October is the start of the 2022/23 summer crop production season for South Africa. This week we had our first outdoor chapel service with the Junior Primary girls. The theme of the service was “Harvest”. The reading was from Deuteronomy 24: 19-22.

The environmental club girls, together with Mrs Naicker, shared with us some of the small things we can do to contribute to creating a harvest for the world. They challenged us to keep our campus clean with the following slogans:

• Clean school, green school, my dream school

• Slam dunk the junk

• Stop littering, Love the earth

• Do you want a better world, pick up litter of course

The tradition of praying for a good harvest and having your tools blessed at the start of the planting seasons go back centuries. Rogation services are a time to pray for planting and for those who work with the land. In this service, we celebrate God’s wonderful creation. We remind ourselves of how much we depend on the crops in the fields and farm animals for our food, as well as remembering so many other blessings. As the 2022/2023 summer crop season starts, we pray for all those involved in growing food.

Almighty God

It is your will that the earth and the sea

Should bear fruit in due season:

Bless the labours of those who work on land and sea

Grant us a good harvest

And the grace to always rejoice in your Fatherly care

Through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen

REVD RAKGADI KHOBO
CHAPLAIN