In September I rode around the churches on Romney Marsh in a sponsored cycling event to raise money for ‘Friends of Kent Churches’. A thirty mile round trip took me to grand cathedral-like structures, to the iconic Fairfield church pictured and everything in between. (Don’t let anyone think that the level roads are an easy option: the strong coastal wind seemed to be against me most of the journey.)

The first striking thing about the little building of St Thomas a Becket at Fairfield is that there is no road approach to it. There are two single tracks across fields where sheep graze and one of them was useless the day I was there because the small footbridge over a ditch was down, leaving me with only one option to gain access to the small place of worship.

  
The exterior appearance of Fairfield is unusual and perplexing – a brick-built ancient church? (The explanation is provided by 1913 reconstruction.) But the inside is even more intriguing. There is a three tier pulpit which is enchanting but far from unique, and then the tiny altar is quite a curious sight. I was told that the barrier around the altar is not an altar rail but a fence to prevent the grazing sheep from entering and desecrating the sacred Table. Can it really be the case that sheep have to be kept out?!

Now this is all very suggestive. What are we to think about ‘guarding the Table’? Who are we to admit to the Sacrament? There are those who restrict access rigorously and others who laxly allow almost anyone to come. The bread and wine are for those who love the Lord and seek to walk with Him, for sinners who trust in His atoning work at the cross. It is such persons who will understand the assurance, “The Body of Christ broken for you, the Blood of Christ shed for you.”

Of course, goats should be discouraged from coming to the Table, but not the sheep! Let the sheep come and here let them feed on Christ their Saviour.