Rogation is an opportunity to pray to God
for farming as the spring shoots and the
young animals begin to grow. Traditionally,
it has involved walking round the fields
and sometimes marking the boundaries
of the parish.
Last year, the Chaplaincy for Agriculture and Rural Life visited Churchfields Farm in
Salwarpe, near Droitwich. The Revd Phillip Jones explains:
“We visited a pasture where the cows graze in the warmer weather and saw other
meadows where grass is grown to be made into silage to feed the cows when they are
inside in the winter. We saw some of the cows themselves, including some ‘expectant
mums’ and looked at the milking parlour.”
“The young calves are reared in special pens next to a solar farm that helps power all
the electrical equipment on the farm, reminding us of the need for us to live in harmony
with creation. The farm was also planning a biomass boiler to burn carbon-neutral wood
pellets and supply all the heating and hot water needs of the farm.”
“During the visit, we gave thanks to God for his creation and for our good fortune in
sharing in it. We prayed for wise stewardship and care of our farm animals, and of
the land and its crops and asked God to bless farmers and all those who produce and
process our food.”
The Bowbrook Group of parishes is holding two services for Rogation, both on local
farms. Today there will be a service at Tibberton at 10.30am and next Sunday at
Hanbury at 11am. Vicar David Morris said: “Going out into nature is a celebration of
God’s creation and a celebration of farmers, who are co-creators with God.”
Pray for all the farmers across the Diocese.
Worcester East Deanery – Rural Dean:
Charles Thomas; Lay Chair: Michael Bunclark
Diocese of Ngbo (Nigeria):
Bishop Christian Ebisike
Diocese of Guildford: Bishop Andrew Watson
with Bishop Jo Wells (Dorking)
Diocese of Viborg (Denmark):
Bishop Henrik Stubkjær
