The Vicar writes………
Jesus said, ‘the harvest is plentiful but the labourers are few, therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest’ (Luke 10.2).
Our own Harvest Thanksgiving recently was a joyful occasion and the gifts collected and shared out were appreciated by those who received them. I was particularly pleased to be invited to Manor Park School to give a message to teachers, parents and children in their Harvest Celebration Assemblies. I shared the story of Jesus feeding the multitude and how this mysterious event of God’s blessing was prompted by the generosity of a little boy who offered his picnic of five barley loaves and two fishes. The non-perishable goods brought by the school children came back to St Cross for us to distribute via Hampers of Hope. The developing relationship between the school and our church is one which I hope and pray will strengthen our presence and engagement in the community. I will be returning to school to lead their Remembrance Assembly, but before then a display of poppies made by Manor Park Pupils will appear in our memorial chapel.
Another community initiative is our Christmas Concert with the Salvation Army Band and Songsters. They will come to our church on Saturday December 9th to play a mix of Christmas Music and Carols. The proceeds will be shared between the Salvation Army and ourselves. I hope that this evening will be well supported. It gives us a good opportunity to invite friends, relatives and neighbours to hear a musical treat.
Another growing relationship is our friendship with Sharston House. Recently Hilary and I led a Harvest Communion Service for residents. In December some of us will go to Sharston to sing carols and to share the Christmas Story. The mystery and gift of God being with us in Jesus. Before then, the Craft and Chatter group are also going to spend an afternoon there offering activities to take part in, and we will also be involved in the switching on of their Christmas Lights.
In all these preparations we must not lose sight of the meaning of Advent. There will a special Advent Lessons and Carols Service and also a Family Eucharist on the morning of Advent Sunday. We will all have the chance to support Homestart by bringing a gift which will support disadvantaged children in East Cheshire this Christmas.
As we have received God’s gift in Jesus, so too we labour for him in love, for Jesus sends us, his labourers into the field of his harvest.
Yours in His Service
Paul