THIS AND THAT (88) On Monday, as is our wont in fine weather, we took lunch on the Vicarage forecourt. Red in tooth and claw The ancient Bramley apple tree on the lawn below us gladdened our hearts, a large slanting cloudbank of breeze trembling blossom. Two busy parent blue tits darted in undulating swoops back and forth to their nesting box by the kitchen window. A bright-eyed robin made a dash for the cover of dense jasmine near the kitchen window. Then a sudden, muffled thump and a sparrow-hawk flew lazily out and away from the house. In one of its talons a sad, fluffed bundle of doomed robin. Somewhere in our vicinity there is now a single-parented brood of hungry baby robins. A footling little tragedy compared to that in Nepal, but saddening to me none the less. The natural world, for all its grandeur and beauty, is a brutal one. Everything preys upon everything. That we human beings, as much a part of that natural world as anything else, should sometimes be saddened by its brutality is a sign of grace. That we can transcend such brutality to lead loving and compassionate lives is astonishing. That out of the cruel, vengeful, tit for tat Old Testament world should arise a New Testament world of turning the other cheek, love, compassion and forgiveness defies belief. Better still, it defies unbelief. Pork barrelling By the time this little article is printed we will know the outcome of the General Election. Before the Civil War in America, slaves were encouraged to compete against each other with the promise of a barrel of salt pork as a reward for success. A barrel of salt pork was also a staple of many larders in ordinary American households of the nineteenth century. James Fenimore Cooper, in one of his novels writes: I hold a family to be in a desperate way, when the mother can see the bottom of the pork barrel. Hence the term “pork-barrelling” for reward-offering politicians. I am more inclined to belt-tightening than pork-barrelling. Oh for a politician who is able successfully to popularise less not more as a moral necessity. Dream on. One of my favourite pieces of political verse, well worth airing after months of electioneering and televised vapidity, is by the eleventh century Chinese poet Su Tung P’o. It was written after the birth of his son: Families when a child is born, Want it to be intelligent. I through intelligence Having wrecked my whole life Only hope the baby will prove Ignorant and stupid. Then he will crown a tranquil life By becoming a Cabinet Minister. Holding up falling trousers George Orwell, in his essay: Looking Back on the Spanish Civil War wrote of encountering an enemy running away while trying to hold up his falling trousers. I had come here to shoot at ‘Fascists’ he wrote, but a man who is holding up his trousers isn’t a ‘Fascist’ he is visibly a fellow creature, similar to yourself…... Wise words. To hate effectively it is necessary to see enemies as objects not subjects, as impersonal categories not fellow human beings. Racism, homophobia and snobbery breakdown in us when we allow into our fellowship those we impersonalise and so begin to identify with them. A church congregation that is a rag tag and bobtail social mix of sinner and saint and of rich and poor encourages and allows this. Being ribbed At Children’s Club I was expatiating upon the Creation stories in my usual round about way. A young visiting child called Timothy seemed especially intent when told about Adam's wife, Eve, being created out of one of Adam’s ribs. Later in the week his mother noticed him lying down as though he were ill. She said, “Timothy, what is the matter?” He responded, “I have a pain in my side. I think I'm going to have a wife.” St John the Baptist, Boldre St Nicholas, Pilley Parish Priest: The Reverend Canon Andrew Neaum Phone: 01590 718439 Mobile 07808057168 Email: [email protected] St Mary the Virgin, South Baddesley Parish Priest: The Reverend Lynda Mead Phone: 023 8084 8901 Email: [email protected] Benefice Office (at St Nicholas Pilley) Office hours: Mon, Wed & Thurs: 9am-11am Phone: 01590 673484 Email: [email protected] Benefice Website: www.boldrechurches.co.uk TODAY: 10 May 2015 6th SUNDAY of EASTER St Mary’s South Baddesley: 8.00am Holy Communion BCP 9.30 Family Service St John’s Boldre 10.30am Holy Communion & Children’s Club Activities This Week . Mon 11 May - 7.00pm St Nicholas’ Pilley PCC Meeting Wed 13 May - 10.30am Holy Communion St Nicholas’ Pilley Thu 14 May - 7.00pm Fete Committee Meeting — Boldre Club For Prayer This Week Abroad: Diocese of Nike (Nigeria) Bishop Evans Ibeagha. Diocese of Björgvin (Norway) Bishop Halvor Nordhaug. Diocese of Southwark, Bishops Christopher Chessun, Richard Cheetham, Jonathan Clark, Michael Ipgrave; , their clergy and people. Diocese of Winchester: Bishops Timothy and Jonathan. The Benefice of Popley with Limes Park and Rooksdown St Gabriel, Arthur Botham, vicar and all its people. Benefice and District: Annette Ridout and the Flower Guild. The PCC meeting on Monday. Toby and Davina married yesterday and Caspar Quarrie to be christened today. Those for whom prayers are asked: David Balme, Colin Erne, Lucy Osborne Peter Watson, Janet, Robyn, Patricia, Bill, Pete. Rest in Peace: Martin Neville. Next Sunday 17 May: 7th SUNDAY of EASTER St Nicholas’ Chapel Pilley: 8.00am Holy Communion BCP St Mary’s South Baddesley: 9.30am Holy Communion CW St John’s Boldre 11.00am Annual Hood Memorial Service St Luke’s Sway 6.30pm Group Evensong Dates for the Diary 2015 Sat 30 May - Wedding, St John’s, Chris & Sophie, 2.00pm Sun 31 May - St Mary’s Celtic Liturgy Holy Communion Fri 5 Jun - Wedding, St Mary’s Nick and Barbel, 4.00pm Sat 6 Jun - William Gilpin School Fete, 12 noon till 3.00pm Sat 6 Jun - Wedding, St John’s, Giles & Rebecca, 2.00pm Sat 13 Jun - St Mary’s Church Fete, 2.00pm-5.00pm Sat 20 Jun - Wedding, St John’s, Nicholas & Alice, 1.00pm Sat 27 Jun - Wedding, St John’s, , Daniel & Amy, 12 noon Sat 27 Jun - Wedding, St John’s, Luke & Helen, 2.00pm Sun 28 Jun - St John’s Patronal Festival Evensong 6.30pm Sat 4 July - St John’s Church Village Fete 1.00pm-5.00pm Sun 5 July - St John’s: Farewell to Organist and family Sat 11 July - Boldre Produce Show Thu 16 July - St John’s Quinquennial Church Inspection Fri 17 July - St John’s Quinquennial morning only Retiring Collection for Nepal: Today & Next Sunday There is a retiring collection for the earthquake victims in Nepal today if anyone would like to make a donation. Cakes and Preserves Stall Many thanks to all those who contributed to and helped! Deanery Discipleship Week 1 June to 5 June, Mon to Fri an opportunity to be inspired, nourished and challenged. Join other ‘followers’ as our Deanery family comes together to share teaching, wisdom and a wealth of life experiences in the joyful challenge of following Jesus today. Venues across the Deanery (daytime and evening sessions) Put it in your diary now… full programme arriving soon! Invitation to Tea with Bishop Tim and Sally Dakin Bishop Tim and Sally invite you to tea in the garden of Wolvesey Palace, Winchester on Saturday 20 June from 3.pm. To support the work of Church Army Africa with children and families in Kenya. Tickets. £10. (See the Notice board for more details). Our Village Agent Village Agents are volunteers who can help older people to find information and services. Ours is Nick Walford (07806 659452)
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