A Thank You and a Ray of Hope

In this world we find ourselves in it is so easy for us to feel down as if living under a constant rain cloud. We long for the sun to shine again and our lives to get back to a little normality.
Well here is just a little Ray of Hope that some are still trying to live with all the restrictions and yet find a way to reach out in love and understanding. Laughton All Saints Church like so many of our churches throughout the country should be celebrating harvest time. Due to the Covid rules and the importance of keeping us all safe the usual harvest services and traditions could not take place. However that was not going to stop Laughton Church School pupils and staff from letting the festival pass without recognition.

Mrs Morley the head teacher asked if each bubble could bring their harvest gifts across to church in turn. It was decided that this would be acceptable and due to care home isolation that the gifts would be cans and none perishable food stuff that would be taken to the local food bank. Our church and our school have for several years supported the local food bank run by the Salvation Army in Dinnington. There are large boxes as you go into church and school and if you wish to support the work with the local families who are struggling at this time you can bring your gifts of food and leave them there.

So it is a huge Thank You to all the children, parents and staff for all the wonderful gifts, many of which have already been handed out. However it was not just the gifts that impressed me but the knowledge and thought that the children had given to harvest. Their prayers and readings showed how they fully understood how fortunate we are to have all we need and how important it is to give thanks to God and all who provide our food. They also understood that was not the case for all and that is a tribute to parents and staff.

So a Thank You all and may this Ray of Hope be a promise of better times to come.

Paul Marshall