Dear Friends,
As Christians, we find we are taught to plant ourselves in the faith and grow in the fruit of the spirit. Throughout his ministry, Jesus used seeds, plants, vines, and sowers as metaphors to teach us the lessons of the kingdom. When a member of our congregation came to me to share her vision and passion for a community garden, it was clear that a garden finding home, in a community of faith, was a natural fit. Yet, I knew it would take a great deal of support and commitment from the greater community to achieve such a task.
I have to admit that I had my doubts and concerns over our ability to achieve the vision brought forth. I can remember the day “Mama Root” went out and put her stake in the ground; I knew something big was going to happen. Today the space has doubled in size and engages our church and the greater community in tending to creation. Perhaps the greatest gift of the first fruits garden is the relationships that have been established with local food pantries and the opportunity for folks to partake of vegetables that have been grown with great care and love.
I invite you to take some time to consider how God is calling you to share in the transformation of the world through the gift of a garden. In this website you will find resources and story of our church community and how a simple plot of land became a garden of faith, hope, and love.
Carolyn
Rev. Dr. Carolyn Scanlan Holmes is Sr. Pastor of Avon Christian Church, Disciples of Christ, in Indiana, United States of America.