Agricultural Chaplain asks for our prayers

The Revd Canon Sally Fogden, Agricultural Chaplain for the Diocese, said that in rural Suffolk where agriculture plays such an important part in our lives it is right that churches in both town and country remember the farmers in their prayers this Sunday, 15th May. She said: “Problems are being faced by our arable farmers as the very dry weather continues and, for example, potatoes and carrots will not develop properly.

“The outlook for the grain harvest is, at present quite worrying with the possibility of shortages and a knock on increase in prices, which will affect us all.

“I would also like churches to consider sending a postcard to the farmers in their parish and to let them know that the local church community is praying for them. It is only a small gesture but small things can shine a little light and remind us all that the Church reflects the love and care the God has for us all at all times.”

The Centre for Ecology and Hydrology said in its monthly summary for April that England and Wales received the lowest March and April rainfall since 1938, with a few regions suffering the lowest rain in records dating back more than 100 years.

East Anglia and the East Midlands received just 12% of the average rainfall for the period and all of England and Wales saw exceptionally low levels of rain.