Dear Friends,

‘Harvest time is here again,

here again, here again,

harvest time is here again

thank you, God, for the harvest!’

This children’s round, sung to the tune of ‘Here we go round the mulberry bush’ is distinctly comforting and profoundly disturbing at one and the same time. The rhythm of the seasons continues, as God promised it would after the great flood,

‘As long as the earth endures,

seedtime and harvest, cold and heat,

summer and winter shall not cease.’

And in this country at least we can be fairly sure that we shall not starve. Even though, as one drives over the bridge into the village this summer, the parkland of Turvey House looks as dry and parched as a Mediterranean Island.

I find the rhyme disturbing, though, because we may fall into the trap of taking God’s goodness for granted - this is dangerous!

Each year, Bishop Christopher, Bishop of St Albans, launches what is called a ‘Harvest for the Hungry Appeal’. It is intended to remind those of us who are fortunate enough to live in the rich First World of those places where failed harvests and hunger, if not outright starvation, are the norm. This year the appeal is for a project that is working with women on the Malawi-Mozambique border in Southern Africa. Amongst other things, it is helping to increase agricultural production and to make the area independent of outside aid by creating income-generating activities. We are asked to give to this appeal, and if possible to Gift Aid our donations. There are leaflets at the back of Church and envelopes for your gift if you feel you can help.

I also find the rhyme disturbing for another reason, much closer to home. I have been in the village now for about fifteen months. The novelty of having a new ‘vicar’ has worn off and we are beginning to do things together for the second time around. It would be easy to slip into a rut! To forget that going to Church is not about supporting the new ‘vicar’ whilst s/he settles in, it is about giving thanks to God for all his loving kindness to us, year in and year out.

It is about maintaining the freshness and wonder of a child discovering something new for the first time, like the relief of the drought stricken land when the rains come and the parched grass grows green once more. It is about making our worship ‘work’ so that others are inspired to join us and also give thanks.

Despite our parched gardens and grassland, we are not hungry or thirsty and, please God, we are unlikely to be. Let us rejoice in our good fortune and unite to praise God, not just once a year but as often as we can – and also to help those who are trying desperately against all odds to help themselves.

Yours in Christ

Jo Spray.

Families living in Mozambique and Malawi and other drought stricken areas.

The Bishops ‘Harvest for the Hungry Appeal’.

The growth of our Church community in Turvey.

Confirmation Classes. On Sunday 5^th October at 4.00pm at the Rectory there will be a meeting of ‘older’ young people and adults who would like to prepare for confirmation. If you are interested in joining this group, please telephone me on 01234 881312. Jo Spray.

Coffee Morning. The next coffee morning will be at 10.15a.m. on Saturday 11th. October at the home of Michael and Margaret Marshall. There will be a raffle and bring-and-buy stall, for which contributions especially of cakes and produce will be most welcome. (Please note, this is a change to the venue shown in Turvey News).

We are now planning the programme of coffee mornings for 2004. If any of you would be willing to host one of these events, please contact Anne Claypole White, Gill Betts or Pat Cartwright.

The Harvest Supper, including Harvest Sale, will be on Friday 10^th October starting at 7:30 pm in the Village Hall. Tickets, £7 (£3.50 for children), from Sandra Nightingale ( 881453, Rosemary Gentry and others.

Little Lights. Mondays 3^rd November, 1^st December and 12^th January, 2:30 pm in Church. All very welcome.

Mothers Union. 16^th October, 2:30 pm in the Manor Room. Please bring with you a special reading to share and ideas for future meetings.

Book Sale. The annual book sale will be on Saturday 25^th October, from 10:30 until 3:30. Coffee and tea will be available. Please contact Dawn Riddle, ( 881761, with offers of books before Friday 24^th October.

Friday 31^st October. There will be a cheese and wine evening with Rob Spray giving a talk about the Ukraine starting at 7:30 in the Village Hall. Tickets and further details from Gill Betts, ( 720615.