St Mary’s harvest thanksgiving united the ancient and modern

On Sunday 6th October over 150 people aged from 8 weeks to 8 decades joined together for a Harvest Thanksgiving service at St Mary’s Parish Church, Battle. The church, was decorated by Tina Staton and the St Mary’s Flower Guild and hung with harvest banners made by Valerie Ballard and her friends resounded with music and children’s voices.

St Mary's Church, Battle, with their annual Harvest Thanksgiving

A robed choir and modern worship music group joined together to sing traditional hymns including “We plough the fields and scatter” and “Great is Your Faithfulness” alongside modern worship songs “Hide Me Now” and “I’m gonna dance on the streets”.

A small parade of flags carried by Rainbows, Brownies and Guides from Battle and Sedlescombe, was accompanied by children from the St Mary’s Busy Bee Mums and Toddlers group carrying their mascot: these were presented to the Dean at the altar.

Instead of the traditional gifts of marrows, apples and pumpkins, gifts of tinned and packet food were presented during the service in support of the food bank in Bexhill.

Monies received on the collection plate will be sent via the Barnabas Fund to help Christians in Syria.

The Dean, the Revd Dr John Edmondson, encouraged the congregation to give thanks.