Thought provoking and fun
“Great evening … really good stuff.” “Thought provoking and fun.” “Even the kids thought it a good do – the roast pig had something to do with that of course!!”
Those were comments made after a rogation service on farm at Frankley. The venue had been chosen to be accessible to Dudley, Birmingham and Redditch and to bring people onto farms who would not otherwise be there. The service took the form of a kind of ‘Stations of the Farm’, going to different parts of the farm, hearing from the farmer about what happens there, reflecting in the light of our Christian faith and praying. To add another view we invited someone from the Young Farmers to give his perspective of what was happening.
After the service and walk we had a pig roast: locally sourced of course as was the apple juice.
As another participant said: “A good event, excellently lead …but a true act of worship too. This sort of event is invaluable. It does allow those who are ill
informed about farming to learn ‘in their face’ what the joys and problems are of getting food onto their plates. … We both feel we were part of something really worthwhile.”
Robert Barlow, Worcester Bishop blesses compost toilet
Rural churches with no running water are improving their facilities with the installation of cost-effective compost toilets. The latest environmentally friendly toilet, installed in an isolated church in Devon, has been blessed by the Bishop of Crediton, the Rt Revd Bob Evens.
The twin ‘treebog’ was constructed at Escot Church in East Devon after church members and vicar the Revd Cate Edmonds agreed it was the answer to the problem of hosting special events at a church that stands in the middle of a field. The cost of connecting the church to the main water supply and building toilets is estimated to be around 10 times the price of installing a compost system. The eco-friendly timber and straw toilets (called treebogs) do not require running water.
The principle of these toilets is simple, says Martyn Goss, Director of Exeter Diocese Council for Church and Society: “A pit about 8’ x 4’ x 6’ deep is dug and that forms the soakaway. The pit
is then surrounded by a 5’ high wall of straw bales encompassed by chicken wire – to stop damage from animals (or others). Sat atop the bales is a platform onto which two proper enclosed toilets have been built – they are approached by a flight of wooden steps. The whole construction is made from timber and straw bales. There is no running water, plumbing or electricity. Everything is ecologically recognised and acceptable to such bodies as National Trust, Friends of the Earth and RSPB. Gravity takes away the liquids and the solids break down naturally. There is little or no odour, and no health hazards.”
“Now Escot can plan events knowing the toilets are close by. As the construction is close to a public footpath, we are confident it will be a welcome stopping-off point for walkers on occasions. Toilet rolls and hand gels provide the necessary other hygiene bits and pieces,” added Escot Church Warden, Keith Townsend.
www.exeter.anglican.org
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www.arthurrankcentre.org.uk
rural ministry roundup
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