Rogation Service to give thanks for bounty of land and sea
St. John the Evangelist Anglican Church, Crapaud, will host a Rogation Service, “The Blessing of Stewards of Land and Sea,” at the Sherren Family Farm on June 11
The service will be held in “The Barn Floor” at 734 Route 13, Crapaud, at 2 p.m.
This annual celebration is an opportunity for the small parish to reach “beyond its walls,” says parish priest, Rev. Margaret Collins.
“Rogationtide, has for hundreds of years, been a time of prayer devoted to giving thanks for the gifts of creation; acknowledging and blessing the work of those whose vocation is to care for the land, particularly in agricultural endeavours. In times past, services included processions throughout rural communities marking the boundaries of farm lands and offering blessings over the land.”
What started as a small, “in house” service for the Crapaud congregation, has now become an opportunity to invite the broader Island community to a time of thanksgiving for the agricultural and fishing communities that are still a mainstay of the Island economy and culture.
Rev. Collins adds, “We are fortunate to again gather at ‘The Barn Floor’, a former cattle barn on the Sherren Family Farm. Charles Sherren has spent the last few years, following retirement from farming, restoring the barn to create a music and gathering venue. We gather surrounded by signs and symbols of farm life alongside working models of former local, grist and saw mills, created by Gordon Sherren.”
This year the preacher for this special service will be Archbishop Ron Cutler, Bishop of Nova Scotia and P.E.I. and the newly elected Metropolitan for the ecclesiastical province of Canada. Archbishop Cutler has devoted considerable time, energy and vision to the task of supporting and encouraging small, rural parishes in the call to “live their faith vibrantly where they are planted.” This service will mark his first participation in a Rogation Service on P.E.I.
Special music for the service will be provided by P.E. I. performers, Linda and Ed Doiron.
Some seating is available at ‘The Barn Floor’ but visitors are encouraged to bring a lawn chair. Clothing appropriate to the weather is also suggested.
Light refreshments and a time for visiting and conversation will follow the service. A freewill offering will be received.
For further information call 902-621-2920 or 902-658-2648.