Benefice-Priest in Charge
Katrina Dykes
MESSAGE FROM KATRINA
OCTOBER 2019
Three-quarters of those questioned in a recent survey believe that children should continue to take part in Harvest Festivals. Sixty-five percent recalled positive memories of a Harvest Festival from when they were a child. And, although I have no specific statistics, many times I hear of people who don’t usually go to church but they do for Christmas, Easter and Harvest.
What is it that makes Harvest such a significant festival for people?
Perhaps nostalgia has a part to play. Those lovely harvest hymns, conjuring up a by-gone era of ploughs drawn by oxen, fields sown by hand and communities coming together to bring the harvest-home, ere the winter storms begin. Even though we live in a beautiful area surrounded by farms, few of us have any real knowledge of what is involved in modern day farming, the challenges faced or the technology now used. Farming methods have come a long way since those Victorian hymns and whilst the weather has the potential to still disrupt our plans, it is unlikely to result in an impoverished pantry in the long, cold months of winter.
However, we are reminded at harvest-time, of those less fortunate than ourselves. We bring produce to church services that is passed on to others either through the Food Bank or the Crisis Centre. It is good to share, and many of us like the opportunity to share. Some of the luxury items brought in for Harvest at the Private School I worked in, used to make me smile. What would the recipients make of toiletries from Harrods and tasty treats from Fortnum and Masons! But why not! Better by far than the out of date packets of dried soup and rusty tins of chick peas I have encountered at other places. Giving to others gives us a good feeling and the more generous, often the better the feeling!!
Harvest is also a season for thankfulness. Being grateful for what we have, however much or little that might be. Some days it is more of a challenge to lift our eyes to see the positive and on others we can almost be glib about having nothing to complain about. In reality, life is a mixed bag, but finding something be grateful for even in the dark days is a good discipline that has a way of making life better. At harvest-time, it’s good to come together and encourage one another to be generous and thankful – quite a combination for helping us also feel good! As well as a positive tradition to pass onto our children and grand-children.
In fact why only keep it for Harvest, why not practice it every day, of every week of the year!
“Always try to do good to each other and to all people. Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus... Hold on to what is good… May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.” (Taken from verses in I Thessalonians 5).
Rev’d Katrina Dykes
Three-quarters of those questioned in a recent survey believe that children should continue to take part in Harvest Festivals. Sixty-five percent recalled positive memories of a Harvest Festival from when they were a child. And, although I have no specific statistics, many times I hear of people who don’t usually go to church but they do for Christmas, Easter and Harvest.
What is it that makes Harvest such a significant festival for people?
Perhaps nostalgia has a part to play. Those lovely harvest hymns, conjuring up a by-gone era of ploughs drawn by oxen, fields sown by hand and communities coming together to bring the harvest-home, ere the winter storms begin. Even though we live in a beautiful area surrounded by farms, few of us have any real knowledge of what is involved in modern day farming, the challenges faced or the technology now used. Farming methods have come a long way since those Victorian hymns and whilst the weather has the potential to still disrupt our plans, it is unlikely to result in an impoverished pantry in the long, cold months of winter.
However, we are reminded at harvest-time, of those less fortunate than ourselves. We bring produce to church services that is passed on to others either through the Food Bank or the Crisis Centre. It is good to share, and many of us like the opportunity to share. Some of the luxury items brought in for Harvest at the Private School I worked in, used to make me smile. What would the recipients make of toiletries from Harrods and tasty treats from Fortnum and Masons! But why not! Better by far than the out of date packets of dried soup and rusty tins of chick peas I have encountered at other places. Giving to others gives us a good feeling and the more generous, often the better the feeling!!
Harvest is also a season for thankfulness. Being grateful for what we have, however much or little that might be. Some days it is more of a challenge to lift our eyes to see the positive and on others we can almost be glib about having nothing to complain about. In reality, life is a mixed bag, but finding something be grateful for even in the dark days is a good discipline that has a way of making life better. At harvest-time, it’s good to come together and encourage one another to be generous and thankful – quite a combination for helping us also feel good! As well as a positive tradition to pass onto our children and grand-children.
In fact why only keep it for Harvest, why not practice it every day, of every week of the year!
“Always try to do good to each other and to all people. Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus... Hold on to what is good… May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.” (Taken from verses in I Thessalonians 5).
Rev’d Katrina Dykes
