We thank you, God, O holy God, for all your love.

 

1 We plough the fields and scatter

the good seed on the land,

but it is fed and watered

by your almighty hand;

you send the snow in winter,

the warmth to swell the grain,

the breezes and the sunshine,

and soft refreshing rain.

All good gifts around us

are sent from heaven above;

we thank you, God, O holy God,

for all your love.

Voices United 520

On Saturday morning there were showers, it was a tad chilly, and we had lots we wanted to do at home. At one point, though, I offered to Ruth that it seemed strange not to go to the Belleville Farmers Market on the Thanksgiving weekend. So, off we went. This is a relatively small but mighty group of vendors whose produce is tasty and fresh and local. We don't want to take them for granted and we're glad to chat them up each week.  

We live in a time of food insecurity for so many who are often faced with difficult choices between paying the rent and eating well. Food banks are experiencing unprecedented numbers of those in need. 

Farmers are feeling the squeeze when it comes to making a living and we have a provincial government that wants to let developer pals build housing on the prime farmland of the Greenbelt. 

The Jewish harvest festival of Sukkot concluded on Friday after eight days. 

Thanksgiving in Canada and the United States is a harvest festival and traditionally Christian  churches would be  festooned with agricultural produce, although this doesn't happen the same way anymore.

The tendency was to polish the veggies and arrange them artfully around the sanctuary, maybe with a cornucopia thrown in for good measure. These efforts were always gratefully received but a little soil on the turnips and under the fingernails would have been a healthy reminder of farm to communion table. In one congregation I served a couple who owned orchards made sure that there were bushels of apples at Thanksgiving and everyone was welcome to grab one before departing. 

At the market I took some photos of willing vendors, including Cliff (top photo) who is now 92 and has no plans to stop farming. He's a fine person who's been a generous contributor to the Bridge St.UC meal ministries over the years. I smiled when he confessed that he can't do as much as he used to because his back is worn out. It's amazing that he is still at it. 

With all the ways to express thanks today, let's remember those who "plough the fields and scatter the good seed on the land." This hymn may be a "moldy oldie" -- more than 200 years old -- but it still speaks to me as a prayer of gratitude. 

2 You only are the maker

of all things near and far;

you paint the wayside flower,

you light the evening star;

the winds and waves obey you,

by you the birds are fed;

much more to us, your children,

you give us daily bread.  R

3 We thank you then, O Maker,

for all things bright and good,

the seed-time and the harvest,

our life, our health, our food;

accept the gifts we offer

for all your love imparts,

and, what from us you long for,

our humble, thankful hearts.  R