SVB
Outlook October - November 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
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A Word from David Dear friends
Two Important Events
October, when the autumn establishes itself and our weather turns colder, is a favourite time of year for me. I particularly enjoy the changing colours of the trees and the reminder of how the cycle of the seasons shows the wonder and glory of the Creator. October is when, in our Harvest services, we celebrate God’s goodness in providing the fruits of the earth and we pledge to play our part in ensuring that all people in our world have enough to eat. God has provided sufficient resources for everyone and we are called to be good and compassionate stewards of his creation. You are warmly invited to join our Harvest worship this year at each of our churches.
In November we reflect, as part of the seasons of human life, on God’s eternal love for us as we remember those All Souls Service who have died in two important annual events. The first of 4pm November 3rd these is All Souls, when we come together to remember at St John’s, those who have died and to pray for all who are on the Chipping Sodbury journey of bereavement. The service this year is on November 3rd at St John’s, Chipping Sodbury at 4pm. Although we especially invite those who have been Remembrance Sunday November bereaved in the last few years, everyone is welcome and there is an opportunity to remember our loved ones by 10th name. This year marks the The second event is Remembrance Sunday, as we 80th anniversary of the outbreak of WW2 remember all those who gave their lives in the service of our security and freedom, especially in the two world wars There will be the of the 20th century. This year marks the 80th anniversary usual services in each of the outbreak of World War 2 and, as well as the services of our churches, in our churches, we have our annual commemoration at the War Memorial in Chipping Sodbury in the afternoon. Plus The annual commemoration at the War Memorial in Chipping Sodbury in
Like nature, our human lives have their seasons, through all the experiences that life gives us. The Christian faith teaches us that we can know the Lord’s presence, love and support throughout the journey of life and in all circumstances. All we have to do is receive from him and open our hearts to him. May God bless the seasons of your life with his presence. David Bowers 3
Market
Cross
Baptisms: We welcomed into the Church: Elsie Primrose Box on 4 August at St John the Baptist, Old Sodbury Amaya Haragaes on 18 August at St John the Baptist, Chipping Sodbury Eric Edward Daniell on 1 September at St James the Elder, Horton
Marriages: We send our congratulations to: David James Bendall and Emma Jayne Croft on 3 August at St John the Baptist, Old Sodbury Declan Sean Conway and Sophie Katherine Peters on 10 August at St John the Baptist, Old Sodbury Christopher James Smith and Nicola Louise Brain on 17 August at St James the Elder, Horton
Funerals: We extend our sympathy to the families and friends of: Stephen Parsons on 4 July at St John the Baptist, Old Sodbury Terence Rushent on 22 July at St John the Baptist, Old Sodbury Charles Gregson on 16 August at Westerleigh Crematorium Ann Pickford on 19 August 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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Friends of Old Sodbury Church Concert - Sell Out! On Saturday 20th July, The Friends of Old Sodbury Church organised our annual concert and picnic in the lovely gardens of Camers; entertained by the talented close harmony group, ‘The Dixie-Belles’. This popular group sang wellknown songs from the forties and fifties, to a capacity audience of over 200 guests. They had first performed as part of The Sodbury Players, some 12 years ago and now entertained our audience with amazing style, quality and excitement. It was the perfect accompaniment to our picnic which set feet tapping and smiles on all our faces! Families and friends alike said how much they enjoyed the evening: good food; good entertainment; good company on a sunny evening! We successfully raised some £1700 towards the maintenance of our church. The owners of Camers are the Denman family who have generously allowed The Friends to organise the annual picnic and entertainment for some fifteen years, supporting the Church in Old Sodbury. Arnold and Dorothy were in fact early members of The Friends and their support is now strengthened by Jo and Michael Denman who continue the tradition to ensure that their wonderful gardens are an idyllic location for our events. Our sincere thanks go to them all. John Myers, Chairman.
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“Give unto the Lord the glory due to his name; Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness. The Lord will give strength to his people; The Lord will bless his people with peace.” Psalm 29 Verses 2 & 11
Plastic is Fantastic Plastic is fantastic. It is watertight, lightweight, inexpensive, hygienic, versatile, and easy to manufacture. No wonder that, in a little over a century, it has become fundamental to the quality of human life. While the use of wood, stone, clay, bone, leather, metal, and glass has for centuries made life better for people, the contribution of plastic to human flourishing is immeasurable. That success is reflected in the fact that our bodies are in almost constant contact with this substance. If that is not because of the clothes we wear, it’s because of the smartphone, steering wheel, toothbrush, suitcase, or pen that is in our hands. Or it’s because of the glasses on our face, the audio device in our ears, the keyboard beneath our fingers, or the bank note and credit card in our pockets. As those who have been hospitalised will know, scarcely any treatment is administered without the use of plastic. Anyone who has visited a poor community anywhere in the world will understand the development value of a plastic bucket, bag, shoe sole, bottle of water, mosquito net, solar light, and toilet components. Plastic saves and dignifies lives, the world over. What is damaging life, the world over, is plastic waste. This is what is wreaking havoc to wildlife and threatening food chains, including our own. This is without excuse, as most plastic is easy to recycle. Plastic is not the problem. The problem is with humans – we are wasteful. Christians are amongst those addressing this matter. But we need to make sure the severity of the challenge does not eclipse hope. Trust in God’s providential sustaining of the creation is an attractive and distinctive Christian virtue. Plastic has been such a blessing to humankind that it deserves to be considered one of God’s greatest material gifts to human beings. That gift has come through the exercise of the ingenuity with which God has endowed us as we have sought to explore the potential of the good earth he has created and placed in our hands. The challenge now is for us to produce, steward, decompose, and recycle plastic more responsibly. It is also to find viable alternatives to plastic that are greener. That is how God’s Spirit, working through human minds, will bring about a sequel to the Plastics Age. Peter S Heslam
Source - London Institute for Contemporary Christianity www.licc.org.uk.
Peter is director of Transforming Business and of Faith in Business, Cambridge.
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Faith Questions Have you ever wanted to ask a question about your faith but didn’t know who to ask? Wanted to ask a question but thought it too silly or that you’d be thought silly for asking it? Just wanted to explore faith a little more but never had the opportunity? Well here’s the chance. A new group is being planned for the New Year where we can explore the questions together, no promise of an easy answer but a safe place to learn together, to tease out an answer, to challenge and be challenged. There will be a session on Saturday morning 19th October 2019 at 10.30 in the Upper Room at the Church Centre to explore these ideas further and if there is some interest then we will meet monthly in the New Year, probably on a Wednesday evening but negotiable depending on interest. If you are unable to attend the Saturday morning or would just like to find out more do give us a ring, Rob & Chris Axford, 01454 321161
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“Have you ever wanted to ask a question about your faith?”
Come along on Saturday 19th October at 10.30am in the Church Centre
A very personal experience My dear readers of Outlook, Yes, it’s me again with another subject to discuss. Some of you may know that I have suffered from clinical depression virtually all my life. It takes many forms and has many causes, the chief being inherited genes (nature) and early experiences of life (nurture). In my case a bit of both. Let me immediately state that I am not a psychiatrist or a psychotherapist. I write as an ordinary person from personal experience. The basis of my experience is that I have always queried whether I am thinking, saying or doing the right thing, and whether I am pleasing God. I had a very strict moral mother and an acceptably strict father (may their spirits rest in peace and rise in glory). I was expected to be happy all the time even when I was feeling absolutely dejected. A difficult situation! A few decades ago, in some circles, a Christian was expected to be always joyful. I could not attain that expectation. Let no one say that to be a Christian is an easy option! Let me end on a more joyful note. A few years ago, Revd. David Parsons, who acted as a spiritual director to me, reminded me of verse 1 of Romans Chapter 8. “there is no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus”. This does not mean that a Christian cannot do wrong, but, because of Christ’s atoning death, He forgives us our sins and does not hold them against us. Finally, if any of the readers suffers continuous depression I do advise them to speak to a medical advisor and to seek and accept help . It is nothing to be ashamed of. If anyone would like to speak to me before seeking medical advice, please phone, write or email me davidjwebster2@icloud.com 23 Batten Court, Chipping Sodbury BS37 6BL Tel. 01454 327707.
David Webster. 8
“The non-poetic will of God” This is a precis of a piece from the magazine “Christianity”, an article called “The will of God” by Rob Parsons, founder and chairman of Care for the Family. He is quoting a sermon by a Welsh evangelical preacher called David Shepherd, who was speaking about what he called “The non-poetic will of God”. He said, “Fairy stories end with ‘And they all lived happily ever after’, but God’s will is not always like that. Someone may believe they are called by God to go as a missionary to Africa, but after six months they become ill and have to come home. People say: “It obviously wasn’t God’s will.” But how do they know? Maybe it was God’s will – and in that short time, lives were touched that only he knows about.”
“Fairy stories end with ‘And they all lived happily ever after’, but God’s will is not always like that.
And then David said something I have never been able to get out of my mind: “You can’t assess whether you are in the will of God by whether things turnout well or badly.” He was right. If, on Good Friday, you’d taken a snapshot of Jesus’ life – a life lived 100% in the will of God – you could be forgiven for believing he had got it wrong. David’s words have comforted me and others when faced with a situation that has not turned out as we’d hoped. Maybe we got it wrong – but not necessarily. In the good times of life when God’s blessing has seemed to pour out on my endeavours, David’s words have also come back to me and caused me to ponder a different message: if it’s true that we are not necessarily out of God’s will when things turn out badly, we cannot therefore assume we are in God’s will when things go well. Apparent success is not a safe measure of obedience to God! 9
Rob Parsons and his wife Di
“You can’t assess whether you are in the will of God by whether things turn out well or badly.”
Can you??
Community BBQ The idea, which started last year, of St Johns' church reaching out to the newer community of North Chipping Sodbury just across the river Frome was to show that the Church cared for its neighbours and had solidarity with them; . It showed lots of community goodwill through free hire of the rugby club and bar, green token fund raising by Waitrose and plenty of community organisations explaining their role along with a good dollop of church volunteers working together to make it all work. It was blessed by inclement weather which shoved us inside in close proximity so that we started to talk to each other. This year we focused on the hospitality of food, drink and music. The children played games and practised their arts and crafts while parents chatted. The Barnhill Court homeowners visited after their exercise class and “Simply Ukes” band and “U3A Folksingers” wowed us with their music. We all ate cakes and barbi. food and drank lots. Many church members set it all up, made people welcome and chatted to visitors. There was a real fun, buzzing atmosphere inside and outside, young and old alike. Thank you, team and visitors, from the bottom of my heart for all your efforts to make it a great afternoon out. Thank you Lord for the weather that allowed us outside. Thank you, Jesus, that we felt your presence among us. Peter 10
Autumn a season of Change. Autumn has to be my favourite season of the year. The change in temperature, crisp mornings, the beauty in the colours of the sky and the leaves of the trees, picking blackberries, finding conkers and building fires. The list goes on. As I was walking along the river Avon the other day I began to reflect on Autumn and what the season can come to embody. The thing that struck me was that Autumn is a time of change that can often symbolise the passing from light and life to the stark and barren – the end of summer with all its warmth, flowering, and fragrance and the onset of winter with its cold, hibernation, leafless trees and grey skies. Now for many these changes can be a tough time. We want to resist change; so, the question is: is this always a bad thing? I would suggest that no it isn’t. Change brings new hope, new life, new ideas, re-birth, new birth, and new colours. In our lives, in our homes, in our work and in our churches. Autumn is a time to let God remove the old baggage and prepare our hearts for a new season. The thing with change is that we often feel alone in it, the fears and anxiety of letting go can create a sense of isolation and loneliness. The good news though is that we have a faithful and beautiful promise of a God who will not leave us, who travels and journeys with us through the seasons. Jesus says “Remain in me and I will remain in you”. Embrace the changing seasons in our lives and let the good shepherd guide us to a new place. The other thing about Autumn is that although it is a season of change, it is also a season of fruitfulness. It brings with it a bounty of fruit and vegetables ripe to be picked. It also brings amazing beauty as the leaves become a cacophony of colour, as birdsong provides a melody to the morning and evening, as the flickering flames of bonfire create warmth and a dance among the shadows. Yes, change can at times be painful but also the journey itself can bear fruit in unexpected places and can offer moments of beauty in the shadows. For me Autumn is a beautiful time but is also a time when I need to learn to let go of things and embrace change. I want to learn to allow change to happen in surrender to the maker of all things and that means not only allowing some things to die, to become different, but also to look out for the moments of fruit and beauty that may spring up through the journey through this season of change. Written by David Webster’s grandson Mark Blog at wordpress.com The Bushwick theme
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St John’s Nativity Crib Festival 2019 I am sure you, like me, do not want to be thinking of Christmas, as the summer holidays are only just over!!! However, we at St John the Baptist Church, Chipping Sodbury need to be planning now, for our ‘Nativity Crib Festival’. In previous years, we have been able to display over 150 crib scenes: - some made by local schools toddler groups and uniformed brigades plus others from around the world, which are loaned to us for the week of the festival by many people. If you have a crib / nativity scene, or know someone who has, please may we borrow it? We promise to take great care of it. We always welcome new cribs, but also welcome ones that we have seen before. Apart from the crib displays we have craft workshops for children and storytelling sessions for those who just prefer to sit. On days open to the public we run a very popular café, offering tea, coffee, soft drinks, homemade cakes and biscuits and at lunchtime delicious homemade soups.
The dates to put in your diaries are:-
30th November – 7th December ● Saturday 30th Nov. – Crib delivery and registration (9am – 12noon) ● Monday 2nd – Thursday 5th Dec. – School Visits (by prior arrangement) ● Friday 6th & Saturday 7th Dec. – Open to the Public (9am – 7pm) For more information please see us at www.svbcofe.org.uk/cf2019/ Our information leaflets will be available soon in local shops and the Tourist Information Centre in Chipping Sodbury. Come on your own or with family and friends and soak up the magic of our unique prelude to the Christmas season. We look forward to welcoming you….. Steve Kerner (Publicity Co-ordinator) steve.kerner@btinternet.com 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. Sunday 13th Oct.
11:15 am 09:30 am 11:15 am 6:00 pm
Sunday 20th Oct.
30th Nov -7th Dec.
Harvest Festival Harvest Festival Harvest Festival Harvest Festival
12:30 pm For 1:00 pm
Horton Harvest Lunch
Times Various. See Notices
Nativity Crib Festival
Tickets £15.00 From the Churchwardens
St James’, Horton St John’s, Chipping Sodbury St John’s, Old Sodbury St Adeline’s, Little Sodbury Horton & Little Sodbury Village Hall St John’s Church, Chipping Sodbury
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 December - January issue to the Church Office by Friday November 15th Front Cover - Autumn at Westonbirt
Photo Michael Stephenson
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Calendar October 2019 Tue
1st
9.15am
Storkies
St John’s, C/S
Thurs
3rd
10.00am
Holy Communion
St John’s C/S
10.45am
Coffee Shop
Church Centre C/S
7.30pm
Old Sodbury SJP planning meeting
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
Sun 6th Sixteenth Sunday after Trinity Tue
8th
9.15am
Storkies
St John’s, C/S
Thurs
10th
10.00am
Holy Communion
St John’s, C/S
10.45am
Coffee Shop
Church Centre, C/S
Fri
11th
7.00pm
Autumn Quiz
Church Centre, C/S
Sat
12th
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
Sun 13th Seventeenth Sunday after Trinity Mon
14th
2.00pm
Mothers’ Union
Church Centre, C/S
Tue
15th
9.15am
Storkies
St John’s, C/S
Wed
16th
7.30pm
Crib Festival Meeting
Church Centre, C/S
Thurs
17th
10.00am
Holy Communion
St John’s C/S
10.45am
Coffee Shop
Church Centre C/S
Sat
19th
9.00am
Faith Questions Introduction meeting
Church Centre C/S
10.00am
Confirmation Service
St John’s, C/S
Sun 20th Eighteenth Sunday after Trinity Mon
21st
7.30pm
Global Prayer Meeting
Church Centre, C/S
Tue
22nd
9.15am
Storkies
St John’s, C/S
2.00pm
Tea and Chat
Church Centre, C/S
Thurs
24th
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
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
10.00am
Holy Communion
St John’s C/S
10.45am
Coffee Shop
Church Centre C/S
Sun 27th Last Sunday after Trinity
Tues
29th
Thurs
31st
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Calendar November 2019 Sun 3rd Fourth Sunday before Advent All Souls
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
4.00pm
All Souls Service
St John’s, CS
6.00pm
Evensong {BCP}
St Adeline’s, L/S
Tue
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
10.00am
Baptism Preparation Morning
Church Centre, C/S
9.30am
Parish Communion
St John’s, C/S
10.50am
Holy Communion
St James’, Horton
10.50am
St John’s Praise
St John’s, O/S
6.00pm
Evensong
St Adeline’s, L/S
Sat
9th
Sun 10th Third Sunday Before Advent Remembrance Sunday Mon
11th
2.00pm
Mothers’ Union
Church Centre, C/S
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
Sun 17th Second Sunday Before Advent
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
Mon
18th
7.30pm
Global Prayer Meeting
Church Centre, C/S
Tue
19th
9.15am
Storkies
St John’s, C/S
Wed
20th
2.00pm
Pastoral Care Meeting
Church Centre, C/S
7.30pm
Crib Fest Meeting
Church Centre, 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
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
Sun 24th Sunday Next Before Advent Christ the King Tues
26th
Thurs
28th
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Autumn Quiz Friday 11th October Church Centre Doors open 7pm Quiz Starts 7.30pm Teams of up to 6 (But if you want to come on your own we’ll find you a team)
Tickets £10 to include a light supper and first drink Proceeds to go towards the church centre
Tickets from the Church Centre Office 01454 325160 email: sodburyvalebenefice@gmail.com or see Michelle, Trish or Madeleine. We are aiming to raise at least £300 towards the new storage shed
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