The Harvest Thanksgiving service at St. Michael's is on Sunday 9th October.

As usual, it will be a service for all the family, starting at 10:15am.

Many people enjoy bringing gifts to Church to present during the service - so here are details of the two Charities we will be supporting this year, and the kinds of things they will appreciate receiving from us:

Colchester Foodbank is a charity operating in the Colchester area to help people who are experiencing a short-term financial crisis. The Foodbank collects food given by individuals, churches, schools and other organisations and sorts it into food boxes. Vouchers which can be exchanged for a foodbox are held by a range of organisations and charities to whom people might turn to for help in a time of need, and they are given to people who at that time have no other means of obtaining food for themselves and their families.

Typical cases where help is provided are where there is a delay in benefits arriving, loss of employment, domestic violence, loss of income, theft, or a large unexpected expense, although there is a wide range of causes.

Beacon House is a Christian agency, based on East Hill, Colchester, offering a wide range of holistic services to those in need, in an atmosphere of acceptance and care. These include health services, such as a nurse-led clinic, showers, washrooms, laundry a clothing store and toilets. Day beds are also provided for homeless people who are ill but not sick enough to be admitted to hospital.