Harborough Churches Together column: Using our senses in the autumn

Churches Together Article by Rev. Vicki Bryson, Church Partnership Co-ordinator, Torch Trust.

As the summer draws to a close, we can sense the world around us beginning to change as we approach the autumn. As well as leaves changing colour, there are different smells, different sounds that we might hear, perhaps different foods that we might eat or different clothes we might wear. I wonder if you have ever stopped and taken a moment to tune in to each of your senses as you think about the autumnal experience of creation around you. If you have the sense of hearing – I wonder what new things you are starting to hear? Perhaps the pitter patter of rain after a long, dry summer or the crunching of leaves underfoot. If you have the sense of smell – I wonder what new scents are starting to appear? Perhaps the smell of freshly cut grass – ready to be mown now the luscious green is returning and growth is starting once more. If you have the sense of touch – I wonder what new things autumn will bring? Perhaps fluffy jumpers as the weather begins to cool or a colder breeze blowing around. If you have the sense of taste – I wonder what flavours you associate with autumn? Perhaps pumpkin flavours springing up and hearty root vegetables in stews. If you have the sense of sight – I wonder what you begin to see? The changing colours of leaves perhaps or the sun setting earlier and rising later.  Each of us experiences the world in a unique way. There may be a sense that is most prominent for us or one which we cannot use. For example, at Torch Trust we journey with those who are blind and partially sighted.  But as the seasons move on we will all feel the world changing in many different ways.

With September comes also the celebration of Harvest – a time in Church where we give thanks for the land and for all the farmers that work it, and we give thanks to God for his amazing creation. We sing songs, some of which you may remember from school, which also pick up on this theme of the world around us. One of my favourites is ‘All Things Bright and Beautiful’ which talks about the plants and trees, the mountains and fields, the sunshine and the cold of winter and finishes with a reminder that all of these things from creation point us to God.

This autumn, I hope you experience the world afresh, rejoicing in the beauty that is all around us and the multi-sensory ways we can engage with it.