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The Harvest Torch |
The National Harvest Festival Service has been taking place for the last ten years, having been launched in Westminister Abbey by Her Majesty the Queen when she was Duchess of Cornwall. The service has taken place in a different city of group of parishes every year and this year will take place at Peterborough Cathedral on Sunday 1 October.
Harvest is one of the most important times of the year for our farmers, the culmination of a year of hard work and investment. It is an opportunity for all of us to give thanks for the bouniful food that the lands provides. Harvest is celebrated across the Diocese in our churches, and has a special poignancy in our many rural parishes.
The service at the Cathedral will be led by Honorary Assistant Bishop Ed Condry and will be attended by representatives of local farming networks and agricultural charities alongside civic dignataries. Revd Dr Mark Betson from Brixworth Deanery will be preaching and Revd Eddie Smith, Rural Dean of Oundle, will lead the prayers.
The service will give thanks, but also give us an opportunity to think about sustainability and those in need. As Chris Dalliston, Dean of Peterborough said ' So, we pray, that as Peterborough welcomes the Harvest
Torch this month it might prompt us to a renewed sense of genuine thanksgiving whilst also challenging us to think through issues of sustainability and justice when it comes to producing our food and ensuring that none go
hungry'.
All are welcome to join the service at 3.30pm which will be followed by refreshments.
For more information about the National Harvest Service see www.lovebritishfood.co.uk/harvest