The CARL Rogation Service was held at Holly Beds Farm, Earls Croome, on 5th May. On a glorious Spring evening prayer was given in many places around the farm – for crops, for livestock and indeed the whole of creation. The service was well supported, and all enjoyed the refreshments that our hosts provided afterwards. We were especially pleased to welcome visitors from Ukraine who joined with our service. Our special thanks go to Tom Goodwin for being such a generous host.

Rogation was originally so called because of the words in the Prayer Book gospel for the day:

"Whatever you ask the Father in my name, he will give to you". (The Latin is 'Rogare' - to ask.) In the strictly biblical context, the chief thing to ask for is the spirit of God to enable us to be true children of God.

In the Western Church, processions to bless the crops and to include "beating the bounds" developed. These rogation themes of blessing the fields and beating the bounds were commended in the 1630s by the poet George Herbert, that epitome of English country parsons.

Today the emphasis has shifted. A blessing on growing crops in fields and gardens, and on young lambs and calves remain. In the agricultural cycle, the main themes are seed sowing and the tending of the young plants and animals. Whilst it is good to pray for these things all year round, Rogation is the time to remember these before God in a public way out in God’s creation.