SVB
Outlook August - September 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, sodburyvalebenefice@gmail.com, Open in school term time, Mon - Tue - Thu mornings 9.00 - 12.00. Editor - Michael Stephenson outlook@svbcofe.org.uk
2
A Word from David Dear Friends
“If you don’t already worship at one of our churches, at Chipping Sodbury, Old Sodbury, Little Sodbury or Horton, and have wondered what we are like, why not come and join us? We guarantee a warm welcome and a friendly atmosphere.”
As I write this letter, England have just won the Cricket World Cup after probably the most exciting one-day match in the history of the game. As a Formula One fan I was also very happy to see Lewis Hamilton win the British Grand Prix earlier in the day. On the same day the Wimbledon men’s final was also an exciting and close match. In addition, there was of course the great achievement of the England women’s football team earlier in the month. Whatever sport you enjoy watching, I’m sure you will agree that these big occasions are shared experiences that help to give us a sense of identity. We feel involved, even if we have never played those particular sports ourselves and even if we are watching from the comfort of our sofa. Occasions that bring us together in a sense of common identity are important and this is certainly true of the life of the Church. One of the main ways our churches serve their local communities is to help people to come together in the key moments of human life, whether it is the baptism of a child, or a couple getting married, or, more sadly, to share in grief and to remember a special life in a funeral service. It is a great privilege for the churches, and for clergy in particular, to help and guide families at such times. Yet the most regular way that our churches gather people together is in our regular services. This provides a time to gather to worship God, to learn more about the Christian faith and to share in fellowship, encouraging each other. If you don’t already worship at one of our churches, at Chipping Sodbury, Old Sodbury, Little Sodbury or Horton, and have wondered what we are like, why not come and join us? We guarantee a warm welcome and a friendly atmosphere. September is the time of year when many people embark on new experiences and we invite you to come and share in the life of our churches. I hope you have a good and relaxing summer. 3
David Bowers
Market
Cross
Baptisms: We welcomed into the Church: Digby Harper 26 May at St John the Baptist, Old Sodbury Amelia Skye Doney 9 June at St John the Baptist, Old Sodbury Willow Emelia Dovey 7 July at St John the Baptist, Chipping Sodbury Leti Harper Dovey 7 July at St John the Baptist, Chipping Sodbury Evie Grace Dovey 7 July at St John the Baptist, Chipping Sodbury Indie Rae Burden 14 July at St John the Baptist, Old Sodbury
Marriages: We send our congratulations to: Daniel Andrew Dowling and Abbey Hannah Takle on the 17 May at St John the Baptist, Old Sodbury Daniel James Ferris and Katie Alice Carter on the 25 May at St Adeline’s, Little Sodbury.
Funerals: We extend our sympathy to the families and friends of: Eric Viles on the 26 June at Westerleigh Crematorium
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
4
Raising the Roof, 22nd May 2019 About 90 people joined together to ‘Raise the Roof’ on behalf of the Church in Old Sodbury’s restoration fund. It was both a happy and moving occasion and there was a sharing of food, singing and reading before we heard a few words about the prophet Nehemiah who was called to restore the temple in Jerusalem. It was good to sing old favourites to familiar tunes accompanied by a small and skilled music group. People sang up and raised the metaphorical Roof! Most reflecting was a reading from Mother Theresa of Calcutta which included the lines. ‘The good you do today, will often be forgotten, do good anyway. Give the best you have, and it will never be enough – give your best anyway. In the final analysis, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.’ Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves happily contributing to the fund which has been very successful. Our thanks go to the numerous people who helped make this event a special memory in the journey of old Sodbury Church. It has been here for the last 913 years (as I said in my talk, that’s before Brexit!) and it will be a witness for God’s love for many more years to come. Rev David Powe.
“Thanks go to all the people who helped make this event a special memory in the journey of old Sodbury Church”
“If your lips would keep from slips Five things observe with care To whom you speak, of whom you speak, And how, and when, and where” William Edward Norris (A prolific writer of novels and short stories in the early 20th century)
5
Beyond Sunset On Friday 21 June we joined a sizable audience in St John’s Chipping Sodbury to hear the second part of Johnathan Crow’s Sunset Requiem. We had a wonderful evening of music that was amazingly varied with some very moving melodies and themes such as the Laudamus Te – The church in the valley.
“We had a wonderful evening of music”
Johnathan had brought together a choir of singers from around the area who The Soloists gave a wonderfully melodious performance, along with some very talented soloists who raised the experience to even greater heights. I found the Dona Nobis Pacem particularly evocative, you could really feel the peace. An excellent evening of musical talent who all worked well together to give a polished performance. We look forward to the final movement. Michael Stephenson
6
Confirmation Sunday, October 20 at 10.00am at St John’s, Chipping Sodbury The Bishop of Tewkesbury, the Rt Revd Robert Springett, will be leading a Confirmation Service. If you have not been confirmed this is a great opportunity to make this act of commitment to God and to being a follower of Jesus. We begin a preparation group on Tuesday, September 10 at the Church Centre. If you would like to be part of this, or would like further information, please speak to David Bowers or Peter Fewings.
Horton Harvest Lunch. Sunday 20th October 12:30 for 1:00pm at Horton & Little Sodbury Village Hall Tickets ÂŁ15 Available from Tina Hildick-Smith and Richard Needs
Did you know! There are two words in the English language that have all five vowels in order: "abstemious" and "facetious No word in the English language rhymes with Month, Orange, Silver or Purple 7
The Hope of Truth ‘What is the cost of lies? It’s not that we’ll mistake them for the truth. The real danger is that if we hear enough lies then we’ll no longer recognise the truth at all. What can we do then? What else is left but to abandon even the hope of truth and content ourselves instead with stories?’ So begins the Sky/HBO series Chernobyl. The show portrays the explosion and aftermath of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, documenting both the misinformation and the heroism which surrounded the clean-up operation. The opening monologue comes from Valery Legasov, a member of the commission overseeing the management of the accident. One of the themes that the writer, Craig Mazin, explores throughout the series is the danger, consequences of, and hopelessness found in lies. There are moments in which lies have clear and life-ending consequences, such as when officials initially refuse to acknowledge the reactor has exploded, and order visual inspections of an exposed nuclear reactor. But the show also highlights how a system built on perpetual lying leaves the people within it in a state of hopeless cynicism.
“we can offer them hope and truth. We can offer them Jesus”
During the post-explosion inquiry, Anatoly Dyatlov, the man overseeing the reactor on the fateful night, abjectly notes to an investigating scientist: ‘You think asking the right question will get you the truth? There is no truth. Ask your bosses whatever you want, you will get the lie…’ For Dyatlov, a life lived within a system built around lies is one that leads only to hopelessness.
Perhaps the despair we, as a society, can feel when observing a world that seems to be tearing apart at the seams stems from the same source as Dyatlov’s. In embracing ‘alternative facts’, perhaps we too have abandoned even the hope of truth, and succumbed to hopelessness instead. But if the abandoning of truth brings hopelessness, the discovery of truth surely brings hope. Or as Jesus put it: ‘…you will know the truth and the truth will set you free’ (John 8:32). Jesus was deeply concerned with truth – the truth that brings freedom in the fullest way. Chernobyl masterfully highlights the danger and despondency of living in a world that seemingly no longer cares for the truth. When our friends and colleagues might be tempted to head down a similar path, we can offer them hope and truth. We can offer them Jesus Chris Rousell Source - London Institute for Contemporary Christianity www.licc.org.uk.
Chris is a Ministry Trainee at King’s Church Durham.
8
Thoughts on the Lord’s Prayer When I was superintendent of an inner city mission, I used to preface the Lord’s Prayer with “I invite you to join me in saying…..” Then, if a person didn’t agree with the words he or she need not join in!
“Lead us not into temptation”
Pope Francis has also been concerned Anyway, it is good for us all to be pulled up to think about this about what we are saying. line of the This is the version generally used in Church of England Lord’s Prayer Common Worship. (taken from Matthew Ch 6 v9) and he has Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be your name, officially Your Kingdom come, Your will be changed the done, catholic On earth as in heaven. Give us translation from “Lead us today our daily bread, not into temptation” to Forgive us our sins as we forgive “Do not let us fall into those who sin against us. temptation” Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, I like to use the words “Lead us away from To which has been added: temptation” although I For the Kingdom, the power and the glory are yours appreciate that we may now and forever Amen. need to be refined by Churchgoers say these words in church each Sunday. It testing sometimes. is easy to say them “parrot fashion” without thinking I also feel the prayer lacks of their true meaning. Let us consider some of the the word “Please”. words. For example: “Please give “Our Father” Did Jesus Christ intend them for us this day our daily followers of Him only, or may anyone use them? bread”; and “Please What is meant by “your Kingdom come”? forgive us our sins” “Give us this day our daily bread” Some versions call Editor our food “our bread for the morrow”. More appropriate perhaps? When my sister was small “Forgive us our sins” but note the condition “as we she said to our Mum: “ forgive those who sin against us” a challenging rider! Why are we asked to say “Lead us not into temptation” Does God ever lead us “Lead us not into Thames into temptation? Station”? (thinking of the “Deliver us from evil” No challenge to this one! underground system!) Something to think about. David Webster DW 9
Kingdom stuff – here and around the world Peter Mboya* joined Turning Point Trust’s Fountains of Hope Transition Class in Kibera in 2018. He had dropped out of his previous school because his mum couldn’t afford the fees. Sadly, his small previous private school had not paid attention to whether he was actually learning. When he joined Transition he had to go back three school years to learn at the right level – definitely a setback. He took some time to settle in and open up...
“Our Benefice supports eight Mission Agencies” ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●
Turning Point Street Pastors Foodbank Street Chaplaincy Regenerate The Rocks Mission, Brazil Arpana School, Bangalore FEBA Radio
Happily, with the help of dedicated teachers at the Fountain of Hope school, he is now making wonderful progress, scoring 95% in his end-ofterm maths exam.... Stories like these from TPT’s monthly Viewpoint magazine warm our hearts – especially as we support Turning Point’s project in the Kibera slum outside Nairobi.
Turning Point Trust is just one of eight mission agencies that we support in SVB. Their scope covers local initiatives like Street Pastors, Foodbank, Regenerate and Street Chaplaincy to the amazing work of Jimmy and Katia Rocks in Florianopolis in Brazil, the Arpana School in Bangalore, India and the media ministries of Feba Radio, particularly in the Middle East, Northeast Africa and South Asia. Happily, we can have a part in these challenging ventures that God is using to extend His Kingdom in this world. We support them financially – but we can also support them through our prayers. Our Global Action prayer meeting meets every 3rd Monday evening at the Church Centre to pray for these and the needs of persecuted Christians around the world. We now have a new Missions notice board at St John’s CS where you can find the latest information. Each time we have a Benefice Service (the 5th Sunday) we shall be having interviews with those who are directly involved with these missions – to help raise awareness in our churches. Stay informed! For more information do feel free to contact me…
Frank Gray
[*Not his real name. You can read the full story in the July issue of Viewpoint magazine using this link: https://svbcofe.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/2019July-Viewpoint.pdf]
10
“All You Need Is Love” Old Sodbury church 27 - 30 June On behalf of the PCC and the Friends of Old Sodbury church, thank you to everyone who helped and who joined us during those four very special days. The church looked beautiful, the flower displays were amazing, the weather was perfect and the sight of so many happy, relaxed visitors filling the church and overflowing into the sunshine outside to enjoy cakes and cream teas will linger long in the memories of us all.
731
itor vis
s
£284 3 THANK YOU! raise.37 d
11
When is a Kilogramme not a Kilogramme? Did you know your cookery books are out of date? Why? Because the kilogramme was redefined in May this year. Of course, it won’t really affect the household baker. The magazine “Scientific American” explains it like this: The official object that defines the mass of a kilogram is a tiny, 139-year-old cylinder of platinum and iridium that resides in a triple-locked vault near Paris. Because it is so important, scientists almost never take it out; instead they use copies called working standards. But the last time they did inspect the real kilogram, they found it is roughly five parts in 100 million heavier than all the working standards, which have been leaving behind a few atoms of metal every time they are put on scales. To put that in perspective, it has been calculated that there are about 100 million specks of flour in a kilo. So your supermarket has been cheating you out of around five specks of flour per bag. That’s not going to make much difference to your average Victoria Sponge. So why change it? Because truth matters. That’s why we have an agreed measure in the first place. We need to know that when you and I buy a kilogramme of flour, no one will cheat me or show you extra favour. It’s a justice issue. It mattered so much to God that he wrote it into his law: ‘You shall have just balances, just weights, a just ephah, and a just hin: I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt’ (Leviticus 19:35-36). God bases this command – like many others – on his character. ‘Be just, because I am the Lord.’ Every time you weigh out ingredients to bake with, or hop on the scales, or buy pick-n-mix, that act is whispering to you something of God’s character. His holiness, his justice, his truthfulness. It may not seem as though five specks in 100 million would matter that much – just as it may be hard to understand why God is so bothered by our ‘small sins’. But his standard is perfection. And we are called to be the same – holy as he is holy. Not mostly holy, but wholly holy. When we are faithful in the small things, we show that we’re being conformed into his likeness, one speck of flour at a time. Jennie Pollock Jennie is a freelance writer and editor who lives in London and worships at Grace London. She blogs at jenniepollock.com and tweets as @missjenniep Source - London Institute for Contemporary Christianity www.licc.org.uk.
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 Sunday 6th Oct.
11:15 am
Harvest Festival
St James’, Horton
Sunday 13th Oct.
09:30 am
Harvest Festival
St John’s, Chipping Sodbury
11:15 am
Harvest Festival
St John’s, Old Sodbury
Sunday 20th Oct.
6:00 pm
Harvest Festival
St Adeline’s, Little Sodbury
12:30 pm For 1:00 pm
Horton Harvest Lunch Tickets £15.00 From the Churchwardens
Horton & Little Sodbury Village Hall
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 October - November issue to the Church Office by Tuesday September 17th Front Cover - Collage of our many Benefice missions 13
Photographs by Frank Gray
Calendar August 2019 Thurs
1st
Sun 4th Seventh Sunday after Trinity
Thurs
8th
Sun 11th Eigthth Sunday after Trinity
Mon
12th
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
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
2.00pm
Mothers’ Union
Church Centre, C/S
7.30pm
Global Prayer Meeting
Church Centre, C/S
Wed
14th
7.00pm
Crib Festival Meeting
Church Centre, C/S
Thurs
15th
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
10.00am
Holy Communion
St John’s C/S
10.45am
Coffee Shop
Church Centre C/S
Sun 18th Ninth Sunday after Trinity
Thurs
22nd
Sun 25th Tenth Sunday after Trinity
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
Tues
27th
2.00pm
Tea and Chat
Church Centre, C/S
Thurs
29th
10.00am
Holy Communion
St John’s C/S
10.45am
Coffee Shop
Church Centre C/S
14
Calendar September 2019 8.00am Sun 1st 9.30am Eleventh Sunday after Trinity 11.15am
Thurs
5th
Sat
7th
Sun 8th Twelfth Sunday after Trinity
Holy Communion
St John’s, C/S
St John’s Praise
St John’s, C/S
Mattins {BCP}
St James’, Horton
11.15am
Family Communion
St John’s, O/S
6.00pm
Evensong {BCP}
St Adeline’s, L/S
10.00am
Holy Communion
St John’s, C/S
10.45am
Coffee Shop
Church Centre, C/S
10.00am
Baptism Preparation Morning
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
9th
2.00pm
Mothers’ Union
Church Centre, C/S
Tue
10th
9.15am
Storkies
St John’s, C/S
Wed
11th
7.00pm
Crib Festival Meeting
Church Centre, 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
Morning Prayer
St James’, Horton
11.15am
Holy Communion {BCP}
St John’s, O/S
6.00pm
Evensong {BCP}
St Adeline’s, L/S
Sun 15th Thirteenth Sunday after Trinity Mon
16th
7.30pm
Global Prayer Meeting
Church Centre, C/S
Tue
17th
9.15am
Storkies
St John’s, C/S
Thurs
19th
10.00am
Holy Communion
St John’s C/S
22nd
Sun Fourteenth Sunday after Trinity Tues
24th
Thurs
26th
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
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
10.00am
Holy Communion
St John’s C/S
10.45am
Coffee Shop
Church Centre C/S
Benefice Communion
St John’s, O/S
10.30am Sun 29th Fifteenth Sunday after Trinity
15
Bikers at Little Sodbury
On Sunday 30 June we had a visit from the motor cyclists who, in 2013, gave us the plaque commemorating Little Sodbury as a thankful village. (All the men who went to the first world war returned home). That first visit was part of a threeday trip during which they visited all the 56 thankful villages and gave them each a plaque as part of a fundraising exercise for the Royal British Legion.
The Thankful Village’s Ride In 13 they came from far and wide On that first Thankful Village Ride Twenty bikers arrived wet and cold To remember our village, we were told Little Sodbury is our village name And they had a plaque that would proclaim We are a Thankful Village from days of yore All our men survived the First World War We had no memorial for Remembrance Day No list of the dead for whom we pray A hundred years ago this brought us shame Now the rarity brings us only fame This hundredth anniversary of the start of war Sparked the idea of plaques for us and fifty more So, we welcomed them in, we fed and housed them Too wet for them to camp in the garden Now in 19 they have ridden again (Happily, in sunshine not in more rain) Visiting new-found villages – Thankful all Who had no plaques upon their wall We’re on their route as their last day ends So, they come and visit us - just as friends A tea in church and then a barbecue And our plaque in St Adeline’s for all to view Maggi Hadfield 1 July 2019
"I would like to extend my huge thanks to everybody who supported the Thankful Villages Run 2019. The riders who did the whole thing, those riders who joined in on the journey, those who provided bed & board for our A pleasant afternoon was had weary souls, everybody who baked & cooked food for us, as well as insisting that we drank in the church by the bikers, villagers and the congregation tea/coffee/juice etc, Housesignsonline for the beautiful plaques, and all those who turned out to of St Adeline’s enjoying a delicious buffet tea provide by meet and greet us at the villages." Medwyn Parry the church. This year’s trip is to mark the 100th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Versailles and is a revisit of some of the thankful villages.
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