October-November 2022 issue of SVB Outlook

October - November 2022

Chipping Sodbury,

Sodbury,

The Rector Post Vacant

Curate

The Revd. Jane Jones-Williams 07498 878164 revjanejw@gmail.com

Churchwardens

St John’s, Chipping Sodbury

Joy Gibson 01454319288

Paul Jones-Williams 01454324970

St Adeline’s, Little Sodbury

Linda Hurst 01454319183

Brenda Cordy 01454316447

St James’, Horton

Tina Hildick-Smith 01454320380

Richard Needs 01454329890

Karen Hunter 01454319903

Administrators

Michelle Jenkins, Trish Gailey and helpers

Hannah Saunders 07515 915976 hcsaunders-home@talk21.com

ContactHannahifyouhaveaconcernabout suspectedabuseofachildoravulnerable adult

Publishedby The Sodbury Vale Benefice, ChurchOffice,StJohn’sChurchCentre,WickwarRoad, ChippingSodbury,BS376BQ,01454325160,sodburyvalebenefice@gmail.com,Openinschoolterm time,Mon-Tue-Thumornings9.00-12.00. Editor-MichaelStephenson outlook@svbcofe.org.uk

A Word from Rob Axford

DearFriends

IwritethisletteronthedaythatKingCharlesIIIreceived messagesofcondolencefrombothHousesofParliamentat WestminsterandfromtheScottishParliamentin Edinburgh.ItisthedaywehavewatchedHerMajesty’s coffinmakethatslowjourneyfromthePalaceof HolyroodhousetoStGilesCathedralandthevigilasher fourchildrenstoodinsilentvigil. ItisthedaywhenKing Charlesaddressedtheparliamentsthankingthemfortheir condolencesandcommittinghimselftofollowhismother’sexampleofservice anddedicationtothepeopleofthislandandtheCommonwealthofNations.

Weareinatimeofchange,justunderaweekagowehadachangeofPrime MinisterandthentwodayslatertheverysadnewsofthedeathofHerMajesty followedbytheproclamationofourking,KingCharlesIIIandhisQueen Consort,Camilla.Therehasbeenalotoflookingbackgivingthanksforour lateQueen,forhersacrificialservice,herhumilityandsenseofduty.We’ve recognisedhowallofthis,herwholelife,wasfoundedinadeepfaithinJesus Christ.

TherehasalsobeenalookingforwardasCharlesIIIhascommittedhimselfto thefuture.Aswe’vereflectedontheQueen’slifewe’vealsoreflectedonhislife andachievements;hisreignasKingwillbebuiltonthathistory,drawingon thelifeofhismotherandhisownlife.Hetoowillbereflectingonthathistory toprovideaclearwayforward,hewillnotonlyknowthehistoryoftheUnited Kingdomhewillreflectonittoenrichourfuture.

We pray God’s blessing on our King

Wearelookingforwardtotheappointmentofour newRector. Itwillbeanewbeginningforthat personandforusaswewalktogetherintothe futuretowhichGodiscallingus.Thereismuch historyandwisdom,bothinthelifeofthese parishesandinourfutureincumbent,toenrichthe journeyonwhichwewillembark,butthejourney musthaveadirection,anaspiration.Togetherwewilllistenandwork,seeking todiscernGod’swillunderthegraceandguidanceoftheHolySpirit.Inour prayingandlisteningwewillbefuturefocused,buildingonthepastand alwayskeepingoureyesonJesusandtheKingdomofGodasweseektoserve thepeoplehere.

WeprayGod’sblessingonourKing,onournewincumbentandonthelifeof thisbenefice.

Rob Axford

Organ Recital at St Adeline’s

ItwasahotSaturdayinAugustwhenweheldour OrganRecitalatStAdeline’sasasortof inaugurationofourneworganwhichwasinstalled earlierthisyearanddedicatedbyDavidBowers (Yourememberhim?)atacommunionserviceon 6thFebruary.

Thechurchofferedsomerespitefromtheheatof thedayas48guestsenjoyedtheconcert.We enjoyedarangeoforganmusicfrom“Fantasiaand FugueinCminor”tofive“Folktunes”playedbeautifullybyourownorganist JonathanCrow.Thiswasfollowedbyaselectionofpieces fororganandviolinand organandflute,withtheorganbeingskilfullyplayedbyNickSherwoodandviolin andfluteplayedbyhiswifeHelen(notatthesametime).

Theaudiencethoroughlyenjoyedtherecitalandwere enthusiasticintheirapplause.Theyequallyenjoyednibbles anddrinksandtheopportunitytosocialiseaftertheevent

Thiswasaverysuccessfuleventandwehopethatmoreof thesemusicalperformancescanbeorganisedinthefuture. Keepyoureyespeeledfortheadverts!.

Mothers’ Union summer meeting

Mary Sumner Day

OurmeetinginAugustwasheldatChrisand Jenny'shomeforanafternoontea. Theweather wasgloriousandwewereabletorelaxandenjoy ChrisandJenny'sgardenwhilsteatingour afternoontea.

Itwaslovelythatsomanypeopleattendedand notallMothers’Unionmembers.

Ourmeetingsareheldonthesecond MondayofthemonthintheChurch Centreat2pm.Allarewelcome,youdon’t havetobea member.

OurthankstoJennyforthedeliciouscake andtobothof themfortheirhospitality.

Hilary Hurley

Home Groups

FellowshipGroupsknownasTogetherGroupsor simplyHomeGroupshavebeendescribedasoneof thebestkeptsecretsinSVB’–yetformanytheyhave becomeavitallinkforChristianfellowship,friendship, prayerandBiblestudy.

Therearecurrentlythreegroupsinoperation.Hereisabriefintroduction toeachbythosewhorunthem:.

Joy Fussell and Pauline Green lead The Old Sodbury Together Group whichhasthirteenmembersandmeetsonthe2nd and4th Wednesdaysof eachmonthat7pm.Theyhavecontinuedtomeetduringthelastyearon Zoomasithasprovedtobeagoodwaytostayintouchprovidingavery special“lifeline”forthoseinthegroupwhodon’tgetoutagreatdeal.

Wehavestudiedarangeoftopics….Psalm23,SharingourFaith,andThe lifeofAbraham

Thesestudieshavebeenledbygroup members,clergyandfriends.Wehavealso enjoyedhavingsomeoutsidespeakers,who talkedabouttheirexperiencesofmission workinHongKongandtheHimalayas. Closertohomewewereupdatedonthe workoftheFoodbankandtheMothers’ Union.Wewerealsochallengedasweheard aboutthePersecutedChurchacrosstheworld.

InAugustandSeptembertheweatherwaskindtousandwemetfortea andcakeinPauline’sbeautifulgarden. FormoreinformationcontactJoyFussell<joyfussell@hotmail.com>

Steve Abbott’s Home Group startedinFebruary,specificallyasagroup meetingduringtheday.Manywereinterested,withhalfwantingtomeet onceamonth,andhalfeveryfortnight.Sowewentwithtwogroups:the largergroup(12members)meetsonthe3rdTuesdayofthemonthinthe ChurchCentre,andthesmallergroup(6members)meetsonthe1stand3rd Tuesdaysofthemonth,at21QuarryRoad;bothmeetfrom2.0-3.30pm. Theformatofthemeetingsisthesameforboththelargeandthesmaller groups.Westartwithcoffee/tea,and,inthelargergroup,wesingahymn. Thenwegetgoingwithan“ice-breaker”topicsothateveryonegetsa chancetosaysomething.Thenweeitherprayforoneanother(ifthereisan immediatepressingconcern)orlookataBiblepassage.

“One of the best kept secrets in SVB”

“All groups offer a warm welcome and encourage you to join us”

Atthemoment,thelarger groupislookingat Philippians(withtheaidof BishopTomWright’sstudy notes),andthesmaller groupislookingataPsalm (whichweeachchoose andintroduceinrotation). Afterthis,wehaveatime ofprayer,ifwehaven’t alreadyprayed.Justbefore theendofthemeeting,we thinkaboutanychurchbasedsocialactivitiescomingup,particularlyanythingwecouldinviteour non-churchfriendsto.Thisformatseemstobeworkingwellatthemoment. ForthelargegroupmeetinginAugust,wesubstitutedapurelysocialevent,tea withdeliciousrefreshmentsinoneofourgardens.Thisprovedverysuccessful. Wewouldwelcomemorepeopletojoinus,asthereisroominboththelarger andsmallergroups.ContactSteveat abbott.steve@btinternet.com

When David Parsons left several years ago, Frank Gray took over his group andbasicallyfollowedthesameformat.Ourgroupofaroundeight memberscurrently,startswithteaandcoffeeandbiscuitsaswesharetogether someofthethingsthataregoingoninourlives,challengesweface,placeswe havebeen,etc. WehavebeenfollowingtheEssential100seriesofstudies whichcoverthemainthemesoftheBible–50fromtheOldTestamentand50 fromtheNew. WearecurrentlylookingattheTeachingsofJesus,butalso drawquiteheavilyonWilliamBarclay’sstudynoteswhichareinvaluablein plumbingthedeepertruthscontained.Frankleadsthesestudies. Weconclude bysharingprayerandpraiseitemsthenclosebyprayingforoneanother.

Afterlosingafewmembersduringthepasttwelvemonthsweareanxiousto havemorepeoplejoinus. Wemeetthe1stand3rdWednesdaysofthemonth andmovearoundtothehomesofvariousmembers.ContactFrankat admin@svbcofe.org.uk

Ifyouareinterestedinsomethingmorecontemplativethereisalsoa Meditationgroup,runbyRogerNailer,whichmeetsonaTuesdayafternoon formeditativeprayer.Christianmeditationiscentredaroundphrasesor sentencesderivedfromtheBible.ContactRogerfordetails rogernailer@gmail.com.

Alloftheaboveofferawarmwelcome.Weencourageyoutojoinusinyour spiritualpilgrimageaswealllearnandsharetogetherwhatGodhastosayto usthroughhisWordandthroughmeetingtogetherinfellowship.

Inclusive Church Action Group

InFebruaryandMarchthisyearChrisMasonleda verygoodshortserieson“LivinginLoveandFaith”, theChurchofEnglandstudyonChristianteachingand learningaboutidentity,sexuality,relationshipsand marriage. Itwasanexcellentcoursewhich encouragedustothinkaboutinclusivityinitswidest senseandmanyofusbeganaskingthequestion“So howdowebecomeaninclusivechurch?”

Asanoutcomefromthemeetings,DavidBowers askedChrisandthe20whohadattendedifthey wouldliketomeettogethertoseehowwemightfurthertheaimof becominganinclusivechurch,possiblya“RegisteredInclusiveChurch”.As aresultasmallgroupwasformedinitiallyrepresentingChippingSodbury andOldSodburybutwehopethatthegroupwillgrowtorepresentallof thechurchesoftheBenefice.

AtourfirstmeetingwewerepromptedbytheSpirittodiscuss,examine andexplorewhatitwouldmeanforthefourchurchesoftheBeneficeto becomemoreinclusive,accessibleandwelcoming.Werecognisedthat beinginclusivemeansthatweneedtoensurethatwedon’tdiscriminatein anywayandthisincludesareasofgender,sexuality,maritalstatus,age, race,culture,physicaldisability,mentalhealth,learningdisability, neurodiversityandmuchmore.

Allofthiswillmeanchange;inpracticalwayswewillallneedtobecome moreawareoftheneedsofotherpeople.Weneedtoensureataverybasic levelthatallofourworshipservicesareaccessible,thatweprovideservice sheetsindifferentformats,thatlightingisgood,thatweusetheloop systemforthosewithhearingdifficulties.Thatisonlythestart,weneedto ensurethateveryoneisincludedandthatwedonotdiscriminateinany way.

Itwas,Ibelieve,David’shope,anditiscertainlyourhope,thateachchurch ofthebeneficewillregisterforInclusiveChurch,thatwewilltaketo ourselvesthestatementofInclusiveChurchandmakeitourown.The InclusiveChurchStatementofbeliefsays:“We believe in inclusive church – a church which celebrates and affirms every person and does not discriminate. We will continue to challenge the church where it continues to discriminate against people on grounds of disability, economic power, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, learning disability, mental health, neurodiversity, or sexuality.

We believe in a Church which welcomes and serves all people in the name of Jesus Christ; which is scripturally faithful; which seeks to proclaim the Gospel afresh for each generation; and which, in the power of the Holy Spirit, allows all people to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Jesus Christ.”

MoreinformationaboutInclusiveChurchcanbefoundon their websiteathttps://www.inclusive-church.org/andthe InclusiveChurchActionGroupwillbeverypleasedto supportthePCCsofthebeneficeastogetherweseektobean inclusivechurch.

RobAxford

CatherineCoster

KarenHunter

HilaryHurley

ChrisMason

InclusiveChurchActionGroup

AlbaniaMissionTrip

Thiswasapostponedtrip–HennieGray andIhadhopedtogooutduringthe summerof2019,butCovid(and lockdowns)prohibitedit. So,itwasagreed thatthisyearwewouldgo–despitethe disruptioncausedbythetransportstrikes. Ourmainfocuswastheoutreachprojectto theorphanageinKorce. Itisastaterun orphanagebutoverthepastyearsasmall teamhavebeengivenaccessthroughthe churchinKorcetotakeaBible-based activitiesprogrammetotheadultresidents. Someofthesepeoplearelegitimate orphans,othershavebirthfamiliesbutdon’tlivewiththem,becausedisabled peoplehavegenerallybeen‘lookeddownupon’inthatculture. Thisiswhythe orphanageissitedonthetopofahill–toputsomedistancebetweenthosewith mentalorphysicalhandicapsandtheothertownspeople. Weallenjoyedtheprogrammesessions,whichwereBible-basedandreinforcedby activitiesandgames(interspersedwithnail-paintinganddancingtoworship songs!). Wedidthisthroughatranslator,Elena,fromthechurch,whoisan excellentteacherandhasagreatloveforthesepeople,whomshefeelsare“family”.

Wealsohadfuntimeswiththeresidents,takingthemoutontripstotheLakeat PogradecontheborderofMacedonia;toanatureparkinKorceandafunfair,and alsoswimming. Wehadtogotothepoolcomplexafterhours,astheregular punterswouldnottoleratedisabledpeopleswimmingamongthem–andthe managerwouldlosemoney. Butthestaffwerereallykindtotheresidents,andlaid onalovelymealforus.

OntheSaturdaywhenweweren’tallowedtobeatthe orphanage,Henniewenttoaprivatehomeforelderly residents. Thisismonitoredbythestate,butrunby Marleen,amissionaryoriginallyfromBelgiumwhohas beeninchargeforthepast27years. Amanfromthe churchranaBibleStudywhichwaswell-attended,and Henniegavehertestimony.

Onanotheroccasion,wevisitedavillagechurchin PojantospendtimewithladiesfromtheweeklyBible studygroup. Taniawasaskedtogivehertestimony, whichreallyspoketotheirhearts. Theseladiesputonalovelyspreadforus,and thenfinishedtheeveningwithadisplayofAlbaniandancing!

Theheatwasjustalittleworse(38degrees!)thanithadbeenintheUKatthat time,andit’stakenquiteawhiletorecoupourenergies. Itwasamazing,andwe won’tforgetthewonderfulpeoplewespenttimewith.

Tania Manners

Visit of Indian Bishop Prasana Samuel

ItwasourprivilegeinJulytowelcomeBishop PrasanaandhiswifeProfessorEstherSamuelto ourBenefice.TheyarefromBengalaruinIndia. RevdDavid,asheadoftheDioceselinkwith KarnatakaCentral,broughtthemfromGloucester forawonderfullunchhostedbyTinaHildickSmith.AlsopresentwereLizandStephen Gregson,TaniaMannersandHennieGraywho visitedthediocesein2019andtheArpanaSchool thatwehelpsupport.

ThelunchwasfollowedbyaninterviewatStJohn’sChurch,CS,withboth thebishopandhiswiferegardingthechurchinKarnatakaandthemany challengestheyface.Itwashelpfulingivingusafirsthandaccountofthe pressuresthatthechurchesareunder,nowthattherulingBJPpartyis encouragingdiscriminationagainstChristiansandpeopleofotherfaiths. AfterwardstheBishopandhiswifelefttogotoLondonwheretheywere attendingtheLambethConferencehostedbytheArchbishopofCanterbury.

SVB Benefice Vision Statement

Welcoming, Growing, Connecting

ManyofyouwillbeawarethatfortheprocessofappointinganewRector,aprofile ofourchurcheshadtobeproduced.Thisdauntingtaskfelltothechurchwardens. WelookedbackatourpreviousprofileanddecidedtheBeneficehadmovedona greatdeal.Itwasdecidedthatanewvisionstatementwasrequiredthat encapsulatedthecurrentatmosphereofourchurchesaswellaswhatwewantto develop.

WefeltthatthelogobelowdidthiswiththeCrossandtheTrinityatthecentrewe are

Welcoming, Growing, Connecting with God and our Communities

Astatementofourvisionforthefuturewasalsoneededtoshowprospective applicantsthatasabeneficewewanttomoveforwardnotonlyinourChristian faithbuttoexpandhiskingdom.Thiswasthestatementthatwasdecidedupon:

The Vision Statement

Working with Christ at the centre Weseekto

Welcome all through meaningful prayerand worship

Grow together inourloveand faithforGodand asabenefice

Connect with our communities sharingtheloveofJesusto changelivesbythepowerofthe HolySpirit

Asweseektofulfilthisvisionthenchangesmayneedtobemade. Welcoming all maymeanchangesinourservicesandliturgytoattractpeopleon thefringesofourchurchcommunity. Growing together maymeanoverlookingourdifferences,askingtheLordto changeourattitudes,toseekforgivenessandreconciliationwiththosewehave quarrelled,bewillingtosupportotherchurches.

Copy Deadline

PleasesendallcopyfortheDecember-Januaryissuetothe

ChurchOfficeby Monday November 14

Front Cover:

AltarintheLadyChapelatStJohn’s, ChippingSodbury

Connecting with our communities sharing the love of Jesus maymean movingoutofourcomfortzonemeeting withpeoplewedon’tusuallymixwith, onMondaytoSaturdayandnotjuston Sundays.

Wecandononeofthesethingswithout meaningfulprayerandworship.Our faithandloveforGodmustpropelus intoactionbutwecannotdoanyof thesethingswithoutthepowerofthe HolySpirit.Heistheonewhowillhelp ustosharetheloveofJesusandto changelivesforgood.

Godisoutthere,alreadyworkingin people’shearts,butwearehisbody,his handsandfeetonearththatheusesto bringhisplanstofruition.Maywebe readytohelphiskingdomtocome.

Horton Church Teas

wonderfulteasbeingservedatSt. James',Hortonwherewewereroyally waitedonby Martinand indulgedin thefabulous cakesmade byTina.

Someof theLittle Sodbury people wentona Saturday afternoon toenjoy the

Her Majesty the Queen Elizabeth II, 1926-2022

Memories of the last few days from Lynne Watts and Richard Needs Lynne Watts -

Likemanythousandsofothers experiencing that same overwhelming sense of loss andgriefonhearingthenews ofTheQueen’sdeath,Alanand Iwantedtomournandpayour respectsinthoseplaceswhere Her Majesty had spent so muchofherlife.Wetravelled to a grey, overcast and damp Windsor the following Tuesdayandwitnessedatown inmourningandaconstantstreamofpeople,youngandold,carryingflowersand messagestolayattheCastleentrancegatesontheLongWalk,wherethePrinceand PrincessofWalesandtheSussexeshadgreetedthepublictwodaysearlier. Through tear-filledeyeswereadeloquenttributestoourQueenandmessagesofgratitudefor her unfailing sense of duty and delighted in the children’s simple drawings and expressionsoftheirloveandthanks.

The following morning we took the train to Waterloo, arriving shortly after 10.30, and joined the throngs makingtheirwayacrosstheThamesinthedirectionof theMall,eagertowitnessseniormembersoftheRoyal Familyastheyaccompaniedthecoffinprocessionfrom BuckinghamPalacetoWestminsterHall.Sadlyitwasnot tobe;newsreportsclaimedthattherewaslittlehopeof getting onto the Mall and the queue at Admiralty Arch confirmed this. Plan B - head to Whitehall, where the processionwouldemergefromHorse-guardsParade.By thetimewehadbeenturnedbackononesidebecause theaccesswasblocked,crowdshadalreadybuiltupon theotherside.PlanC-headnearertoWestminsterHall.

As we arrived at the Embankment, a policeman announcedthatallaccessestotheprocessionroutewerenowclosedoffandthearea wasinlockdown!Wewalkedtoanearbyparkandsatinglorioussunshinewatching crowds passing by with their flowers, chatting to strangers sitting next to us and hoping that when the procession had finished, we would be able to retrace the processionrouteinreverse-whichwedid.

Thewholedaywaswonderfulandfullofspecialmoments-Londonstreetswithno traffic,somanyyoungpeoplethere,thekindnessofthepoliceandstewardsonduty, smiling, friendly faces despite the sombre occasion, a camaraderie as we met and chattedtoothersandthehugecrowdsofordinarypeople,wholikeus,justwanted tobethereforourQueen.

Richard Needs –

Iwasundersixyearsoldin1952,soalittleyoungtoattend the‘lyinginstate’ofKingGeorgeVI.Ihavealwaysbeena supporter of the Royal Family and had a very high regard for the dedication, lifelong commitment and devotion of QueenElizabethIIinherroleasheadofstate.Onthedeath of the Queen, I immediately felt that I needed to pay my respects in some physical way by attending the ‘lying in state’,whichIrealisedwouldinvolvesomeeffortonmypart.

On Wednesday evening 14 September I joined the queue, just opposite the Globe TheatreinSouthwarkat10.45pmandenteredWestminsterHallat7.00amthenext day, just over 8 hours. For some bizarre reason it did not feel that long and the atmosphere was quite light hearted with a strange camaraderie and feeling of a sharedpurposewiththepeopleimmediatelyaroundyou.

ThelastoneandahalfhoursofqueuingwasthroughanenormouszigzaginVictoria Gardenswheretherewerescoutspositionedatregularintervalsattheendofeach leggivingoutwhatwasaluckydipfooddistribution.Beforeleavingthegardenswe hadtogiveupanyfoodorwaterthatwehadbeencarryingpriortothefinalsecurity checkpointsanddiscoveredthatthiswasthesourceofthefoodfortheluckydip;a greatwaytoavoidingwasteandreminiscentofthefeedingofthefivethousand.

On passing through the final security screening the mood changed immediately and became much more sombre on enteringWestminsterHall.

Fromthetopofthesteps,lookingdownatthecatafalque, despiteitssizeitseemedsosmallandalmostinsignificant, inthemagnificentsettingofWestminsterHall,forsomeone of such great stature and who was so well known throughouttheworld;notwhatIhadexpected.Itwasforme,andIamsureformany others,averyanemotionalexperience.Itbroughthomehowinsignificantweallare, whateverourbackgroundandlifeexperience,inthewidercontextofthisdisturbed andturbulentworld.Thoseguardingthecoffinwerestatuesquewhichwasincredibly powerfulconsideringtherewasnomovementwhatsoever.

WewereveryluckytohavebeenintheHallatthechangingoftheguardwhichgave anextrafewminutestotakeinthewholescene.Itwasanincredible,literally,‘once inalifetime’experienceandIamsogladthatImadetheeffort.

Queen Elizabeth II, Beacon of Grace

Itwas2015.AndElizabethwas89.IhadaskedGoda specificquestion:pleaseshowmesomeoneinthe publiceyewhoisanoutstandingwhole-lifediscipleof Jesus,someonewhosefaithshapesalltheydoandsay. ‘Elizabeth’wasGod’sanswer.Swift,clear,weighty.And tobeshared.

Sincethatdayit’sbecomeeverclearertomethat ElizabethwasagiftfromGodtonation, Commonwealth,andindeedtheglobalcommunity,a beaconofhumility,grace,astuteness,goodhumour,generosity,and deepfaith.

Aboutherfaithshewascrystalclear,andrepeatedlyso.Inher 2014Christmasbroadcastsheputitthisway:

‘For me, the life of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, whose birth we celebrate today, is an inspiration and an anchor in my life. A role-model of reconciliation and forgiveness, he stretched out his hands in love, acceptance and healing. Christ’s example has taught me to seek to respect and value all people of whatever faith or none.’

There’scertainlynodoubtabouttheidentityoftheKingourQueen served.Noristhereanydoubtthattheprayerthatherpeoplehave sooftenprayed(perhapswithoutrealisingthatitwasaprayer) wasanswered.GodsavedourQueen.OurQueen was ‘gracious’and ‘noble’and‘victorious’inthethingsthatreallymatter–hopeand faithinChrist,loveofGodandofthepeopleshe’sbeenempowered toserve.

Indeed,therecanbefewgreaterindicationsofGod’smercyand gracetoournationthantohavegivenusaQueenwholovedusso faithfullyandpointedustohimsoclearly.

PraisebetotheGodandFatherofourLordJesusChristforthegift ofhisservantElizabeth.

Source - London Institute for Contemporary Christianity www.licc.org.uk.

God Save the King

Fish and Chip Supper at the Church Centre

Wednesday 19th October 7.00pm start

Please come and join us for a takeway!

This is a pay as you feel event. What does that mean?

Wearesuggestingaticketpriceof£10: Ifyoucanaffordthat,pay£10, Ifyouwouldstruggletoafford£10,paywhatyou canandcomeandenjoytheevening.

Ifyouareinthehappypositionthatyoucouldmanagealittlemorepleaseconsider payingextratosubsidisesomeoneelse'smeal.

(All ticket money will go into an envelope so no one will know what you paid)

Ifweendupwithanysurplusfunds,wewillputthemtowardthecentrewindow fund.

Fish and Chip Supper (Vegetarian alternative possible please let us know when you reserve a place), followed by tea or coffee.

Rev David Powe’s Quiz Night

Friday 11th November Church Centre

Teamsofupto6 (Don’tworryifyouwantto comeonyourown,we’llfind youateam)

Waterwillbeprovided.If you’dliketodrink somethingelseplease bringitalong!

Tickets £10 includes a light supper (providedbyTinafrom Horton)

ProceedstoRevd.DavidPowe’s “Shepherd’sHutProject”

Tickets from the Church Centre Office 01454 325160, email sodburyvalebenefice@gmail.com or see Michelle, David P or Madeleine.

LetChristineStephens (314621)orMichellein theoffice(325160or sodburyvalebenefice @gmail.com)knowifyou wouldliketocome, Reservation is essential.

Ifyourequiretransport, itcanbearranged,please letChristineknow.

Please come along and join us for a fun evening of conversation and chips!

The Extended Team Honorary Assistant Ministers

Meetthemembersoftheextendedteamwhosupportourworship.Theyconsistof retiredclergy(perhapsnotquite?)andlayreaders,whohelpDavidbytaking servicesandhelpingwithothereventsaroundthebenefice.

Revd.Canon RobAxford rob@robaxford.plus.com

pauline.green936@gmail.com

Revd.ChrisMason revd.chris.mason@gmail.com

Revd.ChristineAxford chris@robaxford.plus.com

Revd.DavidPowe 01454777745

Revd.PaulineGreenRevd.SteveAbbott abbott.steve@btinternet.com wulstanperks@gmail.com

Revd.CanonCatherineCoster catherinecoster3@gmail.com swain189@btinternet.com

WullyPerks(Reader)

MikeSwain(Reader)

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 printing costs which are 65p a copy that would be most welcome. Thank you.