FROM THE MINISTRY TEAM MAY 2025 ROGATIONTIDE WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO US IN 2025? The word Rogation comes from the Latin word “Rogare” meaning to ask and historically Rogation Days is a time to ask God for a fruitful harvest. Rogation Sunday falls on 25th May this year as it is always the fifth Sunday of Easter, it is also the Sunday before Ascension Day when Jesus ascended to heaven now his earthly ministry was over. In about 465 a series of earthquakes, storms, disease and wild beasts terrified the inhabitants of Western Europe apparently. In order to restore some degree of morale, Mamertus, Bishop of Vienne, instituted a custom whereby rogations and supplications were made during ceremonial processions on Ascension Day or one of the three preceding days. Divine protection was asked for and the custom was adopted in England early in the eighth century. Later, these processions became disorderly and at the time of the Reformation they were prohibited. During Queen Elizabeth I reign the ‘walking of the bounds’ was introduced. Members of the parish walked the boundaries to ensure everyone knew where they were, there was to be no encroachment beyond the boundary line! Deeds on properties and Ordnance Survey maps in ‘modern times’ has made the custom unnecessary but in the days of unenclosed commons and wide expanses of heathland such perambulations were of great importance. ‘Well dressing’ is another custom still observed in some rural areas when, if a well or spring continued to run during a time of drought, the people used to express their thanks by placing garlands of flowers beside it, and it is from this that the custom of dressing wells with flowers in the form of pictures is thought to originate. So what about these modern times? We still have walks on Rogation Sunday/Days, we are so fortunate to live in the peaceful countryside of Suffolk which is delightful of course and it is always to share our worship. However, nowadays the Rogation season has acquired renewed importance as a time to pray for the protection of all the natural world. Our gardens are looking more like Summer and the countryside wild flowers have been glorious especially in our churchyards but this is not the case everywhere, far from it, we know the threats our world faces, so many environmental issues. We must work to safeguard and focus on the stewardship we have been given by God and that means caring for ‘all good gifts around us’. In our prayers maybe we can ask God for a little bit extra as well as asking for a fruitful harvest and for the farmers who ensure we are provided for. It is a time to pray and reflect at Rogationtide. For the fruits of his creation, thanks be to God! For his gifts to every nation,thanks be to God! For the ploughing, sowing, reaping, silent growth while we are sleeping; future needs in earth’s safe seeking, thanks be to God. Hazel Chittock. Lay Elder
FROM THE MINISTRY TEAM Do you remember the jingle that used to listen to when we were children? “Stop, look and listen before you cross the street. Stop look and listen before you cross the street. You use your eyes, you use your ears and then you use your feet”. Instilled in us so many times as children, that after a few years, it became automatic: look right, left, then right again. So much so that, if you go somewhere where they drive on the other side of the road, you have to concentrate really hard to ensure you look left, right, left, instead of right, left, right! It would actually be a good maxim to live our lives by, wouldn’t it? Stop, look and listen, before we embark on a course of action. It’s certainly a good approach to how we communicate with one another. We first of all have to stop. If we try to carry on a conversation while we are doing something else, then chances are we will not be sharing anything very personal. If we have something important to say to someone, we don’t want to compete for their attention with a phone, the television or a book. How many times have you said – “stop……..and listen to what I’m telling you.” Whether it’s to a child, a friend, or a partner. Both parties to the conversation need to stop whatever they are doing so that they can give one other their full attention. They then need to look at one another. The simple act of facing another person--looking at that person’s face--is a strong sign that you wish to make contact with that person. Finally after we have stopped and faced one other, it is time to listen carefully to the other person. Listening is as important as talking, and in many cases is more important. Through listening we are able to come to a better understanding of the other person. Taking their words seriously means that we may have to re-think some behaviour or attitude of ours towards them. Communication has a powerful role in any relationship. And when we listen, really listen to someone, learn to understand them, value them, then that relationship can grow and flourish. And all of these things apply also to our relationship with God. If we think that we have a close relationship with God, but never stop to look at him and listen to him, our relationship has no foundation in reality. We are half way through Lent - the period of 40 days in the lead up to Easter, when, as Christians, we are asked to reflect on how we are living our lives and what we can do to change for the better. Our first task perhaps, is to stop. We don’t have to stop doing everything. But we can stop trying to fill every available moment with something, whether television, phone, or spending hours surfing the internet. It’s true that we can’t create any more hours in the day, but we can re-arrange our lives, so that we have a little more time to spend thinking about our relationships and how we could look and listen better. Whatever our background or our faith, these weeks are a good time to reflect on and try to improve our relationships, with one another or with God or indeed, both! A good time for all of us to reflect on how we are living our lives and what we can do to change for the better. A good time to stop, look and listen! Rev Helen Norris