Melksham Family of Churches- Autumn – a time to remember others

Summer’s gone. Autumn’s come? Our weather is so topsy turvy these days we never know what is in store. Maybe we will have an Indian summer. 

An Indian summer is a period a time in the autumn when we have fine, dry and warm weather; perhaps in October. The origin of the name could come from the Native Americans who believed the warm respite was sent by their God. Another theory is that it comes from New England settlers who, having stoked up for the winter, then had a period of respite to gather more food for when they were snowed in. Unfortunately, while they were away, the Native Americans might use the period to attack the settlements.

On the other hand, we might have a St Martin’s Summer which sometimes occurs in November. It is called that because St Martin’s feast day is on November 11th. It would be nice to have a few dry warm days in November.

Autumn is a beautiful time. The leaves are a glorious mixture of colours. Asters and chrysanthemums bloom in gardens. On the other hand – all those leaves to pick up!

We have been given a beautiful world, created by God. He has given it into our hands to sustain and grow. As Christians we believe that we should live in a way that does not mean others get less, or the world is not polluted by our rubbish, or that others starve while we over-eat. At this harvest time let us remember those who have no harvest to celebrate, no clean water to drink and ask the Lord of the Harvest to guide us to be true stewards of His beautiful world.

Anne Doyle, St Anthony of Padua Catholic Church.