Each year since 2009, I have had the joy and privilege of inviting our Diocese to come together around the Bishop’s Harvest Appeal—an opportunity to lift our eyes beyond ourselves and share God’s generosity with others in need.
As I prepare to retire at the end of May, this will be the final Harvest Appeal I have the honour of introducing. It feels appropriate, then, to begin with a word of gratitude.
Thanks to the remarkable generosity shown by so many of you, the Harvest Appeals over these past 16 years have raised over £1 million—a truly extraordinary achievement. The total now stands at £1,021,953, which represents lives changed, communities strengthened, and hope restored in places near and far. For every coffee morning held, every school assembly shared, every collection plate filled—I thank you.
Last year’s appeal
In 2024, The Leprosy Mission’s work in Sri Lanka was the focus, raising funds for people affected by leprosy to grow their own food and raise their standard of living. A fantastic £46,636.08 was raised, with donations still coming in. A word of thanks from Chris Stratta at The Leprosy Mission:
” Thank you, your support has made it possible for people affected by leprosy in Sri Lanka to rebuild their lives. Parameshwary (pictured) was diagnosed with leprosy in 2015 and has six children. Your kindness has provided her with a well, 30 coconut seedlings and some land, where she cultivates vegetables. She has received training to grow resilient crops, including local varieties of aubergine and shallots that she grows in winter, and groundnuts that she grows in summer. She sells the crops she grows to make a living and provide for her family. Thank you so much for supporting the Bishop’s Harvest Appeal, we could tell you story after story of the difference it has made.”
2025 – Rewrite Their Future
This year’s appeal is called Rewrite Their Future, and we are once again partnering with Mission Direct, who we worked with in 2023 in their work with families living in poverty in Kumi, Uganda, by providing them with chickens, leading to sustainable incomes.
The 2025 appeal is focused on the work of Mission Direct in Zambia and Uganda, where they are building schools and improving access to education in some of the world’s most under-resourced communities. In just the first year, the schools supported by this appeal will serve over 1,500 children—and over the next 20 years, nearly 17,000 children will gain access to education that would otherwise be out of reach.
At a time when 250 million children globally are not in school, this is one small but vital way we can help change that reality.
As Hebrews reminds us:
“Therefore, let us offer through Jesus a continual sacrifice of praise to God, proclaiming our allegiance to his name. And don’t forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God.”
(Hebrews 13:15–16)
These words call us to both worship and action.
I pray this year’s appeal will once again be an expression of our calling to live God’s love—with generosity and joy, imagination and courage—as we seek to care, serve, and share with those in greatest need.
Resources for churches, schools, and chaplaincies will be available shortly. As ever, please feel free to shape and share them in ways that suit your own context.
Thank you for all the ways you have helped to live out the love of Christ through these Appeals.
Thank you for walking this path with me over these years. It has been a blessing to serve alongside you, and to witness the compassion and commitment of so many across our Diocese.
+Alan St Albans