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

June 2012

OUT

LOO

Km

agaz

ine St George’s day saw

the flag flying for thefirst time since 1986

at St John’s OldSodbury (see p6)

1952

2012

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, Yate, BS37 7UT01454 324970Anne Mudge22 Gorlands Road, Chipping SodburyBS37 6LA, 01454 880613

Old SodburyVal Walker16A Melrose Avenue, Yate, BS37 7AL01454 318286Tony Dixon16 Chatterton Road, Yate, BS37 4BJ01454 321528

Little SodburyNigel RawlinsLittle Sodbury House, Little Sodbury,BS37 6QA, 01454 312269Nancy NagleWinchcombe Cottage,Little Sodbury EndBS37 6QE, 01454 319798

HortonTina Hildick-SmithKirrin House, King Lane, HortonBS37 6PD, 01454 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

July/August DeadlineCan you have all editorial to

Michelle by June 12th please.

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

about baptism or confirmation pleasespeak to Jane or Val

3

Rev. Val Bexon, email:valeriebexon@gmail.com

Dear All,

This year during ‘Collective Worship’ in the local Church Schools Jane and I havebeen considering the Ten Commandments. I saw the irony in the fact that I foundmyself preparing for the session on ‘Remembering to observe the Sabbath’ at 6am onmy day off!

Interestingly this is the only Commandment, which is not clearly affirmed in the NewTestament. In fact Jesus regularly got himself into trouble with the religious authoritiesof his day for breaking the additional rules that they’d dreamt up over the years (1,521in total!) to ensure the original commandment was not violated. Jesus howeverchallenges them to remember its original purpose, and on one occasion reminds hiscritics 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 timeaside in our lives for the things that are most important. Time is the most preciouscommodity 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 timewe have to do it in remains the same, and this causes us stress. One definition ofstress is, “the perceived inability to match the demands placed upon you, with yourcapacity to deliver the required result within the time constraints given.” Stress iscurrently 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 battleor 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 aresuppressed. Eventually we become lethargic, irritable, lack concentration and sleepbadly.

Someone once said that if human beings were not so distorted by sin, God could havedealt with this topic of rest by simply issuing a ‘Maker’s Recommendation’ – ratherthan a rule which might read something like “Your Creator advises you that you willfunction 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 tidesand seasons, in day and night. We too are designed to follow a pattern of work andrest and we ignore it at our peril.

The Sabbath is about doing the things that refresh us to make us ready to face thefollowing week – I don’t think there’s a right and wrong way to do this; we will all haveour own preferences. It’s also a time to ensure we don’t neglect the most preciousaspect of our lives – that is our relationships with those closest to us and ourrelationship with God. Obviously the Sabbath isn’t the only time we do this – but eachweek it provides us with ‘ring fenced’ quality time. Let’s remember this gift.

Love and Blessings

4

Baptisms: We welcomed into the Church:Lucy Ellen Hardwell, Charlotte JayneMorgan and Matthew James Morgan atSt John’s, Old Sodbury on 22 April

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

Dorothy May Elizabeth Pease atWesterleigh Crematorium on 26 AprilWinifred Potts at St Adeline’s LittleSodbury on 10 May

Know your P.C.C. MembersSt John’s Chipping SodburyPaul Jones-Williams (Churchwarden)Anne Mudge (Churchwarden)Jane Jones-Williams (AssistantChurchwarden and Joint Secretary)Bob Walters (Assistant Warden)Dorothy Downing (Lay Chair)Christine Stephens (Treasurer)Linda Hurst (Deanery Synod Rep andJoint Secretary)Ian Yemm (Deanery Synod Rep)Phoebe Jones-WilliamsDavid HerrickSimon ParsonsSarah PlantAlan DaySylvia FranklinEdward WrightonChris EvansPaul RobinsSt John’s Old SodburyVal Walker (Churchwarden)Tony Dixon (Churchwarden)Richard KenchingtonJoy Jordan

Sandra WitherdenSue LeahGraham HarlinAngela BarberChristina StiffJohn MyersFrances TurnerSandi HardwickJohn Ivings (Co-opted)Cherry Proud (Secretary)St Adeline’s Little SodburyNancy Nagle (Churchwarden, Treasurer)Nigel Rawlins (Churchwarden)Terry Gwynn (Lay Vice-Chair)Sue AllenAlison BartonBrenda CordyRoy GowanKit RawlinsJanet SweatmanSt James’ HortonTina Hildick-Smith (Churchwarden)Pat Tily  (Lay Vice-Chair)Betty Iles  (Treasurer)Sally BattenSara GrayRosamond FarrellGeorge HammersleyJackie IsaacSteve StaffordRichard Winsborrow (Secretary)

Westonbirt House andGardens openDuring June the gardens are open to thepublic on Sunday 3, Monday 4, Tues 5and Sunday 10 between 2:00 and 5:00pm.    Both the House and Gardens areopen to the public on June 24 between11:00 and 5:00 pm and on that day weare running guided tours of the housefrom 12:00 to 4:00 pm, with limitednumbers per tour.

5

Lynn Edwards MA, MCIEH, MCIH

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Meet The ArchbishopSaturday 21 July,Gloucester Cathedral 12-5pmBring a picnic to share with friends, enjoycrafts, worship, sports, workshops, magiciansand much more. There will be a session forfamilies with children and a session foradults without children, to question theArchbishop. No need to book, it’s free andall are welcome.

Which Flag is Upside Down?

A

B

Which of these flagsis flying upsidedown, A or B?

See page 13 forthe answer

6

Flag Pole at St John’s OldSodbury Fixed!!

Our Flagpole was blowndown in a storm in1986! It has recentlybeen repaired & re-erected and the flagof St.George was flownfor the first time sincethen on the 23rd April.We are uncertain as tothe origins of this flag

but apparently it was flown on everyappropriate occasion by the Rev’d BarryPalmer-Ffynch. The other flag we have isthe Union Jack which was presented tothe Rev'd Ffynch by George Lonsdale. Itwas flown for the Coronation of KingGeorge VI in 1937 over the premises ofLilley & Skinner in London and later usedagain for the Coronation of QueenElizabeth in 1953.

Chipping Sodbury Festival15th - 24th June 2012There are events for all ages - indoors,outdoors, daytime and evening.Acts performing during the festival includeBAFTA-nominated singer and guitaristRichard Digance. Chris Harris (BathTheatre Royal's Pantomime Dame) will beperforming one of his world famous oneman shows, ‘Arris Music ‘All, introducingcharacters such as Dan Leno, StanleyHolloway and Max Miller.Visit www.chippingsodburyfestival.co.ukfor details of all the events throughout the10 days of the festival.Tickets on sale now - Don't miss out!Tickets go on sale from 2nd April, fromFarrago in Horse Street or from theTourist Information Centre at the ClockTower.

Experienced, professional therapists registeredwith HPC, GCC and MCSP

Appointments available today, Saturdaysand evenings. No GP referral necessary.

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7

PATRONAL FESTIVAL - St John the Baptistat Chipping Sodbury & Old Sodbury Churches – 24 JuneThe Church remembers the birth of John the Baptist on 24 June and since this fallson a Sunday this year, we’re having a special celebration in the churches ofChipping Sodbury and Old Sodbury. Canon Neil Heavisides will be our guestpreacher at the services in both those churches.The Biblical story of John, son of Elizabeth and Zechariah, begins even before hisbirth. His leaping in his mother’s womb is seen as a great alleluia in anticipation ofthe birth of his Redeemer and the good news of Jesus Christ is related in all fourgospels as beginning with John as Christ’s forerunner. John seemed to have apredestined role akin to that of Old Testament prophets, particularly in encouragingthe people of God to live lives worthy of their calling and in imminent anticipation ofthe coming of the Anointed One, Jesus. In the tradition of the early Fathers, Johnwas seen as endowed with grace from before his birth, and consequently theChurch has always kept the celebration of this day with greater solemnity than thatof his death. (Taken from “Exciting Holiness”)Almighty God, by whose providence your servant John the Baptist was wonderfullyborn, and sent to prepare the way of your Son our Saviour by the preaching ofrepentance: 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 thetruth’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

8

MSc(Eng), CEng, MICE, ACILAMSc(Eng), CEng, MICE, ACILAChartered Civil EngineerChartered Civil Engineer

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Richard KenchingtonRichard Kenchington

Mother’s UnionIn the latest edition of.Families Worldwide, TheMothers’ Union Magazine ,Reg Bailey, Chief Executive of theMothers, Union, writes about the “wisdomof change.” He says that in the future theMothers Union cannot be whollysupported by membership. Even thoughthe membership has risen 4 fold acrossthe world during the last decade, the valueof subscriptions has fallen in real terms. Anew strategic plan called “20-20 Vision”has been formulated to give a clear insightinto what the focus should be over the nextyear. The key areas are Prayer,Campaigning and Enabling.If you would like to find out more pleasetake a look at www.themothersunion.org.or subscribe to Families First, an excellentmagazine with feature articles from thelikes of Adrian Plass, and Canon AndrewWhite “The Vicar of Bagdad”, many

practical ideas on marriage, parenting,green issues, spiritual issues and thereare recipes and craft ideas.Our next meeting will be on Monday 11th

June at 7-45pm at the Church Centrewhen the speaker will be Mrs. KateThompson on the “Structure and work ofthe Mothers, Union”Copies of Families First can be found inChurch if not contact me, Jenny, on314035 and I will make sure you get sightof one. Jenny

See Matthew 14: 14-21I’M ON A NO CARB, VEGETARIAN DIET

BRING AND SHARE LUNCH ATTHE VICARAGE: 24 June 12.30

onwardsALL people from thefour churches and theirfriends are warmly invitedto come to the Vicarageto join in the PatronalFestival celebrations.

Just bring some food to share and achair to sit on – we’re looking forward toseeing you!

Chipping Sodbury SuccessChipping Sodbury has beaten competi-tion from towns across the south of Eng-land to win recognition for their efforts tonurture thriving communities, winning anAction For Market Towns award for itsShop Local, Shop Sodbury campaign.

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

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HPC REGISTEREDCHIROPODIST / PODIATRIST

6 Beaufort Mews7 Horse Street

Chipping SodburySouth Glos.BS37 6DA

Telephone: (01454) 319083

Tuesday, Wednesday,& Saturday Mornings

Paul and Charitas Cho –Ready to Go!It was a joyful occasion. There werefriends, supporters, and a large number ofCMS staff gathered together tocommission Paul and Charitas as theyprepare to leave for Manila, Philippines.They were clearly caught up in theexcitement of being sent out on their firstmission as they leave with their sonHayoung later in May. Paul will beteaching at the St. Andrews Theological

Seminary of theEpiscopal Church inthe Philippines.It was also Christ-centred. We sataround our tablesand shared a simplec o m m u n i o ntogether to expressthe oneness weshare in Christ,united in ourcommon love for

Him.Several Koreans, Filipinos and Chineseall joined in the ceremony. Keith Stanleyand I had travelled to the CMSheadquarters in Oxford on May 2nd torepresent St. John’s. We will be one oftheir supporting churches.It was good to get better acquainted withPaul and Charitas personally as theygreeted us on arrival and also took time totalk with us afterwards. They are awonderful couple and deserve our fullsupport as they step out in faith.The challenge now is to see how St.John’s can now keep this contact alive andfresh, so that we also engage in what theyare doing and stand with them in prayer.Hayoung will need our prayers too as hewill need to learn both Mandarin andTagalog for his schooling. Frank Gray

10

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Diamond ‘Dude’To celebrate theDiamond Jubileeat St. John's OldSodbury it wasdecided to createa specialD i a m o n dshaped rose bedplanted, by TonyDixon, with'Royal' roses.The site of thebed is placed in

front of two benches & offers a lovely viewthrough the churchyard with far distantviews to Wales. In all, 15 rose busheshave been planted, paid for by generousdonations from our parishioners. Includedin the planting scheme are two roses withthe appropriate name of “Olympic Spirit”,so we have a reminder of both greatevents in our country's history.

114

12

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HMP Leyhill‘Keep in mind those who are in

prison’Hebrews 13:3

Do you have a few hours a weekfree to help us in our visits area?

The visits area at Leyhill is a large hall withfacilities for children and an outsidegarden area. It also has a dedicated teamof volunteers who run the well stocked teaand snacks counter. This is much valuedby the prisoners and their families. We arelooking for new volunteers to join the teamon Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday orSunday afternoons from 12.45pm –3.15pm.If you would like to help on any of thesedays please contact:

The Revd Catherine Todd,Co-ordinating Chaplain,

01242 264041

13

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Sat and Sun June 23rd & 24th atNutridge, Ram Hill, Coalpit Heath, BS36 2UF

2.00pm - 5.00pmAdmission £3.00 Children under 16 free

Musicians will perform in the

Garden during the afternoon

Proceeds in aid of Genieri, the Africanvillage linked with Yate

www.yategenierilink.org.uk

Graham and Margaret Newman’s Gardenat Ram Hill

Open GardenOnce again this year Margaret andGraham Newman's garden will be openfor visitors to wander around and enjoycream teas. Like last year there will bemusicians singing and playing . The eventis held in aid of the village of Genieri inWest Africa. This charity has set up

projects to help improve the welfare of thevillagers, such as a Day Care Centre foryounger children so that their mothers canhelp cultivate crops. More recently it hasbegun sponsoring children from thepoorest families to enable them to go onto primary education in a nearby village(not free in The Gambia).

Answer to - Which Flag is UpsideDown?Flag A is upside down.Flag B is flying correctlywith the wider diagonalwhite strip at the top on

the side of the flag nearest the flagpole.To deliberately fly the flag upside downis a distress signal. It is also “LeseMajeste” (insulting thecrown) and istheoretically still acrime in the UK andcommonwealth!

A

B

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8

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Welcoming our Archbishop toGloucestershireIt will be a great moment in the life of theDiocese when the Archbishop of Canterburyspends a long weekend with us from 20 to 22July and I am sure he will experience a realGloucestershire welcome. It will be great tohave him among us as teacher and pastorand as our own Archbishop. He will come toencourage us. I’m hoping we also willencourage him.When I invited Archbishop Rowan to come in2012 I knew it was an anniversary, in fact thethousandth anniversary, of the martyrdom ofone of his predecessors, St Alphege. He wasa monk here in Gloucestershire, at Deerhurst,who was later killed by the Danes after theyhad taken him hostage in Canterbury.Archbishop Rowan will be going to Deerhurstand there will consecrate a new altar inAlphege’s honour, below the medievalwindow in which he is portrayed.

What we didn’t know was that it would behis final year as Archbishop and this oneof his last diocesan visits. That will make iteven more significant. He will have a series

of engagements and will, Ihope, meet lots of peopleinvolved in church andcommunity. Do join us toencourage our Archbishopand to be encouraged by him.+Michael

The Turning Point TrustFire AppealA total of £865 was contributed by theChurches in the Benefice towardsreconstruction after the fire in Kibera.This will eventually be increased whenTurning Point Trust reclaims the tax paidon Gift aided donations.Many thanks to all who contributed.Christine Stephens.

15

Sodbury Vale Benefice Calendar June 2012Sat 2nd 9.00am Benefice Prayer Meeting Church Centre C/S

Sun 3rdTrinity Sunday

8.00am Holy Communion St John’s C/S10.30am Jubilee Service (Open Air) Broad Street, C/S11.15am Mattins (BCP) St James’ Horton11.15am Family Communion St John’s O/S6.00pm Evensong (BCP) St Adeline’s L/S

Tue 5th 3.00pm Meditation Meeting 10 Lark Rise, Yate

Thurs 7th 10.00am Holy Communion St John’s C/S10.45am Coffee Shop Church Centre C/S

Sat 9th 9.00am Benefice Prayer Meeting Church Centre C/S

Sun 10thFirst SundayAfter Trinity

9.30am Parish Communion St John’s C/S11.15am Holy Communion St James’ Horton11.15am St John’s Praise St John’s O/S6.00pm 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/S10.45am Coffee Shop Church Centre C/S

Sat 16th 9.00am Benefice Prayer Meeting Church Centre C/S

Sun 17thSecond Sunday

after Trinity

9.30am Chipping Sodbury Festival Service 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

Tue 19th 3.00pm Meditation Meeting 10 Lark Rise, Yate

Thur 21st 10.00am Holy Communion St John’s C/S10.45am Coffee Shop Church Centre C/S

Sat 23rd 9.00am Benefice Prayer Meeting Church Centre C/S

Sun 24thSt John the

Baptist PatronalFestival

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 Holy Communion (BCP) St Adeline’s L/S

Wed 27th 1.30pm Women’s Fellowship Church Centre, C/S

Thurs 28th 10.00am Holy Communion St John’s C/S10.45am Coffee Shop Church Centre C/S

Sat 30th 9.00am Benefice Prayer Meeting Church Centre C/S

Sun 1st JulyFourth Sunday

after Trinity

8.00am Holy Communion St John’s C/S9.30am St John’s Praise St John’s, C/S11.15am Mattins (BCP) St James’ Horton11.15am Family Communion St John’s O/S6.00pm Evensong (BCP) St Adeline’s L/S

16