Rural and Agricultural Chaplaincy aims to reach out with God's love to those working on the land and in rural industries. The ministry includes a 24-hour help line, supporting agricultural shows, helping benefices to organise farming community breakfasts and promoting the celebration of agricultural festivals. The diocesan Agricultural Chaplain is Graham Miles. He is supported by the Agricultural Chaplaincy Team which meets on Zoom as a Lightwave Group each month to pray and plan.
The Lightwave Agricultural Chaplaincy Team includes Linda Preston and Sue Coles. Together they build relationships and support the farming community. Authorised members of the team are available on the phone or for visits, especially for members of the rural community suffering with depression, anxiety or just to give a little encouragement. They also help at agricultural shows and events and help local churches and others to understand and connect with rural issues.
In the first instance, contact Graham Miles
07413 683368
graham.miles.lightwave@gmail.com
In the video below Agricultural Chaplain Graham Miles chats with Sally Gaze about how to share God's love at an agricultural show:
"My role as Rural & Agricultural Chaplain for Suffolk has grown. I have been reaching out to farming and rural countryside communities across Suffolk and beyond. People can call me at any time when dealing with depression, loneliness, anxiety or suicidal thoughts. For some farmers it is a challenge to attend church on a Sunday because of farming commitments like feeding livestock, calving, lambing season and the the arable farms with drilling and harvesting. When I contact them either by phone or a farm visit l am taking God's Love to them. I am being church and remembering church is not just a building, it’s a family.
Remember God’s light shines even in the darkest of places."
Graham Miles, Agricultural and Rural Chaplain across Suffolk.
You can give to the work of the diocesan Rural and Agricultural Chaplaincy through the Lightwave Community click below
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Thanks so much for your support. Every penny goes directly to support the chaplaincy team and their work around the county
The Lightwave Rural Chaplaincy works with St Edmundsbury to promote the celebration of agricultural festivals throughout the county. Below, you can find resources for celebrating agricultural festivals in local churches together with a video of Harvest festival 2022. You can find more details of our county-wide events such as Plough Sunday, Rogation, Pentecost, Lammas and Harvest here
We are very grateful for the ongoing financial support of the Royal Countryside Fund.
Find out more about how the Royal Countryside Fund are helping rural communities here.
