At harvest time, we often think of fields, tractors, and big piles of vegetables — but here in Chard, our “fields” might look more like shop shelves, market stalls, or allotments on the edge of town. Still, harvest reminds us that everything good comes from God.

Every loaf of bread, every apple, every meal we share begins with God’s gift of the earth, the rain, and the people who work so hard to grow and deliver our food. So today, we stop and say thank you — to God, and to all who help bring food to our tables.

Harvest also asks us to share. Some people in our town don’t have enough to eat, and Jesus teaches us to care for one another. When we give, when we share, when we help — we’re planting seeds of kindness that grow into a harvest of love.

So this Harvest, let’s be thankful, generous, and ready to see God’s goodness everywhere — even right here in Chard.

Creator God,
Thank you for the food we eat,
for the people who grow it, and for all your gifts.
Help us to be thankful every day,
to share what we have,
and to care for one another,
so that everyone may know your goodness and love. Amen

I wonder…

What does the month of September mean to you?

For me, it’s always meant going back to school.   First as a pupil, and then for twenty-two years as a teacher. And, having left teaching, and being married to a teacher, and a son who went to school, in some way or another I’ve been connected to the school year for most of my life. Accordingly, Claire having left teaching this summer, and Will having completed his GCSE’s, this will be the first year in forty-five years that I won’t have had a connection with full-time education!

Does it feel a bit weird? Well, yes it does a bit!

However, both as a teacher, and a priest, I’ve always embraced the philosophy of life-long-learning.

We never stop learning, and should always be open to new knowledge and ways of doing things.

There are many stories of Jesus teaching in the bible. However, one of my favourites often goes under the radar, mainly because of Martha’s activity. Her sister Mary, now into adulthood, sits still at the feet of Jesus, and, with wide eyed enthusiasm, learns from that what Jesus has to say.

However, unlike twenty-first century education, Jesus didn’t insist that Mary sits an exam, in order to prove what she had learnt. He recognised her faith via her still attentiveness.

In this way learning doesn’t always mean doing stuff, but rather taking the time to be quiet, and sit still at the feet of Jesus – and with the same wide eyed enthusiasm, absorb all that Jesus has to offer us. Sitting still at the feet of Jesus will look different for each one of us, as will what we learn. However, I’d encourage us all to take time out of our busy schedule, to sit, and to notice, and learn more about our Teacher, ourselves, and our relationship with God, and the world around us.

So may this September be a joyous time of discovery, that doesn’t stop at the end of the month, but rather continues for our whole life long. 

With every blessing

Nick