SVB
Outlook February - March 2021
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
Curate
The Revd. Canon David Bowers 01454 313159, rector@svbcofe.org.uk
The Revd. Jane Jones-Williams 07498 878164 revjanejw@gmail.com
Day off Monday
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
John Myers 01454 312223
Safeguarding Nominated Person
Administrators
Hannah Saunders 07515 915976
Michelle Jenkins, Trish Gailey and helpers
hcsaunders-home@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 I don’t think any of us imagined back in March last year that we would still be in a series of lockdowns at the beginning of 2021. However, we do at least have the prospect of mass vaccination this time and we hope that this will enable us to gradually move back to some normality. Meanwhile, we continue to hold in our prayers all whose lives have been devastated by illness and grief over the last year.
Lent Course “Superstar” Written last year on the 50th anniversary of Jesus Christ Superstar
To be held in our Wednesday Evening 7.00pm Zoom meetings
Starts 24 Feb for 5 Weeks
“It’s 1970…. Jesus Christ Superstar takes the West End by storm, asking daring questions that gave colour to my former monochrome faith and fired my vocation.”
As we hopefully move towards what is often called the “new normal”, what lessons have we learned about the life of our church communities? Alongside the sadness of temporary church closures and the isolation of lockdowns, we have found new ways of being the Church in our online worship and fellowship and of caring for each other in our communities. Please pray that God will enable us to hold on to the more positive lessons that have emerged from these difficult months. As we seek to learn and grow together, the season of Lent begins on 17th February and our Lent Course this year will be held in our Wednesday evening Zoom meetings, beginning on 24th February. It is produced by York Courses, which we have used before, and it is called “Superstar”. As you may have guessed, it was written last year on the 50th anniversary of the first stage production of Jesus Christ Superstar. The course runs for 5 weeks and was written by Bishop David Wilbourne, with audio contributions each week by a number of church leaders and writers. The sessions cover “Who is Jesus”, “Miracles”, “The Psalms”, “The Church” and “Cross Purposes”. David Wilbourne writes:“It’s 1970…. Jesus Christ Superstar takes the West End by storm, asking daring questions that gave colour to my former monochrome faith and fired my vocation.”
The course material will also be available for those unable Bishop David Wilbourne to access Zoom and there will be more details on our SVB Mail network and website soon. I wish you all a holy and spiritually enriching Lent. David 3
Food for thought ... and the NHS In the September edition of Outlook I reflected upon some of the very positive moments that Alan and I had experienced during five months of lockdown and self-isolation: a greater awareness of the beauty of nature, the kindness of neighbours, the pleasure of making new friends via Zoom and more time to enjoy hobbies, stillness and calm. Little did I think that five months later we would all be separated from our family and friends once again. COVID-19 continues to take its toll on our daily lives, but I am still uplifted by the generosity and selflessness of so many people; from small acts of kindness, which can mean so much to a person in need, to actions which impact on the lives of many. I would like to share the story of my son’s friend. Olly and his family live on the outskirts of Old Sodbury and his children are pupils at the school there. Together with his brothers, he runs a business making sausages and pork products, but the first lockdown had a massive impact on them. With their restaurant and outdoor catering events forced to close, the brothers decided to use their stocks to offer free meals to the NHS staff at Southmead hospital. Realising the vital part they were playing, they continued until the end of 2020, by which time they had donated 35,000 free meals to key workers, including a Christmas dinner to 10,000 staff at the North Bristol Trust. The Director of Southmead Hospital Charity wrote, “The support from Olly, Josh and Max of the Jolly Hog this year has been fantastic - from serving up delicious free meals for staff to pledging their ongoing support for our Coronavirus research projects”. Their good deeds now feature in the book “COVID KINDNESS UK:2020” and by the time this goes to print they will have restarted their free meals at Southmead (“as they really need the help” - Olly) as well as opening a kiosk at Ashton Gate to offer free food to the staff who are running the vaccine centre.
Well done Olly, Josh, Max and all at the Jolly Hog! Lynne Watts 4
Rotary Tree of Light The beautiful Tree of Light organised by Yate and District Rotary Club beside Yate Shopping Centre has been a source of great joy and comfort during this difficult Christmas season. I hope you have had the chance to see it! The big tree by the petrol station is lit up with hundreds of bright white lights and set against the black darkness of the night sky, it looks like a tree of brilliant stars Many people have taken up the opportunity to sponsor a light in memory of a departed loved one, or to celebrate a special family event or a proud achievement, and the names of those remembered are in the ‘Book of Celebration’ on the Rotary website at www.yaterotaryclub.co.uk All sponsorship moneys collected will fund the many local and international projects undertaken by the Rotary Club this year. More lights will be added next Christmas, and more wonderful memories and joyful occasions will be celebrated in our community. Marian J Gilpin, Yate and District Rotary Vice President
The Day before Christmas The day before Christmas, and we were looking forward to having two families over - our eldest son Malcolm and youngest Paul. Then we heard that our granddaughter Amy had been in touch with a classmate who was tested positive with the virus. Malcolm decided it would not be right for them to come over. So on 29th Dec we decided to meet up halfway with Malcolm, Kerstin and Amy and had a nice walk and exchange of presents at Cirencester Park, with a beautiful snowfall! Hennie Gray 5
Caring for our Planet Eco Church is an award programme managed by the Christian Environmental charity, A Rocha UK, which works for the protection and restoration of the natural world. This is both a response to the biblical mandate to care for the earth, and a demonstration of the Christian hope for God’s world. Care for creation is an imperative of our faith which we have too often overlooked, but now there is also a new urgency as we recognise the damage we’ve done to our world through our carelessness. The lives of people and planet are interwoven, as God created them to be, but we see how human activity is having a negative impact on that delicate balance.
“This is a response to the biblical mandate to care for the earth”
So Eco Church enables churches to consider how they are doing in caring for God’s earth and is a way to empower the whole church community to make effective changes. The award system is a tool which encourages us to think about how we interact with the environment and what changes we could make, both as a church and as individuals. The important thing is the commitment to make changes in order to live more sustainably and in harmony with our planet, rather than simply to gain an award. To start the process, the church completes an online Eco Survey about how we are caring for God’s earth in different areas of our life and work. The survey covers five categories: Worship and Teaching; Buildings; Land; Community and Global; and Lifestyle. Some of these provide opportunities to work collaboratively with other groups within the local community. As the answers to the survey are recorded online they gain points towards an Eco Church Award, so the more we do, the more points we get! There are three levels of awards – Bronze, Silver and Gold. To qualify for an award, the church needs to reach a certain level in each of the areas of the survey that apply to us. 6
In January, Chipping Sodbury PCC agreed to look further at this and a small group is being formed to work on it. We’ll look at the survey questions to see what we already do, what can easily be improved and what goals we can work towards. If you might be interested in being involved in any of this, please do contact me for a conversation about it. Chris Axford, Phone: 01454 321161, Email: chris@robaxford.plus.com.
More information can be found on the Eco Church section of the A Rocha UK website: https://arocha.org.uk/
Have you tried drawing lately? The stress and foggy feelings that Covid may bring to some of us seems to lift when observing and drawing from nature, I find it cathartic. It trains the mind to concentrate in the here and now rather than worry about the "what ifs" we can do nothing about in this pandemic. Drawing concentrates the mind, which becomes sharper and sees things it may not have registered previously. Through observation and concentration "seeing" develops Photo by David Perkins on Unsplash and even if you have no drawing skills, you may be surprised at what the hand and eye can in fact achieve. You do not have to be an artist to express yourself, there is no age limit and you may be surprised at your skill in observation. So why not give it a try? All you need is a 2B and/or a 4B pencil or something else of your choice and some paper, even brown wrapping paper will be of use if you don't want to buy a sketch book. Have a go and see what you can do even for a short time. You don't need to show your effort to anyone, but you may surprise yourself. Good luck and God Bless.
Chrissy Stiff 7
Old Sodbury Doorstep Carols As we approached Christmas 2020, it was necessary to suspend some of our regular seasonal church services, which included the Carol Service, the Christingle and the Crib services. Since the community couldn’t come to church, we felt it was important that we take the church to the community! It was therefore decided that Old Sodbury Church lead an evening of doorstep carols throughout the village. On 22 December, the merry sound of carols was heard in every road around Old Sodbury on the December evening. The weather was dry and calm which was ideal for villagers to come out in the safety of their doorsteps and gardens to sing carols together. Thomas Powe kindly provided the PA System; Karen Hunter chose the carols; Sue Leah and Ros Runcie organised the distribution of the carol sheets to ensure that they were delivered around the village. Daren Hales organised the design and printing of the carol sheets. The singing was led by Marta Nuevo on the village green and Joanna Osborn in Church Lane supported by instrumentalists (from Christ the Rock) and choral singers. Around the streets nine groups of singers in their ‘bubbles’ or groups, safely spaced, coordinated singing throughout the village from Westmorland Terrace to Combs End. It was Christmas at last! People were smiling, laughing and enjoying the Carols as we have always done. The smell of mulled wine completed the scene, as Father Christmas flew by on his vintage tractor courtesy of Simon Lewis of Badminton Road! The evening was all made possible by different village organisations working together with the Church to provide a memorable evening despite the challenging times of 2020. Our thanks go to members of Old Sodbury Church, Old Sodbury Village Hall, Old Sodbury W.I. and the Friends of the School. The result was a wonderful evening when the village was able to come together again:- This Old Sodbury Christmas was certainly not cancelled!! John Myers 8
There is no lockdown on the Holy Spirit.
Source - London Institute for Contemporary Christianity www.licc.org.uk.
There is no lockdown on ‘just happening’ to meet the person he’s put on your heart in the grocery aisle, or on him healing a friend sixty miles away, or giving you the right word (you know it was him) for a colleague on a call, or strengthening you for another day in the classroom, the same room, the Zoom room. There is no lockdown on mission. There is no lockdown on a ‘thank you’ note on top of the bins, on a nod to a stranger passing two metres away, on a text to a friend, on lingering after the screen meeting to listen to a colleague, on reading a psalm with a seeker before the start of a workday, on offering an understanding smile to a red-eyed parent at the school gate, on leaving a meal, a cake, a Kit-Kat on a doorstep, on inviting a friend/neighbour to a YouTube service, to a mince pie outside your front door, to Zoom charades… We may be limited in how we can gather in our church buildings but we are still God’s people with a mission in his world. There is no lockdown on prayer. We may not be able to go to our friend, our family, our neighbour, our boss, lay on hands, anoint with oil, but are not the Lord’s ears open? Is there any mask-muffled, visor-buffered whisper he cannot hear? Has his arm grown shorter? Or his heart less tender? Is he not always near? Does he not still speak through his word? Send his angels? Is there any wall he cannot walk through? Any place barred to his Spirit? And, in our grieving, our anxiety, bewilderment, depression, weariness, loneliness, is it not still true that the fastest way to hope begins on our knees? There is no lockdown on grace. There is no lockdown on access to the Father. No lockdown on Jesus. And no lockdown on the Holy Spirit. He goes where he wills. Hallelujah.
Mark Greene
Former Executive Director, LICC 9
Jesus and the Old Testament In this time of worry, which has brought so much anguish and distress to so many people, there seem to be few chances to feel hopeful. Nevertheless one benefit which has become apparent is a real recognition of the importance of our relationships with other people and the need to support family and friends whenever possible. Surely most of us have drawn strength from our links with others, even if our contacts are confined to telephone calls. One particular blessing of the dreadful lockdowns has been the time they have afforded to us to expand our reading. There are a number of books which I have chosen to re-read, one of which explored Bible passages in which some insights were not necessarily obvious on first reading. This book is “New Testament Treasure” by W.Gordon Robinson. I have précised the following examples as being some of the most significant. It is fascinating to consider the part which what we now call the Old Testament played in Our Lord’s understanding of his role and ministry. Early in the gospel story we read about the zeal displayed by him by staying in the Temple at the age of twelve, listening to the teachers and asking them questions. (Luke gives us to understand that this occupied three or four days.) After the baptism by John at the Jordan, Jesus spent time in the wilderness, thinking prayerfully about the implications of his Messiahship. We are then told about the Devil’s temptations and marvel at the way in which these are rebutted by quotations from scripture, two from Deuteronomy and one from a Psalm. When Jesus returned to Nazareth, he did so “in the power of the Spirit” and significantly he chose the words of Isaiah to proclaim the opening of his mission: “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. 10
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.” Then followed the emphatic words, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” His ministry clearly took inspiration from Scripture and from his interpretation of God’s word. There are many references to the Old Testament throughout the gospels. Jesus cited the commandments (in Exodus and Deuteronomy) when speaking to the rich man about eternal life. He also quoted Deuteronomy and Leviticus to the teacher of the law, with the two great commandments: “Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: Love your neighbour as yourself.” On hearing the teacher’s agreement to these, Jesus said to him. “You are not far from the kingdom of God”.
“Jesus pondered on what he found in Scripture and fulfilled it”
The climax of the Lord’s last days on earth also draws strongly on the scriptural background to his life and his mission. The triumphal entry into Jerusalem must have been a deliberate enactment of Zechariah’s prophecy. The Passion surely drew on an interpretation of Isaiah’s words about the Suffering Servant. In the agony of the Crucifixion, the opening of Psalm 22 came to his lips. Finally Jesus accompanied Cleopas and his friend as they walked away from Jerusalem and “beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.” Jesus pondered on what he found in Scripture and fulfilled it, building his ministry, his life, his obedience to the Father, and his death on it. More than the most profound student of the Word, he was the Word himself, the Word which became flesh and dwelt among us full of grace and truth. David Blatchford 11
Lockdown: It was the worst of times, it was the best of times. I hope Mr Dickens will forgive my turning his opening line from a Tale of Two cities the other way round! I don’t think anyone would disagree that it has been the worst of times, and I am no different to anyone else in missing family gatherings, hugs, kisses and seeing other peoples’ faces, but the best of times? Well I sat down to think about the blessings that I’ve experienced. My dog walks have got longer, I have explored new paths, talked to a lot of other walkers from a safe distance and observed the wonders of nature even more keenly than before. I have taken some stunning photos and enjoyed sharing a few during the first lockdown to help keep peoples’ spirits up. I particularly noticed how wonderfully varied the grasses were and what colour some of them had because I had plenty of time to look, usually something I just pass by. I have conquered new skills with Face time, Zoom and Starfish being added to my ability to communicate. Through Zoom I have got to know more about people in other parts of the benefice and indeed people in other parts of the world. Another joy has been phone calls with friends, with no one in a rush, time for a good chat. I have had the time to read more than usual and decided I really ought to try and read some of the Thomas Hardy novels sitting on my bookcase. I must admit that having started with The Mayor of Casterbridge and Tess of the D’urbervilles I fear the rest will remain unread! However, Victoria Hislop, Lee Child, David Suchet and others have brought much pleasure. I have experimented with new soups, and an Earl Grey tea bread as well as making crab apple jelly and lots of flapjack for the 12
grandchildren. I am thankful for the safe delivery of my fourth grandchild and that I was able to cook Christmas dinner for all the family and above everything that we have all kept safe. So many good deeds, greater community spirit and a greater appreciation for the NHS and other key workers has been good to see and let’s hope it continues when the pandemic is over. I know I have been lucky but I feel it is so important to find ways to lift the spirit by appreciating all those small things that make life seem better, all those tiny blessings from God that maybe we don’t always notice that add up to one big demonstration of his love for us. Anne VIckers
Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, ‘children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.’ Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. Philippians 2:14-16 Source - London Institute for Contemporary Christianity www.licc.org.uk.
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Dear Lord
A Spring Prayer
Thank you for spring.
By Will Parsons
Thank you for all of the chocolate we get. We think of those who won’t get chocolate this year. Thank you for the beautiful sky and flowers that grow. Thank you for the new born lambs and chicks. Thank you for sunny days and beautiful weather. Thank you for Jesus dying for us on the cross. Amen
Eggs, Rabbit and Flowers by Daisie Kemp age 3
I love Springtime By Nancy Parsons I love Easter and the Easter bunny. I love baby chicks and daffodils. I love the blue sky and pink blossom on the trees. I love dew on the grass and the yellow sun. I love hunting for chocolate eggs and hot cross buns. I love God for everything we have in springtime. Thank you Lord. 14
The Children's Society Box Opening 2020 I would like to thank you most sincerely for your charitable support over the years. As you know the boxes are due to be collected and counted this month (January). Unfortunately due to the uncertainty of the Covid 19 situation and really not knowing from one day to the next whether there will be another lockdown or another tier increase we have decided that it would not be a good time to go door to door and collect boxes. The quarantine period of the boxes and the actual counting of the contents would also appear to be problematic.
“I would like to thank you most sincerely for your charitable support over the years. “
However, the Society, in order for them to carry on their necessary work with vulnerable children still need the income. Last year they worked directly with 11,513 children in this country to find hope for the future and through campaigning made life better for more than 4.4 million young people across the country. Frontline workers are saying that the long-term effects of this crisis will be devastating for this country’s young people, and that we will be dealing with the fallout for years to come. As we haven’t been able to go very far and have been
“Last year encouraged to become ‘cashless’ in paying for food/goods I they worked doubt you have much ‘loose change’ in your boxes, I certainly know I haven’t in my box, but if you feel you would directly with still like to contribute something towards the charity I will be pleased to bank cheques on your behalf. All cheques 11,513 should be made payable to The Children’s Society. I will children in issue receipts to be attached to your boxes in due course. this country Please do not feel compelled to contribute but if you would me to collect a cheque from you please phone me to find hope like (01454 311515 or 07970902391) and I will arrange a for the future” mutually convenient time, or if you prefer just pop it in my door if that is better for you, but please do not feel compelled to contribute in this way at this time if you are not comfortable with these arrangements. Thank you for your understanding. With warmest wishes, Hilary Hurley
Copy Deadline Please send all copy Front Cover: Chipping Sodbury from for the April - May issue to the Church Office by Thursday March 18
the fields behind St John’s Way. Photo by Anne Vickers
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The Extended Team Honorary Assistant Ministers Meet the members of the extended team who support our worship. They consist of retired clergy (perhaps not quite?) and lay readers, who help David by taking services and helping with other events around the benefice.
Revd. Steve Abbott abbott.steve@btinternet.com
Revd. Pauline Green pauline.green936@gmail.com
Revd. Canon Rob Axford
Revd. Chris Mason revd.chris.mason@gmail.com
rob@robaxford.plus.com
Revd. Christine Axford chris@robaxford.plus.com
Revd. David Powe
Revd. Canon Catherine Coster
Wully Perks (Reader)
catherinecoster3@gmail.com
wulstanperks@gmail.com
01454 777745
Mike Swain (Reader) swain189@btinternet.com
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