Harvest services are always a joyful occasion in the church year, and that was certainly the case at University Road, Belfast on Sunday 13th October.
We were delighted to welcome Bishop Sarah Groves to conduct morning worship, enjoyed her message and children’s talk, and rejoiced in the singing of our favourite harvest hymns. The children brought to church gifts of non-perishable food items which, together with other offerings, will be donated as part of our on-going support for the local Food Bank.
The occasion was however more than ‘just’ a Harvest celebration. It was also an opportunity to celebrate the 90th Birthday (on 14th October) of our much-loved former minister Rev Len Broadbent, and to give thanks for the 40 years he has spent with us at University Road, firstly as our pastor and latterly, while a member of the congregation, as much respected ‘elder statesman’, advisor, mentor and friend to many. We ask for God’s richest blessings upon Len and his wife Sheila in the years to come.
Many thanks are due to Sr Mandy Kernohan for all her hard work in organising the splendid lunch which followed the service, and for the birthday cake which was, all agreed, a work of art in itself!
Sr Carol Ackah
