From our Minister

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October is a time for the church family at Cayton to celebrate Harvest. Usually when we celebrate harvest festivals, we think about the fruits of the earth and sea, about the labour that produced and sourced them. this year especially the Methodist Church has asked its people to remember farmers who struggle to get paid a fair price for their produce in a market increasingly dominated by the “Big Five” supermarkets and their so-called “price-wars.” Usually at Harvest-time we remember too those who have little and are encouraged to pray for and give to those who receive un unfair share of the harvest. We do this by collecting dried goods and tinned food for the Rainbow Centre based at Holy Apostles in the town centre. These are both right and proper ways to respond to God’s goodness and loving care for us as our Creator.

But this harvest we’re shifting our emphasis a bit.  There’s a different kind of harvest that we’re thinking about this year: “a harvest of talents” (October 18-19th).  God who put the oak inside the acorn and the wheat inside the seed has also given us abilities and talents that need to be cultivated and nurtured so that they can produce a harvest. But there is a choice here that requires wisdom.

James 3:13-14,18 tells us,

“Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him (or her!) show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. but if you harbour bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth…peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.”

God can have given you a quick mind and an articulate tongue, but whether you use these gifts to build people up with encouragement or tear them apart with sarcasm is up to you. God can have given you an artistic ability, whether you use it to show off or celebrate the beauty of creation is up to you. God can have given you an ability with figures and numbers. But whether you use it to help others or just to enhance your own income is up to you. God can have given you an understanding of other people. But do you use that to dominate people and get your own way or to encourage them to discover God’s plan for their lives?

At our harvest this year, we are going to celebrate our God-given talents, decorate the church with examples of them and offer them up in worship. On the Saturday (18th) we are going to have a day where you can explore new talents and crafts as well as join us for lunch and bring examples of your own creativity into church to help decorate it. 

Remember the word of God- those who desire the peace of Christ in their lives will invest their gifts and talents into the work of the kingdom of God in such a way as to bring forth a harvest of righteousness and praise to God. 

It is through the offering of such gifts in Christ’s service that the church is built. It is very appropriate that our harvest this year follows our Church Anniversary on October 12th when we welcome back to Cayton Rev Peter Shilling whose ministry built up so many in the faith. We assure Peter and Janet of a warm welcome and loving fellowship over this week-end and look forward to seeing you there.

Let our prayer this harvest be one that the Holy Spirit might bring forth from our lives, from the exercise of our talents and the investment of our time a harvest of righteousness and hope, to the glory of the name of our Saviour Jesus, Amen!