Harvest is traditionally a time for giving thanks - but for many churches it has also become a time of remembering those who are less fortunate than ourselves. Maybe this was always the case - or maybe this element has come in as we have become more and more removed from the physical harvest. When our supermarkets stock food from around the world why do we stop and give thanks in September or October? A poor summer in Russia might mean an slight increase in the price of bread - but bread will still be available.
But for many people across the world a poor harvest can mean not enough to eat. It can mean not having surplus to sell and therefore not being able to send your children to school this year. And in the most extreme cases it will mean starvation.
When we are surrounded by so much it is perhaps impossible to get our heads around the statistic that half the world's population live on less than $2.50 (about £1.50) a day. What this means for many is that if you can feel coins in your pocket you will eat today.
So, what is the £1.50 challenge?
Those who attend Comberton Baptist Church have been challenged to live off £1.50 a day (just in terms of food and drink) for 5 days, in the week running up to our Harvest Thanksgiving Service (so Monday 29 Sept. to Friday 3 October). Not that this will in anyway replicate the situation that many find themselves in, but it will help us to understand a little bit more what life is like for so many.
So if you haven't done so already, and you want to take part, then it is time to get planning. You have only £7.50 to spend on all your food and drink for 5 days. If you're doing this as a family then you can pool your resources which will help as buying in bulk is usually cheaper.
One thing that you won't be able to afford this coming week is variety. In our house it is going to mean lots of porridge, rice and lentils. Meat won't feature at all. Don't forget key items like milk and cooking oil. You do get clean drinking water for free - something that many in our world don't get at all, let alone free. But if you want tea or coffee you won't be visiting Starbucks - one latte will use getting on for half of your weekly budget. You can benefit from your fridge and freezer though.
If you go to work you'll need to think about those coffee breaks and lunch times. You could take a flask, or take your own tea bags, or just drink water, and biscuits are definitely off the menu. Your change in habits will be noticed and will be an interesting starting point for a variety of conversations. Maybe you could get sponsorship and donate the money to an organisation such as BMS World Mission, who are committed to working amongst the poorest communities on the planet.
You can probably expect to feel hungry, especially if you're used to eating between meals.
So - could you live off £1.50 a day? Will you join in with the £1.50 challenge?
[I last did something like this in October 2011 - use the menu on the right to read some of those posts.]
