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Past Issues of The Beacon: July/August 2008 June 2008 Feb 2008 Nov 2007 Sept 2007 Jul/Aug 2007 June 2007 May 2007 April 2007 March 2007 February 2007 January 2007 December 2006		The monthly magazine of CHRIST CHURCH (United Reformed) Broadway, Morecambe	October 2008

	MINISTER: Rev Jason McCullagh BA (Hons) Mphil (Cantab) Tel The Manse 01524 418633
	The Minister writes: I am confident that if a poll were to be conducted to find the most popular wedding hymn it would declare ‘All things bright and beautiful’ to be the runaway favourite. The reason is clear: it is well known because most people remember it from their school days and that is extremely helpful when you are asking a congregation of people who are not familiar with Church to sing! I myself would not list it at all and that is partly because I have to sing it so often that I am quite tired of it but it is also because of the words. I am not referring to the line about ‘the rich man in his castle and the poor man at his gate’ because thankfully that has long since been discarded! I refer instead to the ideas expressed in the fourth verse: “The tall tress in the greenwood, the meadows where we play, the rushes by the water, to gather ev’ry day.” How many of us have gathered rushes by the water in recent times or indeed found a meadow in which to play? The words, whilst perhaps beautifully poetic, do not speak to a context that I recognise and for me that is a key part of hymn singing. ‘All things bright and beautiful’ could very well be chosen for our Harvest Festival Service but to do so would continue to perpetuate a view of Harvest that is no longer relevant. Once the Churches would have been filled with fresh fruit and vegetables that had been grown and harvested by members of the congregation and after the Service they would have been distributed to those in the community who had need of a few extra provisions; those whose harvest had been plentiful gave to those who were less fortunate. Few of us now grow our own fruit and vegetables, although the tide may be turning on that issue, and few people now want to receive such gifts. There are churches that no longer celebrate the traditional Harvest Festival because it does not speak to their context. Here at Christ Church we have reflected this trend in recent years as we have moved away from fresh produce and focused on giving tins for the Homeless Shelter in Lancaster and money for International Aid Agencies. This year that focus continues, although fresh produce will be used in our display and then auctioned off after we have sung our evening Songs of Praise, with the proceeds going to the Homeless Shelter. Harvest is now a time to broaden our horizons and to see the real needs in our world and to give thought to how we can respond to those needs. We must never forget the abundance of God’s provision, such abundance that all can be fed but we have squandered it, through greed and through the abuse of our planets precious resources. That abuse is being reflected back to us every day as we watch the effects of climate change on the world’s agricultural communities, resulting in higher food prices here at home. That greed is being reflected back to us every day as we watch the collapse of financial systems, resulting in uncertainty for people who have no influence on the markets but who will have to suffer the cost. The God we celebrate at Harvest has a message for this world, a message of justice and hope, of renewal and peace. These are the words that I believe should be on our lips as we sing as we pray and as we serve, for then there really can be a Harvest celebration for all God’s people Commitment for Life Prayer Partners October - A psalm for Bangladesh The Lord is my rice farmer; I have everything I need. He eases my labours in paddy fields of verdant basmati and leads me to deep wells of arsenic-free water. He gives me new strength. He guides me away from shifting sands, as he has promised. Even if I go through the deepest flooding, I will not be afraid Lord, for you are with me. Your raft and mosquito net protect me. Amen OPEN THE BOOK A new Bible Study will begin in November looking at the Gospel according to St. Matthew. The sessions will take place on the following dates and all are welcome: The Gospel according to St Matthew: Monday 3^rd November 7:30 pm Thursday 20^th November 7:30 pm Monday 1^st December 7:30 pm Monday 8^th December 7:30 pm

Commitment for Life Prayer Partners