Spiritual Harvest
As we celebrate harvest this month, one congregation shares how it has resourcefully utilised its church ground to grow potatoes. As well as raising money for charity, Carland Presbyterian has discovered a renewed sense of community spirit and intergenerational connection through the project.
In his harvest reflection Trevor Boyd addresses the importance of marking this event in our church calendars. Whether from a rural congregation or not, he asserts the value of taking time to remember and be grateful for God’s gracious provision. As well as that, he reminds us that we are involved in a different type of harvest: “As Christians we are all called to a lifelong commitment to planting the spiritual seed and helping to bring in the spiritual harvest.”
Whilst God is ultimately in control of the harvest, the farmer plays a key role in the administration of it. His or her efforts are rewarded when the reaping takes place, stressing that what we do, whether for an agricultural or spiritual harvest, matters.
Our lead article this month, by Ruth Sanderson, looks at a new book, Considering Grace, which was commissioned by PCI. Acting as a social history, it tells the stories of 120 Presbyterians, who lived through and suffered in the Troubles. It is a significant piece of work that echoes the idea that what we do matters. As well as highlighting the far-reaching ripple effects of the hurt and pain caused, often spanning generations, the book also indicates that positive actions really do make a valuable difference. Ruth says, “We forget sometimes, that peacemaking is about being active…It takes an effort. It takes enormous courage.” She also believes the book serves as a warning for our future, depicting a path that we must make every effort not to go down again.
As people of faith, we have a duty to speak, to act and to pray; to be salt and light in all situations. In his ‘As I see it’ Andy Flannagan suggests that there is nowhere more in need of this now than the political sphere. Rather than adopting a stance of apathetic disdain or indifference, he encourages an approach that lights the dark places with the hope of Jesus.
Rather timely (but coincidently) for this harvest month, one of our music reviews features an artist called Harvest Parker. In one of her beautiful songs, There is a Peace, she presents the perfect challenge for any sense of apathy that we may have: “Your vision’s been clouded by this world’s delight, but I tell you, you’re not of this world, so stand up and fight.”
What we do matters. Our earthly actions may be reaping eternal rewards.
The Presbyterian Herald is the official magazine of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. It provides a forum for debate and discussion on a wide range of topics and aims to challenge and encourage Presbyterians, as well as inform them about what the wider Church is involved in. It has a readership in excess of 25,000 and is distributed throughout Ireland.
To find out more go to www.presbyterianireland.org/herald