Jane is enrolled as a Companion of the Society of St Francis by Brother Damian.1

The Sodbury Vale BeneficeChipping Sodbury, Old Sodbury, Horton & Little Sodbury

April 2012

OUT

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ine

This Cross was madeby the children ofHorton School andpresented to thechurch by them

2

ContactsRector The Rev. Canon JaneKenchington, 01454 313159email jane@kenchington.plus.com

Assistant Curate The Rev. Val Bexon,01453 521417email:valeriebexon@onetel.com

Regular Weekly EventsMonday 8.45am Morning Prayer,

St John’s Chipping Sodbury7.30pm Bell Ringers’ practice

Church Tower Chipping SodburyWednesday 8.30am Morning Prayer,

St John’s Chipping SodburyThursday 8.45am Morning Prayer,

10.00am Holy CommunionSt John’s Chipping Sodbury

7.00pm Choir Practice,St John’s Chipping Sodbury

Friday 10.00am Tubbie TotsChurch Centre Chipping Sodbury

7.00pm Youth Club (age 11-18)Baptist Church Centre

ChurchwardensChipping SodburyPaul Jones-Williams1 Meadow Mead, Yate01454 324970Keith Stanley132 Harescombe, Yate01454 319467

Old SodburyVal Walker16A Melrose Avenue, Yate01454 318286Tony Dixon16 Chatterton Road, Yate, BS37 4BJ01454 321 528

Little SodburyNigel RawlinsLittle Sodbury House, Little Sodbury,BS37 6QA01454 312 269Nancy NagleWinchcombe Cottage,Little Sodbury End01454 319798

HortonTina Hildick-SmithKirrin House, King Lane, Horton01454 320380

Church OfficeOpen during term timeMonday, Tuesday & Thursday mornings9.00 - 12.00 01454 325160Emailsodburyvalebenefice@gmail.comWeb Sitewww.sodburyvalechurches.wordpress.com

AdvertisingSylvia FranklinSt. John’s Church Centre07788 111 726

May DeadlineCan you have all editorial toMichelle by April 12th please.

If you would like to know more aboutthe Christian faith or are thinking

about baptism or confirmation pleasespeak to Jane or Val

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Dear FriendsOne of the things that’s expected of people when they’re Ordained in the Church of Englandis that they’ll pray the ‘Daily Office’. There are two versions of this, one from the Book ofCommon Prayer, which celebrates its 350th Birthday this year and one published in 2005 called‘Common Worship’.When I was considering Ordination and the Diocesan Director of Ordinands suggested I startfollowing this practice I didn’t feel too enthusiastic – however I obediently made it part of mymorning routine and joined the vicar in Church whenever I was able.When I went to Theological College I continued using ‘Morning Prayer’ in my personal prayertime as by then I’d really started to value it – especially on the days when things seemed reallytough and I might otherwise have struggled to find the enthusiasm to pray. Now I meet topray with Jane (and sometimes others) on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings andthe rest of the week we pray on our own at home.Within its structure there is space for a Psalm and an Old and New Testament reading, theseare prescribed each day in the Lectionary, which is used by the majority of Christian Churchesacross the world. There’s also space for extemporary prayer, and there’s now a resource called‘Reflections’ available in book or as a smart phone ‘app’ on one of the readings of the day.Technology is making all of this more accessible as both the ‘Book of Common Prayer’ andthe ‘Common Worship Daily Prayer’ are available as a free smart phone application and alsoon the Church of England web site

(www.churchofengland.org/prayer-worship/join-us-in-daily-prayer.aspx)These even include the Bible readings for the day which saves fumbling around looking forthe right page in your Bible! (But if you don’t like technology ‘Common Worship Daily Prayer’is available on Amazon for £14.62!)So if you’ve been inspired by Pauline’s Lent Course and are still looking for a way to help youbecome more disciplined in prayer and bible study this might be something that could workfor you. You could even join Jane and I in the church in Chipping Sodbury, or if you live inone of the villages you could see if anyone would like to meet with you to pray?After telling you all of this I now have a confession to make – I haven’t been following theprescribed Old Testament readings as from 1st of January I started reading the Bible from thebeginning. I’m now 2/3rds of the way through Exodus, so I’ve been reading all about thecomplex design of the Tabernacle and the strict rituals the Israelites had to adhere to in orderto worship God in a way that was acceptable to Him. I think having some knowledge of all ofthis really helps us to have a greater appreciation of the sacrifice terminology that is used aboutJesus dying on the cross for us.We were really blessed at Chipping Sodbury by a recent sermon given by David Parsons inwhich he began to unravel the mysteries and meaning of the Crucifixion for us in acomprehensive and clear way, this is now available on our web site

www.sodburyvalechurches.wordpres.com/sermons.I would recommend that you either listen or read it as part of your Easter Experience thisyear.

Love and Blessings,Rev. Val Bexon, email:valeriebexon@gmail.com

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Funerals:We extend our sympathy to the familyand friends of:

Gerald Bramwell Buckley atWesterleigh Crematorium on 28thFebruaryEric Harry Cains at St John’s OldSodbury on 1st MarchMuriel Gladys Sherborne atWesterleigh Crematorium on 14th March

29 High Street, Chipping Sodbury, South Glos.Telephone; 01454 325124 Fax:01454 326611

Christian Aid Week 2012

Every year during Christian Aid Weekover 300,000 volunteers collect money tohelp the world’s poorest people.Christian Aid Week this year will befrom 13 -19 May.We are joining with more than 20,000churches in an act of Christian witness toour communities – showing them wecare about justice and an end to poverty.By being part of this week we’re not onlyfunding life – changing projects, we’rehelping tackle the root causes of poverty– helping to change the world for good.In these difficult financial times theworld’s poorest people need our time,prayers and financial support more thanever.If you could help with this year’scollection in your area, please contactRosemary Thomas Tel. 314286. Thankyou.

5

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The Queen’s Jubilee PrayerGod of time and eternity,

Whose son reigns as servant notmaster;

We give you thanks and praiseThat you have blessed this nation,

the realms and territories withElizabeth.

Our beloved and Glorious Queen.In this year of Jubilee,

Grant her your gifts of love, joyand peace as she continues in

faithful obedience to you,her lord and God

And in devoted service to herlands and peoples,

And those of the Commonwealth,Now and all the days of her life;Through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

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Share the LightThe Archbishop ofCanterbury, the MostRevd. Dr. RowanWilliams will be visitingthe Diocese in July. Aspart of his visit therewill be two events towhich everyone is

welcome:Saturday 21 July: Share the Light forall the family -An event at GloucesterCathedral for all the family, whatever age,to come together, have fun, worship andmeet the Archbishop. There will be abouncy castle, sporting activities and twoquestion and answer sessions with theArchbishop. Starting at 1pm with a picniclunch.Sunday 22 July: Share the Lightworshipping together -Everyone isinvited to take part in a special service atNewland Church in the Forest of Dean.Starting at 11am, there will be local music,inspiring worship and a special children’sprogramme as part of the service.Afterwards there will be a chance to meetthe Archbishop.For more details of these events, pleasecheck the Diocese of Gloucester website:www.gloucester.anglican.org. call LucyTaylor on 01452 835515 or emailltaylor@glosdioc.org.uk

Lent CoursePauline Greenhas beenleading a groupof around 35people throughLent on bothWednesdayevenings and

Thursday morning in the Church Centre.The theme has been “our life of prayer”.

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RichMcD Photography

Ian Yemm

Ian will be a familiarface to many of youat St John’s,Chipping Sodburyand some of you willrecall him preachingat Little Sodbury lastAugust. Ian is the

Anglican & Coordinating Chaplain at theUniversity of the West of England in theDiocese of Bristol and a professionalmusician. He holds a degree in Theologyand Music and is at present studying foran MA in Christian Spirituality. Lastmonth, Bishop Michael gave Ianpermission to preach in the churches ofthis Benefice so don’t be surprised whenhe appears to preach occasionally!Jane Kenchingtonwww.allaboutmi.co.uk 07881533530

8

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Fundraising energyThe green energy company –ECOTRICITY – based in our Diocese atStroud, are making an offer we reallyshouldn’t refuse.

Switch to their green tariffs on Gas orElectricity and they will donate £60 toChristian Aid. Or if you prefer they willincrease this up to £150 if you wish thedonation to go to your church.

Stuart & Val have been with Ecotricity forsome time and they say that they aregreat as an energy supplier and are alsomindful that the energy they use doesnot ‘cost the earth’. A great way tocherish creation and generate somecash for Christian Aid – call 08000 302302 or visit ecotricity.co.uk/Christian-aid for details.

9

email:info@funerals.uk.net www.funerals.uk.net

Private Chapels of Rest at Coalpit Heath & Yate

Local Family Cremationand Funeral Directors

118-120 Station Road,YateTel: (01454) 320005 24hr Service

Tel: (01454) 778838 24hr Service192 Badminton Road. Coalpit Heath

F. WOODRUFF

Mrs. E.J. GauntlettM.Ch.S.

HPC REGISTEREDCHIROPODIST / PODIATRIST

6 Beaufort Mews7 Horse Street

Chipping SodburySouth Glos.BS37 6DA

Telephone: (01454) 319083

Tuesday, Wednesday,& Saturday Mornings

The next meetingof our Branch ,andI say our Branchbecause althoughit has always beenregarded asChipping SodburyMothers’ Union we

are a Benefice and you are all welcome tojoin us at any of our meetings, will be

“Marketing the Mothers’ Union” andwill be held on Monday 16th April at7:45pm in the Church Centre.

An advance notice for all, the Mothers’Union will be holding it’s

Annual Coffee Morning and PlantSale on Saturday 19th May at10:00am in the Church Centre.

All will be very welcome to come andsupport us in this fund raising event

Yate Choral SocietyConcert

Tickets £8.00 (Accompanied Children £3)

Available fromMargaret Phillips (01454 324839)

Jan Hazelby (01454 314779) other Choir members or on the door

Haydn’s Imperial‘Nelson’ Mass

and other pieces

St John’s Church Chipping SodburySaturday May 5th at 7:30pm

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Palm Sunday at St John’s,Chipping SodburyThe PCC has agreed to a slight change inthe service pattern at St John ’s, ChippingSodbury on Sunday 1st April, Palm Sunday.The services will be as follows:

St John’s Praise - Starting at 9:15amwith a donkey procession from Dando’sGarage, this service will be non-Eucharistic (as usual) with 4 baptisms.If you don’t want to join the procession,the service will start at 9:30am in church.11:15am Parish Communion(Common Worship) which will includethe blessing of the palms and thereading of the Passion Gospel.There will be NO 8:00am HolyCommunion Service on PalmSunday. (On Easter day there will be an8:00am Holy Communion (BCP) serviceand a 9:30am Parish Communionservice).

In order to help us decide whether we willhold the 11:15am service in the Lady Chapelor in the main body of the church, andwhether it will be worth booking an organistfor this service, we need to have some ideaof possible attendance.So, if you think you are likely to attendthe 11:15am service on Palm Sunday,please indicate this by putting a tick onthe sheet at the back of the church.Thank you very much. Jane Kenchington.

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Ice n Easy

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Easter stock availableCall in & see what’s new

Cupcake cases, sugardecorations and standsto create a beautifuldisplay on your tablethis Easter.

Something special for yourKitchen, Sophie AllportBone china, aprons and

other kitchen accessories.

Horton Court – Open daysThe house and grounds will be openthree days per week (Tuesday, Fridayand Sunday) for all of June, July andAugust from 1pm to 3.30pm each day.In addition Horton Court will be open forone day only (Sunday 29th April) duringthe Horton Walking Festival from 1pm to3.30pm. This will be an opportunity tosee the gardens in springtime andexplore the historical roots of Horton.Note: The National Trust needs morevolunteers to act as room and gardenguides at Horton Court. If you areinterested contact Katy Smith or JohnCollin of the NT, both of whom will be atthe Court on 29th April. They would bevery pleased to talk with you and give aninsight into the role of a volunteer in a NTsetting. Alternatively you can contactKaty by emailkaty.smith@nationaltrust.org.uk.

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supported by theCountess of Munster Recital Scheme

at Chipping Sodbury Town Hallon Tuesday 10 April 2012

at 7:30 pmTickets available on the door

Adults £12, School-age children FREE

For further information contact:patrickmusic@btinternet.com

or phone: 01454 312561 facebook.com/Chipping.Sodbury.Music.Society Registered Charity No.

1005346

Bishop John’s LetterEaster is the greatC h r i s t i a ncelebration. Thesense of celebrationis enhanced byobserving the 40days of Lent, with afocus on deepeningour Christiandiscipleship.In April 1994

Rosemary and I were in Jerusalem onGood Friday walking, with hundreds ofChristians from around the world, the wayof the cross. Some in our group found theendless distractions we experienced,including the use of tear gas, off-puttinguntil we recalled that as Jesus walked thatway 2000 years ago, traders were sellingtheir wares, Roman soldiers wereeverywhere ensuring order, sometimesbrutally. Good Friday we celebrate Godin Christ pouring out self-givingunconditional love for a world that oftenignores or rejects his overtures. God inChrist embraces a guilty world in love,shouldering responsibility for the evil,violence and pain of his creation. As hislifeless body was lovingly taken down fromthe cross, and laid to rest in the gardentomb, all the hopes and dreams investedin Jesus appeared to lie shattered at thefoot of the cross. On Easter morning thenews began to break: He is alive! At theempty tomb we witness the victory ofGod’s love triumphing over human sin,suffering and death itself. At Easter weare assured of Christ’s continuedpresence with us.To help celebrate Holy Week and Easterthe Mission Initiatives group haveproduced a raft of resources. TheExperience Easter material with schoolshas been extensively used in recent

years. This year Experience Eastermaterials have been produced forfamilies, adults, young people and thosein residential homes. We hope theseresources will prove useful in helpingparishes to reach out with the good newsof Easter to as many as possible. Theycan be found on the Diocese ofGloucester website:www.gloucester.anglican.org —visitthe Experience Easter page or you canorder copies by emailing:

experienceeaster@mail.comThe good news, Christ is risen, rings outon Easter Sunday and all the days ofEaster that follow right up to PentecostSunday. May your celebrationsthroughout Holy Week, Easter and theEaster season be richly blessed and ameans of blessing in many lives.John, Bishop of Tewkesbury

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Horton’s “Belle of the Bells”“That was agreat centenarydinner – whenis the nextone”. Inanother 100years was thereply. In shortthat is how Tina

Hildick-Smith and her team came toorganise a ‘semi-centenary lunch’ for thebell towers of churches from near and far atHorton Village Hall on 4th March. One bellringer was heard to say “we have had ourups and downs over the last 100 years butthings are now looking up” (nothing like anold joke!)Over 90 people attended, bell ringers,‘groupies’, and a cluster of clergy who don’toften get lunch on Sundays – a real treat!Over £1,000 was raised for St James’ churchHorton – well done Tina - and the food wasgreat too which is one reason why this isbeing planned as an annual event – doesthat ring any bells?

Progressive Pilgrims:Following anumber ofs u c c e s s f u lpilgrimages ledby BishopMichael inrecent years asmall grouphas been

assembled to develop these activities in theDiocese and are set to offer very many moreopportunities in the future.During 2008 a 100 mile pilgrimage waswalked by a core of 12 people drawn fromclergy and lay congregations throughoutGloucestershire who were joined by twovisitors from our link diocese in Västerås. Inaddition very many people joined the walksfor a few miles or all day. Walking up to 18miles each day they were then (next page)

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Pilgrims…. (cont)accommodated by church membersovernight throughout their 7 day journey.During the intervening years several one daywalks were organised which attracted aconsiderable following and covered manyparts of the Diocese. These too attractedvisitors from our link Dioceses in El CaminoReal, Västerås and Tanzania. During therecent 100 mile pilgrimage joined by clergyfrom El Camino Real and Västerås, the 16energetic pilgrims expressed considerableinterest in future events and as a result thegroup, Gloucestershire Pilgrim People,was born.Bishop Michael hopes that there might bean emphasis on pilgrimage in 2014 tocoincide with another major pilgrimage in thediocese, perhaps one that walks a largesection of its circumference.The group, led by Bishop Michael, areseeking others to join and develop

pilgrimage activities in their own Deaneriesand will be holding an open meeting atTuffley Church Centre on Wednesday April25th – so please come along if would like tohear more and get involved. And onSaturday June 16th they will be welcomingnew pilgrims to a one day walking event –venue and route to be announced later.Please talk to Stuart Bexon if you are a‘potential pilgrim’.

Make-overDuring the last fewweeks the ChurchCentre has beenreceiving a make-over. This has takenplace on Sundaysonly so it has been, and probably still is,“work in progress” but the result, togetherwith the new chairs, will be well worth thedisruption and will encourage more peopleand groups to use this valuable facility.

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Sodbury Vale Benefice Calendar April 2012Sun 1st

Palm Sunday

9.30am St John’s Praise St John’s C/S11.15am Parish Communion St John’s C/S11.15am Mattins (BCP) St James’ Horton11.15am St John’s Praise St John’s O/S6.00pm Evensong (BCP) St Adeline’s L/S

Thurs 5th 10.00am Holy Communion St John’s C/S10.45am Coffee Shop Church Centre C/S7.30pm Maundy Thursday Service St John’s, C/S

Fri 6th 12 Noon Good Friday Service St John’s, O/S2.00pm Good Friday Service St John’s, C/S7.00pm Good Friday Service St James’, Horton

Sat 7th 9.00am Benefice Prayer Meeting Church Centre C/S

Sun 8thEaster Sunday

Dawn Dawn Service St John’s, O/S8.00am Holy Communion St John’s, C/S9.30am Parish Communion St John’s C/S11.15am Holy Communion St James’ Horton11.15am Family Communion St John’s O/S6.00pm Holy Communion (BCP) St Adeline’s L/S

Tue 10th 3.00pm Meditation Meeting 10 Lark Rise, YateThurs 12th 10.00am Holy Communion St John’s C/S

10.45am Coffee Shop Church Centre C/SSat 14th 9.00am Benefice Prayer Meeting Church Centre C/S

Sun 15thSecond Sunday

of Easter

9.30am Family Communion St John’s C/S11.15am Morning Prayer (CW) St James’ Horton11.15am Holy Communion (BCP) St John’s O/S6.00pm Evensong (BCP) St Adeline’s L/S

Mon 16th 7.45pm Mothers’ Union Church Centre, C/SWed 18h 1.30pm Women’s Fellowship Church Centre C/SThur 19th 10.00am Holy Communion St John’s C/S

10.45am Coffee Shop Church Centre C/SSat 21st 9.00am Benefice Prayer Meeting Church Centre C/S

Sun 22ndThird Sunday

of Easter

9.30am Parish Communion St John’s C/S11.15am Family Communion (CW) St James’ Horton11.15am Morning Praise St John’s O/S6.00pm Evensong (BCP) St Adeline’s L/S

Tue 24th 3.00pm Meditation Meeting 10 Lark Rise, YateThurs 26th 10.00am Holy Communion St John’s C/S

10.45am Coffee Shop Church Centre C/SSat 28th 9.00am Benefice Prayer Meeting Church Centre C/S

Sun 29thFourth Sunday

of Easter

10.30am Benefice CommunionFollowed by Benefice Pilgrimage from LittleSodbury to Iron Acton

St Adeline’s, LS

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Benefice WalkSunday 29th of April

Our church familieswill be comingtogether in Beneficeworship at St.Adeline’s church inLittle Sodbury at10.30am. This will

be the third Sunday after Easter andrecognized by many Anglican churches asVocation Sunday,a good opportunity for usto enjoy a mini pilgrimage, share lunch andalso each others friendship throughout theday.

The walk will be about 7 ½ miles indistance and set off from Little Sodbury at12 noon along the footpath to Hortonvillage hall where lunch and toilet facilitieswill be available. After an hour’s break wewill say goodbye to Horton at about1.45pm and walk onto Sodbury Commonto Chipping Sodbury. We reach the churchcentre at St. John’s for a comfort break andmaybe find a moment of quiet in thechurch. At about 3.45pm we commencethe relatively gentle walk along the FromeValley walkway to Old Sodbury churchperched on the hillside. It is here that wemay be rewarded with beautiful clear viewstowards the River Severn. After anothertime of rest, we depart at about 5.45pmand turn north along the Cotswold Wayback to our starting point at Little Sodbury.We hope to arrive back without sore feetat approximately 6.30pm. Whilst somewalkers will be keen to complete the wholecircuit, the approximate timings will enableother walkers to join just a section of thewalk. Any person interested in the latteroption should ensure that they are at thestaging post before the given time, as itwould be a disappointment for anyone tobe left behind. Never can good weather beassured and it is therefore advisable tobring a small day sack with some warm

clothes and a cagoule. Each walker shouldalso wear stout footwear and bring a snackand some water to prevent against tummyrumbles or dehydration! Please look outfor route maps that will soon be availablein our churches. Children and dogs allwelcome.

The weekend coincides with Horton’s firstwalking festival, Friday 27, to Sunday 29April. The event is to raise much neededfunds for Horton’s village hall, but throughit the village is hoping to involve the wholecommunity including organisations thatwork within the parish. There will be arange of walks to suit most abilities; manyof these will centre on the village hallwhere refreshments will be served allday. There will be displays in the villagehall put on by some of the organisationstaking part and a variety of stalls on therecreation ground are anticipated.  Inaddition to the walks there are will bephotographic workshops, a talk, a pubquiz, and the National Trust will be openingHorton Court especially for the event. Forthe majority of the walks people areencouraged to book in advance (costsapply to some events), the main aim beingso that numbers can be controlled in theinterests of safety. However the Beneficewalk will be freely open for people to joinand leave as they wish. Although there area number of walking festivals around theCountry it is understood that this is a firstfor South Gloucestershire. Look out fordetails which will be advertised in the localcommunity

So dig out thosewalking shoes,practice your mapreading skills andcome along toparticipate in ourBenefice walkand maybe one ofHorton’s festival events too!Keith Stanley