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Rogation and Blessing at Esholt on Sunday 26th May

 

Join us at 3pm for Rogation around Esholt, meeting and ending at St Paul’s Church Esholt.

Rogation Sunday is the day when the Church has traditionally offered prayer for God’s blessings on the fruits of the earth and the labours of those who produce our food.

The word “rogation” is from the Latin rogare, “to ask.” Historically, the Rogation Days (the three days before Ascension Day) were a period of fasting and abstinence, asking for God’s blessing on the crops for a bountiful harvest. Less of us today directly derive our livelihood from the production of food, yet it is good to be reminded of our dependence upon those who do and our responsibility for the environment.

Traditionally a common feature of Rogation days was the ceremony of beating the bounds, in which a procession of parishioners, led by the minister and churchwardens would proceed around the boundary of their parish and pray for its protection in the forthcoming year. As it is no longer practical to follow exact boundaries many services will be held that have a focus on specific elements of creation such as livestock, fields, orchards and gardens.

A prayer for Rogationtide:
Remember, Lord, your mercy and loving-kindness towards us.
Bless this good earth, and make it fruitful.
Bless our labour, and give us all things needed for our daily lives.
Bless the homes of our parish and all who live within them.
Bless our common life and our care for our neighbour.
Hear us, good Lord. Amen.

Spiritual Companionship by John Binks

It may be that you feel your knowledge and understanding of your faith is complete. Or you may think that attending some of the study opportunities the parish provides is enough stimulate to your thinking, reading and praying.

Did you know that the Church provides a further route for developing your Christian character and practice?  In recent years the Church of England has begun to use Spiritual Companionship (sometimes called Spiritual Direction) as a means of enabling those called to ministry – Readers, priests, Lay Workers – to examine and develop their personal relationship with God. That facility is now available to all members of the Church and is quite easily accessible. The scheme works by providing  a person of their choice, properly trained and supported, to walk alongside you as you continue to explore your faith and witness. These Companions will walk alongside an individual as they grow in their faith and help them deal with the inevitable hurdles that life and faith throw up from time to time.

This is a very old tradition and was developed in the early monasteries to provide companionship and sometimes correction for individuals as they sought God’s direction in their life. In the Celtic Church, those who accompanied were called Soul Friends, which gives a good description of the Companion’s role.

As the provision of Spiritual Companions has increased, so more and more lay people, ordinary Christians like you, have used the opportunity to develop their discipleship and found it very beneficial. Leeds Diocese has recently reorganised provision of Companions throughout our five Episcopal areas and there are places available if you think this is something you could benefit from. There is a leaflet at the back of church with some further information and contact details.

The full Diocesan list of Companions is held by Father David and myself, as I am a Companion. If you wish to talk about whether or not you wish to explore this please  contact either of us, and we will happily spend time with you talking through the process.

John Binks

07547 338715

john_marybinks@mail.com

 

New Sunday Services

From Sunday 13th January there will be some changes to our usual services at St Oswald’s Church Guiseley.

8am   Book of Common Prayer Holy Communion Service

9.30am  Every Second Sunday in the month we will hold an All-age service. At this contemporary, interactive service we welcome people of all ages,  and it lasts around 40 minutes. Please note that there is no Sunday School as children will take part in the service.

10.30am Second Sundays of February and March only, Choral Matins

11.15am  Every Second Sunday – Choral Matins – for those who prefer a more traditional format, with music sung by The Choir of St Oswald’s Church.  There is no Holy Communion during this service

6pm Choral Evensong with the Choir of St Oswald’s Church.

Please do join us at these or any of our services – everyone is welcome.