With autumn upon us, Christian World Service is inviting parishes to celebrate the harvest.

New reflection and worship resources highlight the differences made possible by giving poor people the means to grow their own food on small plots of land in rural Nicaragua.

Retired bishop John Bluck reflects on the blessings of a good garden and how the breaking of bread on Sunday connects us with those who are hungry. 

A member of Christchurch's diocesan social justice unit, Kate Day, shares her difficulties about wasting food when people are hungry.

There are worship resources including a PowerPoint prayer to help focus on sharing our blessings with people who face hunger on a daily basis.

Ideas for a Harvest Market offer a simple way to raise funds for our Harvest appeal for CEPAD in Nicaragua. 

CEPAD (Consejo de Inglesias Evangelicas Pro-Alianza Denominacional/ Council of Protestant Churches of Nicaragua) has 40 years of experience working to help people out of poverty, resolve conflict and promote more just and peaceful relationships. 

The funds raised will be used in their Women’s Patio Project which provides training, tools, seeds, plants and animals as well as equipment to some of the country’s poor rural women. 

Those who have been part of the programme eat better, have money for healthcare and school fees and new power as a community to demand better services like improved roads.

Lent is a time when Christians often give up something they enjoy. Almsgiving is also part of the tradition in the lead up to Easter. This year CWS is inviting church people to focus on sharing their blessings with those in need. 

“We want people to share their blessings with those who do not have enough to eat,” says Pauline McKay, CWS Director.

This year’s resources include links to a wastetracker from the Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance of which CWS is a member, and overconsumption as well as reflections prepared by the Ecumenical Water Network for World Water Day on 22 March.

The Harvest resources can be downloaded here or from http://cws.org.nz/the-issues/food/harvest-lent-resources-2013 or ordered from cws@cws.org.nz or 0800 74 73 72.

Donations to the Harvest Appeal for CEPAD can be made:  on line or at www.cws.org.nz/donate, sent to PO Box 22652, Christchurch 8140 or by calling 0800 74 73 72.

For further information contact: CWS National Director, Pauline McKay. Phones: 03 366 9274 or 021 289 1225