St Mary’s Oxted

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Rogation

(Latin: Rogare – to ask)

By Sue Mallinson

Two weeks before Whitsun the church family comes together to give thanks for the created world, to pray for a good growing time and harvest, and to ask blessings on farmers and those who work on the land. This festival of processions and prayers for healthy crops has a long history going back to AD598 and Pope Gregory I. It had supplanted Robigalia, the pagan tradition of procession and sacrifice in Ancient Rome, intended to avoid blighted crops (specifically wheat rust or robigo). We in Tandridge Church look forward to welcoming friends from Oxted to a short Service of the Word for Rogation Sunday on 16^th May. We’ll be in an open-sided barn at Brook Farm, the home of John and Sarah Nicholas – on the corner of Tandridge Lane and New Road. Afterwards, as well as refreshments, there will be calves to meet, giant tractor wheels to measure your height against, and an early summer garden to admire. It is a time to meet your friends, neighbours and fellow Christians; families are especially welcome. The service starts at 10am. Do bring a garden chair or two if you can.