A HARVEST OF GENEROSITY

Dear Friends and Neighbours,

I love the beauty of the countryside around us at this time of year. This autumn I’ve especially noticed how many blackberries and sloes there are in the hedgerows, and the amazing colours of the trees as they begin to glow with wonderful autumn golds, reds, oranges and browns. It’s such a great reminder of the wonder of God’s creation right on our doorstep.

As we leave summer behind and move into autumn, our churches and schools traditionally hold Harvest Festival services and this year the theme I’m reflecting on is a Harvest is Generosity.

For me Harvest is the perfect time to pause and give thanks for God’s amazing generosity to us… not only in the crops gathered in and the food on our tables, but in the beauty of creation all around us, and in the daily blessings we often take for granted. When we pause and take time to be thankful for what we have, even if it’s not very much, we often find our hearts become more generous in nature… and we’re able to be more generous to others in all kinds of ways.

Harvest is also a great time for generosity and sharing. Adults and children around the Benefice are really generous in bringing food of all kinds to our church harvest services. The food goes to the local foodbanks and to help those in need in our communities. This too is a way of sharing God’s generosity to us with others.In the Bible we’re told,

“You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.” (2 Corinthians 9:11).

That’s what harvest is all about …being thankful for all that God has given us, and letting that thankfulness overflow into generosity to others.

I love it that God blesses us, so that we can bless others. Whenever we give generously …whether it’s food, time, friendship, or practical help …we are reflecting something of God’s heart.

So, this harvest, let’s take time to be thankful, and let’s be generous in turn, sharing God’s love with those around us… and celebrate God’s blessings to us.

Have a generous Autumn and Harvest.

God Bless …

Rev Cathy x