The Sodbury Vale Benefice
O U T LO O K
magazine
Chipping Sodbury, Old Sodbury, Horton & Little Sodbury
1 September 2013 50p Jane is enrolled as a Companion of the Society of St Francis by Brother Damian.
Contacts
Churchwardens
Rector
Chipping Sodbury
The Revd. Canon Jane Kenchington, 01454 313159 [Day off Friday]
Paul Jones-Williams 1 Meadow Mead, Yate, BS37 7UT 01454 324970
email jane@kenchington.plus.com
Anne Mudge 22 Gorlands Road, Chipping Sodbury BS37 6LA, 01454 880613
Associate Priest The Revd. Yvonne Brae, 79 Westerleigh Road, Yate, BS37 4BN, 01454 850682, Mob. 07908 513098 [Day
Old Sodbury
Off Monday] email jmyr@blueyonder.co.uk
Val Walker 16A Melrose Avenue, Yate, BS37 7AL 01454 318286 Tony Dixon 16 Chatterton Road, Yate, BS37 4BJ 01454 321528
Reader (Licensed Lay Minister) Mr Ian Yemm 33 Horse Street, Chipping Sodbury 01454 318608 email tenor@ianyemm.co.uk
If you would like to know more about the Christian faith or are thinking Little Sodbury about baptism or confirmation please Brenda Cordy speak to Jane or Yvonne Benswell Cottage,Little Sodbury End BS37 6QF, 01454 316447 Director of Music Nick Sherwood, 78 Firgrove Crescent, Yate, BS37 7AG 01454 319539 Mob. 07802 427135
Horton
Tina Hildick-Smith Kirrin House, King Lane, Horton BS37 6PD, 01454 320380
Church Office Open during term time Monday, Tuesday & Thursday mornings 9.00 - 12.00
Administrator 01454 325160
Richards Needs - Michelle Jenkins Ashdown House, Horton Hill, Horton, BS37 6QN 01454 329890
Annual subscription to Outlook (10 issues) ÂŁ5
sodburyvalebenefice@gmail.com
!! Please note Earlier Deadline !!
Web Site
October Deadline
www.sodburyvalechurches.wordpress.com
Can you have all editorial to Michelle in the Church Office by September 3rd at the latest please.
Advertising - Sylvia Franklin St. John’s Church Centre 07788 111 726
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Dear Friends I spoke with an old friend the other day, she was deeply upset and feeling very tired due to difficult family circumstances happening in her life all at one time - as so often happens. She and her husband would say they have brought their children up as best they can and yet as the children get older it seems that, especially in times of stress, the children can find words of criticism far more easily than words of thanks or encouragement. It’s really tricky when this happens isn’t it? How do we handle knowing that the children themselves are going through a demanding themselves and making the situation worse is not an option. Did Jesus’ mother feel like this when she saw the destination her son seemed to be heading for? (Mark 3) His answer doesn’t seem one that I would welcome as a mother and yet we serve a God who lets us make mistakes and who is there to pick us up when we fail. My friend told me she’d cried before God and felt as if God was saying that He knew what she meant. He’d brought up his children and they too went their own way, criticising and blaming him for the situations they found themselves in! Feeling that God understood so deeply helped her. She came to the conclusion that all she could do was let go of the problem. I wondered just what does letting go mean. Letting go is different than denying or repressing. To let go of something is to admit it. You have to own it, for instance my friend admits making mistakes. But letting go is different from turning it against yourself; different than projecting it onto others. Letting go means that the denied, repressed, rejected parts of yourself, which are nonetheless true, are seen for what they are; but you refuse to turn them against yourself or against others. This then becomes transformation. A well known theologian writes: The religious word for this letting go is some form of forgiveness. You see the imperfect moment for what it is, and you hand it over to God. You refuse to let any negative storyline or self-serving agenda define your life. It’s a different way of living; it implies that you see your mistakes but you do not identify with either your superiority or your inferiority because both make the problem worse. The art of letting go is really the secret of happiness and freedom. My friend said she felt easier with her children after that and was able to pick her life up and continue on. But it made me think, what if we as God’s children were strengthened and able to let go of issues and relational problems in our Church family situations too?
Rev. Yvonne Brae, 01454 850682, email jmyr@blueyonder.co.uk
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Thanks from Joyce Cains To my church family, acquaintances and friends,
Baptisms: We welcomed into the Church:
I wish to thank everyone for the kindness shown to me in so many ways during my recent illness. Your concern and prayers have helped my recovery. With the love and support of my caring family, also the expertise of medical teams, I am pleased to say that I continue to make good progress.
Millie-May Batten, Maisy Louisa Miles & Curtis Anthony Taylor on 4 August 2013 at St John’s CS Wilbur Morgan Nigel Lampson on 4 August 2014 at St Adeline’s, Little Sodbury
Marriages: We send our congratulations to: Jennifer McLean & David Wallace on 6 July; Kayley Gould & Steven Burden on 10 July; Simon Fenne & Katherine Spray on 13 July & Matthew Gay & Jo Granger on 3 August at St John’s Old Sodbury Craig Lear & Tamzin Brennan on 26 July & Philip Anderson & Helen Britton on 27 July at St John’s, Chipping Sodbury Steve Tubby & Susan Leese on 21 July at St Adeline’s, Little Sodbury
May God bless you all, Joyce
Christians need to talk up the Bible Atheism is a 'delusion', a 'fairy tale for those afraid of the light'. That was the message from Prof J o h n L e n n o x from Oxford University speaking to over 600 peers, MPs and business people at the recent National Parliamentary Prayer Breakfast at the Houses of Parliament. He urged Christians to have 'the courage to create public space' for the discussion of 'a biblical worldview' in society – citing the example of Tyndale's translation of the Bible into English 400 years ago. 'There is no necessary conflict between science and God, the real conflict is between worldviews, atheism and theism,' he said. He encouraged Christians to have 'the courage to create public space' for the discussion of 'a biblical worldview' in society, as William Tyndale had done 400 years ago.
Funerals:We
extend our sympathy to the families and friends of:
Edith June Buckman on 12 July at St John’s Chipping Sodbury Clare Sharp on 15 July at Westerleigh Crematorum Margaret Joy Smith on 5 August at Westerleigh Crematorum Lionel Anthony Matthews (Tony) on 6 August at St John’s Old Sodbury
Mothers’ Union Our next meeting is our Annual Service in Church on Monday 9th September at 7-30 pm when our speaker will be Mrs. Sue Plant. You are all most welcome to join us Tea or coffee will be served afterwards. Jenny 4
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however, decided that ‘enough was enough’ and with exquisite timing passed Robert Hobbs was born 29th May 1950 away as the paramedics were drawing into and died at Gannicox House in Stroud on the car park. Monday 4th March. As a community we have been able to celebrate Robert’s life and being, remembering how important he was in our lives. Robert no longer has Alzheimer's, no longer suffers confusions and discomforts. His Down’s Syndrome has dissolved and is undetectable in his face. He lies in majesty, and we are grateful for sharing his life.
Robert Hobbs
Joseph of Arimathea buried in Cardiff? Michael A Clark says Joseph of Arimathea may be buried at the site of church ruins in the capital city's Bute Park - see below. The revelation is made in a new book called “Maelgwn of Llandaff and Joseph of Arimathea” authored by Mr Clark. He said the theory arose when – despite the fact Joseph has long been linked with Glastonbury – evidence was uncovered linking him with the important Welsh figure Maelgwn of Llandaff, who pinpointed the Chapel of St Mary in Cardiff’s Bute Park as his burial place in the sixth century. Maelgwn of Llandaff was a brother of local ruler Meurig, after whom Pentre Meurig in the Vale of Glamorgan is named. Llandaff was one of the first bishoprics in Britain.
He was born and brought up in Chipping Sodbury, the only child of parents who later became central figures in the Friends Group’ of the Grange. Robert had Down’s Syndrome and was a day pupil at St Christopher’s School, Bristol. In 1973 he moved to the Grange, where he lived and worked until moving to Gannicox in 2001. Robert was a delightful and socially gifted man, one of the remarkable generation of ‘Villagers’ who built and sustained Camphill villages in this country. He moved to Gannicox with a desire to develop his caring and nursing skills. There he enriched the lives of those around him immeasurably. Caring for Robert after he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's Dementia in 2007 helped us develop our awareness of real care whilst implementing our regulatory responsibilities. We learned what a privilege it was to accompany a friend with such a remarkable condition to the point of death. With well planned ‘Best Interests’ agreements Robert was able to stay at home and avoid unsettling hospitalisation but on the day of his death it was evident that he needed more professional medical attention. Robert, 6
Hard work at Horton
THE
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'A very happy band of pilgrims assembled
at Horton Church on a Tuesday evening to clear up the dead grass left by the delayed grass cutting in the graveyard.
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It was harder work than we expected but a great success and an Isaac trailer load of dead grass was seen being driven away whilst the happy team enjoyed beers and refreshments on the church wall.'
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New proposal for women to become bishops The Church of England has published new proposals to enable women to become bishops. The timetable states this should be wrapped up by November 2015.
Energy Performance Certificates for:
Sales,
It is planned that a substantial amount of time be available at the General Synod in July for facilitated conversations in small groups before the Synod comes to a decision on the way forward.
Rental & Holiday Lets, Floor Plans
The House also approved changes to ensure the attendance of senior women clergy at its meetings. These were proposed following the House’s decision at its meeting in December to ensure the participation of senior female clergy in its meetings until such time as there are six female members of the house, following the admission of women to the episcopate.
Lynn Edwards MA, MCIEH, MCIH Domestic Energy Assessor Tel: 07973 166 692 or 01454 323 340 Email: office@lenergy-assessor.co.uk 7
Harvest in the Benefice – and Back to Church Sunday
Briarlands Development Committee Fundraising event
In past years we have used the national church’s initiative of “Back to Church Sunday” to coincide with our harvest services. Please would you think about who you might invite to a harvest service this year – someone who hasn’t been to the church for some time or someone who has rarely considered ever coming to church. Do invite them and bring them with you! The dry produce (cans and dried goods) will be shared between the Sisters of the Church (who feed the homeless in Bristol) and Yate Food Bank. Lists of the sorts of good they’d like to receive will come out in early September, so please look out for the lists on your pew leaflets.
BADMINTON HOUSE Open Gardens By kind permission of the Duke and Duchess of Beaufort (County Ambassador) Saturday 7th SEPTEMBER 2.00 pm – 5.30 pm
Admission: £5 Teas, Stalls, Raffle, Children’s Activities
Event held in conjunction with badminton Church which will be open on the day
DO COME ALONG AND ENJOY THIS AFTERNOON
Harvest celebrations across the Benefice:
Girlguiding in Bristol & South Glos are raising funds to build indoor accommodation on the County campsite, Briarlands, near Bitton. This will be available for Rainbows, Brownies, Guides and Senior Section to use and will be an improvement on Church Halls etc in that it will have bunk beds to sleep on!!
Chipping Sodbury: 29 September 9.30am (CW Parish Communion for Harvest) 6 October 9.30am (St John’s Praise for Harvest)
Old Sodbury: 6 October 11.15am (Family Communion for Harvest) 7 October 7pm Harvest Supper in Old Sodbury Village Hall
The project has been split into 3 sections 1st there were the drains/septic tank 2nd was building a new toilet and shower block . The 3rd stage of the project is to build the actual accommodation block. The first two stages are complete and the third stage is due to start in October.
Little Sodbury: 6 October 6pm (Book of Common Prayer Evensong for Harvest) followed by snacks
This open garden day is to raise funds for the final stage. The Duke and Duchess of Beaufort do not usually open their gardens to the public so if you are interested in Gardens at all or just want to go for a nose now is your chance.
Horton: 6 October 11.15am (Book of Common Prayer Holy Communion for Harvest) 13 October 1pm Harvest Lunch at Horton & Little Sodbury Village Hall 8
officials followed by the Clergy and the Bishop of Gozo on the same route as Friday’s, this takes longer as the Statue is very much heavier and is very very precious. When it returns to the Church it is held up in the air for about five minutes whilst the village anthem is sung (about ten verses). It then returned to the Church when it, the villagers and visitors are blessed by the Bishop—something very moving even if you don’t speak the language Then the festive spirit returns, more band music and fireworks which go on for up to 2 hours then home to bed about 2 am in the morning. It is certainly something that I would not have missed. I would point out that all the villages on Gozo celebrate this way - one a week from June through to September even though it might not be the correct Saint’s day. Chris Evans
St John the Baptist’s Fiesta in Gozo In October last year when we returned from Gozo we told you the story of St. John the Baptist Church on the island. This year we were fortunate to be able to visit the village during the week of the festival of St. John. We have, over the years, visited most of the Fiestas but this was the first time we have been there on St. John the Baptist Day The whole village, the main square, the church and all the side streets are decorated with lights and banners, I know they get the weather, and we did bring back home a week or two of it. During the week various concerts, poetry readings and plays (in Maltese) are performed on a stage in the main square. Friday and Saturday take on a more exciting tone with fireworks, streamers and bands, what the bands lack in musical skill they more than make up for in enthusiasm, The Statue is carried round the village (a little like walking the parish here) which takes about two hours, they have to stop often for refreshment, it is then hoisted on to a plinth and is there for the rest of the weekend. Sunday evening takes on a more serious note when a service is held in Church – and you couldn’t get more people into the Church if you tried—out goes what we call “elf and safety” Then the main statuePriceless-is carried by robed church
I SWITCHED CHURCHES _ NOW I AM JOHN THE EVANGELICAL
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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
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Charity Market Including
MA
F
Pa CMS ul’ sP lac e Smile
Willow Tree Trust nt i o P i ng A nd Turn m o re
The Church Tower & Church Cafe Will be open Little Sodbury “Thankful Village” Little Sodbury is one of the 51 “Thankful Villages” across the UK whose servicemen all returned alive from the Great War. On Saturday 28th July Dougie Bancroft and Medwyn Parr, of the
Aberystwyth and District Motorcycle Action Group, who are running a sponsored ride around all 51 villages, arrived at St Adeline’s Little Sodbury to present a plaque commemorating the villages Thankful status. The plaque, which reads Little Sodbury: Thankful Village 1914 - 2014, was received by Roy Gowan, grandson of William Gowan on of the war survivors. It will be displayed in the church next to the list of the village’s war time servicemen for both world wars. Little Sodbury is one of only 14 villages that are double thankful villages having had all their servicemen from the second world war also returned safely home. The presentation was followed by a supper in Horton and Little Sodbury Village Hall, where food was donated by Hobbs House Bakery and enjoyed by 86 people. Donations totalling £600 raised at the supper will go to the Royal British legion’s Poppy Appeal. Because the military heroes of these villages returned they have no war memorial and the bravery of their young men can be forgotten
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Historic bible interpretation 'bans' grapefruits A new book, entitled 100 Plants That Almost Changed The World, explains how women living in the 1700s were told to avoid grapefruit because it was believed to be the 'forbidden fruit' which Adam and Eve were told not to eat in the Garden of Eden.
Volunteer Drivers needed At a recent meeting of representatives from the Benefice, it was felt that, as part of our pastoral care, we should offer a transport service to those who do not have their own transport and for whom public transport is difficult to use. Hospital attendance, perhaps a visit to the GP surgery or even shopping is not always easy for some and we are looking for volunteer drivers who would be willing to put their names on a rota to undertake this service. If you feel you can help in this way, please give your name and telephone numbers to your Churchwardens who will then pass your details on to Linda Hurst to coordinate. Telephone 01454 319183 email: alanandlindahurst@btinternet.com
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Relax...... Put your feet up!
SORRY ABOUT THE NOISE - I JUST REALISED ONE DAY THAT I ENJOY REGULAR REMINDERS
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Sodbury Vale Benefice Regular Weekly Events Monday
8.45am
Morning Prayer
St John’s, Chipping Sodbury
7.30pm
Bell Ringer’s Practice
Church Tower, Chipping Sodbury
8.45am
Morning Prayer
St John’s, Chipping Sodbury
Wednesday 8.30am
Morning Prayer
St John’s, Chipping Sodbury
Thursday
Morning Prayer
St John’s, Chipping Sodbury
Tuesday
Friday
Saturday
8.45am
10.00am Holy Communion
St John’s, Chipping Sodbury
7.00pm
St John’s, Chipping Sodbury
Choir Practice
10.00am Tubbie Tots
Church Centre, Chipping Sodbury
7.00pm
Youth Club (age 11-18)
Baptist Church Centre
9.00am
Benefice Prayers
Church Centre, Chipping Sodbury
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, and helping the person get out to appointments, friends, shopping etc. We have many years of experience, especially with people who have Dementia; and have Enhanced CRB certificates, and excellent references. Charges are between £65 - £80 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 13
Sodbury Vale Benefice Forthcoming Events Sun Fri
13th 4th
Oct Oct
7.30pm
Tue
3rd
Dec
6.30pm
Harvest Lunch Ardeton Ensemble Concert Supporting Turning Point Trust Opening night of Crib Festival 2013
St James’, Horton St John’s, C/S St John’s C/S
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
Back to Church Sunday Go on, be an angel. Sunday 29 September is Back to Church Sunday but it is also the Feast Day of St Michael and All Angels, or Michaelmas. On this day we give thanks to God for the heavenly beings, those mostly unseen characters who do his will, pass on critical messages and help us feel cared for. This Back to Church Sunday, you too can be an angel. Guardian angels stand alongside us and care for us. They concentrate on our wellbeing and are agents of God’s love. You can be an angel to someone too. Personal invitation and accompanying a friend brings people to church. Faith is spread by one to one contact, one to one by you, and one to one by God. When you invite someone you know to come to church with you, you are helping them on a one to one basis to feel that God loves them, wants to know them better and that the church is full of angels just waiting to be agents of his love. So go on, spread your wings and bring someone along to church. Look out for news in your church and local community about Back to Church Sunday. It may be that there is a special event or just a service to which all are especially welcomed and accompanied.
It is in the invitation, the journeying together that people can come closer to God and to his church. When the Archangel Gabriel invited Mary to be the mother of Jesus, the whole of creation hung on her response. It was the ultimate one to one relationship. Your invitation will be part of that good news. Go on, be an angel. The Very Revd. Stephen Lake, Dean of Gloucester
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Sodbury Vale Benefice Calendar September 2013 Sun 1st Fourteenth 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
Mon
2nd
7.30pm
SJP Planning Meeting
Church Centre C/S
Wed
4th
8.00om
Mission Prayer Group
Church Centre C/S
Thurs
5th
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
9.30am Sun 8th 11.15am Fifteenth Sunday after Trinity 11.15am
Family Service
St John’s O/S
6.00pm
Evensong {BCP}
St Adeline’s L/S
Mon
9th
7.45pm
Mothers’ Union Service
St John’s C/S
Tue
10th
3.00pm
Meditation Meeting
Ring 314409 for venue
Thurs
12th
10.00am
Holy Communion
St John’s C/S
10.45am
Coffee Shop
Church Centre C/S
7.30pm
CS PCC
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
Sun 15th Sixteenth Sunday after Trinity Mon
16th
7.30pm
Music Meeting
Vicarage C/S
Wed
18th
7.30pm
Benefice Pastoral Care Meeting
Church Centre C/S
Thur
19th
Sun 22nd Seventeenth Sunday after Trinity Tue
24th
Thur
19th
Sun 29th Eighteenth Sunday after Trinity
10.00am
Holy Communion
St John’s C/S
10.45am
Coffee Shop
Church Centre C/S
2.30pm
Crib Festival meeting
Lady Chapel C/S
7.30pm
Joint Benefice PCC meeting
Village Hall O/S
9.30am
Parish Communion
St John’s C/S
11.15am
Family 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
3.00pm
Meditation Meeting
Ring 314409 for venue
10.00am
Holy Communion
St John’s C/S
10.45am
Coffee Shop
Church Centre C/S
9.30am
Harvest Parish 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
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F Martyn is married to Lynn, a paediatrician who specialises in adoption and fostering and they have The Bishop of Gloucester, the Right three children aged 11, 10 and 8. The Revd. Michael Perham, has today eldest is Roxanna followed by two boys announced that the Venerable Martyn Fraser and Wesley. Snow, has been appointed as the new Bishop of Tewkesbury. The role of the Bishop of Tewkesbury covers the whole of Gloucestershire and beyond. In practice, this means that he will act as the assistant bishop for Gloucestershire, working alongside Bishop Michael. Martyn, aged 45 is currently Martyn said of his appointment. “I'm the hugely looking forward to getting to Archdea know the people and places of con of Gloucester Diocese. I will have much to Sheffield learn both about the churches of the and Rotherham diocese and the customs and traditions and will be of the area. ordained “I'm also looking forward to learning and about what it means to be a bishop at a consecra time of great change in the church. I am ted as a particularly interested in helping the bishop by church to engage confidently with the the many issues faced by local communities Archbishop of Canterbury on 25th and the wider society. I am convinced September at Westminster Abbey. He of the importance of partnership, both will also have an official service of between churches and between the welcome in the Diocese on Saturday 12 church and other voluntary, community October in Gloucester Cathedral. and faith groups.” Martyn has had a world view of Church Bishop Michael is delighted that Martyn life after being born and raised in accepted the invitation to come to Indonesia and working as a Vicar and Gloucestershire as Bishop of youth chaplain in West Africa. His Tewkesbury, he said. “He will bring ministerial life back in the UK has been energy, a focus on mission and the spent in Sheffield and Rotherham where perspective of a younger church leader he trained for his curacy, became a Vicar to our life in the Diocese of Gloucester. and an Area Dean before being We shall welcome Martyn and Lynn and appointed Archdeacon. their family and look forward to drawing them into our diocesan family."
Welcome to the new Bishop of Tewkesbury
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