SVB
Outlook June-July 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
Assistant Priest
The Revd. Canon David Bowers 01454 313159, rector@svbcofe.org.uk
The Revd. Peter Fewings 07795206590 ptfewings@gmail.com
The Revd. David Powe 01454 777745
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
Vacancy
Vacancy
Administrators
Safeguarding Nominated Person
Michelle Jenkins, Trish Gailey and helpers
Vacancy Please Contact the Rector
Advertising
Contact to express concern about suspected abuse of a child or vulnerable adult
Volunteer required
Published by The Sodbury Vale Benefice, Church Office, St John’s Church Centre, Wickwar Road, Chipping Sodbury, BS37 6BQ, 01454 325160, office@svbcofe.org.uk, Open in school term time, Mon - Tue - Thu mornings 9.00 - 12.00. Editor - Michael Stephenson outlook@svbcofe.org.uk
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A word from Peter - Vocation Dear Friends
Vocation Is about what God has called us out to do. Our Creator God has made us for a purpose, with gifts and unique opportunities which He has graciously bestowed on each of us. We are called by God to Be and to Do. What is God’s plan for us?
Your Role? If you have given up a significant role, is this in preparation for you to take on another? Your role could be in the church or outside it, but you should feel it fits you. Ask God what you are best fitted to. Take time to listen to what he says. There is no rush you will know when the time is right, spring will have sprung!
A chance to pray for vocation
I was amazed as Spring suddenly broke forth into life after the ‘Beast from the East’ let go its wintry grip at the end of April. It got me thinking about vocation, Many of us might think that vocation is for the tiny minority who get called into ordination or reader ministry - there may be those among us, but vocation is a word which is far more significant than that and reaches out to every Christian. Jesus said “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruitfruit that will last”(John 15:16). Hence my connection with the bursting forth of spring –a fruitful flourishing life is what we all want for ourselves. Throwing ourselves into a career or a job to the exclusion of everyone else can be a misapprehension though. It is sad when a retiring person who has worked for all their life, admits privately that they have achieved nothing. “But you became a director and you were one of the hardest workers”. They replied “But my work has no long term legacy - what have I achieved except to deny myself of time with my family?” Some of the best saints are those who have felt weakest. We have often not realised what we have achieved and can achieve. Time spent finding and being ourselves, building relationships, and sharing the gifts we have with others is valuable and is best used in a focused and intentional way. Vocation is a way of finding the mission of God and being focused to the things that God would want in our lives. As Spring breaks forth anew this year do you know what your vocation is? Do you feel the new life of the Holy Spirit prompting you or do you find it difficult to know? It is not always easy to know so it may need some reflection and prayer.
Prayer Events are held on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays at 11:15 in the Church Centre 3
Market
Cross
Funerals: We extend our sympathy to the families and friends of: David Rushent at St John’s Old Sodbury on 14 February 2018
My dear friends By the time you read this article I shall have reached 90 years (May 4 2018), something I never dreamt I would do. So, it is likely that this will be my last contribution. Since joining St John’s Chipping Sodbury in 2002, I have seen many changes in clergy (priests and curates), each has brought his/her own gifts to build up the Benefice in different ways. Now, our present Loving God, who promises team is turning our eyes from looking inwards to to be faithful and rightlooking outwards. We can see the areas in which we eous, live, work or have recreation, as our specific place of help us to make real your witness to the Lord Jesus Christ. This should be done vision for all young peoin a very natural manner without any pomp or ‘I’m ple, better than you’ attitude. You’ll find the words will just so that they are valued for slip out. who they are, not what Whatever our neatly laid plans and schemes, it is will be, essential to ask our Lord each day, to be filled with His so that they are encourHoly Spirit, so that we go forward in his wisdom, aged and supported, not courage and strength. abused or neglected. The Lord be with you ALL. David Webster listened to and challenged, not ignored or stifled, Free to play safely, not forced to grow up before their time. The members of the Benefice wish to thank all the Clergy Team, lay Loving God, wise parent to us all, members and office staff, for the inspire us to be people who let the extra special efforts made in making young play, encourage them to grow, Holy Week and Eastertide, such a and enable them to flourish in communimeaningful and memorable ties of faithful people, occasion. sharing wisdom and joy. Amen.
A Prayer for young people
Thank You Team
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Sunset Requiem Following its successful premiere at Wotton-underEdge on 10 March 2018, Jonathan Crow’s heartfelt “Sunset Requiem” will be performed again in its entirety as part of the Chipping Sodbury Festival at St Johns Church on Friday June 15 at 7.30pm. “Sunset Requiem” will be performed by the same soloist ensemble and combined choirs . We look forward to hearing Movements from the live Sarah Eales on the performance at Wotton can violin, The performance will be be heard on Youtube. conducted by Eddie Search “Sunset Requiem”. Garrard, former choirmaster of Stroud Choral Society and now Director of Music at St Mary’s Church, Wotton. Jonathan will once again be on the keyboard. The work will be performed without break during the second half. The first half will comprise pieces from the soloists after which there will be a short interval. It is planned to have refreshments available. Jonathan has kindly agreed that Local Family Cremation proceeds for the concert after costs will and Funeral Directors go towards the new boiler. Details and a full synopsis can be found 24 Hour Service at svbcofe.co.uk/sunset
F. WOODRUFF
2 High Street, Winterbourne Tel: (01454) 773776
Tickets go on sale in May at a cost of £10
118-120 Station Road,Yate 192 Badminton Road. Coalpit
Proceeds to the New Boiler
email:info@funerals.uk.net Private Chapels of Rest at Coalpit Heath & Yate
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Yvonne Brae 26 Oct 1945 - 11 Mar 2018 Yvonne was born in Darlington to Gwynfryn and Madeline and had a younger brother Gwylfa and sister Gwyneth. She grew up in Darlington and during her early adulthood started to attend church and was an active member of St. Columba’s church. Yvonne learned to play the piano and also liked to paint; she was a gifted crafter making her own dresses and many other things and played netball for her school. She attended Darlington Technical School, and as Gwylfa and Gwyneth were younger she looked after them until their father came home from work as their mother worked during the evenings. At a local dance Yvonne met Jim who she went on to marry. Jim was in the RAF and during a tour to Singapore prior to their marriage, Yvonne became more active in the church while he was on duty. After their wedding Yvonne and Jim moved initially to Doncaster and then various locations in the UK and Holland, settling eventually in Cheltenham when Jim left the RAF. Yvonne and Jim had 4 children, Fiona, Allyson, Stuart and David (who followed his mother into the priesthood), and 8 grandchildren. Both Yvonne and Jim carried on with their church attendance throughout these times but Yvonne was called to explore even further and trained for ministry, ultimately becoming ordained at Gloucester Cathedral in 2009. Sadly, Jim fell ill and died before Yvonne had completed her training. After some time at different churches in Cheltenham during her Curacy, and finally at Holy Apostles, Cheltenham, Yvonne joined Sodbury Vale Benefice as Associate Priest at the beginning of 2013 to assist Revd Canon Jane Kenchington when she was appointed Area Dean. We quickly found that Yvonne had a passion for sharing the Gospel with all ages in accessible and innovative ways, especially with children and families. Before she joined us she had set up a successful playgroup and cafÊ in Cheltenham and it wasn’t long before she devised our Tuesday morning group, StorKies, for young children and their carers. Working with Sarah Ledger and Sue Alcock to build up a team to run this, it remains as popular as when it first started, attracting families from Sodbury, Yate and the surrounding villages. 6
One of the things Yvonne did was “poke” people. She encouraged us to explore things outside of our comfort zones and explore new ideas and aspects in the service of the Lord. Yvonne had experienced some very difficult times throughout her life, but despite that she maintained her unique sense of humour, always with her cheeky smile and lots of leg pulling. Yvonne had a huge faith. She told “Yvonne me with great joy that God had been sitting on the trolley talking Yvonne Abseiling made a to her as she was being wheeled difference for tests before she was diagnosed. She thought it hilarious that wherever no-one around her knew her secret. she was.” We didn’t want Yvonne to move away, she had many friends from here to Cheltenham and we thought we could look after her, but she needed to be near her family. What struck me at Yvonne’s funeral was the comments from the people she’d touched in the short time she was in Bacup. Yvonne spent much of her life’s ministry working with the vulnerable and it was no surprise to learn she worked with a community group caring for individuals with physical and mental ill health and longterm unemployment in the last few months of her life, despite her own illness. Yvonne made a difference wherever she was. Jane Jones-Williams with information from Gwylfa Rees
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Social Engineering: Your Soul for Sale? Once upon a time, back when the internet was still young and at least moderately innocent, social media was about relationship. It allowed friends to keep up to date with each other, old friends to get back in touch, even families spread across different continents to stay connected. Ten years later, it’s allegedly the tool by which a group of state-sponsored Russian actors delivered the propaganda that swung the 2016 US Presidential Election. In light of the recent revelations about Cambridge Analytica and data-harvesting, the question is, quite simply, ‘how did we get here?’ Under pressure to monetise its platform after its hugely successful IPO, Facebook’s algorithms were developed to deliver the goal of keeping people on the site for as long as possible. They learned what you like and provided more of the same, aiming to keep you reading your news feed for as long as possible. Facebook’s raison d’être is not to ensure that you are the most rounded, informed, socially and politically aware person you can be. It is to generate returns for its shareholders. And, as the whistleblower Christopher Wylie explained, this also provides a framework within which to deliver information – or misinformation – to highly targeted audiences. Facebook’s challenge is that ‘fake news’ may offer greater revenues than legitimate news. Truth has been subordinated to profit. For businesses, and for us, money is a remarkable litmus test of
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where our true loyalties lie – as Jesus warns, ‘Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also’ (Matthew 6:21). And when truth is considered an optional extra, injustice inevitably follows. The personal information we share online is being deployed to shape opinions that impact our identity, to influence our relationships, and to negatively impact our ability to disagree well. As Christians, therefore, we cannot be apathetic about its use – and its exploitation. Guy Brandon Guy is research director for the Jubilee Centre and the author of “Digitally Remastered: a biblical guide to reclaiming your virtual self”, published by Muddy Pearl. Source - London Institute for Contemporary Christianity www.licc.org.uk.
Bible verse of the Month Matthew 11; 28 Are you tired? worn out? burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me – watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly. [The Message]
Sylvia Franklin 11 Nov 1942 - 29 Dec 2017 The church was a very big part of Sylvia's life, she was part of St John's for over thirty years following the family’s move from Wales. Lots of people will remember her from the church choir, but she'd also been on the PCC numerous times taking on lots of roles over the years. But she also just liked to just get involved, from abseiling down the tower to raise funds, wielding her red pencil to proof read everything that came out of the office and storytelling with Open the Book to name just a few. Louise and I would like to thank Rev'd David, Rev'd Peter and all mum's church friends for their care, support and prayers. Michelle xx Sylvia at Open The Book 9
Sylvia Abseiling down the church tower
OPEN GARDEN DAYS Sat, June 16 and Sunday June 17 At Nutridge, Ram Hill, Coalpit Heath, BS36 2UF 2.00pm to 5.00pm Admission £4.00. Children under 16 free.
A three acre garden with perennial beds, woodland and open areas. Refreshments and plants for sale. Proceeds in aid of Genieri, the African village linked with Yate Charity no. 1057814 www.yate-genierilink.org
HOLIDAY HOME
Thurlestone, South Devon Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ
Self Catering Pet Friendly Open All Year Wonderful Sea Views Parking for 2 cars Sleeps 6-10 people 3 Bedrooms, 2 Futons
Call Bob Alcock
01454 313880
bobandsueal@gmail.com
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Two Churchwardens Retire Two of our long serving church wardens, Brenda Cordy and Karen Hunter, have retired at this year’s Annual Parochial Church Meetings. The whole Benefice, and particularly their own churches of St Adeline's, Little Sodbury and St John’s, Old Sodbury would like to offer Brenda and Karen their heartfelt thanks for the dedication they have shown over the years to their role as churchwarden and all the good work they have done to bring their churches to their present successful state.
Karen Brenda
HOLY LAND PILGRIMAGE 9th – 18th October 23 of us are now firmly booked to go on the Holy Land Pilgrimage in October but there are still a few places available and if you are thinking about it here are a few details. The Jerusalem flights are with El Al from Heathrow to Tel Aviv and we shall be booking a coach to take us to the airport. We will have a driver and a local guide available for our exclusive use during our time in the Holy Land and we stay in very comfortable hotels: the Golden Walls Hotel in Jerusalem, opposite the Damascus Gate, and the Ron Beach Hotel in Still places Tiberias on the banks of Lake Galilee.
left!
For the first part of the trip we visit the main biblical sites in Jerusalem, as well To book as Bethlehem, Bethany and contact David an optional visit to Masada and Qumran (where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered). There is also a visit to the Yad Vashem museum of the Holocaust and the Israel National Museum. On the way to Tiberias we visit Jericho and from Galilee we visit sites such as Nazareth, Capernaum, Caesarea, Cana and Mount Tabor (overlooking the plain of Armageddon). There is also a wonderful opportunity to renew our baptismal vows at the River Jordan. There is still time to book. If you would like further information please contact me. David Bowers St George’s Monastery
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Arpana School, Bangalore, India Our group of churches now has a link with the Arpana School for children with learning disabilities in Bangalore, South India. We are hoping to keep in close contact with the school and to pray for the children and staff as well as occasionally supporting projects. Arpana, which means “offering”, was established Bishop Rachel visits Arpana in 1981 by All Saints Church, Bangalore in their church hall and it now has its own building, looking after 60 children, including many from the slum areas. It takes children from all backgrounds according to their need and has pupils from Christian, Hindu and Muslim families. The Principal, Mrs Vasanthi Saduri, and her staff are very focused on helping to prepare the children and young people for their adult lives. In addition to education the school also provides clothing, food and medical care for the children. Part of the Copy Deadline Aug-Sept programme of the school is issue The Vocational Training vocational Please send all copy to the Department training, Church Office by Tue. 17 July teaching skills which will help the children to find work when they leave. The skills include printing, candle making and tailoring.
The Children’s Society annual box collection 2017
If you would like to find out more about the work of Arpana please contact me. David Bowers
The annual box opening has taken place and this year we have raised an amazing £770.59 in this Benefice.
Front Cover - Collage of photos of St Adeline’s by Michael Stephenson.
Why not put a collage of photos of your church together and send them in electronically to be used on future Front Covers of Outlook or send a set of pictures and I will make up a collage. 12
Thank you for your most generous donations. The next count will take place January 2019. Hilary Hurley. 01454 311515
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 Sat 7 July 7:30pm Sat 28 7:30pm July 2018 Sun 21 Oct.
12:00 PM
Summer Concert planned - more detail to follow in the Pew Sheets Jazz and Picnic at Old Sodbury. The Thornbury Swing Jazz Band Harvest Lunch
Horton Church Details to follow Horton Village Hall - to book contact Tina or Richard
Sodbury Vale Benefice Church Family Day On Sunday 1st July 2018 2.00pm – 5.00pm In The Vicarage garden Church Family day for all church members and groups. Tea and cakes will be available Games etc for everyone. Come along for good conversation, excellent cakes and lots and lots of FUN. More details will follow, watch your pew sheets!!! 13
Calendar June 2018 Sat
2nd
Sun 3rd First Sunday after Trinity
10.00am
Baptism Preparation Morning
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
St James’, Horton
11.15am
Family Communion
St John’s, O/S
6.00pm
Evensong {BCP}
St Adeline’s, L/S
Tues
5th
9.15am
Storkies
St John’s, C/S
Thurs
7th
10.00am
Holy Communion
St John’s, C/S
10.45am
Coffee Shop
Church Centre, C/S
Sun 10th Second Sunday after Trinity
9.30am
Festival Service
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
11th
2.00pm
Mothers Union Meeting
Church Centre, CS
Tue
12th
9.15am
Storkies
St John’s, C/S
Thurs
14th
10.00am
Holy Communion
St John’s C/S
10.45am
Coffee Shop
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
Sun 17th Third Sunday after Trinity
6.00pm
Evensong {BCP}
St Adeline’s, L/S
Mon
18th
7.30pm
Missions Prayer Group
Church Centre, C/S
Tues
19th
9.15am
Storkies
St John’s, C/S
Thurs
21st
10.00am
Holy Communion
St John’s C/S
10.45am
Coffee Shop
Church Centre C/S
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
Holy Communion {BCP}
St Adeline’s L/S
9.15am
Storkies
St John’s, C/S
2.00pm
Tea and Chat
Church Centre, C/S
24th
Sun Fourth Sunday after Trinity
3rd Tues
26th
Wed
27th
9.30pm
Crib Festival Meeting
Church Centre, C/S
Thurs
28th
10.00am
Holy Communion
St John’s C/S
10.45am
Coffee Shop
Church Centre C/S
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Calendar July 2018 Sun 1st Fifth Sunday after Trinity
8.00am
Holy Communion
St John’s, C/S
9.30am
St John’s Praise
St John’s, C/S
11.15am
Mattins
St James’, Horton
11.15am
Family Communion
St John’s, O/S
6.00pm
Evensong {BCP}
St Adeline’s, L/S
Tues
3rd
9.15am
Storkies
St John’s, C/S
Thurs
5th
10.00am
Holy Communion
St John’s, C/S
10.45am
Coffee Shop
Church Centre, C/S
Sat
7th
10.00am
Baptism Preparation Meeting
Church Centre, 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
Sun 8th Sixth Sunday after Trinity
6.00pm
Evensong
St Adeline’s, L/S
Mon
9th
2.00pm
Mothers Union Meeting
Church Centre, CS
Tue
10th
9.15am
Storkies
St John’s, C/S
Thurs
12th
10.00am
Holy Communion
St John’s C/S
10.45am
Coffee Shop
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
Evensong {BCP}
St Adeline’s, L/S
Sun 15th Seventh Sunday after Trinity Tues
17th
9.15am
Storkies
St John’s, C/S
Thurs
19th
10.00am
Holy Communion
St John’s C/S
Sun 22nd Eighth Sunday after Trinity
10.45am
Coffee Shop
Church Centre C/S
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
Holy Communion {BCP}
St Adeline’s L/S
9.15am
Storkies
St John’s, C/S
Tues
24th
2.00pm
Tea and Chat
Church Centre, C/S
Wed
25th
9.30pm
Crib Festival Meeting
Church Centre, C/S
Thurs
26th
10.00am
Holy Communion
St John’s C/S
10.45am
Coffee Shop
Church Centre C/S
10.30am
Benefice Communion
St Adeline’s L/S
29th
Sun Ninth Sunday after Trinity
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Crib Festival 2018 The Crib festival committee have decided to hold the festival again this year but with some major differences. We did ask for thoughts from members of the congregations and the participating schools. The response was mixed so this is why we have made the changes.
Opening Monday 26 November to Saturday 1 December
The dates are from Monday 26 November to Saturday 1 December 2018 The schools will visit from Monday to Thursday and Public opening will be on the Friday and Saturday. We think we will open until later on the Saturday as this is the Victorian Day. We will provide the Crib café for those two days.
Monday to Thursday for Schools
The cribs will be from the schools and children’s groups. The main display will be the cribs from Mr & Mrs Petts, who have over 150 and have loaned us some of them in the past. They have always wanted to be able to display them with us as they do not have as much space at their church in Bristol.
Friday & Saturday Public Opening with The Crib Cafe
We shall be requesting jam jars as usual because they are the most popular craft items for the Friday and Saturday. The theme will be “The Gift” and the children will provide cribs, gifts and prayers as in the past. We shall use the Lady Chapel for the gifts and Paul Jones-Williams is organising something for the Chancel. The chosen charity is the Jessie May Trust. We will keep you updated over the coming months and hope it will be successful. Liz Gregson
Supporting the Jessie May Trust
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 £1.50 a copy that would be most welcome. Thank you. 16