AGE:
Secondary |
THEME:
Harvest |
SUGGESTED APPROACH: |
This act of collective worship has its roots in the Christian celebration of Harvest. The traditional focus is on thanksgiving for the fruits of the earth
as God's gift for all humanity. The idea is developed in the light of the wider understanding of fruitfulness; here, our own gifts are 'harvested' and we reflect upon how we can best use and share them.
The act of worship would be most appropriate for a class or tutor group but could easily be adapted for larger numbers by choosing individuals to represent their year or class group in the activity in the final part.
In the reading of Psalm 104, the text can be divided into sections and shared between a group of readers. It is particularly effective if:
- the readers are placed in different locations around the room.
- it is read antiphonally with students or groups of students reading alternate verses.
If appropriate, after the act of collective worship, students may wish to make a display of their harvest of talents.
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OTHER RESOURCES: |
On a central table, have a bowl of fruit and a Bible open at Psalm 104.
To have to hand: a second bowl or basket, pieces of paper and pens (either one for each student or for a representative of each group), students to read the psalm |
DEVELOPMENT: |
| LEADER: |
There is a well-known poem by John Keats about Autumn that begins 'Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness...' In this part of the Western world it conjures up images of seasonal change and the traditional Christian celebration of harvest, marking the gathering in of crops before the arrival of winter. Communities around the world and of many different faiths celebrate a good harvest. It is a time of thanksgiving for the fruits of the earth and an opportunity to share in the earth's bounty.
For Christians and Jews, Psalm 104 is a reminder of the earth's fruitfulness and gives thanks for God's gifts in creation. |
| READER: |
Reads an extract from Psalm 104, e.g. verses 5-34, or the shorter extract of verses 10-18. |
| LEADER: |
Christian harvest festivals are often a colourful sight with churches richly decorated with fruits, flowers and many different symbols representing the richness of the earth's harvest. These symbols also represent what we often describe as the fruits of our labours, women and men working with and using the earth's gifts to provide all our needs.
Sometimes our work can bear different kinds of fruit from the fruit you can see in this bowl. And each one of us has gifts that are not objects but skills and talents that we can use to help others. Christians believe that God gives everybody gifts that can be shared and can help to make the world a better place. Some of us are good at making things, or mending things, some of us can paint or draw or sing, some are good with computers, some of us can make other people laugh!
Think about something you can do, a gift that you can share with others, and write it down on your slip of paper. While the music is playing, come and place your gift in the basket and we will harvest all our gifts and talents [while the music is playing, students come and place their slips of paper in the second basket/bowl]. |
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READING / PRAYER: |
The act of worship could end with this Christian prayer, attributed to St Francis of Assisi.
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace;
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is discord, union;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is sadness, joy;
For your mercy's sake.
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MUSIC: |
| For the Beauty of the Earth set by John Rutter and recorded by the boys of St Paul's Cathedral Choir in their album How Can I Keep from Singing?, EMI Classics for Pleasure 5 69620 2. |
