Plough Sunday
Held on the first Sunday of Epiphany, Plough Sunday is a rural tradition that blesses ploughs and seeds—marking the start of the farming year. It pairs beautifully with the Covenant Service, as we dedicate ourselves and our work to God for the year ahead. Plough Sunday 2024 – The Arthur Rank Centre
Rogation Sunday
Rogation Sunday invites us to walk and pray—blessing the land and those who live and work on it. Marked by “beating the bounds,” it’s ideal for rural prayer walks, pilgrimage between chapels, or outdoor worship. Usually celebrated before or after Ascension. Resource: Pilgrimage Guide for Rural Churches – The Arthur Rank Centre
Apple Day
Celebrate local orchards, heritage fruit varieties, and the joy of autumn! Apple Day is a brilliant way to engage with local schools, farms, and communities. Think tastings, games, crafts, and community fun. Activities and Ideas: Orchard Link Apple Day Games and Resources
Open Farm Sunday
Plan a Pentecost service on a local farm—or gather your community for a Sunday School-style farm visit! A great opportunity to connect with food, farmers, and faith. Barnsley Methodist Circuit's Pentecost service in a farm
For World Environment Day, why not team up with your Eco Church group to host a “Talking Farming” event?Talking Farming
Harvest Festival
Harvest is a key moment in the rural year—celebrating all that’s “safely gathered in.” It’s also a time to share food, support foodbanks, and give thanks for the people who grow and gather what we eat. Harvest: a missional guide for rural churches – Arthur Rank Centre
No-Waste Pumpkin Party
Don’t bin your pumpkins after Halloween—host a no-waste celebration instead! Cook together, get creative, and raise awareness of food waste. A fresh, fun, and sustainable way to engage with your community. How-to: Pumpkin Festival – Good Food Oxfordshire
Wassailing
Wassailing is an ancient orchard tradition where communities sing, shout, and bless fruit trees—especially apples—to encourage a good harvest. It’s a fun, noisy, family-friendly way to connect with local farms or green spaces.
Explore: Wassailing as Rural Mission – The Arthur Rank Centre
Practical Help: Running a Successful Wassail Event (PDF)
Lambing Sunday
Celebrate new life and the arrival of spring with a Lambing Sunday service. It’s a perfect time to gather outdoors, give thanks for creation, and share in the joys and challenges of rural life.
Example: Poole in Wharfedale Methodist Church's Lambing Service
Lammas
Lammas —or “loaf-mass”—celebrates the first fruits of harvest. Bake bread, break it together, and give thanks for God’s provision. A simple, sensory celebration of abundance, generosity, and shared hospitality.
Find out more: Lammas – The Arthur Rank Centre
Lammas Worship Resources (PDF)
Agricultural Shows
The rural calendar is packed with local shows and country fairs over the summer. These vibrant events celebrate rural skills, food, and traditions—and offer a great chance for the church to show up, join in, and share stories of faith and community. Plan ahead: Rural Festivals and Events Guide 2025
Christmas in the Barn
Partner with a local farm and your church community to host a ‘Journey to Bethlehem’ experience for local schools.Bringing the Christmas story to life on the farm - Bath and Wells Diocese
Rural Mission Wheel
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Plough Sunday
Held on the first Sunday of Epiphany, Plough Sunday is a rural tradition that blesses ploughs and seeds—marking the start of the farming year. It pairs beautifully with the Covenant Service, as we dedicate ourselves and our work to God for the year ahead. Plough Sunday 2024 – The Arthur Rank Centre
Rogation Sunday
Rogation Sunday invites us to walk and pray—blessing the land and those who live and work on it. Marked by “beating the bounds,” it’s ideal for rural prayer walks, pilgrimage between chapels, or outdoor worship. Usually celebrated before or after Ascension. Resource: Pilgrimage Guide for Rural Churches – The Arthur Rank Centre
Apple Day
Celebrate local orchards, heritage fruit varieties, and the joy of autumn! Apple Day is a brilliant way to engage with local schools, farms, and communities. Think tastings, games, crafts, and community fun. Activities and Ideas: Orchard Link Apple Day Games and Resources
Open Farm Sunday
Plan a Pentecost service on a local farm—or gather your community for a Sunday School-style farm visit! A great opportunity to connect with food, farmers, and faith. Barnsley Methodist Circuit's Pentecost service in a farm
For World Environment Day, why not team up with your Eco Church group to host a “Talking Farming” event?Talking Farming
Harvest Festival
Harvest is a key moment in the rural year—celebrating all that’s “safely gathered in.” It’s also a time to share food, support foodbanks, and give thanks for the people who grow and gather what we eat. Harvest: a missional guide for rural churches – Arthur Rank Centre
No-Waste Pumpkin Party
Don’t bin your pumpkins after Halloween—host a no-waste celebration instead! Cook together, get creative, and raise awareness of food waste. A fresh, fun, and sustainable way to engage with your community. How-to: Pumpkin Festival – Good Food Oxfordshire
Wassailing
Wassailing is an ancient orchard tradition where communities sing, shout, and bless fruit trees—especially apples—to encourage a good harvest. It’s a fun, noisy, family-friendly way to connect with local farms or green spaces.
Explore: Wassailing as Rural Mission – The Arthur Rank Centre
Practical Help: Running a Successful Wassail Event (PDF)
Lambing Sunday
Celebrate new life and the arrival of spring with a Lambing Sunday service. It’s a perfect time to gather outdoors, give thanks for creation, and share in the joys and challenges of rural life.
Example: Poole in Wharfedale Methodist Church's Lambing Service
Lammas
Lammas —or “loaf-mass”—celebrates the first fruits of harvest. Bake bread, break it together, and give thanks for God’s provision. A simple, sensory celebration of abundance, generosity, and shared hospitality.
Find out more: Lammas – The Arthur Rank Centre
Lammas Worship Resources (PDF)
Agricultural Shows
The rural calendar is packed with local shows and country fairs over the summer. These vibrant events celebrate rural skills, food, and traditions—and offer a great chance for the church to show up, join in, and share stories of faith and community. Plan ahead: Rural Festivals and Events Guide 2025
Christmas in the Barn
Partner with a local farm and your church community to host a ‘Journey to Bethlehem’ experience for local schools.Bringing the Christmas story to life on the farm - Bath and Wells Diocese