As I collected the harvest produce from St Thomas' Church, Stockton Heath, given to opening doors, for the homeless, I was recalling with thankfulness that so many congregations now turn their harvest thanksgiving to practical action by either raising cash for overseas causes or sharing their produce appropriately within the town.

The earliest recorded Biblical observance of the harvest festival in Deuteronomy also contained the injunction to remember the needs of strangers and foreigners when celebrating the earth's abundance, if it is to be a complete harvest.

Welcome!

Latchford Methodist Church had a hearty celebration service last weekend. Just a week after the final service at the Norris Street church, members of that congregation were formally and joyfully welcomed to their new spiritual home. The welcoming applause followed that already offered for the four folk from the Latchford community received into church membership through confirmation a few minutes earlier.

News/church magazines may be forwarded to Stephen Kingsnorth, at Warrington Borough Ministry, the Gateway, 89 Sankey Street, WA1 1SR/ e-mail skingsnorth@fish.co.uk