I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, gardening is the biggest bang for your buck when it comes to creation care. With the whole world turning upside down because of COVID-19 many have become acutely aware of what gardeners have known for ages… Gardening helps you join with God in providing for yourself, caring for creation and for your neighbour, reducing waste, staying healthy physically and mentally and provides endless metaphors for the spiritual life.
But where does a church start? A Rocha Canada provides two resources in their Good Seed Sunday website to help churches and community groups use the land that God has given them to create community gardening spaces.
As it says in Why Every Church should Plant a Garden “the Bible is strong on gardening. Whether in Genesis, Jeremiah or the Gospels, gardens play a prominent role in God’s plans. [Our story] even starts in one. A garden is a wondrous place where we can “meet” with the Lord and marvel at His miracles. It’s a place to love your neighbor, care for creation and grow veggies.”
The Plot Thickens goes through 10 ten principles of community organizing for the aspiring community gardener.
1. SEEDS! What are the ideas, opportunities, assets, and strengths of your organization?
2. CONDITIONS FOR GROWTH! Generating interest in your organization
3. PREPARING THE SOIL! Assembling a team and meeting together
4. PLOTTING IT ALL OUT! Assessing the needs, establishing the purpose
5. FERTILIZER, COMPOST and MANURE! Developing a budget and acquiring funds
6. PLANTING! Presenting the vision and communicating with public
7. FARMERS! Leadership and roles in the community garden
8. PRUNING! Decision-making and direction in the gardening group
9. PESTS, WEEDS, WEATHER and other CHALLENGES! Conflict in the garden
10. A HEALTHY CROP! Volunteer management, engaging all people
So get out there and grow a garden on your land, at your church, on your balcony – anywhere you have access to God’s provision of sunlight for life on this earth. When you bite into your first juicy tomato off the vine you will be hooked. Who knew doing justice could be so much fun and taste this good?
Photo of author's own budding garden!
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