The Sodbury Vale Benefice Chipping Sodbury, Old Sodbury, Horton & Little Sodbury
O U T LO O K
magazine
www.svbcofe.org.uk
September 2016
1 Jane is enrolled as a Companion of the Society of St Francis by Brother Damian. See 1
Churchwardens
Contacts Rector
Chipping Sodbury
The Revd. Canon David Bowers 01454 313159, [Day off Monday] email rector@svbcofe.org.uk
Joy Gibson 01454 319288 Jane Jones-Williams 01454 324970
Associate Priest The Revd. Yvonne Brae 01454 325160, [Day off Monday] email yvonne@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
Church Office
Horton
Tina Hildick-Smith Open during school term time 01454 320380 Mon - Tue - Thu mornings 9.00 - 12.00 Richard Needs 01454 329890 Administrators: 01454 325160 Michelle Jenkins, Trish Gailey This magazine is brought to you Free by email: office@svbcofe.org.uk the four churches of the Sodbury Vale Web Site: www.svbcofe.org.uk Benefice. If you would like to make a small donation Advertising: towards production costs (about 70p per Sylvia Franklin 07788 111726 magazine) that would be most welcome. Editor: Thank you. Michael Stephenson 01454 314094 email outlook@svbcofe.org.uk
October Deadline Can you have all copy to Michelle in the Church Office by Sep 12th at the latest please.
Nominated Person: 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
Front Cover- Flowers at Westonbirt By Michael Stephenson
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Baptisms: We welcomed into the Church: Olivia Jeanette Walters on 10th July 2016 at St John’s, Old Sodbury Elsie Louise Doughty on 10th July 2016 at St John’s, Old Sodbury
Marriages: We send our congratulations to: Philip Cowcher and Gemma Faithful on the 30th July at St Adeline’s, Little Sodbury Christopher Hampton and Chloe Jayne Fitz-Hugh on the 30th July at St John’s, Chipping Sodbury
Funerals:We extend our sympathy to the families and friends of:
Frederick John Wheeler on 22nd July at Westerleigh Crematorium
Michaelmas The Feast of Michael and All Angels, is celebrated on the 29th September every year. As it falls near the equinox, the day is associated with the beginning of autumn and the shortening of days; in England, it is one of the “quarter days”. There are traditionally four “quarter days” in a year (Lady Day (25th March), Midsummer (24th June), Michaelmas (29th September) and Christmas (25th December)). They are spaced three months apart, on religious festivals, usually close to the solstices or equinoxes. They were the four dates on which servants were hired, rents due or leases begun. It used to be said that harvest had to be completed by Michaelmas, almost like the marking of the end of the productive season and the beginning of the new cycle of farming. It was the time at which new servants were 3
hired or land was exchanged and debts were paid. This is how Michaelmas came to be the time for electing magistrates and also the beginning of legal and university terms. St Michael is one of the principal angelic warriors, protector against the dark of the night and the Archangel who fought against Satan and his evil angels. As Michaelmas is the time that the darker nights and colder days begin - the edge into winter - the celebration of Michaelmas is associated with encouraging protection during these dark months. Traditionally a well fattened goose, fed on the stubble from the fields after the harvest, is eaten to protect against financial need in the family for the next year; and as the saying goes: “Eat a goose on Michaelmas Day, Want not for money all the year”. Through the celebration of the day in this way, the prosperity and wealth of the family is supported for the coming year. The custom of celebrating Michaelmas Day as the last day of harvest was broken when Henry VIII split from the Catholic Church; instead, it is Harvest Festival that is celebrated now. In British folklore, Old Michaelmas Day, 10th October, is the last day that blackberries should be picked. It is said that on this day, when Lucifer was expelled from Heaven, he fell from the skies, straight onto a blackberry bush. He then cursed the fruit, scorched them with his fiery breath, spat and stamped on them and made them unfit for consumption!
Dear Friends First of all, many thanks to all who have welcomed us to the Benefice and helped us to settle into our new home so quickly. A special word of thanks to all who worked hard to prepare for the Induction Service at Chipping Sodbury on July 13th, a wonderful occasion led by Bishop Rachel and supported by so many local people, as well as friends from our previous parishes. I do look forward to leading the Benefice and planning for the future together with all of you and Judith and I already feel that we are among friends. PRAYER One of the foundations on which the Christian Church is built is prayer and I hope that it will be a major priority for us over the coming years, as we seek a vision for the future together. In personal, as well as corporate prayer there is a wealth of resources in the tradition and liturgy of the Church and it is hoped that we can include a particular prayer each month. The first of these, one which I have always appreciated, is the antiphon to the Nunc Dimittis, the Song of Simeon (Luke 2.29-32) at Compline, a service which is said at the end of each day. For me this prayer is a way of committing ourselves simply yet wholeheartedly to God’s care as we prepare to sleep. Save us, O Lord, while waking and guard us while sleeping, that awake we may watch with Christ and asleep may rest in peace.
David Bowers
The new Bishop of Tewkesbury Downing Street announced on the 25th July that the new Bishop of Tewkesbury will be the Venerable Robert Springett. Robert is currently the Archdeacon of Cheltenham and will be ordained and consecrated as a bishop by the Archbishop of Canterbury on the morning of 30 November at Canterbury Cathedral. He will also have an official service of welcome in the Diocese on Sunday 11 December in Gloucester Cathedral. Robert has been the Archdeacon of Cheltenham since April 2010, but has also held a wider role locally and nationally over the past six years. Robert is married to Helen, who is a primary head teacher and they have two daughters, Charlotte aged 22 and Alice aged 17. Robert said of his appointment. “I am deeply honoured and humbled to have been invited to be the next Bishop of Tewkesbury”. Bishop Rachel said. “I am delighted that Robert has accepted the invitation to become the Bishop of Tewkesbury. Having gone through a thorough appointment process, it was clear that Robert is the person being called by God to be our next suffragan bishop.” 4
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“Handbell Workshop” in the morning and a dancing display in the afternoon.
Nativity Crib Festival St John’s Church, Chipping Sodbury Wednesday 30th November
If you have a Crib please may we borrow it? Further information from: office@svbcofe.org.uk or Liz Gregson woodchip@waitrose.com We do hope you can come. There will be plenty to see and entry is free. Public viewing is from: 10am – 5pm Wednesday, 11.15am – 5pm Thursday, 10am – 7pm Friday, 10am – 7.30 pm Saturday, 11am to 4.30pm Sunday We look forward to welcoming you.
to
Sunday 4th December 2016
Prayers
We would like to invite you to come to our Nativity Crib Festival and see over 150 Cribs from around the world, from many different cultures, and using a large variety of materials. Enjoy the work of the local school children who make some of the exhibits and visit us to participate in workshops and storytelling. We hope the donkeys will be with us for the Friday and Saturday. They were very well behaved last year and loved the attention! During your visit come and relax at the Crib Café. Soup and Bread will be served at lunchtime and on Friday and Saturday evening. Tea, Coffee, homemade cakes and biscuits will be available during all public viewing times. The Craft Team are busy preparing activities for the children and we will have some for our younger visitors to make and do. Lantern making will be available on Friday and Saturday evenings. Pupils from Chipping Sodbury School will perform at 6pm on Friday evening, and on Saturday, Victorian Day, we will have a
Prayers can be wonderful even when short. When they seem to go unanswered they still serve a purpose in keeping us connected with the ultimate answer. The importance of prayer in a simple way is that they are the ‘Key that opens up the morning and the Bolt that safely closes the evening.’ Joyce Cains
Paul’s Letter to the Romans Where do we see the power of God at work? According to Paul, in how God puts the world to rights, not least in saving people – everyone who believes, Jew or Gentile. That’s where Paul begins his letter to the Christians in Rome – with the gospel, the good news of God’s reign, which is centred on Jesus and rooted in the biblical story. So it is that the letter takes in our rebellion against God and our alienation from each other; what Christ has done on our behalf, supremely in his death and resurrection; 6
the importance of faith as the means by which we’re made right before God, brought into covenant relationship with him; our new life in Christ; the work of the Spirit in our lives; the hope extended to all creation. We get to the end of chapter 8, where Paul tells us that nothing can separate us from God’s love, and we breathe a deep and gratified sigh. Some of us may even allow an ‘Amen’ to break our lips! What a great letter this is, and what an amazing finish. Until we turn over the page, and discover there’s more... In fact, we’re only half-way through. Paul now writes about the place of Israel in God’s purposes. Although we might not fully understand the discussion, it’s clear that God is working out his plan, and we’re grateful to read the outburst of praise at the end of chapter 11: ‘Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! ... To him be the glory for ever!’ And here the ‘Amen’ is supplied for us! We sink back with a sense of being overwhelmed at how great God is. There can’t be anything more to add, can there? And then we turn over the page and read… Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God – this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:1-2
There’s yet more. God’s ‘more’ in this case is seen in a community of Christians from diverse backgrounds who offer the worship of their very selves to God, and who embody a set of values characterised by mutuality and love, not only in their relationships with one another but in their witness to others in the world around them. This is where the letter has been heading towards: those of us who follow Christ walk in his footsteps. Wonderfully, and strange though it may seem, this too is part of God’s great plan for the world. Antony Billington (Word for the week) A young child attending a church service for the first time was told he must be on good behaviour because it was God’s house. When the vicar stood up in the pulpit to deliver his sermon the boy asked ‘is that God up there’ Sent in by Joyce Cains
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agricultural and the main crops include chillies, rice and cotton. Most people live in villages, many of them tribal, and there are just a few towns, such as Khammam and Kothagudem. The Diocese of Dornakal is also active in education and healthcare. What are the age limits? Team members will need to be at least 16 by the beginning of the trip. The upper age limit is flexible, but we generally we would be looking at young people between 16 and 19. Are there vacancies for leaders? Yes, we are looking to build up a small team of leaders, of two types: a) adult leaders – we normally have at least two for each team. b) junior leaders – these are young people above the age of 19 who would be part of the leadership team. Often these are young people who have previously been on one of the trips as a team member.
South India Youth Team 2017 Would you like to spend three weeks of your summer holiday next year: - working with children in schools, hostels and orphanages? - sharing the life of Indian Christians? - experiencing Indian life and culture?
We have been taking groups of young people to our partner Dioceses in Karnataka Central (Bangalore/Bengaluru) and Dornakal since 2003 and this year the team will visit both places. Cost: £1,200 – this includes all travel (including to and from the airport), accommodation, board and lodging and insurance. Bangalor and Dornakal Bangalore, in the state of Karnataka, is one of India’s major cities and is home to many of the high-tech and IT industries, as well as many call-centres. It is a city of extremes, with visible wealth and poverty side by side. The Diocese of Karnataka Central, based in the city, is actively involved in providing schools, orphanages and health care. Dornakal is a small town in Telangana (formerly Andhra Pradesh) and the Diocese of Dornakal, with about 900 congregations, covers an area similar in size to Wales. It is mainly rural and
At one of the hostels in Dornakal
What do the teams do? There are a number of elements in the trip. One of the most important is to spend some time in children’s projects, such as hostels, special schools and orphanages. There will also be visits to schools and hopefully the opportunity to participate in 8
the activities there, including the teaching of English. There is also the opportunity to experience the life of Indian Christians, who are a small minority group. We live with local people, experience Indian life and culture at first hand and, of course, we eat local food. What do previous team members say about the experience? Most young people who have been on one of the trips describe it as a “life-changing” and an “amazing” experience. A number of them even go back a second time and some become junior leaders when they are a little older. How can I find out more about the 2017 trip? There will be an information session on: Wednesday, 14th September at 7.00pm in the Jerusalem Room 4 College Green, Gloucester (opposite the cathedral entrance). This session is for both potential team members and leaders. By coming to the meeting you are not committing yourself to anything! For more information contact details are overleaf. For more information please contact the Revd Canon David Bowers 01454 313159 dbowers@btinternet.com
Journeying On – Vision 2016 Since early May, ideas, dreams and inspiration have been pouring in to the Vision Team at Church House, sent by churches and communities across the Diocese. From practical suggestions to broader ideas and concepts, a huge range of people have contributed. We have received feedback from pre-school children to those in their 90’s—everyone’s views have been included. A huge thank you to everyone who took the time to respond. In August all of this information was collated and formed into key themes, 9
which will shape the life of our Church for the next five years. The themes and priorities identified to form our Vision will be shared through the Vision newsletter on 12 September. We hope that people across the Diocese will then prayerfully reflect on this and discuss thoughts with their local clergy. There are plans in place to hold deanery wide meetings to provide feedback, which will be communicated
soon. Please visit the vision website for more details www.vision2016.org.uk and subscribe to the Vision newsletter to receive updates and information. Between 28 to 30 September, clergy from across the Diocese, informed by the conversations they have had, will come together to share thoughts about the Vision and its implementation. There will be the opportunity to refine the priorities that have arisen. In October and November, the final refinements will be made to the Vision, alongside plans for how we will start to implement them. In Advent, we will hold a big party to celebrate the next phase of our work together, and start journeying on together. More about this coming soon. From “The Messenger” www.gloucester.anglican.org
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Principal Service readings September
Benefice Harvest Lunch All are invited to the
September 4th (Fifteenth Sunday after Trinity) Deuteronomy 30: 15 - end Philemon 1 - 21 Luke 14 : 25 - 33 Psalm 1
Benefice Bring and Share Harvest Lunch on Sunday 25th September at 1pm in Old Sodbury Village Hall Please bring a savoury, salad or sweet dish plus your own refreshment and glasses. Plates, cutlery and napkins will be provided.
September 11th (Sixteenth Sunday after Trinity) Exodus 32: 7 - 14 1 Timothy 1: 12 - 17 Luke 15: 1 - 10 Psalm 51: 1 - 11
There will be a tombola for the fresh produce from the Old Sodbury Harvest service as well as a plate for donations for our CMS mission partners Jimmy and Katia Rocks.
September 18th (Seventeenth Sunday after Trinity) Amos 8: 4 - 7 1 Timothy 2: 1 - 7 Luke 16: 1 - 13 Psalm 113
We hope as many people as possible will join us as we seek to strengthen the links between our churches.
September 25th (Eighteenth Sunday After Trinity) Amos 6: 1a, 4 - 7 1 Timothy 6: 6 - 19 Luke 16: 19 - end Psalm 146
To be able to cater appropriately there will be a list in each church please would you add your name to the list. or call Tracy Shipp on 01454 324673
We look forward to seeing you there.
Benefice Holy Communion
From the members of St. John The Baptist, Old Sodbury
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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An introduction from Judith
Malta’s Anglican Cathedral
The Anglican Pro-Cathedral dedicated to St. Paul in Malta was built with a donation of £20,000 from Queen Adelaide when she realised, as she visited the island in 1838/39, that there was nowhere on Malta where Anglicans could worship . It was designed by William Scamp, who among other projects, redesigned the Naval Dockyard.Building started in 1841 The Cathedral has some very unique features. It has a spire of Now that we have been here for just over approximately a month, and following on from David’s 200ft, which introduction in the previous edition, I none of the thought I would say a little about myself. Catholic As David mentioned, we are both churches originally from Salford and we were have they all married as students. While David was have domes. studying for his Theology degree at The tower and Manchester University I was training to be spire hold 6 a nurse and, since qualification, I have bells, which worked in a number of specialities. Initially sadly are no longer rung but are struck. this was in orthopaedics, in Salford and The other interesting feature is that the then, when David was training at Oxford, High Altar is in the West whereas at the Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre in traditionally the Altar is in the East; it is the Headington. first Church I have visited with this For eight years I worked in palliative care configuration. in hospices in Rochdale and Cheltenham My earliest memory of the Cathedral is and I feel that the hospice movement attending the Remembrance Day service principles of person-centred, holistic care in November 1955 as a young naval are the key to good nursing generally. For rating. We have visited the Cathedral for the past 7 years I have worked in services a few times even though it means Malmesbury in an 80 bedded care home catching the 8am ferry from Gozo for an which is run by the Orders of St John Care 11am service, returning to Gozo at about Trust, a Catholic charitable organisation. 3pm. Our last visit was for the dedication I enjoy my work, which I see as my of the new Mothers’ Union banner. The Christian vocation, and I am glad that it is Cathedral appears regularly in still not too far away for me to travel. advertisements for holidays in Malta. Another attraction of Malmesbury for me If anybody would like more information is that my twin sister lives in a village just about the Cathedral please see me. a few miles away from where I work. Chris and Jenny Evans 12
David’s Induction Service The service was held on the 13th July at St John’s, Chipping Sodbury, being the only church large enough to hold all the people who wanted to attend.
People were welcomed into the church by a magnificent display in the porch that was put together by the Storkies children’s group. The church was full with our own congregations and visitors from David’s previous parish, South Cerney, and from many of the other parishes David has worked in. He was also supported by the clergy of the Deanery and the diocese. During the service David was welcomed by representatives of the community, the Mayor of Chipping Sodbury, Horton and St John’s Mead Schools, the Catholic and Baptist churches of Chipping Sodbury and the Wooton Deanery. David was presented to Bishop Rachel by the Dean of Worcester, one of the patrons of the benefice, and Bishop Rachel then instituted David as rector of the benefice in her diocese of Gloucester. She then Blessed David before handing over to the
Archdeacon of Gloucester, The Venerable Jackie Searle who then performed the induction of David into the possession of the the Sodbury Vale Benefice and his installation as priest of the four parishes of the benefice. After the service everyone enjoyed the buffet that was provided by the members of the four parishes and the opportunity to begin the process of getting to know David and Judith as they begin their time with us.
The bones of life
People whose business it is to count such things tell me there are 206 bones in the body. All very scientific and interesting, but I prefer the opinion of a football coach I once knew. ‘You only need three bones to journey successfully through life, a wishbone to dream with, a backbone for courage to get through the hard times and a funny bone to laugh at life along the way.’ Joyce Cains 13
Sodbury Vale Benefice 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
Stor'k'ies
St John's Church, Chipping Sodbury
8.30am
Morning Prayer
St John’s, Chipping Sodbury
730pm
Bell Ringer’s 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
7.00pm
Youth Club (age 11-18)
Baptist Church Centre
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Note: No Morning Prayers on Bank Holidays
Sodbury Vale Benefice Forthcoming Events Sunday afternoons 2.30 through the summer 4.30 1st Sunday of Every 8:00am Month
Teas at Old Sodbury Church
St John’s Old Sodbury
Holy Communion at St John’s NOTE: No service on September Chipping Sodbury 4 th 2016
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 September 2016 Thurs
1st
10.00am
Holy Communion
St John’s, C/S
10.45am
Coffee Shop
Church Centre, C/S
St John’s Praise
St John’s, C/S
Mattins {BCP}
St James’, Horton
Family Communion
St John’s, O/S
9.30am Sun 4th Fifteenth Sunday 11.15am after Trinity 11.15am 6.00pm
Evensong {BCP}
St Adeline’s, L/S
Tue
6th
9.15am
Storkies
St John’s, C/S
Wed
7th
7.30pm
Crib Festival Meeting
Church Centre, C/S
Thurs
8th
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
Sun 11th Sixteenth Sunday after Trinity
Mon
12th
7.30pm
Mothers’ Union Annual Service
St John’s, C/S
Tue
13th
9.15am
Storkies
St John’s, C/S
3.00pm
Meditation Meeting
Ring 327118 for venue
7.30pm
OS PCC
Village Hall, O/S
10.00am
Holy Communion
St John’s C/S
10.45am
Coffee Shop
Church Centre C/S
9.30am
Family Communion
St John’s, C/S
11.15am
Morning Prayer {CW}
St James’, Horton
11.15am
Holy Communion {BCP}
St John’s, O/S
6.00pm
Evensong {BCP}
St Adeline’s, L/S
Thurs
15th
Sun 18th Seventeenth Sunday after Trinity Tue
20
9.15am
Storkies
St John’s, CS
Thur
22nd
10.00am
Holy Communion
St John’s C/S
10.45am
Coffee Shop
Church Centre C/S
9.30am
Parish Communion for Harvest
St John’s C/S
11.15am
Holy Communion {CW}
St James’ Horton
11.15am
Morning Praise for Harvest {CW}
St John’s O/S
6.00pm
Holy Communion {BCP}
St Adeline’s L/S
9.15am
Storkies
St John’s, CS
2.00pm
Tea and Chat Afternoon
Church Centre, CS
3.00pm
Meditation Meeting
Ring 327118 for venue
Sun 25th Eighteenth Sunday after Trinity Tue
27th
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Children’s page
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