Celebrating Rural Life
Fen Group Rogation Sunday Walk to be joined by the Bishop of Ely
The Bishop of Ely, Stephen Conway, will join members of the congregation of the Grunty Fen Group of parishes on Sunday 29th May for a Rogationtide Walk celebrating the joys of rural life.
The Sunday before the Ascension is known as Rogation Sunday. In many communities, this used to be a day to walk the parish boundaries, with a variety of rites and practices, and to pray for God’s blessing on the crops.
(Historically, Rogationtide also included days of fasting and prayer, in preparation to celebrate the Ascension).
A group from Witchford will leave St Andrew’s Church, carrying some corn; a group from Wilburton will leave St Peter’s Church, carrying some soil; a group from Haddenham will leave Holy Trinity Church, carrying some water. The walkers will meet Bishop Conway at the boundary of Wilburton and Wentworth, and go on to St Peter’s Wentworth, where the corn, soil and water will form integral elements of a special service celebrating life in the villages.
The Service will include prayers for farmers and this year’s harvest across the world as well as the lives of our local communities The Service will be followed by a shared tea, provided by each of the Churches.
Canon Fiona Brampton, the incumbent, said today: “Although not many members of our churches are involved in farming any more, as we drive from one village to another for our shared ministry, we have a clear vision of just how rural a community we are. It would not be practical to ‘beat the bounds’ of the four parishes, as this would probably take a couple of days. Since there are a number of footpaths across the fields, we decided that walks would start at three of the village churches – Witchford, Wilburton and Haddenham – and meet at a central point, from whence we would proceed to the 4th church, Wentworth.”
She added: “We have invited members from the other denominations in our villages to join us, and also the families who are connected to us through after-school activities. Those who are walking, who are also dog owners, are welcome to bring their dogs – which will add an interesting dimension to the service! As yet, we don’t know how many people will be coming. Not everyone will be able to walk, and those who wish to attend the service without walking are most welcome (and hopefully will give walkers a lift home). In each church we are organising shared cars, and lifts for those without transport.
In September 2008, the two parishes of St Peter, Wentworth and St Andrew, Witchford joined with the two parishes of Holy Trinity, Haddenham, and St Peter, Wilburton, to become known locally as the Grunty Fen Group.