SVB
Outlook April - May 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 The Easter event, the resurrection of Jesus, is at the very heart of our faith and, having celebrated it last year at home, I am delighted this year that we are able to have services in our church buildings for this special day on 4th April. We shall still be under several restrictions and booking will be required because of limited numbers, but I hope this is a sign of hope that we are at last moving towards the “new normal”.
“Alleluia!
Christ is risen! I wish you a happy and joyful Easter.”
We often remind ourselves that the first Easter was a bewildering, as well as a joyful, time for the disciples. If they thought that it was simply a restoration of the past, they were to realise that it actually marked something completely new, with Jesus ascending to his Father, followed by the coming of the Holy Spirit and the birth of the Christian Church. In the same way we need to remember that our life with God always moves forward and, as we emerge from the lockdown, it is an opportunity to reflect on what we have learned during the last year rather than merely looking back.
BOOKS, CDS AND DVDS
As we have noted many times, one of the positive things to come out of our church life during the pandemic has been the discovery of new ways of During the lockdown quite connecting with each other. This time last year I had a few of us will have spent only vaguely heard of Zoom! Now, I find myself more time reading and we attending up to 5 or 6 meetings a day on it! Of course it may have books that we can never replace the sense of fellowship that comes would like to pass on to with meeting together in person but I’m sure it will others. Hopefully continue to be a resource that we regularly use. (lockdown permitting) on Certainly, we plan to keep the Sunday Zoom service as Saturday 3rd July St John’s part of our regular service pattern as long as we feel it Church in Chipping Sodbury is needed. Also, the Wednesday evening fellowship are having a Coffee Morning meeting has been a great blessing to many. in church with a sale of books, CDs and DVDs. More Easter is the source of our hope and confidence in the gospel that we share and we pray that the Holy Spirit details of this soon, but if you are looking for a way of will continue to help us to learn more about sharing fellowship with each other and reaching out in love to getting rid of any of these our communities. David please hold on to them for now! 3
New online content from Gloucester Cathedral's Music Department coming to you soon ... We are looking forward to sharing some new and exciting online content from our Music Department which will be available to view on our social media channels in the coming months. Starting from mid-March, we will be sharing videos at regular intervals ranging from bite-sized choir recitals through to ‘behind the scenes’ organ tours, and short organ pieces that tie in with the liturgical calendar. Members of the Music Department will be taking part in these videos, including Director of Music, Adrian Partington, Assistant Director of Music, Jonathan Hope, and Organ Scholar, Mary Pan. We will also be sharing performances from our brilliant choirs once they are able to come back together to sing again, in line with Covid19 guidelines. The videos will be shared on our Facebook page and YouTube channel. Short organ pieces, ‘behind the scenes’ organ tours and choir recitals will be released on a biweekly basis. You can subscribe to our YouTube channel to make sure you don’t miss these videos being released. Later on in the year, we have plans to launch a very special series of interviews with members of the Music Department which will offer an insight into the day-today life of a musician at Gloucester Cathedral. We hope you will enjoy watching this online content as much as we will enjoy producing it! 4
Easter Prayer This good and holy night, when hatred is sent away, heaven and earth join together to make a home for peace and justice and all of creation is joined again to God. So, God in heaven, from deep in our hearts, we celebrate our Easter joy as a real and precious gift to you. The wax of this Easter candle is the work of bees and people. As we look at the beautiful flame fed by the wax which bees have made. We ask that the light of Easter will brighten our dark places. For Christ, the morning star, has risen with such beauty; Christ is risen from the dead and his flame of love still burns inside us! Christ shines his peaceful light on all the world! Christ lives and reigns forever.
Bishop Rachel’s Message In these past weeks I have particularly noticed the lengthening days and the change in birdsong, and that sense of spring emerging was certainly helped by the weekend’s sunshine. Yet we still have some way to go to emerge into a new season regarding the ending of lockdown and the lifting of restrictions due to the viral pandemic. In your own contexts you will no doubt be wondering exactly what it will look like for you, families, communities and beyond, as we live the road map which the government has laid out for us. And as we all tentatively pencil things into the diary and think about the future, we know we can only live it one step at a time even as we lift our eyes to the horizon. Once again, be assured that as we walk the road map, Bishop Robert and I, along with the archdeacons and the staff team, will keep you informed of any significant changes along the way. It is indeed important that we lift our eyes as we ponder what the future might look like, what we have learned, and what we hope to live differently, yet all held with provisionality as we simply take the next step, firmly and with hope, even amid pain, loss, and weariness. I have been reminded of this as Guy and I have undertaken local walks recently. I have needed to keep glancing downwards so as to navigate water, mud, and unseen tree roots as I place my feet securely, and yet we have needed to keep looking up to discern the path to take, and there have been frequent glances at the map, “It all requires a sometimes amid weariness, whilst also taking time to notice the small things around noticing as well as a us – the buds appearing, the bird song in taking of the next small overhead branches, the smell of freshly mown grass, as well as the plastic bottle lying step, and all lived with in the hedgerow or the graffiti on the wall. prayer.” When Jesus Christ was on earth, he urged his disciples to notice, to look, to listen, and to hear and see deeply as they lived the present. They were to notice not only their brokenness but also their beauty as well as that of the flowers of the field and the birds of the air. They were to recognise God’s care and not to be anxious in the present (Matthew 6:25-34). Yet at the same time they were to keep on lifting their eyes to see the big picture of the Kingdom of God and to join in with its coming. It all requires a noticing as well as a taking of the next small step, and all lived with prayer. 5
Often the noticing of the small things is the most enlightening, and the steps which lead to the greatest discovery are the small ones. In all of this please do go on sharing your stories of things which have emerged from the soil of LIFE, as together we look back and notice what God has been doing and we continue to keep our eyes on shaping the future to the sights and sounds of the kingdom of God. This comes with gratitude and continued prayer for the small steps we are taking together in the present as we continue to look up and pray ‘your kingdom come on earth as in heaven’.
The Children’s Society Box Opening 2020 I would like to express my sincere thanks to all my box holders for their very generous donations at this difficult time. Between us we raised £570. All cheques have now been banked, but if anyone would still like to contribute I will be pleased to deal with their donation on their behalf. Let us pray and hope that next January we will be back to ’normal’ when I can see you all again when I collect your boxes. Thank you for everything you’ve done to protect young people’s hope and optimism. Because of you, thousands of children are now safe, happy and able to deal with the problems they have in their lives. Thank you all once again. Below is a prayer from the Children's Society. With warmest wishes, Hilary Hurley
The Children’s Society Prayer Loving God, you sent your son to give us life in abundance, You want us to not just survive, but to thrive. May we thrive, and help others find full lives. Loving God, you call us to offer the best to others, You want us to help those in need and in despair. May we thrive, and help others find full lives. Loving God, you work through The Children’s Society. You call them to improve the lives of the young. May we thrive, and help others find full lives. Loving God, we think of young people known to you, You call us to do all we can to make their lives secure. May we thrive, and help others find full lives. Loving God, you teach us to take your light into the darkness, You call us to bring hope and happiness wherever we can. May we thrive, and help others find full lives. Amen. 6
Kidzone During the first lockdown last year the editorial committee decided that with our churches closed and events cancelled, the June - July issue of Outlook would be a special children’s edition. We were delighted with the response and what a joy it was to see the rainbows, drawings, smiling faces and to read the poems and prayers! Following on from the success of that edition, a children’s section is now a regular and popular feature of Outlook and recently we have also embarked on a new and exciting project, KidZone, a bright and dynamic website that we hope will appeal to the younger generation. Please take a moment to look at the new site (https://svbcofe.org.uk/kidzone/) and encourage your children or grandchildren to contribute. For those not able to access the internet, here is a selection of some of the items that have already appeared on KidZone and one that will feature in April when the theme will be ‘Easter’. 7
Martin Gwilliams, our Cathedral’s newest stonemason trainee Boasting an international reputation as one of the finest Conservation Stonemasonry workshops in Europe, over 50 stonemasons have been trained at Gloucester Cathedral by Master Mason, Pascal Mychalysin and his team over the past 30 years. Martin now has an extraordinary opportunity to learn his craft whilst supporting the rest of our talented team to ensure the Cathedral remains in the best possible condition for future generations. Martin said: “This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to work with Pascal and his team on one of the most beautiful medieval buildings in Europe.” Martin’s training will culminate in a Foundation Degree in Applied Historic Building Conservation and Repair awarded by University of Gloucestershire.
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The Secret of Contentment 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. Philipians 2:14-16
Source - London Institute for Contemporary Christianity www.licc.org.uk.
One sure sign of a discontented person is their tendency to grumble. I’m sure you know people for whom every bus journey, every supermarket visit, every email from their boss is a cause to moan, complain, and see the worst. And that was even before the days of mask-wearing, hand-sanitising, and recurrent lockdowns.
Expressing negative thoughts reinforces them in our hearts. It also spreads them to others, who reflect them back to us in an endless loop of misery. Therefore, if you want to feel more content, stop grumbling. However, while trying to say only positive things is a good start, grumbling is usually a symptom of a deeper sin that we need to deal with. The root of our moaning is the sense that we deserve better – or perhaps that we are better and these annoying other people should be more like us! This is pride, and it is a significant barrier to our growth in Christ and our witness for him. We saw in Philippians 1 how Paul rejoiced that the gospel was being preached, even if he wasn’t getting the credit. That is humility at work, and far from bringing the abasement and disadvantage that we sometimes fear, Paul’s humility gave him access to great joy and pleasure. Even Jesus – the Messiah, God-in-flesh – lived a life of grumble-free humility. The one man who really was better than everyone else, who really did deserve better than his treatment on Earth, chose to respond with humility. ‘He made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant’, and therefore God gave him what he truly deserved – honour, glory and ‘the name that is above every name’ (Philippians 2:7, 9). If you feel discontented with your lot, either on a grand scale or with the low-level dayto-day difficulties, slights and injustices you feel, take it to God. Talk to him about the ways you feel wronged and how frustrated you get with others. Ask him to forgive you for the sin of pride that so easily creeps in, and to help you become more Christ-like. Then, not only will you find yourself growing in contentment, but you will also shine among your neighbours, your fellow students or your co-workers, like a star in a clear sky. And perhaps some of them will follow the light of that star and find the Saviour, just like the Magi of old.
Jennie Pollock
Jennie Pollock is a writer and editor who lives, works, and worships in central London. She blogs at jenniepollock.com and tweets as @missjenniep. Her first book, If Only: Finding joyful contentment in the face of lack and longing, is out now.
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Eco Church in Chipping Sodbury St John’s, Chipping Sodbury, is now registered with Eco Church and we’re working towards our bronze award. We are examining our green credentials (or lack of them) to see how we can help every part of our church life, and our individual lives, become more sustainable. This is a project for everyone to be involved, in whatever way you can. Some of you have already made changes in your own lives and some of you support environmental organisations or local initiatives. We’d love to hear from you, so please do get in touch with me and share your interests. It’s a big project and we need to start somewhere, so the small group which began it have highlighted three areas to focus on quickly: our energy use, encouraging the wildlife of our churchyards, and climate justice. In June we’ll use the survey “Churches Count on Nature” to consider what we already have in our churchyards so look out for more information nearer the time. In May we’ll support Christian Aid Week’s focus on how the climate crisis affects the world’s most vulnerable people. We’ll have resources and information available to help us understand the impact of climate change on the poorest communities. In Kenya, for example, the weather has become more extreme and rainfall unpredictable. Drought has become more frequent and intense, and in 2020, drought was followed by relentless rainfall and flooding, which damaged crops that had struggled to grow. With no access to reliable water sources or a way to capture rainfall, many communities are struggling to survive. The coronavirus pandemic has only increased the urgent need for access to water for handwashing. Christian Aid works with local partners to help communities build their own simple earth dam, which provides a reliable water source whatever the weather. WE can help, not only by our personal support but also by pressing the government to increase financial Florence with her new water support for the poorest countries and to invest in a supply greener future for everyone. (Christian Aid/Tom Pilston)
Chris Axford, Phone: 01454 321161, Email: chris@robaxford.plus.com 10
Not Just Another Angry Woman The past few weeks have been a difficult time to be a woman.
Source - London Institute for Contemporary Christianity www.licc.org.uk.
The news of the kidnap and murder of Sarah Everard has appalled the entire country, and it is no surprise that her story has struck a chord with countless women. Many have shared personal experiences of how being a woman has caused them danger, intimidation, or violence, almost always at the hands of a man. This has led to the formation of a movement to unite men and women to oppose Violence Against Women. And I get it. Living and working in London as a young woman is equal parts exciting and frightening. From being slowly followed home by a man in a car, to another man trying to lure me into a shadowy street – I get it. I understand the anger being expressed, the hurt, the desire to mourn and to grieve, and the compelling need to do something about it. This resonates with me. Things aren’t supposed to be this way. I must confess, I first heard this quoted in a lyric from the hit musical Hamilton, but Micah 4:4 says, ‘Everyone will sit under their own vine and under their own fig tree, and no one will make them afraid, for the Lord Almighty has spoken.’ God intends for all people to flourish, be fruitful and faithful, and to feel safe from abuse and oppression. Here, there is no space for looking over your shoulder as you walk home at night, or being trapped in an abusive relationship. But how do we even begin to confront these wrongs, whilst fostering safety and prosperity? Jesus responds to injustice by standing alongside the vulnerable, and the women on our frontlines will notice how we respond too. As Christians, we should be angry at injustice and strive for the protection and flourishing of women. Anger is at its best when it originates from compassion towards the vulnerable, but anger purely from revenge may not be as therapeutic as it feels in the moment. Compassion often comes at the cost of laying down pride to uplift those who are suffering. We need only look at Jesus to understand the profound effect that compassion has on those who receive it. This is an issue impacting daughters, mothers, friends, and colleagues every day. As followers of Jesus, we have the responsibility to create spaces in our homes, teams, or workplaces where everyone is free to sit under their own vine and fig tree unafraid. Kim McCord Data and Systems Manager, LICC 11
The Revd. Val Abbott. 12 August 1945 - 11 March 2021 Val passed away peacefully after a short illness on March 11th . Stephen has written this celebration of her life and ministry in her memory. Val was a Swindonian, proud of her heritage. Like all her family, she was a lifelong supporter of Swindon Town. Her uncle and grandfather had worked for the railways, and she grew up in a small terraced house. She was gifted academically and at sport, excelling at hockey and athletics. As a little girl, she was sent to the local gospel hall on Sundays, and later attended an Anglican church, where she was confirmed. She became an undergraduate at Keele University, studying history and politics, and there she heard a speaker talking about vocation to the ordained ministry (this was 30 years before the ordination of women). Val investigated what openings there were for women in full-time parish work, learned that she could become a parish worker, and immediately felt God’s call to this ministry. After graduating, she trained in Bristol, and also embarked on a 2-year diploma in theology at Bristol University. She was licensed as a parish worker in 1971, working in the parishes of Christ Church, Moreton on the Wirral and St. Thomas, Crookes in Sheffield. Then, in 1974, she was appointed as the only women out of the 4-person Anglican Chaplaincy team at Bristol University. One of the outposts of the chaplaincy was the Monica Wills Chapel at Wills Hall of residence. These were the days of the so-called “charismatic renewal”. At the informal evening service in the chapel, there was guitar-led worship, free prayer and the sharing of prophetic and healing gifts. Val became involved, and her pastoral gifts and experience proved invaluable. After 4 years, I arrived as a chaplain with special responsibility for the chapel. Val continued to attend 12
Stephen would like to thank all their friends who have shown their love and support with cards and good wishes
and became a friend and valued colleague. At the end of 3 years of working together, friendship blossomed into romance and marriage in 1980. Just before the wedding, we learned that were I to move jobs I would not be replaced as chaplain. After much prayer, the student leadership (now including some graduates) decided that they would like the chapel fellowship to continue; so Val and I started what would now be called a “fresh expression” of church, which we called “the Fellowship of the King”. The 80s saw significant growth in numbers, and eventually we stopped being a chaplaincy and became a church in the city of Bristol. During this time, Val and I started our family (Sarah, Ben and Mark). Val continued to use her invaluable gifts as a pastor, and increasingly as a Bible teacher. During the 90s, Val decided to take up academic studies again and started part-time research for an M.Litt. at Bristol University in church history, receiving her degree in 1999. Then, having attended the ordination of a friend at the first ordination of women in Bristol Cathedral in 1994, Val decided to seek ordination. She did not have to re-train, and in 2001 she was ordained priest. After curacies in Knowle and Brislington, she joined me in the parish of St. James, Mangotsfield, where I had become St James’, Mangotsfield priest-in-charge, as Associate Minister. We worked together for 6 fruitful years of ministry, before retiring to Yate/Chipping Sodbury in 2010. Val had many gifts besides pastoral skills. She was a wise counsellor, and also an open-hearted preacher. She also found fulfilment in tutoring and training women for the priesthood and for readership. Her personal gifts of character, including her kindness and thoughtfulness, were there for all to see. She will be greatly missed as a pastor, tutor and friend to many, and by the family as a deeply loved mother, grandmother and wife. Revd. Stephen Abbott
The Joy of Living
A passage from the book of Isaiah (Ch 55 v 12) in two different versions
1. For you shall go out in joy, and be led back in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall burst into song, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. NRSV
2. So you’ll go out in joy, you’ll be led into a whole and complete life. The mountains and hills will lead the parade, bursting with song. All the trees of the forest will join the procession, exuberant with applause. The Message
Which is your favourite version? Can you describe what you like about it? Imagine what it would be like if where you live the hills did burst into song and the trees clapped their hands! 13
Home working in lockdown The perils of a benefice administrator trying to work from home
“I’VE GOT A MEETING.”
Right boys, Dad’s working in the dining room and I need to do a zoom call for work so I’m going to need a bit of quiet. I’ll set up at the kitchen table so you can use the lounge. If you want a drink or snack can you get it now, cos you won’t be able to get into the kitchen for half an hour or so? All OK boys? No-one needs a drink or snack ?– My meeting starts in five minutes. OK I’m logging on now so the kitchen is out of bounds for half an hour. Courtesy of Charles Deluvio on Unsplash All set …just waiting for meeting to start… here we go. Hello everyone. Sorry – just a moment – I’ll just mute – No you can’t make a cake now, I’ve got a work meeting
Unmute. Sorry, I’m back. A few minutes pass. Sorry, I’ll mute – Boys, turn the telly down please. I do not need to know that England just got a wicket. Keep it quiet please, I’ve got a meeting. Unmute. Sorry working from home, hopefully should be OK now. A minute passes. Sorry - I’ll mute – Have you checked the washing pile on your bed? If it’s not there it’s probably in the machine. I’ve got a meeting,… No you can’t wear it now; if it’s in the machine it will be wet! ….No it won’t be ready in half an hour… No, I can’t do it now – Unmute. Sorry, A few minutes pass. The doorbell rings. I’ll Mute sorry. Can you get the door please?… No, I don’t know who is at the door, try answering it to find out….What do they want?....Well ask them…..No I don’t know what’s in the parcel…Just leave it on the hall table and wash your hands. I’ll look at it after this meeting. Unmute. Sorry. A few minutes pass. Mute. No, you can’t have a snack now you can wait until after my meeting…you are not starving you can wait… I HAVE A MEETING Unmute. Sorry. Almost immediately. Mute. Get it quickly then… just a glass of water…. No, I need to get back to my meeting….not long. Unmute. Sorry, hopefully I can concentrate now. Oh it’s finished. 14
Our benefice “Road Map” out of lockdown Easter Day 4th April 6.00am 9.30am 11.00am 11.15am 11.15am 6.00pm
Dawn Service in Old Sodbury Churchyard Holy Communion at Chipping Sodbury Easter Service on Zoom Holy Communion at Old Sodbury Holy Communion at Horton Holy Communion at Little Sodbury
Please note that advance booking will be necessary for these services.
Gradual Programme of Re-Opening After the “one-off” Easter services we begin a gradual re-opening leading up to the summer: Sunday 11th April
No services in any of our churches
11.00am Morning Prayer on Zoom Sundays 18th and 25th April Church Services only at Chipping Sodbury at 9.30am 11:00am Morning Prayer on Zoom From 2nd May until 27th June Chipping Sodbury Zoom Old Sodbury Horton Little Sodbury
Every Sunday at 9.30am Every Sunday at 11.00am 1st and 3rd Sundays at 11.15am 2nd and 4th Sundays at 11.15am 2nd and 4th Sundays at 6.00pm
The service pattern will be reviewed at the end of June when, hopefully, most restrictions will have been lifted. Please note that booking will be necessary until further notice. Contact Michelle at office@svbcofe.org.uk or the relevant churchwarden It is also necessary to wear a mask and to socially distance. Please see SVB Mail updates or contact our Church Office for details.
Copy Deadline Please send all copy for the June- Front Cover: Spring flowers. Photos by Michael Stephenson July issue to the Church Office by Tuesday May 18 15
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