Tresham Harvest thanksgiving service

We are restarting our monthly services on Sunday September 6^th after what is probably the longest break since the current church was built in the 1850s. We are combining our harvest thanksgiving with a village picnic in the churchyard, in order to be able to welcome as many people as possible who might wish to come. Harvest is something we are fortunate in being able to take for granted but having the good fortune to live in such an agricultural community, it is something which in Tresham we know well is the result of a lot of hard work as well as the wonders of life and growth, so we remember we should not really take it for granted. Holding it outside makes it weather-dependent, so if it rains we’ll delay it by a week.

Since we may not be able to hold the carol service in its usual wonderful form at Christmas, this may be the last time the village can come together like this in 2020. Everyone is warmly invited to join us for both the service and the picnic, or just one or other of them.

In order to comply with government covid-19 regulations, there will be the necessary social distancing. Unfortunately at present congregations are still not able to sing – even outside – but at least we shall not have to wear masks, and we can enjoy our lovely setting during the event.

The Rev. Peter Marsh has kindly agreed to take the service. Arrival time is from about 11 am, warmly dressed, with an official start at 11.15 (to allow him time to be here after the North Nibley service). It will be a harvest-themed non-communion service, and David has kindly offered to play his keyboard from the porch; Peter may bring his guitar. Picnics will start immediately afterwards and everyone is invited to the service and/or the picnic, which will probably start at about 11.45-12. Please bring your own with a rug or chairs, although there will be some chairs there for those who cannot bring them. I’m sorry we cannot offer refreshments to others, for covid reasons.

As usual, we ask that if you would like to, you bring some suitable donations for the food bank, and for those who prefer it there will also be the opportunity to donate cash for items needed which are not normally donated. Janet tells me that there is no particular shortage of actual food in store at the moment apart from tinned and instant mashed potatoes, but toiletries (eg toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, shaving gel, soap) and cleaning products are especially welcome. They have more pasta than needed at the moment. There will be a separate opportunity to contribute to our church collection too.

We hope to see you there! If you have any queries, please give me a ring (338).

Best wishes, Sue