13 Nov 2026, 15:16Southampton CommunicationsSouthampton, Southampton, England, United Kingdom
Southampton Church Celebrates their Annual Harvest and Thanksgiving Day
On 3 October 2026 Southampton SDA church held its annual Harvest and Thanksgiving Day - the first since moving to our new building. Members brought in a wide range of produce, preserves and home-baked goods to decorate the church and for later sale. The congregation is blessed with a growing number of home gardeners and allotment holders who share tips, tools and encouragement through the seasons. Although Hampshire suffered a drought like much of the country and water restrictions were in place, our gardeners had bountiful harvests particularly of tomatoes, fruit and other foods that relished the warmer weather.
The service began with the dedication of baby Vivianne, who was presented by her parents Aida and Randolf Reyes. Soli Deo Gloria, the church’s youth ensemble,provided moving vocal and instrumental renditions and also accompanied the praise and worship.
Pastor Božidar Prgonjić’s homily was taken from Jesus’s thanksgiving prayer in Matthew 11;25-30. His sermon was peppered with illustrations from carpentry, early agricultural methods and his memories of rural life. The trusses used to support heavy tomatoes were likened to the Holy Spirit’s comfort and presence when we endure heavy and difficult times. Jesus, a carpenter himself and may have fashioned agricultural implements for people listening in the crowd, was well-suited to use the symbol of taking up a yoke as a way to ease one’s burdens. The morning family worship service closed with foot washing and celebration of the Lord’s Supper
In the evening the church held the annual Harvest Auction of the produce that was presented for the Thanksgiving Service. The congregation was most pleased to welcome their guest auctioneer Pastor Doug McCormack, a keen gardener and allotment holder, who introduced the Harvest Auction tradition to the church during his time as pastor in the Southampton district. The funds raised from the auction would contribute to our church building and Adventist Heritage Center project. The atmosphere was lively and Ps McCormack used his jovial manner to inspire members young and old to make generous bids and purchases. All foods and snacks brought in for the social event were also for sale. In less than two hours the heavy-laden tables were cleared and over £3000 was raised.
The church is grateful for the many miracles and blessings received along the process of acquiring and renovating this building. There is still much more work to be done; this successful Harvest Day is another memorial stone laid down along the journey to build a house of worship and service to share with the local community and wider church district.
On 3 October 2026 Southampton SDA church held its annual Harvest and Thanksgiving Day - the first since moving to our new building. Members brought in a wide range of produce, preserves and home-baked goods to decorate the church and for later sale. The congregation is blessed with a growing number of home gardeners and allotment holders who share tips, tools and encouragement through the seasons. Although Hampshire suffered a drought like much of the country and water restrictions were in place, our gardeners had bountiful harvests particularly of tomatoes, fruit and other foods that relished the warmer weather.
The service began with the dedication of baby Vivianne, who was presented by her parents Aida and Randolf Reyes. Soli Deo Gloria, the church’s youth ensemble,provided moving vocal and instrumental renditions and also accompanied the praise and worship.
Pastor Božidar Prgonjić’s homily was taken from Jesus’s thanksgiving prayer in Matthew 11;25-30. His sermon was peppered with illustrations from carpentry, early agricultural methods and his memories of rural life. The trusses used to support heavy tomatoes were likened to the Holy Spirit’s comfort and presence when we endure heavy and difficult times. Jesus, a carpenter himself and may have fashioned agricultural implements for people listening in the crowd, was well-suited to use the symbol of taking up a yoke as a way to ease one’s burdens. The morning family worship service closed with foot washing and celebration of the Lord’s Supper
In the evening the church held the annual Harvest Auction of the produce that was presented for the Thanksgiving Service. The congregation was most pleased to welcome their guest auctioneer Pastor Doug McCormack, a keen gardener and allotment holder, who introduced the Harvest Auction tradition to the church during his time as pastor in the Southampton district. The funds raised from the auction would contribute to our church building and Adventist Heritage Center project. The atmosphere was lively and Ps McCormack used his jovial manner to inspire members young and old to make generous bids and purchases. All foods and snacks brought in for the social event were also for sale. In less than two hours the heavy-laden tables were cleared and over £3000 was raised.
The church is grateful for the many miracles and blessings received along the process of acquiring and renovating this building. There is still much more work to be done; this successful Harvest Day is another memorial stone laid down along the journey to build a house of worship and service to share with the local community and wider church district.
