Dear Friends,
We are approaching the season of Harvest. Those who garden may be reflecting on their successes and failures this year. For us the cucumbers didn’t get going early enough due to the cold weather, but we have had good harvests of most other things. Our blackberry, having not fruited at all for two years, has been prolific this year!
The vagaries of growing produce in our benevolent climate pales into insignificance to those places in the world where climate change is creating huge uncertainties and hunger and drought is increasing. Whole communities and economies are on a fragile knife edge between eking a living from the land or having to flee in the hope of better prospects elsewhere.
Rising sea levels threaten to overwhelm communities in low lying islands and coastlands. Many peoples who have lived in a close relationship with the land or sea, accepting the natural rhythms and variations for generations, now find that due to climate change which is not of their making, their way of life is no longer possible.
The harvest of the global consumer society is threatening the future of many of the poorest peoples, and of course the sustainability of the planet.
As we celebrate harvest over the next weeks, we can no longer ignore the links between our lifestyles, our daily choices, and the climate crisis we are living in. The early chapters of Genesis establish the relationship between creator and the creation, how it is intrinsically linked together in wonderful and mysterious ways. So when one part is hurt the rest is affected.
Equally, given time and care and consideration, there is abundant growth, fruitfulness and goodness. Much to be thankful for, much to take responsibility for and much to do to ensure a just sharing of the wonderful creation for all.
Peace Tim
For our Harvest festival on 3rd Oct, you may like to bring some non-perishable goods, which will be taken to the food bank