resources for harvest and “a time for god’s...
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Resources for Harvest and “A Time for God’s Creation”
September 2015
A Prayer for Harvest Time
Dear God, We bring before you our modest gifts, like tiny seeds, not knowing what fruits you
may bring out of them. We wait before you, asking that our hands and gifts, offered in
your service, will make a difference to the world beyond all our imaginings. In the
name of Jesus, who once was weak and now is exalted.
Amen
The following are some resources which parishes may find useful with their Harvest and
Creation Time celebrations this year. Please also look out for Diocesan and local Harvest
appeals for further ideas.
Agricultural Roundup In 2015 the climate has not been the big issue for agriculture in the UK, but more the new
subsidy rules and methods of applying for them following the reform of the Common
Agricultural Policy (CAP) last year.
The subsidy largely pays for the differential between management of the land in a more
environmentally sustainable way compared to a more economically advantageous way, with
greater subsidy for more environmental measures put in place. For example, economically
you can argue that larger fields with fewer hedgerows reduces the cost of food production,
but hedgerows are good for wildlife and soil protection. Much of the countryside that people
across the country cherish would not be sustainable if it were not for these subsidies.
This year the responsible body for these subsidies in England, the Rural Payments Agency
(RPA), in line with other government departments intended that all applications were to be
done on-line. Unfortunately a combination of factors led to a crisis in the process: the rural
areas sometimes did not have sufficient internet access, they expected a degree of computer
literacy amongst farmers that was not there and the software they were using for the
applications was complicated and ultimately failed.
Eventually paper application forms were sent to farmers and the deadline extended by one
month for when they needed to be submitted by. The rules are more complicated this year to
obtain the subsidy and it remains to be seen when all these forms are processed if farmers
will receive the payments they rely on in December.
The other issue which is of real concern in the agricultural sector across Europe at the
moment is the plight of dairy farmers. This time last year DEFRA figures gave the average
price per litre of milk in this country as 32p, now the price is 24p per litre – that’s a fall of
25% in the price of milk. Add to that most dairy producers in this country are also in areas
affected by bovine TB – which if they develop a case in their herd mean they are placed
under severe restrictions – making it a real challenge for these farmers to make a living day to
day. If you want to know how you can support our dairy farmers there is advice from the
National Farmers Union (NFU): http://www.nfuonline.com/back-british-farming/news-
channel/how-can-i-support-british-dairy-farmers/
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Arthur Rank Centre (ARC) In previous years we have highlighted material
prepared or recommended by the Arthur Rank
Centre at Stoneleigh Park. The ARC website provides a
comprehensive list of resources from a wide range of organisations
including ideas for worship and other activities. Follow this link and
type in “harvest” at the search box.
http://www.arthurrankcentre.org.uk/
Farming Help
Farming Help brings together three national charities which work to benefit the farming community. Each charity provides different but complementary forms of help and support to meet a wide range of needs. http://www.farminghelp.co.uk/
The Farming Community Network (FCN) is a network of some three hundred or so
volunteers mostly with a farming background or close link to agriculture, who are organised
into county groups throughout England and Wales. They provide pastoral and practical
support to farmers and farming families facing difficulties for as long as needed – helping
people to find a positive way forward through their problems. In 2015 they celebrated their
20th
Anniversary of helping farmers across the country.
In addition to local groups of volunteers, FCN provides a confidential, national telephone
Helpline which is available from 7.00 am until 11.00 pm every day of the year. A
confidential email service has just been launched to complement the Helpline offering
farmers a chance to get in touch with FCN in whatever way they feel most comfortable with.
FCN is a Christian organisation and registered charity which has been working in the farming
community since 1995 and has a clear Christian ethos in all it does. All its services are made
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available to those in need from all faiths or none in a supportive, non-judgmental, non-
proselytising manner.
They have a range of resources harvest available to support worship:
http://fcn.org.uk/resources
Resources include:
Information on a selection of themes, scripture readings, prayers, liturgies and hymns
A Powerpoint Presentation on the theme of Harvest and FCN
A suggested order of Service for Harvest
Ideas of Harvest events and activities ‘Potatoes-- the life story of Chips’ a short
Powerpoint presentation aimed at Children
They will also send you FCN helpline cards, leaflets and Gift Aid envelopes for individual
offerings Please contact to order: [email protected] or ring 01788 510866
The Farming Community Network, Manor Farm, West Haddon, Northampton NN67AQ
If you would like a local contact that may be able to provide a speaker for Harvest or at
another time of year please contact Mark Betson Coordinator of the Surrey and Sussex group
British Food Fortnight 19th September - 4th October 2015
Seeking people with passion to celebrate British in 2015
Love British Food and the Telegraph
are searching for passionate people to
celebrate Britishness and recognise as
Harvest Heroes in 2015.
The third year of the popular
competition sees father and son team
Raymond and Olivier Blanc join TV
gardener Chris Collins as the competition judges. They are encouraging people throughout
the UK to grow, cook and share their produce during British Food Fortnight, the national
celebration of British food, which takes place this autumn.
“It is wonderful that more and more, people are realising the importance of supporting our
local farmers, local producers and local food and this is a fantastic way to encourage others to
engage with their community. I was so impressed with last year’s entries and hope that these
will be surpassed this year”, said Raymond Blanc.
The competition seeks to find the group who organise the most innovative and inclusive
harvest celebration in their community. From remote rural villages to inner city social clubs,
anyone can take part and anything goes – the more unusual, and fun, the better. The winners
will be presented with the Love British Food 2015 trophy plus they will enjoy breakfast and a
behind the scenes tour of the unique gardens at Raymond Blanc’s Belmond Le Manoir aux
Quat’Saisons.
“We want people to organise initiatives that strengthen their local community, educate about
British food and eating locally, and support the local economy”, explains organiser Alexia
Robinson. “Take as inspiration our 2014 competition winners from Emsworth in Hampshire.
Local business people joined forces and their outstanding effort saw a series of events taking
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place across two weeks; local producer markets, foraging walks, themed lunches, films about
the town’s oyster heritage and tastings.”
The competition is part of Love British Food’s campaign to reconnect the nation with the
land and with food production. British Food Fortnight is an annual national celebration of
British produced food and this year takes place from 19th
September to 4th
October.
To enter the competition, organise your harvest event during British Food Fortnight, take
plenty of photos and post them on your social media sites if you can. Submit these plus a
short description of what you did via the Telegraph website here or by
emailing [email protected]. The closing date for entries is midday on Friday,
October 16 2015.
For further press information and images please contact Love British Food on
T: 0203 239 7032 E: [email protected] W: www.lovebritishfood.co.uk
Twitter: @LoveBritishFood #BuyBritishFood
Facebook: Love-British-Food
When the event was first held in 2002 it was conceived as a modern day Harvest Festival
with the aim of reinvigorating this national celebration that was declining alongside lessening
church congregations. British Food Fortnight was started, would you believe, with the
support of ten vicars who helped to organise activities in communities across Britain under
the umbrella of the new national food promotion - from those small beginnings it has grown
into the huge event it is today.
Hundreds of activities are taking place across the country during British Food Fortnight. The
event is the biggest showcase of food on the national calendar and celebrates its twelfth year
with more activities than ever before for people to get involved, with a particular emphasis on
schools, communities and young people.
This year the campaign theme is again “Bring Home the Harvest” and we are encouraging
everyone to get involved. http://lovebritishfood.co.uk/
HOPE for Harvest – resources HOPE is reclaiming Harvest as a time to be thankful: thankful for
God's provision of food of course, but for time to give thanks for
work and our communities. HOPE for Harvest encourages
churches to support members in the workplace as well as looking
to the needs of others who have less and reaching out to them.
HOPE for Harvest is packed with everything you and your
church need to reconnect with the importance of harvest and to
focus on the importance of work, generosity and thankfulness.
Extracts from the book and ideas - Harvest Resources
How will you make Harvest mean more in your community?
How could you use this festival as an opportunity for more
celebration, generosity, thankfulness and word and action
mission?
Below are a few extracts and ideas from the HOPE for Harvest book. May they inspire you
to get yourself and your church involved in something different this year.
Stories and mission ideas for Harvest (.pdf)
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Community Get to know your community (.pdf)
Ways to impact your community (.pdf)
Work This Time Tomorrow (.pdf) - empower and affirm your church in their week day ministry
with this activity
Opportunties for prayer with the theme of work (.pdf) - use in church or small groups or just
for inspiration
Thankfulness, generosity and mission A different kind of Harvest - Article by Yemi Adedeji
Changing Harvest - Article by Paul Farrington (.pdf)
Connecting non rural communities (.pdf)
Thankfulness no matter what - Article by Sophie Cox (.pdf)
Young People Youth group sessions and Bible studies (.pdf)
Drama for schools or children's groups Saltmine Drama Workshop - Scarecrow's Stormy Day
Saltmine Sketch script - Scarecrow's Stormy Day
Generosity - Stewardship's video: http://www.stewardship.org.uk/special-articles/harvest
Celebrate Harvest with Self Help Africa
Celebrate Harvest this year with a Shropshire-based charity that helps families in rural Africa
to feed themselves.
Self Help Africa is offering a FREE Harvest Resources Pack which includes a poster, a talk,
prayers, stories from Africa and activities for all ages.
To order your free pack and any extra materials, please call Jo Darlington on 01743
277170 or email [email protected]. From July, you can download resources
directly from www.selfhelpafrica.org/uk/fundraise/churches
Self Help Africa can also arrange for one of their Church Ambassadors to come and speak to
your church during your Harvest service or at another time to suit you. They book up quickly
so call or email as soon as possible to secure a speaker for your church.
With more than 30 years’ experience of working with rural communities in Africa,
Shrewsbury-based Self Help Africa has developed an approach which works. They don’t
give hands outs or aid; they give families the skills and knowledge they need to grow enough
to feed themselves and to manage their own lives.
By celebrating Harvest with Self Help Africa, you’ll be helping African families to feed their
children and have enough food for years to come.
For more information or photos: Jo Darlington Email:
[email protected] Tel: 01743 277170
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Water Aid Harvest Appeal 2015 With the support of your church, we can bring clean, safe water to the
community of Morarano.
My name is Ernest Randriarimalala and I work for
WaterAid in Madagascar. Having been born in a
village without safe water, I have experienced for
myself how having this one essential
thing changes everything.
That's why I hope you will encourage your
congregation to support our incredible work to
bring safe water and a chance to grow crops to
Morarano village. By holding a Harvest collection or organising a
Harvest supper or lunch, your church can bring health, food,
education, and income to families.
Watch the film read more about Morarano village and download our
free resources below. You can also order a fundraising pack. Contact
the Community Fundraising team Phone: 020 7793 4594
Email: [email protected]
http://www.wateraid.org/uk/audience/community-groups/harvest
Christian Aid:
This Harvest, support women struggling to feed their families
Harvest is a time to reflect on how fortunate we are to have such a wealth of food
readily available to us, a situation which is far from reality for women like Tomey in
Mali.
Tomey lives in one of the driest places on earth, the Dogon Plateau in Mali, where rain is
scarce and droughts are becoming more frequent. Life there has never been easy, but with
a changing climate, families face an ever more bitter battle for survival.
In the drawn-out dry seasons, the ground is cracked and bare, leaving mothers in doubt
about how they’ll be able to stop their children from going hungry.
But there is hope
We are providing seeds, tools and training to help women in Tomey’s community to grow
market gardens. Unlike traditional crops, these gardens are irrigated and do not rely on
rain.They give women a chance to grow plentiful food to last through the leaner seasons.
By selling surplus crops from the market garden, Tomey could save money for the first
time in her life. So, when her grandson fell ill with malaria, she was able to buy the vital
medicine he needed to recover.
This project is about more than seeds and tools; it’s about giving families the
strength not just to survive, but to thrive. This work is life-saving and only possible
with help of generous supporters like you and your church community.
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Get your resources
You can download or order inspiring resources here to learn more about Tomey and her
community, to worship and to raise vital funds to support work like this across the world.
http://www.christianaid.org.uk/getinvolved/harvest/
Sowing seeds of peace for vulnerable women in Delhi.
This Harvest we are supporting the Delhi Brotherhood Society (DBS) as it reaches out to
vulnerable women in Delhi who are facing violence and discrimination.
Your donations will fund shelter, counselling and legal support.
The Delhi Brotherhood Society (DBS), with support from Us, runs a women’s empowerment
programme that is bringing peace to Delhi’s marginalised communities.
One aspect of this work involves Women’s Community Councils, at which prominent
members of the community hold hearings to resolve local disputes – often situations of
domestic violence and marital conflict.
The couples, and members of their family, are summoned to appear and resolutions can be
reached without the need for fines, court fees or imprisonment that would further impoverish
families.
One of the reasons for the success of the councils is that women in the community are both
witnesses to proceedings and able to verify whether rulings are being upheld. The people are
accountable to each other.
The councils are also an example of inter-faith co-operation. While DBS is a Christian
organisation, the councils are in the hands of the people – whether Hindu, Muslim or
Christian. There is no discrimination according to faith.
DBS council facilitator Kiran Bala said: ‘There is much injustice inflicted upon women. But
God continually raises people up to challenge these atrocities. When DBS intervenes in a
situation of injustice, it is the intervention of God.’
DBS also operates a 24-hour helpline that receives up to 35 calls per day. The helpline
workers can provide an emergency response and shelter if required. Sometimes they contact
the police. Other times they use the community councils to resolve disputes.
DBS is also working to inform women about their legal rights, and it provides vocational
skills training so that women are better able to support their families.
Resources include a powerpoint presentation/ liturgy and prayers, posters and
publicity, and Harvest Big Night Curry recipes.
http://www.weareus.org.uk/harvest/harvest/
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Church Urban Fund is encouraging churches to celebrate and reflect on the ways that God
abundantly provides for us and to share these blessings with those in our society who have
less.
Some people have a great deal while others struggle in work that does not pay enough to live
on and have to rely on food banks to see them through. Sharing what we have pleases God
and is part of creating a more just society.
God has provided for those in need, but we need to give up some of what we have.
For every £1 donated to Church Urban Fund, we work to multiply this and raise further funds
to provide £4.50 support to help transform lives of some of the poorest and most marginalised
in this country.
CHURCH RESOURCES
Preaching Notes and Reflections >
Prayers>
Children’s Activity >
HELP RAISE VITAL FUNDS
Host a frugal lunch, harvest supper,
coffee morning, afternoon tea or a
fundraising event of your choice to
help raise funds and transform lives of the poorest and most marginalised in this country.
Download posters and a placemat to print and utilise at your fundraising event.
Frugal Lunch poster
Harvest Supper Poster
Coffee Morning Poster
Afternoon Tea Poster
General Poster
Placemat
Please contact our team at [email protected] to request Gift Aid envelopes, printed posters,
information leaflets or any other resources you require.
This Harvest Sweet Potatoes are giving Hunger The Boot
For many farmers in rural Africa, harvest can be a time of meagre or non-existent crops and
fear for what the future may hold. There are thousands of families across rural eastern Africa
who urgently need your help to ensure they can feed and provide for their families.
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You can help families in Africa give hunger the boot by organising some welly-themed
fundraising with your church this harvest.
Whether you choose to have a Farm Africa collection during your harvest service (perhaps in
a welly boot?), hold a harvest lunch or even organise a welly walk, every pound you raise
will help farmers like Nehemia start growing new crops such as orange-fleshed sweet
potatoes.
To celebrate this humble vegetable, we’ve developed a range of sweet potato and welly-
themed fundraising materials. You can also download sweet potato recipes that you may wish
to use during your harvest lunch or a cake sale and service ideas, to explain more about Farm
Africa’s work to your congregation.
Contact: www.farmafrica.org/harvest Download further resources for service ideas
and fundraising.
Creation Time Creation Time runs from 1st of September to 4th of October. It is an opportunity to have special services and events about Care of the Environment. Some of the material can be used in harvest festivals. Operation Noah
Operation Noah is a campaigning organisation focussing on climate change. It exists because God’s creation faces the most urgent peril, which, to be averted, requires a rapid and radical transformation of our economy and culture—towards liveable, supportable lifestyles. Their mission states that “We believe that God’s creation is a gift that we have a duty to care for and that the wellbeing of all creation matters to God. We must repent for the damage we have done to the earth. We also believe that climate change is about justice, because the poor of the world – those who have done the least to cause it – are already suffering the devastating consequences of climate change. Acting on climate change is about loving our neighbours: that means those in other countries and future generations too.” In 2012, Operation Noah put together a theology think-tank to look at the biblical basis for a Christian view on climate change. The resulting document, the Ash Wednesday Declaration, was subtitled, ‘Climate change and the purposes of God: a call to the Church’. It was signed by church leaders from all the major UK denominations. With theological reflection, we challenge those who lead and shape churches to do so prophetically and with integrity. Resources and study guides can be downloaded and provide study for Creation Time: They include: God’s gift and our flourishing; Loving our neighbours; Repentance; Listening to the wise; Hope in difficult times; Eucharistic prayer for Creation time, http://www.operationnoah.org/sites/default/files/Final%20eucharistic%20prayer.pdf magazine articles on climate change, talks, lectures, video and audio links. www.operationnoah.org
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European Christian Environmental Network (ECEN) The ECEN website has background material relating to the proposed season and liturgical material gathered from a range of sources. http://www.ecen.org/
Eco-congregation The Eco-congregation website has resources for worship, prayers, bible study and group studies. http://ew.ecocongregation.org/ Eco-Congregation Scotland has produced worship material for Creation Time 2014 and can found here: www.ecocongregationscotland.org/creationtime
Christian Ecology Link (CEL) Similarly the Christian Ecology Link website contains worship and other material plus links to other organisations where material can be accessed. http://www.greenchristian.org.uk/
A Rocha is an international Christian organization which, inspired by God’s love, engages in scientific research, environmental education and community-based conservation projects. They have a range of resources to support churches environmental worship. http://www.arocha.org/int-en/index.html
Harvest in Southwark October Plenty 2015 will be on Sunday 25th October October Plenty is an Autumn harvest celebration held annually in Southwark. Beginning
on the Bankside, by Shakespeare's Globe, October Plenty mixes ancient seasonal customs
and theatre with contemporary festivity, joining with historic Borough Market,
Southwark and Borough Market's Apple Day. Supported by United St Saviour’s Charity
October Plenty is a collective celebration of the seasons, weather and food, in a public place,
with access to everyone. The event is free, and happens whatever the weather.
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Taste of Autumn at RHS Wisley Gardens
October 23rd Apple Cookery + Autumn Walk
Join us in the garden before it is open to the public as one of the garden team takes you on a
tour of the Orchard. Learn which cultivars would suit your garden, tips for apple tree growing
and top tips on the best varieties. You will get the opportunity to taste at least 10 apple
varieties and then pick your own apples. Then join our Taste of Wisley chefs for a cookery
class on Spiced apple chutney, apple compote, apple salad and apple pie. lunch. For more
information look up: https://www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/wisley
Reminder of Resources from Church House Publishing.
Creation Time and Harvest Festivals
Creation Time - a season of prayer for environmental issues and sustainability - starts this week. Plan a Creation Sunday or Harvest Thanksgiving service with ideas from one of these inspiring resource books:
Harvest for the World
This anthology of prayers, liturgies and stories from around the world includes contributions from both Christian Aid and CAFOD. It covers themes of creation, harvest, fair trading, poverty and relief work - perfect for Harvest Thanksgiving.
Paperback £16.99 (£15.29 for Friends of the Bookshop)
Together for a Season: Feasts and Festivals
Complete all-age services for Harvest Festival, Rogationtide and other seasons of the agricultural year, as well as material for Remembrance Sunday and Saints' days.
£24.50
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A Place at the Table
Worship resources for the whole year, drawing on the Christian traditions of hospitality and sharing a common meal. There are ideas for a retreat day reflecting on the environment, thoughts for harvest and seasonal recipes.
Paperback £14.99 (£13.49 for Friends of the Bookshop)
Also from the Agriculture and Theology Project:
Honey and Thistles. Biblical wisdom for the renewal of farming Christopher Jones & John Martin, Agriculture and Theology Project, 2015.
A theological reflection on the issue of feeding the world today in light of the biblical
tradition. £8.14 including postage.
We Hope you find these resources and links useful and wish you a Blessed Harvest Festival From the Faith in the Countryside Team across the Diocese of Chichester and Southwark. Revd Carol Coslett Southwark Diocesan Faith in the Countryside Officer The Rectory Old Reigate Road Betchworth 01737 842012 Email: [email protected] Revd Dr Mark Betson Chichester Diocesan Rural Officer The Vicarage Plummers Plain Horsham RH13 6NU 01403 891367 Email: [email protected]