Our Candlemas party turned out to be a wonderful evening with folk from all three churches represented. Outside it was very cold and by the time we left snow was falling but inside the atmosphere was warm and joyful. Tables were laid simply and effectively and quiz sheets from Dana kept us occupied, if stumped at times! The wonderful and varied contributions to the home-cooked cold buffet were delicious and plentiful and between our main course and desserts young people from the Longborough Opera Youth Chorus entertained with some lovely singing and playing. All in all it was a most enjoyable evening. Thanks must go to Anne, Sarah, Dana and all the other helpers and contributors.
It was lovely to welcome people to fill our church on Christmas Eve as we celebrated and retold the Christmas story with a service of six lessons and carols. In addition, there were short imaginary reflections from key characters in the story who "wouldn't have missed it for the world"! Dana gave a brief talk which involved chocolate and sprouts and the customary mulled wine, mince pies and shortbread were served afterwards. The singing was great, the church looked beautiful, the baby was placed in the crib by our youngest member (age not quite 2) and his mum, everybody did their bit and the new toilet was much appreciated! There was a real sense of community, warmth and praise. Thanks go to all the volunteers who contributed in so many ways. This service is becoming a bit of a tradition in our church. If you haven't been before, do join us if you are spending Christmas in Bourton on the hill or nearby. The church moves on from Christmas to Epiphany on 6th January (Twelfth night) and so, on 5th January, we held an evening communion service for Epiphany when the coming of the Magi (Wise men) is remembered and God's love for all peoples celebrated. This was a quieter service with just a dozen of us gathered there but the church still looked beautiful and the Wise men were placed in our crib in place of the shepherds (who had returned to their fields!). The crib stays out for the season of Epiphany until Candlemas at the beginning of February. The church is open every day if you would like to visit to see it. Do help yourself to a hot drink and biscuit if it is cold!
On 5th January at 9:30 am we will be joining with Ebrington congregation and friends from Blockley for a special service for Plough Sunday which is traditionally held in Ebrington. It will be a family friendly “service of the word” with prayer and readings as we ask God to bless the land and those who work with it.For people wishing to receive Holy Communion there will also be a traditional said Communion service at our own church of St.Lawrence at 6pm.Find out more about Plough Sunday in this article from the Diocese of Winchester.Plough Sunday is thought to be a very ancient festival, abandoned at the Reformation and then revived by the Victorians. Traditionally it was celebrated on the first Sunday after Epiphany, which falls on 6 January, and then ploughing began the next day, Plough Monday. Since Victorian times many farms have owned their own plough, so a representative plough was brought into church for a blessing, but in the medieval period, when there was only one plough in each village, the village plough was drawn through the streets to be blessed at the church, and was followed with much food, drinking and revelry. For medieval farmers it was an important occasion. The village plough was cleaned and decorated, it was then dragged to the church to be blessed and for prayers for a good harvest before the start of the new season’s work. During the service the ‘plough light’ - a candle kept lit in the church throughout the year - was paraded ceremonially. After the blessing, the plough was pulled through the village again, led by a Fool and a boy dressed as a woman called a ‘Betsy’. The procession stopped at as many pubs and friendly houses as possible for revellers to demand drinks. Pennies were also collected along route as a contribution towards keeping the plough light going in the church throughout the year - though others say it could have been to boost the kitty for “ale” that evening at the tavern. It would appear that anyone not paying a penny was likely to find a furrow cut across their land by morning! The day ended with a village feast, ale or beer flowed, and the traditional centrepiece was always a large Plough Pudding - a suet pudding stuffed with sausagemeat, bacon, onion, and sage. The recipe is readily available on the internet for anyone who wishes to give it a go. Modern farming practices have changed, of course, and the widespread sowing of winter wheat means that much farming is now carried out in the autumn, but how marvellous to have two opportunities to celebrate the work of our farmers – both at Harvest Festival and on Plough Sunday
