New Blackmore Vale, July 9, 2021
Our Loose Canon...
with Canon Eric Woods DL
Be encouraged by gift of encouragement In my last column, I had a whinge about whingers – and acknowledged the contradiction in that. So it seems only right to ask today if there is an antidote to our current preoccupation with whingeing about, well, everything. I think there is, and I find it in what we know of the Apostle Barnabas – one of the second wave of apostles, and great supporter of St Paul. We know from the Acts of the Apostles that he was born on Cyprus, and died there. His parents had named him Joseph. But Barnabas was the name the other apostles gave him, and in Acts [4.36] we learn that it means “son of encouragement”. How lovely that they gave him that name because
“encouraging” was what he did, and did often. So it is good to be reminded today that encouragement is one of the most precious things we can give to one another. When the coronavirus reached the UK, I was hugely encouraged by the fact that our politicians, of all parties, seemed to be pulling together. Now they have dissolved back into their old habits of carping and criticising. The best – perhaps the only – antidote to that is a loving word, an affirming word, a word of encouragement. It costs nothing. It is an act of love. Yet how seldom we encourage one another as we should. You see, when Jesus told his disciples to love one another, he did not mean that they should love in a
vague, generalised sort of way. He meant that they should use their imaginations actively to love and care for one another. Christian love must be expressed in thoroughly practical, concrete, tangible terms, or else it is not love at all. It must be expressed in real and positive ways, in and through things we can touch and see and smell and taste and hear. I am writing this on the first rainy day we have had for weeks – which for farmers and gardeners is itself a great encouragement. My wife, who volunteers regularly at the Vale Pantry and the Community Chest Boutique in Sturminster Newton, tells me of the great generosity of those who donate food and comestibles to the former, and
clothing, shoes and jewellery to the latter. And I hear of small acts of kindness and encouragement nearly every day, not least from our many good friends in Sherborne who keep in touch (it’s amazing to think I have now been retired for over a year!). A long time ago the English poet and painter William Blake – immortalised in the hymn known today as Jerusalem – wrote that “He who would do good to another must do it in Minute Particulars: General Good is the plea of the scoundrel, hypocrite and flatterer.” Exactly. So why not aim to be a “Barnabas” to those around you – and give them the gift of encouragement in these difficult times?
boxed £5 01258 473715. Pair of 2 piece wood corner cabinets, c/w glass shelves. Painted light grey. VGC. £50. 01963 202931. Yamaha PSR6000 keyboard, c/w manual. Home use only, immaculate condition. Collector’s item. £99. 01963 202931. Panasonic Viera 42” Plasma TV TH42PX60B Built in stand 2 glass shelves Freeview. Excellent condition. Good working order £70 01935 851076. Bosch Aquatak1500 pressure washer trigger gun. Serial no. FO16 FO3 211 Brand new. Sealed packaging £65. Bosch Aquatak 1500 pressure washer jet nozzle +cable holder. FO16 FO3 211 Brand new sealed packaging £35. Srixon Men’s all weather golf glove (left hand) M/L White. New. £10. 01935 851076. Royal Doulton Shire Horse £25. Various China Shires from £10. 01202 696603. Playmobil sets includes pirates
boat & raft, pirate island, Egyptian camel tomb raiders, chariot, soldiers, plus lots of accessories £40 lot 01747 835680. 8x6 wooden sun room dismantled and needs repairs, buyer to collect. Donations to Penny Llamas & Alpaca rescue £50 01725 552061. Playmobil sets includes stables, paddock, petting & hamster sets wedding & fairy sets lots of figure & accessories £40 lot 01747 835680. Callaway Razr Hawk golf driver 10.5 degrees carbon shaft Callaway head cover Good condition £50 01935 851076. Odyssey golf putter white steel (2 ball SRT) with Odyssey head cover. Good condition £60 01935 851076. Mizuno golf recovery wedges 20, 23, 26 degrees with Mizuno head covers. Good condition £30 each. Men’s black leather golf shoes. Brogue style fringe flap Cotswold brand Size 41/7 Almost new £35 01935 851076.
Pole cat and ferret kits, £20. 01258 817161. Galvanised water tank, 36inches long x 15inches wide x 16inches high. Ideal for plants, £50. 01258 817161. Two 33" televisions in working order £20 each, Shower seat, padded swivel top, blue £10. 01963 440741 Red deer antlers 10 points £80 01963 440741. 6.4 mtr width 3 sliding door system complete with steel frame doors & tracking - £1,000. Linde E.18P Forklift Truck, super machine, selling due to retirement - £4.000. Tel 01258 860725 or 07968 315719. Overordered off white undercoat paint 15 litres plus 10 litres of top coat. Make is Johnsons Paid £190. Offers to 01747 840772. Electric riser recliner tip up armchair double motor hardly used cost new £1249 free delivery and set up £390 ono 01202 571839. Forest marble (Long burton) walling stone for sale, 5 1/2
Items for Sale IKEA Poäng chair black leather VGC, £40. Belfast sink £35. 01935 812233. Quantity of jam, honey and chutney jars available. 01747 823410. 2x record sash cramps 72" excellent condition £55 the pair phone 01722 711456. Gramophone records, 33s, 45s and 78s x 150. £25. 01935 423088.. Yamaha Portatone electronic keyboard with stand. Full working condition. £50. Tel. 01747 823168. Milenco towing mirrors £30 awning mat 2.3x2.5m box screw pegs £10 vango clothes drier £20 01747 821538.. Pale green 3 piece suite. 3 seater settee. 2 arm chairs. Very good condition. £50. 07731 580011. Fridgemaster counter top freezer. VGC. £30. Russell Hobbs 3tier food steamer. Unused, boxed £10. Pirate boots, men’s 10/11 boxed black £10. 01258 473715. Rhinos fan heater, unused, 34
