Hockering

Fiona, the family and I will be going again to the Spring Harvest Christian festival at the Harrogate Conference Centre from the 14^th to the 18^th April 2020. We had a great time two years ago, with inspiring teaching, great worship and the opportunity to have afternoon tea at Betty’s Tea Rooms. Over the years we have been to Spring Harvest and other similar events to be refreshed and renewed in our Christian faith and are looking forward to going next year. You can find out more at www.springharvest.org/harrogate.

Because we are previous attenders, we received a special low cost of £99 per adult (children are less), an offer which is still open until the end of September if we take others with us, although you will need to book accommodation separately.

If you are unsure whether this is for you, then Spring Harvest is coming to Norwich for one night only on 24^th September 7:30pm at Sprowston Methodist Church, where you can have a taster of what is in store for 2020. The worship leader is Pete James, who led the worship at Harrogate two years ago and he was amazing. The cost is £8 pp or £6 pp for concessions. We can’t book these tickets for you, so you will need to go to www.springharvest.org/local. If you don’t have a computer then we can help at the office.

Please talk to Fiona or me if you would like to know more.

Mark

Whenever I open the door of our garden shed, my eyes are drawn to a small green watering can that we bought for our grandson so that he could help me water the tomatoes. It reminds me of 1 Corinthians 3, verses 5-9, verse 6 of which says:

“I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow.”

During the next five weeks we have lots of harvest events taking place across the benefice with special services, suppers and school assemblies. Opportunities to come together and give thanks to our God who provides for all our needs and to give thanks for those whose labour brings food to our tables.

Living in a rural community, we witness first-hand the changing seasons that determine the farming year. Paul uses the image of farming or gardening to send an important message to the young church at Corinth, namely that whilst one person may plant, another water - it is God who makes things grow. We each have a job to do and working together, we can be fruitful.

In September, our grandson starts primary school. It strikes me that teachers are farmers of a different kind, as they sow seeds for learning to open up the world to our young people. I pray that my grandson will get a taste for more than just tomatoes!

May this season of harvest be one for giving thanks; and for remembering the generosity of those who donate to our local foodbanks, community fridge and who have provided meals for children during the summer holidays.

And finally, my prayer is that God will help us to grow his church in our benefice.   

Sally

How To Find Us

If coming to the church from the Norwich direction, head west along the A47. As you approach Hockering, there is an angled turn off to Hockering itself. Ignore this and turn right into The Street only when you have passed Mill Lane on your left. Once on The Street, turn left and follow the road round to your right. You will see St. Michael's on your right. There is usually space to park on the side of this quiet road in front of the church itself.
If coming to the church from the Dereham direction, bear left onto an unnamed road which heads directly to the church. At this left turn you will see a white P on blue background (parking) sign) As you actually turn into the unnamed road heading to the church you can see St. Michael's in the distance.

Click on the link to find a map of the area on Google maps. (Please note that we have no control over the content of external websites).