Photographed by J Baylor
I am thinking of fancy frocks; crinoline underneath, sash, flower details, floral accents, ribbons in little girls hair, iron combs, girls in their pre-teen years. My mind is thinking of getting ready for harvest Sunday way back then in November.
To me Harvest Festival is one of those special occasions that everything that we wore to church was new. The members of the church brought out their best fruits and ground provisions (sugarcane, bananas, yams, potatoes, oranges, carrots, papaya, dasheen, yams, cassava), to adorn the church from the door to the altar or every corner of the church. We would anxiously wait to go back to church in the afternoon for concert where we would recite our memorized poems about harvest.I recall the instruments would play and the congregation filled the space with spectacular harmony. All were well dressed, well-fed, young, old and everything in between. There was a mysterious expression of awe as all reflected joy and willingness to do our best and give our best. There was an atmosphere of competition with a flare of merriment. We got some of our best cooked meals on harvest Sunday. The food was then sold on Monday morning to raise funds for the church.
In the Bahamas and in other cultures now food is distributed among the poor and senior citizens. Harvest is still with us and whether we call it Harvest or Thanksgiving we should always cherish the memories of this time, but more importantly give God thanks for all he has given and provided for us, not only in material possessions but also in people and experiences.
During the collection of the offering on Sunday my daughter eagerly waited for the collection plate to drop her dollar in. It brings to life the days gone by as a child when I sat in the pew with my dollar. If the children around forgot to bring their offerings or did not have the means to do so some elderly lady would firmly and quickly put a dollar in your hand; as if to say you shouldn’t have forgotten it and don’t forget it again.
Today I reflect on my development and about how various places of worship and times of worship have molded me into who I am today. For that I give God thanks and praise. Sometimes I just sit and reflect on those special moments. Let us give thanks for those who journeyed before and who’s shoulders we now stand on.
Soar and the world sees you
Sing and men will hear you
Rise and your followers are many
Dream and there will be plenty
-
Poem by Brenda L McCartney
Holy Cross Parish - Nassau - Stained Glass
It is the eve of my birthday and I feel compelled to pen my thoughts. As my two year old daughter sometimes asks “Mommy are you happy?”
I have a desire to wake up at the crack of dawn go to the Parish church of Holy Cross and worship. I want to watch the sun beaming on the stain class window revealing the glowing image of the risen Christ with his hand out stretched. I marvel at this beautiful scene that now plays in my mind!
Tomorrow before the sun sets I have a compulsion to take a yacht preferable a Sunseeker (50ft long motor yacht) or even a 108 foot Catamaran (style motor yacht) and observe the setting of the sun. I feel worthy of all the wonderful things life has to offer. For the rest of my life on earth I deserve prosperity, understanding, peace, love and success.
Today I have been given a fresh start as I am not tied to what was but instead I become whatever I chose to be. Further, today I honour the gifts my people/ancestors have given me as I celebrate my beauty and the beauty of my culture with gratitude and love.
Today I acknowledge that my peace comes from being able to forgive.
I am happy as I celebrate my new beginnings!
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