The celebration of the Harvest occurs in many cultures around the world and takes place around the time of a region’s main harvest. The celebrations all share a common theme: gratitude and thankfulness. Gratitude is the quality of being thankful or the readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness. Gratitude is the cornerstone of the world’s major religions, too, from Christianity to Islam to the Jewish faith. Psychologists report that being grateful is directly linked to a greater sense of well-being.
Last week, at St. Thomas’ Church, the children, staff and families gathered together on a blustery, grey and rainy day to celebrate the harvest. As the children delivered their Harvest Service that included prayer, songs, a Bible verse (Colossians 3:12-17), poems, dancing and art, the families and staff gathered together, bound by mutual gratitude. Families brought food and household products in support of our local food bank to help people in Weardale that are in need of a helping hand. Indeed, the entire school community was thankful and showed a readiness to return kindness to our wider community. Gratitude in action…
Find out more about Weardale’s Food Bank and how you can help.
Christian Aid Harvest prayer
The earth is fruitful, may we be generous.
The earth is fragile, may we be gentle.
The earth is fractured, may we be just.
Creating God, harvest in us joy and generosity
as we together share in thanks and giving.
