As we move into November we enter the season of Remembrance with All Saints and All Souls, followed by Remembrance weekend. As the days shorten, we move on in the year to something of a more reflective time.This seems to have been a year to remember anniversaries; we commemorated the 80th anniversary of VE Day on May 8th – the end of the 2nd World War in Europe. Then on August 15th we made sure that we acknowledged VJ Day 80- the 80th Anniversary of Victory over Japan. Who could forget the really moving flypast from the Memorial Arboretum at 1pm on the anniversary? Many felt that they were forgotten at VJ Day; celebrations had begun in Europe for the end of WW2..After fighting stopped on 15 August, it would take several months for POWs, servicemen and women to return home to Britain, where their harrowing wartime experiences would continue to take a toll. On VJ Day 80, we paid tribute to our veterans, the Second World War generation and remembered those who made the ultimate sacrifice for peace. We must never forget the sacrifices made….in the hope of peace…and for our freedom. Why do we remember?Well, we think about the people who died in these wars.We think about them with thankfulness, because they sacrificed everything they had to make sure that we could be free in this country today. All that we take for granted, they didn’t have a chance of experiencing or having. In addition we think about those whom we have known and loved, but see no longer; those who have shaped our lives for good. Remembrance, though isn’t just about the past. We also remember the past by the telling of a story. So that particular story becomes real and alive now and encourages us for the future.We remember the story of what God has done in our lives as we tell the story once again of the Last Supper, where Jesus broke bread and blessed the wine.And his sacrifice is recalled in the very words of Jesus- ‘Do this in remembrance of me’.So remembrance is part of the very core of what we stand for as Christians, because part of remembering is a celebration ………..of all the things we now enjoy and treasure – gifts of freedom, justice, peace and truth.So the past that we now remember allows us to value ever more deeply all that we have in the present time in which we live. We pray for peace. And lest we forget the promise of peace we continue to share our history as we pray for peace in our world. So………………….Some notable words…….. “As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.” – John F Kennedy “Heroism doesn’t always happen in a burst of glory. Sometimes small triumphs and large hearts change the course of history.”- Mary Roach It is good to remember – it means we can – hopefully – learn from the past, but also that we can give thanks for what others have done for us.So a prayer for this Remembrance season– O God of truth and justice, we hold before you those whose memory we cherish, and those whose names we will never know. Help us to lift our eyes above the torment of this broken world, and grant us the grace to pray for those who wish us harm. As we honour the past, may we put our faith in your future; for you are the source of life and hope, now and for ever. Revd Elizabeth Wall Associate Minister
HARVEST THANKSGIVINGOctober…………………...“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 TSet 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 …giftsLets 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 HarvestCreator 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
HARVEST APPEAL FOR LICHFIELD FOODBANK As in previous years we are running an appeal throughout the Harvest season for donations of food and cash to support Lichfield Foodbank. The appeal began with the Charity Concert on Saturday 6 September. This was a fantastic evening which raised over £2,200 which will be turned into food over the coming weeks. A huge thank you to all of our performers and to everyone who supported the event. The appeal continues and will end with the Harvest Thanksgiving Service which this year will take place on Sunday 12th October at 10.00 am. All of the offering taken at that service will go to the appeal. Donations of food can be placed in the box at the back of Church and cash donations can either be put on the plate on a Sunday, or in the donations box just inside the main door. Please put in an envelope marked ‘Harvest’, and if you are a tax payer please use one of the green Gift Aid envelopes. The card machine will also be available for donations at Sunday services. The need remains very high, and in the three months to the end of June the Foodbank provided bags containing several days’ worth of food in support of 1343 adults and 563 children. Thank you for your continued generosity. It is enormously appreciated by the Foodbank and those in receipt of the food donated / purchased. Nick KilfordAlrewas PCC Treasurer
RAISE THE ROOF – THE ROOF HAS BEEN RAISED!As we look forward to celebrating Easter later this month, I am delighted to confirm to you that the essential Nave Roof repairs were successfully completed on 21 February bringing to a conclusion a 5-month project and giving this section of the church roof a new lease of life.The project ultimately took 5 months to complete which was longer than expected due to the builders encountering some unforeseen challenges which increased the scope of the works and the time needed. Nevertheless, the project was still brought home within budget after allowing for such contingencies.In total the costs of completing the work came to c£103,200. Of this amount c£83,400 was met from donations and legacies, with the balance covered from fund raising events, grants, bank interest on funds raised, and reserves. As a consequence of the success in raising funds, the call upon PCC ring fenced reserves was more modest than anticipated. This leaves us in a strong position to deal with any new building issues which may arise (a significant and ongoing risk with an ancient Grade 1 Listed building) and / or a good base from which to work if in due course it is decided to replace another section of the roof.The roof is in three sections and the repairs that have been undertaken have been to the section that was in the poorest state of repair and where water was coming in during periods of heavy rain and storms. Of the remaining sections, one is in a good state of repair and the other will need to be replaced in due course which will require a further round of fundraising. However, it currently remains watertight and therefore is not something that needs to be addressed in the short term. We will continue to be guided by our surveyor as to the respective timescales.The PCC would like to extend its huge thanks and appreciation to the many individuals and organisations who have supported this project, which was vital to securing for all the community the future of the beautiful Grade 1 listed building that is All Saints Church. Given the large number of donations received it was not possible to send individual thank you letters but every amount given, whether small or large, is appreciated enormously.Finally, now that work has been completed, we will be turning our attention to how we are going to mark the occasion, to include recognising donors and the dedications they requested with their gifts. Further news in relation to this will follow in due course.Nick KilfordTreasurerAlrewas PCC
