The service engineer came in from the
benefice office to the vicarage and
asked "Is there anyone here who can
pronounce the last rites on the
photocopier?" He was joking of
course, at my expense, but his
question reminded me of the
theological discussion as to whether
one should bless inanimate objects.
Some say only people should be
blessed, an authoritative declaration
of divine favour. Whereas, others
would declare that a blessing of say,
the water of baptism or oil for anointing
the sick, is acceptable. It is a
sanctification (or making holy) of these
material things.
These arguments go back to a
fundamental one as to the uniqueness
of humanity. Are we set apart from
the rest of the creation? Certainly the
account of creation in the Bible gives
us that sense of being special. But is
that simply because we are the most
developed of sentient beings? As
those with the greatest capacity to
understand the universe we surely have
a particular responsibility this is
analogous to the parent-child
relationship that we are familiar with
the parent cares for the child so too
we should care for those less well
developed parts of creation.
dressings begins this month and I will
have no qualms about blessing the
wells and the people standing around.
As we walk the parish boundaries at
Rogation I will bless the fields, the
animals and the crops since this
entire wonderful world is God's
creation. By pronouncing a blessing
we are acknowledging the sanctity of
God's creation and are reminded of our
thankfulness and responsibility
towards the world.
offenders stole an agricultural trailer
from a farmyard in Tideswell, and also
attempted to force entry to a wooden
storage shed.Overnight on 19/20th
April, offenders forced the doors to
gain entry to a garage at a property
in Froggatt, Calver, and stole a garden
mower and tractor. Recently, there
has been an increase in the number
of thefts of garden equipment from
sheds, outbuildings and garages.
Please check the security.
* lock your shed with a good quality
padlock (e.g. close shackle)
* door fittings (hinges, hasp and
staples) should be secured with coach
bolts or security screws and
reinforced at the back
* fit a grille or wire mesh to the inside
of windows
* chain tools together secure to walls
to prevent a burglar using them to
break into your home
* consider a ground anchor for
securing your belongings
* store fishing rods, golf clubs and
other expensive items in your home
*clearly mark your possessions with
your postcode and house number
* keep your shed in a good state of
repair
* think about installing an alarm and
security lighting
For more home security advice,
contact your local Crime Reduction
Officer, on 0845 123 33 33.
Please be extra vigilant, on the look
out and report anyone suspicious to
Derbyshire Police.
Priest, Rev'd Clive is retiring in June.
His last services will be on 10
this occasion please speak to the
wardens, Mike Hirst (640212) or Alan
Grant (640132)