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June 2020 June 2020

keep moving forward. There are also many pictures in the Bible that remind us of BRIANTSPUDDLE VILLAGE SHOP
God’s love and care for us in every situation. We are used to the saying that a
child is ‘the apple of his or her father’s eye’. That saying originates in the Bible,
where several times God says that His people are ‘the apple of His eye’ and that Your village shop – not just for covid 19!
He is always watching over them and caring for them. The word ‘apple’ in
Hebrew really means the ‘pupil’ of the eye, and what surrounds and guards the As I write this the government are starting to ease the
pupil is the eyelid. God is like an eyelid which instinctively protects the tender eye restrictions on our lives – I wonder whether by the time
from danger, and by blinking helps to remove dirt or dust. It keeps sweat out of you read this that will have continued, I for one
the eye, it lubricates the eyeball, keeping it healthy, it closes, allowing rest. This is certainly hope so. Whilst we are very fortunate to live
an unusual picture of God’s care for us, but one that can really encourage us in in this beautiful area and I have probably seen my
these present days. God’s love is always so close, so we need never feel lonely, family more via zoom this last 8 weeks than I would
and His care and concern is constant. When we close our eyes at night and normally see them in a year as they live away, I for
open them in the morning we can think of God and praise Him for His tender one have found not being able to give someone a
protection and care for us. hug or to sit and have a cup of tea or glass of wine
with a group of friends the most difficult.
If you are not sure how to praise God use the familiar hymn “Praise my soul, the
King of heaven” as a help and a guide, the words will be a real source of I am immensely proud of the way in which the shop and post office have been
encouragement to you. If you are of the older generation you will probably able to meet the needs of our community. With the help of amazing volunteers,
we have been delivering papers and groceries. We have been able to widen the
remember the words from school days, if you are younger, the words can be
range of produce and stock much more fresh fruit and veg. And the volunteers
found on the internet!
who have been ensuring we all adhere to social distancing whilst waiting to go
“May the Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face to shine upon you into the shop and those delivering have provided a much needed break for
and be gracious to you; the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.” many in the isolation and boredom.
Numbers 6:24-26
As we start to see life go back to normal, I

really hope the shop continues to be a
Just a smile central part of village life. If you have used it
as a customer or volunteered for the first
An elderly couple died and
time, I really hope you want to continue. We
were received by St. Peter
can obviously only stock a wider fresher
into heaven. No words
range of groceries if they are purchased so
could describe their
please keep coming in and buying not only
happiness. A little
the pint of milk you ran out of but your fresh
reproachfully the husband
said to his wife: “If you veg for the weekend and the essentials in
hadn’t come up with all your weekly shop.
those health foods we could When this goes to print we will have installed
have been here years ago”. contactless card payments in the shop making it easier to shop at weekends
when the post office is closed.

A child on his way home from school decided to call in the church and have a During the “lockdown” I was able to serve the shop in a practical way by
look round. When he arrived home he told his grandmother he had been in ensuring social distancing was followed. I have felt completely privileged to get
God’s house. “Oh”, said Grandma, “and did you see God?” “No”, replied the to know people a bit better, meet lots of new people and enjoy being part of an
little boy, “but I saw His wife scrubbing the floor.” amazing community.

Please help us to continue to provide this invaluable resource in our parish by
The Rector announced, “After the blessing the bishop will leave and we shall sing, using the village shop whenever and however you are able.
‘Now thank we all our God’.”

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