Page 17 - October 2015 Issue 299

OCTOBER 2015
THE NEW COUNTESTHORPE HERALD 17
NEWS AND VIEWS FROM THE CHURCHES
HARVEST SUPPER
The modern British tradition of celebrating the harvest in churches began in 1843 and proved popular - songs were sung then as they are now, We Plough the Fields and Scatter and Come Ye Thankful People Come. Soon the custom of decorating churches with home-grown produce for a Harvest Festival Service spread throughout the country.
Until the 20th century most farmers celebrated the end of the harvest with a big meal called the harvest supper to which everyone who had helped to bring in the crops was invited. Now many churches hold a harvest supper to give thanks for our food but these days we rely less on home-grown produce and we link harvest with concern for people in the developing world for whom growing sufficient crops for their needs remains a struggle.
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On 9th September at St. Andrew’s more
than fifty people sat at long tables set up 1 6in the church. All around the altar was decorated with fruit, flowers, vegetables and the traditional harvest bread plait, which is made specially by the local
baker. We sang the old harvest hymns and enjoyed a meal of cold meats and cheeses with a large variety of salads and bread, and many delicious puddings. September 9th was a very special day because by evening the Queen had become the longest British reigning monarch ever and we gave thanks for her life and for her tireless work over 63 years, and sang the National
There were famous worship leaders who were awesome and inspiring. In between there were lots of different venues to go to: sports areas, cafés and the Tool Shed, where lots of Christian resources were exhibited.
What were your favourite and memorable events?
Watching one of the top Christian bands, Rend Collective, from Ireland, and seeing everyone in Nativity fancy dress.
How would you describe the experience to someone who is thinking of going next year?
Awesome, good fun. It’s like a big youth centre and a great opportunity to mix with other young Christians.
WOMEN AT THE TOP
The story of the legislation to allow women to become bishops in the Church of England has now reached its end. As I write, the appointment of the Ven Christine Hardman as diocesan Bishop of Newcastle has just been announced.
The very first appointment, in January 2015, was of a suffragan (area) bishop, the Rt Revd Libby Lane, Bishop of Stockport, in the Diocese of Chester. She had previously been a vicar in the same diocese. The Rt Revd Rachel Treweek, previously Archdeacon of Hackney, consecrated Bishop of Gloucester in July 2015, was the first diocesan bishop to be appointed.
Two more suffragan bishops were consecrated in July 2015 - the Bishops of Crediton and Hull - and two further suffragan appointments have been announced - the Bishops of Taunton and Aston. Valerie Weynberg
Anthem together.
SOUL SURVIVOR
Jill Cramp
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In August a group from St Andrew’s attended Soul Survivor at Shepton Mallet. Stephanie Hubbard interviewed Chris Kay about his experience:
What is Soul Survivor?
It’s a five-day Christian Youth Festival that runs three times a year, attracting over 28,000 young Christians (aged 11-18) who come together to worship God. We camped and the weather was red hot. How many went from Countesthorpe? There were about 12 from Countesthorpe and we shared a coach with Kirby Muxloe and the Bishop’s Youth Council. Describe some of the events that took place on a typical day.
Twice a day everyone met together in the Big Top, a huge tent, to pray, hear God’s word and worship.
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