Harvest, Sowing, Growing and Reaping
By the time you read this we will have celebrated Harvest and Creationtide in all of our churches in some form. Once again our churches have been decorated with the most beautiful arrangements of flowers, vegetables, crafts and so many donations for the Sleaford Larder.
Harvest is a time of reaping, collecting and storing. It is at this time of year that the story of Ruth and Naomi comes to mind. A story of those who had seemingly lost everything had held on to faith and through God’s providence find their place in the world once more. So many, just like Ruth and Naomi, struggle today, reminding us that not everyone has sufficient, unable to feed and clothe their children, heat their homes or find access to the help they need. Archdeacon Gavin reminded us of our calling as Christians when he spoke to us during his recent visit to Cranwell for Harvest that we are called to seek out the lonely, the marginalised and to offer the love of Jesus through our service to God’s people.
In late October and into November, I will have some time away to recover from planned surgery. I want to thank our wonderful team of ministers, all volunteers or retired, who care for and support us. . We have a pastoral team that seeks to provide comfort to those who are lonely and unwell, whether in their home setting or in residential homes. Reverend Rosemary, as she has always kindly done, will look after the priestly things. I finish with my heartfelt thanks to you all for the messages of support and love that Jayne and I have received during a difficult family time.
I look forward to seeing each of our congregations soon and pray that we may we all find the love of God in our worship, prayer and thanksgiving remembering in our hearts the words of Psalm 139 “[Lord God] I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” Blessings. Reverend Al.