The Sodbury Vale Benefice
O U T LO O K
magazine
Chipping Sodbury, Old Sodbury, Horton & Little Sodbury
12014 - January 2015 December 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
Tina Hildick-Smith 01454 320380 Richard Needs 01454 329890
Church Office Open during school term time Monday, Tuesday & Thursday mornings 9.00 - 12.00
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.
Administrator : Michelle Jenkins 01454 325160 Email: office@svbcofe.org.uk Web Site: www.svbcofe.org.uk
February Deadline Can you have all copy to Michelle in the Church Office by January 14th at the latest please.
Advertising: Sylvia Franklin 07788 111726
Editor: Front Cover - Exmoor in winter
Michael Stephenson 01454 314094 email outlook@svbcofe.org.uk
By Michael Stephenson
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even as the first woman is appointed as a bishop misogyny is still very evident in our churches. So the church is no better than the rest of society but at least we are moving in the right direction. And I have repeatedly made the point that even as the first female candidates are interviewed to be bishops, this is far from the end of the road. We have many more choices to make about how we become a truly just and equal community. These choices will need to start with a re-examination of our core values. It is all very well talking of love, but we live in a society that claims that the highest form of love is sex. Contrast this with the biblical picture of self-sacrifice as the supreme display of love. As I enjoy reminding couples on their wedding day, Hollywood may teach that the champagne fizz of sex is what makes a marriage work, but the reality is a little more mundane: it's about who washes the pots and who puts out the rubbish. The Rt. Revd Martyn Snow, Bishop of Tewkesbury
A just and equal community We have many more choices to make about how we become a truly just and equal community. My daughter turned 13 recently. She is now officially a teenager. Of course, she has been an unofficial teenager for some time with the attitude to go with it. But the passing of this particular landmark has caused me to reflect a little on the world my daughter is entering and in particular the effects of the so-called feminist revolution. In 2010, Lily Allen won an award for her song The Fear, which brilliantly captured the manipulation, insecurity and fear which is at the heart of consumerism. Now she has a song called Hard Out Here, which angrily captures how far the feminist revolution has not brought us. Allen highlights the double standards in private sexuality and public work. Its fine for men to boast about their sexual conquests while women are blamed for being loose and free. She highlights the way women are endlessly reduced to sexual objects, even in supposedly respectable publications and TV shows. None of this is new of course. Indeed it is depressingly familiar. But it is worth stopping to think about the way the feminist revolution, while bringing huge gains in some areas, has had almost no impact in others. Far more women may go out to work now than they did 50 years ago yet a woman is paid £82 for the work a man will be paid £100 for. You may be asking how a bishop in the Church of England would dare to write about feminism. After all, it has taken us 20 years to accept that women can not only be vicars but can also hold senior leadership positions in the church. We are hardly the model of equality. And my female colleagues are very clear that
TWO VACANCIES PCC Treasurer & PCC Secretary -St John’s Church, Old Sodbury The roles of Treasurer and Secretary to the PCC are becoming vacant from the end of December 2014. Therefore there is an urgent need to fill these positions as soon as possible to ensure the continued smooth running of church affairs. If you are interested and feel able to take on this role; or know of anyone in The Benefice or surrounding community who could support us as part of the PCC Team, please contact: John Myers Churchwarden, Tel: 01454 312223 Email: 1.john.myers@googlemail.com 3
Dear Friends, ‘Tis the season to be jolly, Fa, la, la, la, la.’ Yes, let’s prolong this season in the words of a favourite film character of mine, Buzz Lightyear: ‘to infinity and beyond!’ Oh how good is this time of year when we think of children’s faces lighting up at the sight of fairy lights on the tree, or the glittering wrapping on the parcels under it. And then we have the good wishes of ‘Happy New Year.’ Brilliant memories, some more recent than others. There is another side to this joviality, though. Someone was telling me recently how quite a few children in her school face a formidable prospect: they have been placed in hostel accommodation and many have lost their toys. For some it has been at the hands of their socially inept parents. For others it is because of moves forced upon them by the local Council. Yet the children have done nothing to bring this situation upon themselves. I suppose many of us feel sad at the thought of children suffering like this. Yet we need to face the question ‘How easy is it to empathise with others when we have not had an experience like this in our own lives?’ I read a blog recently in which a father described watching how another father treated his little boy. They were stood in a queue and the father told the 6 year-old to back off when he asked for ice-cream. The child, as children do, moved on and began to sing a childish song. When the father told him to be quiet the child shrank back onto a wall. Later in the queue, as the boy stood by his father’s side, the father jammed his fingers into his son’s collar bones and threatened him that ‘he would get it’ at home if he so much as made a sound or left the wall. The child’s face became locked to the floor and expressionless. His spirit had been broken. And that’s how his father wanted it. The blogger noted that he, and most of us, have those times when our patience is stretched to the limit. He described his post as being about love and talked of a disease called perfection. It made me think of Church and the way we often view others in our church, particularly those who are new. Though we may not say it, we desire perfection in them. Our tolerance can be sorely tried by those who don’t behave the way we think they should. On the one hand we tell God and one another that we want our church to grow, to reach out to build God’s Kingdom. Sometimes, just sometimes, this desire does not follow through into actions. During this last year I have visited two churches where I was easily able to leave without anyone speaking to me at all. I tried looking as if I was fine and no-one responded, I tried looking plaintive and no-one responded, I tried looking around to catch people’s eyes, but no-one responded. And I desperately wanted someone to talk to me. I was a stranger wasn’t I - but no-one welcomed me, (paraphrasing Matthew 25 verse 43.) Doubtless every church wants to describe themselves as a welcoming church. As for those Churches I visited, they probably wouldn’t recognise it or accept it if I told them that they weren’t welcoming to me, and that it felt as if they hadn’t even noticed me. 4
Has this happened in our churches, here in the Sodbury Vale? Yes, it has. I wonder, have we forgotten how difficult it can be to come into a church, to sit in a pew and to have to wait for someone to speak to you? Everyone else seems to have such a lot to say to one another, and there are smiles on their faces….. but only for one another. I find no Bible verse that says put your needs before the needs of others, put your comfort before the care of others. I get that we have a need of being fed and built up when we come to Church, it’s just that that is not all there is to being Church. Jesus showed us a radical faith whose values are exactly the opposite of our natural instincts. Instead of seeking my own superiority God’s greatness asks about how many do I serve, or how many am I willing to minister to? The mark of greatness is that we do not look at outward appearances, or age, or the things people stand for. No, it is simply that we know we are loved by God and extend that same love to others. Showing love is a choice which we make every day. Perhaps this Christmas we do not just talk about loving as Jesus did, we show it! I’m off to listen to Abba singing ‘Dancing Queen’…… ‘Looking out for the place to go, you come in to look for a king.’
Yvonne Rev. Yvonne Brae, 01454 850682, email yvonne@svbcofe.org.uk
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Sat 8.30 to 4.00pm
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Frances Blandford Nature Trail
BENEFICE RETREAT Friday 3rd July - Sunday 5th July 2015 Langasty Retreat House
A lakeside retreat in the beautiful Brecon Beacons Single Rooms, Twin Rooms and Accessible Rooms available Total cost £136 per person
Frances, a long term member of St. John's, Chipping Sodbury, left a legacy to the Avon Wildlife Trust. Part of this has been used by the local group to produce a leaflet to accompany a nature trail by the River Frome in Chipping Sodbury highlighting points of natural history. This photo is of the official opening by Mayor of Chipping Sodbury, Wendy Whittle, before the inaugural walk which was held in October.
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Deposit £70 (non-refundable By 1st December 2014 please Cheques payable to: St John’s P.C.C. Chipping Sodbury Register with Ian Yemm at Church or Email: ian@svbcofe.org.uk Phone 07514 139825
More information: www.llangsty.com
Saving St Adeline’s, Little Sodbury, from Closure. As the bills rolled in this year it became more and more apparent that we were running out of funds, and as every church is totally self supporting, some action was needed. An analysis of our income and expenditure showed a monthly deficit of around £230. With the funds we had left this meant that the church would no longer be viable by May 2015 and would close. We need to raise an extra £3000 every year if we are going to keep the church open. Our first step to dealing with this was to write to everyone in the congregation to ask if they were able to increase their giving and use standing orders or the Parish Giving Scheme. We then wrote to all the Little Sodbury residents to ask if they would be willing to make a regular donation to keep their church open. We have had some positive responses, including a very generous, anonymous, offer to pay for the installation of the under pew heating we so badly need and which we hope will keep our numbers and collections up through the winter and our fuel costs down. We have made some progress towards the target for this year, but will need to do some fundraising to close the gap each year and keep the church alive. Please help us by supporting our events when they occur. The first of these will be a Christmas Sale and Coffee Morning on Saturday 13 December, at St Adeline’s Church, Little Sodbury from 10:30am to 2:00pm. For more details see next item. 8
Christmas at St Adeline’s, Little Sodbury Saturday 13 December From 10:30am to 2:00pm Come and see our church decorated for Christmas Enjoy a cup of Coffee or Tea with Mince Pies Browse round the stalls of Cakes, Jams, Chutneys, Books and other Goodies Enjoy a unique experience Having a clear out for Christmas? If you have any books or other items you will be willing to donate to St Adeline’s for us to sell at our Christmas Happening please drop them off at the Church Office
Stor’k’ies
Reverend Yvonne and a craft activity to take home. We end with music and movement and singing. Earplugs are recommended! One of our key aims in setting up 'Storkies' has been to contribute to the wider community of the town and make a real impact on what happens here. Recently, we received a donation of around twenty beautiful knitted and crocheted blankets via St Peter’s hospice shop. Made by local, older residents - one lady in her nineties - these are now used as Story Blankets for the children to 'cosy in' as they listen at story time. Another initiative is a very positive link with Chipping Sodbury Secondary school. A group of lovely students are now doing work experience rotations at 'Storkies'. A great bonus for us and a benefit to them as they make applications for their future at university or in the workplace. By making connections like these we hope to contribute to creating a strong community where everyone feels included, useful and cared for. If you feel you could get involved or ' Storkies ' sounds like somewhere you would like to come along to and you would like further information, please get in touch or just come along and find us on Tuesdays, You would be made to feel very welcome! Sarah Ledger (Play Leader)
'Storkies' is a toddler group meeting at St John’s Church every Tuesday morning at 9:15am till 11:15am during term time. Our vision is simple, we want parents and carers to come along to the sessions to have fun and enjoy the weekly programme that is provided for them. This includes a specific focus on encouraging Literacy at home and engaging children in different ways of listening and telling stories. Particularly stories from the bible and other tales from different traditions that have a positive message about how to live well and in a caring way. Since beginning in September, our numbers have grown steadily and we have had some fantastic feedback from parents and carers about what we offer. The morning begins with free play to allow children to explore the wonderful environment of the church itself. The soaring spaces, stone and wood and striking colours of the stained glass windows provide a stimulating backdrop to their activities but also gives them an opportunity to enjoy an environment that is peaceful and special. Thanks to two generous grants from the Townlands Charity and Rotary Club we have been able to provide some lovely toys for both Big and Small Play. There is also a Reading Zone and Pretend Place for children to allow their imagination and creativity to run wild. Mid-morning we have a healthy snack, prepared by the ladies from Mothers’ Union; who are also on hand to chat and offer encouragement to younger mums, dads and carers throughout the session. The second part of the morning includes a Literacy Focus for parents and carers; a two-minute tip on simple ways they can become role models for reading and learning in their own homes. Next comes story time with 9
Principal Service readings December December 7th (Second Sunday of Advent) Isaiah 40: 1 - 11 2 Peter 3: 8 - 15a Mark 1: 1 - 8 Psalm 85: 1 - 2, 8 - end December 14th (Third Sunday of Advent) Isaiah 61: 1 - 4, 8 - end 1 Thessalonians 5: 16- 24 John 1: 6 - 8, 19 - 28 Psalm 126 December 21st (Fourth Sunday of Advent) 2 Samuel 7: 1 - 11, 16 Romans 16: 25 - end Luke 1: 26 - 38 Psalm 89: 1 - 4, 19 - 26 December 28th (The Holy Innocents) Jeremiah 31: 15 -17 1 Corinthians 1: 26 - 29 Matthew 2: 13 - 18 Psalm 124
John 1: 43 - end Psalm 139: 1 - 5, 12 - 18 January 25th (The Conversion of Paul) Jeremiah 1: 4 -10 Acts 9: 1 - 22 Matthew 19: 27 - end Psalm 67
Crib Festival 3rd to 7th December There’s still time to volunteer - lots of help needed - check the sheets in your church.
We do hope so, and we would like to welcome you at one of our Christmas Services detailed below. Please join us.
Christmas Services in the Benefice 14th December 6.00pm Carol Service St James’ Horton 19th December 7.00pm Carol Service St Adeline’s LS
Principal Service readings January
21st December 5.00pm Carol Service - St John’s OS 7.00pm Carol Service - St John’s CS
January 4th (Epiphany) Isaiah 60: 1 - 6 Ephesians 3: 1 - 12 Matthew 2: 1 - 12 Psalm 72 January 11th (The Baptism of Christ) Genesis 1: 1 - 5 Acts 19: 1- 7 Mark 1: 4 - 11 Psalm 29 January 18th (Second Sunday of Epiphany) 1 Samuel 3: 1 - 10 Revelations 5: 1 - 10
24th December 3.00pm Crib Service - St John's OS 3.00pm Christingle - St John’s CS 4.30pm Christingle - St John’s CS 8.00pm Christmas Communion St James’ Horton 11.30pm Midnight Communion St John’s CS
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How it all began…
Festival will touch people of all ages as Christmas is such a familiar annual event they come to church in early December. that we easily overlook its sheer Frank Gray magnitude. Singing for Epilepsy Action In historical terms it was remarkable: not Yate that the birth of Jesus attracted much Choral public attention – just an angelic choir, a Society bunch of shepherds, and three wise men presented to boot…! Epilepsy But we might also say that in sending His Action with Son Jesus Christ into the world it was over £1000 God’s first earthly mission. He was not a as a result remote, detached deity, but one who of their came and pitched His tent among us (the concert. recent charity literal meaning of John 1:14). And He did Yate Choral will be in action again at their it for our good – because He loved us. annual Christmas Concert His timing was perfect. His message was December 17th at 7:30pm at clear: God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world but to save Chipping Sodbury Town Hall. the world through Him. Do come along to hear a selection of We could also say that Christmas was Christmas songs and carols, old and new, when Mission was born: God left His and the wonderful harpist that we had last comfort zone and became one of us in the year, and you’ll have an opportunity to join person of Christ. in yourselves. What does this say to us today? What If you enjoy singing why not come and join. difference can it make? That same out- Rehearsals are at St Nicholas Centre, pouring of love can also be ours as we tell Yate on Tuesdays from 7:30 - 9.30pm. Ask and live out that good news. We give our at the concert or Contact Jan Hazelby on gifts because we love. We love our family, 01454 314779 our friends, our neighbours and those in need. We also celebrate with them again Book of Remembrance the amazing Christmas story. The Benefice is working on arrangements And we pray for them. We pray for those for a Book of Remembrance. The intention who are being helped through Foodbank is to start recording names from all four – that God brings them special blessings. parishes from 2009, when the Rector first We pray for those who go out on Saturday came here. There will be a chance to enter nights as Street Pastors. We pray for Jo names of loved ones who died earlier and and Jon in their on-going work with who have a connection to any of our Turning Point. We pray for Paul and parishes. If you have anyone you would Charitas Cho and Hayoung as they like commemorated in the book and who resettle in UK after serving two years in died before 2009 please contact the Philippines. We pray for the work of Linda Hurst on 01454 319183 MAF… and many more. We also pray that or lindashurst@icloud.com. before the the joy expressed in the Nativity Crib end of December 12
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, Room,Chipping Sodbury
Tuesday
9.15pm
Stor'k'ies
St John's Sodbury
Wednesday 8.30am
Morning Prayer
St John’s, Chipping Sodbury
Thursday
Morning Prayer
St John’s, Chipping Sodbury
8.45am
10.00am Holy Communion
Friday
Church,
Upper Chipping
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
Note: No Morning Prayers on Bank Holidays
Sodbury Vale Benefice Forthcoming Events Sat
13th
Dec
10:30 am 2:00 pm
Sun
14th
Dec
6.00pm
Carol Service
St James’, Horton
Fri
19th
Dec
7.00pm
Carol Service
St Adeline’s, LS
Sun
21st
Dec
5.00pm
Carol Service
St John’s, OS
Sun
21st
Dec
7.00pm
Carol Service
St John’s, CS
5th - 14th
May
2015
Pilgrimage to The Holy Land led by the Ven Info from Alison Vlach Jackie Searle Archdeacon of Gloucester 01452 835583
3rd - 5th
July
2015
Benefice Retreat at Llangastry Retreat House Info from Ian Yemm
Christmas at St Adeline's, Little Sodbury
St Adeline's LS
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 office@svbcofe.org.uk 13
Sodbury Vale Benefice Calendar December 2014 Sun 7th Second Sunday of Advent
Tue
9th
Wed
Thurs
Sat
11th
12th
13th
Sun 14th Third Sunday of Advent
9.30am
Family Communion
St John’s, C/S
11.15am
Mattins
St James’, Horton
11.15am
Family Communion
St John’s, O/S
6.00pm
Evensong {BCP}
St Adeline’s, L/S
9.15am
Stor’k’ies
St John’s, C/S
3.00pm
Meditation Meeting
Ring 312228 for venue
1.20pm
Womens’ Fellowship
1 Kent Ave, Yate
7.30pm
Together Group
Bodkin Hazel, O/S
7.30pm
Pastoral Care Meeting
Church Centre, C/S
10.00am
Holy Communion
St John’s, C/S
10.45am
Coffee Shop
Church Centre, C/S
10.30am
Christmas Coffee Morning
St Adeline’s, L/S
9.30am
Parish Communion
St John’s, C/S
11.15am
Family Service
St John’s, O/S
6.00pm
Carol Service
St James, Horton
6.00pm
Evensong {BCP}
St Adeline’s, L/S
Mon
15th
TBA
Mothers’ Union Christmas Lunch
The Bell Inn
Tue
16th
9.15am
Stor’k’ies
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
7.00pm
Carol Service
St Adeline's L/S
Family Communion
St John’s, C/S
Morning Prayer {CW}
St James’, Horton
Holy Communion {BCP}
St John’s, O/S
5.00pm
Carol Service
St John’s, O/S
7.00pm
Carol Service
St John’s, C/S
3.00pm
Meditation Meeting
Ring 312228 for venue
3.00pm
Crib Service
St John’s , O/S
3.00pm
Christingle
St John’s , C/S
4.30pm
Christingle
St John’s , C/S
8.00pm
Christmas Communion
St James’, Horton
11.30pm
Midnight Communion
St John’s, C/S
Thur 25th Christmas Day
9.30am
Family Communion
St John’s , C/S
11.15am
Family Communion
St John’s, O/S
Sun 28th Holy Innocents
10.30am
Benefice Communion
St Adeline’s L/S
Thurs
Fri
18th
19th
9.30am Sun 21st 11.15am Fourth Sunday of Advent 11.15am
Tue
23rd Wed 24th
Christmas Eve
Sodbury Vale Benefice Calendar January 2015 Thurs
1st
Sun 4th Epiphany
Tue
6th
Thurs
8th
10.00am
Holy Communion
St John’s, C/S
10.45am
Coffee Shop
Church Centre, C/S
8.00am
Holy Communion
St John’s, C/S
9.30am
St John’s Praise
St John’s, C/S
11.15am
Mattins
St James’, Horton
11.15am
Family Communion
St John’s, O/S
6.00pm
Evensong {BCP}
St Adeline’s, L/S
9.15am
Stor’k’ies
St John’s, C/S
7.30pm
Exploring Christianity Course
Church Centre, C/S
10.00am
Holy Communion
St John’s, C/S
10.45am
Coffee Shop
Church Centre, C/S
Parish Communion
St John’s, C/S
Holy Communion {BCP}
St James’, Horton
Family Service
St John’s, O/S
6.00pm
Evensong {BCP}
St Adeline’s, L/S
9.30am Sun 11th Baptism of Christ 11.15am 11.15am
Mon
12th
2.00pm
Mothers’ Union
Church Centre, C/S
Tue
13th
9.15am
Stor’k’ies
St John’s, C/S
7.30pm
Exploring Christianity Course
Church Centre, C/S
10.00am
Holy Communion
St John’s C/S
10.45am
Coffee Shop
Church Centre C/S
9.30am
Family Communion
St John’s, C/S
11.15am
Morning Prayer {CW}
St James’, Horton
11.15am
Holy Communion {BCP}
St John’s, O/S
6.00pm
Evensong {BCP}
St Adeline’s, L/S
9.15am
Stor’k’ies
St John’s, C/S
7.30pm
Exploring Christianity Course
Church Centre, C/S
10.00am
Holy Communion
St John’s C/S
10.45am
Coffee Shop
Church Centre C/S
7.30pm
Church Wardens and Treasurers meeting
Church Centre C/S
All Day
Marriage Preparation Day
Church Centre, C/S
9.30am
Parish Communion
St John’s C/S
Sun 25th
11.15am
Holy Communion
St James’ Horton
The Conversion of St Paul
11.15am
Morning Praise {CW}
St John’s O/S
6.00pm
Holy Communion {BCP}
St Adeline’s L/S
9.15am
Stor’k’ies
St John’s, C/S
7.30pm
Exploring Christianity Course
Church Centre, C/S
Thurs
15th
Sun 18th Second Sunday of Epiphany
Tue
Thur
Sat
Tue
20th
22nd
24th
27th
15
The Perfect Christmas Most of us, when we picture the perfect Christmas, think of the young child waking early and rushing to see what has appeared under the tree. Every present is touched, shaken and inspected with a sense of awe and wonder. It is a wonderful tradition. Gifts are a way of creating or deepening relationships. They draw us into community and give us a shared sense of belonging. They require thought, care and preparation. But they also create a sense of obligation: how will you return the gift? Or how will you pass it on? This Christmas we will hear again from the shepherds and angels. And we will ponder the supreme gift of God’s own Son. A gift offered to us with the intention that it (he) draws us into relationship and into community. But such a gift also creates an obligation. How will we respond? How will we pass it on? Giving to God our devotion and our love is our supreme gift. But love for God cannot be divorced from love of neighbour. I hope this Christmas, we will also give to our neighbour in Syria, Iraq, or Sierra Leone or to the homeless and isolated in our own town or village or to the person using the foodbank or the credit union. Such gifts may create new relationships, which will bring us much blessing and joy. The Rt. Revd Martyn Snow, Bishop of Tewkesbury
schools of Yate and Chipping Sodbury in South Gloucestershire
Regenerate's Vision is: To be an agent of change, living out and proclaiming the good news, unconditional love and hope of Jesus Christ in order to bring wholeness to the children, young people and families in Yate, Chipping Sodbury and surrounding areas. The Accompanying Project The vision of the Accompanying Project is to see children and young people be all they can be. The project is a targeted programme working in partnership with primary schools to support vulnerable children through the transition to secondary school. The aim of Accompanying is to build positive and meaningful relationships with children and young people which make a positive difference in their lives now and in the future. The hope is to develop this by offering it to one more Primary School this academic year. We now have Rock Solid (Year 7) and Refresh (Year 8) lunchtime clubs happening in all 3 of our Secondary Schools and Year 9 Refresh clubs happening in Yate International Academy and Chipping Sodbury. This term we are looking forward to the Advent Adventure which this year takes place in 3 locations (St Nics, Chipping Sodbury Baptist and Yate Methodist) on the 8th, 10th and 11th December. Pupils from Year 4 will be led around a trail as they explore the story of Christmas. The trail is interactive and an exciting opportunity to Regenerate connect children and Regenerate is a charity supported by staff with the real local churches and working in the message of Christmas. 16