Words: Emily Carlill
Kirkstall Valley Development Trust (KVDT) are inviting you to a special Harvest Festival event this Sunday at Kirkstall Valley Farm.
The Bishop of Kirkstall, Bishop Paul Slater, will be delivering a family-friendly service to give thanks for the food and for the people who work on the land.
The service will be followed by tea, coffee and cake, offering you a chance to socialise with neighbours and members of your community. There will also be an opportunity to take a short tour around the farm, find out more about what goes on and how you can get involved.
Adele Rae, CEO of KVDT, said:
“We’re really fortunate to be able to have the wonderful space at Kirkstall Valley Farm to offer different opportunities for the people of Kirkstall to come together.
“Over the summer we had activities at the farm for children and families and, now, through this event, working with St Stephen’s and inviting the other local churches, we are able to welcome more people, possibly some new to KVDT or Kirkstall Valley Farm, to experience this (their!) community space, get involved should they wish and benefit from what it, as well as being part of KVDT, has to offer.
“The Harvest Festival event is also a really nice way to recognise, celebrate and thank all the staff and volunteers who have worked on the farm over what has been an incredibly busy year.”
This event is organised in partnership with the Rev Stephen Kaye (St Stephen’s Kirkstall), the Rev Nigel Sinclair (Team Rector, Abbeylands Team Ministry), and the Rev Jack Parkes. Rev Kaye said:
“We are really excited to be holding this special service at Kirkstall Valley Farm with KVDT.
“Harvest Festival is all about celebrating and giving thanks to God for the land, the crops and the people who work on the land to provide food for the community. Harvest Festivals have existed for generations, they have changed shape over that time, as long as I have been part of harvest festivals they have been in a church building.
“So to be able to bring the local congregation onto this farmland, delivering the service from the very soil where our food grows from will offer a profound experience to those attending and is an honour to be involved.”
This is a free event but places are limited, please book in advance.
Download the order of service here. If you are unable to make the event in person on Sunday, you can always watch the live stream via the St Stephen’s Kirkstall Facebook page.
