SVB
Outlook
December 2020 - January 2021
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
Curate
The Revd. Canon David Bowers 01454 313159, rector@svbcofe.org.uk
The Revd. Jane Jones-Williams 07498 878164 revjanejw@gmail.com
Day off Monday
Churchwardens St John’s, Chipping Sodbury
St James’, Horton
Joy Gibson 01454 319288
Tina Hildick-Smith 01454 320380
Paul Jones-Williams 01454 324970
Richard Needs 01454 329890
St Adeline’s, Little Sodbury
St John’s, Old Sodbury
Linda Hurst 01454 319183
John Myers 01454 312223
Safeguarding Nominated Person
Administrators
Hannah Saunders 07515 915976
Michelle Jenkins, Trish Gailey and helpers
Hcsaunders.hone@talk21.com
Advertising
Contact Hannah if you have a concern about suspected abuse of a child or a vulnerable adult
Volunteer required
Published by The Sodbury Vale Benefice, Church Office, St John’s Church Centre, Wickwar Road, Chipping Sodbury, BS37 6BQ, 01454 325160, sodburyvalebenefice@gmail.com, Open in school term time, Mon - Tue - Thu mornings 9.00 - 12.00. Editor - Michael Stephenson outlook@svbcofe.org.uk
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A Word from David Dear Friends Is Christmas cancelled this year? To read some of the press headlines you would imagine that it is, or at least that it is in danger of it. Of course, we can understand what is meant and it would certainly be sad to miss out on some of the traditional festivities, especially if it means not spending the time with loved ones. However, Christmas, the celebration of the birth of Jesus as the Saviour of the world can never be cancelled. It is a vital message of hope for a troubled and anxious world and it needs to be shared and to be heard more than ever this year.
Is Christmas cancelled this year? Christmas is certainly not cancelled!
So our message is that Christmas is certainly not cancelled, but how we celebrate it will look very different this year. As I write we are in the second national lockdown and it looks as though at Christmas we shall still not be able to sing carols in church and shall need to continue to socially distance and wear face masks. This will affect our traditional church services, but it also gives us the opportunity to find new and creative ways of celebrating and of sharing the message of the birth of Jesus with our communities. You will find details of some of these in this magazine. This has been a hard year for our nation and for so many individuals, families and communities, especially those whose lives have been directly affected by the coronavirus. We also remember that this is not limited to our country but is a worldwide problem and the global scale is staggering. What does Christmas mean against such a background?
The message of Christmas is not merely escapism, taking our minds off things for a few days. It is God’s message of love and peace to all people, the gift of his Son to make a difference to our lives and to bring hope and purpose. At the first Christmas the message of the angels, “Peace on Earth”, rang out to a world torn apart by war, division and oppression. May we hear the message of hope and of God’s love for us as we open our hearts to receive God’s gift of his Son this year. Our ministry team in the Sodbury Vale Benefice join Judith and myself in wishing you all a blessed Christmas and a peaceful New Year. David Bowers 3
What are we doing at Christmas? We are not 100% sure yet of what we shall be able to do but we have some exciting plans to celebrate Christmas in a Covid-secure way. Watch out for further details on our website at https://svbcofe.org.uk/advent2020 and Facebook pages. 1. ‘It Begins in Bethlehem’.
Provisional service details of December and January services are on pages 12 and 13
We’re planning to run a living nativity grotto at St John’s, Chipping Sodbury from 1pm to 4pm on Christmas Eve, taking the form of a witness to the events in Bethlehem. It will be open to the public and visitors will take a one-way route from the main door to the Lady Chapel door in socially distanced family bubbles or individuals. On their journey they will engage with the Christmas story, meeting with shepherds, the innkeeper, the wise men and angels. The plan is to have stations depicting each part of the story, similar to Experience Christmas and Easter, but for each to have people dressed in costumes appropriate for their scene who will deliver a very short (scripted) talk as the visitors approach their station. We’re very grateful to Catherine Coster who has written the script. Where there’s more than one person (eg Wise Men) they would need to come from the same household or bubble. We envisage the Wise Men being in the Lady Chapel where booklets, tracts and Christingles will be given out as the visitors leave. For further details and offers of help please contact Jane Jones-Williams or Catherine Coster. 2. Cribs in the High Street We are asking local businesses in Chipping Sodbury to display a crib in their shop or window to remind us all of the true meaning of the Christmas celebrations. Please contact Liz and Stephen Gregson for further details
3. Online Carol Service As it looks as though we cannot have traditional carol services in our churches we are planning to record an online service and we plan to ask some local key workers, who have worked hard for us all since March, to do the readings.
4. Services on Zoom There will be two services on Zoom which are aimed at families and children – as well as everyone else! They will be on Christmas Eve at 5.30pm and Christmas day morning at 9.30am. Again, watch out for details.
5. Services in Church There will be services of Holy Communion, without singing, in each of our churches. As we are still restricted in capacity due to social distancing we are continuing to ask those coming to “book” a place.
We are also looking at other ways we can safely celebrate Christmas and details will be available as soon as we know what we are able to do. 4
Church and Mothers’ Union fund raising Chris Evans has come up with an idea for fund-raising, all proceeds will be shared between St. Johns and Mothers Union. As you are no doubt aware Chris was responsible for the ’numbers’ displayed for each of the cribs at the Crib festival. He is taking orders for house door numbers and/or name plaques. (See photos below of completed orders so far). They will have a substantial oak back board which will cost £2 and each number or letter £1. Think of Christmas/birthday/anniversary presents Please send your orders - - direct to Chris at
chrisatchipsod@gmail.com (This will save SVB mail being drowned with correspondence.) Let’s hope we can get a lot of orders a) to make much needed funds and b) to keep Chris busy during these trying times !!!
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Community Living is safe – Official A Community based Sheltered House in Chipping Sodbury is proud to announce that there has not been a single case of Covid-19 amongst it’s tenants or staff. The Chairman of Abbeyfield Sodbury Vale Kath Bewley said “we have been very fortunate not to experience this disease due to guidelines issued by Abbeyfield Society to keep us all safe”. The tenants (whose ages range from 85 to 97) have kept themselves busy during lockdown by taking up gardening in the House’s substantial and well stocked garden, they have been providing the House with a plentiful supply of home grown vegetables and fruit and kept themselves fit! The produce has been a welcome addition to the home cooked meals enjoyed communally. Said a tenant, “ It was hard being isolated from family and friends as we are used to going out independently for shopping and socialising - holidays also had to be cancelled due to Covid. We missed interacting with the community but luckily they didn’t forget us, we had puzzles, crafts and games delivered by the local church from the Yate toy bank and Mothers’ union which kept us busy during lockdown.” Kath Bewley paid tribute to the Trustees and staff who kept tenants safe and entertained “ We are very grateful to all concerned; now that things are slowly returning to normal, we are looking to welcome prospective tenants to the House which has not been possible until now.” Any enquiries are welcome via Abbeyfield’s website https://abbeyfieldsodbury.org.uk/ 6
St John’s Mead Nursery School We have been looking forward to a Christmas with a difference. Instead of the traditional Christmas Nativity this year we will be taking on Hollywood! Plans are underway for our Nativity movie with singing, dancing, acting and photographs. We are really excited about still being able to put on a show that families will be able to enjoy together through the wonders of modern technology.
Shepherds and sheep travelling to Bethlehem
Christmas request from David Webster Lord Jesus Christ you have come to us You are one with us, Mary's Son. Cleansing our souls from all their sin, pouring Your love and goodness in: Jesus, our love for you we sing living Lord.
Church Quiz At which of our four churches was this picture taken? Answer in the next issue
Lord Jesus Christ, now and every day Teach us how to pray, Son of God. You have commanded us to do this in remembrance, Lord, of you Into our lives Your power breaks through living Lord. Lord Jesus Christ, you have come to us Born as one with us, Mary's Son. Led out to die on Calvary, risen from death to set us free, living Lord Jesus, help us see You are Lord.
The picture in the last issue was from St James’, Horton
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Connection this Christmas Christmas is about connection. What’s a Christmas roast without others to eat it with? What are presents without people to unwrap them? Whether it’s seeing old friends, the arrival of grandparents, the joining together of communities, we celebrate the chance to connect with one another at Christmas. That’s one of the reasons why the uncertainty of COVID has been particularly difficult in the run up to Christmas. Who can we see? How many people can meet at once? Perhaps we used to take festive gatherings for granted and we groaned at the demands of relatives, neighbours and colleagues. Sure, there are some events we might be glad to miss (the awkward office party?) but when it comes to the people who we love and who love us, we long to connect with them this Christmas. The Bible says that our desire to connect with one another is an echo of God’s desire to connect with us. We are made in his image and, when it comes to being relational, we’re a chip off the old block. Just as Christmas is an opportunity to connect with one another, it’s also a time to consider reconnecting with God. For many of us, that doesn’t come naturally. However, in the birth of Jesus, God came to connect with us. Wonderfully, connection with God doesn’t depend on government guidelines or social distancing policy, but solely on faith in Jesus. So why not take a moment this Christmas to consider reconnecting with God? Perhaps mull over the words in carols, try a habit of praying, even read about Jesus in one of the gospels in the Bible. May you know the joy that comes from connecting with God and with those you love this Christmas. Frankie Knight (pictured above) 8
Horton CE VA Primary School Christmas has come early and the children have already designed Christmas cards which are now being produced for their families courtesy of the Friends of Horton School.
The infants class (Robins) are taking part in the BIG Nativity organised by the Diocese of Gloucester which is taking place on 5th & 6th December, 7pm each night! Thousands will tune into South West Carols https://www.southwestcarols.com/ which is set to be the biggest festive carols and nativity event in the South West. Leading on from this we are hoping to produce a whole school nativity to share with our school community online.
We also have Christmas craft activities planned – Year 5&6 (Owls class) will be sewing Christmas heart decorations and pinecone owls as gifts for our fabulous friends and neighbours.
Sarah Taylor 9
Children’s Christmas Poems
A Christmas Poem by Louis Escure, Age 7
A Christmas Poem by Joe Escure, Age 5
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It will be ok by Emma from Horton Primary School
First came the sunny days, Then came the blue, But it will be ok, I am here for you! First came the happy days, Then came the sad, But you just have to remember to try and stay glad. It will be ok, Yes, it will be ok, Just try and keep your chin up, Happiness will lead the way! It IS going to be ok!
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“All the services are dependent on government restrictions and may change at short notice. Please check the website for details and please also register that you are coming as we have limited capacity due to distancing requirements.� To book a place please contact: sodburyvalebenefice@gmail.com or leave a message at 01454 325160. Please make sure that you indicate which church you wish to attend. For Sunday services please try to do this before the preceding Thursday.
December Services 6 December 9.30am Holy Communion at Chipping Sodbury 11.15am Holy Communion at Old Sodbury 6.00pm Evensong at Little Sodbury 13 December 9.30am Holy Communion at Chipping Sodbury 11.15am Holy Communion at Horton 6.00pm Evensong at Little Sodbury 20 December 9.30am Holy Communion at Chipping Sodbury
24 December Christmas Eve 8.00pm First Communion of Christmas at Chipping Sodbury 8.00pm First Communion of Christmas at Horton
25 December Christmas Day 9.30am Holy Communion at Chipping Sodbury 11.15am Holy Communion at Old Sodbury 27 December 9.30am Holy Communion at Chipping Sodbury 11.15am Holy Communion at Horton 6.00pm Holy Communion at Little Sodbury
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January Services 3 January 9.30am Holy Communion at Chipping Sodbury 11.15am Holy Communion at Old Sodbury 6.00pm Evensong at Little Sodbury 10 January 9.30am Holy Communion at Chipping Sodbury 11.15am Holy Communion at Horton 6.00pm Evensong at Little Sodbury 17 January 9.30am Holy Communion at Chipping Sodbury 11.15am Morning Prayer at Old Sodbury 6.00pm Evensong at Little Sodbury 24 January 9.30am Holy Communion at Chipping Sodbury 11.15am Morning Prayer at Horton 6.00pm Holy Communion at Little Sodbury
Congratulations To: Revd. Steve Abbott, who celebrates his 50th anniversary of his ordination as a priest on Sunday 20th December. Steve will preside and preach at the 9.30am service at Chipping Sodbury and will also speak at the 11.00am Zoom service.
And Jonathan Crow, who has been appointed as Director of Music at Horfield Parish Church in Bristol. We shall miss Jonathan’s contribution to our worship and also his enthusiasm and creativity.
Copy Deadline Please send all copy for the February - March issue to the Church Office by Monday January18 Front Cover: In case we don’t have a white Christmas - here is yours. Photo by Michael Stephenson
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Ordination Last time I wrote, we were waiting to hear when our ordinations might be after their postponement from June. We knew there wouldn’t be the usual big service in the cathedral, ordained as a group and together with our supporters. God was with us and it would work out somehow. We eventually heard there’d be 4 services on 19 & 20 September; two each day in small groups, with 4 guests each. Mine was at 5.30 on the Saturday. As the time approached, I worried I’d cry during the service as usual. If I did, I’d look a total wreck. When I’m walking, I use the Pray As You Go app on my phone and the music and readings that week were extremely poignant. They played All is Well With My Soul on Thursday and I knew everything would be OK. On Friday morning though, the passage was Luke 8: 1-3 where the twelve who were with Jesus were described as a motley crew – a perfect description of us Ordinands! The big day arrived! I was being ordained with Pauline from the same selection panel as me so it was wonderful to be together. We gathered outside the vestry and Bishops Rachel and Robert, the new Chaplain, Jason, and Ann our DDO buzzed around chatting with us. It was clear how desperately Bishop Rachel wanted the ordinations to happen. Suddenly our Incumbents and other senior diocesan and cathedral clergy arrived, ready to go. As we stood there together for a few minutes, I felt the most amazing sense of calm and connection with all the centuries before us. It was extremely powerful. The organ, which had been playing quietly, suddenly built up in volume …. This was it - Ann led us through the cloisters to the 14
back of the cathedral nave then to the front. Suddenly, we were ordained and processing out, and I didn’t cry! I could only beam. Bishop Rachel ensured we had photos together and with our various groups and families, all physically distanced. These are on the Diocesan website. All too soon, it was time to go home. What an astounding experience. A very intimate and holy time. The Dean was overheard saying, ‘That was so good, shall we do it again tomorrow?’ To which came the reply, ‘Yes, it was so good, let’s do it twice again tomorrow … The Revd. Jane Jones-Williams
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The Extended Team Honorary Assistant Ministers Meet the members of the extended team who support our worship. They consist of retired clergy (perhaps not quite?) and lay readers, who help David by taking services and helping with other events around the benefice.
Revd. Steve Abbott abbott.steve@btinternet.com
Revd. Pauline Green pauline.green936@gmail.com
Revd. Canon Rob Axford
Revd. Chris Mason revd.chris.mason@gmail.com
rob@robaxford.plus.com
Revd. Christine Axford chris@robaxford.plus.com
Revd. David Powe
Revd. Canon Catherine Coster
Wully Perks (Reader)
catherinecoster3@gmail.com
wulstanperks@gmail.com
01454 777745
Mike Swain (Reader) swain189@btinternet.com
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