Bishop Debbie joined All Saints Mudeford for their annual Rogation service last Sunday, leading alongside the Revd Helen Griffiss and with significant help from RNLI Mudeford who enabled the safe passage for the clergy on the water.
Rogation is the annual Church of England service when we ask for God’s blessing on each parish. However, rather than praying for fields and crops, Mudeford’s rich fishing history and continued close links to the sea and beaches mean that their Rogation Sunday service looks a little different, as Bishop Debbie and Revd Helen prayed for the harvest of the sea from a small fishing boat.
Part of the service also involves an historic memory to the area’s military history, as each year a metal cross made out of aircraft standard aluminium is thrown into ‘the Run’ (the narrow Christchurch harbour entrance), material which dates back to the days of the nearby Somerford’s aircraft factory the World War II airfield where hundreds of aircraft were built during and after the war.
It was also a wonderful addition to be joined by Phil Randall with his local Christchurch brass band!
