Green Christian survey shows most new denominations in UK ignore Harvest traditions

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A survey of regular churchgoers in Britain has revealed that although over two-thirds of churches normally hold Harvest Festival services and events (such as the CAFOD Harvest Family Fast Day), the practice varies markedly across denominations.

While nearly all survey respondents from Church of England and Methodist churches, most Presbyterians and the majority of Roman Catholics indicated that their churches normally hold Harvest Festival services, the practice appears far less common in some of the churches that have seen the greatest growth in recent years. Barely a quarter of respondents from New Churches (e.g. Newfrontiers, Vineyard) and less than one-half of respondents from Black Majority, Independent and Pentecostal churches indicated that their churches normally hold Harvest services.

Predictably, Harvest services were found to be most common in village and rural churches: 84% of respondents from such churches indicated that they are normally held, compared with around two-thirds in suburbs and towns, and 58% in cities.

The findings are released at a time when harvests in Britain are becoming more unpredictable due to the impacts of climate change. After an exceptionally dry Spring, this year's harvest is predicted to be among the worst since detailed records began; last year's was the second-worst.

Tim Cooper, Emeritus Professor of Sustainable Design and Consumption at Nottingham Trent University, who led the research, expressed concern:

"While Harvest Festival remains a mainstay in the Church of England calendar, it is worrying that the practice is less common in churches which have been expanding in recent years.

At a time when the effects of climate change and loss of biodiversity are increasingly apparent, Harvest services provide an opportunity for Christians to reflect on God's provision, show gratitude, think about our food choices and farming practices, and act to reverse the harm that we are causing. The tradition also serves as a reminder to respect and pray for the vital work of farmers.

The promise of heaven doesn't allow Christians to opt out of our human responsibilities while on this earth. Churchgoers of all backgrounds and traditions claim to care for God's creation. But if we make choices in our food and farming practices that are not sustainable, we lack environmental integrity and dishonour the creation that God loves."

The survey also asked respondents how frequently, if at all, their churches hold a Harvest Supper, another longstanding tradition. Around 40% of respondents indicated that their church holds a Harvest Supper 'every year' or 'most years'. The practice was most common in Church of England, Methodist, Baptist, United Reformed and Presbyterian churches. By contrast, the majority of respondents from Independent and Brethren churches, New Churches and Pentecostal churches were unaware of Harvest Suppers having been held in their churches.

Professor Cooper, a Trustee of Green Christian, suggested that churches could use Harvest Supper to demonstrate ethical food and farming practices:

"Harvest Suppers are an ideal opportunity for churches to provide meals based on LOAF principles - using ingredients that are Local, Organic, Animal friendly and Fairly traded - and thereby encourage Christians to put the principle of caring for God's creation into daily practice."

The findings are the latest to be released from the survey of over 600 regular churchgoers in the UK. The survey explored a range of issues relating to food from a Christian perspective. Green Christian is using the findings to promote a more mindful and sustainable approach to consumption among Christians and within churches.

Many churches are holding a Harvest Festival this weekend. The modern tradition of celebrating the end of the harvest season through special services and meals in churches has been traced to an initiative by the Rev Robert Hawker in Morwenstow, Cornwall in 1843. In recent years Harvest has been associated with the Season of Creation, an ecumenical initiative 'to renew our relationship with our Creator and all creation': https://seasonofcreation.org/about/

This year's CAFOD Harvest Family Fast Day was on Friday 3rd October 2025.

For more information see: https://cafod.org.uk/fundraise/family-fast-day