Harvest Festival at Middle Lane

Yesterday was Harvest Festival at Middle Lane Methodist.

Theme of the service was 'let your light shine' using material from All We Can.

In some places in our world, people are working hard and putting all their energy into farming, yet still struggle to grow enough food for their needs.

In Malawi, All We Can is helping people use solar energy to pump water into shared gardens to water the vegetation.

Solar energy....

Yesterday, we gave thanks to God for his gift of the sun, the role it plays in giving us harvest and energy through its magnificent light. This something we take for granted.

Jesus has a lot to say about light too...

"You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven" - Matthew 5:14-16. 

Jesus came to help us, so we help others too. Jesus is telling us that we are light to people. People are desperate to be loved. People are living in darkness through loneliness and lack of resources. 

Jesus says 'let your light shine for others'. We can bring that light into dark places by sharing our resources, challenging injustice and turning it into justice, from brokenness to togetherness, from fear into joy. 

We believe in a gospel of love that welcomes the stranger, clothes the naked, feeds the hungry and visits the prisoner. 

Malawi is an example of a place in our world where many people experience the injustice of poverty and the hunger caused by failed harvests. Through All We Can, we can be connected to different parts of the world, hear from communities and respond to their needs in loving, practical ways. We can shine a light into some of the darkest situations. 

Afterwards we had harvest lunch...