Celebrating 10 years of FCN
We have been celebrating the first 10 years of FCN’s work and giving thanks to God for the amazing ways he has shaped us, led us, challenged us, equipped us and provided for us. The highlight of our year was a trip to Highgrove at the invitation of FCN’s Patron, HRH The Prince of Wales, followed by a wonderful service of thanksgiving at Malmesbury Abbey. Other services have been held throughout the country, linking in with the farming festivals of Plough, Rogation, Lammas and Harvest.
FCN’s work is about extending Christian love, care and concern to our farming communities through friendship, understanding and practical help. This combination can make a real difference to people’s lives. It is the church in action and follows the model set by Jesus.
On the road to Emmaus the disciples were downcast and confused. The one they had loved and pinned all their hopes on had been killed and they didn’t know which way to turn – they had lost their solid
FCN volunteers meeting HRH The Prince of Wales in June 2005
ground and their world had suddenly changed for the worse. There is a parallel here with what we see in farming – many people are downcast and confused. They feel under- valued and without hope. Their solid ground is disappearing from under their feet with ever lower prices for their produce and ever higher expectation from government, supermarkets and authorities. Their world has changed for the worse – they can no longer provide for their family, they are working increasingly long hours, it is no longer enough to be a gifted tender of livestock or farmer of the land but they also have to be competent in policy, marketing, economics, law, quality assurance, form-filling, accounting … the list goes on and only adds to the confusion.
When Jesus joined the disciples on the road to Emmaus he walked with them. He got alongside them and asked them what they were discussing. This is the basis for the work of FCN – we walk with people, at their pace and in the direction they are going. We have a God who is with us wherever we go, who
understands where we are, who walks with us through our struggles and offers to take the weight from our shoulders
because he loves, values and cares for us. Through the work of FCN we want to show people they are loved, understood and valued, we are interested in sharing their problems and helping with them - they don’t have to carry that burden alone. Jesus showed his disciples that there was hope and a way through the bad time. He left them with a spring in their step and new vigour to live their lives to the full. What an example for us to follow!
If you would like to read more about the work of FCN – our history, the work we are doing and the challenges we face in the future – then please take a look at our anniversary leaflet enclosed with this issue of Country Way. Please pray for us in our work and for the farming families we meet.
If you are interested in helping FCN in its work or would like to support FCN with a gift then please contact the FCN office on 01788 510866 or email
mail@fcn.org.uk
FCN Helpline 07002 326 326 (7.00am–11.00pm every day of the year)
Helen Bagwell, FCN
16
www.arthurrankcentre.org.uk
agriculture
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