Newsletter – September 2025

"Growing Together," is the theme for the Harvest resources prepared by 'All we can,' this year. 'All We Can' has served some of the most marginalised communities on earth for the last nine decades – since a group of Methodists answered the call of refugees in Europe, in the 1930s. Now, 'All We Can' is an international development and relief organisation, working to see every person's potential fulfilled. Focussed on serving the world's most marginalised communities, 'All We Can' is rooted in the Christian faith. This month many churches will be celebrating Harvest time with a service of Thanksgiving. As part of that we share some of our resources to help those in need. Do come along on the 28th September at 10.30am to celebrate and give thanks to God for the Harvest. This is how harvest is described by 'All we can.'

"Harvest is the time of the year when we think more consciously about the changing seasons. We notice the leaves changing colour and falling to the ground. We see the land moving from the dryness of summer to the lush, dark oranges and yellows of autumn. Although our relationship to Harvest may have changed, we can take this opportunity to give thanks for the gifts of the land. We give thanks for the provision God gives us and look for ways to be a blessing to others who do not enjoy the same comforts as we may do. Harvest is a wonderful reminder that we are God's workers in the world gifted to us and we can participate in building his kingdom, bringing justice, loving our brothers and sisters, walking in solidarity and support of those facing poverty, oppression, and persecution. We also reflect upon Harvest, not simply as an endpoint or the culmination of effort, but as part of a living cycle, the start of another season of planting, planning and renewal."

After all the Harvest celebrations, I will be heading off to 3 Generate, the Methodist Church Youth Assembly. Last year saw 1600 children and young people aged 4-18 attend the weekend. In 2025 the event will be even bigger! Once again, I am delighted to be accompanying a group of 12 young people from the circuit. We head off to the NEC, Birmingham from the 3rd to the 5th October. This year, the focus of the weekend is the 'Journey of a Lifetime' that children and young people take as part of their faith formation, in addition to our focus on tuning into God, each other, and our world.

Children and Young people are invited to take a step on their spiritual journey – either opening their heart and mind to God, or going deeper with their existing faith. Each venue will offer sessions for children and young people on different stages of their faith journey. Before Sunday's large collective worship, there will also be smaller worship sessions in each venue, allowing children and young people to see the various forms worship can take, and how it's possible to tune into God, to each other, and the world around them in a variety of ways, that you may not always see in a church!

Collective worship will take place at the Orb Stage on Friday night during the Opening Ceremony, Saturday at 11am, and Sunday at 12pm, allowing everyone at 3Generate to come together and celebrate God, and the individual steps we have all taken over the weekend on our 'Journey of a Lifetime.' I close with a prayer from 3 Generate:

God of many names, you give each of us special gifts and skills, whether we are a child, a young person or an adult, and today we celebrate your call on all of us as disciples of Jesus. Amen