This past Sunday, we celebrated Rogation Sunday, a traditional time when the church prays deliberately for our farming communities and the land that sustains us.I’ll admit, Rogation Sunday crept up on me a little this year! Historically, this day involved the "Beating of the Bounds", a parish-wide walk where the community marked their boundaries with willow branches, prayed for God’s blessing on the water and soil, and finished with a celebration (and some traditional "Rogation beer").While we missed the walk (and the beer) this time around, the heart of the tradition remains: acknowledging that we live in a created order we do not control, and asking God to fill the gaps that we cannot.The Lesson of the Veg PatchLast week, Tracey and I planted our vegetable patch. It looked smart, but by the next day, the seedlings looked sad and weary. I watered them, but they still struggled. Then, overnight, the rains came; that gentle, consistent rain that cleans the air and wakes up the earth. By morning, those green shoots were standing tall.It was a humble reminder of Deuteronomy 11:13-14. There is a direct connection between our relationship with God and the health of our land. When we love and serve Him with all our heart, He provides the "early and late rains." It’s a joint enterprise: we plant, but God provides the growth.A Faith That Gets Its Boots DirtyCaring for God’s creation isn't just for farmers; it’s a lifestyle for all of us. Our love for God is manifested in our everyday choices:Our Shopping Baskets: Buying locally and reducing food miles.Our Stewardship: Recycling and encouraging garden wildlife.Our Neighbours: Keeping an eye out for farmers wearing Yellow Wellies. (Did you know that yellow wellies are often a sign that a farmer is struggling with mental health? A simple "how are you?" is a profound act of loving your neighbour.)The "Internal Rain"In our readings from James and John, we see that faith requires active waiting. Like a farmer waiting for a crop, we don't just sit idle; we pray with expectation.But we don't do this in our own strength. Just as the earth needs physical rain, our souls need the "internal rain" of the Holy Spirit. Jesus promised us an Advocate who abides in us. The same power that sustains the universe dwells in ordinary, "messed up," and broken people like us to help us build His kingdom.Your "Rogation Task" this WeekAs you go about your daily life, I invite you to take on a small challenge:Pray specifically for our local farmers and the challenges they face.Reflect on your purchases, how does your treatment of the environment reflect your love for God?Notice the Bounds: You don’t just live in a parish; you live within the bounds of God’s presence.Whether we are planting seeds in the soil or seeds of kindness in our streets, remember: we are never alone in our labours. The Holy Spirit is the rain that makes it all grow.Amen.Fr. Martin
Make your voice heard and hear about the life of our church family. Our Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM) and the Meeting for the Election of Churchwardens will be held this spring.This is an essential gathering where we review the past year, present financial reports, and look forward to the future vision of St Anne’s and celebrate all the good things that are going on in the parish church. It is also the occasion to elect Churchwardens and members to the Parochial Church Council (PCC).All parishioners are welcome, but only those on the Electoral Roll are entitled to vote. We hope to see you there.When: Sunday, 10th May 2026Time: 12:00 pm (Following the morning service)Where: Inside St Anne's Church
This Sunday, we dove into a Gospel reading that can feel a "wee bit confusing." Jesus describes himself as both the gate and the shepherd at the same time! To make sense of it, we looked at the passage verse by verse, stripping away our modern images of lush green fields and replacing them with the rugged, dusty reality of ancient Israel.Here is a recap of what we learned about finding our way through the noise of the world.1. Setting the SceneIn Woodplumpton, we are used to well-fenced fields and safe countrysides. But the context Jesus was teaching in was much more dangerous. The "sheep-pen" was often just a rough enclosure with one opening. At night, the shepherd would literally lie down across that opening. He became the gate. Nothing could get to the sheep without going through him. This wasn't just a job; it was a life-and-death commitment.2. Competing VoicesRight from the start, Jesus presents us with two types of voices: the Good Shepherd and the "thieves and bandits."We live in a world of competing forces fighting for our hearts and souls. Every day, we are bombarded by voices telling us how to act, what to buy, and who to be. The question for us today is: Which voice are you allowing to speak into your hopes and fears?3. A Voice You Can RecogniseOne of the most beautiful things about the Good Shepherd is that he doesn't drive his flock from behind; he leads from the front. The sheep follow him because they know his voice.I’m often asked, "How can I hear from God?" My answer is usually simple: Read your Bible. If you want to hear the audible voice of God, try reading it out loud! Whether your Bible is sat on a shelf gathering dust or is dog-eared and held together with duct tape, that is where the Shepherd speaks to us today.The Lamb from Devon There is a lovely story from a shepherdess named Phoebe. She once sold a hand-reared lamb to a local farmer. Two years later, she was walking through those same fields and a sheep came sprinting toward her, nuzzling her pockets. Even after years apart, that sheep remembered her voice.4. Trusting the LeaderThe Pharisees of Jesus’ time led through power and ego. But the Kingdom of God is built on service. We can trust the voice of Jesus because he has been appointed by God and has our best interests at heart. He knows you intimately, by name, and his motive is never self-interest, but your protection and growth.How to Stay "Tuned In"To trust a voice, you have to know it. We can stay tuned to the Shepherd through three simple, tried-and-tested methods:Reading and dwelling on the Word of God.Praying and communicating as we journey through our week.Gathering together at St Anne’s to meet Jesus in word and sacrament.Conclusion: Life to the FullThe world is full of influencers and "travel bloggers" offering a version of the perfect life. But eventually, the gloss fades. The new becomes old, and the adventure becomes routine.The "thief" comes to steal and destroy the truth of who you are. But the Good Shepherd comes so that you may have life to the full. The one who spoke you into existence and knows the number of hairs on your head has a plan for you that is better than anything you could imagine.This week, amid the chorus of the world, listen for the one who is calling your name.Fr Martin
Finding Jesus on the Wrong Road: Reflections on Doubt and the Journey of FaithYou’ve likely heard the phrase "journey of faith" more times than you can count. Lately, it seems pilgrimages are having a bit of a cultural revival, and for good reason. Whether we are literally walking a trail or simply navigating the terrain of daily life, every one of us is on a journey that comes with its own peaks and valleys.In the book of Acts, Peter urges his listeners to be baptised. It’s a powerful moment of beginning—receiving the gifts of forgiveness and the Holy Spirit. But as many of us know, baptism isn't the finish line; it’s the starting blocks.Living It OutWhile the Holy Spirit dwells within us, transforming us from the inside out, faith requires "doing." It’s a daily practice of:Reading Scripture: Moving beyond Sunday mornings to find God in the pages of the Bible at home or in small groups.Persistent Prayer: Carrying one another in prayer during our quiet moments.These habits help us grow deeper into God. But what happens when the path gets dark? What do we do when we aren't even sure we’re on the right road anymore?The Road to Emmaus: Walking AwayOne of the most encouraging stories in the New Testament is the walk to Emmaus. If you look closely at the passage, you’ll notice something vital: the two disciples were walking away from Jerusalem.They were confused, angry, and vocal about their disappointment. They had followed Jesus, but he hadn't lived up to their expectations. He had died. Nothing made sense. So, they did what many of us do when we feel let down—they distanced themselves.A Hard Truth: On our own journeys, we all have seasons like this. Sometimes we need to express our doubts. Sometimes the Christian community feels claustrophobic, or faith loses its vibrancy. If we’re being really honest, there are days when we aren't sure we believe at all.When Faith is Taken ApartI remember a time during my own training for the priesthood at Liverpool Cathedral when my faith felt like it was being pulled apart. Everything I had taken "as gospel" was suddenly questioned, analysed, and reordered. It was an incredibly challenging season, but in hindsight, it was a healthy one.To truly own our faith, to have a deep, authentic relationship with the risen Jesus, we have to be allowed to ask questions. We have to turn to Scripture and to each other to figure out what we actually believe, rather than just reciting what we’ve been told.The Real Presence in the Breaking of BreadIn the midst of that season of questioning, I found one anchor: Holy Communion.Even when I felt "far off" or uncertain, I believed in the power of the consecrated bread and wine. I believe that the real presence of Jesus is found there, whether we are in a season of fervent belief or deep doubt.The disciples on the road to Emmaus didn’t recognise Jesus while they were arguing and doubting. They recognised him in the breaking of the bread.He Walks With YouThe Emmaus road reminds us that the risen Christ comes toward us and walks alongside us—even when we are walking in the wrong direction. You may not recognise him at first. Spiritual guidance often arrives in ways that aren't obvious. Sometimes, it’s only by looking back that we see how Christ’s story and our own have been woven together.If you are in a season of exploration, doubting, or questioning, take heart. These are not signs of failure; they are part of the rich journey of faith. Jesus is before you, behind you, and beside you, always waiting to make himself known.Amen.Fr Martin.
