Colour Supplement

Articles by Christians around the world

Sunday, October 1 2006

 

Winter 1963 and Harvest 2006

A letter from our Vicar, Revd Julian Smith

 

 

I am not a gardener.  I am allowed to mow the lawns on my own but everything else, especially pruning, is strictly under close supervision.  Harvest is not a time that takes me back to roots as a ‘son of the soil’.  A trip round a supermarket produce section leaves me breathless – so much choice, so many food miles used to fly unseasonal crops for my delight!  Though our weekly organic veggie box often provides a challenge to the family soup-maker, the ‘organic’ apples and pears in our garden are really not recommended for vegetarians.

 

I have no green credentials, so, more and more, harvest for me is about things we take for granted. 

 

For most of us the seasons have ceased to matter, the choice in the shops is worldwide and heedless of what’s best locally at particular times of the year.  Most of us are confident of running water, warm homes, electric light – complete the list yourself.  There is so much, and so much that we take for granted.  But it was not always so – and I’m not talking about the distant past!

 

Supporting the schools

I was 14 when the long winter of 1963 began with snow on Boxing Day 1962.  Years ago I was talking to a friend about how we coped in those days before widespread central heating – I asked my mother, who reminded me of the Rayburn in the kitchen that warmed the whole house.  Despite the Rayburn my memories are of constant cold, damp feet and hands, ice on the inside of bedroom windows in the morning, a mad games’ master who insisted we played football on top of the frozen snow (no fun for the poor goalkeeper!) and the water in the boys’ bogs frozen.  I say ‘boys’ bogs’ advisedly as they were disconnected from any of the classrooms and a trip to them required us to wrap up warm!

 

Once again we shall be sharing our harvest celebrations with the children at St Andrew’s School and their families.  Last year we sent goats to Ethiopia; this year we are supporting the ‘Building Knowledge’ appeal through World Vision.  Each class will identify an educational resource, ranging from school textbooks and classroom maps to desks, chairs and school uniforms, then they will organise a sponsored event to buy as many of their target items as they can.

 

Lunching for  loos

The PCC has decided that we will choose just one item from the World Vision catalogue and use the harvest collections and the profits from our 2^nd Soup and Crumble lunch to pay for it. 

 

So without more ado, let me unveil what we have pledged to send to a third world school this harvest – a school toilet block!  The target cost is £534, which is more than we raised last year, but not impossible.

 

So if you’re feeling flush or, like me, can remember the bad old days of outside bogs and are thankful for progress – you can help.

 

Our Harvest services will be on Sunday 8^th October, with an 8am Communion Service and a 10am Service for All Ages.  There is also a Communion Service at Kilkenny Court at 6pm.  As last year, we are encouraged to bring veg. that can be turned into soup and fruit, flour and sugar that can be turned into pies and crumbles.  After the 10am Service we’ll be able to take ingredients to make soup, pies or crumbles for the lunch the following Sunday.

 

Our Harvest Lunch follows our Parish Communion on Sunday 15^th October when our guest preacher (singing for her lunch) will be the Rural Dean – the Revd Sue Tucker.  Tickets for lunch are available from the Churchwardens and a list is in the Narthex to sign if you can help with the catering.  As before, fruit juice will be on sale and there will be a bowl at the door for donations.  We had a great time last year and I’m sure that this year will be even more fun.  Come if you can!

 

With my love and prayers,

 

Julian

  

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