Lammas
A Festival of First Fruits and Thanksgiving

Friday 1 August 2025

Lammas (from the Old English hlaf-mas, meaning loaf mass) is an ancient Christian festival celebrated on 1 August, marking the beginning of the cereal harvest. Once widespread across villages and rural parishes, it is now being joyfully rediscovered by many communities.

Traditionally, the first grains of the harvest were milled and baked into a loaf, then offered to God in thanksgiving during a special Eucharist—hence the name. This loaf, and the sharing of it, speaks powerfully of gratitude, community, and trust in God’s provision.

Lammas is older than the more familiar harvest festivals, which celebrate the end of the season. By contrast, Lammas honours the beginning—the first fruits. In times past, summer could be a lean season: winter stores were gone, and the new harvest had only just begun. That first loaf would have carried deep spiritual and practical significance.

Why Lammas Matters Today

Recent years—with the impact of the global pandemic, war in Ukraine, and growing concerns around food security—have prompted many to think afresh about where food comes from and how it is shared. Lammas gives churches and communities a chance to gather, reflect, pray, and give thanks.

This year, we invite you to consider how Lammas might be celebrated in your context. You might:

• Bake bread with others, sharing stories, prayers, and laughter along the way

• Walk in your local area and pray for farmers, growers, and producers

• Plan a simple outdoor service or Eucharist in a field or community garden

• Visit a local mill or farm shop and offer a short act of thanksgiving

Download the Lammas Resource – 2025

Our free downloadable A4 guide includes:

• A short introduction to the meaning and history of Lammas

• Prayers and ideas for personal or corporate use

• Simple bread-based activities suitable for all ages

• Suggestions for worship, creativity, and community engagement

As we continue to reflect on the changing seasons and the importance of food, community, and faith, Lammas offers a gentle yet profound opportunity to mark the first fruits of the harvest. Whether through baking, walking, gathering in prayer, or simply pausing to give thanks, this ancient festival still speaks today. We invite you to consider how Lammas might find a place once again in the rhythm of your worship and your community life.