FROM THE VICARAGE STUDY

My dear People,

Just before Easter some of you will have seen on TV, pictures of widespread destruction in the U.S.A. Others will have read about it. This destruction was caused, you will remember, by tornadoes which left behind them a trail of very severe damage and considerable loss of life. At least 250 people were killed; at least 5,000 were injured and damage to property amounted to £80 million. One London daily finished its report with these words - "In the State of Indiana the towns of Russiaville and Alto were wiped out completely".

Almost 1500 years ago exactly the same sort of thing happened in France. It began a custom which we shall be observing this month. On that occasion it was volcanic eruptions - in the area round Vienne in the Rhone Valley. So severe was the damage, especially to the crops, that the Bishop ordered annual processions through the cornfields, asking God's blessing on the crops and their preservation. This observance spread rapidly to England. Ever since, we have had our 'Rogation' Days, immediately before Ascension Day. So here in Hartlip, on Sunday, 23rd May, we, too, shall be continuing this custom and singing the Litany in procession. Weather permitting, we shall process out through the West door and, before returning, pause in a blessing of the orchards which typify the livelihood or our locality.

If you believe in God as Creator, you should be there. If you have a glimmer of thankfulness that Hartlip has not suffered the fate of Russiaville and Alto, you should be there for that reason. In any case all of us who live in these pleasant rural surroundings shoud be especially conscious of the beauty and balance of the natural order. Science does not control the Elements. They answer only to an Almighty and All-Seeing Hand.

Your sincere friend and Vicar,

JOHN GREEN.