A warm Welcome always awaits you at our Churches at the published times
We are a group of village churches to the west of Ipswich with people coming from the villages and towns around them. We are open, welcoming and very inclusive. Our services are just lovely and the people even more so. Honestly, you'll fit right in.
There are no reserved seats, no special codes, or strange ways of doing things. If you want to meet God and some really friendly people, come along one Sunday and join us. If you'd like to chat about getting married hop over to the wedding page, if you'd like to just chat, well we're good at that.
Rogation is an ancient church festival to seek blessing for a community and its sustenance. The word rogation comes from the Latin verb rogare, meaning “to ask”, which reflects the beseeching of God for protection from calamities. As the Book of Common Prayer puts it: “Rogation Days are the three days preceding Ascension Day, especially devoted to asking for God’s blessing on agriculture and industry.”
Since mediaeval times there has been a tradition of “beating the bounds” of the parish, praying for God‘s blessing upon the crops and thus the well-being of that particular settlement. It is still observed by some parishes today – with a procession, prayers and a sharing of hope in God‘s goodness to nourish every endeavour which enables people to flourish.
The Sixth Sunday of Easter (the fifth Sunday after Easter Sunday) is traditionally known as “Rogation Sunday” in the Church of England’s calendar of festivals. This is because the Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday of the following week are known as the “Rogation Days,” days for fasting and prayer. The Thursday of that week is the feast of the Ascension, which comes on a Thursday, the 40th day after Easter (when Easter Sunday is counted as the 1st day).
Rogation invites people to ask for blessing – for a particular place; for all its inhabitants; for every endeavour to promote the common good. It is totally inclusive – joining everyone in seeking sustenance and a commitment to play their part in its provision.
Almighty God, we the people of the seed come before you to absorb the energy of your love and creativity. We come patiently to be still in your presence. We come with hope to grow to new life. We come to be brought to fullness and to be sown in your world. On this Rogation Day we ask your blessing on the growth of all things.
Amen
Please Join us for Our Benefice Eucharist Service,
10am at St Marys Church, Kersey
The Rural Coffee Caravan offers a warm friendly space in which to enjoy a cup of tea or coffee and a slice of delicious cake. There is no charge...they also offer friendly confidential advice regarding individual entitlements. Click in the button below for more information.
We've responded to the crisis by serving our communities: raising money for hospital staff welfare; making hundreds of virtual visit telephone calls; distributing meals, staying connected with online services; and sadly helping people say goodbye to their loved ones.
But we must make sure that the churches stay open and we need your help. It's something we can do together, please can you make a monthly contribution? It keeps your church open and serving the community. The government will add 25% to your contribution. We can stay open with your monthly giving, thank you!
Contact the Parish Giving Service who send 100% of your monthly gift and the tax refund to your church
0333 002 1271
To keep your chosen Church open quote the reference:
Elmsett - 330633052
Hintlesham & Chattisham - 330633055
Kersey - 330633057
Aldham - 330633049
We follow the Diocesan Guidelines and take Safeguarding very seriously.
https://www.cofesuffolk.org/safeguarding and keep updated through regular training. Each Parish has a comprehensive Safeguarding Policy and our Clergy and volunteers who work with young people or vulnerable adults are DBS checked and receive regular Safeguarding training. We review the Safeguarding Policy and our safeguarding practice each year.
If you have any concerns at any time about safeguarding in our parishes please contact the Benefice Safeguarding Officer Mrs Jan King on king4kings@aol.com or any of the parish emergency contacts or the Diocesan Safeguarding Team using the button below: