This years Season of Creation ran from September 1 to October 4, with the theme of Peace with Creation.
As a Benefice we started on September 7 at St. James with a Service of the Word Celebration service led by Ali Baxter and assisted by Linn Clegg. Our speaker was Debby Plummer, who is the Area Environment Champion for the Huddersfield Episcopal Area, also a Franciscan tertiary. She spoke from Jeremiah 18 v 1 – 11 using an A Rocha resource about the Potters Wheel and linked how clay is worked and what is produced to our care for the environment. Debby also spoke powerfully of a personal story about God and her as potter and bowl. She passed around the congregation a Kintsugi bowl and also a glass artwork sphere which reminds her of the Earth from space. Both beautiful objects.
Afterwards Debby sang a new song for us accompanied by herself on guitar. The song is by Alan Flanagan called “Renovation” which is now available to listen to on YouTube. The Hallelujahs with Jon on piano led us in singing All Things Bright and Beautiful to close our wonderful service.
As a result of the service Mayra Diat Del Olmo has joined Linn as an assistant Environment Officer for St. James. The two of them will assist St. James in working towards and (we pray) completely the requirements to become a Bronze Eco Church. If anyone else would like to assist please do speak to Linn on a Sunday morning at church.
On the 28th September Shred Church celebrated with a Harvest Thanksgiving service led by Robert Haigh. Over 90 people attended and the church was full with of all ages. The youngest children performed the Dingle Dangle Scarecrow and the older children acted out the Parable of the Sower.
During the service over £200 was given for Christian Aid and food donations were collected for Colne Valley Food Help – food share organisation. Following the service the congregation enjoyed homemade soup and fruit crumble as a shared meal.
On the 5th October St. Bartholomew’s celebrated their Harvest Festival with a service led by Rev. Graeme. Dingle Dangle scarecrows were also in attendance as part of a beautiful harvest display. Food gifts were given by members of the congregation to be given to a local food share group for distribution to those in need.
Also on 5th October St. James celebrated their Service of the Word Celebration Harvest Festival led by Rev. Graeme with a speaker from The Welcome Centre Foodbank, based in Huddersfield town centre. He spoke about their work and how it has expanded over the years to meet the needs of it’s clients. The facts and figures of the number of households helped was quite staggering. The food gifts collected were all taken to The Welcome Centre warehouse, for distribution.
As individuals in all 3 churches we have much to be thankful for and the gifts given for others were all gratefully received by the various Foodbanks supported and Christian Aid.