When you are harvesting in your field and you overlook a sheaf, do not go back to get it. Leave it for the foreigner, the fatherless and the widow, so that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hands. Deuteronomy 24:19At this time of harvest and gathering in, we pray for those for whom the gathering of food is a constant battle. We pray for Compassion Acts, where the harvest gifts of Holy Trinity will be used, and for the charities that support the farming communities throughout the world. We pray that the societies who have too much to eat will have pity upon those who have too little and learn to share fairly.Bible Sunday reminds us of our commitment to follow the paths of goodness that Our Lord has set for us, bringing love and mercy, inclusion and generosity to all those around us. And to those we have never met, to those out of sight. We renew our willingness to absorb the wisdom and teaching from our Bibles each day.And remembering St Francis, we pray for peace in the world, not just cessation of war, but the peace that only God can pour down upon us, peace that shows respect for all creation, peace that lifts the lowly and gives them a place at the table, peace that is everlasting and permanent.We pray for all the young people going to university this month, for the first time, that they will be kept safe from harm and form friendships that will last and be loving.Now he who supplies seed to the Sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 2 Cor 9:10
OCTOBER 25 NEWSLETTERJulie Writes...Dear Friends,I’ve recently returned from a two-week holiday in the north of Scotland. I had read how beautiful it was, and I wasn’t disappointed It seemed to be more spectacular every day as we travelled anticlockwise from Inverness around the coast and back to Fort William. The highlight for me was an overnight stay in a lighthouse in Strathy. We watched the sunset and later went out to see the night sky. The stars were everywhere, all those constellations clearly visible. The words of Psalm 8 came to mind. 'When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars that you have established. What are human beings that you are mindful of them, mortals that you care for them?'At Creationtide we are particularly encouraged to thank God for what he has provided and to remember our responsibility to take care of our planet and all who share it.On Sunday (5th) we will celebrate Harvest at Holy Trinity with a parade service at 10.30am. I am delighted that Richard Owens, the CEO of Compassion Acts, has agreed to come and speak about the work which the organization carries out. As usual the church windows will be decorated by all the organizations with links to Holy Trinity and the donated Harvest food items will be passed on to Compassion Acts. In the evening, Paul will be leading a Prayer and Praise service at 6.30pm.The following week (12th) we will celebrate Harvest at St Michaels’ with a real focus on the farming community and the surrounding countryside. The church, which is always so beautifully decorated, will be open during the afternoon and will end with a traditional Evensong at 4.30pm. As usual all the donated fruit and vegetables will be sold afterwards and the money raised sent to RABI (Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution), an important charity which works hard to support farmers and their families.I look forward to seeing you at one or more of these great celebrations.Julie
