As I Sit to Begin to Write This Article, Summer Is Almost Over and Autumn Has Almost Begun

Dear Friends

As I sit to begin to write this article, Summer is almost over and Autumn has almost begun. Today (Wednesday 23rd September) is the Autumn Equinox the day we have daylight and darkness in equal measure and from now on daylight will reduce, the clocks will be going back and it’s a sure sign that the winter months are not too far away, that and the fact Strictly Come Dancing is back on TV!

Late September and early October also see churches and schools up and down the country celebrating the Harvest. Harvest Festivals have changed so much in my lifetime. I‘ve never lived or worked in the countryside but I can remember from my childhood the wonderful displays of fresh produce decorating the church for Harvest, the colours and smells a fitting reminder of all that God had provided for us and the reason we gathered to give thanks. I remember too how after the evening service we used to make up Harvest parcels and deliver them to the homes of those living close to the church. There were fruit and flowers and vegetables in abundance, freshly baked bread and coal too, a commodity every house in the street relied on in the late 50’s and early 60’s.

If someone had brought pasta and pulses to the Harvest in those days it might have been looked upon with some scepticism but as with many things times have changed. We no longer adorn our churches with the produce of the past instead we bring dried goods, pasta and pulses and sugar, we bring packets and tins and containers of all different kinds.

But there are two things we still do and we should always do at Harvest time and that is give thanks and share. We have plenty to thank God for all the year round but at Harvest time we thank him for all His creation provides. We also give thanks for the farmers, the fishermen and the thousands who work tirelessly in all kinds of industries to bring all these things to our homes and our tables. As well as giving thanks it’s important that we still share our Harvest goods with those who need them the most. That might no longer be the neighbours who live in the streets around our churches but instead it’s the neighbours who live in the same City who have little to feed themselves and their families and rely on foodbanks to see them through. Our Foodbank box gets filled and emptied and shared regularly through the year so our Harvest gifts gives us the chance to boost what we give and ensure that even more mouths are fed.

So although the Harvest has changed in many ways since the days of my childhood it’s still a lovely time of the year which gives us the opportunity to both give thanks and to share.

I hope this year’s Harvest will once again be a real celebration of all that God provides for us…… and our neighbours.

With Love & Prayers

Trevor

Pulpit

October 4thJack HastingsCommunion

October 11thTrevor Kershaw

October 18thRobert Waddington

October 25thDavid Muschamp

Flowers

We are very grateful to the following friends who have kindly promised to provide flowers for the month of October.

October 4thMr & Mrs Barfield

October 11thVacant

October 18thMrs E Headley

October 25thMr & Mrs Jones and Mrs Holdsworth

Mrs Dibbwill be responsible for arranging and distributing the flowers throughout this month.

Collections

August 30th£ 73.87

September 6th£ 64.51

September 13th£135.30

September 20th£ 71.40

Ladies Circle

The meeting on Wednesday 7th October is the rehearsal for the Service on Sunday. It starts at 7.30 pm as usual. The following week, on Friday 16th October, is our Annual Dinner at Sandals Farm when we meet at 7 for 7.30pm. See you all then.

Coffee Morning

Jane and Julie invite you to their Christmas Card Stall coffee morning on Saturday 10th October from 10am till 12. There will be Christmas Cards, wrapping paper etc on sale, cake stall and raffle. Admission is £1 for coffee/tea and biscuits. The proceeds are towards the Christmas Fayre that is to be held on Saturday 28th November.

Beer & Hymns

As some of you may know, Trevor, Ruth and Faye participate in an event calledBeer & Hymns once every few months at Bradford Brewery on Westgate in Bradford. This is an event led by Rev Graeme Dutton where, as the title suggests, we enjoy a beer (or whatever your tipple is) and sing hymns, praising God for about an hour. If anyone is interested in joining us, the next date is Sunday October 11th (Church Anniversary day) at 7.30pm. Please have a word with either Trevor or Faye and you will be more than welcome to join us. You can find out more information on Beer & Hymns by following Saint Arnolds (Patron Saint of Hop-Pickers and Beer Brewing) on Facebook – see link on our Facebook page.

Invation from Southfield Lane

Following the success of our Thornton’s Chocolate Evening last November Southfield Lane are following suit and invite you to a similar event on Friday 2ndOctober at 7.30pm. The cost is £5 to include light refreshments. Trevor and Ruth have some tickets if you are interested.

Every SundayFamily Service 10.30am

Website:allertoncongregationalchurch.org.uk

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