Saturday 9 September 2023

Branching Out

We were driving to the Village Hall [Bob had some Parish Council stuff to drop off] and passed some tree fellers chopping down a huge cupressus leylandii hedge. "Ooh, I could use some of that for Harvest!" I said. We got to the Hall - and Bob went inside, whilst I was sent to ask the men with the van if they needed the pallet they'd left outside [they didn't - so it went into the boot of our Skoda*] 
And o the way home we stopped and I asked for a branch. Take the lot! they said. But I just had the one piece. It was a rather larger than I'd realised when I picked it up, but I didn't want to spend time hunting through the heap of branches for a smaller one! On Sunday it is Harvest Festival at Church.

It's my turn to preach - and we are just starting a sermon series on the Jewish Festivals. I have been given "Sukkot" - aka the Feast of Tabernacles, or the Feast of Booths. So I thought it would be a good activity for the children to build mini sukkot [sukkot means huts]
I've cut out some card templates for the children to work with, using Mum's old table knife 
to score folds. I decorated the inside with bright fabric, crayons, stamps etc. Then stuck it into shape.
The trimmed sprigs of cupressus will go all over the outside. And there is a fabric mat to rest it on.

I hope to get some pictures of the children's finished shelters tomorrow. Meanwhile Bob is making some bread to contribute to the Harvest Lunch. It will be a busy service - we are supporting a project helping farmers in Uganda, so there is that video to watch, we're collecting for the local foodbank, we will learn about how Jews celebrate harvest - and Nick the pastor is going to perform one of his illusions. All of that will certainly work up an appetite for the lunch Wendy is arranging, 
*I have no idea what Bob plans to do with the pallet...





13 comments:

  1. Oh my goodness, you took me back 17 years in an instant. We used to teach our pupils about sukkot and in the infant classes we actually built a children sized sukkot in the corner of the open area so that the children could sit inside. The older pupils made the cardboard ones similar to yours. Catriona

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    1. Oh how lovely to have a child sized one for them to enjoy!

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    2. I would have loved this as a child! Both the full-sized version AND mini!!! Kx

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  2. What a lovely idea to make those cardboard huts for the children to decorate! Sounds like the Harvest Festival will be a wonderful event!

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  3. This is so cute! Our Sunday School program is the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd and all the things used by the kids to learn about the liturgy and the church are handmade miniatures (I even did some painting on one!) and this would go so great in there! Good job, Angela!

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    1. So many people put so much work into the Sunday school teaching materials. But it is so worth it!

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  4. You are so wonderfully imaginative, creative, and your blog is always so interesting!
    Wishing you well tomorrow.

    Hugs!

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  5. Thanks for coming to visit my blog AND leaving a great idea. Unfortunately, cloth diapers stopped being a cheap alternative around here a few years ago. Matter of fact, they are hard to find because we are a nation of throwaways. I do look for the old ones at yard sales. Others may see your thoughtful comment that just might find them or have them. I have used old towels too.
    On another note, I see we are a lot alike. Former teacher, very involved in my church and we both love "Gone with the Wind." Glad I found your blog. Have a great day.

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    1. Thank you so much for your comments Joy, and for your blog, always full of ideas!

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  6. How fortunate to be able to acquire the cupressus to decorate the Sukkot models. The children will remember the meaning when they have made the wee huts themselves.

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