With Thankful Hearts – Harvest 2026 October 4th
This week the Church of England invites us to share in Generosity Week. We are encouraged to find some time and space to be still and reflect on our lives and the world around us. What are the things we use every day that we simply take for granted ? – the food we eat, the clothes we wear, the homes we have and all that is in them. Do we recognise enough the wonder and beauty of all creation ? – the world around us and the wider universe.
God is gracious and generous in providing us with all these things and what we need. But too often we don’t find the time to express our thanks for that generosity. We are also encouraged to think about how we respond to other kindness and generosity to us.When a friend invites us to share food or their company – how do we show our thanks? When we experience a kind act towards us – how do we show our thanks? When we are given a gift (such as a box of chocolates) – what do we do – do we share the good things we have been given?
Harvest each year gives us a chance to stop and offer thanks to God and to reflect on how we can share those things we have been given. I hope that you will be able to join us on Sunday at either St Faith’s or St Mary’s at 10am and join all of us in giving thanks to God. You are invited to bring food to share with others – the Roberts Centre will receive most of our donations, please bring tinned foods etc , and bring food you would like to receive and enjoy (even chocolate!)
You are invited to make a donation to support the work of Kitchen of Hope in our City – which cooks meals and uses food to break down barriers and build community.
You are invited to make a commitment to support our life as a Christian community and the work and ministry we carry out in our part of the City. We can only do all that we do and provide the ministry and care we offer with your financial support – and like all households our costs are rising. In difficult times we appreciate the pressures on your finances, but hope you may be able to support us in some way through the year. If you want information on how best to do this please let me know – or there will be a leaflet for you on Sunday.
At the weekend there will also be:
Saturday Oct 3rd Messy Harvest 10am at St Mary’s – come and explore how we can be thankful in art and craft and ending with a free lunch. Please encourage any young children and families to come along.
Sunday Oct 4th Harvest Supper and Barn Dance 3.30pm St Mary’s – a chance to enjoy live music and join in some fun dancing. Also a Ploughman’ Supper. Last year’s event was enjoyed by all who attended and we hope you will come and enjoy this year’s – the more the merrier!
Then we will be celebrating St Faith’s Day on Tuesday Oct 6th. The last few months have not been easy for the community at St Faith’s.We hope many will come to show our love and support for them and to give thanks for the faithful witness of the Church over the years and for the people of Landport it seeks to serve. There will be a Patronal Mass at 7pm and the preacher will be Fr Alex from All Saints Church/Harbour Team.
Finally on Sunday Oct 11th at 1.30pm there will be a chance to come and watch the People’s Emergency Climate Briefing – a film about a major conference that took place in London and a discussion about the issues it raises. The afternoon is free. There will be a light lunch after the morning service (around 12.30) for those who wish to stay – please sign list in Church if interested.
In addition to all of this we hope you might come along and experience the Wrestling Night at St Marys on Friday Oct 9th from 7pm – tickets available at St Mary’s.
However you mark Harvest I hope that you will find the best way for you to respond to God’s generosity in creation with thankful hearts!
Best wishes
Father Bob