“Come, ye thankful people, come,
raise the song of harvest-home;
all is safely gathered in,
ere the winter storms begin…”
The language of ‘harvest’ is rich. Words like ‘bountiful’, ‘plentiful’, ‘abundant’ and ‘generous’ abound in music and poetry to describe the season. For parishioners entering St. James’ church for the Harvest Festival, they were greeted by physical representations of such descriptors.
The porch had been lovingly decorated with fabulous floral arrangements in autumnal colours and baskets of fruit were filled to overflowing.
Once inside the rural church, the theme continued. Sacks of local potatoes full-to-the-brim and hand-made wheatsheaves were on display. Home-grown dahlias, stunning in their complexity and vibrant in hue adorned table-tops and window-ledges. A vintage toy farm complete with a farmhouse, a working family and a variety of animals was a powerful reminder of what was about to be celebrated.
“Give thanks, with a grateful heart…”
Creation, generously gifted by God in all its glory was at the heart of the service led by Rev. Dyllis. The food that we eat and the beauty which surrounds us, demonstrates that we are meant to be in a relationship with our Creator. The congregation was urged to STOP and SEE the wonder of Creation and then reflect on our own personal harvest of love, joy, patience, kindness, gentleness, wisdom and talents to mention but a few. Such generous blessings deserve abundant thanks.
This year, St. James’ church will be donating a special monetary collection in support of the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institute (RABI). This charity believes that no member of the farming community should have to face adversity alone and provides guidance, practical care and financial support to those in need working in agriculture.
The children’s Sunday Club enjoyed some crafting on the Harvest theme by making some beautiful Harvest wreaths. The youngsters proudly shared their handiwork at the end of the service with Rev. Dyllis and the congregation.
The words of the ever-popular autumnal closing hymn amplified the overall theme of the day:
“We plough the fields, and scatter
the good seed on the land,
but it is fed and watered
by God’s almighty hand:
He sends the snow in winter,
the warmth to swell the grain,
the breezes, and the sunshine,
and soft, refreshing rain.”
Like all services at St. James’, it ended with an invitation to partake in refreshments and fellowship…a harvest of community.
Harvest Choral Evensong
Hours after the morning service finished, the choir of St. James, with additional choristers from the Over Wyre Benefice came together for a traditional Harvest Choral Evensong.
The church, resplendent in autumnal glory proved a beautiful backdrop for an evening of harvest music. Flickering candlelight added to the ambience.
Led by LLM Nicola, the service moved seamlessly through a sequence comprising hymns, prayers, sung psalms, readings, responses and collects, anthems and a sermon.
During the choristers’ pieces, the congregation listened attentively and then joined in the hymns with enthusiasm.
All in all, it had been a day of abundance: produce in profusion, a plethora of flower petals, generous harvest gifts, opulent music and immeasurable blessings. Harvest.