Grace and Peace everyone.
October is going to be a special month at Emmanuel, in terms of the worship we offer, the gifts we gather for others, and the fellowship we share. Feel free to ask our resident farmer Michael Richards when Harvest should really be – because agriculturalists will tend to say churches celebrate Harvest rather late – some crops are ready from late July and August. Accepting that, technically, we might be a little behind schedule, we’re nonetheless going to celebrate Harvest and Creationtide in October – with every Sunday morning worship paying attention to this theme.
Our Harvest Festival Service will be the first Sunday 5th October – and a special service it will be indeed. We’re honoured that this will be the Eastbourne Civic Service of our Mayor, Margaret Bannister. We are already expecting various Civic guests and local leaders, including Deputy Lord-Lieutenant Brigadier Anthony Lamb MBE. What a joy it will be to worship fully together and to share food afterwards. Many thanks in advance to Gill and Maggie and their team for organising the bring and share lunch – and to all who have signed up for a particular item.
Our Harvest Festival will also include a gathering of items for Eastbourne Foodbank. At the time of great need locally, the Foodbank are currently making a particular call for the following: tinned hot meat (chicken in sauce, minced beef, etc); peas and carrots; tinned sweetcorn, packet soup; tinned fruit; tinned sardines/mackerel; tinned cold meat (corned beef, ham, etc); coffee; toilet rolls; uht milk; shampoo/shower gel. Check out their website nearer the time if you would like up to date suggestions. (Eastbourne Foodbank are coming on Monday to collect what is surely to be a large quantity of items).
Our other services during this season will reflect upon God’s world and creation, and our worship will explore issues of justice and hope for all the world. Our Harvest service will root the entire month’s worship in a sense of Thanksgiving for all that is God’s.
Advanced notice has already been given in recent Emmanuel magazines about our Harvest Weekend concert from Black Strap Molasses. It starts at 7:00pm (doors 6:30pm) and will include interval and refreshments. 
We’ve had some great concerts from Nick Westcott and the band over the years and they’re back to perform for us – for the first time in our new premises. You can expect a goodly mixture of folk and soulful tunes, some classics you’ll find yourself singing along with, and some of Nick’s own songs in there too. Nick and the band have graciously offered that all donations go to Emmanuel.
I think we can safely say that October 2025 at Emmanuel is going to be a memorable few weeks. Thanks be to God for all the glimpses of God’s loving nature and purposes of justice and peace that we see in the world around us. May our hearts be full of thanksgiving, fellowship, sharing and hope in this season. Thank you too, to our Church Leaders and Eco Church group for their work for us for October, and to our fabulous decorators who always make the church a symbol of gift and beauty at this time of year. Peace be with us all this Creationtide.
Rev. Paul Tabraham
Excerpt taken from Emmanuel Magazine October 2025. The magazine, published ten times annually, features articles contributed or authored by our members. It includes a delightful blend of testimonials, devotions, book reviews, prayers, jokes, upcoming events, and more. Grab your copy of the latest magazine at the church foyer. If you prefer to receive a copy by mail or email, feel free to reach out to us.