Autumn 26: RSVPs

I’ll be posting your RSVPs to this year’s autumn series here! Thanks so much!

RSVPs

Taken on a wonderful prayer walk last week. It is a reminder that gathering is something that all creation is involved in. 🍂 Diane N

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Autumn the harvest of ourselves
The sheaves all gathered in,
The dross forgiven thrown away
The grain once more
The bread of life.

Caroline H

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Here is my wee offering. I felt drawn to list the things beginning with ‘C’ I would like Christ to drive out and the things beginning with ´C’ I would like Christ to draw into my life. Alice D

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Your first day’s question about our summer sensory memories, and then looking at specific photos as “visio divina”, really spoke to me. Here’s the photo I focused on, an Atlantic puffin that I saw only metres away on the coast of Newfoundland in the easternmost part of Canada. I’m so thankful for the experience of seeing them in person, but I saw so many more details when I looked closely at this bird’s incredible lines and colouring in the photo. What a whimsical artist God is! : )

Thanks so much for encouraging us to pause, remember, and see.  Sending hugs and blessings to you and the community – Nancy-in-Canada  : )

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‘And then my eyes…
I filled them with the deepest, bluest skies …
When winter comes, my eyes will still remember 

Wendy P

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I’ve been birdwatching today with a group at Stanpit Marsh on Christchurch Harbour. Here’s a haiku expressing one bird that we saw (from a distance, through a telescope!).

Indigo-feathered
The Priory peregrine
Perches patiently.

Blessings and huge thanks for this inspiring week of reflections, Jo Constantine

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In friendship, Gill

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Collecting conkers 

Was such a peaceful forage,

Finding them shining and full of hope.

Louise T

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Abandoned meander bends and point bars, Washington State, LiDAR imagery. Beautiful images of historical stream channel migration – so much of ourselves is hidden but not from God –  https://www.flickr.com/photos/wastatednr/51156110427/

Hidden to the naked eye, seen through LiDAR (Light detection and ranging) images.

A red admiral butterfly came and literally sat on my lap for a full ten minutes today as I sat in the sun savouring autumn before setting off to visit a friend who is dying. So exquisitely beautiful, its presence so stilling and poignant. What a gift! Marian C

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An experiment with glass pens.

Our community choir has learned this round. We sing it in six parts!

Autumn’s Gate by Sophie Streckx

When the nights draw in and the leaves, they turn,
Into the distance the colours burn.
When the cool breeze sings a lament for Summer
We know that Autumn’s Gate has opened.

Sally H

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In the summer I visited a glass factory. The man in the middle is the Master, the other 2 have been his apprentices for many years. As they gather together the Master forms the bowl and at the right time without speaking the two apprentices get molten glass ready for him to add to the bowl. It is like an intricate dance that draws you in to join the dance with them and join their gathering as they make something beautiful. Janet W

Thank you for this beautiful mini series. I love the idea of storing special things from this summer to bring out on darkening days.

Summer’s store – Moths

The Humming bird Hawk
Old Lady, Jersey Tiger
Sprinkling their magic

Jo G

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We are at a celebratory gathering of friends and family in Umbria this week. I am feeling very blessed through presence, connection, nature. Thank you for your reflections which enhance and bring a sense of reverence to this special time. Wild cyclamen in the local woods. Julia Sturmy

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I planted this grass some years ago from something I had left over. Like most things I do in church it doesn’t look much most of the time, but every now and then a light shines on it that draws attention to His work… 🙏🏼 Robin B

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That was dead is now alive. The intense heat killed all the growth on the Japanese Anemones, and our solution was to cut the dead growth down. This is our reward. Once the temperature cooled and the rain came, pink and white flowers around the garden, what a joy. So it’s worth cutting out the dead in our lives to allow for new and exciting growth. Gay H

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Continually amazed by His creation. On a recent trip with our grandsons to a butterfly house we were disappointed that the local peacocks were not showing off their plumage. Then a different type of peacock landed beside us. Beautiful. Colin S

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No poem or photo or beautiful illustration from me, just a few words. Feeling very rooted and grounded in love being part of this series. Thank you. Writing this in busy Dublin airport, perfect place to ‘set aside my rushed and useful life’ and replacing it with a quiet, contented smile.

Blessings on you and yours, Helen S

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Here’s my RSVP photo – I thought I would ‘store September’ by pressing some flowers and grasses from my dog walk. Laura W

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Thank you for this week, it’s been so refreshing. I’m enjoying Autumn in a very different way this year. The last few years Autumn has been a very sad & lonely time for me, but this year it’s so much better. A poem I wrote yesterday:

The trees aflame,
Red, gold & green.
It’s Autumn time,
Beauty to be seen

Autumns before
Found me so sad
This year my spirit
Returns to glad.

Such beauty out there
To stir the soul
To heal some wounds 
And make me whole.

To see & smell
To touch & hear
The joy-filled birds
Who have no fear

Sunsets golden
Dawns so bright
To still the tears
Let in His light

His healing touch
And splendour bright
To help us through
Each winter night

To come afresh
My spirit to sing
For He keeps His word
Joy & peace to bring

Sylvia C

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Here’s my contribution: an additional verse to ‘Storing September’:

… And all of the sea, the glorious spread of the sea!

When winter comes, my eyes will still remember

The day they stored September.

And there were little white crests, dancing while the gulls cried!

And there was ozone in the breeze,

And the almost summer freshness of its caress.

And the salty tang of the ocean.

You know how much I love it.

That’s what I did today

And I know why.

Just simply for the love of it,

I stored September.

Sandra F

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Remembering Summer 2026

In the garden :
Fragrant Roses blooming early
Loud morning chorus of birdsong
Warm breezes kissing my face  
Tasting early ripening sweet fruits
All under big beautiful blue, cloudless Fenland skies

Indoors :
A daily Rhythm of Life!:
Close windows and curtains East facing at dawn and open west facing
Close west-facing windows and curtains in the afternoon and open east facing …
and repeat heatwave after heat wave.
Thanking, God, for no south facing windows ,
And a cool north facing kitchen! 

Sue West

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Walking up to Old Sarum on Saturday to see the moon rise, we saw this cross in the sunset. I have been noticing very very tall trees in Ampfield churchyard and in Grovely Woods – bigger than all the problems on earth. Hearing birds in several places sounding so busy preparing for winter, perhaps. The story of Christa Pike on death row in Tennessee helping me remember God is in charge of life and death not us. Joanna P

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Glancing at snapshots of summer,
I recall the plop of fish in a sun dappled pond,
the sweet taste of tomatoes, hot off the vine,
the scent of lavender with the buzz of bees.

Also, I recall the touch of bare, brittle privet which snapped between my fingers, tinder dry
And the acrid stink of blackened, charred gorse on a railway embankment.
This autumn, as I gather these mixed memories together, I pray that I’ll resist the urge
To panic ripen, but along with the early falling leaves, let my true colours shine.

Mandy Cartwright

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A beautiful Harvest display captured on the last day of September, but behind the camera was a gathering that marked the restoration of family ties and relationships that has taken almost 30 years. A slow ripening indeed. Rachel T

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  When you suggested that we think back over the summer, my strongest memory is that back on a very hot day in July, Jane & I interred our mum’s ashes in a lovely Garden of Remembrance.

Linked to that & considering the change from Summer to Autumn, I wrote this:

CHANGES

Ashes to ashes
Dust to dust
To say “goodbye”
I know I must

Life continues
Adaption & change
Our creator God
Constant remains

Trees are changing
Days are shorter
leaves are turning
& mornings feel cooler

Gone for now
Summer’s heat
Morning mists
Red skies we greet

Autumn’s colours
Orange & red
Animals preparing
Their winter beds

Seedtime & harvest
Cold & heat
Earth’s natural cycle
Does not cease

“Come” says the Lord
“I make things new”
(He is my hope) so –
that I choose to do.

Paula S

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’24 hours in autumn’ – what a difference between the view on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings this week. 

As you reminded us today, we can’t control the weather but it’s been good to embrace it all!

James P

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Just thinking about your question, ‘How was your summer?’

This was taken at an early morning swim (with classical guitarist!) as part of the 90^th anniversary celebrations of our local lido.

A moment of coolness to start the day 
To jump in and then slowly swim away
It was quite blissful, what can I say?
A little piece of heaven, 
to keep the scorching heat at bay

Angie M

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I have been watching wasps busily munching to hollow out windfall apples – to feed the new queen wasp(s) who will then live on through the winter until next year. But the worker wasps themselves will die after the autumn. There is something so beautiful and profound in this natural cycle.  Jo dG

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Here is my one small offering! A colourful doodle-like pattern I have in progress. I find the act of working on this creates calm and stillness in me especially in  unsettling times. Sheila R

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Inspired in part by a recent pilgrimage to Assisi and in part by your Wednesday title ‘How to survive a world in crisis’: The Way of Francis

Blessings to you and all, Eddie  G

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Ripening in the fullness of time – together but in their own time or pace (picture of abundant blackberries ripening in Aug 2023). Katherine M

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Slowly walk, enjoy the path 
Pause and stop to smile, to laugh 
Gratitude along the way 
Do not rush, embrace delay .

Thanks Brian for a great week so far & for the beautiful conversation with Ruth Valerio. Matt  C

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The last of the dahlias, bathing in the autumn sun ☀️ . A message to self – they are still ripening and giving it their all in the transition into autumn. Change can be good and is necessary. Belinda B

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I love the idea of nature already carrying on in one big glorious colourful musical party. I never knew we had Long Tail Tits here but having seen and heard them they’ve come to signify that I just need to notice God’s beautiful creation ongoing. Rona SB

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Autumn gathering in Hackney, North London. Joy H

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Kinder Scout is not a landscape to be trifled with. On a recent walk there we suddenly found ourselves adrift in a featureless sea of blanket bog, on a scratchy track dwindling into nothingness. So we were relieved to hit this clear path of flagstones which led us to more familiar ground. But the experience did make me pay more attention to my feet, picking my way through the “black butter” of the peat groughs. I felt small – and somehow more present and respectful of that precious, fragile resource.  Hilary R

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On day one you asked the question, ‘How was your summer?’ and I was surprised at how difficult I found it to answer this.

The photo below was taken on my break from work two weeks ago, it is of Hunstanton beach in Norfolk where I spent a couple of hours walking. I recognised my sadness of being there alone, and I was also reminded of Psalm 18v19 while enjoying coffee and donuts.

I reflected on how rich it is to be able to experience sadness and joy, hope and lament, and such a mix of what appear to be conflicting emotions all at the same time.

It was a mixed but rich summer, then, and He was in it all.

“He stood me up on a wide-open field; I stood there saved – surprised to be loved!” Psalm 18:19 (The Message)

“He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me.” Psalm 18:19 (NIV)

Diane W

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Autumn here in Cyprus takes a different rhythm: balmy days, some warm rain and beautiful light. This photo is from the Tomb of the Kings in Paphos. An unforgettable place, with so much meaning. Simon M

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Here is my poem, inspired by Elizabeth B Rooney’s idea of Storing September. I attach a photo from my walk yesterday (carved out of an extremely busy schedule, yay!)  where I began composing it. 

Last Day 

Beautiful bountiful last day 
My sojourn with Summer 
On the banks of the river. 
September is ending 
Summer receding. 
Yet warmth draws me out 
And my eyes rise to 
Expanse of cobalt skies. 
Dragonflies hover 
Butterflies flutter 
Bees take advantage of 
One more day to be busy. 

And I 
Am Alive! 
I walk with a smile 
Absorbing September’s sunshine 
Memorising Summer’s gift-list 
Grateful for the seasons 
Each offers blessings. 
And so 
Gladly 
I embrace advancing Autumn 
As Summer takes her leave. 

Thank you , Karen L 

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Another Gathering … 

Jan and I are enjoying a break on the Roseland Peninsula in Cornwall. It’s very peaceful apart from hundreds of incredibly noisy rooks that arrive every evening. And why are they so noisy, I wondered? It’s because there’s a huge old cedar tree in the middle of the village and this is where the rooks (plus a few jackdaws) gather every evening to socialise, chatter and roost. Just before they settle to sleep, the whole rookery often takes to the sky for a joyous ‘pre-roost sally’. A forewarning about ‘Live at Five’ maybe! 

Howard G

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We have been travelling in Portugal where swallows are even more part of the national culture than in the UK, the reason being that Portugal has a stronger tradition of emigration. This means that the swallows symbolise the longing of the Portuguese for their sons and daughters to come home, and the longing of the emigrants to get home.

But it strikes me that the reality for the birds is different. Swallows are at home everywhere. Just as much at home in Portugal, in the UK, the Netherlands or in South Africa. Indeed, they are a great symbol of the true pilgrims – not anchored to one place, and at home in all places.

Mick & Marjo

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I’ve been struck by the spiders webs I’ve been seeing out and about recently and a moment last week where a (semi big) spider was found in my office much to my colleagues’ horror …

Little Spider by Morag Stewart 

Delicate lines of silver strings 
Lay upon the grass 
Only noticed by my eyes 
Through the suns golden light 
Intricate webs of twilight’s creation 
Held up by hair strands 
The mystery of the 8 legged artist 
Feared by many 
But admired by me.
How much energy would 
such a piece of webbing cost thee? 
And so I look and care to see 
Stop and let the world keep spinning 
For you little spider,
Have much to teach me. 
I will observe and behold 
Your hidden beauty. 

PS! Had to follow up with this! This was the first thing I saw leaving the house today !! 

Thanks Brian , God bless and see you Friday! Morag S

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Here I am storing September yesterday! Ruth R

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There’s been an ache for summer in me this autumn. I struggled to cross the threshold into September and had to actively choose to embrace the change of season. As part of that choice I created the attached, as an acceptance of autumn. 

These autumn reflections are therefore so timely for this ongoing process, thank you Brian. Imogen Holst, ‘The Fall of the Leaf’ really captured the ache I feel. The lament of something (once) special and beautiful, falling to the ground.

I also particularly needed to hear today’s antidote to restlessness – ripening. Thank you so much. Julie W

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I found this on Tuesday, in Stinsford Church in Dorset, where Thomas Hardy’s family graves are. The ‘still, small voice’ and surrounding turmoil resonated with our autumn gathering reflections. Afterwards I read that, from this time forward, Elijah stopped ‘being a zealot’ ; a ripening perhaps? 

Thank you for the blessings of these reflections. Dot B

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A poem written this morning:

When do I turn from green to yellow to red to gold?
Is anyone noticing the slow subtle change that I hardly notice myself?
My spring suppleness turned to strength and now i stiffen, being slowly closed off from life.
My colour flares dramatically as I prepare to fall to earth’s embrace.

Ann S
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A photo I took as I walked barefoot across to Lindisfarne. Such a wonderful summer memory to take with me into autumn. Jane J x

It is 800 years since the death of St Francis of Assisi and it is said that he bore the marks of the crucified Christ in his body and the seed he planted continues to germinate.

It is with these thoughts in mind, plus your reminder, Brian, of the first recorded words of Jesus in John’s Gospel, that I offer this poem. Jane S

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Celebrating a ripening! Janet C

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Saying goodbye to summer and welcoming autumn in my little French village. 

Finding peace again with the two or three (deer, jay, chiff chaff, heron, midges and trees) that gathered there in His presence. Timothy W

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Last year, on retreat with yourself, I wrote a Haiku: 

Encounter, behold,
Precious, gracious wonderment,
Hear God’s ‘I love you’.

I’m still feeding on it!
Here is my RSVP for this week!

Blessings, Celia J

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In times of chaos and uncertainty, it is so good to become absorbed joyfully in simple mark making as we observe the beauty of God’s creativity. 

Thank you for reminding us about the importance of this way of being. 

Autumn blessings!  Jane W

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The start of autumn
brings a reminder through the skies –
oranges, reds, that golden hue.
We pause, to bring our senses back to the summer – giving thanks.
Now, with arms and hearts wide open,
We welcome the new season in our lives.
A lot of God is here too.
We must not forget that.

Darrel H

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Miriam M

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On the last day of September…

I forgot how much I love Autumn
Her cold embrace in the warm sun
Blood red berries festoon the hedgerows as I pass 
I cannot help but stop
To take the same photo, year upon year
This beauty
This familiar treasure 
In the low sun of a fading summer
As precious as the first Autumn.

Charmaine H

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We are in the UK at present so pleased I can join this Autumn series before we go back to NZ.  Here’s my offering:

Stillness 
Letting go
Allowing Him room 
Not my agenda 
His 

This is a photo of St James’ park two weeks ago – fallen leaves, changing seasons.  Paul R

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Thank you so much for the gift of gathering in this wonderful community this week. Here is my poem in response to ‘How to survive a world in crisis’

Restless

Restless 
Tossing and turning like storm waves at sea
Twisting and churning deep inside me
The senseless bleak realities 
Of conflict driven casualties 
I can’t find words to make a prayer
For all the anguish drowning there
So I say your name again and again
Allowing the struggle, feeling the pain 
And I start to write, right up until
You whisper calmly “Peace… be still…”
Releasing all I cannot do …
I sink into the deep of you …
Gathered in …
Resting

Sue H

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Have you ever noticed how bright artificial light creates deeper darkness? Whereas natural light holds the shadows, the light and shade together in comforting, yet heart-breaking ways – the joy and the sadness and everything in between entwined together. The natural light more real and embracing everything. Julie S

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I was reading your your experience of swallows and the radio which was on on in the background spoke of swallows leaving for Africa! An accidental connection or even coincidence, but nevertheless a moment to stop and ponder, a reverent moment or even a holy one. Coincidence is a holy thing, sometimes derided by more literal thinkers. “Wherever two or three are together in my name” must include thoughts and feelings for they too are part of our Creation. All creative acts and events are part of our consciousness, even the uncomfortable ones, allowing us to connect with the divine in one way or another. Mike S

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