• Sermon preached on Trinity Sunday 2014

    The truth is, I’ve not preached on Trinity Sunday. I think I have preached on Trinity Sunday in my time at St Mary’s but certainly not many times and certainly not for a number of years.

    You see – I’ve been in charge of the preaching rota.

    But lo. Here I am having spent a couple of weeks off sick, now back to work. I’m grateful to colleagues for picking up various bits of work whilst I was indisposed.

    One of those bits of work that I had to ask someone else to pick up was devising the preaching rota….

    …and here I find myself – first Sunday back at work, preaching on the Holy Trinity.

    Am I fighting fit? Yes!

    Am I cowed by having to preach on the Trinity? Certainly not. (more…)

20 responses to “But when is Harvest? Please, please, when is it?”

  1. Sue Avatar
    Sue

    Knitted food patterns…
    http://www.knitfish.com/12/

  2. Elizabeth Avatar
    Elizabeth

    I really appreciated the Lammastide sermon and service. But I’m not sure if I said so at the time – probably not!

    I’m reminded how important it is to share appreciation as well as (more than!) criticism. Perhaps a new year’s resolution in the making.

  3. Jimmy Avatar

    Harvest.

    Autumn is here
    and there is no harvest
    The trees have leaves but no fruit
    The wheat has ears but no grain
    and if you should return
    I wouldn’t know
    how to begin to explain

    I would offer you a gift
    but of all the things I own
    all I have is my sin
    all I have that’s mine alone

    Spare me – I pray
    another year or two
    if you will extend your hand
    I will fill a harvest basket for you

    I have laboured in these fields
    among this bracken, broom and whin
    and a lifetime to understand
    all you wanted was my sin.

  4. PamB Avatar
    PamB

    Ah, the Grauniad! No – I only see that when I’m in a primary school staff-room, and never had the time to open it.
    But cute pattern – might be the next addition to the Choir dog collection.

  5. Scott from the States Avatar
    Scott from the States

    Over here in the U.S. we have our national Thanksgiving Day (when very few actually go to church) designated to celebrate the harvest, peace and an end to civil strife, and general thanksgiving. Perhaps the UK needs to take a page from the U.S. and Canada and just make it an official government holiday!

  6. Sarah from Virginia Avatar
    Sarah from Virginia

    But what I was taught in school was that the first Thanksgiving was held in imitation of the traditional Harvest celebrations back home in England. Perhaps these were not actual church services? Anyhow I’m now confused!

  7. Tim Avatar

    Incidentally, from a sample of 13 comments made on my photo of a harvest display in church, I deduce people’s expectations include:
    a) it’s long-life products, tinned or pasta, that one brings
    b) giving them to old dears who don’t really need them
    c) it’s something relegated to childhood memories

    Up to you where you draw the churchy/non-churchy line amongst that lot. Maybe it means there’s a *lot* of scope for a message of mission (to folks who normally exist outside the door) and ethics?

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Previous Posts

  • Still snuffling

    I’ve spent most of the last week snuffling. Many tissues have been expended, much lemsip has been consumed and all the while, I’ve not been moaning. “Do you have a man-cold?” I’ve been asked on more than on occassion. I’ve denied it so far. After all, I think it is far better to leave man-colds…

  • What am I listening to?

    Well, thank you for asking. It has been a while. This evening, I’ve been listening to the Damnation of Faust live from the Met in New York on Radio 3. I’m very tempted to give their live Cinema relays a go too. Excellent idea. (And is it the answer to the problem of Argyll and…

  • Consultation time again

    A couple of years ago, I asked the congregation a series of questions in a Consultation Document. It was a most fruitful exercise. Somehow the folk at St Mary’s like being asked questions and like getting the chance to respond. Maybe most congregations would be like that if they got the chance. Recently, a small…