Here are some details of our next meeting.
It is to be on Friday 6th November, 11.30am -- 3.00pm. To give it extra rural credibility, we shall be meeting on the farm of Richard Coles in Steep, Portsmouth Diocese Hampshire (kindly arranged by John Owen, vicar).
Richard farms Aldersnapp Farm. He is a lifelong farmer and keeps cattle and sheep and some grain. He hosted the parish Rogation Service in his barn, and he is also Chairman of the Parish Council. He is offering the use of a barn (with some animals in for autumn) for meeting/lunching, and would be glad to lead a tour of his farm in the afternoon (be prepared for wet and mud). Steep Church is a mile and a half away where there are toilets also. There is a mission church a 500 yard walk away, which may be more convenient for the concluding service.
Aldersnapp Farm, Steep, Petersfield GU32 1AS is directly off the A272 Winchester to Petersfield road, 2 miles from the A3, so is fairly accessible for people coming from west and north Hants.
From 11.00am Arrival and coffee in Barn
11.30am Welcome and discussion on ‘Creation theology and Creation Services’ – see examples of Harvest Services from The Arthur Rank Centre website and New Patterns for Worship. How do we celebrate creation without ignoring redemption? Creation AND Christ. If you have an example of any ‘creation services’ (Rogation, Lammas, Plough Sunday, Harvest etc.) could you bring it, please as a possible resource for sharing.
12.30pm Update on Pastoral Reorganisation of rural benefices in the two dioceses
12.50pm Lunch – please bring your own, drinks provided
1.30pm Tour of Aldersnapp farm (be prepared for wet and mud).
2.40pm Steep Church for short closing Service.
Martin Coppen email: via link below
