Feb-Mar 2020 SVB Outlook

SVB

Outlook February 2020 - March 2020

The magazine of the churches of The Sodbury Vale Benefice: Chipping Sodbury, Old Sodbury, www.svbcofe.org.uk Little Sodbury and Horton. 1 1

Our Team

The Rector

Assistant Priest

The Revd.

Canon David Bowers 01454 313159, rector@svbcofe.org.uk

The Revd.

David Powe 01454 777745

Day off Monday

Churchwardens St John’s, Chipping Sodbury

St James’, Horton

Joy Gibson 01454 319288

Tina Hildick-Smith 01454 320380

Paul Jones-Williams 01454 324970

Richard Needs 01454 329890

St Adeline’s, Little Sodbury

St John’s, Old Sodbury

Linda Hurst 01454 319183

Vacancy Safeguarding Nominated Person

Administrators

Hannah Saunders 07515 915976

Michelle Jenkins, Trish Gailey and helpers

Hcsaunders.hone@talk21.com

Advertising

Contact Hannah if you have a concern about suspected abuse of a child or a vulnerable adult

Volunteer required

Published by The Sodbury Vale Benefice, Church Office, St John’s Church Centre, Wickwar Road, Chipping Sodbury, BS37 6BQ, 01454 325160, sodburyvalebenefice@gmail.com, Open in school term time, Mon - Tue - Thu mornings 9.00 - 12.00. Editor - Michael Stephenson outlook@svbcofe.org.uk

2

A Word from David Dear Friends It is often said that one of the rules for conversation at a dinner party is to avoid the subjects of politics and religion. Over the last few years there have certainly been some very heated discussions about politics that have occasionally divided friendships and even families. This has been true within Christian circles as much as everywhere else in society. What attitude should we have towards politics as Christians and as a church at this time in our nation’s history?

“What attitude should we have towards politics as Christians?”

“Christians are called to build bridges and to respect others and that includes learning how to disagree without hatred and bitterness.”

First of all, it is important to remember that there are committed Christians in all the mainstream political parties and we all have different views on various policies. There are certain principles which unite all Christians, such as fighting poverty and injustice, but no one party has a monopoly on how to do this.

Secondly, Christians are called to build bridges and to respect others and that includes learning how to disagree without hatred and bitterness. Our nation at times seems very divided and we are called to play a part in building a sense of unity as we look to the future to ensure a fairer and inclusive society. We remember also that we are citizens of the world as well as our own nation. The Parable of the Good Samaritan in Luke’s Gospel is a powerful lesson by Jesus that everyone is our neighbour, whatever their background or nationality.

Finally, the Bible calls us to pray for those who govern us and it is vital that we pray for those who make our laws and represent us in Parliament. It is easy to be cynical about politics but our democratic process is something to be guarded and ensures that we all have a part to play in how we are governed.

We pray for God’s blessing on our nation and our world, and that each of us may play a valuable part in helping our society to reflect God’s concern for all people.

David Bowers 3

Market

Cross

Baptisms: We welcomed into the Church: Holly Mae Allard 24 November at St John the Baptist, Old Sodbury

Funerals: We extend our sympathy to the families and friends of: Paul Tily on 19 November at St John the Baptist, Chipping Sodbury Audrey Walker on 19 December at St John the Baptist, Old Sodbury Peggy Peck on 30 December at St John the Baptist, Old Sodbury Richard Hammond on 15 January at St James the Elder, Horton

Pilgrimage 2021 In 2018 a group of people from our Benefice went on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. It was a wonderful experience and there were many experiences to reflect on, from the bustle of life in Jerusalem to the peaceful setting of Galilee. In autumn 2021 I am looking at the possibility of leading another pilgrimage to the Holy Land, based around visiting Jerusalem and Jordan. This would probably be for 10-11 days and would be arranged, as in 2018, by McCabe Travel, who are very experienced in organising visits to the Holy Land.

It would be good to gauge interest before I take this any further and if you think you might be interested in going, or if you would like further information, please let me know.

David Bowers

Lent Course 2020 Lent is approaching and our Benefice Lent Course this year will be held on Wednesday evenings at 7.30pm in the Church Centre on March 4th, 11th, 18th, 25th and April 1st.

The course this year will be based on the 2012 film adaptation of the musical, “Les Misérables” and we shall look at themes from a different section of the film each week. The film highlights a number of Christian themes such as forgiveness, grace and redemption, as well as being a very powerful story.

Come and join us and make this a part of your Lenten journey.

4

Prayer Ministry and Healing Service The Bible teaches that prayer for healing should be a normal part of our Church life. Jesus healed people with many different conditions as part of his earthly ministry and the church is instructed to continue this work. In the New Testament.

James 5.14 is a good example of this: “Are there any among you sick? They should call for the elders of the church and have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the “Are there any among name of the Lord”. you sick? They should A group of us from Chipping Sodbury and Old Sodbury have done some training in prayer and call for the elders of healing ministry and we are now ready to begin the church and have to develop this in our Sunday worship. We are them pray over them, not counsellors or experts and our training has been in listening to those who come to us as well anointing them with as listening to God and being open to his leading. oil in the name of the As members of the prayer ministry team we seek Lord”.

James 5.14 to be open as channels for God’s healing. The healing is not from us, but by the power of the Holy Spirit. He gives us listening ears and the words to pray.

Healing comes in many forms and often takes time. God always hears our prayers but will answer them in his time and in many different ways, as he sees our lives more objectively than we often do. We shall have some teaching on this very important subject over the coming months.

Everyone is welcome to come for prayer ministry, whether that is for personal prayer, or prayer for others. For health, either one’s own or that of a loved one. For any concern, be that physical, mental or emotional at home or at work. You can bring anything that is troubling you; God can work in all our worries and concerns.

Everything will be in the strictest confidence.

Prayer ministry will be offered after the service at St. John’s, Chipping Sodbury on second Sunday of the month. It will also be offered in a new healing/reflective service on fourth Sunday at Old Sodbury at 11.15am. These services are open to everyone in the Benefice as well as anyone in the community.

We do pray that God will work mightily through this ministry bringing healing and wholeness to many.

Karen Hunter/David Bowers 5

International Youth Forum Over the last year I have been helping to plan for a Youth Forum in our Diocese, which will involve small teams of young people, aged 1622, from our international partners in India, Tanzania, Sweden and USA, plus a team from Gloucester. The forum is from July 18th– 29th this year and the first part will be spent in the Christian Adventure Centre at Viney Hill in the Forest of Dean. They will then move on to Kent and this will include spending a day at the Lambeth Conference in Canterbury, the gathering of Anglican bishops from around the world.

The theme of the forum is the cause championed by Bishop Rachel, “Liedentity”.

This campaign raises awareness of the fact that many young people are sourcing their identities from social media and advertising, and in the process losing their self-esteem. Bishop Rachel has said: “I long for every young person to discover their worth as a unique individual created in the image of God and to find happiness as they go on becoming who they have been created to be.” The forum will be an opportunity for the young people to explore this theme from across the cultures in which they live.

It has been a great privilege to be part of the planning for this. If you would like to read more about it you can find information on the “Our Global Partners” section of the Diocesan website.

David Bowers 6

Life is a Book in volumes three The past, the present, and the yet to be The past is written and laid away The present we’re writing every day.

And the last and best of volumes three Is locked from sight – God keeps the key.

Sent in by Joyce Cairns

If after church, you wait awhile Someone will meet you with a smile Though if you quickly rise and flee We’ll all seem still and cold maybe The one beside you in the pew Is perhaps a stranger too All here, we have our fears and cares All of us need each others prayers.

In fellowship we bid you meet.

With us, around God’s mercy seat.

Stir-up Sunday 24 November 2019 was an afternoon of fun for all ages from toddlers to grandparents!

Old Sodbury Church was once again the venue for the annual family Christmas pudding stir-up organised by the Friends’ committee. The increasing popularity of this event was evident with children from the village school and local community joining together to weigh, measure and mix the ingredients for over 60 individual puddings under the watchful eye of ‘head chef’, Tracy Shipp, and her loyal team of helpers.

Afterwards, while parents relaxed with tea and cakes, the young ones were invited to join in craft activities in the children’s area, making Christmas decorations, stained glass lanterns and nativity characters.

The church was filled with fun and laughter; what better way to stir ourselves as we prepared for Christmas! Many thanks to all those who came along and we look forward to our next Stir-up Sunday on 22 November 2020

F. WOODRUFF Local Family Cremation and Funeral Directors 24 Hour Service 2 High Street, Winterbourne Tel: (01454) 773776 118-120 Station Road,Yate Tel: (01454) 320005 192 Badminton Road. Coalpit Heath email:info@funerals.uk.net Private Chapels of Rest at Coalpit Heath & Yate

7

Thanksgiving Service at Old Sodbury church With repairs to the tower stonework completed, the clock faces and hands repainted and gilded, and the lead on both the south and north aisles replaced, our beautiful and historic church has been returned to its former glory. The first indication that the lead had been 75th Anniversary stolen was when Joy Fussell was showing a friend around St Johns, Old Sodbury in October 2018 and of VE Day noticed daylight shining through the roof. The PCC was Saturday 2 May faced with the daunting task of trying to raise funds to The Friends of Old replace the lead and at a time when they were about to Sodbury church are busy launch an appeal to cover the costs of much-needed planning a celebratory repairs to the stonework of the tower. It was decided meal to mark the 75th that the appeal should cover both the stonework and anniversary of V E Day the roofs and a target was set of £90,000! this year. Please look out By the grace of God and the generosity and support of for further details and so many people and local businesses, together with come along to join the grants from many sources, the target was reached in celebrations. barely a year. We have been blessed in so many ways during this difficult period and not least by God’s provision of those with the talents to take on the onerous tasks required to ensure the completion of the work. We are indebted to Richard Kingscott for his devotion and commitment to Old Sodbury church and for the time and effort that he spent in meticulously planning and overseeing the work required, to Joy Fussell for her endeavours in successfully securing many grants and to John Myers for taking on the task of seeing through the completion of the works following Richard Kingscott’s untimely death.

As a way of showing our gratitude for all these blessings and to thank those who had generously donated to the appeal, a Thanksgiving service was held on Sunday 5 January led by Canon Revd. David Bowers. A short address was given by Rt. Revd.

Robert Springett, Bishop of Tewkesbury. The service was attended by many people from throughout the benefice and beyond, who had contributed to the Bishop of Tewkesbury success of the appeal. Lisa Kingscott, Richard’s daughter, placed her father’s T-square on the altar, to represent his expertise as an architect and his role in supervising the building works. Following the service, the congregation mingled and celebrated the completion of the works with Prosecco, nibbles, tea and cakes.

8

Thanks for the Crib Festival The Crib Festival was a great success once again. I know the schools who attended really enjoyed the chance to see the cribs properly and talk to us about them, the crafts and story time were as popular as ever. The weekend craft proved a firm favourite again with families making sure they had a current version to add to their collection!

“The Crib Festival was a great success once again”

I would like to express my thanks to everyone who helped and supported it. I thank the committee members and members of the congregation who worked so hard and produced café “goodies” both cakes and soup. For those who organised and helped with the crafts over the whole week, their task was harder this year as we had more schools involved and for more days. Simon and his team did a great job moving and setting up the church and dismantling it at the end. Special thanks must go to everyone who made it easy for me to take a step away and I would like to thank Steve and David for the extra they did this year. Our thanks to the staff in the office who work hard to get the catalogues printed and ready for use.

We had fewer visitors this year because we were open for just two days but gave more in outreach work for the children. We appreciate the support we have from the community who are encouraging and supportive. I am pleased to say we raised over £2,000 which will be shared between the Church and the ”Arpana” project, which some of us visited last year, in India. This is a Christian based group who help disadvantaged children have love, care, education and support. The staff are truly involved and dedicated to the young people.

I wish you all a very Happy New Year.

Liz 9

“We raised over £2,000 which will be shared between the Church and the Arpana project.”

Church Centre Update You may remember seeing a notice in the pew sheet telling you that we were undertaking a clear up of the upper room in the Church Centre. After several trips to the recycling centre (many thanks to Chris Mason!) the room now looks so much better.

The idea is to provide two distinct areas within the upper room. An office/meeting area and a softer Chat space meeting/chat space. We are well on the way to achieving this with a room divider already in place and a beautifully refurbished coffee table in the softer area. We are just waiting for a few more bits of furniture to finish the transformation, but if you have the chance to, do pop in and see what has been done.

Office area

10

David Powe helps save a Prisoner Allen Langham was the product of a broken family, suffered sexual abuse and bullying as a child, and after the untimely death of his mother, rejected his family and turned to drugs which lead to him ending up in Belmarsh prison. There he met our David Powe who was fostering a mini revival in the prison. David prayed for Allen in what Allen thought was Latin, but in hindsight believes was Tongues.

During the prayer Allen felt an electric shock going through his body.

Allen still found it difficult to break the cycle of offending, but when feeling suicidal he cried out to God, “If you are real, if you’re with me, if you’re hearing my prayer put a white bird outside my cell window in place of the pigeons.”. The following morning, while I was staring out of the window, the pigeons rose up and a white bird landed. It was a moment of clarity, an epiphany. Allen knew with certainty it was a message from God and he committed his life to Jesus there and then.

Allen has started the group Steps to Freedom, www.stepstofreedom.co.uk, and continues to work with and for prisoners to help them return to meaningful lives.

He has also written a book about his experiences as further help. (Taming a Villain, published by Monarch Books).

[Precis of an article in the Church Times]

The Crown and the Queen The Crown’s third season burst back onto our screens recently only to be rapidly upstaged by Prince Andrew’s poorly judged interview and ‘resignation’ and Harry and Meghan’s story.

Indeed, Olivia Colman’s poignant portrayal of the Queen’s fortitude, self-control, clarity and astuteness reminds us that these are qualities she surely still needs.

However, for all The Crown’s strengths, it fails, like most biographies of the Queen, to understand how her deep sense of divine calling and her living faith in Christ have shaped how she does everything – from the way she engages with staff to the content of her Christmas broadcasts.

I vividly remember the moment this hit me. I was trying to think of some public figure who lived out the “six Ms of fruitfulness” – modelling godly character, making good work, ministering grace and love, moulding culture, being a mouthpiece for truth and justice, and being a messenger of the gospel. The Queen came to mind with a clarity and weight, as a fantastic exemplar of Christ like engagement in public life. The more research we did, the more examples we discovered. Small things like inviting a Church of Scotland minister to Balmoral every weekend of her summer break. Big things like bringing former exploited colonies into a circle of purposeful friendship in the Commonwealth. That’s a story to celebrate and tell.

Source - London Institute for Contemporary Mark Greene (Mark is the Executive Director of LICC.) Christianity www.licc.org.uk.

11

Sunset Requiem Part 2 There is a second opportunity to hear Jonathan's Sunset Requiem Part 2.

7 March at 5pm In St Augustine Chapel, St Monica's Trust, Cote Lane, Bristol BS9 3UN Jonathan will be on the organ in this fine chapel.

Rachel Gray will be the soprano soloist. Nick Sherwood (who is actually organist there) will sing tenor once again and will be joined by Helen on the violin and Linda Hansard on cello Jonathan is planning to assemble singers from Bristol choirs under the conductorship of Eddie Garrard The music will sound totally different in such a resonant building and the organ is one of the finest in Bristol and is used for the Bristol Eisteddfod

All are welcome to the performance Jonathan has now completed the third and final part of his Sunset Requiem which will be premiered on 19 June at St John’s Church as part of the Chipping Sodbury Festival. This is a Requiem of Psalms and will be very special Frank Gray has produced a beautiful DVD of the concert last June which overlays the music with gorgeous sunset photographic sequences and much more.

Rehearsals will start in early February for anyone who would like to sing in it.

Watch out for further notices.

Bell Ringers Lunch 15 March 12:30 for 1:00pm Horton Village Hall Tickets available from Richard Needs

12

Calendar February 2020 Sun 2nd Presentation of Christ

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

Tues

4th

9.15am

Storkies

St John’s, C/S

Thurs

6th

10.00am

Holy Communion

St John’s, C/S

10.45am

Coffee Shop

Church Centre, C/S

Sat

8th

9.45am

Wedding Preparation Day

Church Centre, C/S

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

Sun 9h Third Sunday before Lent

6.00pm

Evensong

St Adeline’s, L/S

Mon

10th

2.00pm

Mothers Union Meeting

Church Centre, CS

Tues

11th

9.15am

Storkies

St John’s, C/S

Thurs

13th

10.00am

Holy Communion

St John’s C/S

10.45am

Coffee Shop

Church Centre C/S

Sat

15th

10.00am

Baptism Preparation Morning

Church Centre, C/S

9.30am

Family Communion

St John’s, C/S

11.15am

Morning Prayer

St James’, Horton

11.15am

Holy Communion {BCP}

St John’s, O/S

6.00pm

Evensong{BCP}

St Adeline’s, L/S

Sun 16th Second Sunday before Lent Mon

17th

7.30pm

Global Action Prayer Group

Church Centre, C/S

Wed

19th

7.30pm

Faith Questions

Church Centre, C/S

Thurs

20th

10.00am

Holy Communion

St John’s C/S

10.45am

Coffee Shop

Church Centre C/S

9.30am

Parish Comunion

St John’s, C/S

11.15am

Holy Communion{CW)

St James’ Horton

11.15am

Morning Praise

St John’s O/S

6.00pm

Holy Communion

St Adeline’s, L/S

9.15am

Storkies

St John’s, C/S

2.00pm

Tea and Chat

Church Centre, C/S

10.00am

Holy Communion for Ash Wednesday

St John’s C/S

7.30pm

Holy Communion for Ash Wednesday

St John’s, O/S

10.00am

Holy Communion

St John’s C/S

10.45am

Coffee Shop

Church Centre C/S

Sun 23rd Sunday Before Lent Tues

25th

Ash Wed

26th

Thurs

27th

13

Calendar March 2020 Sun 1st First Sunday of Lent

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

Tues

3rd

9.15am

Storkies

St John’s, C/S

Wed

4th

7.30pm

Lent Course

Church Centre, C/S

Thurs

5th

Fri

Sat

6th

7th

Sun 8h Second Sunday of Lent

10.00am

Holy Communion

St John’s, C/S

10.45am

Coffee Shop

Church Centre, C/S

11.00am

Lent Course

St John’s, C/S

8.00am

Day of prayer and bible reading

St John’s O/S

10:30am

Women's World Day of Prayer

St John’s, C/S

10.00am

Baptism Preparation Morning

Church Centre, C/S

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

6.00pm

Evensong

St Adeline’s, L/S

Mon

9th

2.00pm

Mothers Union Meeting

Church Centre, CS

Tues

10th

9.15am

Storkies

St John’s, C/S

Wed

11th

7.30pm

Lent Course

St John’s, C/S

Thurs

12th

10.00am

Holy Communion

St John’s C/S

10.45am

Coffee Shop

Church Centre C/S

11.00am

Lent Course

St John’s, C/S

9.30am

Family Communion

St John’s, C/S

11.15am

Morning Prayer

St James’, Horton

11.15am

Holy Communion {BCP}

St John’s, O/S

6.00pm

Evensong {BCP}

St Adeline’s, L/S

Sun 15th Third Sunday of Lent Mon

16th

7.30pm

Global Missions Prayer Group

Church Centre, C/S

Tues

17th

9.15am

Storkies

St John’s, C/S

Wed

18th

7.30pm

Lent Course

St John’s, C/S

Thurs

19th

10.00am

Holy Communion

St John’s C/S

10.45am

Coffee Shop

Church Centre C/S

Sun 22nd Fourth Sunday of Lent Mothering Sunday

11.00am

Lent Course

St John’s, C/S

9.30am

Family Communion

St John’s, C/S

11.15am

Holy Communion

St James’, Horton

11.15am

Morning Praise

St John’s, O/S

6.00pm

Holy Communion {BCP}

St Adeline’s, L/S

14

Calendar March 2020 (continued) Tues

24th

9.15am

Storkies

St John’s, C/S

Wed

25th

2.00pm 7.30pm

Tea and Chat Lent Course

Church Centre, C/S St John’s, C/S

Thurs

26th

Sun 29th Fifth Sunday of Lent Tues 31st

10.00am

Holy Communion

St John’s C/S

10.45am 11.00am 10.30am

Coffee Shop Lent Course Benefice Communion

Church Centre C/S St John’s, C/S St John’s, C/S

9.15am

Storkies

St John’s, C/S

Regular Weekly Events Monday

7.30pm

Bell Ringers’ Practice CS

Church Tower, Chipping Sodbury

Tuesday

8.30am

Morning Prayer

Church Centre, Upper Room,Chipping Sodbury

9.15pm

Storkies

St John's Church, Chipping Sodbury

8.30am

Morning Prayer

St John’s, Chipping Sodbury

7.30pm

Bell Ringers’ Practice Horton

St James’, Horton

8.30am

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

8.30am

Morning Prayer

St John’s, Chipping Sodbury

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Note: No Morning Prayers on Bank Holidays

Dates for your Diary 6 March

10:30am

15 March 12:30 for 1:00pm 28 June

Women's World Day of Prayer Service

St John’s church , Chipping Sodbury

Bell Ringers Lunch

Horton Village Hall

Ordination of Jane JonesWilliams

Gloucester Cathedral

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!

Michelle 01454 325160 office@svbcofe.org.uk

Copy Deadline Please send all copy for the April - May issue to the Church Office by Friday March 15th Front Cover: Spring flowers Ridgewood, Photo Michael Stephenson

15

Services for Holy Week 5th April - 12th April 2020 8.00am Holy Communion 9.30am Family Communion 11.15am Mattins {BCP}

St John’s, C/S St John’s, C/S St James’, Horton

11.15am Family Communion

St John’s, O/S

6.00pm

Evensong {BCP}

St Adeline’s, L/S

6th

Midday

Prayers for Holy Week

St Adeline’s, L/S

7th

7.30pm Midday

Stations of the Cross Prayers for Holy Week

St John’s, C/S St James’, Horton

8th

7.30pm Midday

Stations of the Cross Prayers for Holy Week

St John’s, C/S St John’s, O/S

9th

7.30pm Stations of the Cross 10.00am Holy Communion

St John’s, C/S St John’s C/S

Sun 5th Palm Sunday

Mon Tues

Wed Maundy Thursday

Good Friday

Sat

10th

11th

Sun 12th

Easter Sunday

7.00pm Agape Meal St John’s, C/S 8.30pm Vigil St John’s, C/S 11.00am Walk of Witness from Chipping Sodbury Clock tower to Yate Shopping Centre 2.00pm 2.00pm 7.00pm

Good Friday Service Good Friday Taize Service Easter Eve Service with Bonfire

St John’s, C/S St John’s, O/S St Adeline’s, L/S

6.00am Dawn Service 9.30am Easter Communion 11.15am Easter Communion {CW)

St John’s, O/S St John’s, C/S St James’ Horton

11.15am Easter Communion

St John’s O/S

6.00pm

St Adeline’s, L/S

Holy Communion

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.

16