The Harvest Festival Service is a traditional and glorious harvest thanksgiving bringing together all the well-loved traditions of the Harvest Festival Eucharist, with readings and music. The Cathedral welcomes you to bring (non-perishable) food donations to be shared with those in need through Winchester Foodbank.
The Rally for the Earth Service is joining with Winchester Green Week and focuses on the climate emergency and includes a pledge to protect God’s holy creation. This Service will feature guest speaker Professor Robert Beckford, Director of the Institute of Climate and Social Justice, Winchester University.
The Very Revd Catherine Ogle the Dean of Winchester said:
“Harvest Festival is an occasion deeply rooted in the life of the nation and in local traditions. Since biblical times, celebrating harvest has highlighted our basic human need for food, God’s generous provision in creation, and the human responsibility for caring for the poor and for the environment.
The Cathedral’s Harvest Festival this year includes a new awareness of the need for action on climate change. During the afternoon Rally, we will be making a commitment to take action to avert climate change, already impacting upon the lives of hundreds of millions of people around the world. We do hope that many people will want to join us in celebrating the Harvest and committing to care for God’s creation.”
The Cathedral hopes as many people as possible will attend the day, inviting friends and relatives along too. The Services will be live-streamed allowing guests to join from anywhere in the world.