Back to work

Historically, Christmas holiday celebrations used to last from 25th December until “Twelfth Night”, the 6th January. That is when the festivities would end and it was time to go back to work. For many people that meant farming and particularly at that time of year, ploughing.

So the Sunday after Twelfth Night became “Plough Sunday”. The village plough (in many villages it would have been a shared communal plough) was brought in to the church to ask God to bless the work that would be done with it.  After the service the plough would be taken round the village, sometimes with Morris Dancing. It was heavy to carry so there were stops for refreshment at all the pubs. Villagers were invited to make a contribution to the cost of the upkeep of the plough and the Church that had blessed it.  If it was felt that a villager hadn’t given a large enough contribution then they might discover that their garden was used for a bit of ploughing practice!
As the festival degenerated into drunkenness, dancing and demanding money with menaces churches got uncomfortable with it. It became celebrated less frequently, which was regrettable. The principles of God being interested in our work, of community and giving are important.
This year we will celebrate Plough Sunday on 9th January at 10.00am at Hanley William. We’ll try and avoid too much drunkenness and demanding money with menaces! I quite like Morris dancing so if anyone wants to dance, that’s fine with me.

Crib Service Change of Venue

The road to Hanley William church is passable with care, but parking at the church would be a problem. The Crib Service on Christmas Eve is therefor moving to Hanley Broadheath Village Hall. The time, 4.0pm, remains the same but acces and parking is better, hence the move.

A nice problem to have

Yesterday was Rochford's carol service. "How many orders of service do we need to run off?" I asked.
"40 should be enough" was the reply.

Being an optimist I did 50 and we still ran out. People had to share but as they say sharing is good for the soul, so no harm done.

The service had people of all ages participating meaningfully. Readings - both by adults and children- were read well. The choir, even though opportunities to practice had been curtailed by the weather, provided a good lead. The service had the crib being built up as children brought the different characters to the stable.  I might also have spotted a future church treasurer.   One of the two young boys who did the collection proudly placed his heavy bag on the offetory plate saying "There's more in mine!"

Next up there's carol singing in the Tally Ho! on Wednesday evening and the Fox on Thursday.

Friday, Christmas Eve has a crib service at Hanley William at 4.00pm and First Communion of Christmas at Rochford at 8.00pm.

Christmas morning has 9.30 Communion at Eastham and 11.15 Family Service at Stoke Bliss.

Sunday there's a 9.30 service at Kyre

Looking further ahead there's a plough sunday service on the 9th of January, but more about that in due course 

Beautiful but challenging

The weather here has been stunning, but the cold has been quite a challenge. Ice and snow have made driving on unsalted roads tricky and walking has needed care.
But life carries on.

Rochford PCC has had to postpone their meeting twice because of the weather. We’re hoping for third time lucky next week.

Monday saw the funerals of Jack and Gladys Hill from Eastham. Married since 1945 they had died within a few days of each other. Eastham church was full.

This Sunday ( 12th Dec) the service is 9.30 communion at Hanley William


Next Tuesday (14th) is Stoke Bliss Carol Service at 7.30