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Harvest of Memories: Celebrating 200 Years of St George’s Church.
Dear fellow members of Christ’s family,
On the 12th of October, we will celebrate and commemorate 200 years of our wonderful church building here at St George’s. Our bicentennial service will be attended by our diocesan bishop, Rt Revd Philip North, who will preside at the 9:30am Eucharist and rededicate our restored reredos panels behind the high altar. I hope to see as many of you there to celebrate this auspicious occasion with us; two hundred years of faith, fellowship, and service at the heart of our community.
October is of course a season of abundance and of thanksgiving. We celebrated our Harvest Thanksgiving service in September, but it is good to remind ourselves that there is something profoundly spiritual about autumn too. The fields are heavy with the bounty of the year’s labour; and as the days grow shorter and the evenings draw in, we are invited to pause and reflect on the gifts we have received—both seen and unseen. It is a time to remember that all we have comes from God, and to offer thanks by sharing our abundance with our neighbours.
How fitting, then, that this October we also gather to give thanks for a different kind of harvest: the lives touched, the prayers whispered, the friendships forged, and the legacy built over two centuries within the walls of St George’s Church.
It is almost impossible to imagine the world as it was when the doors of St George’s first creaked open in 1825. The parish was smaller and the world beyond our fields (as there was then) was much further away. Yet, amid all the changes wrought by time—the industrial revolution, world wars, social upheavals, and moments of national joy and sorrow—this church has stood as a beacon of hope and a gathering place for all.
The bicentennial is not simply a commemoration of our building’s age. It is a celebration of the faith that built it, the people who filled its pews, and the generations who have carried its mission into the world. For two hundred years, St George’s has been a sanctuary through storms and sunlit days, a place where new life is welcomed, vows are spoken, and sad farewells are gently given. The spirited hymns that have echoed through the stone walls, and the quiet prayers offered, all are woven into the fabric of our church’s story.
We honour not just the clergy who have led with wisdom and grace, but also the lay people— the flower arrangers, bell ringers, vestry members, and countless volunteers—who have kept the flame of service burning bright. As we celebrate a bicentennial in the embrace of autumn, we are reminded of the parallels between the season and our life of faith. Autumn teaches us about change, resilience, and hope. Just as trees shed their leaves, trusting in the promise of spring, so too are we called to let go of what no longer serves us and to prepare for God’s new growth in our hearts.
Celebrating two hundred years is not only about looking back; it is also about looking forward. What seeds are we planting today that will bear fruit for generations to come? How can we ensure that St George’s remains a place of welcome, compassion, and inspiration?
This autumn, as we gather for our special bicentennial service, let us renew our commitment to serve God and the mission of his Son. Our world is changing faster than ever, and the needs of our community are many. Let us be bold in our hospitality, creative in our outreach, and steadfast in our prayers.
As we reflect on the legacy handed down to us, and as we plan and hope for the future, let us put our trust in a:- “God who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine” (Ephesians 3:20).
As we mark this season of change and this bicentennial of faith, let us pray:
God of all seasons,
We thank you for the harvest of memories, love, and service that fills our lives through the ministry of St George’s Church. Grant us wisdom to honour the past,
courage to embrace the present,
and hope to plant seeds for the future.
As leaves turn and the world prepares for rest,
renew our spirits and strengthen our bonds,
that we may continue to shine as a beacon of your love for generations to come.
Amen.