On Sunday 14th January, we honour Plough Sunday, a time-honoured tradition that welcomes Kent's farming and agricultural communities to our cathedral.
Originating in Victorian times but rooted in an ancient custom after the twelve days of Christmas, this observance involved bringing the communal plough to the church for divine blessings. The village would celebrate, dance, and pause at pubs as the plough made its rounds. Farmers contributing to the plough's upkeep also supported the church, fostering a sense of community and emphasizing God's providence in our work and daily lives. A perpetual 'plough-light' in some churches symbolized this divine guidance.
Though village ploughs and January ploughing are rare due to changes in agricultural practices, Plough Sunday remains a testament to the importance of community, cooperation, and acknowledging God's centrality in our labour and worship. It's a poignant invocation for blessings on human endeavours at the year's outset, reminding us of our interconnectedness and the divine presence in our work.
TEA AND CAKE AFTER THE SERVICE IS SPONSORED BY AC GOTHAM.
Free
Address
Choral Evensong with the Blessing of the Plough and Seed
The Precinct
ME1 1SX
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