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
April 2016
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 From July 13 2016
The Rev’d Canon David Bowers
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
Reader (Licensed Lay Minister) Mr Ian Yemm 07514 139825; 01454 318608 [Day off Saturday] email ian@svbcofe.org.uk
Old Sodbury 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 one of the the ministerial team
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 Administrators: 01454 325160 Michelle Jenkins Trish Gailey
This magazine is brought to you Free by the four churches of the Sodbury Vale Benefice. If you would like to make a small donation towards production costs that would be most welcome. Thank you.
email: office@svbcofe.org.uk Web Site: www.svbcofe.org.uk
May Deadline Can you have all copy to Michelle in the Church Office by Apr 12th at the latest please.
Advertising: Sylvia Franklin 07788 111726
Editor: Michael Stephenson 01454 314094 email outlook@svbcofe.org.uk
Front Cover- Tulips Photo by: Michael Stephenson
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A Bible you can’t read!! "Give the gift of faith – the smallest Bible ever printed on one surface." That's how the world's first nano Bible is being marketed. The Jerusalem Nano Bible includes every single dot, comma, chapter and verse of either the New Testament or the Old Hebrew Bible, printed on a 5mm by 5mm silicon chip. An Israeli company has worked to develop the nano technology to allow the Bible to be copied in full onto the tiny chips and then mounted onto precious metals and jewellery such as pendants, watches, bracelets and lockets. The New Testament includes all 27 books written in Greek, the source of the original translation. The Hebrew Bible contains 24 books, including the Torah. The chips each come with a certificate of verification. They have been inspected using electron microscopes that showed the Hebrew and Greek texts on the chips, made from silicon "wafer", a semiconductor material derived from sand and normally used in precision printing of electronic circuit boards. For an idea of the scale involved, one nanometer is one billionth of a meter, equivalent to a marble set against the earth. The Jerusalem Nano Bible cannot however be connected to the internet or read using any computer or other electronic device.
Funerals:We extend our sympathy to the families and friends of: Ray Wicks, on 22 March at Westerleigh Crematorium
Letters to the Editor From our “bulging” post bag I have selected this letter for publication this month, not only for its complimentary nature, or that it was the only one, but because it is nice to get some feedback. Thank you David. Please do write and comment on our magazine and its’ articles. Tell us what you think and what you would like to see in the magazine. I look forward to seeing your letter in print in a future issue. Editor Dear Editor, I felt I must write again and thank you and your colleagues for the hard work you put into the preparation of Outlook each month. I look forward to receiving mine so regularly. The articles are so diffuse – informative, challenging, “thinky” (getting the brain active), humorous etc. Thank you also for the beautiful photo on the cover and the informative news of the lack of a full moon in February 1865 – Just what I needed to know!! I am so glad an article was included about the Bible Society. It remains No. 1 in my list of supported Christian organisations. David Webster 3
Dear Friends, I’m in a strange place at the moment having just come out of a stay in hospital. I think being in hospital automatically makes you feel vulnerable, though I found having a room of my own set me quite a challenge. On the one hand I loved having my own bathroom and toilet, space to move around, quiet when I felt like sleeping rather than being disturbed by snoring or anything else. On the other hand not knowing who my next door neighbour was, yet watching and listening to the great number of visitors led me to feel a little isolated. My joy increased tenfold when I did have visitors especially as I recognise the difficulties of getting to and parking at Southmead. I guess there’s a bit of a no win situation for the designers (is that the right word) of hospital wards. I absolutely loved all the cards and presents I received and have read them again and again, and the enjoyment of them continues at home. I would have loved to share them with everyone. One of the things I was given was a book of reflections and poems and one of the readings immediately hit the spot I found myself in. The reflection centred on the patience and kindness of God. The author was born and spent her childhood in the North East of England, (a direct connection point for me as I know my inability to say ‘book’ in the Southern way is still a cause of amusement to many). One thing that is common in the North East is the way people say ‘our mam; our dad; our sister’ and so on and this is what the reflection referred to. I know I still continue to speak that way without even thinking, I find myself saying ‘your Dave; your Miriam; or whoever, always placing that belonging tag in there somewhere. The author of the reflection talked about the blessings of being raised in a loving family which gave a sense of identity, even despite the misunderstandings, disappointments and hurts that families, often unintentionally, give. One of the things she recognised was that as a parent she could see the mistakes she’d made and how she wished she’d done some things differently (hands up those who feel that way.) So certainly when she went on to talk of how, deep down, we all long to be understood, accepted and loved for who we are, to be nurtured and enabled to fulfil our potential, I think her comments will resonate with most, if not all, of us There’s a distinctive connection to this reflection and the Easter season which points us towards that wonderful reading in Matthew 6 which is the Lord’s Prayer and which begins: ‘Our Father.’ In the original language it was written as ‘Our Abba’ in other words ‘Our Dad.’ Jesus speaks of us as his Brother. Stop for a moment, give those thoughts space. We belong to our Dad, we have our brother, we have a family that is amazing and growing and surprising us time after time after time. It’s an amazing thought that the events of that very first Easter restored the whole of humankind to that place of knowing the love of a Father, of a family that transcends all others. Jesus calls you and me his beloved, my beloved is mine and I am his own (think of that as referring to you.). Of course we all have a way to go, of course we’ll all be hurt and hurt others along the way. Hopefully the Holy Spirit will always continue his work in us. But above all that – accepting Jesus means we are the most privileged of people - we belong to God. Hallelujah. May the awareness of God’s Easter blessings fill your lives day after day. 4
Yvonne
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people are being overlooked. We see this in evidence in the refugee crisis that we The EU Referendum is emerging as the are currently facing. most hotly talked about item in the news these days. And that is not surprising: its Meanwhile we are concerned for the sovereignty of our own courts and legal outcome will affect all our futures. system which are founded on solid But how do we pick our way through all Christian principles. Is it right that these the complexities, issues, and opinions? It should not be swept aside by a higher, affects the economy, trade, immigration, largely secular, court? our legal system, and, of course, politics – in fact most areas of our lives. How do Could it be that we should consider the we sift through all these things and keep extent to which a possible withdrawal from the community might constitute a them in balance? dereliction of duty? If we continue to have Those who want us ‘out’ liken it to clinging membership then we have a voice in perilously to a ship sailing towards the shaping legislation and using our rocks. Those who want to stay ‘in’ are constitutional right to forge a fairer and accused of scaremongering as they point more just Community. Withdrawing into a out the unknowns of getting out and the corner and marginalising ourselves may potential negative impact of a drawn-out appear to be the easier route but it may transition period which could leave us in not be the best alternative over the long limbo for several years. term. But as Christians are there other aspects As Christians we know that the future is in that we in particular should be concerned God’s hands. He will provide for us about? Perhaps most alarming to many of whatever the outcomes – but we want to us has been the perceived shift toward the be guided by Him as we exercise our secularisation of values and legislation democracy and place our votes, involving that has been foisted upon us through EU ourselves in shaping the future of our directives. nation. Frank Gray Speakers on the Sunday programme on Note: The views expressed above are purely my Radio 4 Feb 28 identified two over-riding own and may not represent the views of Sodbury concerns that we as Christians should be Vale Benefice, the Gloucester Diocese, or the Church of England. considering:
Referendum: In or Out?
1. Justice for marginal and oppressed peoples, and 2. Issues of governance as we subjugate our own UK legal system to that of the EU parliament. It has been noted that the EU has drifted away from the lofty ideals around which its constitution were drawn up. Equality was high on the agenda but this has been over-applied in specific areas while the basic rights of ethnic and persecuted 6
encounter in the places where we live, work, study and socialise. We also need to think about those who are often missing from our encounters. Other people may hold different perspectives from our own and we need to listen in an undefended way. Please do share the various ways in which you plan to hold conversations. There will be clear instructions about how to feed back what you have heard and there will then be a process of distillation before launching some key priorities together in Advent. f you are reading this and you live or work within the Diocese then you are part of this process of prayer and conversation to discern what the Spirit of God might be saying to us. Thank you for joining in as we journey on together. Find out more at www.gloucester.anglican.org/about/vision -statement The Rt Revd Rachel Treweek, The Bishop of Gloucester
Joining in as we journey on beyond 2016 Since 2012, churches within the Diocese of Gloucester have been working towards a shared vision— Journeying Together. Our four key commitments are to worship together; to share our Christian faith and values; to provide a visible presence in every community and parish; and to serve the wider world. I am now inviting you to be part of the process of discerning how we move forward on our journey over the next five years, building on all that has been achieved. Rooted in Prayer (5 to 15 May) I am inviting everyone to come to a Day of Prayer in the Cathedral on Ascension Day, Thursday 5 May, any time between 11am to 8.30pm. There will be an opportunity to pray in different ways as we come together before God to listen to what the Holy Spirit is saying to us. It is then hoped that in your local context you will initiate ways to bring people together to pray during the ten days to Pentecost. Conversation around three core questions (15 May to 20 July) · What is the Holy Spirit saying to us in this Diocese? · What is your dream or vision for the Church in our Diocese in five years’ time? · What could we do to realise this vision? The aspiration is that even now you will begin to plan times and places to hold conversations with others, not only within worshipping congregations and churchled projects, but also with people of all ages and backgrounds in the wider community, many of whom may not identify themselves as Christians. We need to be listening carefully to what God might be saying to us through those we From “The Messenger” www.gloucester.anglican.org
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StorKies HELP!!
Diocesan Directories
For those that don’t know, Storkies is an outreach to mothers and young children that is run by volunteer church members on a Tuesday morning in St John’s Chipping Sodbury. It has become a great success, this week they had 35 children and 29 adults at the session. This gave the opportunity to express something of the Easter message through the story of a caterpillar transforming and changing into a new beginning. Through storytelling, praise parade and craft activities comes the chance to share the gospel with a group of people who never normally come to church and who probably would never have considered doing so. This is offering a bridge to church life and reaches out to people who are lonely and need support and shows them the love of Jesus in action. StorKies is probably the best and most successful outreach in this area and it is at risk due to lack of helpers. Can you offer some time, an hour or two, on a Monday evening to help set up the church and/or on a Tuesday from 11:30am to help pack away. If you cannot help do you know someone, not necessarily church members, who may be able to offer their time. If you can help or know of someone who might help please contact: Joy Gibson 01454 319288 or Jane Jones-Williams 01454 324970
Copies of the 2016 Diocesan Directory are now available from Church House, Gloucester, priced at £6 (plus P&P). The Directory lists all the clergy, Readers and church officers in the Diocese of Gloucester, including their contact details. If you would like a copy, please get in touch on 01452 410022. From “The Messenger” www.gloucester.anglican.org
Benefice Holy Communion Thursday Mornings 10:00 am St John’s, Chipping Sodbury Join us for an hour each Thursday morning for a friendly service, for the whole benefice, followed by tea/coffee, biscuits and a chat in the Church Centre.
Please do what you can. If StorKies has to close all these souls could be lost to the Kingdom of God 8
Children’s page - colour the pictures, find your way through the maze and find all the words.
Jesus is risen
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A memorial to Blanche, who married Sir Peter Grandison, was built in St Bartholomew's Church in Much Marcle in the 14th century, but it was not until an unexpected discovery by conservator The body of the Michael Eastham last autumn that it daughter of a became apparent that her body lay in the former ruler of tomb. England has been found in a Mr Eastham was shocked to find a leadH e r e f o r d s h i r e lined coffin hidden within the memorial, church, experts which is widely regarded as one of the finest in the country and had not required have confirmed. any conservation work until recently, over Blanche Mortimer, 600 years after it was originally built. who died in 1347, was the daughter of Sir Richard Mortimer, a traitor who overthrew Reverend Howard Mayell, who oversees King Edward II to become the de-facto St Bartholomew's, said the discovery has ruler of England in 1327. He was later been "a real surprise". "We are quite overthrown in turn by Edward II's son, overwhelmed by the idea Blanche is still Edward III, and sentenced to death by in the church." hanging in 1330. The coffin has now been safely returned
Conservator makes a surprising discovery in a Herefordshire church
to its original hiding place.
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Principal Service readings April
HOLIDAY HOME
April 3rd (Second Sunday of Easter) Acts 5: 27 - 32 Revelations 1: 4 - 8 John 20: 19 - end Psalm 118: 14 - end April 10th (Third Sunday of Easter) Acts 9: 1 - 6 Revelations 5: 11 - end John 21: 1 - 19 Psalm 30: April 17th (Fourth Sunday of Easter) Acts 9: 36 - end Revelations 7: 9 - end John 10: 22 - 30 Psalm 23:
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Annual Spring Clean St. John's Church, Old Sodbury is having its annual spring-clean on the 7th, 8th and 9th April with a clear-up in the churchyard on Saturday 9th April. We would really appreciate your help, even if you can only spare an hour or so, there is no need to book a place, just turn up on any of these mornings from 10am. For the churchyard clear up please wear suitable footwear and bring gardening gloves and tools if you have them. These mornings provide an opportunity to get to know fellow villagers and church members in an informal & friendly environment and as an added incentive, there will be coffee and cake provided mid morning as a thank you for volunteering. 11
Queen thanks the nation for prayers
News Snippets Do you have any snippets of news you would like to share with the Benefice, just a line or two is all it needs. Send them to Michelle in the Church Office and we can start a Snippets corner in the magazine.
News from David Webster This is just to say that I am still in the land of the living – but still on earth! Some of you will remember me: others will not, especially newcomers. When I was mobile I used to worship at St John’s Chipping Sodbury; when I was less so, I was taken up the hill to Old Sodbury. Last September I moved to a Residential Home in Thornbury then, in February I transferred to this smaller, more ‘homely’ Home in Wickwar. In both residences I was/am happy and very well cared for. My wife, Barbara, still lives in Batten Court, Chipping Sodbury and, with help, manages to visit me once or twice a week. She has care in our old home (on a daily basis) whilst I have residential care. Myrtle, our daughter, hovers between us, whilst our son, Chris, keeps a filial watch over us all from Hong Kong. On 14th April, Barbara and I will celebrate or 65th wedding anniversary. We give thanks to Father God for his many blessings given to us. Although I am beyond the boundary line of the Benefice, I am still a member of Chippping Sodbury Parish, therefore, I still like to feel a member of the church family and appreciate your prayers correspondence and occasional short visit (phone first). I send my brotherly love and pray God’s blessings on all. David (Charlton House, 85 High Street, Wickwar 01454 294167)
In a strong statement of faith, the Queen has said that she is ‘very grateful’ to the nation for its prayers for her and that she has felt God’s ‘faithfulness’ during 64 years on the throne. The comments came in the foreword to a new book, The Servant Queen and the King She Serves, published today by Bible Society, HOPE and LICC. Her Majesty said, ‘I have been – and remain – very grateful to you for your prayers and to God for his steadfast love. I have indeed seen his faithfulness.’ The book is being published to mark the Queen’s 90th birthday, in April. In her comments, the Queen referred to the changes she has seen in her life, which has made her the longestreigning monarch in British history. Supporters of the Bible Society can get a free copy from their web site. www.biblesociety.org.uk
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Prayer Shawls One episode of Call The Midwife witnessed a miracle of answered prayer and saw a prayer blanket in action. I have knitted prayer shawls for years. I have given and been given them. The point of a prayer shawl is to knit it with someone else in mind and to pray meditatively for that person every time you pick up your needles. Shawls are easy to knit: the basic purl 3 kit 3 makes a lovely stretchy basket weave that folds itself around you beautifully.
The power of a prayer shawl is not the shawl, it’s the love and prayers that have gone into the shawl during its making. The gift of a shawl says, “I want you to feel enfolded and wrapped up in the love of God” or “I have knitted into every stitch a desire for your healing or blessing. Sometimes love, silence and knitting in the presence of God is all that is necessary. I have knitted my way through some testing experiences. The shawl I wear at the moment represents my son’s gap year and all the prayers that followed him round the globe. (For him, I moved on to a prayer jumper and now a prayer beanie hat). Sheila Bridge, vicar of St Peter and St John, Rugby
From “Country Way” www.countryway.org.uk
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Sodbury Vale Benefice Regular Weekly Events Monday
8.45am
Morning Prayer
St John’s, Chipping Sodbury
7.30pm
Bell Ringers’ Practice CS
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
730pm
Bell Ringer’s Practice Horton
St James’, Horton
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
Thursday
Friday
Note: No Morning Prayers on Bank Holidays
Sodbury Vale Benefice Forthcoming Events Sun
29th
May
10.30am Benefice Communion with Rev’d St James’, Horton David Russell, Area Dean
Sat
18th
June
All day
Wed
13th
July
Chipping Sodbury Festival, Church St John’s Chipping Sodbury Tower Open and Teas in Church Licensing of Rev’d Canon David St John’s Chipping Sodbury Bowers
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 Do you sometimes think, why has that been arranged for then, we’ve got… In the benefice lots of things happen, but sometimes not everyone knows about them! This is where the Forthcoming Events Calendar can be really useful, if you tell us in the office when you are planning an event – even if the date at that stage is vague we can tell everyone by publishing it here in Outlook (forthcoming events could be as much as a year or even more in advance) and in the online benefice calendar. So if you’re planning an event let us know even if the date isn’t quite fixed we can publish with vague dates like “early Feb tbc” or “week of the 8 March tbc” just so the idea is out in the community and firm up the details closer to the event. We look forward to hearing from you. Michelle and Trish
Sodbury Vale Benefice Calendar April 2016 Sun 3rd Second Sunday of Easter
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
Tue
5th
9.15am
Storkies
St John’s, C/S
Thurs
7th
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
2.00pm
Mothers’ Union
Church Centre, C/S
Sun 10th Third Sunday of Easter Mon
11th
Tues
12th
9.15am
Storkies
St John’s, C/S
3.00pm
Meditation Meeting
Ring 327118 for venue
7.00pm
Horton APCM
Kirren House, Horton
Wed
13th
7.30pm
Crib Festival Meeting
Church Centre, C/S
Thurs
14th
10.00am
Holy Communion
St John’s C/S
10.45am
Coffee Shop
Church Centre C/S
7.30pm
Pastoral Care Meeting
Church Centre C/S
7.30pm
Joint PCC Meeting
Village Hall, O/S
9.30am
Family Communion
St John’s C/S
Morning Prayer
St James’, Horton
Holy Communion {BCP}
St John’s O/S
6.00pm
Evensong {BCP}
St Adeline’s L/S
17th
Sun Fourth Sunday of 11.15am Easter 11.15am Tue
19th
9.15am
Storkies
St John’s, C/S
Thurs
21st
10.00am
Holy Communion
St John’s C/S
10.45am
Coffee Shop
Church Centre C/S
7.00pm
Old Sodbury APCM
Village Hall, Old Sodbuy
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
7.00pm
Little Sodbury APCM
St Adeline’s L/S
Sun 24th Fifth Sunday of Easter
Tue
Thurs
26th
28th
9.15am
Storkies
St John’s, C/S
2.00pm
Tea and Chat
Church Centre C/S
3.00pm
Meditation Meeting
Ring 327118 for venue
10.00am
Holy Communion
St John’s C/S
10.45am
Coffee Shop
Church Centre C/S
7.00pm
Chipping Sodbury APCM
Church Centre C/S
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Christian removed from UK flight over ‘prayer’ message on phone A British man was removed from a plane by armed police at Luton airport after a fellow passenger read a message on his mobile phone about “prayer” and reported him as a security threat.
Laolu Opebiyi, 40, from London, said he was forced to hand over his phone and supply his password in order to establish his innocence after he tried to arrange a conference call prayer with friends using WhatsApp. A detective subsequently questioned and cleared Opebiyi but the pilot refused to allow him back on to the easyJet flight to Amsterdam last Thursday and he was forced to wait more than three hours for the next scheduled departure. The Nigerian-born Christian believes the passenger next to him assumed he was a Muslim and jumped to the conclusion that he may be a terrorist. “That guy doesn’t know me and within two minutes he’s judging me,” he told the Guardian. “Even if I was a Muslim, it was pretty unfair the way I was treated. I don’t think anyone, irrespective of their religion should be treated in such a way. “If we keep on giving into this kind of bigotry and irrational fear, I dare say that the terrorists will have achieved their aim.” 16
Opebiyi, a business analyst, said that as they awaited the plane’s 6.45am departure, his fellow passenger asked him: “What do you mean by ‘prayer’?” Taken aback that he had been reading over his shoulder, Opebiyi explained that he was arranging to pray with friends. About two minutes later, the male passenger went to the front of the plane and began a conversation with the cabin crew, Opebiyi said. The man was taken to the door of the cockpit and returned 15 minutes later, telling Opebiyi that he was getting off the plane because he felt unwell. A few minutes later, two armed officers entered the plane. They asked Opebiyi for his phone and told him to remove his belongings and accompany them off the plane and into the terminal building. After an officer confirmed that he was being questioned because of what happened with the other passenger, Opebiyi explained that he was a Christian, showing them a copy of the Bible in his bag. “They asked me which church I attend and how long I have been going there,” he said. “They also ask if I have ever thought about changing my religion to which I replied ‘no’.” They also asked him about the name of the conference call prayer group, which was “ISI men” – an acronym for “iron sharpens iron”, from the Bible quote “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another”. The Guardian understands that the passenger who reported Opebiyi may have misread this as “Isis”. An officer eventually told Opebiyi that he was in the clear but that the pilot had said he should take another flight.