The Sodbury Vale Benefice
St George’s day saw the flag flying for the first time since 1986 at St John’s Old Sodbury (see p6)
O U T LO O K
magazine
Chipping Sodbury, Old Sodbury, Horton & Little Sodbury
2012
June1 2012
Jane is enrolled as a Companion of the Society of St Francis by Brother Damian. 1952
Old Sodbury
Contacts
Val Walker 16A Melrose Avenue, Yate, BS37 7AL 01454 318286 Tony Dixon 16 Chatterton Road, Yate, BS37 4BJ 01454 321528
Rector The Rev. Canon Jane Kenchington, 01454 313159 email jane@kenchington.plus.com Assistant Curate The Rev. Val Bexon, 01453 521417 email:valeriebexon@onetel.com
If you would like to know more about Little Sodbury Nigel Rawlins the Christian faith or are thinking about baptism or confirmation please Little Sodbury House, Little Sodbury, speak to Jane or Val BS37 6QA, 01454 312269 Nancy Nagle Regular Weekly Events Winchcombe Cottage,Little Sodbury End BS37 6QE, 01454 319798 Monday 8.45am Morning Prayer, St John’s Chipping Sodbury 7.30pm Bell Ringers’ practice Church Tower Chipping Sodbury Wednesday 8.30am Morning Prayer, St John’s Chipping Sodbury Thursday 8.45am Morning Prayer, 10.00am Holy Communion St John’s Chipping Sodbury 7.00pm Choir Practice, St John’s Chipping Sodbury Friday 10.00am Tubbie Tots Church Centre Chipping Sodbury 7.00pm Youth Club (age 11-18) Baptist Church Centre
Horton Tina Hildick-Smith Kirrin House, King Lane, Horton BS37 6PD, 01454 320380
Church Office Open during term time Monday, Tuesday & Thursday mornings 9.00 - 12.00 01454 325160
Email sodburyvalebenefice@gmail.com
Web Site www.sodburyvalechurches.wordpress.com
Advertising
Churchwardens Chipping Sodbury
Sylvia Franklin St. John’s Church Centre 07788 111 726
Paul Jones-Williams 1 Meadow Mead, Yate, BS37 7UT 01454 324970 Anne Mudge 22 Gorlands Road, Chipping Sodbury BS37 6LA, 01454 880613
July/August Deadline Can you have all editorial to Michelle by June 12th please. 2
Dear All, This year during ‘Collective Worship’ in the local Church Schools Jane and I have been considering the Ten Commandments. I saw the irony in the fact that I found myself preparing for the session on ‘Remembering to observe the Sabbath’ at 6am on my day off! Interestingly this is the only Commandment, which is not clearly affirmed in the New Testament. In fact Jesus regularly got himself into trouble with the religious authorities of his day for breaking the additional rules that they’d dreamt up over the years (1,521 in total!) to ensure the original commandment was not violated. Jesus however challenges them to remember its original purpose, and on one occasion reminds his critics that ‘The Sabbath was made for humankind, and not humankind for the Sabbath.’ This day of rest was ordained for our benefit, it’s God’s gift to us to help us put time aside in our lives for the things that are most important. Time is the most precious commodity we have and even all the wealth in the world cannot buy us more of it. The list of things we feel we ought to do seems to continually increase – yet the time we have to do it in remains the same, and this causes us stress. One definition of stress is, “the perceived inability to match the demands placed upon you, with your capacity to deliver the required result within the time constraints given.” Stress is currently the leading cause of long-term absence from work, regardless of occupation. The body reacts to stress with the ‘fight or flight’ response, which prepares us for battle or the means to escape. This dramatic physiological response,if sustained over time, leads to burn-out as normal activities such as immunity, repair and rejuvenation are suppressed. Eventually we become lethargic, irritable, lack concentration and sleep badly. Someone once said that if human beings were not so distorted by sin, God could have dealt with this topic of rest by simply issuing a ‘Maker’s Recommendation’ – rather than a rule which might read something like “Your Creator advises you that you will function much better if you take one day in seven off.’ There is a rhythm imprinted in creation, that bears the stamp of the creator who worked, then rested to enjoy what he’d made – this remains visible in the natural world, in tides and seasons, in day and night. We too are designed to follow a pattern of work and rest and we ignore it at our peril. The Sabbath is about doing the things that refresh us to make us ready to face the following week – I don’t think there’s a right and wrong way to do this; we will all have our own preferences. It’s also a time to ensure we don’t neglect the most precious aspect of our lives – that is our relationships with those closest to us and our relationship with God. Obviously the Sabbath isn’t the only time we do this – but each week it provides us with ‘ring fenced’ quality time. Let’s remember this gift. Love and Blessings Rev. Val Bexon, email:valeriebexon@gmail.com
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Sandra Witherden Sue Leah Graham Harlin Angela Barber Christina Stiff John Myers Baptisms: We welcomed into the Church: Lucy Ellen Hardwell, Charlotte Jayne Frances Turner Morgan and Matthew James Morgan at Sandi Hardwick John Ivings (Co-opted) St John’s, Old Sodbury on 22 April Cherry Proud (Secretary)
Funerals:We extend our sympathy to the family St Adeline’s Little Sodbury and friends of:
Nancy Nagle (Churchwarden, Treasurer) Nigel Rawlins (Churchwarden) Terry Gwynn (Lay Vice-Chair) Sue Allen Alison Barton Brenda Cordy Roy Gowan Kit Rawlins Janet Sweatman
Dorothy May Elizabeth Pease at Westerleigh Crematorium on 26 April Winifred Potts at St Adeline’s Little Sodbury on 10 May
Know your P.C.C. Members St John’s Chipping Sodbury
St James’ Horton
Paul Jones-Williams (Churchwarden) Anne Mudge (Churchwarden) Jane Jones-Williams (Assistant Churchwarden and Joint Secretary) Bob Walters (Assistant Warden) Dorothy Downing (Lay Chair) Christine Stephens (Treasurer) Linda Hurst (Deanery Synod Rep and Joint Secretary) Ian Yemm (Deanery Synod Rep) Phoebe Jones-Williams David Herrick Simon Parsons Sarah Plant Alan Day Sylvia Franklin Edward Wrighton Chris Evans Paul Robins
Tina Hildick-Smith (Churchwarden) Pat Tily (Lay Vice-Chair) Betty Iles (Treasurer) Sally Batten Sara Gray Rosamond Farrell George Hammersley Jackie Isaac Steve Stafford Richard Winsborrow (Secretary)
Westonbirt House and Gardens open During June the gardens are open to the public on Sunday 3, Monday 4, Tues 5 and Sunday 10 between 2:00 and 5:00 pm. Both the House and Gardens are open to the public on June 24 between 11:00 and 5:00 pm and on that day we are running guided tours of the house from 12:00 to 4:00 pm, with limited numbers per tour.
St John’s Old Sodbury Val Walker (Churchwarden) Tony Dixon (Churchwarden) Richard Kenchington Joy Jordan 4
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Meet The Archbishop Saturday 21 July, Gloucester Cathedral 12-5pm Bring a picnic to share with friends, enjoy crafts, worship, sports, workshops, magicians and much more. There will be a session for families with children and a session for adults without children, to question the Archbishop. No need to book, it’s free and all are welcome.
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Chipping Sodbury Festival 15th - 24th June 2012
Flag Pole at St John’s Old Sodbury Fixed!!
There are events for all ages - indoors, outdoors, daytime and evening. Acts performing during the festival include BAFTA-nominated singer and guitarist Richard Digance. Chris Harris (Bath Theatre Royal's Pantomime Dame) will be performing one of his world famous one man shows, ‘Arris Music ‘All, introducing characters such as Dan Leno, Stanley Holloway and Max Miller. Visit www.chippingsodburyfestival.co.uk for details of all the events throughout the 10 days of the festival. Tickets on sale now - Don't miss out! Tickets go on sale from 2nd April, from Farrago in Horse Street or from the Tourist Information Centre at the Clock Tower. 6
Our Flagpole was blown down in a storm in 1986! It has recently been repaired & reerected and the flag of St.George was flown for the first time since then on the 23rd April. We are uncertain as to the origins of this flag but apparently it was flown on every appropriate occasion by the Rev’d Barry Palmer-Ffynch. The other flag we have is the Union Jack which was presented to the Rev'd Ffynch by George Lonsdale. It was flown for the Coronation of King George VI in 1937 over the premises of Lilley & Skinner in London and later used again for the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth in 1953.
PATRONAL FESTIVAL - St John the Baptist at Chipping Sodbury & Old Sodbury Churches – 24 June The Church remembers the birth of John the Baptist on 24 June and since this falls on a Sunday this year, we’re having a special celebration in the churches of Chipping Sodbury and Old Sodbury. Canon Neil Heavisides will be our guest preacher at the services in both those churches. The Biblical story of John, son of Elizabeth and Zechariah, begins even before his birth. His leaping in his mother’s womb is seen as a great alleluia in anticipation of the birth of his Redeemer and the good news of Jesus Christ is related in all four gospels as beginning with John as Christ’s forerunner. John seemed to have a predestined role akin to that of Old Testament prophets, particularly in encouraging the people of God to live lives worthy of their calling and in imminent anticipation of the coming of the Anointed One, Jesus. In the tradition of the early Fathers, John was seen as endowed with grace from before his birth, and consequently the Church has always kept the celebration of this day with greater solemnity than that of his death. (Taken from “Exciting Holiness”) Almighty God, by whose providence your servant John the Baptist was wonderfully born, and sent to prepare the way of your Son our Saviour by the preaching of repentance: lead us to repent according to his preaching and, after his example, constantly to speak the truth, boldly to rebuke vice, and patiently to suffer for the truth’s sake; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Tickets £10 from; Ticket Secretary (0117 987 7666 or tickets@concertchoir.co.uk, The Rectory, 75 High Street, Wickwar, GL12 8NP 01454 294267 or davidrussel@gmx.com. Members of the choir or at the door from 6:45 on the evening of the concert Registered Charity 1057007
www.concertchoir.co.uk
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practical ideas on marriage, parenting, green issues, spiritual issues and there are recipes and craft ideas. Our next meeting will be on Monday 11th June at 7-45pm at the Church Centre when the speaker will be Mrs. Kate Thompson on the “Structure and work of the Mothers, Union” Copies of Families First can be found in Church if not contact me, Jenny, on 314035 and I will make sure you get sight of one. Jenny
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Mother’s Union See Matthew 14: 14-21
In the latest edition of. Families Worldwide, The Mothers’ Union Magazine , Reg Bailey, Chief Executive of the Mothers, Union, writes about the “wisdom of change.” He says that in the future the Mothers Union cannot be wholly supported by membership. Even though the membership has risen 4 fold across the world during the last decade, the value of subscriptions has fallen in real terms. A new strategic plan called “20-20 Vision” has been formulated to give a clear insight into what the focus should be over the next year. The key areas are Prayer, Campaigning and Enabling. If you would like to find out more please take a look at www.themothersunion.org. or subscribe to Families First, an excellent magazine with feature articles from the likes of Adrian Plass, and Canon Andrew White “The Vicar of Bagdad”, many
I’M ON A NO CARB, VEGETARIAN DIET
Chipping Sodbury Success Chipping Sodbury has beaten competition from towns across the south of England to win recognition for their efforts to nurture thriving communities, winning an Action For Market Towns award for its Shop Local, Shop Sodbury campaign.
BRING AND SHARE LUNCH AT THE VICARAGE: 24 June 12.30 onwards ALL people from the four churches and their friends are warmly invited to come to the Vicarage to join in the Patronal Festival celebrations. Just bring some food to share and a chair to sit on – we’re looking forward to seeing you! 8
Paul and Charitas Cho – Ready to Go!
Mrs. E.J. Gauntlett M.Ch.S.
It was a joyful occasion. There were friends, supporters, and a large number of CMS staff gathered together to commission Paul and Charitas as they prepare to leave for Manila, Philippines. They were clearly caught up in the excitement of being sent out on their first mission as they leave with their son Hayoung later in May. Paul will be teaching at the St. Andrews Theological Seminary of the Episcopal Church in the Philippines. It was also Christcentred. We sat around our tables and shared a simple c o m m u n i o n together to express the oneness we share in Christ, united in our common love for Him. Several Koreans, Filipinos and Chinese all joined in the ceremony. Keith Stanley and I had travelled to the CMS headquarters in Oxford on May 2nd to represent St. John’s. We will be one of their supporting churches. It was good to get better acquainted with Paul and Charitas personally as they greeted us on arrival and also took time to talk with us afterwards. They are a wonderful couple and deserve our full support as they step out in faith. The challenge now is to see how St. John’s can now keep this contact alive and fresh, so that we also engage in what they are doing and stand with them in prayer. Hayoung will need our prayers too as he will need to learn both Mandarin and Tagalog for his schooling. Frank Gray
HPC REGISTERED CHIROPODIST / PODIATRIST
6 Beaufort Mews 7 Horse Street Chipping Sodbury South Glos. BS37 6DA Telephone: (01454) 319083 Tuesday, Wednesday, & Saturday Mornings
F. WOODRUFF Local Family Cremation and Funeral Directors 118-120 Station Road,Yate Tel: (01454) 320005 24hr Service 192 Badminton Road. Coalpit Heath Tel: (01454) 778838 24hr Service email:info@funerals.uk.net
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Private Chapels of Rest at Coalpit Heath & Yate
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Diamond ‘Dude’ To celebrate the Diamond Jubilee at St. John's Old Sodbury it was decided to create a special D i a m o n d shaped rose bed planted, by Tony Dixon, with 'Royal' roses. The site of the bed is placed in front of two benches & offers a lovely view through the churchyard with far distant views to Wales. In all, 15 rose bushes have been planted, paid for by generous donations from our parishioners. Included in the planting scheme are two roses with the appropriate name of “Olympic Spirit”, so we have a reminder of both great events in our country's history. 10
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HMP Leyhill ‘Keep in mind those who are in prison’ Hebrews 13:3
Do you have a few hours a week free to help us in our visits area? The visits area at Leyhill is a large hall with facilities for children and an outside garden area. It also has a dedicated team of volunteers who run the well stocked tea and snacks counter. This is much valued by the prisoners and their families. We are looking for new volunteers to join the team on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday or Sunday afternoons from 12.45pm – 3.15pm. If you would like to help on any of these days please contact: The Revd Catherine Todd, Co-ordinating Chaplain, 01242 264041
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Open Garden Once again this year Margaret and Graham Newman's garden will be open for visitors to wander around and enjoy cream teas. Like last year there will be musicians singing and playing . The event is held in aid of the village of Genieri in West Africa. This charity has set up
Tel: 01454 294875 Mobile: 07778 362623
Graham and Margaret Newman’s Garden at Ram Hill Sat and Sun June 23rd & 24th at Nutridge, Ram Hill, Coalpit Heath, BS36 2UF 2.00pm - 5.00pm Admission £3.00 Children under 16 free
projects to help improve the welfare of the villagers, such as a Day Care Centre for younger children so that their mothers can help cultivate crops. More recently it has begun sponsoring children from the poorest families to enable them to go on to primary education in a nearby village (not free in The Gambia).
Answer to - Which Flag is Upside Down?
Musicians will perform in the Garden during the afternoon
Proceeds in aid of Genieri, the African village linked with Yate www.yategenierilink.org.uk
Flag A is upside down. Flag B is flying correctly A with the wider diagonal white strip at the top on the side of the flag nearest the flagpole. To deliberately fly the flag upside down is a distress signal. It is also “Lese Majeste” (insulting the crown) and is theoretically still a crime in the UK and B commonwealth! 13
Welcoming our Archbishop to Gloucestershire It will be a great moment in the life of the Diocese when the Archbishop of Canterbury spends a long weekend with us from 20 to 22 July and I am sure he will experience a real Gloucestershire welcome. It will be great to have him among us as teacher and pastor and as our own Archbishop. He will come to encourage us. I’m hoping we also will encourage him. When I invited Archbishop Rowan to come in 2012 I knew it was an anniversary, in fact the thousandth anniversary, of the martyrdom of one of his predecessors, St Alphege. He was a monk here in Gloucestershire, at Deerhurst ,who was later killed by the Danes after they had taken him hostage in Canterbury. Archbishop Rowan will be going to Deerhurst and there will consecrate a new altar in Alphege’s honour, below the medieval window in which he is portrayed.
What we didn’t know was that it would be his final year as Archbishop and this one of his last diocesan visits. That will make it even more significant. He will have a series of engagements and will, I hope, meet lots of people involved in church and community. Do join us to encourage our Archbishop and to be encouraged by him. +Michael
The Turning Point Trust Fire Appeal A total of £865 was contributed by the Churches in the Benefice towards reconstruction after the fire in Kibera. This will eventually be increased when Turning Point Trust reclaims the tax paid on Gift aided donations. Many thanks to all who contributed.
Christine Stephens.
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Sodbury Vale Benefice Calendar June 2012 Sat
2nd
Sun 3rd Trinity Sunday
Tue
5th
Thurs
7th
Sat
9th
Sun 10th First Sunday After Trinity
9.00am
Benefice Prayer Meeting
Church Centre C/S
8.00am
Holy Communion
St John’s C/S
10.30am
Jubilee Service (Open Air)
Broad Street, 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
3.00pm
Meditation Meeting
10 Lark Rise, Yate
10.00am
Holy Communion
St John’s C/S
10.45am
Coffee Shop
Church Centre C/S
9.00am
Benefice Prayer Meeting
Church Centre C/S
9.30am
Parish Communion
St John’s C/S
11.15am
Holy Communion
St James’ Horton
11.15am
St John’s Praise
St John’s O/S
6.00pm
Evensong (BCP)
St Adeline’s L/S
Wed
13th
1.30pm
Women’s Fellowship
Church Centre, C/S
Thurs
14th
10.00am
Holy Communion
St John’s C/S
10.45am
Coffee Shop
Church Centre C/S
9.00am
Benefice Prayer Meeting
Church Centre C/S
9.30am
Chipping Sodbury Festival Service
St John’s C/S
11.15am
Morning Prayer (CW)
St James’ Horton
11.15am
Holy Communion (BCP)
St John’s O/S
Sat
16th
Sun 17th Second Sunday after Trinity
6.00pm
Evensong (BCP)
St Adeline’s L/S
Tue
19th
3.00pm
Meditation Meeting
10 Lark Rise, Yate
Thur
21st
10.00am
Holy Communion
St John’s C/S
10.45am
Coffee Shop
Church Centre C/S
Sat
23rd
9.00am
Benefice Prayer Meeting
Church Centre C/S
9.30am
Parish Communion
St John’s C/S
11.15am
Family Communion (CW)
St James’ Horton
11.15am
Morning Praise
St John’s O/S
6.00pm
Holy Communion (BCP)
St Adeline’s L/S
1.30pm
Women’s Fellowship
Church Centre, C/S
Sun 24th St John the Baptist Patronal Festival Wed
27th
Thurs
28th
Sat
30th
Sun 1st July Fourth Sunday after Trinity
10.00am
Holy Communion
St John’s C/S
10.45am
Coffee Shop
Church Centre C/S
9.00am
Benefice Prayer Meeting
Church Centre C/S
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
15
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