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 – this year Plough Sunday falls on Sunday 11 January 2026, traditionally a celebration to mark the start of the agricultural year, with prayers and blessing the land year ahead. A service resource can be found on the Arthur Rank Centre website linked here.
- 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.
- Lambing service – Many churches hold informal blessings for lambing season, celebrating new life and offering prayers for farmers.
- Rogationtide (May, but preparations begin in March/April) – Start planning for this rural tradition of walking the land, praying for the fields, and connecting with local farmers.
- Lammas – celebrating the first of the harvest in late July/early August. Consider making bread together, sharing with your community. Ideas and resources can be found on the Arthur Rank Centre website linked here.
- 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, invites younger primary aged children onto the farm, 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 linked here.
If you are celebrating with services and events, please share your story with the Comms teams.
For guidance, resources, or support, contact Rob Walrond, Rural Adviser.