John’s Notes: Parish Newsletter editorials
August 2019
Of the many eccentric clerics Revd Robert Hawker stands out. Dressed in a claret-coloured coat, a blue fisherman's jersey, long sea-boots, a pink brimless hat and a poncho made from a yellow horse blanket, Hawker talked to birds, invited his nine cats into church and kept a pig as a pet. Apparently Hawker also had a penchant for dressing up as a mermaid, and he excommunicated his cat for mousing on Sundays. He is also credited for inventing the Harvest Festival Service.
Hawker ministered on the north Cornish coast parish of Morwenstow from 1834 to 1875. A desolate spot where waves thrashed against the rocks hundreds of feet below the church, Morwenstow was a haven for smugglers and wreckers. But it’s mostly farming country and if you go there today, above the sea cliffs you’ll find the uplands alive with crops and livestock.
In 1843 Revd Hawker introduced a harvest thanksgiving service to his Morwenstow congregation. He put up a notice reading, "Let us gather together in the chancel of our church, and there receive, in the bread of the new corn, that blessed sacrament which was ordained to strengthen and refresh our souls.”
Of course, for countless centuries farmers have gathered to give thanks for their harvest. But Hawker’s pioneering Harvest Festival turned it into the fixture we know today, just as at Christmas we’re indebted to his contemporary J. M. Neale, who pioneered the carol service.
Unafraid of breaking the mould, Hawker had the imagination to connect the spirit of his community to the praise of God for his generous provision, and he was bold enough to make of this connection a new form of service – which has endured.
Today we’re trying something new to help people connect with land and all of creation – Forest Church, it’s called, a service mostly outdoors which can take whatever shape suits the people and the place where it happens. In September and October each of our churches will hold our traditional Harvest services as always, and also, on 25th August at Keasden Church (7pm) we will have a first go at Forest Church ourselves. Everyone’s welcome – and you’re also welcome to a planning session on Monday 12th August at Keasden Church (7pm) where we’ll decide how to shape our Forest Church into something which really suits our people and our place.
