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
May 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
June Deadline Can you have all copy to Michelle in the Church Office by May 12th at the latest please.
Advertising: Sylvia Franklin 07788 111726
Editor: Michael Stephenson 01454 314094 email outlook@svbcofe.org.uk
Front Cover- Westonbirt Arboretum Photo by: Michael Stephenson
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Christians in London as early as the 4th Century How did Christianity spread across London? The answer to this question that Baptisms: We welcomed into the Church: has baffled historians for centuries now lies on an ancient pottery fragment. George Henry Dunkerley Foote on 10th April 2016 at St John’s Old Volunteers at the Museum of London's Sodbury Archaeological Archive recently discovered Annabelle Violet Richings on 10th significant April 2016 at St John’s Old Sodbury markings on Funerals:We extend our sympathy to the the piece of families and friends of: pottery, Kathleen Nancy Rowland on 6th April which was at St John’s Chipping Sodbury originally excavated in William Donald Peck on7th April at St 1970. They John’s Old Sodbury noticed there was some sort of mark on Rita Mary Hinder on 13th April, service the pot and quickly realised the at St John’s Chipping Sodbury followed significance of what they had found. The by burial at Old Sodbury artefact, believed to have been used during the 4th century, has a very striking symbol: a monogram of a chi (X) and rho Library closures (P), the first two letters of the Greek word Don’t forget to return your questionnaire "Christos," meaning Christ. on “Library Changes” by 13th May. If you "Christian symbols from the Roman period haven’t had a chance to pick up a form yet, they are available in South Glouces- are rare, especially from sites within Londinium's surrounding Hinterland. tershire libraries or in St. John’s, ChipThe archaeologist explained that this ping Sodbury church porch or in the significant discovery showed that church centre. Christians already lived in London, or The consultation mainly concerns three Londinium, at that time, as early as the 4th options for cutting South Glos. spending century. on libraries but each option includes closing Chipping Sodbury and the mobile "Although we can't say from one object that Roman London and its Hinterland libraries. If you wish to comment on this please fill in and return a form to the ad- were practicing Christianity, it does suggest that Christians were at least dress given on it or you can complete present at some point in 4th century.” the survey online at www.southglos.gov.uk/librarychanges. Six other examples of Christian symbols were found on Roman artefacts unearthed A Friends of Chipping Sodbury Library in London. These markings strongly group has also been formed to promote indicate that Christianity was one of the the future of the library. religions followed by residents of Londinium, 3
Dear Friends, I looked back at the May magazine for last year and re-read Yvonne’s letter. She wrote a post-Easter message about managing change in the face of the announcement that the then Rector was moving on to pastures new. It reminded me of just how far we have travelled over the last year. In searching for a new incumbent, we needed to come together to agree our first Benefice profile; one that was both appealing and truthful! This necessitated taking a good hard look at ourselves across the Benefice, highlighting the positives and facing up to some of the challenges. Alleluia! We are now eagerly awaiting the arrival of our new Rector, David and his wife, Judith and I know that our welcome is sure to be warm and full of hope. Reading again the story of the first Easter, I am struck by the confusion that followed the news that Jesus had been seen – alive – three days after he had most certainly died. Today, we are able to focus on the joy and excitement of the good news of Easter. We feast and have fun. But, the disciples were much less certain about what was happening. Peter had denied being a follower of Jesus, Thomas became known for his doubting and the disciples were meeting in secret, full of fear. During our Lent course, with the help of the film ‘The Way’ we were reminded how important it is to keep putting one foot in front of the other on our Christian journey, encouraging Mary meets the risen Jesus others to walk with us. Now is not the time to ‘get back to normal’ after Easter. We need to ponder again and again how the life, death and resurrection of Jesus will continue to transform our lives, and through our actions, transform our communities. The great hymn ‘Lord, enthroned in heavenly splendour’ reminds us in its last line that Christ is Risen, Ascended, Glorified! During May, the post-Easter narrative continues to unfold before us. We will keep the feasts of Ascension Day, Pentecost and Trinity Sunday. Three opportunities to continue to travel the journey we began at the beginning of Lent. The Ascension Window St Adeline’s The Holy Spirit becomes the focus of our attention as unifier, enlightener and enabler of all we are as Christians. Let us not hesitate to pray… Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful people, and kindle in us the fire of your love. Every blessing,
Ian 4
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The Girl Choristers of Gloucester Cathedral Choir
The 1816 Overture ??
You will probably have Gloucester heard of the Cathedral is 1812 Overture, delighted to written by announce the Tchaikovsky, establishment f a m o u s of Girl R u s s i a n Choristers, composer, to who will sing celebrate his as members of country’s the Cathedral defence of the Russian homelands Choir for the against Napoleon's Grande Armee in first time in history. The Cathedral is now 1812. embarking on a thorough recruitment process, including planned visits to However have you heard of the 1816 schools, and an exciting ‘Come and Sing Overture written to celebrate a less well Open Day’ at the Cathedral on Saturday verified incident a few years after the 9 April. Girls and boys aged 7-12 are battle of Waterloo? invited to come along and experience the If you want to learn more come along to fun of singing in this fantastic building and Yate International Academy on Saturday to get a small taste of what it might be like 21st May at 7.30pm. to be a Cathedral Chorister. Yate Choral Society are celebrating their Girl Choristers will be drawn from local 50th Anniversary year with a Gala Concert schools, much like the Cathedral’s unique of music from the inspired to the light Youth Choir. Adrian Partington, Director hearted. With excerpts from Haydn’s of Music at Gloucester Cathedral said “We Creation; the Easter Hymn from Cavalleria hope to select choristers from a range of Rusticana to The Dam Buster’s March and backgrounds, many of whom may not the Rhythm of Life, leading up to the have considered the prospect of singing World Premier of the 1816 Overture. in a Cathedral Choir before. Our aim is to Don’t miss this unique event!! ‘discover’ some very talented girls along the way.” 50th Anniversary Gala The Girls will begin rehearsing in September and will then sing at Evensong Concert each Monday from October as well as at Christmas and Easter services, playing a Saturday 21st May at 7:30pm full part in the Cathedral’s musical worship. The Dean said “This decision represents Yate International Academy an exciting new chapter in the Cathedral’s Tickets £12.00 famous Choral Foundation. This will From 01454 314779 or 01454 316485 ensure that young girls and boys will be or lifting their voices in song at Gloucester Cathedral for many years to come.” Chipping Sodbury Tourist information Centre 6
Cathedral and Mosque School Visits
Turning Point Events. Turning Point are running two events on Saturday 21st May in the Woking area. From 2-5pm there is a free, familyfriendly event providing you with an opportunity to hear the latest from Turning Point, get involved in some fun activities, eat a cream tea, and meet Judy & Kariuki from Kenya. Then in the evening, from 7-11pm, there is our Harambee! A fundraising dinner with dancing - tickets are £35. For more information please ask Frank Gray.
Recognising the difficulties teachers have in liaising between different places of worship when they are trying to arrange school trips, Gloucester Cathedral Education Centre started to work in collaboration with an Imam from one of the local mosques to make things easier for them. Masjid E-Noor on Ryecroft Street welcomes the schools in the morning and the children are given a presentation about Islam and a tour of the mosque. They then arrive at the Cathedral for lunch. During the afternoon the children are divided into small groups and take part in interactive workshops exploring why and how the Cathedral is a special place for Christians. The days have proved very popular with schools and over 400 children were involved in the trial days during 2015. All the dates on offer in the Spring and summer terms in 2016 were immediately snapped up. Schools are now being regularly added to the waiting list for the autumn term. The positive links and friendships developing between the mosque and the Cathedral community have also resulted in a number of visits from the Al-Ashraf school to the Cathedral. Adults from the Diocesan and Cathedral community have also been on several visits to look around the mosque and take part in question and answer sessions with the Imams there. From “The Messenger” www.gloucester.anglican.org
Small Business Success in Kenya. Priscilla is the mother of three children, two girls and a boy. She is a hard-working lady who believes in running her own business to support her family. The first business she started was selling charcoal after taking her first loan of Ksh2,000 (£15) from Turning Point in 2011. She has faced many hardships but despite her challenges, she has proven to be a strong woman. She has engaged in different businesses over the past 5 years. Currently she is selling vegetables, charcoal and chips and recently started a new business of selling clean piped water in the village of Kianda in Kibera. She now speaks with a lot of courage and joy about her businesses and her family. She runs very small businesses in the slum but any small profit she gets from the businesses she uses wisely to feed, clothe and educate her children. Her biggest prayer is that ”God blesses Turning Point for showing her the true meaning of love and friendship by giving out business skills and capital to start a business”. 7
state institutions, have taken seriously their duty of care to protect children from sexual abuse. The inquiry is examining allegations of past and ongoing failures to protect children in a range of institutions including schools, children’s homes, secure accommodation and local authority care; and it is reviewing the responses of institutions to allegations of child sexual abuse. These include the police, health service, Crown Prosecution Service, churches and other religious institutions. The Church of England is one of the first institutions to be reviewed, and already every diocese and cathedral has been asked to provide historic and recent information about our policies, practices, records, and systems; and show a development of our learning, training and awareness. This is a massive amount of information. For our churches and worshipping communities our absolute commitment must be to ensure they are the safest spaces for children and vulnerable people. Whilst the IICSA is ongoing, so too is a process of auditing diocesan and cathedrals’ current safeguarding practices, policies, training, and systems. The Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) has already published a number of these audits, our Diocese’s audit will take place in July this year – more news of this to follow. The diocesan safeguarding team continue to provide support if you have any concerns about someone known to you — you can speak to your nominated safeguarding representative in your parish or contact us on 01452 835526. Judith Knight, Head of Safeguarding
The Turning Point Trust’s Finance Programme has been supporting her throughout this slow, tough but progressive journey. Turning Point will continue supporting her until she is able to generate enough income from the business to support both the business, herself and the entire family. As Christians we always have reason to hope, and we need to live rejoicing in that hope. If we can do that, when times of hardship or trouble come, as they inevitably will, our mindset of hope will enable us to be patient, to endure, to persevere, and to keep praying and bringing our needs to the feet of Jesus, the source of our hope. That will act as an inspiration and a signpost to those around us, who see that we are people of hope, no matter what, and they will want to know and understand the reason for our hope.
Independent inquiry into child sex abuse Last year, the Government announced a national Independent Inquiry into Institutional Child Sex Abuse (IICSA) in England and Wales. Led by Hon Dame Lowell Goddard, this inquiry is set to span five years, and investigate whether public bodies and other nonFrom “The Messenger” www.gloucester.anglican.org
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Open Garden Days
Other projects which continue to flourish include the Women’s Gardens (we are currently funding training for the garden Manager), the Primary Health Centre and the Micro-loan scheme. As in previous years cream teas will be served and pianists and singers will provide background music. On Sunday afternoon at 3.00pm the Sodbury and Yate Community choir will sing. Margaret, Graham and the committee of the Link will be delighted to see as many of you as possible in July.
Margaret and Graham Newman’s garden at Nutridge has survived the soggy winter we have just endured, and is ready to welcome you on July 2nd and 3rd (2.00pm to 5.00pm). The Open Days are in aid of the African village of Genieri and the contributions of people in Sodbury and Yate have always been vital in raising the standard of living in the village. Our main aim these days is to get the village as self-supporting financially as possible and we have high hopes that our latest project will be a definite ‘earner’. Thanks to the generosity of a donor and funds from the Link we have bought a television and electricity generator. As the Gambia in general is as obsessed with football as Britain, a small charge will be made for each match to be viewed. At other times the television will be used for educational purposes in the Day Care Centre
OPEN GARDEN DAYS Sat, July 2nd and Sun, July 3rd at Nutridge, Ram Hill, Coalpit Heath, BS36 2UF 2.00pm to 5.00pm Admission £3.50. Children under 16 free.
The Day Care Centre which serves to give pre-school education to all the pre-school children of the village up to the age of seven is just one of the projects. The lack of rice for the children’s lunches, which was mentioned last year has been resolved thanks to help from a recent visitor to the village and contributions from the Link.
A three acre garden with perennial beds, woodland and open areas.Refreshments and plants for sale. Proceeds in aid of Genieri, the African village linked with Yate Charity no. 1057814 www.yate-genierilink.org
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Principal Service readings May May 1st (Sixth Sunday of Easter) Acts 16: 9 - 15 Revelations 21: 10, 22 - 22: 5 John 14: 23 - 29 Psalm 67 May 8th (Seventh Sunday of Easter) Acts 16: 16 - 34 Revelations 22: 12 - 14, 16 - 17, 20 - end John 17: 20 - end Psalm 97 May 15th (Pentecost) Acts 2: 1 - 21 Romans 8: 14 - 17 John 14: 8 - 17 Psalm 104: 26- 36, 37b May 22nd (Trinity Sunday) Proverbs 8: 1 - 4, 22 - 31 Romans 5: 1 - 5 John 16: 12 - 15 Psalm 8
What is Pentecost? On 15th May we celebrate the festival of Pentecost. Pentecost is a very special time in the Bible when the disciples and other Christians received the Holy Spirit. God didn't just pick any day for this to happen. Like everything God does, he has a specific time, purpose and reason for it and Pentecost was no exception. Pentecost occurred 50 days after Easter Sunday or 50 days after Jesus rose from the dead. Jesus had already gone back to Heaven on Ascension Day, 10 days before so the disciples and new believers of Jesus were waiting to receive the Holy Spirit because that's what Jesus told them would happen. Plus, since Jesus wasn't with them any
May 29th (First Sunday after Trinity) 1 Kings 8: 22 - 23, 41 - 43 Galations 1: 1 - 12 Luke 7: 1 - 10 Psalm 96: 1 - 9
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.
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more the Holy Spirit would help bring them closer to God. Just before Jesus was taken up to heaven he told them that they would receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on them and they'd be his witnesses in the whole world (Acts 1:8). So, God sent the Holy Spirit to help us. He becomes a part of us when we become a Christian and understand that Jesus died and rose for us. When we're ready to try to live a life pleasing to God the Holy Spirit becomes part of us so we have a part of God with us all the time. The day of Pentecost was a bit different though. People had already become Christians but the Holy Spirit wasn't a part of them yet. This would be the first time everyone who was a Christian would receive the Holy Spirit. Pentecost was a day to celebrate the end of the grain harvest when the farmers have collected their crops and all the hard work is done. The people would offer two loaves of bread they had made from their crops. This was their special way of thanking God for the weather and for helping them get a crop for that year. The disciples and other Christians had come together to thank God and suddenly a sound like the blowing of a strong wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting.
Next they saw tongues of fire that separated and came to rest of each of them. When the tongues of fire came they were filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in different languages. It says that there were people of many different nationalities staying in Jerusalem from all over and many of them speaking different languages. These people ran over to see what all the noise was about and were surprised to hear their own languages spoken throughout this group. Things must have sounded crazy! Imagine all these people speaking many different languages at the same time and shouting out praises to God excited that something amazing from God had just happened to them. A crowd gathered to find out what was happening, some of them started making fun of the disciples thinking that they had too much wine and it was making them act in this strange way. When Peter started to hear these rumours he raised his voice and talked to the crowd. He explained that they weren't drinking wine because it was only nine in the morning and the people celebrating Pentecost didn't eat or drink till at least ten in the morning. 12
Peter explained how God brought Jesus to them and that they had crucified him. The crowd understood and felt responsible for doing this and they wanted to know what they could do now. Peter explained that they should repent (say they're sorry and stop doing bad things) and be baptized so that others would know that they believed in God and were trying to change. Now, because of Jesus death and his resurrection people could be forgiven and receive the Holy Spirit from now on. That means we receive the Holy Spirit when we accept Christ or become Christians. The word Christian actually means Christ in us. The special thing about having the Holy Spirit is that God never leaves us so we can talk to him or ask for help anytime. The Holy Spirit actually helps us in many ways, he comforts, teaches, helps us
grow in our relationship with God and gives us strength to get rid of the bad habits in our lives. He also gives us power and helps us know when we've done something wrong. Of course, we need to want to grow, learn and change to be more like God for the Holy Spirit to really work with us. So Pentecost was special for the disciples and special for us even now because that was the start of us receiving the Holy Spirit and being able to ask for forgiveness. Karen Hunter
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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 Sat
18th
June
Wed
13th
July
All day
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 May 2016 Sun 1st Sixth Sunday of Easter
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
3rd
9.15am
Storkies
St John’s, C/S
Thurs
5th
10.00am
Holy Communion
St John’s C/S
Sun 8th Seventh Sunday of Easter
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
Mon
9th
2.00pm
Mothers’ Union
Church Centre, C/S
Tues
10th
9.15am
Storkies
St John’s, C/S
3.00pm
Meditation Meeting
Ring 327118 for venue
Wed
11th
7.30pm
Crib Festival Meeting
Church Centre, C/S
Thurs
12th
10.00am
Holy Communion
St John’s C/S
10.45am
Coffee Shop
Church Centre C/S
Sun 15th Pentecost
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
Tue
17th
9.15am
Storkies
St John’s, C/S
Thurs
18th
10.00am
Holy Communion
St John’s C/S
Sun 22nd Trinity Sunday
Tue
Thurs
24th
26th
29th
Sun First Sunday after Trinity Tue
31st
10.45am
Coffee Shop
Church Centre C/S
9.30am
Parish Communion
St John’s C/S
11.15am
Holy Communion {CW}
St James’ Horton
11.15am
Morning Praise {CW}
St John’s O/S
6.00pm
Holy Communion {BCP}
St Adeline’s L/S
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
10.30am
Benefice Communion
St James’, Horton
9.15am
Storkies
St John’s, C/S
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Children’s page
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