Today, November 3, 2024, the church I attend, at where I currently serve, celebrates its Harvest Sunday. Harvest Sunday is a special Sunday designated for expressing gratitude and thanksgiving, recognizing God's abundant provisions and blessings.
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Today, I'll witness Harvest Sunday for the first time in my life, and uniquely, it's in a rural village.
Prior to Harvest Sunday, extensive plans and preparations were made to ensure a successful celebration. These preparations included selecting the types of food to be served on the big day.
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The congregation was asked to pick the dishes they'd like to have for Harvest Sunday. The food options included jollof rice, starch(boiled cassava paste) with Egusi or Banga soup, and Eba (boiled cassava flakes) with Egusi soup. Majority of the congregation opted for starch with Egusi soup at the end of the day.
As part of the preparations, the congregation was presented with three distinct Ankara fabrics, to pick one that would serve as the official attire for the ceremony.
Similarly to the vote on the preferred dish for the day, the majority opted for the fabric worn today. This was followed by budget drafting and a date was picked for the ceremony.
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Upon arriving at church this morning, I discovered that the women in charge of cooking had completed their preparations. One could perceive the sweet aroma of the soup right from the church's entrance.
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A big pot was filled with a mouthwatering Egusi soup, with palm oil glistening on its surface and generous portions of protein-rich cuttings floating within. The Egusi soup contained leafy vegetables, which I believe included water leaf and Ugu leaves. The soup looked irresistibly delicious.
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A large quantity of Starch and a small quantity of Eba were prepared. Each mound stood tall like the Eiffel Tower.
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I was surprised by the women's efficiency, having struggled to make a small quantity of Starch yesterday myself.
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Almost all the women wore Ankara attire, with identical wrappers in the same color and design, tied in the same style - two layers, one longer than the other. However, they added personal touches with varying colors and designs of blouses.
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I proudly represented my Yoruba culture by adorning a stunning, long purple chord lace gown, complemented by a matching Gele(headgear) and an elegant Ipele, both made from Ofi material.
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The service unfolded according to the planned order, from the opening prayer to the closing prayer and benediction. A guest Minister from another church was invited to deliver the sermon.
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Various items were brought to the church as thanksgiving offerings to God. These included foodstuffs such as bunches of plantains, tubers of yams, containers of starch, palm oil, and carbonated drinks.
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Building materials, including bags of cement and tiles, were presented as well. Additionally, monetary gifts were also offered.
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From the lessons I learnt in the Bible, giving, particularly thanksgiving offerings, acknowledges God's sovereignty, expresses gratitude for His blessings, and demonstrates faith and trust in His goodness and love.
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Everyone sang and danced with joy, expressing gratitude and praise to God. The children added to the vibrant atmosphere, radiating excitement and energy throughout the church.
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After the service and celebration, wraps of starch with delicious egusi soup were shared with everyone in attendance and I gratefully received my share.
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Upon arriving home, I changed out of my Sunday wear, poured the Egusi soup into one of my pots and applied a little heat to make it hot - as I love my food.
Once the soup was hot enough, I carefully plated my meal: the steaming soup in a bowl and the starch on a separate plate. I sat down to savor my lunch.
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I thoroughly enjoyed my meal, savoring the unique flavors and textures that set it apart from the usual party jollof rice. The thoughtful menu added to the occasion's joy.
Through my Harvest Sunday experience, I learnt valuable lessons on gratitude, communal living, stewardship, faithfulness, and generosity, fostering a deeper spirit of appreciation and thankfulness for God's blessings and provisions.
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Perhaps if I hadn't been posted to Delta State for NYSC, I wouldn't have had the chance to experience a Harvest Sunday. I was blessed with the experience.
I'd like to extend my heartfelt thanks to you for taking the time to read this.🌺 💕
All images are mine except stated otherwise.