When I was young we lived near a steep-sided valley of deciduous trees. Every autumn we would make a pilgrimage to what we called ’Friday Street’.

On a bright, autumn afternoon there would be this glorious, golden glow streaming through the trees. Piles of orange, red and yellow leaves were piled up ready for us to kick through or to throw in the air. We loved to chase them as they flurried around us.

I also have a clear memory of my father using oil paint to try to capture the image on canvas. He had the tubes of deep orange, smeared red through it and highlighted it with yellow.

I thought it was wonderful as the colours swirled and ridged on the surface.

My father got frustrated at the limitations of the paint to capture what was in his mind. A naturally patient man, he shared the frustration of artists down the ages at being unable to really capture the animated beauties of creation.

I was reminded of these memories as I stood before abeautiful floral decoration in the church dressed for Harvest Festival. Behind it the sun streamed through the stained glass windows; God the creator glorified by his own creations. It seemed so wonderful and so right.

I was glad that throughout this land; men and women, created by God with a God-given capacity to see and appreciate His work in the world, will gather and reflect in gratitude back to God the wonder of his work – ‘Come yea thankful people come...’ Do join them if you can.

  • The Rev Beverley Lock, Orton