Last month ended with two great Christian celebrations, Pentecost (or Whit Sunday) followed by Trinity Sunday.  The season after Pentecost is known in the church as “Ordinary Time” and the liturgical colour changes to green which symbolises the season of growing.  June is low-key by comparison, until the end of the month when we celebrate St Peter with a patronal festival at St Peter’s Church in Whatcote.

While writing this piece in the middle of May, blossom on the fruit trees is beginning to set.We see sheep and their lambs in the fields around us; everything is growing and in addition to the yellow flowers of the oil seed rape there are fields of purple: some are flax, others arePhacelia – a plant grown to improve soil quality. They give a colourful patchwork pattern to our countryside.  This kaleidoscope is not only an example of God’s creativity, but also of theimmense amount of work on the part of farmers and of the scientists who develop new varieties of crops which help to conserve the land and encourage wildlife.  Because we live in the heart of a farming area, I would ask you to remember the farm-workers who have to go out in all weathers, not just when the sun is shining.  One of the charities we have been supporting is the Farming Community Network which helps those we rely on to supply our food, especially the farmers who are struggling with increased costs, and, of course, the British weather!

We may look at the peaceful fields and think what an idyllic life farming is, but we don’t see the nights of lambing, the 3am milking and the relentless round of ploughing and harvesting,and trying to make the sums add up.  Especially in these uncertain times the stresses can lead to farmers giving up their life on the land, or in some cases completely giving up hope.  Sowe pray for farming and farmers working in harmony with God and for the FCN who supports them.
God bless you,
George
Revd George Heighton
Email re********@*****ok.com
Telephone 01295 680 201