MP's expenses

It seems to me that the Telegraph is milking the story as hard as they possibly can and in so doing is damaging our democratic process. I would rather that MPs were doing the job that they were elected to do – running the country - rather than decorating their homes or looking after their gardens. If that means there needs to be allowances paid so they can get on with their job, that seems eminently reasonable to me.

I also appreciate that to do MPs' jobs mean they need residence both in the constituency and in London and there needs to be a system so can happen.

I find it very disturbing that MPs who have kept within the rules are being criticised. Whipping up a hysterical witch hunt may boost the Telegraph’s sales but is, I believe, damaging to our society which needs to work on a principal of trust if it is to work at all.

The Telegraph’s actions might be less hypocritical if they published the amount they paid for the leaked information, published the pay rates their "journalists" get and published full details of journalists expenses

unsung rural hero?

Do you know an unsung rural hero who quietly gets on with keeping their church alive to serve the community?
If so, then nominate them for the award being run jointly between Country Life magazine and the Church of England.
More information here
Entry forms here
The closing date is the end of this month, so don't hang about!

What to ask for

Jesus told his disciples to ask. “Ask”, he said, “and you will receive.” “You may ask for anything in my name,” he said, “and I will do it.”

The sixth Sunday of the Easter season was traditionally at time for asking for God’s blessing on the crops. In an era more closely connected to farming than we are when shipping food round the world was not an option, asking God to bless the crops was really important. If the crops failed then hunger or starvation followed. So Rogation (from the Latin “to ask”) was a really important time.

But how should we use Rogation today? Farmers throughout the world including in this country need our prayers. Many are under stress. Isolation is common. Average earnings are low – less than a vicar’s! Suicide rates remain stubbornly about twice the average.

We depend on farmers just as much for our food today as we ever did. WE may be distanced from them by a complex lengthy distribution system. Never the less they are God's answer to our prayer "Give us this day our daily bread."

So what to ask for when we pray for farmers? The simplest idea is to ask a farmer what needs he (or she) has!

To enable that to happen CARL has arranged a Rogation service at Yew Tree Farm on Monday 18th May at 7.00pm. The "service" will take the form of a walk round the farm stopping at various points to hear from the farmer what happens and what issues he faces. There will be a reflective reading, a prayer & and a hymn. It will all be followed by a pig roast.

All are welcome, but an idea of numbers would be useful.