THROUGHOUT September and October, wherever you live, you’ll not be far from a church holding a Harvest Festival Service.

Apparently the inspiration for modern day Harvest Festivals comes from Morwenstow in Cornwall where the eccentric Rev Robert Hawker, in 1843, invited his parishioners to receive Communion in “the bread of the new corn”.

Thereafter it became an annual ritual to come together to celebrate the safe gathering in of the harvest, especially important in rural communities.

But harvest thanksgiving actually comes from a much older tradition.

The Old Testament records that the ancient Israelites celebrated the “Feast of Weeks”, when they offered back to God a portion of what they had grown as an acknowledgement that the abundance of the earth is his gift to humankind and that we can’t produce it without him.

Just look at the fruit and vegetables in your garden, allotment or in the shops.

Everything came from a single seed, just as large-as-life you grew from tiny cells.

How did that happen?

I believe that It’s God’s miracle of growth, a gift of love to provide for us. But God needs a little help.

In the Gospel story of the feeding of the 5,000 Jesus performed the miracle, but only with the aid of a boy’s packed lunch.

In our present day situation of climate change and biodiversity crisis, it’s increasingly important that we do our bit to partner with God - feeding the soil and creating an environment in which pollinating insects can thrive.

Thank you, Sustainable Crediton, for modelling this for us.

If God gives so generously to us, then we need to share the bounty with others, especially those in need, and that’s one of the purposes of Harvest Festivals.

But sadly, people are in need throughout the year.

Crediton Food Bank, based at the Congregational Church, and the food outlet at the library operate all year and are much needed and greatly valued.

We have also developed a garden at the back of the Congregational church to grow fresh fruit and vegetables for the Food Bank.

Crediton folk are so generous.

I was helping at the Tesco Food Bank collection one Christmas and was so touched when a customer donated a whole trolley load of provisions.

If this is you reading this - thank you again!

But Jesus reminded us when he commented on “the widow’s mite” that “every little helps”, implying that it’s not how much we’re able to give that matters, but how much we care.

So whether or not you attend a Harvest Festival this autumn, take time to thank God for his provision for us, not just in terms of food, but so much more besides.

As Christians we believe that his greatest gift is his Son, Jesus Christ, who came to live among us, to die for us and to rise again to offer us Life with a capital L.

Let’s receive that precious gift with gratitude too.

Sue Martin

Crediton Congregational Church