Harvest Hope

What hope is there? Banks are going bankrupt, shares are falling, house sales are stalling, living costs are rising. At autumntime the Church celebrates Harvest. Yes, celebrates! We have a lot to be thankful for. We thank God so much, for so much. We have food on the table, clothes on our back, and a roof over our heads. In a world that seems just to revolve around pounds and pence, bricks and mortar, the Christian Church declares that there is something more to life: faith, hope, and love. This is the foundation of Christianity. Even though the financial system of the western world is shaking, Christians affirm: 'In God we trust'.

Summer has ended, school begins...

So the holidays are over. The beaches are empty. The rain saw to that during most of August seemingly, with the Met Office now being re-named 'the Wet Office'!  So, it's back to work, back to uni, back to school. Indeed it may be the start. Sometimes, getting back to normal (whatever 'normal' is) can carry with it the feeling of 'anti-climax'. A little bit of anxiety creeps in. Reality hits home. There are changes afoot. The kids need new pairs of shoes together with other bits and pieces for school. A new school year starts and for some this may mean a new school or a new class or going away to university. We pray for every schoolchild, every student, every parent, every carer, every teacher within our remit in Waltham Chase. May 'the LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn His face towards you and give you peace.' (Numbers 6:24-26).