The Sodbury Vale Benefice Chipping Sodbury, Old Sodbury, Horton & Little Sodbury
magazine
Nativity
Crib Festival St John’s Church, Chipping Sodbury 26th November until 4th December 2011
An Inspiring Collection of nativity cribs, contemporary and traditional, from around the world 1
F En ree tr y
Old Sodbury
Contacts
Val Walker 16A Melrose Avenue, Yate 01454 318286 Tony Dixon 16 Chatterton Road, Yate, BS37 4BJ 01454 321 528
Rector The Rev. Canon Jane Kenchington, 01454 313159 email jane@kenchington.plus.com Assistant Curate The Rev. Val Bexon, 01453 521417 email:valeriebexon@onetel.com
Little Sodbury Nigel Rawlins Little Sodbury House, Little Sodbury, BS37 6QA 01454 312 269 Nancy Nagle Winchcombe Cottage,Little Sodbury End 01454 319798
Regular Weekly Events Monday 8.45am Morning Prayer, St John’s Chipping Sodbury 7.30pm Bell Ringers’ practice Church Tower Chipping Sodbury Wednesday 8.30am Morning Prayer, St John’s Chipping Sodbury Thursday 8.45am Morning Prayer, 10.00am Holy Communion St John’s Chipping Sodbury 7.00pm Choir Practice, St John’s Chipping Sodbury Friday 10.00am Tubbie Tots Church Centre Chipping Sodbury 7.00pm Youth Club (age 11-18) Baptist Church Centre
Horton Tina Hildick-Smith Kirrin House, King Lane, Horton 01454 320380
Church Office Open during term time Monday, Tuesday & Thursday mornings 9.00 - 12.00 01454 325160
On a Church's notice board: Email
sodburyvalebenefice@gmail.com
"7 days without God makes one weak."
Web Site www.sodburyvalechurches.wordpress.com
Churchwardens Chipping Sodbury
Advertising Sylvia Franklin St. John’s Church Centre 07788 111 726
Paul Jones-Williams 1 Meadow Mead, Yate 01454 324970 Keith Stanley 132 Harescombe, Yate 01454 319467
January Deadline Please can you have all editorial to Michelle by December 10th. 2
Dear Friends, What did you see at the Nativity Crib Festival? Did you see anything that inspired you or caught you unawares or made you see the Christmas event in a fresh light? U. A. Fanthorpe, a local poet who lived in Wotton-under-Edge until her death in 2009 wrote a poem entitled :What the Donkey saw. You couldn’t have squeezed another cherub in No room in the inn, of course, For love nor money. And not that much in the stable, What with the shepherds, Magi, Mary, Still, in spite of the overcrowding, Joseph, the heavenly host – I did my best to make them feel wanted. Not to mention the baby I could see the baby and I Using our manger as a cot. Would be going places together
As the centuries have passed, the Christmas stories have taken on a more sentimental image. Even the mention of the donkey can be puzzling actually, because there’s no reference to the donkey in scripture! But somehow, the donkey has become a key player in the pictures that we have of Christmas. Over the years, it’s been easy for us to fall into the trap of quite unrealistic associations with the coming of Jesus into the world. Let’s remind ourselves of some stark facts: when Jesus was born, 1 in 4 women died through childbirth and 1 in 3 babies died as they were born. Giving birth was a risky business – not that you would know that from the pictures we see of Mary smiling over a silent, immobile baby! I think the Kibera crib, which is in the exhibition, where Mary is lying down might be a more realistic picture. Perhaps we ought to accompany this scene with the sounds of a crying baby! As you ponder the birth of Jesus this year, try to get in touch with what it might have really been like at that time. Ponder the huge risk God took in choosing to come and live among us – a risk in even being born, let alone the risk God took with us which ended up with humanity rejecting Jesus – God’s only Son. Trying to follow Jesus is a risky business as well. But God continues to call each of us to follow Jesus. It is a risk because we don’t know where it’ll lead, but it’ll be the most life-giving risk you’ll ever decide to take.
Rev. Canon Jane, Kenchington, 01454 313159, email:jane@kenchington.plus.com
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likely to exceed £1,000 for the 10 day pilgrimage.
…..Nativity Cribs As we go to press nativity scenes and cribs are arriving for our International Crib Festival – yes we know that one is on its way from Sweden and many others have been made in countries around the world.
Joining us for a communion, then enjoying a cuppa after completing 92 miles, he set off in heavy rain to walk the last 8 miles to Wick. In the Rose & Crown he met his family and enjoyed celebratory refreshment – and discovered that his youngest daughter had passed her ‘A’ levels to go to university and study Physiotherapy – a great double celebration! Mike wrote: “The whole walk was a wonderful experience. Obviously beautiful countryside and, on the whole, lovely weather, which enhanced the experience. I stayed with some very kind and welcoming hosts on the way. I can particularly recommend a B and B in Chipping Sodbury called "ChezJennChris"! Thanks again Chris and Jenny for such a warm welcome.
A little nearer home here are two that you will see on display from November 29th This Nativity Bread scene, “The Bread of Heaven” has been crafted and baked with a variety or organic flours by Shipton Mill’s creative baker Clive Mellum. And from the shores of Dorset, these stones have been fashioned into an iconic nativity theme from the Chesil Beach. Other seaside nativity’s will follow.
The biggest high however was to have ten whole days to walk and talk often out loud with my Lord.
100 miles for a cuppa! Mike Watts, AKA ‘Mike the Hike’, decided to walk down the Monarch’s Way from Stratford-on Avon to Wick this summer, a distance of 100 miles. He did it to raise money for the Sue Ryder Foundation and stayed with clergy and congregations along the way. Donations were made and a part of this was given to the churches which provided food and shelter – including St John’s. Money is still coming in and is
Consort Singing Music for the Advent Season. Saturday 26th November 7:30pm Tickets £10 Available on the door 4
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Christmas Unwrapped
Order your stickers using the link below, and help bring back the real meaning of Christmas this year. You can tell your friends how to get their free Christmas stickers too, simply send them this link – www.christmasunwrapped.org.uk And if you’re looking for a special Christmas gift for a friend or relative, our online shop has a great selection of Bibles, books, DVDs and CDs. Have a look at http://shop.biblesociety.org.uk
(Imagery supplied with permission and copyright of Bible Society)
Ever feel the real message of Christmas is lost in a festive flurry of Santas, shopping, tinsel and mince pies? If you long to share the real story of Christmas, then use The Bible Society’s Free stickers.
Email Outlook You can see this issue, together with
Stick them on your festive post to direct past editions of Outlook in vibrant colour friends and family to the Christmas by going to our web site. Unwrapped web site (link below) where the http://www.sodburyvalechurches.wordpress.com and click on Magazines story unfolds in a short animated video
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awestruck by a profound and life-giving mystery.
The Bishop’s Christmas Message
I wish you a happy and wonderful Christmas.
I sometimes get frustrated at how often we hear that “Christmas is for the children”. Clearly it is for children, but its message, its good news, is equally for adults too. Where children are greatly at an advantage, of course, whether at Christmas or at any other time, is that they have a beautiful sense of wonder. They stand in awe and delight in something that entrances them with a facility we sometimes seem to lose when we grow older.
+Michael
(The Rt. Revd. Michael Perham Bishop of Gloucester,)
There are several key messages in the Christian gospel for Christmas time. Jesus is born in a stable among the poor and, at the end of a year that has seen economic bad news dragging many people down into poverty and others left there, that is gospel. The birth of Jesus was heralded by angels greeting the arrival of a Prince of Peace and, in a world where there is violence and tyranny, that is good news too. And there are more such messages. But none of these, however, important as they are, get to the heart of Christmas. The heart of Christmas is Emmanuel, literally, God with us. It is the truth that in Jesus it was God, the Creator of heaven and earth, who became one of us didn’t just look like one of us, but became one of us, lived our life, joined heaven and earth. Looking at all the representations of that birth in cribs and Christmas cards, singing that story in carols, watching children re-enact it in their nativity plays, ought to bring us all, adults, as much as children, back to a sense of wonder, full of gratitude, 7
Billy’s back The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association is now offering an internet facility for all your searching questions about Jesus. It is a site packed with information and testimonials - http://www.billygraham.org/
F. WOODRUFF
- well worth a visit. You can even browse through some of his most memorable sermons on video.
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Private Chapels of Rest at Coalpit Heath & Yate
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Baptisms: We welcomed into the Church: Arno, Anja & Calli Turner on Sunday 23 October in St John’s, Old Sodbury
Marriages: We send our congratulations to: Peter Veale and Margaret Stoner on Friday 28 October in St John’s, Old Sodbury
Funerals:We extend our sympathy to the family and friends of:
Kenneth Pople -17 October at St John’s, Old Sodbury Nora Paget -19 October at St Adeline’s, Little Sodbury Anthony Morris - 28 October at Westerleigh Crematorium & St John’s, Chipping Sodbury Christopher Hatton - 3 November at Westerleigh Crematorium –
WELCOME TO THE MODA HOUSE Whether you're looking for a relaxing weekend break away, celebrating that special occasion or perhaps just visiting the area on business we can accommodate your individual requirements. Ÿ Bed and Breakfast Ÿ 11 individually styled rooms Ÿ Excellent breakfast using fresh local produce Ÿ FREE parking and FREE WiFi Ÿ Within easy reach of the M4 and M5 Ÿ Meeting room To make a reservation or for more details simply email enquiries@modahouse.co.uk or telephone 01454 312135 1 High Street, Chipping Sodbury, South 8 Glos. BS37 6BA. www.modahouse.co.uk
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The Nativity Factor The Nativity Factor is a short film competition from ITN Productions and Jerusalem Productions, the goal of which is to re-tell the story of the Nativity creatively in three minutes or less, with the winning entry taking home £5,000 (or £1,000 for under 16s). It is free to enter and open to everyone. You can find out more about the competition at
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Banking greed drives City Czar to God
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The minister appointed to sort out Britain’s banking industry has vowed to turn his back on the City and study theology. Lord Myners said, “in the financial community, money has become everything. The absence of clear moral purpose is very troubling.” Myners said he may have neglected the moral purpose of life. When he steps down as a minister, he plans to study comparative theology to see how different faiths treat moral questions.
Floor Plans
Lynn Edwards MA, MCIEH, MCIH Domestic Energy Assessor Tel: 07973 166 692 or 01454 323 340 Email: office@lenergy-assessor.co.uk
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HOLIDAY HOME
Bible: Body and Soul The Olympic Games are fast approaching and we’re limbering up to champion the Bible.
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With our innovative Bible: Body and Soul venture, Bible Society will be setting up two ‘5k Trails’ in central London to guide tourists, visitors and residents through cultural highlights that will demonstrate the impact of the Bible on our society. We’ll be producing digital guides for participants to follow, and challenging them to look for signs of God’s Word in everyday life. We’ll also be equipping churches to set up their own trails around the country. And to help individuals engage spiritually with the world of sport, we’ve come up with a marathon action plan! We’re producing a Good News Sports Bible, we’re running a series of small group discussions under the banner of Sports Lyfe, and we’re creating a thought-provoking comic for young people. Bible: Body and Soul will be launched in January 2012. You can find out more now at the Bible Society shop: http://shop.biblesociety.org.uk 13
For a lovely selection of cards for every occasion
Sodbury Cards Cards • Giftwrap • Balloons Two floors of quality cards & gifts 54 Broad Street, Chipping Sodbury
Tel 01454 273999 14
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63-65 Broad Street, Chipping Sodbury Bristol, BS37 6AD Tel: 01454 850096 Fax: 01454 851174 Email: the-george.2004@tiscali.co.uk
Mrs. E.J. Gauntlett M.Ch.S. HPC REGISTERED CHIROPODIST / PODIATRIST
6 Beaufort Mews 7 Horse Street Chipping Sodbury South Glos. BS37 6DA Telephone: (01454) 319083 Tuesday, Wednesday, & Saturday Mornings
From the Holy Land to Land’s End Professor Nicholas Williams’ translation of the New Testament into Cornish was published in 2002, and he’s now finished the whole Bible. “An Beybel Sans” was translated from the Hebrew and Greek into standard Cornish, called Kernowek, including 10 maps. Professor Williams, an expert on Celtic languages, taught himself Cornish at the age of 15. It took him six years to translate the Old Testament. He said: ‘One of the reasons we lost the language was because there was no Bible in Cornish … it is one of the defining books of our culture. Once you have the Bible you have created your literary heritage. The 69 year old said he began by doing the ‘boring’ bits first, starting with Leviticus. 15
children. Feeding hungry kids, Being born – even in Britain – has some supporting them to go to school, teaching them about Jesus. There are risks. Being born in a stable in Bethlehem would have been riskier. But now three Kibera projects supporting being born in Kibera is riskier still. In this children, as well as a thriving Microfinance scheme to encourage vast slum in Nairobi, Kenya, if you can’t parents to run small businesses. And a afford hospital you make do with help pioneering venture has helped some from family or neighbours. A million families to move out of the slum to a people live here, in squalid shacks, with raw sewage running through the streets, farm, where, after training, they get their polluted water, and only a charcoal stove own plot of land to support their family. to boil it. And you can help! You could give an alternative Christmas gift (£6 buys a pair of school shoes, £60 pays for a child’s lunches for the whole of their primary education). What is most needed is regular giving – the backbone of financial support comes from monthly standing orders. For further information, go to www.tptrust.org or pick up a leaflet from church.
Kibera Crib
Some of the young people from our churches have built a “Kibera Crib” from a variety of recycled materials. They needed ingenuity, creativity, and some lateral thinking! This crib scene illustrates the poverty in which Jesus was born and into which millions of the world’s babies are born, in places like Kibera. Having survived the trauma of birth, life quickly got more dangerous for the infant Christ when King Herod massacred all Bethlehem babies. And in Kibera, the risks to children increase as they grow up in a disease-ridden environment where just getting enough food each day is a struggle and many end up on the streets. Ten years ago Jon & Jo Parsons moved from Surrey to Nairobi to set up the Turning Point Trust where they are bringing hope to hundreds of Kibera 16
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Nativity Plays & Cribs Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus. The word nativity comes from the latin word 'natal' which means birth (and is also where we get the word 'native' from). It is traditional in the U.K. for Primary schools to put on a Nativity Play for the parents and local people associated with the school. The Nativity Play recreates the scene of Jesus' Birth, in the stable and tells of how Mary and Joseph were visited by the Shepherds and Wise Men. The parts of Mary, Joseph, the Shepherds and the Wise Men are played by children. If the school is attached to a Church, the play often takes place in the Church. Sunday Schools in Churches also sometimes put on Nativity Plays. In the past live animals including an ox and donkey and other farm animals were used in the plays. Sometimes
they still are, but it is now more common for children to dress up as the animals in costumes or to have animal props. But in Chipping Sodbury we use a real live camel and donkeys!. The first Nativity Play was not performed by Children in the UK, but in a cave by Monks in Italy! St. Francis of Assisi and his followers acted in the first play in 1223 to remind the local population that Jesus was born for them, as he was born into a poor family like theirs and not to a rich family. St. Francis told the part of each character in the story himself using wooden figures in the play. After a couple of years, the play had become so popular that real people played the parts of the characters in the story. Songs were sung by the people taking part and they became what we call carols today!
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Richard Kenchington Domestic Structural Engineer
Three out of four Brits claim to be Christian
The Vicarage, Horse Shoe Lane, Chipping Sodbury, Bristol BS37 6ET
Nearly 70 per cent of Britons still identify with the Christian faith, according to the Office for National Statistics. The Integrated Household Survey found that while the number of people saying they were not religious rose from 20.5 % last year to 23.2 %, in 2011, the proportion describing themselves as Christian was still 68.5 %. An Evangelical Alliance spokesman accepted that not many of those who self-identified as Christians would be devout believers, but the Christian Institute said it was about time that the nominal Christian majority was reflected in government policy and broadcasters’ output.
Telephone: 01454 324888 E-mail: richard@kenchington.plus.com
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Disaster funding The Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) have just announced that their appeal for funds to help with the African Drought has reached £72m – one of the highest in their history. Only the Tsunami and Haiti attracted more funds.
St. John The Baptist Church, Old Sodbury. Coffee Shop Come and join us to sing Christmas Carols around the piano with Graham and Margaret Newman at Old Sodbury Village Hall Wednesday 21st December 10.am - 11.45am 20
Portcullis Carvery Monday – Friday only £5 per person Sunday Carvery £6 per person
Choice of 3 meats and all freshly cooked locally sourced meat and vegetables We also offer the option of taking your carvery away. Meals on wheels service Monday – Saturday starting from £5.95 Home cooked food delivered to your door. Throughout December warm yourselves by our log fire with a glass of mulled wine or cider and a mince pie. Please contact us for more details 11 Horse Street, Chipping Sodbury, Bristol, BS37 6DA 01454 501651 Enquiries@portcullishotel.co.uk
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GLOUCESTER CATHEDRAL CHRISTMAS SERVICES Saturday 10 December 11.00am-4.00pm Christmas Carols on the Hour Friday 23 December 6.00pm Christmas Carol Service Christmas Eve 3.00pm Family Crib Service with the lighting of the Christmas Trees 6.00pm Christmas Carol Service 11.30pm Midnight Mass Christmas Day 8.00am Holy Communion 10.15am Sung Matins leading into 10.45am Sung Eucharist 4.00pm Evening Prayer Boxing Day 8.30am Morning Prayer 9.00am Holy Communion 3.00pm Carols for All (Gloucester Choral Society) 4.30pm Evening Prayer Friday 6 January 5.30pm Eucharist for the Feast of Epiphany Sunday 8 January 6.00pm Epiphany Carol Service You are warmly invited to experience the joy and beauty of Christmas services in the glorious surroundings of Gloucester Cathedral. For more details of carol services, concerts and children’s activities throughout the festive season visit our web site at www.gloucestercathedral.org.uk
Enjoy something special for free this Christmas...
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Sodbury Vale Benefice Calendar December 2011 Thur
1st
10.00am 10.45am All Day
Holy Communion Coffee Shop Crib Festival Activities
St John’s, C/S Church Centre, C/S St John’s C/s
Fri
2nd
All Day
Crib Festival Activities
St John’s C/S
Sat
3rd
9.00am All Day
Benefice Prayer Meeting Crib Festival Activities
Church Centre C/S St John’s C/S
Sun 4th
8.00am
Holy Communion (BCP)
St John’s C/S
2nd Sunday of Advent
9.30am
St John’s Praise Messy Church
St John’s, C/S
11.15am
Mattins (BCP)
St James’ Horton
11.15am
Family Communion
St John’s O/S
6.00pm
Evensong (BCP)
St Adeline’s L/S
7.00pm
Contemplative Reflection
St John’s C/S
1.30pm
Women’s Fellowship
Church Centre C/S St John’s C/S
Wed
7th
Thurs
8th
Sat
10th Sun 11th 3rd
Sunday of Advent
Mon
12th
Thurs
15th
Sat
17th Sun 18th 4th
Sunday of Advent
Wed
21st
Thur
22nd
10.00am
Holy Communion
10.45am
Coffee Shop
Church Centre C/S
9.00am
Benefice Prayer Meeting
Church Centre C/S
9.30am
Parish Communion
St John’s C/S
11.15am
St John’s Praise
St John’s O/S
5.00pm
Carol Service
St James’ Horton
6.00pm
Evensong (BCP)
St Adeline’s L/S
12.30pm
Mothers’ Union Christmas Lunch
Church Centre C/S St John’s C/S
10.00am
Holy Communion
10.45am
Coffee Shop
Church Centre C/S
9.00am
Benefice Prayer Meeting
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
5.00pm
Carol Service
St John’s O/S
6.00pm
Evensong (BCP)
St Adeline’s L/S
7.00pm
Carol Service
St John’s C/S
10.00am
Coffee Shop
Village Hall O/S St John’s C/S
10.00am
Holy Communion
10.45am
Coffee Shop
Church Centre C/S
23rd
6.00pm
Carol Service
St Adeline’s L/S
Sat 24th Christmas Eve
9.00am
Benefice Prayer Meeting
Church Centre C/S
3.00pm
Christingle
St John’s C/S
3.00pm
Crib Service
St John’s O/S
4.30pm
Christingle
St John’s C/S
8.00pm
Midnight Mass
St James’ Horton
11.15pm
Midnight Mass
St John’s O/S
11.30pm
Midnight Mass
St John’s C/S
8.00am
Holy Communion
St John’s C/S
9.30am
Family Communion
St John’s C/S
11.15am
Family Communion (CW)
St John’s O/S
10.00am
Holy Communion
St John’s C/S
10.45am
Coffee Shop
Church Centre C/S
Fri
25th
Sun Christmas Day Thurs
29th
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Happy Christmas Happy Christmas fromfrom Everyone at
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