Harvest Festival returns to Evandale

Fresh produce and long-lasting staple foods will find their way to St Andrew’s Uniting Church at Evandale on Sunday to be donated to those in need this Easter. 

The Harvest Festival will be part of the South Esk Parish service, delivered by Rev. Chris Duxbury at 10am on March 29, with all donated food to be distributed by Launceston City Mission.

Local parishioner Valerie Hay said that Harvest Festivals were once a highlight of the year in country churches when farming families would fill the churches with all things grown on the land, from sheaves of wheat to freshly dug vegetables.

While not so common nowadays, the service will be a chance to move excess produce from farms and garden to those who need it most.

“It’s been a funny season and there might not be as much growing as usual, but whether it’s bought or grown it will be welcome and distributed quickly,” Mrs Hay said.

“We haven’t had a Harvest Festival for a long time so it would be nice to see people dropping off whatever they can.”

In another coup for the church, known for its feature pillars at the front, nationally acclaimed violinist Hayden Wiseman will play gospel music as part of his Tasmanian tour and ministry at the Tennebrae Service on Sunday, April 12 at 10am.

Evandale Uniting Church is at 9 High St, Evandale and everyone is welcome.

Both services will be followed by morning tea.