Season of Harvest: Pastoral Letter – October 2021 from Revd Elke Cattermole

Brett Valley Benefice

(Bildeston w Wattisham, Lindsey, Whatfield and Semer, Nedging and Naughton).

Season of Harvest: Pastoral Letter – October 2021 from Revd Elke Cattermole

“Surely, he says this for us, doesn’t he? Yes, this was written for us, because when farmers plough and thresh, they should be able to do so in the hope of sharing in the harvest.”
1 Corinthians 9:10

We are now in the season often known in the past as Michaelmas, a time when people celebrated the end of the harvest with a community meal. Even today we can say a big thank you for the Harvest and what a struggle it has been at times for the farmers. Just as in the past the weather is important when harvesting the different crops so that a good yield is brought in.

The tradition of celebrating Harvest Festival in churches as we know it today began in 1843, when the Reverend Robert Haker invited parishioners to a special thanksgiving service for the harvest at his church at Morwenstow in Cornwall. Hymns such as “We plough the fields and scatter”, “Come ye thankful people, come” and “All things bright and beautiful” helped promote his idea of the Harvest Festival and the annual custom of decorating churches with home grown produce.

Our churches will each be having a Harvest Service throughout October, and all will be welcome to join us. We also take this opportunity to collect food in tins and packages that we can give to our local foodbank with the appropriate fresh food. Please give if you can.

Harvest is very much a time of thanking God but at the same time in sharing and giving to others.

Please free to join us, all are welcome.

God Bless you all.

Revd Elke