SVB
Outlook June - July 2019
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
Paul Jones-Williams 01454 324970
Richard Needs 01454 329890
St Adeline’s, Little Sodbury
St John’s, Old Sodbury
Linda Hurst 01454 319183
Vacancy Safeguarding Nominated Person
Administrators
Hannah Saunders 07515 915976
Michelle Jenkins, Trish Gailey and helpers
Hcsaunders.hone@talk21.com
Advertising
Contact Hannah if you have a concern about suspected abuse of a child or a 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 David Dear Friends
Church Family Day Vicarage Garden Sunday 7 July 2 - 5 pm
As we go into June and July I’m sure we all have great hopes of a good summer with plenty of sunshine and not too much rain. Last year one of our annual events, the Church Family Day, was able to be held in the Vicarage garden and we hope the weather will be kind to us again this year. The event is on Sunday 7 July from 2pm – 5pm so please put it in your diaries. As with last year, this will be a mixture of crafts, games, tea and cakes and plenty of opportunities to relax and chat, ending with a short and informal act of worship. The word “family” refers to the family of the church and so it is an event for all ages, not just for those with children. You are warmly invited to come and join us on July 7 at the Vicarage. All we ask of you is that you bring your own chair!
Bring Everyone Your welcome Looking further ahead into the autumn, on Sunday 20 Own October we have a Confirmation service at St John’s, Chair!
“Have a good summer, hopefully with some time for relaxation built into your plans”
Confirmation Service taken by
Bishop Robert at
St John’s, Chipping Sodbury Sunday 20 October
Chipping Sodbury which will be led by Bishop Robert, Bishop of Tewkesbury. We will be holding preparation groups for this from the beginning of September and if you are interested – or would just like to find out what is involved – please have a word with me or one of the other clergy. If you haven’t already taken this step, this is an opportunity to confirm your commitment to being a follower of Jesus and serving him in the world. It is also a sign of belonging to the Church and is an expression of being a full member of the Church of England. Preparation for this involves exploring the Christian faith in an informal and interactive way with others and this is a great experience in itself. At the service the Bishop will pray that the Holy Spirit will equip and empower you to be a disciple of Jesus. We are happy to prepare both adults and young people for confirmation. I hope you all have a good summer, hopefully with some time for relaxation built into your plans. David Bowers 3
Market
Cross
Baptisms: We welcomed into the Church: Jack Franklin Williams, on 17 March at St John the Baptist, Chipping Sodbury Millie Rose Murden, on 17 March at St John the Baptist, Chipping Sodbury Sophia Louise Walters on 28 April at St John the Baptist, Old Sodbury Edward George Brian Bird 5 May at St John the Baptist, Chipping Sodbury Joshua John Daniel Bird 5 May at St John the Baptist, Chipping Sodbury
Marriages: We send our congratulations to: Craig Anthony Phillips and Gemma Louise Phipps, on the 9 March at St John the Baptist, Old Sodbury Luke George Baker and Charlotte Amanda Dean, on the 22 March at St James the Elder, Horton Lance Richard Taylor and Charlotte Louise McCormick on the 4 May at St John the Baptist, Old Sodbury
Funerals: We extend our sympathy to the families and friends of: Margaret Whittern on the 5 April at St James the Elder, Horton Anne White on the 13 March at Westerleigh Crematorium Brenda Freeth on the 14 March at St John the Baptist, Chipping Sodbury
F. WOODRUFF Local Family Cremation and Funeral Directors 24 Hour Service 2 High Street, Winterbourne Tel: (01454) 773776 118-120 Station Road,Yate Tel: (01454) 320005 192 Badminton Road. Coalpit Heath email:info@funerals.uk.net Private Chapels of Rest at Coalpit Heath & Yate
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The Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba (La Mezquita) The experience of visiting La Mezquita. It is beyond anything I have ever seen. The Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba is described as "one of the most exceptional monuments in the world, a testimony to the alliance of art and faith." It is mindblowing. Unbelievable. The most awe-inspiring church I have ever seen. It is to sense the presence of the divine. It has a unique beauty created over many centuries by people from different cultures and religions. It was part of a week in AndalucĂa to see the world-famous Alhambra. Not easy to get to from Bristol. On the advice of Spanish colleagues at work I worked out an ambitious itinerary that would take in Seville, Granada and Cordoba. For me Cordoba and especially La Mezquita made more of an impression. On arriving at Cordoba I was instantly taken by it. It is full of ancient Roman ruins and has atmosphere. Bath eat your heart out. Before I started planning my trip I had never heard of Cordoba. Well now I will just sing its praises. It is just so lovely with its white-washed buildings, flowered streets and courtyards and ruin and decay. In the centre is La Mezquita. It is ancient. Its thick stone walls protect the sanctuary within. Around it are the numerous gates of the mosque. The original Mosque was built by Abd al-Rahman I between 786-788. It was subsequently enlarged by his successors until 991 and became the third largest Mosque in the world. With the conquest of Cordoba in 1236 it was consecrated as a Catholic church and in 1489 it was adapted with the construction of a Main Chapel. The building is most notable for its arcaded hypostyle hall, with 856 columns of jasper, onyx, marble, granite and porphyry. The first impression is of gazing upon an infinite forest of stone. The Moors were masters of geometry and the layout of La Mezquita is of a scale and grandeur that is beyond belief. I spent two hours mesmerised inside the Mosque-Cathedral. At its heart is the Transept which is a true feat of engineering, it creates an immense skylight which inundates the building with light and adds a beautiful complexity to an extraordinary building. I instantly felt at home when I heard the sounds of Bach being played on one of the four mighty Spanish organs above the Choir Stalls. To visit La Mezquita is truly a spiritual and life-changing experience. In the words of the guide, when you breathe in the air of spirituality evoked by its divine light, the Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba will be etched in your heart. Jonathan Crow April 2019 5
Yet another escape... I ended the last article on the note of feeling free and liberated. Unfortunately it did not last long. Three days later we were arrested by the Free French Forces on suspicion of being German spies. We were kept as prisoners and guarded by soldiers from Senegal. Even going to the toilet we had to be accompanied by a soldier. But eventually we were taken by train down to the South of France. There were large resettlement camps for people from a number of countries who had to do slave labour for the Nazis and had been liberated. One evening our train stopped at Lyon and we were told that there was a holdup and that the train would not be moving for some time. I took the opportunity to look for something to eat at the Station cafe. When I came back the train had gone! What was I to do? I boarded a train that was going down to Marseilles. When we arrived there the next morning and got off the train, I looked for an exit (I had no ticket) and found one at the far end of the big station. I had lost my comrades with whom I had escaped from the Nazis and here I was in a big city all on my own. What next? I decided to look for the Free French Forces who had organised our transport and hoped that they would be able to find our group and reunited me with them. When I reported to them, they did not know what to do with me and eventually took me to the big fortress overlooking the harbour of Marseilles. It turned out that this was Fort Saint Jean, the headquarters of the French Foreign Marseilles Legion. When they had taken my particulars, I was told in no uncertain terms that I was now recruited for the Foreign Legion and would be enrolled for 5 years. Within a few days I would be shipped to one of their bases in North Africa. I had just escaped the Nazis and here I was signed on for the next 5 years to a body that I had no desire to belong to. I could see no way out of this dilemma. I had a few moments on my own and walked along the walls of the fortress and looked down to the street that ran along the walls of “Miracle the fortress. And there – miracle of miracles - I recognised the members of our group that I had lost, sitting on the pavement. I of attracted their attention and motioned to them that I was virtually Miracles!� a prisoner here. The officer in charge of our group came into the fortress I think to get some directions. I reported to him that I had got lost and obviously wanted to be reunited with my comrades. Some anxious moments, but when he left, he took me with him and I rejoined my friends. Free once more! Juergen Simonson 6
Picnic Day June 23
“Free Entry - Donations Encouraged”
[see advertisement below]
The annual Open Garden Day in aid of the Yate-Genieri Community Link will be a bit different this year. Graham and Margaret Newman invite you to bring a picnic and enjoy the afternoon in the idyllic surroundings of their garden. As ever musicians will be on hand to sing and play, including the Sodbury and Yate Community Choir. Bring whatever you need for an outdoor meal. Besides food and drink you may want table/chairs/ground rug etc. There will be a marquee and shelter. There will be no admission charge; instead visitors are encouraged to make a donation to the Yate-Genieri Link. The past year has been a challenging one with a growing demand for medicines. The recent outbreak of malaria has been contained due to our urgent appeal to our supporters, but has not been eliminated. The salaries we pay to the teachers in the Day Care Centre and the managers of the Primary Health Centre and women’s gardens are behind the recommended scales, so we have accepted responsibility for the substantial increases involved. On the plus side we can clearly see our impact, with raised standards in all aspects of For enquiries ring 01454 250505. village life.
OPEN GARDEN PICNIC DAY Sun, June 23rd from 12.30pm at Nutridge, Ram Hill, Coalpit Heath, BS36 2UF Donations encouraged
Bring a picnic/chairs/rugs/paraphernalia A three acre garden with perennial beds, woodland and open areas. Plants for sale. Musicians on hand to serenade you Proceeds in aid of Genieri, the African village linked with Yate Charity no. 1057814 www.yate-genierilink.org
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A Daily Examen In the April / May edition of SVB Outlook Revd. Peter Fewings wrote briefly about the Daily Examen which comes from the Spiritual Exercises of Ignatius of Loyola (1491 – 1556). There are many versions of Examen; I’ve found the following helpful and offer it to those who may find it useful.
“Find a quiet place and about 10 minutes of reflection time”
● It begins by finding a quiet place and about 10 minutes of reflection time, a note book or journal maybe helpful for recording some of the St Ignatius of Loyola emotions, thoughts and feelings that come from the exercise, it’s a wonderful way of giving thanks to God for and reflecting on the day
● So in the quiet begin by giving thanks for the day. No matter what has happened in it, it has been a gift from the Lord. ● Then ask God to give his light on the day to see what has been important and what can be let go of. Ask the Lord to show what he wants you to see in the day. Without his light in the day you could easily miss the important things and spend much of the day in introspection going over yet again old sores and hurts. ● Then seek to recall the day with as much detail as possible, The Places —–The Activities —–The People. Allow the day to replay in any order and notice where the Spirit has been at work. Listen to yourself as you seek to answer the following questions: ●Lord, where have I seen your love today?
●Lord, why did I respond in that way?
●Lord, what did I receive from you today?
●Lord, how would you have me
●Lord, how have I experienced your grace
today? ●Lord, where did I meet you today? ●Lord, where did I miss you today? ●Lord, what has been my response today:To you? To myself? To others? To your creation? To circumstances and situations?
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respond? ●Lord, whom have I paid attention to
today? ●Lord, who has paid attention to me today?
“it’s a wonderful way of giving thanks to God”
A Daily Examen (continued) ● Ask God to deepen the consciousness of where he has been present. Ask “how have I noticed God’s presence and how might I become more conscious of it in the future? ● Finally look ahead, to seek God’s guidance in the day ahead. It is usually sufficient to take one day at a time and you’ll have a fair idea of who you might meet tomorrow, what you might be doing, the places you might be visiting. So ask God for what is needed for the day and trust in him to be in the day with you.
“we will notice God’s presence more clearly”
This prayer is repeated at the end of each day taking about ten minutes. Some days it may be necessary to concentrate on one aspect, another part of the prayer on another day. Over a week or two we will notice God’s presence more clearly in each day. I hope that this may be of help to those who are looking for other ways of prayer at the end of the day giving thanks to God for all that has been and all that will be. If you’d like more information do please give me a call. Rob Axford 01454 321161
Said the Robin to the Sparrow ‘I would really like to know Why those anxious human beings Rush about and worry so’ Said the Sparrow to the Robin, ‘Friend I think that it must be That they have no Heavenly Father, Such as ours for you and me.’ Elizabeth Cherry From “Overheard In the Orchard”
David accepts the Burma Star Association banner from its last surviving member. 9
St John the Baptist Church, Chipping Sodbury St John’s church dates from the 13th century when a Chapel of Ease was built just off the town’s main street to serve the then new town of Chipping Sodbury. It was dedicated on 9th May 1284. The building we have today is a mixture of styles from the 13th, 14th and 15th centuries. It was substantially restored during 1869 by the distinguished Victorian architect George Edmund Street, whose work includes the London Law Courts. The style is mostly perpendicular although the chancel is of early English design. The South Porch is a relatively new addition built in 1869 during the Victorian restoration.
Image by David Roumanet
The Bell Tower was probably added at the end of the 15th century. It is over 104 ft tall and virtually 120 ft to the top of the weather vane. There are a total of 8 bells house in the tower at a height of 72 ft above ground level. Four bells date from 1753 and another was recast in 1950. The tenor bell is the heaviest at 16 hundredweight (813 Kilos) and was recast in 1984. The final two bells were added in 2000 as part of the church’s millennium celebrations. Looking at the interior of the church we see the chancel arch retains some pre -Reformation colour decoration. The pulpit is unusual in that it is built into a pillar between the Nave and the North Aisle. It is rarely used in services these days. There are two small chapels each side of the High Altar. The left hand one, looking east, is St Katherine’s chapel dedicated to the patron saint of weavers. This chapel also contains the tomb of a member of the Walshe family of Little Sodbury Manor. The right hand one is the Lady Chapel and is regularly used for smaller services. The organ was installed in 1869 during the restoration. There are nine stained glass windows depicting highlights from the Bible and the life of Jesus Christ. 10
Sir John Walshe was King’s Champion to Henry VIII at his coronation in 1509 and was later patron to William Tyndale, translator of the new testament into English; who tutored Walshe’s children at their manor house in Little Sodbury in 1523.
Flower Flower Festival, FestivalOld OldSodbury SodburyChurch Church When the lead was stolen from the roof of Old Sodbury church in October 2018, there was an amazing response from so many people, keen to help raise the funds necessary to repair our beautiful historic church. The Flower Festival Events were arranged, appeals entitled launched, and grant applications made. “All You Need is Love” It is hard to believe that by the grace of God and the hard work, commitment will be held from and generosity of so many people, the 28 - 30 June Church Council is already able to in the church. proceed with the repair works to the roof and the tower, which hopefully will commence in June. One of the events suggested by the Friends of Old Sodbury church was a Flower Festival, and although only in its planning stage when the appeal reached its target, the decision was taken to continue with the project, with monies raised going to church funds, for other much needed work. The Sodbury and District Flower Arranging Society will display their floral interpretations of Beatles’ songs including ‘Lady Madonnna’, ’Strawberry Fields’, ‘Norwegian Wood’ and ‘The Long and Winding Road’ among many others. Entrance is free and donations would be welcomed. Cream teas and refreshments will be on sale throughout. Alan Watts, Festival organiser, says “The Beatles’ theme was chosen because 2019 is the 50th anniversary of the Beatles' final performance and there are, apparently, links with Bristol. Paul McCartney claims that Eleanor Rigby was inspired Entrance is free by the group working with actress Eleanor Bron and donations on the film ‘Help!’, and Rigby was taken from the would be name of a shop in the centre of Bristol. The shop is thought to be Rigby and Evens, Wine and Spirit welcomed. shippers based in King Street. McCartney noticed the shop while visiting Bristol to watch his then girlfriend, Jane Asher, acting in a play.” Please do come along and enjoy what promises to be a very imaginative and exciting festival, and if you have not yet visited Old Sodbury church, you have a treat in store as the view across the Severn Estuary to the Welsh mountains is stunning!
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Jonathan Crow
Beyond Sunset
The premiere performance of my Sunset Requiem sequel "Beyond Sunset" now fast approaches. My principal aim is to write inspirational music. I believe it connects at a very deep level and can move us in a way that words cannot, such music is a bridge between heaven and earth. "Beyond Sunset" is a Mass in 7 movements There are 28 tableaux in all, each of which contains a series of musical details of which can be found on tableaux which convey images, pictures, this website emotions or feelings to communicate on https://svbcofe.org.uk/sunset2/ multiple levels of heart and soul. The overarching aim is to answer the question What is beyond the sunset? These tableaux take the place of the colour themes in Sunset Requiem. Each is set with poetry and pictures to illuminate the music and to deepen the emotional connection with it as a Total Art concept. My favourite is No. 28 - The Aeolian Harp - which poem by William Allingham illuminates the music setting of Dona nobis pacem. My final answer to the question What is beyond sunset? is a "Theme The musicians of Eternity." Marienella Phillips (soprano); The music of Beyond Sunset is a continuation of Nick Sherwood (tenor); Sunset Requiem as is suggested by the overture Steven Harris (baritone) which links the works. I now plan a third part to Helen Sherwood (violin); complete a Sunset Requiem trilogy, so watch this Linda Hansard (cello); space! I would say the extended Qui Tollis section Rachael Proud (flute/piccolo) (Nos. 10 & 11) written after the loss of my pet dog, supported by Skye, has a particular heartbreaking quality with Jonathan Crow (keyboard) & its piercing The Arcus Singers, conducted harmonies and by Eddie Garrard. anguished chromatic solo and it seems there is no respite to the haunting minor key harmonic progressions. However, the tableaux explore a range of possibilities as suggested by the poetry and Latin text of the Mass. Suggesting multiple answers to the question What is beyond the Sunset? The music is not all dark, far from it. It is in the night that we see the moon and the stars and the infinity of the universe more clearly. There is a wonder in the music, the wonder that is expressed by the psalmist in Psalm 8 v 3, 4. So please put the date in your diaries and enjoy the performance, and, if you can, read the tableaux I have put together on our website:
Friday 21 June 2019 at 7.30pm, St John the Baptist Church, Chipping Sodbury 12
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
7.30pm
Bell Ringer’s Practice Horton
St James’, Horton
8.30am
Morning Prayer
St John’s, Chipping Sodbury
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
Note: No Morning Prayers on Bank Holidays
Dates for your Diary Chipping Sodbury Festival
Around Chipping Sodbury
June
7.00pm
Jubilate Choir and Ashcroft Wind Quintet Tickets from Festival outlets.
St John’s, Chipping Sodbury
16th June
9.30am
Chipping Sodbury Festival Service
St John’s, Chipping Sodbury
18th June
From 6pm
Holy Fire BBQ
Chipping Sodbury High Street
22nd
June
All Day
Carnival, Street Fayre and Open Tower and Teas in Church
Chipping Sodbury
21st June
7.30pm
Beyond Sunset - Music written be Jonathan Crow Tickets from Festival outlets
St John’s, Chipping Sodbury
14th - 23rd June 15th
Flower Festival
St John’s Old Sodbury
Afternoon
Benefice Family Party
Vicarage Garden
Morning
Old Sodbury School RE Morning Open to all
Old Sodbury School
29th - 30th June 7th
July
12th July
If you don’t see your event in the list above please let me know. Once it is on this calendar other people can put it on theirs! All times are subject to change - further details closer to the date. Michelle 01454 325160 office@svbcofe.org.uk
Copy Deadline Please send all copy for the next issue to the Church Office by Monday July 16th Front Cover - Collage of St John’s Chipping Sodbury Photographs by Michael Stephenson and Frank Gray
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Calendar June 2019 Sun 2nd Seventh Sunday of Easter
Tues
4th
Thurs
6th
Sat
8th Sun 9th Pentecost
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
9.15am
Storkies
St John’s, C/S
10.00am
Holy Communion
St John’s, C/S
10.45am
Coffee Shop
Church Centre, C/S
11.00am 10.00am
Mothers Union Quiet Time Safeguarding Workshop
St John’s, C/S Church Centre, C/S
9.30am 11.15am 11.15am 6.00pm
Parish Communion Holy Communion St John’s Praise Evensong
St John’s, C/S St James’, Horton St John’s, O/S St Adeline’s, L/S
Mon
10th
2.00pm
Mothers Union Meeting
Church Centre, CS
Tues
11th
9.15am
Storkies
St John’s, C/S
Wed
12th
7.00pm
Storkies Clothes Swap night
Church Centre, CS
Thurs
13th
10.00am
Holy Communion
St John’s C/S
15th
10.45am 10.00am
Coffee Shop Baptism Preparation Morning
Church Centre C/S Church Centre, C/S
Jubilate Choir Concert Festival Service Morning Prayer Holy Communion {BCP} Evensong {BCP} Global Prayer Meeting
St John’s, C/S St John’s, C/S St James’, Horton St John’s, O/S St Adeline’s, L/S Church Centre, C/S
Storkies
St John’s, C/S
Sat
Mon
17th
7.30pm 9.30am 11.15am 11.15am 6.00pm 7.30pm
Tues
18th
9.15am
Thurs
20th
10.00am
Holy Communion
St John’s C/S
21st
10.45am 7.30pm
Coffee Shop Sunset Requiem Part 2
Church Centre C/S St John’s CS
Parish Communion Holy Communion Morning Praise Holy Communion {BCP} Storkies
St John’s, C/S St James’, Horton St John’s, O/S St Adeline’s, L/S St John’s, C/S
Sun 16th Trinity Sunday
Fri
Tues
25th
9.30am 11.15am 11.15am 6.00pm 9.15am
Thurs
27th
2.00pm 10.00am
Tea and Chat Holy Communion
Church Centre, C/S St John’s C/S
10.45am 10.30am
Coffee Shop Benefice Communion
Church Centre C/S St James’ Horton
Sun 23rd First Sunday after Trinity
30th
Sun Second Sunday after Trinity
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Calendar July 2019 Thurs
Sat
4th
6th
Sun 7th Third Sunday after Trinity
Tues
Thurs
9th
11th
Sun 14th Fourth Sunday after Trinity
10.00am
Holy Communion
St John’s C/S
10.45am
Coffee Shop
Church Centre C/S
7.30pm
Ods SJP Planning Meeting
Church Centre, C/S
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 {BCP}
St James’, Horton
11.15am
Family Communion
St John’s, O/S
6.00pm
Evensong {BCP}
St Adeline’s, L/S
9.15am
Storkies
St John’s, C/S
2.00pm
Mothers’ Union visit to Blooms
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
St James’, Horton
11.15am
St John’s Praise
St John’s, O/S
6.00pm
Evensong
St Adeline’s, L/S
Mon
15th
2.00pm
Global Prayer Meeting
Church Centre, CS
Tues
16th
9.15am
Storkies
St John’s, C/S
Thurs
18th
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
Morning Prayer
St James’, Horton
11.15am
Holy Communion {BCP}
St John’s, O/S
6.00pm
Evensong {BCP}
St Adeline’s, L/S
9.15am
Storkies
St John’s, C/S
2.00pm
Tea and Chat
Church Centre, C/S
10.00am
Holy Communion
St John’s C/S
10.45am
Coffee Shop
Church Centre C/S
7.30pm
Ods SJP Planning Meeting
Church Centre, C/S
9.30am
Parish Communion
St John’s, C/S
11.15am
Holy Communion
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
Sun 21st Fifth Sunday after Trinity
Tues
Thurs
23rd
25th
Sun 28th Sixth Sunday after Trinity
Tues
30th
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Summer is a-coming in The song ‘Summer is a -coming in’ is one of the earliest secular songs written in the 13th Century. It’s original spelling is almost unpronounceable. The refrain is ‘loudly sing cuckoo’ It is a very long time since I regularly heard this bird sing its rather monotonous song in the countryside. However, the song reminds us of the regularity of the seasons by the weather and the material growth of both flora and fauna in spite of our climate change. Snow may no fall so heavily, yet we still get some to change the landscape. Spring brings daffodils and other early flowers newly hatched birds still stand on the edge of their nests, waiting for the parent to encourage them to make their first flight, young foxes wait for the vixen to take their first trip in the moonlight. Then summer arrives and with it comes the inevitable ice-cream, sunhats, tinted glasses and scantily clad humans on the beach. At one time we were disturbed at night by foghorns sounding in the English Channel to warn ships of the Goodwin sands. One of them we knew as the ‘snoring student’! I lived in Ramsgate at that time. Now I’ve reached the autumn of life, I am hoping to miss the next earthly winter and look forward to a heavenly summer ‘wherein dwells righteousness’. No more Brexit arguments, or finding food and clothes in shopping areas such as Yate and Longwell Green. We don’t hear what our heavenly home will be like – the Bible doesn’t tell us much about that – but we shall be in the near presence of Christ and we shall be with Him for ever. Goodwin Sands
Thank you for all your fellowship and friendship With my love David Webster
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 65p a copy that would be most welcome. Thank you. 16