The Sodbury Vale Benefice Chipping Sodbury, Old Sodbury, Horton & Little Sodbury
O U T LO O K
magazine
www.svbcofe.org.uk
1 Jane is enrolled as a Companion of the Society of St Francis by Brother Damian. See 1
July-August 2015
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
Chipping Sodbury
off Monday]
Joy Gibson 01454 319288 Jane Jones-Williams 01454 324970
email yvonne@svbcofe.org.uk
Assistant Curate The Revd. Peter Fewings, 07795 206590, email peter@svbcofe.org.uk
Reader (Licensed Lay Minister)
Old Sodbury
Mr Ian Yemm 07514 139825; 01454 318608 [Day off Saturday] email ian@svbcofe.org.uk
Karen Hunter 01454 319903
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 Mon - Tue - Thu 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
Sept Deadline Can you have all copy to Michelle in the Church Office by Aug 10th at the latest please.
Advertising: Sylvia Franklin 07788 111726
Editor: Michael Stephenson 01454 314094 email outlook@svbcofe.org.uk
Front Cover-Jane by various people 2
messiness of our lives, or the riskiness of God. You might wonder at its relevance, or its usefulness. At the ordinations in June in the Cathedral you will have seen the Church of England at its most gloriously polished, rehearsed, tidied and ordered. As the clergy and Readers process in and out you’d think they do this every day. And there was a new group of clergy being ordained, who have completed their modules in how to walk in twos and wear robes, and who will soon be taking up their very important roles of walking in twos and wearing robes around our towns and country lanes of Gloucestershire. Or maybe not! The truth is that they leave the cathedral and get stuck in, up to their armpits, in the messiness of life. From feuding families, to grieving parents, from despairing loss of faith to its joyful discovery. They are creating the places where you and I can do what we need to do: touch the eternal, risk loving, express shame, be reconciled, discover community, rage at injustice, let go, and in it all find that Christ walks with us. These are not saints (believe me, I know), in fact we all have our stories to tell, but they are people who are able to believe that God might use them despite their weaknesses, and often because of them. The orders into which we are ordained free us to serve in a disordered world, not to tidy it up, but to proclaim that the Lord is here, his spirit is with us, not despite the mess, but right in it with us. And before you say ‘not me, Lord’, just remember, most of us who are ordained have said that at one time or another. If you feel God might be calling you to serve in this way, do give me a ring on 01452 835545. The Revd Ian Bussell, Director of Ordinands
Baptisms: We welcomed into the Church: Beatrice Craig on 16 May at St John’s Chipping Sodbury Chloe Pritchard on 16 May at St John’s Chipping Sodbury Charlie Kenyon on 23 May at St John’s Chipping Sodbury Joseph Nutt on 23 May at St John’s Chipping Sodbury Matthew & Madison Beare on 30 May at St John’s Chipping Sodbury Neave Chorley on 30 May at St John’s Chipping Sodbury Sebastian Range on 6 June at St John’s Chipping Sodbury
Marriages: We send our congratulations to: Amy Myers & Christopher Davey on 6 June at St John’s, Old Sodbury Sally Edwards & Liam Ellis on 6 June at St James’, Horton Elles Williams & Nick Bussell on 20 June at St John’s, Old Sodbury Lucy Childs & Paul Cragg on 20 June at St John’s, Old Sodbury Jennifer (Jenny) Evans and James Owen on 20 June at St James’, Horton
Funerals:We
extend our sympathy to the families and friends of:
Shirley Elizabeth Morgan on 27 May at St John’s Chipping Sodbury Gisele Houston 25 on June at St John’s Chipping Sodbury
Ordination Ordination sounds like ‘ordered’ and ‘orderly’. It doesn’t really reflect the
From “The Messenger” www.gloucester.anglican.org
3
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, As I write this last letter for Outlook, Dag Hammarskjöld’s words ring in my ears: “For all that has been - thanks; for all that will be - Yes.” (Dag Hammarskjöld) As you will notice, I have included these words in every Rector’s Report that I have given at the Annual Meetings ever since I arrived and at the risk of being boring, I’m using them again as I prepare to leave! God calls us to be thankful people. After all, when we stop and think, we have a million things to be thankful for. Even when we are in the depths of misery, we can still be thankful that the sun shines (most days) and night and day roll round without us doing anything to determine their departing and arriving. Most of all, we are thankful people because God sent Jesus to us to bring us into a new and living relationship with God. Through the death and resurrection of Jesus, we are a hopeful people travelling together, trying to live Christ-like lives and showing God’s love towards others. I’d like to thank each of you for all you have been to us and done for us and to one another. Thank you for all the love and kindness you’ve shown; for the time you’ve given, for all you are in the benefice. I’m thrilled that during the last 6 years, the benefice has come together and people do know each other better. It gives me great joy when I see you talking to one another at Benefice services – that you DO know one another and seem happy to be with one another. I have always firmly believed that we are better, together. And then there’s the future. What will happen after 19 July and what will happen after 9 September?! We don’t know, actually. Hindsight is a wonderful thing. We can look back and see God’s hand on our lives, but we can’t look into the future. What we can do, though, is try to walk closely with Jesus into the future, trusting ourselves to God’s providence. As I have probably told you, when I flew out to Ghana at the age of 21, I had never flown before, and, apart from a day trip to Boulogne, I’d never been abroad. I remember looking out of the plane’s window (with tears in my eyes) and praying to 4
God, “I can only trust you and rely on you, God. There’s no one else I can rely on.” God was faithful and was with me…I can vouch for that. Incidents like that give me the courage to step out into new and unfamiliar situations. So, as we move forward in our different ways, let’s just give ourselves to God, trusting that in God’s hands we are safe. God is faithful: he will do it. I’ll end with some words from Bishop Timothy Dudley-Smith’s hymn: Lord, for the years your love has kept and guided, urged and inspired us, cheered us on our way, sought us and saved us, pardoned and provided, Lord, of the years, we bring our thanks today. Lord, for ourselves; in living power remake us, self on the cross and Christ upon the throne; past put behind us, for the future take us, Lord of our lives, to live for Christ alone. With my love and prayers,
The Clergy and Churchwardens of Sodbury Vale Benefice would like to invite you to a
F. WOODRUFF
‘Songs of Praise’ service
Local Family Cremation and Funeral Directors
to celebrate the ministry of Revd. Canon Jane Kenchington here in Chipping Sodbury, Horton, Old Sodbury, Little Sodbury and the surrounding area. Jane will be sharing with us music, hymns and scripture that have meant something to her on her ministry journey. We’re hoping some people will be happy to share with Jane how they’ve appreciated her ministry here. The service will be held on
24 Hour Service
2 High Street, Winterbourne Tel: (01454) 773776 118-120 Station Road,Yate 192 Badminton Road. Coalpit Heath
Sunday 19th July at 4.00pm at
email:info@funerals.uk.net
St John’s Church, Chipping Sodbury There will be snacks and drinks afterwards.
www.funerals.uk.net
Private Chapels of Rest at Coalpit Heath & Yate
5
impact of a visit to the Cathedral so that people will be able to connect with its heritage like never before. A grant of £320,000 will to help progress our plans to apply for a full grant of c.£4million at a later date. This is complemented by a further £70,000 grant from the Friends of Gloucester Cathedral. The project includes the creation of a new public square in the Cathedral grounds, conservation of the 15th Century Lady Chapel and its magnificent stained glass, provision of a new entrance and welcome area and improvements to access and story-telling across the site
Recently a number of our members were privileged to be able to attend a special diocesan festival service at Gloucester Cathedral to hear the M.U. Worldwide President, Lynne Temby speak. Her message opened with her sharing about her prayer and vision of how in the name of Christ we are able to offer God’s unconditional love to all through ‘Christian Care for Families’. Lynne spoke passionately about how through the M.U. projects and campaigns we can offer our love and comfort to those who need help in this country and around the world. Our branch has recently been pleased to send £200 to the M.U. ‘Wheels Appeal’ which supports projects in this country and around the world. This was the result of us providing refreshments at the recent Flea Market and Vintage Fayre. Many thanks to all who supported us. One of the things Lynne said which has stuck in my mind are the words of the Archbishop of York, John Sentamu, at the service when she became Worldwide Being a pumpkin President. He said to Lynne “When you A Sunday school teacher once asked one wake up in a morning, do you say Good of her pupils, a farmer’s little boy, ‘What’s God it’s morning?. Or do you say Good it like to be a Christian?’ morning God!.” The little boy With love Joy Gibson replied, ‘it is like Leader Sodbury Vale Mothers’ Union. being a pumpkin. God picks you from Gloucester Cathedral your patch, brings you in, and washes achieves HLF support for all the dirt off you. Project Pilgrim He cuts off the top and scoops out all the We are excited to announce that yucky stuff. He removes the seeds of development funding has been secured doubt, hate and greed. Then He carves from the Heritage Lottery Fund for the you a new smiling face and puts His light first phase of Project Pilgrim, a major 10 inside you to shine for all the world to year capital project that will enhance the see.’ Wow! 6
Principal Service readings July
August 23rd (Twelfth Sunday After Trinity) Joshua 24: 1 - 2a, 14 - 18 Ephesians 3: 14 - end John 6: 56 - 69 Psalm 34: 15 - end August 30th (Thirteenth Sunday After Trinity) Deuteronomy 4: 1 - 2, 6 - 9 James 1: 17 - end Mark 7: 1 - 8, 14 - 15, 21 - 23 Psalm 15
July 5th (Fifth Sunday after Trinity) Ezekiel 2: 1 - 5 2 Corinthians 12: 2 - 10 Mark 6: 1 - 13 Psalm 123 July 12th (Sixth Sunday after Trinity) Amos 7: 7 - 15 Ephesians 1: 3 - 14 Mark 6: 14 -29 Psalm 85: 8 - end July 19th (Seventh Sunday after Trinity) Jeremiah 23: 1 - 6 Ephesians 2: 11 - end Mark 6: 30 - 34, 53 - end Psalm 23 July 26th (Eigth Sunday After Trinity) 2 Kings 4: 42 - end Ephesians 3: 14 - end John 6: 1 - 21 Psalm 145: 10 - 19
A Very Special Pentecost Sunday
August August 2nd (Ninth Sunday after Trinity) Exodus 16: 2 - 4, 9 - 15 Ephesians 4: 1 - 16 John 6: 24 - 35 Psalm 78: 23 - 29 August 9th (Tenth Sunday after Trinity) 1 Kings 19: 4 - 8 Ephesians 4: 25 - 5: 2 John 6: 35, 41 - 51 Psalm 34: 1 - 8 August 16th (Eleventh Sunday after Trinity) Proverbs 9: 1 - 6 Ephesians 34: 9 - 14 John 6: 51 - 58 Psalm 34: 9 - 14
Sunday May 24th was a very special Pentecost Sunday for the six people who were confirmed or baptised at the Benefice Service at St John’s Chipping Sodbury. Two of them were re-affirming their baptismal faith. Presided over by Bishop Martyn the service was bright with colour and full of movement, with confirmation and blessings at the front and baptismal activity around the font at the back. The service concluded with the Bishop giving each candidate a lighted candle before leading them out of the door and into the world with the words: “You have received the light of Christ; walk in this light all the days of your life.” 7
Words evoked by Jane’s Ministry here By the parishioners We have enjoyed working with her and thank her for what she has brought personally to the Benefice.
Jane’s time with us has not always been easy for her with some churches having to adjust to belonging within the Benefice
Thank you to Jane for being brave enough to face us with our future.
. We thank her for the huge contribution she has made to bring the four Parishes much closer together both practically and spiritually. We hope that the results of her hard work will come to fruition in the not too distant future.
I feel that all the things Jane had hoped to come together, are doing just that. It has taken a long time but change in the Church world is not speedy.
We wish Jane and her family well in her new position and thank her for her friendship, pastoral oversight and ministry to us since joining the Benefice
Jane, God Bless your new Ministry 8
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All a twitter at the Cathedral New Social Media Campaign @Backstagecathedral It’s finally here! This week, the Cathedral’s new Twitter feed, @backstagecathedral, will go live. Exploring the sights and sounds of the music department, the hard work of the volunteers and the craftsmanship of our stonemasons, @backstagecathedral will share the secrets and stories of Gloucester Cathedral. Every fortnight a new member of staff will take over the account and give us an insight into their world of work. This week, it will be the turn of our Assistant Director of Music, Jonathan Hope. To keep up-to-date with all that is going on, please follow us at twitter.com/backstagecath. Who knows what you might discover!
I DON’T UNDERSTAND HOW A BENEVOLENT GOD CAN LET BACK-TOSCHOOL HAPPEN TO GOOD PEOPLE
10
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11
Let your heart not be troubled. - Malcolm Guite A sonnet on the sayings of Jesus Malcolm Guite is a poet and singer-songwriter living in Cambridge. He is a priest, chaplain, teacher and author. This is a new sonnet from his work in progress “Parable and Paradox”, a sonnet sequence on the sayings of Jesus, to be published next year. This sonnet is a reflection on John 14:1-3. Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
This saying was not uttered on some sunny morning when all is going well, but on the night Jesus was betrayed, the night before he died, and in that poignant scene he shared their pain, and shares with all us the sheer tragedy of our mortality. But even as he prepared them for the sorrow of parting he also instilled in them the hope of resurrection, the hope of Heaven and homecoming which they could not yet see.
You know too well this trouble in our hearts Your heart is troubled for us, feels it too, You share with us in time that shears and parts To draw us out of time and into you. I go that you might come to where I am Your word comes home to us and brings us home.
Have you heard the one about….
Christians in Norfolk are less likely than anywhere else in the country to recall hearing a sermon or talk which contained a joke which made them laugh according to a new poll by Christian Research. Congregations in Yorkshire and the Humber region have the most entertaining services, with 80 per cent able to recall laughing at a clerical quip – just ahead of London, where 77 per cent had heard a decent joke in church. The poll marked a one-day workshop at Christian Resources Exhibition, where the clergy were taught professional techniques used by stand-up comics, to help them communicate better with their congregations.
True love
Always there comes this parting of the ways The best is wrested from us, born away, No one is with us always, nothing stays, Night swallows even the most perfect day. Time makes a tragedy of human love, We cleave forever to the one we choose Only to find ‘forever’ in the grave. We have just time enough to love and lose.
Should be rooted in friendship and trust Thrive in warmth and happiness Weather cold and storm And be strengthened by family Ben Cannon 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, 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 3rd - 5th
July
Thurs
9th
Sun
19th July
10.30a Benefice Service - Jane’s last service in the St John’s, CS m Benefice
Wed
9th
7.30pm Jane’s institution as Rector of Solihull
Sat
26th Sep
Benefice Baptism Fun Afternoon
St John’s, CS
Sun
27th Sep
Harvest Communion
St John’s, CS
Sun
4th
Oct
St John’s Praise for Harvest
St John’s, CS
Sun
4th
Oct
Harvest Family Communion
St John’s, OS
Mon
5th
Oct
Old Sodbury’s Harvest Supper
Village Hall, OS
Sun
1st
Nov
2nd - 6th
July
Benefice Retreat at Llangastry Retreat House Info from Ian Yemm
Sep
Nov
7.30pm Joint PCC
Horton Village Hall
4.00pm All Souls’ service
St Alphege’s Solihull
St John’s, CS
Nativity Crib Festival
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 office@svbcofe.org.uk
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Sodbury Vale Benefice Calendar July 2015 Thurs
2nd
Sun 5th Fifth Sunday after Trinity
Tue
7th
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
St Adeline’s, L/S
9.15am
Storkies
St John’s, C/S
3.00pm
Meditation Meeting
Ring 312228 for venue
Wed
8th
7.30pm
Crib Festival Meeting
Church Centre, C/S
Thurs
9th
10.00am
Holy Communion
St John’s, C/S
10.45am
Coffee Shop
Church Centre, C/S
7.30pm
All PCC’c Meeting
Horton Village Hall
10.30am
Mothers Union Coffee Morning
St John’s CS
9.30am
Parish Communion
St John’s, C/S
11.15am
Holy Communion
St James’, Horton
11.15am
Family Service
St John’s, O/S
Sat
11th
Sun 12th Sixth Sunday after Trinity
6.00pm
Evensong
St Adeline’s, L/S
Mon
13th
7.45pm
Mothers’ Union
Church Centre, C/S
Tue
14th
9.15am
Storkies
St John’s, C/S
Thurs
16th
10.00am
Holy Communion
St John’s C/S
10.45am
Coffee Shop
Church Centre C/S
7.30pm
Old Sodbury PCC
Village Hall, O/S
Sun 19th Seventh Sunday after Trinity
10.30am
Benefice Communion Farewell to Jane
St John’s, C/S
4.00pm
Songs of Praise Farewell to Jane
St John’s, C/S
Tue
21st
9.15am
Storkies
St John’s, C/S
3.00pm
Meditation Meeting
Ring 314409 for venue
Thur
23rd
10.00am
Holy Communion
St John’s C/S
Sun 26th Eighth Sunday after Trinity
Tue
28th
Thurs
30th
10.45am
Coffee Shop
Church Centre C/S
9.30am
Parish Communion
St John’s C/S
11.15am
Holy Communion {CW}
St James’ Horton
11.15am
Holy Communion {BCP}
St John’s O/S
6.00pm
Holy Communion {BCP}
St Adeline’s L/S
2.00pm
Tea and Chat Afternoon
Church Centre, CS
10.00am
Holy Communion
St John’s, C/S
10.45am
Coffee Shop
Church Centre, C/S
Sodbury Vale Benefice Calendar August 2015 Sun 2nd Ninth Sunday after Trinity
8.00am
Holy Communion
St John’s, C/S
9.30am
St John’s Praise
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
Tue
4th
3.00pm
Meditation Meeting
Ring 312228 for venue
Thurs
6th
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
Holy Communion {BCP}
St James’, Horton
11.15am
Family Service
St John’s, O/S
6.00pm
Evensong {BCP}
St Adeline’s, L/S
Sun 9th Tenth Sunday after Trinity
Mon
10th
2.00pm
Mothers’ Union Afternoon Tea
Tbc
Thurs
13th
10.00am
Holy Communion
St John’s C/S
10.45am
Coffee Shop
Church Centre C/S
10.30am
Mothers Union Coffee Morning
St John’s CS
Family Communion
St John’s, C/S
Morning Prayer {CW}
St James’, Horton
Holy Communion {BCP}
St John’s, O/S
6.00pm
Evensong {BCP}
St Adeline’s, L/S
Sat
15th
9.30am Sun 16th Eleventh Sunday 11.15am after Trinity 11.15am
Tue
18th
3.00pm
Meditation Meeting
Ring 312228 for venue
Thur
20th
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
Holy Communion {CW}
St James’ Horton
11.15am
Morning Praise {CW}
St John’s O/S
6.00pm
Holy Communion {BCP}
St Adeline’s L/S
Sun 23rd Twelth Sunday after Trinity
Tue
25th
2.00pm
Tea and Chat Afternoon
Church Centre, CS
Thurs
27th
10.00am
Holy Communion
St John’s, C/S
10.45am
Coffee Shop
Church Centre, C/S
Sun 30th Thirteenth Sunday after Trinity
10.30am
Benefice Communion Service
St John’s O/S
15
Learning Opportunities Happily none of us is ever too old to learn new things… especially if God has blessed us with a learning mindset and a curiosity for what’s new… We have just had two good sessions of Internet/web-site training in May as we explored the Benefice web site. It was so encouraging to see lights coming on as we came alive to the possibilities that the web site affords. We are seeing how this is becoming a new opportunity for outreach into our communities – and the wider world.
Statistics for daily reach are quite revealing. In April they show an average of 1089 hits per day, while in May they rose to 1516 per day from 136 daily visits. Hopefully we shall see the use of the web site continue to rise as we develop new, regular material and try to be topical and current. The sessions also revealed an underlying need for further help needed for learning basic computer skills – and for overcoming the fear of accessing the Internet. I am therefore suggesting that we might run such sessions on a regular basis – perhaps once a quarter. We might call it Computer Clinic in which we focus on particular popular issues – but then are open to questions and personal interaction. Do let me know if you are interested. As a direct result of the two sessions we now have volunteers who will be working on both the Horton (http://svbcofe.org.uk/horton/) and Old Sodbury sites (http://svbcofe.org.uk/os/). We already have someone working on the Little Sodbury site (http://svbcofe.uk.org/ls/). We want to encourage people in the Benefice to start contributing material that has local flavour. We might ask ourselves how can the web sites be well used to serve our communities. Do contact me if you have any interest, or curiosity, in this and I shall be very happy to talk. Frank Gray (admin@svbcofe.org.uk) 16