Vegetables, dancing, hair braiding, face painting, hat making, food, beer & a band all were part of harvest celebrations held by the parishes of Linton, Burnsall and Rylstone. 
St Michael’s Church in Linton played host to the different church families as they came together for the service, while people from Yorkshire Camps and Scargill House got involved too.
There was a mountain of food to share and specially baked Harvest Bread.
A 5-piece band came together for the event, members of the churches offered their skills and creativity, and local Dark Horse Brewery donated the beer.
David Macha, Rector of the parishes, said: “There is nothing more encouraging than coming together in an inspiring event, to share food and fellowship, and to find God’s presence amongst us in singing, creativity and worship.
“The church was packed and the service has created a really positive buzz in the villages: ‘It was fabulous’; ‘Amazing event’; ‘Fantastic’; ‘Full of God’s joy’; ‘Best Harvest Festival ever’ were all things I had as feedback!”
The service was not a one-off event but an opportunity that comes out of sustained work with families and local schools that has led to the formation of two new congregations across the parishes.
Part of the strategy is to re-claim Christian Festivals that already have resonance in the local culture and then put Christ at the centre.
Cath Currier, Reader, said: “We ran with St Patrick’s Day earlier in the year, formed a Ceilidh band, cooked Irish stew, served Guinness and danced reels, and as we worshipped together, we explored Patrick’s coming to faith and God’s call upon his life in art and craft and drama.”
