Thanksgiving = thanks + giving
October always begins with a Harvest Festival service in the Church of England’s calendar. Celebrating harvest is a tradition going back thousands of years. The first UK church service was held in 1843 led by Reverend Robert Hawker. He was an Anglican priest, also a poet, antiquarian and eccentric! He was a vicar in Plymouth, and the service was a thanksgiving service that ‘all was safely gathered in’ as the hymn we often sing at Harvest time goes.
This is a month in the year when we in the Church of England particularly focus on giving. An intrinsic part of being a Christian is about giving; it is a crucial part of Christian life. The practice of giving a tenth of people’s income goes back to the Old Testament: “Ten per cent belongs to the Lord” (Leviticus ch.27, v.30) A little ditty reminds us of this: “Our giving doesn’t start, until the tenth has been given. O, may we take this to heart, and satisfy the claims of heaven.” It is perhaps a good time to think about your own giving; every little helps, as we know from the parable of the widow’s mite.
It is also the time of year for form filling and numbers counting. Please help us by completing the income survey forms: it all gives the Diocese some indication of who we are at St John’s.
It is also a time to reflect on your own gifts and talents; can you use them in God’s service? As Jesus said, “Freely you have received, freely give” (Matthew ch.10, v.8). Give back in God’s service what he has given to you. “Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven” (Matthew ch.6 v.20). He will repay you all that you have given.
We have much to be thankful for in this part of the world and in this area. It is then a good time to unite and thank God for all of the blessings he so freely bestows upon us each day.
Best wishes and blessings,
Reverend Debra