Harvest or Lammas in Partick
I’m often in Partick, now part of Glasgow. The name of this area originates from the mid-1100s, from the Cymro-Celtic tradition, meaning sweet fruit and nice, beautiful (‘Per-dyc’). Hence it may have been known as ‘a place of fair fruit trees or orchards’ [1]. Later it was to be known for where the grain for the area was landed and processed. Powered by the River Kelvin to the west, grain mills were plentiful. What’s next for us?
Harvest where we celebrate the bounty of the land, where farmers have continued to bring in the crops despite all of the restrictions, the lack of workers to pick our crops. It is also a time when we take stock.
Yes the crop is in, and we can celebrate. But we also store the seeds needed for next year. Some will need planting soon, others later. The food may come into the barn, but some will be out there again very soon.
What’s next for us? How might we take stock at this time? It’s been a difficult year – to say the least. We can, and should, celebrate the great harvest of food, thanking God. For there is still much to praise God. Even in the Psalms the writers were able to speak with God in the darkest times, in lament, but also able to thank God – for God was still there, walking alongside us.
Time to plan ahead is now
But to sit there and not prepare is to celebrate without due thought for the next day. We have much to prepare for, much to plan. This year’s Harvest may well be in, but there’s another year, a great year to look forward to.
What shall we plant, where? By whom?
Welly boots may well be needed, stout shoes for the colder wetter weather. And now? Many of us may well need to be continuing to share our faith, chatting to others, writing a letter, possibly sending a small gift to encourage another, inviting others along the roads not only to Church but to know of God’s love, to join in with the celebrations, for everyone is welcome. What’s next for us?
It starts here again
[1] Partick, Glasgow – Origins & History, http://www.scotcities.com/westend/partick.htm, last accessed on 29 Sep 2020.