The Sodbury Vale Benefice Chipping Sodbury, Old Sodbury, Horton & Little Sodbury
O U T LO O K
magazine
www.svbcofe.org.uk
April 2015
1 Jane is enrolled as a Companion of the Society of St Francis by Brother Damian. See 1
Nominated Person:
Contacts
Mrs Hilary Holder 01454 327118 This is the person to contact if you wish to express concern about suspected abuse of a child or vulnerable adult
Rector The Revd. Canon Jane Kenchington, 01454 313159 [Day off Friday] email jane@svbcofe.org.uk
Churchwardens
Associate Priest The Revd. Yvonne Brae, 01454 850682, Mob. 07908 513098 [Day off Monday]
Chipping Sodbury
email yvonne@svbcofe.org.uk
Anne Mudge 07823 441920
Assistant Curate The Revd. Peter Fewings, 07795 206590, email peter@svbcofe.org.uk
Old Sodbury
Reader (Licensed Lay Minister)
John Myers 01454 312223 Karen Hunter 01454 319903
Mr Ian Yemm 07514 139825; 01454 318608 [Day off Saturday] email ian@svbcofe.org.uk If you would like to know more about the Christian faith or are thinking about baptism or confirmation please speak with the ministers
Little Sodbury Brenda Cordy 01454 316447
Director of Music VACANT
Horton
Church Office
Tina Hildick-Smith 01454 320380 Richard Needs 01454 329890
Open during school term time Monday - Friday mornings 9.00 - 12.00 Administrator: 01454 325160 Michelle Jenkins - Mon, Tue & Thu AM
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 production costs that would be most welcome. Thank you.
email: office@svbcofe.org.uk Web Site: www.svbcofe.org.uk
May Deadline Can you have all copy to Michelle in the Church Office by April 16th at the latest please.
Advertising: Sylvia Franklin 07788 111726
Editor: Michael Stephenson 01454 314094 email outlook@svbcofe.org.uk
Front Cover - Chipping Sodbury Photo by Rich McD
2
weak in life makes those dying multitudes even more invisible in death.’ The United Nations agree – and they tell us that there is plenty of food in the world for everyone…. They also tell us that half, yes half, of humanity have water problems. 1.8 billion people in the world use 20 litres of water per day. In the UK, on average, we use more than 50 litres of water a day just flushing our toilets. The simple fact is that the problem remains huge... So what can we do? How can you as one small cog in the wheel make a difference? Listen to Simone Weil, philosopher, mystic and activist: “Human beings are so made that the ones who do the crushing feel nothing; it is the person crushed who feels what is happening. Unless one has placed oneself on the side of the oppressed, to feel with them, one cannot understand”. Justin Welby in a recent Tweet brings another insight to the debate: 'When we look to God our eyes are turned outward to this world.... we hear the poor and suffering and their cry for justice.' Here as a prayer are two verses of a hymn written by a friend:
Funerals:We extend our sympathy to the families and friends of: Jean Elizabeth Woodman on 20 February at Westerleigh Crematorium and St John’s Chipping Sodbury
COMIC RELIEF AND THE LIKE
I’ve just listened to the first release of the video for the Comic Relief campaign. The lyrics of the song, Lay Me Down are sung by Sam Smith and John Legend and at first sight appear to be something of a different take on world poverty. This song seems set to challenge attitudes and how we respect one another. Given the prominence of the two singers it will probably sell well; I sincerely hope it does – for the sake of those who live in dreadful need, for all those who live in unseen despair. Dreadful need, unseen despair: in a world of plenty there are those who live in appalling situations. I do enjoy Comic Relief with all its local interactions – people having fun whilst collecting money Call us all to live the kingdom, for the programme – what could be better active here and now; than such engagements? A lot of people Life affirming, world-renewing. getting together and collectively challenging poverty is the best…… isn’t Church above, below. it? Call us all in love discerning, Comic Relief makes a terrific contribution strong in word and deed; - but is it really the best we can do? A quote from UNICEF: ‘22,000 children sent, commissioned, gladly serving die each day due to poverty, and they die all who are in need. quietly in some of the poorest villages on earth, far removed from the scrutiny and conscience of the world. Being meek and Yvonne Brae 3
Dear Friends, If you can wait to read this until Easter Day on 5 April, then you can join me in saying, “Alleluia! Christ is risen!” After the 40 days of Lent when we have tried to walk more closely with Jesus, and latterly, journeying with Jesus through the Last Supper, the crucifixion and the emptiness of Holy Saturday, we reach Easter Day with all its joy. God’s goodness and love have triumphed over evil and suffering. This year, we have been listening to Mark’s account of the Passion and resurrection of Jesus. It is worth bearing in mind that what Mark writes about the women’s reaction when they find the tomb empty leaves us feeling uneasy, dissatisfied and wondering what happens next. We find Mark penning these words: “So the women went out and fled from the tomb, for terror and amazement had seized them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.” There is no sense of any “alleluias” being shouted. Those women were overwhelmed with fear – which actually is not surprising seeing that the resurrection was the most powerful act of all. Mark’s gospel is peppered with examples where people refused to believe in Jesus. To grasp the truth of Jesus, we have to have the eyes and ears of faith. But how do we know that Jesus has been raised? Mark tries to persuade us of the truth of the resurrection – to invite us to meet the risen Lord. Obedience and faith are bound together. Dietrich Bonhoeffer famously said that we can’t believe if we don’t obey God and we can’t obey God if we don’t believe. Things don’t happen unless we believe and obey. The women and the disciples had to learn again the painful lessons of discipleship. The disciples had fled at the crucifixion (except John and some of the women). Now here was a chance to start again, confess their failure and begin again as one of Jesus’ disciples. “All” you have to do is trust and obey. T S Eliot wrote these words: We shall not cease from exploration And the end of all our exploring Will be to arrive where we started And know the place for the first time. This Easter-tide, Jesus invites us yet again to put our faith and trust in him, however poorly we think we have followed him so far in our lives. The Good News of God is all about new beginnings and fresh invitations. If God can raise Jesus to new life, God can surely raise us to new life in him. Alleluia! Christ is risen! He is risen indeed, Alleluia! With love and prayers,
Rev. Canon Jane Kenchington, 01454 313159, email:jane@svbcofe.org.uk
4
Easter: Our place in God’s story
F. WOODRUFF
Let me tell you a story. It’s an invitation Local Family Cremation every generation responds to. Stories are and Funeral Directors all around us, from the first stories we tell our children to the latest best-seller, from 24 Hour Service the story line of an advert to TV drama, theatre and film. The best stories draw us in, speaking to our hearts and minds. They 2 High Street, Winterbourne can make us laugh or cry and, at best, Tel: (01454) 773776 enlarge our vision of the world and our understanding of ourselves. 118-120 Station Road,Yate So it’s not surprising that the Christian faith was first shared through telling the 192 Badminton Road. Coalpit Heath stories of Jesus: especially the defining story of Jesus’ arrest, death and resurrection. As the first Christians engaged with this story so they came to email:info@funerals.uk.net www.funerals.uk.net realise that they were being caught up in Private Chapels of Rest at Coalpit Heath & Yate God’s great story of love and redemption for the world. A new resource, ‘Cross my heart’, request visits from screened members www.gloucester.anglican.org/parish- of the public, known as O.P.V's. Official life/cross-my-heart shares contemporary Prison Visitor. faith stories. They speak of hope and These are transformation when we allow the story of one hourly Jesus to bring meaning to our lives. As the sessions and church invites us to experience Holy Week take place on and Easter once again so, through a regular worship, drama, music and other basis e.g. activities, we are also invited to connect HMP Eastwood Park f o r t n i g h tly. our stories with the defining story of Jesus’ The ladies (known as visitees) use it as death and resurrection and have our a befriending service and have one to understanding of ourselves and the world one non-judgemental conversations, renewed. The Revd Canon Andrew Braddock, especially wanting to know what is going on outside of the establishment. Director of Mission and Ministry They are never asked about the crime From “The Messenger” www.gloucester.anglican.org that has been committed. OFFICIAL PRISON VISITORS All visits are held in the visitors' room, H.M.P Eastwood Park, Falfield, is a the visitees having been brought from secure prison, housing over 300 female their prison wings, and with several prisoners. Many of these ladies, for prison officers in attendance. I have various reasons, do not receive visits been an Official Prison Visitor: O.P.V. for from family or friends. They are able to 5
quite a while now; it is a very rewarding experience, and one that I look forward to every fortnight. It is fascinating to see how the visitees change and welcome you. As soon as you enter the visitor room, they wave out and reward you with a happy smile. Conversations flow easily over a drink and a piece of cake. At the end of the session they make sure that there will be another visit. Several have made me cards to say thank you for coming - it has been appreciated! I urge many of you to try being an O.P.V. you will not be disappointed, you will really enjoy the experience. How does one become an O.P.V? An application form is completed, an informal visit to see the inside of the prison, security screening carried out, then an interview with one of the Chaplains and Governor. There is always a waiting list of visitees, so if anyone feels they would like the challenge of this very satisfying and worthwhile cause, then contact should be made to: Beryl De Stone or Tony Williams. Tel. No. 01454 382105 or Beryl.DeStone@hmps.gsi.gov.
outlook@svbcofe.org.uk and we will put it in our own Outlook magazine to share around the Benefice.
The next article is one of the stories from the “Cross my heart” web page. From “The Messenger” www.gloucester.anglican.org
Brought to faith by her 4 year old At the age of four, my beautiful daughter Jasmine came out of a Messy playgroup session and announced that she wanted to go to church. Not being a church goer, I took her round to her godmother to do her duty. Jasmine went to church every Sunday without fail, despite this being her Dad’s only day off. She chose to go to church instead of having family days out. When her godmother wasn’t able to take her to church, she insisted that I did. I was raised a Catholic, but had always found going to church full of boring and cold ritual. But this time, something was different - every time I went with her, I found myself in floods of tears. It started with the music, which made me so emotional that, when words came, all I could do was sob. I was so embarrassed because I couldn’t control my crying. What was happening to me? We had spent a year and a half trying to sell our London home and it wasn’t until we changed our plans and decided to move to Tewkesbury that everything fell into place. A week before we moved from London, my friend Thais, who I had only just met, invited me to her church for a blessing. Her church is Brazilian and in a temporary office environment. I was so happy as it
What happened when God came into your life? Do you have a story to tell about your journey to faith? Encourage others, inspire strangers and grow in faith as you share your story on the new diocesan webpage www.gloucester.anglican.org/parishlife/cross-my-heart If you would feel happier sharing your story more locally then send it to 6
felt so different from the usual church set up and I was sure I would not cry here – boy, was I wrong. I was soon sobbing. The preacher started to tell the story of Zacchaeus, the tax collector who climbed a tree so he could see Jesus. I have felt God call me many times in my life, and yet I had never come down from the tree. The preacher asked whether anyone wanted to raise their hand to accept Jesus into their life. I had heard this before, and as usual I sat and looked around me, waiting for someone else to put their hand up, but then I felt my hand being lifted up and then my whole body was lifted up and I was walking to the front. What happened next was one of the most beautiful experiences of my life. Thais and her preacher had their arms around me, praying for me and talking to Jesus. And, although I cried uncontrollably like a child, it felt like the most amazing embrace and release - a hug from home. As soon as we moved to Tewkesbury, Jasmine asked to find a church. I knew it was my duty and responsibility to find somewhere for her. Holy Trinity is a great church - very lively, with lots of children. I was immediately invited to the Alpha Course and, if I hadn’t been new to the area, I don’t think I would have gone. It was at Holy Trinity that I learned more about God and how he has been calling me for my whole life. All my life I have heard God’s voice, but I didn’t know until now that it was him. So if I hadn’t moved, I wouldn’t have found God. Jasmine, I just want to tell you that I am so proud of you – for who you are and how strong you are in your beliefs. I promise to walk with you in your faith for always and I want to thank you for taking Mummy’s hand to bring me to church. I love you. 7
Thanks for your gift to Christian Aid
Principal Service readings April
Dear Mr Smith April 5th (Easter Day) Many thanks for your Isaiah 25: 6 - 9 kind donation of £454.00 on 05 February Acts 10: 34 - 43 2015 towards the work of Christian Aid. Your John 20: 1 - 18 gift will help support our work in 46 of the Psalm 118: 1-2, 14 - 24 world's poorest countries. Emily Mutai, who is the head nurse at a April 12th (Second Sunday of Easter) hospital in Narok County, Kenya says, Exodus 14: 10 - end 'Losing babies is part of life here. Acts 4: 32 - 35 Complications are common. Women John 20: 19 - end delaying coming in for delivery is the biggest problem. They labour for a long time before Psalm 133 they come.' There are many reasons that April 19th (Third Sunday of Easter) 44% of women in Kenya give birth without Zephaniah 3: 14 - end the assistance of a health care professional. Sometimes, there is a long journey to health Acts 3: 12 - 19 facilities and transport to the hospital can be Luke 24: 36b - 48 expensive. Men often control the main Psalm 4, source of income and sometimes women do not get to decide whether to give birth at April 26th ( Fourth Sunday of Easter ) home or in the hospital. Genesis 7: 1 - 5, 11 - 18 In Isiolo county, Kenya, where Christian Aid has worked, Esknou Ewalan says that Drawn to Church women used to deliver in the bush so that people did not hear their cries. Now, he ‘What made you start coming to church?’ says, thanks to the establishment of a I asked my friend Steven. I had known father-to-father group, men realise the him for a long time, but he had only importance of delivering in hospital and recently joined the congregation and encourage their wives to do so. He says become an active member. He smiled at through the group he has leamt to talk to his my question. wife and to spend time with his children. ‘I was walking past the doors one day, Before he would be away from the home for when the congregation was coming out, long periods or spend time with men in the they all looked so happy and cheerful that I had to find out why. I went along the village. He says he is much happier! Here's the best part: thanks to UK Aid Match, following Sunday and now I would not your donation to our Christmas appeal will miss it for the world it has changed my Joyce Cains make double the difference - for every pound life – It’s Wonderful’ you have given to this appeal, until 6 February 2015, the UK Government will give Benefice Confirmation a pound more. Thanks again for your Sunday 24th May at 10:30 am at St support, you'll help us transform lives. John’s Church, Chipping Sodbury. Yours sincerely Savia Droko Bishop Martyn will be coming to confirm Mr G Smith candidates from our benefice. 8
Fresh blood needed…. Each year the Rotary Club of Chipping Sodbury organise a ‘Know Your Blood Pressure Day’ with this year’s event taking place on Saturday 11th April from 9.30am to 3.30pm at 61 Broad Street, Chipping Sodbury, (next to the Town Hall). The main purpose of this annual event is to raise awareness of blood pressure as a significant health threat if undetected and therefore untreated. Undetected high blood pressure is a major factor in causing strokes and heart attacks and is almost always without symptoms. The first sign that a person with high, untreated blood pressure may experience is to have a stroke. Of course this is not the best way to find out. 'If you have never had your blood pressure checked, or it has been over five years
since your last check, then the message is clear, ‘check your blood pressure now before it becomes a problem’. commented Rotarian Dr.Tony Sarafian. “The emphasis this year is on checking people that have not been checked in the last five years and that are not already being monitored by their GP, the service is free and it could save your life.’ Around 140 people had their pressure measured last year with 21 found to have raised BP readings and advised to see their GPs. The results are sent to the Stroke Association with a donation to support their work. On the 11 April, a team of doctors and nurses will offer a free blood pressure check and advice to any Dr Tony Sarafian checks fellow Rotarian Iain Dunnett member of the public attending.
DO YOU NEED FULL TIME CARE FOR AN ELDERLY RELATIVE ? If so we may be able to help. We are full-time LIVE-IN Carers, who stay with a vulnerable person all the time (including overnight). We do all personal care if needed, cooking, shopping, hoisting, incontinence-care, oversight if someone is prone to falls, laundry, help the person get out to appointments, friends, shopping etc. We are very experienced (many years), especially with people who have Dementia, and have Enhanced CRB certificates, excellent references. Charges are between £70 - £85 per day according to complexity of work.
Sometimes the council will pay some or all of this. This gives family complete security knowing that someone they can trust is present all the time. We are happy to give any information you may wish, or can tell you who else you may need to consult. Feel free to ring on 07501 610562 or Email uphellyaa1@fireflyuk.net 9
Holy Week & Easter Services across the Benefice Palm Sunday 29 March Chipping Sodbury: 9.15am Procession from the Moda Hotel to St John’s Church, followed by Parish Communion with children’s activities. Horton:
11.15am Mattins (BCP)
Little Sodbury:
6pm Evensong (BCP)
Old Sodbury: 11.10am Procession from the lych gate to St John’s Church followed by Family Service. A Journey through Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday and Easter Day As we did last year, we invite you all to journey together around the Benefice for the services on Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday. These three/four days are the most important days in the Church’s Year and they belong together. If you just go to church on Palm Sunday and then return on Easter Day and miss out what is going on in between those Sundays, you have lost the sense of travelling with Jesus through his Last Supper, trial, death and resurrection. So I strongly encourage you to seriously consider observing these three really important days by joining us on our journey. I have given a brief description below of what happens on these important days. Maundy Thursday On Maundy Thursday we remember the Last Supper and that Jesus gave himself in the Eucharist. We recall that Jesus chose his apostles to serve and lead the Church. Remembering that Jesus washed their feet at the Last Supper, the priest washes the feet of members of the congregation. The evening eucharist on Maundy Thursday is a beautiful and joyful celebration. During the singing of the Gloria, the church bells are rung and then remain silent until Easter Day. At the end of this service, the Holy Sacrament is placed on an altar of repose for the Watch. This reminds us of the time Jesus spent praying in the garden of Gethsemane. The other altars in the church are stripped bare. Our journey starts at St James’, Horton at 7.30pm on Maundy Thursday. Good Friday On Good Friday we remember the death of Jesus. For the third year running, we’ll have a Walk of Witness. This year, we’re making it a longer walk in order to witness to a larger group of people. So we’ll be starting at 11am in Yate Shopping Centre and then walking to Chipping Sodbury. This is a silent walk, with a Bible reading about Jesus’s trial read at Yate and then a passage from scripture about Jesus’ death read at Chipping Sodbury. There will also be a 10
prayer and a hymn sung. In walking this route, we are re-enacting the walk Jesus made to Calvary. (The Via Dolorosa). We really hope that all of you will join us for all or part of that walk. The celebration of the Lord's passion and death takes place at 2pm in Chipping Sodbury Church on Good Friday afternoon. The service includes listening to scripture, prayers of penitence at the foot of the cross, praying for the world and receiving Holy Communion which has been reserved form the Maundy Thursday eucharist. Some people ask why we include the offering of the bread and wine on Good Friday. From a theological point of view, on Good Friday, Jesus in dying on the cross, gave himself for us and to us. So on Good Friday, we are invited to come to him, the source of our life and receive his life-giving body and blood. If you don’t wish to receive the bread and wine, you don’t have to! Just remain seated where you are. If you wish for a shorter service of reflection and music, we are offering another service at Old Sodbury Church at 12 noon. Easter Vigil On Holy Saturday the Church meditates on the suffering and death of Jesus. Decoration of the church is left for as long as possible. Holy Saturday is an empty day, symbolising the death of Jesus and the emptiness of life without Jesus. For Jews, the new day begins at sundown of the previous day. The Easter Vigil has four parts: The Service of Light; the Liturgy of the Word; the Liturgy of Baptism; and the Liturgy of the Eucharist. In the Early Church, the Easter Vigil lasted through the night until dawn on Easter Sunday, when the Alleluia was sung for the first time since the beginning of Lent, and the faithful—including the newly baptized—broke their 40-hour fast by receiving Communion. During the night-long Vigil, many readings from scripture were read – readings that trace the work of God in the life of humanity from the beginning of Biblical time. To make the Easter Vigil accessible, we are using a shortened and truncated version. On Holy Saturday evening, at 8pm at Little Sodbury Church, we will light the Paschal candle in celebration of Christ, the world’s true light, being raised to new life. This will then be followed by some scripture readings that trace God’s hand in bringing our salvation. So on Saturday night, we will have the Service of Light and the Liturgy of the Word. During the Service of Light, all the lights in the church are turned off and a fire is prepared outside the church. Then the fire is blessed and the Paschal Candle is lighted from the new fire. The candle is carried into the dark church. It is a sign of Christ, the Light of the World, who has overcome the darkness of sin and death. The lighted Paschal Candle provides the only illumination. Then, from the flame of the Paschal Candle, members of the congregation light the small candles that they are holding. The flame is passed from person to person until everyone is holding a lighted candle. 11
The light from the Paschal Candle and all the small candles provides the only illumination in the church during this portion of the liturgy. This section concludes with the singing of the Easter Proclamation, the Exsultet. During the Liturgy of the Word, the story of God's great love for us is proclaimed in readings from the Old and New Testaments. The readings recall the great events of salvation, beginning with creation itself. At the Dawn Service, (6am at Old Sodbury Church) the baptism vows will be taken another Paschal candle lit – because it will be held at a different church from the one used for the Easter Vigil service. So at the Dawn service, there will be the service of Light and the Liturgy of Baptism. In an ideal world, all baptisms and confirmations should take place at the Easter Vigil, following the pattern of the Early Church, after three years of intense preparation. Logistically, this can’t happen because we haven’t got enough bishops to confirm candidates in every parish on the same night! But, in all the dioceses across the world, there will be people being baptised and confirmed at the Easter Vigil service. At Chipping Sodbury, we will baptise two children at 9.30am on Easter Day – a first for many years! The Liturgy of the Eucharist will take place at all the Easter Day Eucharist’s across the Benefice. The bells are rung again, alleluias are shouted and sung to celebrate that Jesus has been raised to new life. Death and evil do not have the final word: God’s love does have the final word. Maundy Thursday 2 April Horton Church: 7.30pm Eucharist of the Last Supper followed by a 15 minute Watch. Good Friday 3 April Walk of Witness: 11am leave Yate Shopping Centre and walk to Chipping Sodbury. Old Sodbury church: 12 noon reflective service for Good Friday Chipping Sodbury church: 2pm Liturgy of the Cross Holy Saturday 4 April Little Sodbury Church: 8pm Easter Vigil Easter Day 5 April Chipping Sodbury church: 8am Holy Communion (BCP) 9.30am Parish Communion with baptisms Horton church 11.15am Holy Communion (CW) Little Sodbury church: 6pm Holy Communion (BCP) Old Sodbury church: 6am Dawn Service (CW) 11.15am Family Communion (CW) 12
Mission to Seafarers News To all those members of the St John’s congregation who give of their time and talents in knitting woollen hats for seafarers, I would like to say a very big ‘Thank You’ on behalf of the Mission to Seafarers. Rita and I recently took a large consignment of woollen hats and Neck warmers – made by you dear folk and also friends in Wotton Under Edge district – down to the International Seafarers Centre at Royal Portbury Dock. As luck would have it, the box for woollen hats at the centre was empty, there was a ship in dock and several Filipino members of the crew were enjoying the facilities at the centre. We were greeted with open arms and asked to pose for photographs arm-in-arm with several crew members. Their appreciation of these ‘goodies’ was obvious and, on behalf of the Mission to Seafarers, I would like to express my sincere thanks – and those of Rita – to all you knitters for your generosity of time and talents. Please keep up the good work – we can never have too many woollens. With my very best wishes, John Ballantyne Wotton-Under-Edge Mission to Seafarers Parish Link.
Good Friday-Walk of Witness 3 April starting at 11:00 am at Yate Shopping Centre we will be walking to Chipping Sodbury to remember Christ’s walk to the cross. Full details on page 10.
Do come and Join us 13
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Sodbury Vale Benefice Regular Weekly Events Monday
8.45am
Morning Prayer
St John’s, Chipping Sodbury
7.30pm
Bell Ringers’ Practice
Church Tower, Chipping Sodbury
Tuesday
8.45am
Morning Prayer
Church Centre, Upper Room,Chipping Sodbury
Tuesday
9.15pm
Stor'k'ies
St John's Church, Chipping Sodbury
Wednesday
8.30am
Morning Prayer
St John’s, Chipping Sodbury
Thursday
8.45am
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
7.00pm
Youth Club (age 11-18)
Baptist Church Centre
Friday
Note: No Morning Prayers on Bank Holidays
Sodbury Vale Benefice Forthcoming Events 5th - 14th
May
2015
Pilgrimage to The Holy Land led by the Info from Alison Vlach 01452 Ven Jackie Searle Archdeacon of 835583 Gloucester
24th
May
2015
Benefice Confirmation Service
3rd - 5th
July
2015
Benefice Retreat at Llangastry Retreat Info from Ian Yemm House
St John’s, CS
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 look out for further details closer to the date. Michelle 01454 325160 sodburyvalebenefice@gmail.com
Sodbury Vale Benefice Calendar April 2015 Thurs
Fri
Sat
2nd
3rd
4th
Sun 5th Easter Sunday
10.00am
Holy Communion
St John’s C/S
10.45am
Coffee Shop
Church Centre C/S
7.30pm
Eucharist of the last Supper
St James’, Horton
11:00am
Walk of Witness
Yate Shopping Centre
12 noon
Service of reflection
St John’s O/S
2.00pm
Liturgy of the cross
St John’s C/S
8.00pm
Easter Vigil
St Adeline’s, L/S
6.00am
Dawn Service
St John’s O/S
8.00am
Holy Communion
St John’s C/S
9.30am
Parish Communion
St John’s, C/S
11.15am
Holy Communion
St James’, Horton
11.15am
Family Communion
St John’s O/S
6.00pm
Holy Communion
St Adeline’s L/S
Sodbury Vale Benefice Calendar April 2015 cont. Thurs
9th
Sun 12th Second Sunday of Easter
Mon
Tue
13th
14th
Thurs
Sat
18th
Sun 19th Third Sunday of Easter
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
Mattins
St James’, Horton
11.15am
Family Service
St John’s O/S
6.00pm
Evensong {BCP}
St Adeline’s L/S
2.00pm
Mothers’ Union meeting
Church Centre, C/S
3.00pm
Meditation Meeting
Ring 312228 for venue
9.15am
Storkies
St John’s, C/S
7.15pm
Lent Course
Church Centre, CS
10.00am
Holy Communion
St John’s C/S
10.45am
Coffee Shop
Church Centre C/S
10.00am
Coffee Morning
Church Centre C/S
9.30am
Family Communion
St John’s C/S
11.00am
Chipping Sodbury APCM
St John’s C/S
11.15am
Morning Prayer
St James’, Horton
11.15am
Holy Communion
St John’s O/S
6.00pm
Evensong {BCP}
St Adeline’s L/S
Mon
20th
7.30pm
SJP Planning Meeting
Vicarage, C/S
Tue
21st
9.15am
Storkies
St John’s, C/S
7.00pm
Horton APCM
Kirren House
10.00am
Holy Communion
St John’s C/S
10.45am
Coffee Shop
Church Centre C/S
7.00pm
Old Sodbury APCM
Village Hall, O/S
9.30am
Parish Communion
St John’s C/S
Family Communion {CW}
St James’ Horton
Morning Praise
St John’s O/S
6.00pm
Holy Communion {BCP}
St Adeline’s L/S
7.00pm
Little Sodbury APCM
St Adeline’s, L/S
9.15am
Storkies
St John’s, C/S
2.00pm
Tea and Chat
Church Centre C/S
3.00pm
Meditation Meeting
Ring 312228 for venue
10.00am
Holy Communion
St John’s C/S
10.45am
Coffee Shop
Church Centre C/S
Thurs
23rd
Sun 26th 11.15am Fourth Sunday of Easter 11.15am
Tue
Thurs
28th
30th
15
Embracing the New (Part 2) Let’s begin by explaining what our new svbcofe.org.uk web site is all about… Suppose we see it as our shop window where we show off what we do, who we are, and what we consider important. People can come and take a look inside to see for themselves without leaving the security of their homes to satisfy their curiosity. They are also interested in discovering what might be in it (=church) for them. Or we could say it’s like letting down the drawbridge – so that what was once secret and hid from them is now visible and they are welcome to come in… This suggests that we see the web-site as primarily for those outside of our immediate circle. The service it provides for our members is also important but we may need to look further to find it… Now let’s take a closer look at the site itself: The main banner consists of four sliding pictures that change according to the season and carry a simple message. Above the slider is the Main Menu – Home, Activities, Service, About… etc. and when hovering the mouse over these they show a drop-down menu that leads to other pages on a click. Below the slider there are three main columns with a light purple background (for the Lent season). This is the main area of the home page and the one that changes most frequently. The right hand sidebar shows What’s On – the SVB calendar of events scheduled for the current month. As you hover the mouse pointer over each of the dates it reveals all the activities in the diary for that day. By clicking on ‘Next’ or ‘Back’ you can also view events of the following month – or previous month. Below the calendar is a Search box – a very useful tool if you are looking for something (or someone) on the site. If you enter ‘Tea Chat’ for example it will list excerpts of all the articles where Tea Chat is mentioned…. And underneath the Search there is a streamer with the heading Next Sunday . Below that are two advertisements – one for the Llangasty Retreat and the other for the Lent Course. The next sections feature some of the things SVB is doing in the community through schools, Foodbank and Street Pastors while a box on the right lists three of our latest @SVBwatch tweets – worth watching! There is also a short section for new-comers which leads to the new Welcome page. Then comes a reminder that all we do is really about Jesus: we have some words from Jesus and an encouragement to Get Reading the Book. Click on this and it will take you to suggestions for regular Bible Study from BRF. And that concludes the top half of the Home page. I encourage you to start clicking around and discover what may be hidden. There is a lot of gold to be mined… We shall continue next month with the lower half – from the sliding pictures and below. If you have any questions or suggestions do feel free to contact me at <admin@svbcofe.org> Frank Gray 16