Churches across the Diocese of Winchester have been marking Harvest with special services, school events and collections for local charities and organisations. From tractors and sheep to community lunches, the celebrations have brought churches together with local communities and school pupils to give thanks for God’s provision and all those who produce our food.
It has also been an opportunity to pray for our famers, who this year have faced particularly challenging weather conditions and a difficult growing season.
Here are some of the ways our churches have been marking Harvest this year.
St Mary’s, Kingsclere
A local farmer joined the Harvest Festival at St Mary’s Church in Kingsclere, bringing along his tractor and some sheep! During the service, farmer Pete Harding was interviewed by the vicar about the challenges he faces and how the congregation can support local farmers, both practically and through prayer.
The congregation were also given prayer points, including prayers for more people to take up farming, for experienced and empathetic leadership on UK farming from the Government, and for more settled and less extreme weather.
Pupils from Kingsclere Primary School also played a key part in the service.
Licensed Lay Minister Beverley Williams said, “The week before the service, I spent two afternoons at Kingsclere Primary School. Year 2 pupils made thankful paper chains, with each child writing messages of thanks to God for the harvest. The Year 3 class made some beautiful harvest wreaths. Both crafts became part of our harvest decorations inside the church.”
Pupils also led the congregation in singing ‘Harvest Moon’, read a poem and took part in the prayers. Food donations from the primary school, pre-school and congregation were sent to the Basingstoke Food Bank.
The service was followed by a lunch, with donations going to the Newbury Soup Kitchen.
Winchester Cathedral
A tractor parked outside Winchester Cathedral caught the attention of passers-by and helped raise awareness of the Harvest service inside, as well as providing an opportunity to connect with the local farming community.
Civic guests joined the Sunday morning Eucharist, alongside staff and students from Sparsholt College, which has strong links with agriculture, as well as representatives of Winchester Food and Basics Bank.
In the week leading up to the service, members of the congregation were given large paper bags and information about the items needed by the charity. They returned the bags during the service, filled with donations. In total, two lorry loads of supplies were delivered to the Basics Bank to help people in need.
The Dean of Winchester, the Very Revd Chris Palmer, said, “I think we’ve lost contact with where our food comes from, and we often forget that people make everything that comes into our supermarkets. They often work under harsh conditions, and the economics of farming can be difficult. Ultimately of course it’s about remembering that our food comes from God and rather than taking it for granted, choosing an attitude of gratitude.”
Lesley Little, Chair of Trustees at the Winchester Food and Basics Bank, said, “We are entirely dependent on donations and grants. Last year we bought a third of the food etc that we gave to clients. These generous donations will enable us to continue to offer our Winchester neighbours the support they need, when they need it. The beauty of donated food is its variety, which gives our clients some choice and a sense of control at a time when their options are limited. Thank you.”
St Mary’s Eversley
Three Harvest services took place across the parish at the Hampshire Lakes Retirement Village, Bramshill Chapel and St Mary’s Church in Eversley.
Revd Faith Bailey said, “It was lovely to see so many people come along and join in the celebrations. Bramshill and St Mary’s looked beautiful, filled with flowers, fruit and vegetables, and there was a real sense of thankfulness as we gathered together. We had a wonderful amount of food donated for the local foodbank, and it was great to be able to share our harvest with those in our local community who need a little extra help.
“Across all three services, it was a lovely opportunity to stop and remember just how much we have to be thankful for, and to celebrate God’s generosity and grace.”
St Mary’s Breamore
A colourful art installation, created by children of the local primary school, hung above the font at Breamore Church for Harvest. Each pupil decorated a raindrop for the display, giving thanks for water.
The link between the church and school continued with a special midweek Harvest service. It was started by the handbell ringers, and every child took part in reminding the congregation of the importance of giving thanks and sharing what we have with others. Donations were collected for the local branch of the Trussell Trust foodbank.
St Leonard’s, Sherfield on Loddon
More than 60 people gathered at the village hall for the church’s annual Community Harvest Lunch following the service at St Leonard’s. Members of the church family were joined by people from across the local community, who enjoyed a home cooked two course meal prepared and served by a team of volunteers.
Church member John Moule said, “The sound of laughter and conversation filled the space with fellowship, friendship, and community spirit. It warmed our hearts to bring all these wonderful people together. We are proud to serve our community and to use the fruits and vegetables of God’s harvest to provide a nutritious and filling meal. Some even came back for seconds they enjoyed it so much, and the crumble with custard proved a winner with all!
“At St. Leonard’s, we use events such as this to take our faith to the community and share the love of Jesus Christ, breaking down any preconceptions of church by giving back to our neighbours throughout the local area.”
St Mary’s, Winchfield
St Mary’s Ark is a new initiative launched this year to serve new families who have moved into Winchfield and surrounding area. It is held monthly in the village hall with around a dozen families attending with young children. This month’s theme was ‘Harvest Fun’.
Organiser Olivia Larson said, “Families made their own bread and learned about the Parable of the Sower, exploring how Jesus’ story teaches us to grow in God’s love. The children went on a seed hunt around the room and had fun guessing different fruits and vegetables, including corn, apples, potatoes and even dragon fruit! We finished the session by enjoying our freshly made bread with sausages for tea. Another wonderful afternoon at St Mary’s Ark!
“Harvest gives children a wonderful opportunity to learn through doing, while thinking about where our food comes from and giving thanks to God for all that we have.”
St James, Pokesdown
Harvest was celebrated with children and parents of St James Primary Academy during the week, before the church family and local uniformed groups came together for a Sunday celebration. Rainbows, Brownies, Squirrels, Beavers and Cubs all took part in the all-age service, which followed a café church style, with activities set up around the tables.
Revd Rachel Noël, Vicar of St James Church, said, “This year included the Maltesers game, where individuals had to try and suck up a Malteser with a straw and move it to their cup. We also had a game where we tried to guess the 10 food items rationed in WWII, the top 10 foods in a supermarket trolley, the 10 foods on the menu for athletes in the 2012 Olympics and the 10 essential supplies for refugees. We were reflecting on the story of Moses and the gift of manna in the wilderness, and what it means to trust in God’s gifts to us, as part of our stewardship month.”
Items were collected for Bournemouth Foodbank, and the service was followed by a free harvest lunch.
Revd Rachel continued, “There was a splendid feast of jacket potatoes, with toppings prepared by different members of the congregation, followed by a marvellous array of desserts that people had cooked. It’s such an important service, gathering together our school and church families, marvelling at God’s gifts to us, and sharing those gifts to ensure there is food for everyone who needs it locally.”
St Paul’s, Winchester
A group from St Paul’s in Winchester led a Harvest Service for the residents of Tegfield House, a local care home.
Assistant Priest Mary Copping said, “The residents loved seeing the pictures of tractors ploughing the fields and beautiful sunsets. We all gave thanks for God’s creation, and also thanks for their wonderful care home and staff. We sang the familiar harvest songs such as ‘We Plough the Fields and Scatter’ and everyone enjoyed the service with their own lovely memories. We ended with a prayer of thanks to God for His wonderful provision.”
St Andrew’s, Sherborne St John
A pumpkin harvest display in the churchyard at St Andrew’s in Sherborne St John has been created for the whole community to enjoy. The children at the Sherborne St John Church of England Primary School each wrote or drew something they were thankful for on a pumpkin, which was put together under the banner ‘Give thanks to the Lord for he is good; his love endures forever’, which comes from Psalm 106.
Their choices were wonderfully varied and included Jesus, good friends, home, my big dog, Lego and spaghetti!
