Harvest Festival

All Saints' Church Harvest Festival - 2011

 

 

On Sunday 16 October a full church of 80 adults and children gathered for a traditional but innovative Harvest Festival service conducted by The Revd Tony Cumberlidge.

The church was beautifully decorated with flowers, foliage, fruit, vegetables and a stunning Harvest Sheaf, baked by the Chievely bakery. Children arranged windows with their favourite farmyard toys and produce from their gardens or allotments.

Additionally, harvest decorations described by Victorian clergyman Francis Kilvert in his famous diaries were introduced for the first time: a cross of white flowers floating on the font, sheaves in St Andrew’s crosses on the walls of the church, linked by a vine hung with grapes, and rare and magnificent ferns lining the altar steps.

 

 

Also for the first time the newly formed East Garston Active Music Club, took part in the service. The young people performing were all aged 13 or under. The club has been started by Mrs Pat Glover, who lives in East Garston and is keen to give young children the opportunity to play a musical instrument. The children opened the service by playing Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring and also played the first verse of Come Ye Thankful People Come.

Mr Cumberlidge’s address on the importance of saying thank you, involved children of all ages in discussion on the Parable of the Ten Lepers, when only one man remembered to say thank you to Jesus for healing him. The congregation were then reminded how important it was and still is, in country parishes to give thanks to God for a fruitful harvest, as so much of the rural economy depends upon it.

 

 
After the service, a superb Harvest Lunch was served in the Village Hall to fifty adults and children. A complete cross section of people from within and beyond the parish, were there. The occasion illustrated the importance to parishioners of a vibrant church celebrating an ancient village custom.

 

photos : Martyn Wright
text : Sally Wright 

 

 

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