 |
As part of her Deanery visits Bishop Debbie spent a day in the south of the Diocese with Agricultural Chaplain to the Brackley Deanery, The Revd Celia Parkes. During the day Bishop Debbie toured two family farms and heard from Celia about the joys and challenges of modern day farming and how the church needs to respond.
Celia herself has experience of living ,working and ministering in rural communities and after her retirement knew that she was called to work with those living and working in rural areas. Often she says the biggest difference is being a listening ear. Spending time with people when they need it, driving to meet them where they are in their farmhouses, or on their land to just share a cup of tea and pray with them during hard times.
The first farm that Bishop Debbie visited at Preston Capes, was run by two sisters and their mother; the men in the family working different jobs to help bring in other strands of income. The dedicated family raise sheep and cows on pastures with astounding views of the Northamptonshire countryside and are rightly proud of their contract to provide Waitrose with beef.
 |
This isn’t without its challenges though, as visiting during the lambing season demonstrated. The sisters often pass like ships, with one leaving the fields whilst the other returns from caring for the ewes and newly born lambs in their temporary nursery pens. Nights can be long and orphaned or additional lambs may need feeding several times during the day and night. With the price of feed and medicines increasing, the unpredictability of the weather, increasing but necessary requirements for paperwork and infection control, balancing all the farm’s demands with everyday challenges of family life can feel a huge burden at times. The lack of local livestock markets has also reduced the social contact for farmers which can increase isolation for some.
Both sisters are grateful for Celia and speak fondly of the church’s role in local schools. They admit however that it’s the local connection with Celia that makes the difference, attending a 10am service in church on a regular basis is not something that is realistic for most farmers.
 |
On the second farm Bishop Debbie visited during the day this was also the reality. A much larger commercial farm, but still family owned and run. They have enhanced equipment that allows them to farm much larger herds, but it can mean very long hours for family members. Machinery is a huge expense, as is the feed and livestock itself meaning that it’s always a delicate balance to keep everything running smoothly.
Celia’s knowledge of the farmers in her area, along with her understanding of their situations means she can provide appropriate and timely support in a way that would not be possible without immersing herself in the community.
The constant demands of animals, markets and other pressures mean that farmers are often not able to engage even with Harvest Festivals, traditionally the highlight of the church year in rural settings. The day was enlightening and thought provoking as we look to care for all those in our Diocese in differing settings.
Are you clergy ministering in a rural setting? We are hosting a Rural Forum on 3 September at Highgate House in Northampton. This day will offer the opportunity to listen to speakers with experience of rural settings in a national context, as well as listen to one another and share experiences as we start to consider our rural strategy.To book your place please visit our Eventbrite booking page.
If you are not able to attend, but would like to receive information after the event and communications about rural ministry please email communications@peterborough-diocese.org.uk