Edgehill churches - Loving God, Serving People, Growing Community How can we thrive in a VUCA world? October 2021 In 1987 the US military coined the acronym VUCA to online, we’ll discover a solution and find a way to control describe the turbulence and unpredictability of the post- the outcome. This rarely, if ever, helps. Chronic worry- Cold War era. ing won’t give us more control over a VUCA world; it The corporate world has since adopted VUCA to de- just stops us being able to enjoy the present, saps our scribe challenges in the business environment, and energy, sours our mood, and keeps us awake. VUCA also has a massive impact There are some things that I’ve found at an individual level: VUCA stands for: help in coping with life in our VUCA • Unsure if we’ll have a job as world: furlough ends • VOLATILITY 1. Acknowledge how you feel. We • Waiting for a diagnosis, or a A world that is constantly and rapidly sometimes live with an undercurrent date for an operation changing. of anxiety that we rarely name. Find • Hard to make any long-term • UNCERTAINTY a space where you can be quiet and plans as we are unsure what Difficult to predict how events will reflect on how you are feeling. It can the rules will be unfold help to write this down in a journal. • Uncertain whether COVID • COMPLEXITY 2. Share how you’re feeling with restrictions will impact on people who you can trust to keep it wedding or holiday plans There are multiple factors need to be confidential. I’ve written before considered • And loads more about the cathartic effect of being listened to. Even the uncertainty of waiting • AMBIGUITY for the result of a lateral flow or Nothing is black and white 3. Focus on the short term. It’s easy PCR test can be stressful. to get overwhelmed by long term uncertainty, so focus on now and just A recent example of VUCA in our world is seen in the take the next step. What one thing can you do now, potential for delays to NHS operations due to lower- that will help with you or your family’s immediate than-expected winds in the UK in 2021. To explain… needs? Some NHS operations need CO2, and 50% of the UK 4. Where possible, return to familiar places and activi- CO2 is a by-product of fertiliser plants... These plants had to be shut down because high demand has increased ties that build you up and bring you happiness the price of gas… Demand for gas is high due to a faster 5. Pray... I know I’ve said this before. Telling God how than expected recovery from lockdowns, combined with we feel (shouting at him if necessary), and asking for lower than usual output from wind and solar power. his wisdom, strength and peace (shalom) to help us The complex web of supply chains that enable our econ- cope, can make a huge difference. omy to run are invisible to most of us, but we all feel the Before he died Jesus promised his disciples the gift of impact when their normal running is affected by VUCA. his shalom (John 14:27). Shalom is a Hebrew word that In the last 18 months we have lived through a higher means peace in English, but in Hebrew it means so much than usual level of VUCA, and I think we will see a lot more. Shalom means peace, harmony, wholeness, com- more of it in the months and years ahead. Looking back pleteness, and tranquillity. It is a deep sense of being in history there have been lots of similar periods of high known and loved that can help us cope through times of VUCA during wars, pandemics, economic crashes, politi- turbulence and change. cal upheavals, famines, earthquakes, and more. In fact, Jesus gave shalom to his disciples to help them navigate it’s perhaps far more unusual for the world to be a place the VUCA world of the early church, and it is still some- of stability and predictability. Volatility, uncertainty, thing he offers people today. complexity and ambiguity are here to stay; VUCA is the We will be exploring what this shalom is like as part of old and new normal, so how do we live in a VUCA our new Explore course that’s available online from world? week beginning 11th October (details overleaf). If you One of the ways we often try to manage VUCA is to are looking for new ways to cope with a VUCA world, worry; maybe if we just analyse a problem long enough, you would be welcome to join us. work through every possibility, or read every opinion Rev Barry Jackson St Peter’s and benefice web site- www.edgehillchurches.org St Peter’s Church, Kineton and Church Services for October 2021 St Mary & St Margaret’s Church, Combroke St Peter’s Church, Kineton & Vicar St Mary & St Margaret’s Church, Combroke The Rev Barry Jackson The Vicarage, Warwick Road, Kineton, CV35 0HW Oct 3rd Kineton 10.00am Simply Harvest 01926 640248 [email protected] Oct 10th Combroke 9.00am Communion Associate Ministers Kineton 10.30am Communion The Rev Dr Richard Cooke (Warmington Rectory) Oct 17th Kineton 8.30am BCP Communion tel:07952 544820 email: [email protected] Kineton 10.30am Morning Worship The Rev Dr Beren Hartless tel:01926 642975 Oct 24th Kineton 10.30am Communion email: [email protected] Oct 31st Combroke Benefice Communion Readers Peter Ashton, Alan Hill Churchwardens Kineton Alex Gunn and Nick Gunn 01926 FUNERAL 642589 Melanie Dowden 07912 983518 Combroke Sarah Gordon Richard Archer (previously of Little Pittern, Bridgewater 01789 507362 Kineton) died 22 August 2021 Aged 75 Baptisms Heidi Cartledge 01926 641751 [email protected] Weddings and Funerals The Vicar (see above) Funeral held at Chilterns Crematorium Amersham Bell ringing Nick Gunn 01926 642589 www.edgehillchurches.org facebook.com/edgehillchurches MIDWEEK ECUMENICAL SERVICE Kineton Methodist Church, Southam Street Thursday 7th October at 11am Minister: Rev Richard Wilde 07971 218356 at St Peter’s Church Kineton www.kinetonmethodist.org.uk A monthly ecumenical communion service Services for October 2021 at 10.30am unless stated otherwise October 3rd: No service SERVICES IN THE EDGEHILL CHURCHES October 10th: Local arrangement TBA We are delighted that we are open again for October 17th: Service at St Peter’s: Mr Trevor Pethick services in our churches! October 24th: Rev Richard Wilde In order to make it as safe as possible for everyone, there are of October 31st: 11am Rural Mission Service at Mickleton course some things we are asking people to do as we gather: The Methodist Church Hall will have limited availability for regular hirers from October 1st. Please contact Gillian Grayson Smith on • If you have any signs of Coronavirus infection, 01926 640203 or email [email protected] please don’t come… but please do let us know so that we can pray for you St Francis RC Church, Southam St, Kineton • Please sanitise your hands as you enter the building Father David Tams Tel: 01608 685259 [email protected] • Please wear a face covering whilst moving around in church. Mass: Sundays 11am. Also most Mondays at 10am but please This can be removed when seated, provided that you are check website www.stfrancis-kineton.co.uk able to maintain social distancing of 2m. SIMPLY HARVEST • We are delighted that we can sing again in church – but we require you to wear a face covering if you want to sing. Sun 3rd oct 10.30am Thank you for helping us help one another! In church and online* A time with God for everyone, with drama, activities, ST PETER’S KINETON ONLINE fun, songs and more. Our young people help lead the We will be continuing our services on YouTube service with videos of them doing Bible readings, leading Links to all services and meetings can be prayers, acting in dramas, leading the actions in songs (all readings & scripts provided by email). found on edgehillchurches.org/online/ If your young people would like to take part, please contact Barry on [email protected] Edgehill Churches CONNECT invite you to A practical A life group for 11-15 year olds exploration of Films, video clips, pizza, chill & chat about God, life, the universe and everything. the Christian Sun 3rd Oct 6-7.30pm faith More details Sarah 07801 303641 From week beginning 11th October A series of short online videos and discussions C O M B RO O K in groups meeting online, in pubs or various COFFEE MORING homes in the area Thursdays 11am–12 noon Explore is a 5 session course that provides an oppor- Combrook Village Hall, tunity to explore the Christian faith online and in a friendly, open and informal environment. PINTS OF VIEW Everyone Welcome Sunday 24th Oct at 6pm in the Swan Details from [email protected] Whatever your pint of choice, come & share your point of view. Each month we explore a theme or story from the news. Banbury and I also worked as a cover lunchtime supervisor in A Teatime Chat the school and selling Usborne books. Sadly, our marriage end- ed in 2003, so we never really finished the house and it’s still a bit of a mess. I’ve been working as a pharmacist for the com- with.. munity health services in Birmingham for the last 18 years but I recently went down to three days a week. Melanie Dowden Mill Lodge, Banbury What are you best known for in the village? Road, Kineton Well, for a start, maybe for having children with reputa- Born: Chesterfield tions…..but I now have four lovely grandchildren from Maggie 11th June 1959.