SVB
Outlook February-March 2019
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
Associate Priest
Assistant Priest
The Revd. Canon David Bowers 01454 313159, rector@svbcofe.org.uk
The Revd. Peter Fewings 07795206590 ptfewings@gmail.com
The Revd. David Powe 01454 777745
Day off Monday
Work Days Tues, Wed, Thur & Sun
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, office@svbcofe.org.uk, Open in school term time, Mon - Tue - Thu mornings 9.00 - 12.00. Editor - Michael Stephenson outlook@svbcofe.org.uk
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A word from David Dear Friends We often hear the question: “What are you giving up for Lent?” at this time of year. We often think of Lent in this way, as an opportunity for self-denial, whether it involves depriving ourselves of something we enjoy as an exercise in self-discipline. This can certainly be a good thing to do but I also like to think of Lent as a time for taking a step back and reflecting on our life journey in companionship with God.
“I like to think of Lent as a time for taking a step back and reflecting on our life journey in companionship with God”
The Lent Course starts on Wednesday March 13. More details on the back cover
If you have never thought of Lent in this way, I would like to encourage you to try it and to use this time to think about your own personal faith journey. Lent began in the early church as a time when new Christians prepared for baptism by prayer, selfdiscipline and learning and they would be baptised on Easter morning. This time of preparation gradually became used by all Christians as they looked forward to Easter. It continues to be a time of reflection and growth for Christians today. Our Lent journey in our Benefice begins at St John’s Church, Old Sodbury at 7.30 pm on Ash Wednesday (6 March) with the service of Holy Communion, including the traditional placing of ash on our foreheads as a sign of our repentance. The word “repentance” simply means “turning around”, in other words, to turn from going the wrong way so that we can go in the right direction. Also, on Wednesday evenings and Thursday mornings this year we are following a Lent course produced by the Gloucester Diocese. The course is called “Seeking Shapes for Living” and will help us to reflect on our life journey and to explore a personal “Rule of Life”. The course begins on March 13 (Wednesday sessions) and March 14 (Thursday sessions). You can read more about it on the back cover of this issue of Outlook. If you would like any further details, please contact me or Peter Fewings. I wish you a fruitful and refreshing Lent. David Bowers 3
Market
Cross
Baptisms: We welcomed into the Church: Eryri Attraction Beresford on 13 January at St John the Baptist, Old Sodbury
Marriages: We send our congratulations to: Andrew Bradbury and Emma Pitman on 1 December at St John the Baptist, Old Sodbury Michael Sims and Kezia Dorney on 8 December at St John the Baptist, Old Sodbury.
Funerals: We extend our sympathy to the families and friends of: Stephen Parsons on 8 January at St John the Baptist, Chipping Sodbury Henry Beckers Geddes on 24 January at Westerleigh Crematorium Stephen England on 16 January at St John the Baptist, Chipping Sodbury
The Crib Festival The Crib Festival was a great success despite reservations about the changes we made. 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! I would like to express my thanks to everyone who helped and supported it. I thank everyone who worked so hard and produced café “goodies” both cakes and soup. 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. I think we should express thanks to Michelle, Trish and Madeleine who work very hard behind the scenes making sure the catalogues are printed and put into the covers, not forgetting Steve who collates the info and passes it to the office. We had fewer visitors this year because we were open for just two days but gave more in our outreach work for the children. We appreciate the support we have from the community who are encouraging and supportive. David and Judith, Peter and Lynn have been very supportive and helpful and I appreciate all they did. I wish you all a very Happy New Year.
Liz 4
Vacancy - Street Pastors Coordinator Chipping Sodbury and Yate Street Pastors are seeking a part-time team Coordinator. The work has four main aspects; - arranging duty schedules for the street teams - ordering equipment and supplies - interviewing new recruits and arranging training courses - summarising team reports and communicating with the Ascension Trust The Coordinator requires good organisational and communication skills and ability to use a computer for emailing, reporting, and accessing the internet. He or she will also participate on the Street Pastors Management Committee. The appointment is on a part-paid, part-voluntary, basis. Three hours a week will be paid at ÂŁ30pw plus a maximum of three additional voluntary hours to be done as and when the need arises. If you are a Christian and feel you could serve as our Team Coordinator, or would like to find out more, please give Jim Moore a ring on 01454 774305 or email to jim_moore@blueyonder.co.uk For more information about Street Pastors visit the website http://www.streetpastors.org
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
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St Adeline’s, Little Sodbury St Adeline’s church did not begin its life where it is today. The original church was located behind Little Sodbury Manor, which is 400 yards further The church down the road from the church’s current position but set well back of William from the road. The church was Tyndale situated behind the manor house which was built in 1420 for the Stanshawe family. The manor passed to Richard Foster and from him, in 1492, to his son-in-law, John Walsh, who carried out major building work including building the Church of St Adeline behind the manor house. It was his son, Sir John Walsh, who became the employer of William Tyndale, translator of the Bible into English. St Adeline’s church was rebuilt in its current location in the centre of Little Sodbury in 1859. The new St Adeline’s, although larger than the original, was built to the same layout as the original chapel and used much of the material from the original in its construction, including most of the windows. Those on the north side of the church were once in the north wing of the manor house. Little remains of the original chapel, but some stonework still exists behind the manor house, but is not accessible to the public. The roof of the present day church is of carved oak, supported on corbelled figures of the apostles and prophets (i.e. acting as supporting brackets). There is also a large church yard, not available with the original church, so burials from the village had to go to Old Sodbury. The churchyard is still open for burials today.
The East Window
The Martyr’s Pulpit, St Adeline’s church
The east window, behind the altar, is a magnificent stained glass depiction of Christ’s ascension. We see the apostles all watching as Jesus rises into heaven with the angels looking on from above. In the background is the city of Jerusalem. The hexagonal stone pulpit is known as the Martyr’s pulpit as it is decorated with statuettes of five martyr’s, Hooper, Latimer, Ridley, Cranmer and William Tyndale who has a close association with the church. The small Porch lancet window
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lancet window in the porch has a stained glass image of William Tyndale taken from the original which served as the model for his statue in the Martyr’s Memorial in Oxford. Today we are a very welcoming church. Our congregation varies in size up to 20 plus, but rarely less than 10 at our regular 6 pm Sunday Evening services, with more on special occasions such as Easter and Christmas. The church is open at all times and we get a lot of visitors, from around the world, who are walking the Cotswold Way. There is always free water and squash to help them on their way thanks to a kind donation by one of our congregation. Our services are from the 1662 Book of Common Prayer and many enjoy the traditional liturgy.
“a very peaceful place to come and worship the Lord.”
We have featured on television a couple of times in programmes about the life of William Tyndale particularly around the 400th anniversary of the King James Bible. We also received a plaque recognising the village as a “Thankful Village”, whose men all returned safely from the Great War.
Little Sodbury 1914-2014 A Thankful Village We have a few problems with our building. Perhaps the most “inconvenient” one is the lack of toilet facilities, and we continue to consider how that might be solved. In 2016 a large crack opened up in one wall and this was thought to have been caused by a very dry spell. We have also had water ingress from the roof. A survey showed that there are a number of issues that will need to be addressed in the future, but temporary work has been done to stop water getting in. So for now the church is dry (ish) and warm (ish) when the pew heaters are on for the Sunday service and is a very peaceful place (a comment often left in our visitor’s book) to come and worship the Lord. 7
Front Cover Collage of St Adeline’s, Little Sodbury Photos by Michael Stephenson and Frank Gray
Old Age “Seasons of mists and mellow fruitfulness, Close-bosom friend of maturing sun” So wrote John Keats in his poem “To Autumn” describing that season, but what does it really feel like when the autumn of our lives arrive? I’m pretty sure that for each person it is different. For some it may be the glow of maturing sun – one’s past achievements recognised and acclaimed; for others, a time of regrets – deeds left undone, and a sense of sorrow for not attaining one’s intentions. Yet others may look with sadness at broken or damaged relationships and wish that a hasty word or deed had never been spoken or done. For most of us, our reflections are a mixture of positives and negatives, one moment rejoicing over a high-light, such as a reunion after a long absence – or the vista from a high peak of mountain or hill. The next moment, remembering some embarrassing situation that “threw” you for the moment or some action that was not thought through carefully, so that one’s whole way of life was changed. Remember to spotlight the good things As we age our bodies change; activities When times appear troubled or grey, are different; more sleep is needed; When the brightest of heartening mobility is limited; one may have to moments accept that one needs carers. Old Can bring happiness to your day companions – partners, friends, advisors and other contemporaries – die or move A kiss or a hug from a loved one away. Minor events, such as visits or A smile from a stranger you passed. letters, are looked forward to. A quick heart to heart with an old What about our Christian faith? It would friend be a bold man or woman who would say A chore you’ve completed at last. it is unshakable. It’s always there but the So if there are moments of gladness “water of events” cover it from time to No matter how fleeting or slight time! Thank God that, despite our feelings and circumstances, He is always Turn the spotlight on that which is pleasing there to support and guide us. And dark days may come to be bright. David Webster Sent in by Joyce Cains
Brighten Dark Days
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Announcement of Sunset Requiem part 2 I am delighted to introduce the sequel to my Sunset Requiem which I have entitled “Beyond Sunset”. The title “Beyond Sunset” provides a link to my previous Opus and indeed the music is a continuation of it. Just as sunsets inspired my Sunset Requiem, so too the stars have inspired my new work. The music is an expression of the awe-inspiring words of verses 3 and 4 of Psalm 8. Yet just as a sunset symbolises the end of a journey, my new composition explores the beyondness of things. There is great comfort in knowing, as the words of the psalm point out, that in dark there is light, the stars shine in the night. There is something beyond the sunset. This is expressed particularly in the Osanna which is subtitled “Stars of Everlastingness.” The glory of the opening Osannas fades into a mystic contemplation and other-worldliness of the closing Excelsis, the silence of eternity so to speak.
Psalm 8 v 3,4 When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, Which thou hast ordained; What is man, that thou art mindful of him? And the son of man, that thou visitest him?
Beyond Sunset has been 6 months in the making and has 7 movements for soloists and choir. The premiere performance will be in St Johns Church, Chipping Sodbury, on Friday 21 June at 7.30 pm. Featuring Marienella Phillips (soprano), Nick Sherwood (tenor), Steven Harris (baritone), Helen Sherwood (violin), Linda Hansard (cello) Jonathan Crow (keyboard) The Arcus Singers conducted by Eddie Garrard. Further updates will be provided in Outlook magazine. Watch this space! Jonathan Crow It is planned to put a recording of one section with one of the soloists on the SVB website.
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Year of Drama - 1975
Travelling Light – Part 3 by Frank Gray
1975 was probably the most dramatic year of our lives... By the end of 1974, the situation was getting tense in Vientiane. Communist elements in the shaky coalition government were making their presence felt. The capital was infiltrated by dozens of Pathet Lao cadres, recognisable by their floppy khaki fatigues. They lived together in the large, colonial-style houses in the downtown area of Vientiane and were known for holding seminars on the benefits of communism in an attempt to win hearts and minds.
“1975 was probably the most dramatic year of our lives”
Working at the studio above the C&MA office had become hazardous, as youths on motorcycles tried to run us down. For Hennie and me, our thoughts were turning to becoming a family: Hennie was pregnant, and the due date was in early May. Moreover, my Mum and Dad were planning on coming for Christmas and we wanted to show them around. We arrived in Saigon the day Phuoc Long province fell to the Viet Cong, a loss that signalled the beginning of the end. South Vietnam was plunged into three days of national Mourning at Saigon Church mourning, and pagodas and churches were filled with people. We visited the large church in Saigon and joined in the service to show our solidarity. We stayed in a Guest House, meeting up with friends who lived opposite the US Embassy which would soon see some daring escapes via helicopter as the end of the war finally came at the end of April. Back in Vientiane, the time finally came for Hennie to deliver our baby. For her first birth it was recommended that she go to Thailand, and the OMF mission hospital at Manorom. On 18 April I took her to the ferry to see her across the Mekong into Nongkhai and from there by train to Bangkok. It was the day after Phnom Penh fell to Pol Pot. Things were deteriorating fast in Vientiane as I left on May 6 and finally arrived at the Manorom OMF Guest House after a long day of driving from Laos in our aged VW Beetle. I found Hennie drinking coffee with some Dutch nurses. She was pleased to see me and proud to show me our new baby. Malcolm had arrived early the day before, and was asleep in a mosquito-proof cot, delicately made with perfect hands, nose, mouth, feet, and the finest of fingernails. It was a surreal moment, and we both welled up with joy and thankfulness to God. 10
Frank with Malcolm
By our radio we kept in touch via BBC World Service news. Of special interest were developments in Laos, where things were increasingly ugly. Foreigners were leaving as demonstrations took place in Vientiane. We knew we should get down to Bangkok as soon as possible. By 8pm Sunday we were ready to leave. It was a three-hour drive to the C&MA Guest House. We had both stayed there many times before, but this time it was different. Instead of a warm welcome, we found there was 'no room at the inn'. They were full. We needed to find a hotel nearby. These were days of great upheaval. The Guest House was loaded with missionary families escaping from Vietnam and Cambodia, and now missionaries were arriving from Laos to see how things would pan out. The communist takeover of Indochina was now moving toward completion. We then had to make plans for Hennie Lao YP praying for country to return to Holland with Malcolm. Her 30-day visa had already been renewed once and by June she would have to leave. We discovered that if I was not travelling with them, Malcolm would need to have his own passport. The Guest House was noisy, with missionaries constantly coming and going. Malcolm was having difficulty getting to sleep, and we were on a steep learning curve as new parents. New arrivals shared with us some of the Cambodian banknotes they found blowing down the streets of Phnom Penh, their chilling stories moving us to tears. As we sat in our room, we gave thanks to God for what we had. It wasn't much, but it was all we owned now. In reality, we had all we needed – each other, baby Malcolm, and Jesus. It was only then that the big question hit us: what now? We had gained a wonderful new baby, but had lost almost everything else – our work, our home and many of our possessions, including our wedding gifts. Hennie and Malcolm had tickets to go to Holland provided through C&MA's Dutch office, but we did not have enough funds available to buy a ticket for me. We did not have a Plan B for after Laos. We knew we might have to leave but had not given any thought to what we would do if that happened. Was God keeping us from having to worry? He was helping us to take one step at a time. Dr Engel whom I had met in Hong Kong in 1974 had started a Communications programme at 11
Wheaton College Graduate School in Wheaton, Illinois. I wrote to him and he wrote back, saying that he would love to have me and would find a scholarship for me to study there. And so, within a few weeks of leaving Laos, it seemed certain that we would go to Wheaton for the new school year beginning in October 1975. The timing was perfect. Our total belongings did not amount to very Hmong refugees in camp much. What was left we fitted into three suitcases – one for Hennie, one for Malcolm, and one for me. Saying goodbye to Hennie and Malcolm at Bangkok’s Don Muang International airport was tough. It seemed so wrong that they should be going without me. At that point I did not even know how soon I would be able to join them. There were plenty of things for me to do as I waited in Bangkok, and I kept busy visiting refugee camps springing up along the Thai border. As we arrived at the border, we encountered a tragic scene: refugees, the first of countless thousands who would arrive in Thailand over the next few years. The mood was sombre but expectant. The days rushed by as I prepared to re-join Hennie and Malcolm in Holland. Finally, the day came. I knew that the airport check-in for that Air France flight to Paris was going to have its challenges. My greatest concern was the large amount of luggage. Turning on the charm, I told the check-in clerk my sob story – how we had to escape from Laos, that we had a newborn baby, and that this was what remained of what we had. She was quite moved, and I was able to check in my suitcase and carry-on bags without penalty. It was also wonderful to meet Hennie’s mother again and to stay in her Eindhoven home. Now it was time to meet Hennie’s very curious extended family, who were anxious to see our new baby but also to see what kind of a man Hennie had found.
“It would be a big step into the unknown. “
After three weeks in Holland, it was time to visit England. Our time there was one of introductions – to family, friends and church folk. As well as curiosity to see whom I had married and to see our first baby there was also sympathy for our family situation and the fact that we were on the move.
It was lovely to stroll by the Thames with our pram during those long summer evenings. The river evoked good memories from my childhood and school days. After a few meetings and visits it was time to take the ferry back to Holland as we set our sights on Wheaton, Illinois. It would be a big step into the unknown. 12
Calendar February 2018 Sun 3rd Fifth Sunday Before 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
3.00pm
Candlemass Family Event
St John’s, O/S
6.00pm
Evensong {BCP}
St Adeline’s, L/S
Tues
5th
9.15am
Storkies
St John’s, C/S
Thurs
7th
10.00am
Holy Communion
St John’s, C/S
10.45am
Coffee Shop
Church Centre, C/S
9.30am
Parish Communion
St John’s, C/S
11.15am
Holy Communion
St James’, Horton
11.15am
Family Service
St John’s, O/S
Sun 10th Fourth Sunday before Lent
6.00pm
Evensong
St Adeline’s, L/S
Mon
11th
2.00pm
Mothers Union Meeting
Church Centre, CS
Tues
12th
9.15am
Storkies
St John’s, C/S
Thurs
14th
10.00am
Holy Communion
St John’s C/S
10.45am
Coffee Shop
Church Centre C/S
11.00am
Outreach Prayer Meeting
Church Centre
10.00am
Wedding Preparation Day
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
Sat
16th
Sun 17th Third Sunday before Lent Mon
18th
7.30pm
Global Action Prayer Group
Church Centre, C/S
Thurs
21st
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
24th
Sun Second Sunday Before Lent Tues
Thurs
26th
28th
10.00am
Holy Communion
St John’s C/S
10.45am
Coffee Shop
Church Centre C/S
7.30pm
Old Sodbury St John’s Praise Meeting
Church Centre C/S
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Calendar March 2019 Sun 3rd Sunday Next before 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
5th
9.15am
Storkies
St John’s, C/S
Wed
6th
7.30pm
Ash Wednesday Service
St John’s,O/S
Thurs
7th
10.00am
Holy Communion
St John’s, C/S
10.45am
Coffee Shop
Church Centre, C/S
11.00am
Outreach Prayer Meeting
Church Centre, C/S
Sun 10h First Sunday of Lent
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
11th
2.00pm
Mothers Union Meeting
Church Centre, CS
Tues
12th
9.15am
Storkies
St John’s, C/S
Wed
13th
7.30pm
Lent Course
St John’s, C/S
Thurs
14th
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 17th Second Sunday of Lent
Mon
18th
7.30pm
Missions Prayer Group
Church Centre, C/S
Tues
19th
9.15am
Storkies
St John’s, C/S
Wed
20th
7.30pm
Lent Course
St John’s, C/S
Thurs
21st
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
10.30am
Benefice Communion
St John’s, C/S
Sun 24th Third Sunday of Lent
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Calendar March 2019 continued Tues
26th
Wed
27th
Thurs
28th
9.15am
Storkies
St John’s, C/S
2.00pm
Tea and Chat
Church Centre, C/S
7.30pm
Lent Course
St John’s, C/S
10.00am
Holy Communion for Maundy Thursday
St John’s C/S
10.45am
Coffee Shop
Church Centre C/S
11.00am
Lent Course
St John’s, C/S
9.30am
Parish Communion
St John’s, C/S
Holy Communion
St James’, Horton
Morning Praise
St John’s, O/S
Holy Communion {BCP}
St Adeline’s, L/S
Sun 31st Fourth Sunday of 11.15am Lent Mothering 11.15am Sunday 6.00pm
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
7.30pm
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
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Note: No Morning Prayers on Bank Holidays
Dates for your Diary May 11
7.30pm
Yate Choral Society Concert Puccini’s Messa di Gloria and others
St John’s Chipping Sodbury
Copy Deadline Please send all copy for the next issue to the Church Office by Monday March 6th Note: An earlier than usual deadline 15
Shapes for Living – Lent Course 2019 The Lent Course this year offers a fresh way of exploring what is traditionally called a rule of life. It a framework for the busy lives we are forced to live these days which is realistic and promotes growing in our faith and prayer life. It is very difficult to flourish if our life itself is not in good shape. If our life is frantic and reactive our praying will tend to be the same. The course offers resources and support for individuals and groups and we will use them as a basis for our Lent Course this year so that we can encourage people to celebrate the fullness of life in Christ. Booklets are available. The course is run over five weeks in the Church Centre on Wednesday evenings at 7:30 pm and Thursdays at about 11:00 am, after the midweek communion.
March 13/14 March 20/21 March 27/28 April 3/4 April 10/11
Relating Praying Working - not just paid! Playing and rest Growing
The style of the group will be explorative and supportive and includes video clips from Bishop Rachel and plenty of time to explore our lives, tell our stories and explore solutions which don’t make us feel guilty. It also practically introduces us to a simple reflective prayer tool called Examen as a way of collecting our thought and listening to God. We hope that many of you will be able to come. Attend what you can and don’t be put off by missing one or two.
e r a All me. o c l we
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