From the Vicarage - September

“…a Profession of Hope!” It’s a phrase I came across recently used in an article written by… a Farmer.

The author described how: - “The act of holding close to a dream or ambition is nothing new for farmers. As we plant seeds, we hope that they will become seedlings and then mature plants that we can savour and nourish our bodies with. When droughts come upon us, we hope that rain is on its way – and when we have had our fill of rain, we hope that the sun will soon peek out from behind a cloud storm. Yes, without hope, a farmer would continuously be running into brick walls. But thanks to this gem, we muster up the motivation to face another day of important work.”

In past weeks some of our readers, or their families, may have been engaged in the rigours of farming activities as elements of the earth’s rich harvest have been ‘safely gathered in’.  Others will have been aware of the farm machinery moving slowly between fields and farms along our roads, carrying precious harvest-cargo!

Hope is sometimes spoken of in a rather glib manner – as if it were nothing more than wishful thinking. Speaking of the Hope with which farmers bring the seed to harvest is a reminder that Hope is more than that. Hope draws us in to engage with the deeper rhythms of life, of nature and, some of us may want to say, of God. Hope is the gem which invites us to muster up the motivation, energy and ambition within us, to roll up our sleeves, pull on our wellies and go out into the fields, in order to bring the dream to reality, the seed to harvest!

Of course, the Hope of Harvest does not only belong to the arena of farming and the business of placing food on our tables and in our bellies! It is just as applicable to other areas of our living as a community – and the many ways in which minds, hearts, souls and spirits also need to be fed.

Healthy communities where food and love, friendship and care are provided and shared are the result of people rolling up their sleeves and engaging in the important work of sowing and planting, tilling and nurturing, come rain or shine. Recent events across our nation have once again caused us to have to think deeply about what this really means.

September traditionally brings in a new season. What are we each Hoping for this season? What are our Hopes for our villages and communities? How will we work together with Hope, holding close to those dreams and ambitions, to bring them to Harvest?

This month we are marking the new season by hosting the St Oswald’s Community Show, and at the end of the month our more traditional Harvest Thanksgiving Services (see fuller details elsewhere in the magazine). Both are opportunities to gather, to celebrate the gifts of the earth, of one another and of the community life we share. 

We will be delighted to see you there!

Carolyn  (Vicar)