Whether you're looking for something for school, church or kids-club, here are a wide variety of links to resources on the theme of 'Harvest'and 'Autumn'.

World

Harvest is often a good opportunity to think about supporting aid work to our brothers and sisters in need oversees. This list of links opens up some interesting information, resources and 'how you can help'pages.

• Christian Aid
• Traidcraft 
• Christian Ecology Link
• Oxfam, cool planet
• Send a Cow
• The Books for Life programme is a Feed the Minds initiative.Feed the Minds believes that education saves lives, reduces poverty and builds community.

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UK Farming

This summer's flooding and foot and mouth outbreak have left our own farmers facing particular difficulties. It may be unusual to focus on farming closer to home but nonetheless our own farmers need support and prayer so these links may help if you'd like to celebrate their important work.

• Year of Food and Farming
• The'Farm Crisis Network' have some excellent Harvest resources for use in church. Contact them via their website to recieve For more information about thework of the FCN click here and scroll down. Their newsletter link is also on that page.

School Assemblies/ Collective Worship

Harvest opens up the possibility for school-church links with assemblies and children visiting church. This section offers some ideas for those involved in schools work.

Under 5's

Sharing harvest with teeny-tinies at 'Mum's & Toddlers'or similar mid-week groups could be given a creative boost with these resources.

TheScripture Union Tiddlywinksresources have been well recieved for some time now and come recommended. For harvest themes, activities particularly look at the'Red' and 'Green'books.

  isn't specifically Christian but has some ideas for activities and colouring sheets that might be useful.   

Liturgy

TheFarm Crisis Network include in their resources some ideas for service outline and liturgy.

Common Worship Texts from the Church of England

Books and Other Resources

TheChristian Publishing Organisation have a variety of posters and leaflets for harvest (and of course many other themes).

Browse for various books and resources from online Christian storeEden  or for other church appropriate autumn & harvest resources fromBRF.

The Pumpkin Patch Parableis a lovely story that is easily convertable from 'American'to 'UK'children. I've used this during the 'talk'slot at a school harvest festival complete with pumpkin seeds, mud, grown pumkin and candle. It took a bit of preparation but was totally worth it. (If this doesn't make sense read the book and it'll become clear).

The Pumpkin Patch Parable is not a celebration of Halloween . . . no ghosts, goblins, demons, witches, or monsters here!  Instead, it is a positive alternative for parents and teachers to share with young ones each fall.   Since the Lord Himself created pumpkins, it seemed appropriate to redeem this familiar symbol of the harvest season for His good purpose.  This October . . . "Let your self glow!"

Miscellaneous

This school have a great display and information about the season 

Finally, this is not specifically Christian but my provide useful 'autumn'themed activities for a mid-week kids-club -

Bible Reading Fellowship have always been very reliable at producing useful and meaningful resources for a variety of children's work settings. Some of their latest offerings. 

For 'ready to use'assembly ideas click each picture: