What was once a seed planted in the hearts of several in our church
years ago, has developed deep tap roots in the lives of many in our
community. Thanks be to God for His
creation and His leading of many to witness and experience His blessings
through garden stewardship.
We are continually seeding ideas for reaching out and empowering our
neighbors in need through the sharing of our garden. In response to the rapidly increasing numbers
and needs of S.A.F.E., 16 new raised beds were built this past fall and will be
ready for lots of potato and tomato plantings this spring. In addition to the open invite to S.A.F.E.
families to come grow with us in the garden, we are also looking into other ways
of sharing God’s blessings to those directly in our community to include
offering free memberships to the families in the Backpack Ministry. It is our hope that in the process of shared
stewardship (and harvests) with these families, S.A.F.E, and any other garden
visitors, they will experience God’s love and learn for themselves how to eat/grow
healthy food while also helping others in need in our community.
If you haven’t already, won’t you consider joining us as well! Our garden membership fees and hours remain
the same. $25 per year with a commitment
to work only one hour per week on a Tuesday or Thursday (5:30-7:30) and Saturdays
(9-noon)…and receive a share of the day’s harvest!
While there is much work to be done in the dirt with garden tasks,
there are many other ways to help! Your
prayers for God’s continued leading and blessings are always welcomed and most
appreciated! We also prayerfully request
your help in providing for our continued plantings and people through “Garden
Angel” memberships. Your $50 donation
(or more) will enable others to join as mentioned above along with providing
the extra funds needed for our increased plantings and supply costs estimated
for this year. We are also seeking
donations from area businesses to be named as “Planting Partners” in which they
will be recognized on our brochures and other promotional fliers, etc. Let me know if you have any leads or
connections!
Be sure to check out all our pre-plantings happening this month!
Event #1: Our Food and Faith Bible study
for this year "Seeing God in the Garden," began this past Wednesday led by our amazing "A Team", Almuth and Andrew! It is not too late to join us as we study the attributes of God that we see on display in the creation
story (Genesis 1) and that we can also see in action in the Garden of
Concord. The continuing weekly themes and dates are as follows:
We believe God is PROVIDING (Feb. 4)
We believe God is EVERLASTING (Feb. 11).
We believe God is EVERLASTING (Feb. 11).
We begin with a light soup supper at 6:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall followed by the discussion from 7-8 pm. Hope many of you will join us! It WILL be good!
Event #2:
If only we could grow chocolate! There will be plenty to pick from for sure at the 4th Annual Christmas Cheers Chocolate Festival on February 7, from 11-3 at Holly Hill Mall in Burlington. Our garden table has always been a fan favorite with the garden themed chocolates shared at this fun filled family day of sweets and activities. Please let me know if you would be able to provide 2 doz (or more!) 2" bite sized samples made of chocolate with some sort of fruit or veggie included.
Event #2:
If only we could grow chocolate! There will be plenty to pick from for sure at the 4th Annual Christmas Cheers Chocolate Festival on February 7, from 11-3 at Holly Hill Mall in Burlington. Our garden table has always been a fan favorite with the garden themed chocolates shared at this fun filled family day of sweets and activities. Please let me know if you would be able to provide 2 doz (or more!) 2" bite sized samples made of chocolate with some sort of fruit or veggie included.
Event #3:
A few of us from the garden will be hosting a workshop at the 2015 Piedmont Region "Come to the Table" Conference at the Elon Community Church on February 26. We will be sharing how our garden began, some basics on helping others to begin their own community garden, the theology of creation care, along with pictures and posts about other successful community gardens locally and globally. The link following will provide more details: http://rafiusa.org/cttt/
A few of us from the garden will be hosting a workshop at the 2015 Piedmont Region "Come to the Table" Conference at the Elon Community Church on February 26. We will be sharing how our garden began, some basics on helping others to begin their own community garden, the theology of creation care, along with pictures and posts about other successful community gardens locally and globally. The link following will provide more details: http://rafiusa.org/cttt/
Event #4 (The Main Event!):
The
Garden "Wakes up!" on March 7th at 10am!! Our morning will be filled
with lots of digging, many plantings, new and renewed memberships, door
prizes, snacks, kids activities, and yes..just maybe..some fresh brick
oven pizza!!!
Thank you all for your prayers and support of our garden ministry! Really looking forward to this year's garden season! It WILL be good!
Many blessings,
Donna Poe
Garden Coordinator
