Abundantly we have received; let us also abundantly give. What a summer it has been! Very tough for the farmers dealing with drought conditions—but there’s no denying that many of our home gardens have produced a bumper crop of fruit and vegetables. (We can’t wait to see what the Waipara Valley vineyards will produce this year too!) So, what to do with all this abundance? Well, here are two ideas: 1. Give thanks to God and celebrate in the tradition of a Harvest Thanksgiving service. When did you last go to one of these services? Come along to St Paul’s in Leithfield on Sunday 22nd March, at 9.30am. The little church will be beautifully decorated as we ‘take a week off’ from Lent and joyfully give thanks for the Harvest. Not just for the crops in the garden and the fields, but in our hearts and lives too. 2. Give to those who need it more. There is a special opportunity to do this at Harvest Thanksgiving. At this service, we will accept gifts of non-perishable food (tins, packets) and pass these on to the Amberley Food Bank. Fresh fruit and vegetables are also very welcome. Stick around after the service as we sell these off in a mini auction. You are sure to get a bargain and all money raised will be donated to the City Mission, whose Christchurch food bank has been in constant demand since the earthquakes put many more people under financial stress. Even if you don’t have so much as a single tomato plant in a pot, you may feel you can give something. Special treats are appreciated by the food bank. Volunteers tell us that people seeking their services feel a lift in their spirits when they receive a lovely treat along with the ubiquitous provisions of Weetbix and baked beans. See you at the celebration! Any enquiries, contact the parish office on 021 0256 5468.