulnerable children and young people. 7
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bobandsueal@gmail.com
Crib Festival Review The Crib Festival was a great success and I would like to express my thanks to everyone who helped and supported it. My thanks to the committee members and members of the congregation who work so hard and produced crafts, café “goodies” and a great deal of time to helping to set up and dismantle the cribs. Simon and his team did a great job moving and setting up the church and dismantling it at the end. I think we should express thanks to Michelle, Trish and Madeline who work very hard behind the scenes making sure the catalogues are printed and put into the covers, not forgetting Steve who collates the info and passes it to the office. Linda has decided to step down from the committee and I thank her for all her work over the years she has been on the committee. If you would like more information, please contact me at wwodchip@waitrose.com or tel. 01454 318883. 8
We had over 4,000 visitors this year many of whom had not been before and many who feel that it is not to be missed. The support we have from the community is encouraging and supportive. David and Judith, Peter and Wully have been very supportive and helpful and I appreciate all they did. The involvement of the schools is really good and I know the pupils all enjoy their time with us. I wish you all a very Happy 2018. Liz
Lent Course for the Benefice Fruitfulness on the Frontline New lent course starting on the 21st February for 6 weeks. It will run in the Church Centre on Wednesday evenings at 7.30pm and Thursday mornings at 11.00am.
“Discover how we can be more natural disciples in the areas of our deepest desire”
The theme of the sessions is to discover how we can be more natural disciples in the areas of our deepest desire and in our normal locations or frontlines. It is a course where we can encourage each other with our own stories as well as receive teaching with a short video each week. The material promises to be life transforming.
It will be run my different members of the leadership team. All are welcome even if you have never been to a lent course before - just an hour of your time each week in daytime or evening to suit. ● Feb 21 Session I Modelling godly character “The material ● Feb 28 Session 2 Making good work promises to be life ● Mar 7 Session 3 Ministering grace and love transforming.” ● Mar 14 Session 4 Moulding culture ● Mar 21 Session 5 Mouthpiece for Truth and Justice ● Mar 28 Session 6 Messenger of the gospel You will need a booklet. If you are interested or would like to know more please contact Peter Fewings on 07795 206590 or Michelle in the office 01454 325160.
Watch the Introductory Video https://www.licc.org.uk/resources/discover-fruitfulness-on-the-frontline/
Ash Wednesday Services - February 14th 10.00am Chipping Sodbury Holy Communion; 7.30pm Old Sodbury Holy Communion 9
To walk in step with the Spirit How are your resolutions looking this far into the year? Surveys show that among the most common new year’s resolutions are the determination to enjoy life more, lose weight, get fit, learn something new, find true love, get a better job, pay off debts, and reduce stress. And yet, ongoing research confirms something we already suspect – perhaps from personal experience – that the majority of us will abandon our resolves by mid-January, with many of us not making it beyond the first week. Still, the making of resolutions at least implies a felt-need for transformation of some kind. Reframing resolutions – with the help of Paul’s letter to the Galatians – begins with a reminder that Christ has set us free (5:1, 13). But the freedom Christ gains is a freedom to live in the Spirit. Those who walk by the Spirit (5:16) and “So I say, walk by the Spirit, and are led by the Spirit (5:18), who live by you will not gratify the desires the Spirit and keep in step with the Spirit (5:25) are no longer under the of the flesh... If you are led by authority of the Mosaic economy; nor the Spirit, you are not under are they bound to ‘gratify the desires the law... Since we live by the of the flesh’, that way of life marked Spirit, let us keep in step with by alienation from God and each other. Instead, the death and the Spirit.” Galatians 5:16, 18, 25 resurrection of Christ and the giving of the Spirit have ushered in a new era in which the Spirit animates our ongoing covenant relationship with God, just as he promised through his prophets. Of course, as Paul notes, there is conflict and struggle. Fruit needs to be cultivated; lasting change does not arrive overnight. And that’s why the walking metaphor is so apt. Unlike the dramatic moments of decision or fresh resolve we sometimes make at the start of the year, walking suggests a more regular pattern – ongoing, mundane even – a process which takes place in the everyday where we live and where we work. In such contexts, we discover, it’s the consistent, everyday actions that make a difference, as we continue to walk step-by-step – our lifelong process of transformation into the likeness of Christ through the ongoing work of the Spirit. Antony Billington Source - London Institute for Contemporary Christianity www.licc.org.uk.
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Prayer for Outreach A series of fortnightly prayer events Next meeting Thursday February 8th at 11.15am in the Upper Room of the Church Centre The first meeting of the series took place on Thursday 25th January. It exists to support us all in the 95% activities we do outside church and often on our own in our workplaces and in our neighbourhoods It is also for what we are already doing in church as corporate groups, e.g. Storkies, or think should start doing, such as new housing. "We become fully human when we All are welcome to attend, not just those become more than human when we let God bring us beyond ourselves in who think they can 'pray' but those who order to attain the fullest truth of our need God and others to encourage them in reaching out. A prayer event will be being. Here we find the source and inspiration of all our evangelisation. themed every fortnight. For if we have received the love that Evangelii gaudium - which means -The restores meaning to our lives, how Joy of the Gospel, is a 2013 apostolic can we fail to share that love with exhortation by Pope Francis on "the others" Pope Francis church's primary mission of from his Evangelii gaudium 8 evangelisation in the modern world."
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Regular Weekly Events Monday
7.30pm
Bell Ringers’ Practice CS
Church Tower, Chipping Sodbury
Tuesday
8.30am
Morning Prayer
Church Centre, Upper Room,Chipping Sodbury
9.15pm
Stor'k'ies
St John's Church, Chipping Sodbury
8.30am
Morning Prayer
St John’s, Chipping Sodbury
730pm
St James’, Horton
8.30am
Bell Ringer’s Practice Horton Morning Prayer
10.00am
Holy Communion
St John’s, Chipping Sodbury
7.00pm
Benefice Choir Practice
St John’s, Chipping Sodbury
8.30am
Morning Prayer
St John’s, Chipping Sodbury
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
St John’s, Chipping Sodbury
Note: No Morning Prayers on Bank Holidays
Dates for your Diary 17th Feb
10.00am
10th Mar 7.00pm
Wedding Preparation Day
Church Centre, Chipping Sodbury
Requiem ‘Thousand Colours of Sunset’ by Jonathan Crow sung by the Arcus singers
St Mary’s Wotton Under Edge
F. WOODRUFF Local Family Cremation and Funeral Directors 24 Hour Service 2 High Street, Winterbourne Tel: (01454) 773776 118-120 Station Road,Yate 192 Badminton Road. Coalpit email:info@funerals.uk.net Private Chapels of Rest at Coalpit Heath & Yate
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Calendar February 2018 Thurs
1st
Sun 4th Second Sunday Before Lent
10.00am
Holy Communion
St John’s, C/S
10.45am
Coffee Shop
Church Centre, C/S
8.00am
Holy Communion
St John’s, C/S
9.30am
St John’s Praise
St John’s, C/S
11.15am
Mattins {BCP}
St James’, Horton
11.15am
Family Communion
St John’s, O/S
6.00pm
Evensong {BCP}
St Adeline’s, L/S
Tues
6th
9.15am
Storkies
St John’s, C/S
Thurs
8th
10.00am
Holy Communion
St John’s, C/S
10.45am
Coffee Shop
Church Centre, C/S
Sun 11th Sunday Next before Lent
9.30am
Parish Communion
St John’s, C/S
11.15am
Holy Communion
St James’, Horton
11.15am
Family Service
St John’s, O/S
6.00pm
Evensong
St Adeline’s, L/S
Mon
12th
2.00pm
Mothers Union Meeting
Church Centre, CS
Tues
13th
9.15am
Storkies
St John’s, C/S
Wed
14th
10.00am
Communion for Ash Wednesday
St John’s, C/S
19:30:00
Communion for Ash Wednesday
St John’s, O/S
10.00am
Holy Communion
St John’s C/S
10.45am
Coffee Shop
Church Centre C/S
10.00am
Wedding Preparation Day
Church Centre, C/S
9.30am
Family Communion
St John’s, C/S
11.15am
Mattins {BCP}
St James’, Horton
11.15am
Holy Communion {BCP}
St John’s, O/S
6.00pm
Holy Communion {BCP}
St Adeline’s, L/S
Thurs
Sat
15th
17th
Sun 18th First Sunday of Lent Mon
19th
7.30pm
Missions Prayer Group
Church Centre, C/S
Tues
20th
9.15am
Storkies
St John’s, C/S
Thurs
22nd
10.00am
Holy Communion
St John’s C/S
10.45am
Coffee Shop
Church Centre C/S
25th
Sun Second Sunday of Lent
9.30am
Parish Communion
St John’s, C/S
11.15am
Holy Communion{CW)
St James’ Horton
11.15am
Morning Praise
St John’s O/S
6.00pm
Lent Reflection with Bishop Rachel
St John’s CS
Tues
27th
9.15am
Storkies
St John’s, C/S
Wed
28th
7.30pm
Lent Course
St John’s, C/S
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Calendar March 2018 Thurs
1st
Sun 4th Third Sunday of Lent
10.00am
Holy Communion
St John’s, C/S
10.45am
Coffee Shop
Church Centre, C/S
8.00am
Holy Communion
St John’s, C/S
9.30am
St John’s Praise
St John’s, C/S
11.15am
Mattins {BCP}
St James’, Horton
11.15am
Family Communion
St John’s, O/S
6.00pm
Evensong {BCP}
St Adeline’s, L/S
Tues
6th
9.15am
Storkies
St John’s, C/S
Wed
7th
7.30pm
Lent Course
St John’s, C/S
Thurs
8th
10.00am
Holy Communion
St John’s, C/S
10.45am
Coffee Shop
Church Centre, C/S
11.00am
Lent Course
St John’s, C/S
9.30am
Parish Communion
St John’s, C/S
11.15am
Holy Communion
St James’, Horton
11.15am
Family Service
St John’s, O/S
6.00pm
Evensong
St Adeline’s, L/S
Sun 11th Mothering Sunday
Mon
12th
2.00pm
Mothers Union Meeting
Church Centre, CS
Tues
13th
9.15am
Storkies
St John’s, C/S
Wed
14th
7.30pm
Lent Course
St John’s, C/S
Thurs
15th
10.00am
Holy Communion
St John’s C/S
10.45am
Coffee Shop
Church Centre C/S
11.00am
Lent Course
St John’s, C/S
10.00am
Baptism Preparation Morning
Church Centre, C/S
9.30am
Family Communion
St John’s, C/S
11.15am
Mattins {BCP}
St James’, Horton
11.15am
Holy Communion {BCP}
St John’s, O/S
Sat
17th
Sun 18th FifthSunday of Lent
6.00pm
Evensong {BCP}
St Adeline’s, L/S
Mon
19th
7.30pm
Missions Prayer Group
Church Centre, C/S
Tues
20th
9.15am
Storkies
St John’s, C/S
Wed
21st
7.30pm
Lent Course
St John’s, C/S
Thurs
22nd
10.00am
Holy Communion
St John’s C/S
10.45am
Coffee Shop
Church Centre C/S
11.00am
Lent Course
St John’s, C/S
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Calendar March 2018 (continued) Sun 25th Palm Sunday
Mon
26th
Tues
27th
Wed Thurs
Fri
Sat
28th 29th
30th
31st
9.15am
Parish Communion begins with procession St John’s, C/S from top of the high street
11.15am
Holy Communion{CW)
St James’ Horton
11.15am
Morning Praise
St John’s O/S
6.00pm
Holy Communion {BCP}
St Adeline’s L/S
2.00pm
Holy Week Relection
St Adeline’s, L/S
9.15am
Storkies
St John’s, C/S
2.00pm
Holy Week Reflection
St John’s O/S
2.00pm
Tea and Chat
Church Centre, C/S
2.00pm
Holy Week Reflection
St James’ Horton
7.30pm
Lent Course
St John’s, C/S
10.00am
Holy Communion for Maundy Thursday
St John’s C/S
10.45am
Coffee Shop
Church Centre C/S
11.00am
Lent Course
St John’s, C/S
2.00pm
Holy Week Reflection
St John’s C/S
7.30pm
Shared Meal for Maundy Thursday
Church Centre, C/S
10.00am
Walk of Witness from Chipping Sodbury Clock Tower to Yate Shopping Centre
2.00pm
Service at the foot of the Cross
St John’s C/S
2.00pm
Easter Vigil
St Adeline’s, L/S
Please join us at
St. John’s Church Old Sodbury for a
Benefice Lent Lunch of Soup and Cake on Sunday 18 February at 12.30. Moses and Emily Obiti from the Turning Point Trust will be with us so this will be an excellent opportunity to chat with them about their work with the street children in Kibera If you would like to join us please would you put your name on the list at the back of church or contact Karen Hunter 01454 319903. There will be no charge for the lunch but there will be a basket for donations which will go the work of Turning Point.
Copy Deadline Please send all copy to the Church Office by Wed 14 March Front Cover - Crosses, source unknown 15
Holy Week & Easter Services around the Sodbury Vale Benefice Monday 26 March
2.00 pm Holy Week Prayers, Little Sodbury
Tuesday 27 March
2.00 pm Holy Week Prayers, Old Sodbury
Wednesday 28 March
2.00 pm Holy Week Prayers, Horton
Maundy Thursday
10.00 am Holy Communion, Chipping Sodbury 2.00 pm Holy Week Prayers, Chipping Sodbury
Good Friday
7.30 pm Simple meal and informal Communion at the Church Centre 10.00 am Joint Walk of Witness. Meet at Chipping Sodbury Baptist Church
Saturday
2.00 pm At the Foot of the Cross, Chipping Sodbury 7.00 pm Easter Vigil, Little Sodbury
Easter Sunday
Easter Holy Communion at: 8.00 am
Chipping Sodbury
9.30 am
Chipping Sodbury
11.15 am
Old Sodbury
11.15 am
Horton
6.00 pm
Little Sodbury
This magazine is brought to you Free by the four churches of the Sodbury Vale Benefice. If you would like to make a small donation towards printing costs which are ÂŁ1.50 a copy that would be most welcome. Thank you. 16