At this harvest time, we are conscious of the grain grown both locally and around the world, and think of the flowers, fruit and vegetables traditionally associated with harvest festivals. In his letter to the Christians in Galatia, St Paul talks of a different and wonderful sort of fruit - the fruit of the Spirit - that the Holy Spirit can develop in our lives, and which we've witnessed in the lives of Christians we've known. For the words see our illustration or read Galatians 5:22,23

Someone in whom the Holy Spirit had brought forth the fruit of the Spirit was the late Revd Denis Sweetman, whose Christian virtues were clear in all his dealings with us.  His was a familiar face at St Mary's some years ago. As an accomplished artist he earned his living from his artistic work prior to ordination.  We at St Mary's have been fortunate to enjoy his greetings cards over the years. There are still a few of his "Fruit of the Spirit" cards on the stall at the back of the church. He had a sense of humour - see if you can find his trademark "mad monk" in the image above