A Message from Ellen 4-10-24
April 10, 2024
April 10, 2024
Dear Friends,
In Genesis 2, Scripture says that “The Lord God took the human and settled him in the garden of Eden to farm it and to take care of it.” (Genesis 2:15 – CEB Translation) All humans are charged with the care of creation. There are no exceptions. I don’t care if you have a “black thumb” or can’t tell the difference between an annual and a perennial. You are still charged by God to care for creation.
One of the things that attracted me to FLPC eighteen years ago was the attention this congregation gives to the stewardship of and care for creation. I LOVE that we have a Kid’s Garden that provides organic produce for our neighbors. I LOVE that we are one of the few churches that has ever had an energy audit, and that the Property Ministry has worked to reduce the amount of energy we use. I LOVE that we have a closet and a spot in our new kitchen dedicated to recycling. I LOVE that we hold an Earth Day Sunday to help us think creatively about how we can become better stewards of creation.
If you agree with me, then pay attention to these things that are coming up!
1. This Sunday, April 14th at 11am (after worship) the Kid’s Garden Crew invites the whole congregation to come help plant vegetables for summer harvesting!! We now have four raised beds, so you can help even if you are not good at kneeling down! Feeding our neighbors takes on a very different feeling when you have planted the tomatoes and beans that they will eat! If you have them, bring gloves and a trowel and show up in the Garden after worship this Sunday!
2. Whether you can help plant this Sunday or not, consider doing two things:
a. Walk down to the Garden and admire all the work that has been done there. Ryan Poole built a BEAUTIFUL new Arbor entrance. You will be amazed at what can happen in a small space.
b. Consider signing up to help water and harvest for a week this summer. The food that is grown is harvested by this congregation and taken to the Rehoboth UMC Food Pantry. This is one of the few sources of fresh vegetables for many of the clients of the Rehoboth Food Pantry. You can become part of a very important supply chain.
3. Earth Sunday will be Sunday, May 5th. Please make plans to stay after worship to visit the exhibits! There will be at least one thing that you will learn and something to take home (did I mention that last year they had strawberries and blueberries also?!).
Sometimes the most important thing we can do is to pay attention to the good. There is so much that is good and beautiful in creation. Come and spend some time with us as we celebrate creation and learn how to be better care-takers!
See you in worship,
Ellen Fowler Skidmore
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