Autumn by Michael Leunig (used yesterday in the prayers)

[Gabrielle Dean]

 Autumn - Michael Leunig

We give thanks for the harvest of the heart’s work:
Seeds of faith planted with faith;
Love nurtured by love; courage strengthened by courage.
We give thanks for the fruits of the struggling soul;
The bitter and the sweet; for that which has grown in adversity.
And for that which has flourished in warmth and grace;
For the radiance of the spirit in autumn and for that which must now fade and die, 

to be held in the soil and in our hearts until life once again springs forth.
We are blessed and give thanks.
Amen.