HARVEST THANKSGIVING

October…………………...“The season of mists and mellow fruitfulness” and the season of harvest. And it is truly a season of abundance after the lovely summer of sunshine.

Harvest is from the Anglo-Saxon word hærfest, "Autumn". It then came to refer to the season for reaping and gathering grain and other grown products. The full moon nearest the autumnal equinox is called the Harvest Moon. So in ancient traditions Harvest Festivals were traditionally held on or near the Sunday of the Harvest Moon. An early Harvest Festival used to be celebrated at the beginning of the Harvest season on 1 August and was called Lammas, meaning 'loaf Mass'. Farmers made loaves of bread from the fresh wheat crop. These were given to the local church as the Communion bread during a special service thanking God for the harvest.

As a child, growing up in the North Riding of Yorkshire, and St Barnabas Church in Linthorpe, we held the traditional ‘Harvest Festival’ when we took our baskets of offerings to the altar in a special service. It was always difficult to find a suitable container – it seemed we never had such a thing to give away in our household!

And rather than Harvest Festival, it was ‘Harvest Thanksgiving’ as a reminder that there is someone or something to thank for the provision we have. We know that not all are as fortunate. Since Lichfield Food Bank began through The Trussell Trust, both churches have been generous in supporting the cause. There are many living near us who are struggling.

Harvest is an unusual word! Have you noticed that the word ‘HARVEST’ can be altered to a word that means exactly the opposite? It can be altered to an anagram meaning the

‘complete lack of essential resources for life’.

H A R V E S T

Set aside the ‘H’ of Harvest [‘ARVEST]; bring the last two letters to the front , and there is

‘STARVE’

It’s ironic that within that lovely, warm meaning of the noun ‘HARVEST’ – ‘gathered in supplies’ – is a verb meaning the complete opposite.

HARVEST implies health…lots of good things …gifts

Lets keep that word ‘STARVE’ hidden within ‘HARVEST’ always at the back of our minds ……warning us of the delicate balance between a ‘good’ harvest and a ‘bad’ one. And that a ‘good’ harvest may not always be taken for granted.

Collect for Harvest

Creator God, you made the goodness of the land, the riches of the sea and the rhythm of the seasons; as we thank you for the harvest, may we cherish and respect this planet and its peoples.

At our Harvest Services (5th October at St Stephen’s, Fradley and 12th October at All Saints, Alrewas), we will be donating goods to Lichfield Food Bank. We invite any donations of tinned or dried goods, toiletries and cash.

Thank you!

Revd Elizabeth Wall Associate Minister