Diocese of Bath and Wells THE UNITED BENEFICE OF EAST CLEVEDON www.eastclevedonchurches.co.uk
JUNE 2019 50P 1 SERVICES ALL SAINTS’ Sundays EAST CLEVEDON 8.00 a.m. Holy Communion 10.30 a.m. Parish Communion (Sunday Club in the Parish Rooms) 10.30 a.m. Family Communion (1st)
Sundays ST MARY’S, WALTON 10.00 a.m. Sung Eucharist Wednesdays 10.00 am Holy Communion
Sundays ST PAUL’S, 11.15 a.m. Morning Service (1st) WALTON-IN-GORDANO 11.15 a.m. Holy Communion (2nd & 4th)
11.15 a.m. Morning Prayer (3rd & 5th)
ST PETER & ST PAUL Sundays WESTON-IN-GORDANO 10.00 am Family Communion (1st & 3rd) 6.00 pm Choral Evensong (2nd & 4th) 6.00 pm Holy Communion (5th) Wednesdays 9.30 am Holy Communion
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2 FIRST WORD…from The Rector
I appear to be getting more “young manned” as time goes on. When I was about 10 I was called young man all the time – a sort of compliment. I was gathering myself together and becoming a grown up person. I enjoyed the title as it promised me adulthood and respect. The young man occasions then waned in the intervening years as I became “sir”. Now – it appears it’s back – not so much a compliment as a humorous comment on my seniority. Frankly I find it patronising and tedious, but I seldom rise to the bait. But even this is only a pale reflection on the times I am now addressed as “buddy”. An Americanism, I assume, I am often deemed a buddy of someone behind a counter. I feel like saying, “I fear that I have never met you before and therefore cannot be reasonably described either wholly or in part as your buddy, friend or even acquaintance. Sir will do.” I don’t, of course. I smile, thank the kind person and move on. “Cheers bud…” I hear behind me.
But at least I feel seen. At least I feel noticed. Some women (rather than men) my age(ish) begin to feel sort of invisible which must be very difficult indeed. No easy one-liners for them, “young lady” not sounding right, nor the matey “buddy”, and too young for the over loud, “you alright, my love”. Just “thank you” and forgotten.
Being seen for who we are is incredibly important. Or should I say, being understood for who we are is incredibly important. This generation, with its obsession with individual choice, is wrestling with numerous questions about gender and identity which until recently would have been thought impossible. So for instance, the South African women’s double Olympic Champion Caster Semenya, has been ordered to artificially reduce her natural testosterone levels to a more “normal” female range if she wants to compete in women’s sport. She has refused to do so. She has lived as a woman all her life and has no intention of compromising her identity. She is who she is. Simple as that.
But what of all those others whose identity is also ambiguous? In this country there are estimated to be 660,000 people who are deemed to be one gender but feel more identified with another. That’s a lot of people, considerably bigger than the population of Bristol. And the chilling reality is that of these some 88% have suffered depression and many attempt suicide, or at least feel
3 so desperate that they consider it – as many as 45%. Over half of these people will hide their feelings for fear of prejudice, they will hide who they are for fear of being misunderstood. Many will make mistakes in life and relationships trying to maintain a life they feel simply isn’t honest.
Individual choice brings its own pressure, of course, and my concern rests mainly with the pressure put onto the young, before life’s experience has equipped them to see a wider perspective. Too many choices too soon is not always a healthy thing and these matters are hugely sensitive and complex.
But if that is so, having no choice at all isn’t either. We’re fortunate in many ways to live when we do as many of us have the opportunity to live longer, healthier and more prosperous lives. But whatever our choices and opportunities it is a great gift to be happy in one’s own skin – to be ordinarily happy and content. What a precious thing this is. St Paul has a wonderful phrase in Corinthians, in his famous passage about love – “For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then we will see face to face. Now I know only in part; then I will know fully, even as I am fully known.” I like this because it’s ultimately about honesty. To have the confidence simply to be known and understood fully is a divine gift and is something the church should deeply desire. As Cardinal Basil Hume said, “judgement is whispering into the ear of a merciful and compassionate God the story of your life you have never been able to tell.”
I have never had an issue with my gender personally, but as I reflect on church life it seems to me that accepting people honestly as they are, and not as they might pretend to be, should be a hallmark of spirituality. Church should be an attempt to allow oneself to be fully known free from fear. It seldom is. Church has for too long been slow to accept difference whether that be race, colour, background, gender or orientation but I hope this is now changing and we’re increasingly allowing ourselves to be a Corinthians people – fully known and fully loved.
Fr Noël
Copy for the July Magazine by Monday 17th June 2019 The magazine is in church on Sunday 30th June 2019
4 MESSAGE FROM THE BISHOP
We all have something to offer
There is a story told about Sir Michael Costa who was an Italian- born conductor and composer who became well known and popular in England during the nineteenth century. It is said that one day he was conducting a rehearsal in which the orchestra was joined by a great chorus. About halfway through the rehearsal, with trumpets blaring, drums rolling, and violins singing, the piccolo player muttered to himself, "What good am I doing? I might just as well not be playing. Nobody can hear me anyway." So he kept the instrument to his mouth, but he made no sound. Within moments, the conductor cried, "Stop! Stop! Where’s the piccolo?" Michael Costa could tell that the piccolo was not playing. Something was missing and because of that the performance was incomplete.
I am sure there are times when we can all identify with that piccolo player. There are times when we may feel insignificant and useless. Whatever age we are there is the temptation to look at other people who seem to have more talent than we have, who are better at things than we are, who are more confident or skilled than we are - and to think we don’t matter or that our contribution doesn’t count. Perhaps we are tempted sometimes just to settle back and let somebody else do the work. We reason that what we have to offer won’t make much difference anyway, or that because other people can do it much better than we can, that there is no point in us joining in.
I take heart from the story of the feeding of the five thousand. In the middle of that story we read of Andrew, Peter’s brother saying: ‘There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two small fish, but what are they among so many?’ (John 6:9). This is a story of someone giving what he has to the Lord and about Jesus then using what is offered to feed a multitude of hungry people (John 6:1-14).
What do we learn from that? Surely one thing we learn is that each of us has something important to offer which God can take and bless and use. Whether our talent is great or small, the performance isn’t complete until we do our best with what we have and until we offer our lives and our gifts to God and ask him to use us for his glory and to serve others.
With warm greetings, The Right Revd Peter Hancock, Bishop of Bath and Wells
5 Relaxation, Psychotherapy, Hypnotherapy time to talk, unwind, understand, solve and resolve
Fiona Slade – DipSFH, HPD, ASFH, DipNCH, CNHC Clinical Psychotherapist and Hypnotherapist, enhanced DBS
01275 810200 [email protected] healthandhypnotherapy.co.uk
21A Somerset Square, Nailsea. BS48 1RQ 118 Redland Road, Bristol. BS6 6QT 26 Old Church Road, Clevedon. BS21 6LY other locations by arrangement
Talking therapies really do help resolve so many things. Hypnotherapy is highly effective at putting solutions into practice and achieving personal, sports or business goals.
STEPPING STONES ‘Living with Loss’ Drop in support in times of change . Have you had a bereavement or other significant change in life? Would you like to meet others in a similar situation? You are welcome to come along to: OPEN DOOR - DROP IN 2 - 4 pm fourth Friday each month at St Mary’s Church Hall Next meeting 28th June Tea always available! Members of the team are able to give information and one-to-one support if wished. The drop in sessions are confidential and the privacy of those attending is respected. Further information: Angela 01275 871247
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ALL SAINTS THEN AND NOW (from the archives)
The month of June seems to be peppered with feast days, perhaps more than its fair share. There are three apostles, Saints Barnabas, Peter and Paul, and the birth of Saint John the Baptist, all coming within the last fortnight; and as if that were not sufficient, we have Corpus Christi, on which day we give thanks to God for his gift of the Holy Communion, which is the spiritual food of the Body and Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Then we have the Feast of the Holy and Undivided Trinity. Most of the other great Christian Feasts commemorate what God has done for us, but on this Sunday we worship Almighty God as He is in Himself, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, three Persons yet one God. A mystery which the intelligence of man is unable to comprehend but which is held by faith by Christians all over the world.
Father Hoult writing in the Parish Magazine for June 1962. Julia Elton
Churches Together in Clevedon:
'Trinity' Taize-style Service
Sunday 23rd June at 6 pm St Mary's Church
We are extending our welcome to churches from across the town who are part of CTIC for this service of songs, silence and reflection. If singers would like to practice the simple chants, please come at 5.30pm for a run through.
7 GARDEN TALK
Aquilegia are one of my favourite flowers. They are so easy. Plant, watch them grow and self seed themselves, cross-pollinating into infinite variety. Especially the ones known as “Granny bonnets”. Some of the newer hybrids are lovely - “dragon fly” and Koralle have large flowers with long spurs at the back. The shrub Kerria japonica is very hardy, easy to grow and tolerant of just about any conditions, beautiful fluffy yellow balls flower along each stem… Quite invasive though. Another shrub “Kolwitzia” is a froth of white and pink and can easily be propagated from its suckers in spring.
When wallflowers have finished flowering, the dry seed heads can be gathered or left to self seed. Cutting off the spent heads can encourage more flowers later on particularly on the perennial one – erysimum. As tall perennials grow they are best supported early, tied up with strong stakes, Phlox, delphiniums, heleniums etc. Also, if the top 8" or so is cut off the tops of these herbaceous perennials now it will prolong the flowering period. Sounds drastic, but this causes the stem to branch from lower down, giving more flowers and needing less water, delaying flowering by 3 to 5 weeks. A good mulch of compost or bark chips cuts down on weeding and retains moisture. But this treatment doesn’t work for pernicious weeds like ground elder, horsetail or mindyourownbusiness. When mulching do look out for this year’s crop of seedlings of foxgloves, lychnis etc.
Each year I am concerned with the lack of bees, wasps, hoverflies, butterflies etc. They are so essential in life, pollinating flowers, eating pests – grubs aphids etc. Ants are good food for ladybirds, lacewings, spiders. I don’t use insecticides, unless essential for one of my conservatory plants, usually for scale insect, or mealy bugs. Then I take the offender into the shed, spray quickly and shut the door for the day. If I have an infestation of green or black fly, say on a clematis, a hand spray filled with water to which a couple of drops of washing up liquid have been added, sprayed once a day is usually effective. Also on roses. Jeyes fluid is another remedy I use mostly on shrubs ie. hardy fuschias. A tablespoon (approx.) in a watering can of water is watered on the leaves and around the base of the plants when new growth appears. It becomes systemic and prevents the new tiny shoots being eaten by insects.
I’m hoping for a fine dry summer, so some ideas on water conservation. Plants that need little water often have greyish, woolly or waxy leaves that reflect the heat. Bearded iris, agapanthus, echinops and sedum like to be baked in the sun.
8 Other drought tolerant plants include gazanias, begonia, semperflorens, marigolds, pelargoniums, the aromatic plants - lavender thyme and Artemisia. Plant closer together so there’s no bare soil, reducing evaporation and weeds too. Stand patio pots in saucers to keep plants moist. Be mean with water, not “little and often” but “rare and generous”. Slowly increase the interval between watering - the plants will get used to it. Ella Howcroft
HUGE MARATHON THANK YOU
On 28th April I ran (no walking) the London marathon raising money for Stroke Association finishing in 3 hours 58 minutes. It was an amazing event to be part of and thanks to so many generous donations, to date £5000 has been raised. I feel very confident that this money will be used wisely and to very good effect helping sufferers and their families coping with the effect of stroke.
I can’t thank everyone enough for their support both with sponsorship and encouragement especially during the long training months as well as on the day.
It is not too late to contribute and any donations can still be given via www.justgiving.com and searching Richard Bragg.
Thanks once again, Richard Bragg and all at Stroke Association
FLOWERS AT ST MARY'S
5th May - to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Barry Rogerson’s consecration as Bishop; 19th May - in loving memory of John Gay, requested by Harriet.
Thank you to everyone who contributed towards the cost of Easter flowers. To celebrate a special occasion, birthday, anniversary, or remember a loved one with a floral arrangement in church at any time during the year, please speak to Mary Pope (876623). A photograph of the display will be available for you to keep as a memento if you wish.
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10 BISHOP BARRY’S 40TH
Olga and I would like to thank the Benefice for the memorable and enjoyable Sunday when we commemorated my forty years as a bishop. Firstly, the generosity of the gift, about which we are still contemplating, but secondly and even more importantly the many people who were involved in the occasion; Yvonne and her Social Committee for the excellent meal, Roger for the illustrated obituary, the flower arrangers, Ian for the Dam Busters and the Bell Ringers for the Quarter Peal and Noel for his kind words..
We have been both blessed by being members of St. Mary's congregation and thank you all. Barry
Bishop Barry and the St Mary’s bellringers
Date for your diary
Sunday 14th July
Benefice Picnic To be held at Walton in Gordano
Car parking in field—Marquee if wet
In aid of Springboard Opportunities Group (organised by ‘CareUnited’)
11 Hawthorns
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St. Michael’s Church, Clapton in Gordano
Evening Concert Friday 28th June 7.00pm at the church. Featuring: The Highly Strung Community Band with Jill Elliot and Clevedon A Cappella Choir with Wendy Sergeant
Tickets are priced at £10.00 each to include wine and nibbles. Tickets are available by contacting Peter Hills-01275 858 809, Yvonne James-07972 201231 or Phil Joyner - 07970 839 390.
Proceeds of the concert will be donated to The Friends of St. Michael’s to enhance facilities at the church.
13 Clevedon garages ad
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15 CHRISTIAN AID - BIG BRUNCH
Just a message to say a heartfelt and jolly thank you to everyone who helped make our Christian Aid Big Brunch such a success! A great turn out of all ages and across the churches, and the atmosphere felt so friendly, relaxed and positive (to me anyway!)
Special thanks to our cooks! And our servers! And our amazing washer uppers! And Sandra as always for the advertising!
It was great to welcome Callum from Christian Aid, whose enthusiasm I hope was catching. The challenges in many parts of the world are huge, of course, but by being a little more informed, and a little more generous, we can express something of what we believe and hope for. The Rev’d Martin Little
This prayer is from the Christian Aid devotional:
God our Mother and Father, we praise you For the blessings you shower upon us. Bless the lives of our sisters and brothers and their precious children, In life's saddest moments, may we feel your love most, O Jesus. Continue to dwell in our hearts, Lord. May your love keep us strong.
Email from Callum:
I just wanted to say once again a huge thank you to you, to Martin and to everyone who came on Saturday for having me and for being such a welcoming bunch! I had a lovely time, and it’s brilliant to have the opportunity to share some of the story – plus, I thought you might like to know that a fab £174.00 was raised at the Brekkie alone!
Warm regards, Callum
Callum Humphries Regional Coordinator for Bristol and Somerset [email protected]
16 LETTER OF THANKS
Thank you for being part of the amazing movement of people that come together each year at Christian Aid Week to stand together with the poorest communities in the world. The donation which you sent after your Big Brekkie, will help people in Sierra Leone and around the world to live life in all its fullness.
This Christian Aid Week we shared the stories of some inspirational mums in Sierra Leone, exploring how the lack of healthcare provision has affected their lives, and those of their families and communities. One of those mums was Tenneh Bawoh, who shared with us the story of her first labour that sadly ended in the tragic death of her baby. Thankfully, when Tenneh was pregnant a second time, things had changed for the better. Christian Aid saw that Tenneh, and many mums like her, were in desperate need of healthcare. And that’s how nurse Judith came to save lives. Tenneh told us: ‘During my second labour, I was scared. But nurse Judith was with me, assuring me of everything. When I delivered, I felt so good.’
Your donations this Christian Aid Week can now go even further, supporting communities like Tenneh’s to build health clinics that will serve their communities now and in the future. Tenneh told us, ‘We’ll dance for three days when we have the new health centre.’
Thank you once again for your life-changing support this Christian Aid Week.
With best wishes, Gabby North, Office Coordinator, Christian Aid
ALL SAINTS FLOODLIGHTING
26th May - Maureen Smith in celebration of Alan's homecoming with grateful thanks
28th May - To celebrate the wedding anniversary of Frank and Pat Hawthorne, 28th May, 1943
If you would like to sponsor the floodlights in celebration of a special occasion or in memory of someone please contact Christine Woolford (879647)
17 READINGS AND PRAYERS WEEK BY WEEK
2nd June Easter 7 Acts 16:16-34 Revelations 22:12-14,16,17, 20-end John17:20-end
Risen, ascended Lord, as we rejoice at your triumph, fill your Church on earth with power and compassion, that all who are estranged by sin may find forgiveness and know your peace, to the glory of God the Father.
Eternal God, giver of love and power, your Son Jesus Christ has sent us into all the world to preach the gospel of his kingdom: confirm us in this mission, and help us to live the good news we proclaim; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
9th June Pentecost Acts 2 : 1-21 Romans 8: 14-17 John 14: 8 – 17
Holy Spirit, sent by the Father, ignite in us your holy fire; strengthen your children with the gift of faith, revive your church with the breath of love, and renew the face of the earth, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Faithful God, who fulfilled the promises of Easter by sending us your Holy Spirit and opening to every race and nation the way of life eternal: open our lips by your Spirit, that every tongue may tell of your glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
16th June Trinity Sunday Proverbs 8:1-4,22-31 Romans 5:1-5 John 16:12-15
Holy God, faithful and unchanging: enlarge our minds with the knowledge of your truth, and draw us more deeply into the mystery of your love, that we may truly worship you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
Almighty and eternal God, you have revealed yourself as Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and live and reign in the perfect unity of love: hold us firm in this faith, that we may know you in all your ways and evermore rejoice in your eternal glory, who are three Persons yet one God, now and for ever.
18 23rd June Trinity 1 Isaiah 65:1-9 Galatians 3:23-29 Luke 8:26-39 God of truth, help us to keep your law of love and to walk in ways of wisdom, that we may find true life in Jesus Christ your Son.
Eternal Father, we thank you for nourishing us with these heavenly gifts: may our communion strengthen us in faith, build us up in hope, and make us grow in love; for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord.
30th June Trinity 2 (Patronal Festival – St Mary’s and St Peter & St Paul) 1 Kings 19:15-16,19-end Galatians 5:1,13-25 Luke 9:51-end
Faithful Creator, whose mercy never fails: deepen our faithfulness to you and to your living Word, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Loving Father, we thank you for feeding us at the supper of your Son: sustain us with your Spirit, that we may serve you here on earth until our joy is complete in heaven, and we share in the eternal banquet with Jesus Christ our Lord.
St P & St P readings: Acts 12:1-11; Matthew 16:13-19
Almighty God, whose blessed apostles Peter and Paul glorified you in their death as in their life: grant that your Church, inspired by their teaching and example, and made one by your Spirit, may ever stand firm upon the one foundation, Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
Almighty God, who on the day of Pentecost sent your Holy Spirit to the apostles with the wind from heaven and in tongues of flame, filling them with joy and boldness to preach the gospel: by the power of the same Spirit strengthen us to witness to your truth and to draw everyone to the first of your love; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
St Mary’s readings: Genesis 19:15-29; Hebrews 11:1-3; Matthew 8:23-27
O God, who didst lead the Blessed Virgin Mary to visit Elizabeth, to their exceeding joy and comfort: Grant unto thy people, that as Mary did rejoice to be called the Mother of the Lord, so they may ever rejoice to believe the incarnation of thine only begotten Son; to whom with thee and the Holy Ghost be all honour and glory, world without end.
7th July Trinity 3 Isaiah 66:10-14 Galatians 6:7-16 Luke 10:1-11,16-20
19 SERVICES IN JUNE
ALL SAINTS’, East Clevedon
2nd 8.00 am Holy Communion The Rector 10.30 am Family Communion The Rev’d Martin Little with baptism
9th 8.00 am Holy Communion The Rev’d Caroline Sackley 10.30 am Parish Eucharist The Rector
16th 8.00 am Holy Communion The Rev’d Martin Little 10.30 am Parish Eucharist The Rev’d Caroline Sackley Preacher The Rev’d Martin Little
23rd 8.00 am Holy Communion The Rev’d Sister Anita CSC 10.30 am Parish Eucharist The Rev’d Sr Anita CSC Preacher The Rector
30th 8.00 am Holy Communion The Rector 10.30 am Parish Eucharist The Rev’d Nicholas Maddock
ST PAUL’S, Walton in Gordano
2nd 11.15 am Rogation Service The Rev’d Caroline Sackley
9th 11.15 am Holy Communion The Rev’d Nicholas Maddock
16th 11.15 am Morning Prayer The Rector
23rd 11.15 am Holy Communion The Rev’d Caroline Sackley
30th 11.15 am Morning Prayer The Rev’d Martin Little
Weekday services; WEDNESDAYS Holy Communions 9.30 am St Peter & St Paul 10.00 a.m. St Mary’s;
20 SERVICES IN JUNE
ST MARY’S, Walton, Clevedon
2nd 10.00 am Sung Eucharist The Rector Preacher The Rev’d Nicholas Maddock
9th 10.00 am Sung Eucharist The Rev’d Martin Little Preacher The Rev’d Caroline Sackley
16th 10.00 am Sung Eucharist The Rev’d Sister Anita CSC
23rd 10.00 am Sung Eucharist The Rev’d Martin Little with Baptism 6.00 pm CTiC Taize
30th 10.00 am Patronal Festival The Rector
ST PETER & ST PAUL, Weston in Gordano
2nd 10.00 am Family Communion The Rev’d Caroline Sackley
9th 3.30 pm Children’s Service The Rector
16th 10.00 am Family Communion The Rector
23rd 6.00 pm Choral Evensong TBA
30th 6.00 pm Patronal Festival The Rev’d Nicholas Maddock Preacher The Rev’d Martin Little
ST MICHAEL’S, Clapton in Gordano Summer Concert on Friday 28th June at 7 pm Next Service is Harvest on 15th September at 3 pm
21 FORTHCOMING EVENTS
Sat 1st 10..30 am ‘Welcome In’ at St Paul’s Walton
Sun 2nd 11.15 am Rogation Service at St Paul’s followed by bring and share lunch
Fri 7th 1.00 pm ‘Fish and Chips’ in St Mary’s Hall
Sat 8th 1.00 pm Wedding at St Peter & St Paul between Sam Jordan and Samantha Cooper 3.00 pm St Mary’s Strawberry Cream Tea ` Sun 9th 3.30 pm St Peter & St Paul Summer Service & picnic with Little Lights
Tues 11th 2.30 pm St Mary’s Discussion Group meets at 21 Oaklands
Wed 12th 2.30 pm Beetle Drive and tea in St Mary’s Hall
Tues 18th 10.30 am All Saints Community Coffee Morning 11.00 am House Group at Boxwood Cottage
Sat 22nd 10.30 am Village Coffee Morning in St Peter & St Paul church
Sun 23rd 10.00 am Baptism at St Mary’s 6.00 pm CTiC Taize Service at St Mary’s
Fri 28th 2.00 pm ‘Stepping Stones’ in St Mary’s Hall
Sun 30th 3.30 pm Little Lights Children's Choir Practice at St Peter & St Paul 6.00 pm Patronal Festival at St Peter & St Paul followed by light refreshments
Please Note THE CLERGY CONCERT in June has been postponed It will now take place on Thursday 7th November in All Saints’ Parish Rooms
22 ALL SAINTS’ East Clevedon Facebook: All Saints’ Clevedon Church
We had two baptisms at All Saints during May. Paige Durrant was baptized on 5th May by the Very Rev’d David Frayne. Thanks to David who had kindly stepped in at the last moment. Jameson Hollier was baptized on 19th May by The Rev’d Martin Little. The church was full with Jameson’s family and friends and we thank them very much for their generous donations in Jameson’s name towards the children’s ministry at All Saints. We welcome Paige and Jameson into All Saints Community and send them and their families and friends our prayers and best wishes.
The Christian Aid Big Brunch on Saturday 11th May in the parish rooms was a big success. See note on page 16. This was held as part of the ‘Care United’ charity fund raising group. The next event will be a picnic at Walton in Gordano on Sunday 14h July at 12.30 pm. Drinks will be provided, bring your own picnic. Plenty of parking will be available in the field and marquee available if wet. Games and events for all-ages are planned and all donations will go to Springboard Opportunity Group. Please come along and bring your friends.
Thank you to Monica Gore for volunteering to be Churchwarden with Kay. Monica was elected at the beginning of the service on Sunday 12th May and I am sure we will all want to do everything we can to support Monica and Kay as churchwardens. They were sworn in with the other churchwardens in the benefice at the Archdeacon’s Visitation at Christchurch on 13th May.
The May Community Coffee morning was very enjoyable with some lovely refreshments as always (Margaret’s cheese scones and Victoria sandwich cake especially.) We decided it is the exact opposite of a Weightwatchers session! The next one will be on Tuesday 18th June 10.30 am in the vestry. Everyone is really welcome.
We now have a wedding at All Saints’ in November - this will be the only one so far this year. Last year we had four weddings at All Saints and fifteen throughout the churches in the benefice.
We have recently received donations to church funds, one in memory of Jean Cannard (former organist at All Saints) and another in memory of Pat Hawthorne (who many of you will have known). Both families have fond memories of All Saints and we thank them very much. Sandra Sallis
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THANK YOU… Maureen and I would like to thank everybody for their cards and best wishes after Maureen’s accident and hip replacement - she is now getting along very well. Having stepped down as Churchwarden at All Saints’ Church, I would like to say thank you to everybody across the Benefice for all their help and support over the last five years. I have very much enjoyed my time as Warden and know that all the Wardens will get the same help and support. Guy Summers.
MIDNIGHT WALK
Rose Hockerday is doing a midnight walk on the 13th July, she is walking five miles for St. Peters Hospice. She would kindly hope you could sponsor her. There is a Sponsor form at the back of All Saints’ church. Thank you
ST MARY’S, Walton Facebook: St Marys Church Clevedon
Are the services of Holy Week and Easter still meeting the needs of the congregation, or should there be changes? This was one of the issues discussed at the meeting of the Parochial Church Council last month. This year St Mary’s played host to the United Benefice for the Maundy Thursday and Easter Eve services, while each congregation had its own services on Good Friday and Easter Day. The general feeling was that while most of the services were reasonably well attended, the two services on Good Friday were not, numbers being in the low teens. Consideration was given to having just one service on Good Friday at St Mary’s in future years.
The Easter Sunday Eucharist was attended by almost 100 people and the church was beautifully decorated by flowers after the austere days of Lent. The service was marked by the first performance of an Easter Alleluia by our distinguished choirmaster Ian Hubbard. The work, in an approachable style, will be published in due course.
A new venture this year was the Easter Concert on the Saturday of Easter week. This event gave the opportunity to perform some lovely celebratory music and members of our choirs were pleased to join the Yatton and Winscombe Chorale. The concert was well attended and wine was served afterwards.
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A celebratory luncheon was held on 5 May to mark the fortieth anniversary of Bishop Barry’s consecration as Bishop of Wolverhampton. The occasion was attended by people from all over the Benefice and was a fine way for us to express our appreciation for all that Barry has done – and continues to do – for our churches. The remarkable contribution of Olga was also justly recognised.
Looking ahead, a new and more efficient sound system should be installed by the time you read this report . William King
Carolyn Reynolds - We were all shocked and saddened by the news that Carolyn had died following a serious operation in hospital. During her time at St Mary’s she was a committed and caring pastoral visitor for several years. She was a valuable churchwarden with John Gay and very supportive of her successor Alice Watkins. Her team work, confidence and clear thinking were much respected. We will all remember her for her wisdom, friendship, infectious sense of humour and “gorgeous” jackets! We shall miss her so much and our loving thoughts and prayers are with her family at this time. Alice & Harriet
St Mary’s Discussion Group Tuesday 11th June 2.30pm at 21 Oaklands ALL WELCOME
ST MARY’S SOCIAL COMMITTEE NEWS
Saturday 8th June. The date should be in your diaries. We look forward to seeing as many of you as are able to attend the STRAWBERRY CREAM TEA held as usual in Yvonne's delightful garden. This is one of our main fund raising events for the church and we do need your support. Please bring friends but do please get your tickets in advance. Come and enjoy freshly made, tasty sandwiches, home made cakes, freshly brewed tea and of course strawberries and cream all served in a beautiful setting. What an excellent way to enjoy summer and help the church at the same time!
The Beetle Drive will be on Wednesday 12th June in the church hall at 2.30pm. Remember there are no Beetle Drives in July and August. Mary Holmes
25 ST PAUL’S, Walton-in-Gordano Facebook: St Pauls Church Walton in Gordano
‘Sumer is icumin in – Lhude sing, cuccu! Groweth sed and bloweth med And springth the wude nu. Sing, cuccu! Sing, cuccu, nu! Sing cuccu! Sing, cuccu! Sing, cuccu, nu!’ From ‘Summer is icumen in’ Anon (13th century)
Another lovely old country poem – I can hear Sue singing along as she reads it. We start by looking back to last month, on Saturday 11th the All Saints Parish Rooms was the venue for the ‘Big Brunch’ raising awareness of Christian Aid. What a fantastic turn-out – plenty of people from all the United Benefice and a representative of Christian Aid to explain their work around the world. In fact there were so many people more bacon had to be sourced as supplies ran out. How lovely it is to be able to bring together so many, to find the right formula to attract young and old and those somewhere in between, and all to support such a worthy charity – anywhere there is need they will be there to help and encourage. Well done to the CareUnited committee for organising this event – Noel, Martin, Sandra D, Sally and Sue – and raising well over £200, and to those who gave a helping hand on the day.
Congratulations to Charlotte Oakley and James Wright who marry at St. Paul’s at the end of May – our love and prayers are with you as you set out on your future life together.
At the time of writing we are still looking forward to the Spring Bank Holiday weekend – let’s hope it’s been a lovely Monday and that loads of people turned out for the ‘Village Open Gardens’ and all the other activities – a full report in next month’s magazine.
This month will begin with the ‘Welcome In’ Community Café at 10.30am in the Church on Saturday 1st June.
And then we have our Rogation Service on the Sunday - Sunday 2nd June at 11.15am. This will be this month’s ‘Come and Join Us Service’ so please ‘come
26 and join us’ to celebrate the wonders of the natural world and the glorious countryside we are lucky enough to have all around us here in Walton – as I am sitting here writing this in our back garden I am surrounded by the sound of birds singing, a sound to be cherished – and let’s not forget celebrating the life of our village, our village community. The service will be followed by a ‘Village Picnic’ so please come along to this as well, everyone is most welcome, and it’s the same as usual – just bring a plate of food to share and add this to the table – hopefully the weather will be fine and we’ll be able to hold the service and then the picnic outside.
If you were here with us at Walton on the Bank Holiday Monday you would have seen the launch of this year’s ‘Footie and Sweep’ – a sweepstake for the Women’s Football World Cup which kicks off in France on Friday 7th June. There are 24 teams taking part from all around the world – 9 from Europe (including England and Scotland), 3 from South America, Australia and New Zealand, 4 from Asia, and Central and North America have 3 teams with the USA the favourites and ranked as number one in the game. So why not have a go and join us in this ‘fun-raising’, it’s just £3.00 for a team – I am reliably informed that is the price you’ll have to pay for a cup of coffee at many outlets. When 24 people or families have signed up the draw will be made, and then you can support ‘your’ team throughout the tournament or at least for the first 3 games. The winner will obviously be the person with the team which wins the trophy on Sunday 7th July and there is a brilliant prize of £30 – the rest of the money raised will go to help Christian Aid in their vital work around the world, as part of the CareUnited campaign – so good luck, and good luck to the Lionesses and the Scotland team.
Also this month we have voting for our ‘Favourite Hymns’ which will be part of our ’Come and Join Us Service’ for the beginning of July. Yes, I know what you’re thinking you’ve already voted for your local councillors and then your MEP – and who knows maybe there will still be another referendum and a General Election to vote on this year – but don’t let ‘voter fatigue’ put you off exercising your franchise and selecting your favourite hymn from our current hymn book (the ones in the cupboard at the back of the Church) and filling in your voting slip (find them on the cupboard at the back of the Church). We can’t promise you that all hymns will be sung, but we will include as many as possible and you won’t have to wait until October to sing them!
So July will begin with our ‘Welcome In’ Community Café on Saturday 6th at 10.30am and then our ‘Come and Join Us Service’ at 11.15am on Sunday 7th
27 July, with as many of your favourite hymns as we can squeeze in. The ‘Bring and Share’ lunch will follow the service – so come along and enjoy a good sing and then share a meal together on a lovely sunny day (fingers crossed). On Saturday 13th July we have the Walton-in-Gordano Village Summer Fete – always a brilliant village event. Once again we have a fun packed itinerary with something for everyone - the Birds of Prey are back by popular demand, as are the Vintage Cars and Vehicles, as well as plenty of games for the children there will be a Children’s Entertainer, and of course loads of classes in the Fun Dog Show to entertain your dog – I always wonder if the dogs bring their owners, rather than the other way round, as they seem to be enjoying themselves so much. Or is it the smell of the Hog Roast that’s drawing in the dogs – as usual there will be masses of delicious refreshments on offer throughout the afternoon. There has been a marvellous response to the request for volunteers but more help is always welcome so if you think you could come along and give a hand on the day or maybe bake a cake for the cake stall or provide a raffle prize or bric-a-brac for the stall then please contact someone from the Social Club. But most importantly of all please keep this date free and join us for this thoroughly enjoyable day in our lovely village of Walton-in-Gordano.
The following day will also be a busy one with our Benefice Picnic – Sunday 14th July – in the field and the marquee if the weather is a bit iffy. This event is to raise funds for the Springboard Opportunities Group who support and enable children who find life’s challenges more difficult for many reasons, and also help and counsel their families – another of the charities CareUnited is working with this year. Details are to be finalised and will be in next month’s magazine.
And finally for this month a look forward to the August Bank Holiday and our annual Flower Festival. This year’s theme is ‘Our Glorious Gordano Valley’ and the flower arrangements will depict various aspects of life here in the Gordano Valley – for example ‘the wildlife’ or ‘farming’ or ‘the people’ – if you’d like to have a go at an arrangement or to help in some other way then please contact Sue – she will have a list of the different titles for the arrangements with her on the May Bank Holiday Monday and again at Rogation for you choose the one you’d like to do. Ruth Long
Our Mouse Musings: STOP PRESS – look out for ‘mouse news’ in the forthcoming magazines! Love Miss CM
28 ST PETER & ST PAUL, Weston in Gordano Facebook: St Peter and St Paul’s Church, Weston in Gordano
On 13th May, John Bridges and Ian Robinson were officially installed as our Churchwardens for another year. They had a helpful meeting with the Archdeacon. We thank them for all they do for the church and wish them a trouble free twelve months ahead.
Ecclesiastes was the Bible Reading chosen for May. The next reading will be on August 3rd as other exciting events will be happening in the church on the first Saturdays in June and July.
Robb led Evensong on 10th May as the Rev'd Nicholas Maddock was unable to. Thank you Robb for taking over at the last minute and leading us so well with good prayers and sermon. Thanks also to Geoff for leading the responses.
We are sorry to hear Jean Carrad has been in hospital and hope she will be feeling better soon. Ann Chavasse
Dates for diaries:-
JUNE Sat 8th...1pm... Wedding of Sam Jordan and Samantha Cooper. We pray for them as they prepare for their big day Sun 9th ...3.30 pm...Summer Service for families followed by a 'bring and share' picnic in the churchyard (weather permitting). The Little Lights will sing and there will be surprises during the service and picnic. Sorry, no 6 pm Evensong Tues 18th...11am...Housegroup at Boxwood Cottage Sat 22nd... 10.30 am...Village Coffee Morning in church. Everyone welcome! Please bring a bottle or something for the Fete. Sun 30th...3.30pm...Little Lights Children's Choir practice in church. Sun 30th...6 pm...Patronal Festival Evensong followed by wine and nibbles. We warmly invite others from the village and Benefice to celebrate the anniversary of St Peter and St Paul with us.
JULY Sat 6th...2- 5 pm...The Village Fete organised by the Village Social Committee jointly with the church. We are excited that Wendy Sergeant's choir will sing twice during the afternoon and The Little Lights plan to perform also. There
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30 will be homemade teas, a Country Bar, many stalls & games… something for all ages. Later in the afternoon BBQ food will be available. Much hard work will go into this event ….. please support it by coming and bringing friends, family and neighbours.
St Peter & St Paul - Wanted please Gazebos to cover stalls - Bottles for bottle stall Cakes for stall & teas - Toiletries - Gifts - Raffle prizes Items may be left at the back of the church after June 8th or brought to the Coffee morning on 22nd. Thank you very much.
ST MICHAEL’S, Clapton-in-Gordano
https://www.facebook.com/ TheFriendsOfStMichaelsClaptonInGordano
Not much to report from St Michael’s this month after the busy few weeks at the church.
Our next event the Summer Concert is being held at the Church on Friday 28 June at 7pm. Featuring The Highly Strung Community Band with Jill Elliot and the Clevedon A Cappella Choir with Wendy Sergeant.
Tickets are priced at £10.00 each to include wine and nibbles, are available by contacting Peter Hills-01275 858 809, Yvonne James-07972 201231 or Phil Joyner - 07970 839 390.
All the money raised from this event will go towards enhancement of the facilities at the church. Once the electrical works have been paid for, we will be commencing plans for a toilet facility – yes you have heard that before but this time for real!
In May, we had a visit from our landlords – The Churches Conservation Trust - to have a look at the precious wall painting in the North Chapel - this work is
31 quite special and rare apparently. There were fears that the wall is crumbling and the paint fading, however the conservator Peter Martindale assessed the situation and happily reported that the painting is not fading, but does need more work to stabilise the work to the wall. This will be undertaken at CCT expense some time in the future. Once this stabilisation is complete, it will allow us to use the North Chapel more freely.
On the same day, we had a visit from a local bat expert to look at our colony of bats that reside at the church. It is many years since he last visited so was pleased to see a large colony of Greater Horseshoe bats residing happily in the porch and within the church. Lyndon reported – “The bats are Greater Horseshoe. They are among the rarest bats in Britain, but SW England and S Wales have the highest numbers. They are very long lived, 30+ years in some cases. But they don't breed every year and only have 1 pup, so the population is vulnerable. I think your bats are mainly female and will probably move out before giving birth (usually in July), but I'm speculating. I remember from previous surveys with my trainer when he handled them that most were females”. Peter Hills
St Paul’s Weston in Gordano Walton in Gordano VILLAGE COFFEE ‘Welcome In’ Community Café MORNINGS
First Saturday in month at 10.30 10.30-12 noon in the church am on the 4th Saturday of each Join us for a cup of tea and home month made cake
ALL SAINTS’ COMMUNITY COFFEE MORNING
in All Saints Church Vestry
Normally the third Tuesday in the month Next meeting Tuesday 18th June All welcome. Just turn up. No charge.
Please contact Parish Office 873257
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Wards
ADVERTISE IN THIS MAGAZINE
Contact Sandra at The Parish Office, The Rectory, All Saints Lane, Clevedon BS21 6AU 01275 873257 [email protected]
ALL SAINTS CHURCH FLOWERS
19th May - the lectern flowers are to celebrate the Baptism of Jameson Hollier.
If you would like to dedicate the lectern flowers for a particular occasion, e.g. a special anniversary or in memory of a loved one, there are leaflets available to fill in with your message. These special occasions will be recorded on the pew sheet and in the magazine. Any donations, either one-offs or regular, are most welcome. Suggested minimum donation of £10. For more information please contact Mo King on 875527.
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35 BENEFICE BIRTHDAYS IN JUNE
1st Isabella Florence Thatcher 3 1st Leo Colton Breeds 3 6th Cara Rose Bennett 9 8th Chloe Louise Conn 7 13th Chloe Jean Hearse 4 16th Celina Saskia Manuela Schulz 11 16th Freddie James Jones-Fisher 4 20th Marley Jax Povey 5 26th Harvey Elliot Wilson 11 28th Georgia Rose Van-Romunde 5
FROM THE REGISTERS…
FUNERALS 14th May Weston s Mare Christopher Morris 16th May St Mary’s Robert Forsyth
BAPTISMS 5th May All Saints Paige Durrant 19th May All Saints Jameson Hollier
We remember the above in our prayers.
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LAST WORD
'You cannot make life better just by increasing its quantity. What matters most is quality. It's perhaps regrettable that our English version of the creed speaks of "the life everlasting" - as if life just goes on and on for an indefinitely long time. A better translation would be "eternal life." [...] When we confess we believe in eternal life, we're not talking about the duration of life but about a relationship. In the person of Jesus, we find ourselves drawn into a quality of life that is so rich that it can only be described as eternal. Jesus says, "I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly."'
Ben Meyers The Apostles' Creed: A Guide to the Ancient Catechism
OPEN CHURCH St Michael’s, Clapton in Gordano Open every Sunday from 10.30 am until 5 pm until the end of September.
This beautiful church is well worth a visit!
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FISH ‘N’ CHIPS
St Mary’s Church Hall on 1st Friday of each month next lunches are on 7th June and 5th July
All are welcome but especially those living on their own and those whom you know who would enjoy and benefit from it (not restricted to church members).
Please let Angela Hector (871247) know if you would like to partake by the previous Wednesday so that the fish can be ordered.
PRJ advert
38 Groups open to everyone:
HOUSE GROUPS St Mary’s Group – 2nd Tuesday - contact Sally and William King (881101) All Saints Group – monthly on Tuesday 2.30 pm (Contact Sue Sallis 871693) Weston in Gordano Group – 3rd Tuesday each month at 11.00 am followed by lunch, (Contact Robb Robinson 01275 399097) Coffee and Conversation - Thursdays fortnightly 11 am-12.30 at 5 Chestnut Grove (Caroline Sackley 792212) Contemplative Prayer Group – on a Friday TBA at 27a Dial Hill Road (Sisters of the Church) 01275 544471
CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE IN OUR BENEFICE
We have two Sunday morning groups that meet every Sunday at All Saints, except the 1st Sunday in the month which is a family service. We always begin all together in church, before the young people go to their groups, returning in time for Communion.
Sunday Club is our group for children aged pre-school to Year 5 at All Saints. After the start of the service, we go to our space in the Parish Rooms. Children in Reception and younger must be accompanied by an adult. We have fun together and explore our Christian faith with games, crafts, stories and more!
Next Step is our youth group at All Saints for those in Year 6 and above. It meets at the same time as Sunday Club, but in the Vestry. We sit around on beanbags, laugh together, and discuss our faith through activities and reading the Bible. There are also social events from time to time – look out for details!
LITTLE SAINTS Meets at 2 pm on Thursday in the Vestry at All Saints Church. Craft activity, songs and refreshments. All pre-school children and carers welcome. Contact Parish Office 873257
Little Lights Children’s Choir is a monthly children’s choir at St Peter & St Paul’s led by Lucy, a professional singing teacher, and Martin, the curate who plays the guitar! We welcome all primary aged children (pre-schoolers must come with an adult) to sing upbeat Gospel-type songs, enjoy musical games, and grow in skills and confidence. Each session is free of charge, lasts an hour and includes a drink and snack. There are regular opportunities for the children to perform in church, and contribute to our worship and celebrations. Come and try it out! Contact Rev’d Martin for more details (contact details overleaf)
39 STAFF
Prebendary Noël Hector The Rectory, All Saints’ Lane, BS21 6AU (Rector) (Tel:873257) email: [email protected]
The Rev’d Sister Anita CSC St Gabriel’s, 27a Dial Hill Road, BS21 7HL (Associate Priest) (Tel:544471) [email protected]
The Rev’d Caroline Sackley 5 Chestnut Grove, Clevedon BS21 7LA (Associate Priest) (Tel:792212) [email protected]
The Rev’d Nicholas Maddock 3 Friary Close, Clevedon, BS21 7QA (Associate Priest) (Tel: 870751) [email protected]
The Rev’d Martin Little, M.A. 74 Walton Road, Clevedon, BS21 6AN (Curate) (Tel:876269 mob: 07816955713) email: [email protected] Lay Ministers Mrs Angela Hector, M.Sc. 52 Thackeray Avenue, Clevedon, BS21 7TA (Tel:871247)
Mrs Robb Robinson, B.Ed Boxwood Cottage, Clevedon Road,
Weston in Gordano BS20 8PU (Tel:399097)
Safeguarding Officer Mrs Katherine Crowe (07772165805)
Hall Bookings: All Saints’ Parish Rooms: Trish & John Dean Tel: 07763295495 (Texts preferred) email: [email protected] St Mary’s Church Hall: Mrs Diana Fleming Tel: 01275 875081
Parish Secretary: Mrs Sandra Sallis, The Parish Office, The Rectory Tel: 873257. Normally open: Tuesdays 10am-1pm; Wednesdays 9am-1pm&2am-3pm; Thursdays 9am-1pm; Fridays 9am-1pm. [email protected]; www.eastclevedonchurches.co.uk
CHURCHWARDENS
All Saints’ East Mrs Kay Osborne, 2 Seymour Close BS21 6DU (342013) Clevedon with Mrs Monica Gore, 4 Plumers Close, Clevedon BS21 5AW (791764) St Michael’s, Clapton in Gordano
St Mary’s Walton Cheryl Parry, 10 Edward Road West, BS21 7DY (873723) Mrs Diana Fleming, Flat 5, 29 Edgehill Road, Clevedon BS21 7BZ (875081)
St Paul’s Mrs Sue Betts, 1 Kings Road, Portishead, BS20 8HH (848645) Walton in Gordano Mrs Sheri Russell, 1 Manor Cottages, Walton in G, BS21 7AN (873136)
St Peter & St Paul Mr John Bridges, The Bellows, Clevedon Road, Weston in Gordano Weston in Gordano BS20 8PU (843380) Mr Ian Robinson, Boxwood Cottage, Clevedon Road, Weston in Gordano BS20 8PU (399097)
Contact for St Michael’s Clapton in Gordano - Peter Hills (01275 858809)
Website: www.eastclevedonchurches.co.uk Facebook pages : All Saints East Clevedon Church; St40 Marys Clevedon; St Pauls Church Walton in Gordano; St Peter and St Paul’s Church, Weston in Gordano