Seasonal resources

As the year unfolds, rural churches have the opportunity to celebrate renewal, growth, and the connection between faith and the land.

Key seasonal services and events

• Plough Sunday – traditionally a celebration to mark the start of the agricultural year, with prayers and blessing for the year ahead. A service resource can be found on the Arthur Rank Centre website.
• Lent and Holy Week – a season of reflection, fasting, and preparation, leading into Easter. Consider outdoor prayer walks, farm-based reflections, or services focusing on creation care. Find resources at the EcoChurch section of  the A Rocha UK website.
• Lambing service – many churches hold informal blessings for lambing season, celebrating new life and offering prayers for farmers.
• Rogationtide – a rural tradition of walking the land, praying for the fields, and connecting with local farmers. It takes place in May, but preparations begin in March/April.
• Lammas – celebrating the first of the harvest in late July/early August. Consider making bread together and sharing with your community. Ideas and resources can be found on the Arthur Rank Centre website.
• Harvest – a celebration giving thanks for our food, and for those who have worked hard to produce it.
• Journey to Bethlehem – an interactive retelling of the Christmas story, inviting younger primary aged children onto the farm and bringing the story of Jesus’ birth to life. Events run each December. Find out how to get involved by contacting Rob Walrond, Rural Life Adviser.

Further service resources for the agricultural year can be found on the Church of England website.

If you are celebrating with services and events, please share your story with the Comms team.

Who to contact

For guidance, resources, or support: