Parents have warm memories of taking part in Harvest Festivals and want their children to do the same - new polling shows.
Two-thirds of people (67%) say there is still value in children taking part in Christian Harvest Festivals, according to a ComRes survey of over 4,000 adults.
But only half (49%) of parents say their children participate, possibly because of limited opportunity.
The poll found that three quarters (73%) remember celebrating harvest festival as a child, with most remembering bringing in food to give to people in need (61%) as well as attending Harvest services, singing hymns or saying prayers (64%).
Two-thirds of participants (65%) say their memories of Harvest Festival were positive, with the main perceived benefits listed as generosity to people in need (62%), giving thanks for the good things in our lives (51%) and teaching children where food comes from (48%).
Over a third (37%) also say that learning about sustainability and the impact of growing food on climate change and the environment is important.
The Church of England’s Chief Education Officer, the Revd Nigel Genders, said: “Harvest Festival is just one of the ways that the Christian tradition enriches the lives of children of all backgrounds as part of daily collective worship.
“It’s encouraging to know that parents agree, and there is a clear call for more schools of all kinds to use the coming weeks to celebrate harvest, and I hope many will do so."
Harvest across the Diocese of Chester
We'd love to see photographs of all the different Harvest Festivals and celebrations taking place across the Diocese of Chester this season. Please send them to comms@chester.anglican.org so that we can share the joy with others via social media and the E-Bulletin.