VICAR

Dear Readers of Country Squire Magazine, I trust that You are well and healthy. I hope Your families are enjoying the emergence from lockdown and looking forward to the rest of the decade with relish and hope.

This week I would like to focus on rural communities, many who have suffered terribly over the last few years. In particular I would like You to consider the farmers, many of whom have hardly noticed lockdown as they have toiled as key workers on fields and in sheds. Without their efforts We would be in awful trouble.

Please think of the rural elderly who are some of the loneliest people in the country without lockdown. Please, when You can, reach out to these stoic characters whose only chance to meet people used to be via their lift to church. I spoke to one old boy a few days ago across his garden hedge who had not left his cottage since March last year, not until he received his first jab.

Rural communities can be exemplary with people looking out for others. Sometimes the distance between settlements is so great that there are those who get left out. And of course there are those who love their reclusiveness, so perhaps leave them where they are! Please be thoughtful towards rural neighbours as the country opens up again. Search out the desperate and cheer up the sad and lonely as best you can.

I trust that You have a peaceful Sunday and a productive week to come. God Bless You all.  

Loving God

We pray for the farming and rural community as they continue to work hard to bring us food.

Bless them as they sow crops and care for livestock.

Surround them with your love so they may know they are cared for and valued.

Help us to be thankful for the food they produce and not to waste it.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen.