Good News Gardens

Good News Gardens - Evangelism Grant Jump-starts Ministry

The Rev. Heather Blais, Creation Care Leadership Circle

Over the last year, many of us have responded to the global pandemic by reconnecting with God’s creation. We found ourselves going on long walks in the woods, feeding the birds, admiring flowers, and planting gardens. Connecting to our Creator in new ways has brought many of us a deeper sense of peace and joy.

This yearning to connect with nature -- experienced across the Church -- gave birth to the Good News Gardens Movement. It began at Plainsong Farm in Michigan and was quickly adopted and modified by the Episcopal Church’s Creation Care and Evangelism departments. The goal of the movement is to “partner with people in transformational agrarian ministry that feeds body, mind, and spirit.” Individuals, parishes, dioceses, and non-parochial ministries are invited to join the movement by engaging in a variety of food and creation care ministries, whether it be gardening, farming, composting, gleaning, or food justice advocacy.

The Creation Care Leadership Circle here in the Diocese of Western Massachusetts explored the idea of bringing the Good News Gardens Movement to our diocese. We applied for and were awarded an Episcopal Evangelism grant to help provide funding. We also quickly realized this was a great opportunity for a joint effort with the Diocese of Massachusetts, and our two dioceses are now working together to extend the Good News Gardens movement across the Commonwealth.

We have assembled a small team of part-time staff and volunteers to support folks as they join the Good News Gardens Movement. Our team is led by a Program Director, the Rev. Anna Woofenden, an Episcopal clergyperson in our diocese and the author of This is God’s Table: Finding Church Beyond the Walls. Melanie Cortis, the diocesan Assistant for Office Administration, will serve as our Program Manager and help with communication and administration. Our Farm Educator, the Rev. Rachel Field, is both a farmer and an Episcopal priest in the Diocese of Vermont. We also have regional volunteer leaders who are helping with connecting people to one another, sharing resources, and spreading the good news.

Since December 2020, we have been offering monthly webinars to help individuals and parish leaders think through how they might bring the Good News Gardens Movement into their lives and community. In January and February, we offered a book group to reflect on the intersectionality of the food and faith movement. In February, we added a second monthly webinar led by our Farm Educator, in which she addresses the many questions that arise for gardeners.

Looking ahead to May, we will be creating a liturgy for “Blessing of the Seedling” events, where folks can ask for God’s blessing on their efforts and share seeds and seedlings with one another. We will also shift to twice-monthly webinars with our Farm Educator, as we anticipate additional questions as the time comes to plant and tend our gardens. May is also when we will launch a weekly spiritual formation curriculum that will last through the summer. Individuals and parishes are encouraged to engage in that reflection together locally or to partner with a neighboring church. Good News Gardens offers many opportunities for ecumenical partnering with churches of other denominations. At the end of the summer, we anticipate creating some kind of harvest celebration. ♦

The Good News Gardens Movement consists of three key ingredients: Plant! Pray! Proclaim!

Plant!

Commit to plant a bit more than you ordinarily would so that you can share the bounty. If your church has some extra green space, consider building a raised bed, planting some vegetables, and sharing the bounty in your community. If you are tight on space, plant some tomatoes or herbs in containers. Partner with a neighborhood farm for gleaning and share the bounty.

Pray!

Commit to praying daily for the church, for the healing of God’s creation, and for a more just and equitable society. In late spring, we will be providing a curriculum for weekly prayer and reflection created by Plainsong Farm. Consider gathering virtually or in-person with gardeners in your church to engage in weekly prayer this summer and notice how it shifts your prayer life and community life.

Proclaim!

Commit to proclaim the love of God through word and action. Share pictures and stories of your garden on social media. Explain why you are sharing the bounty. Put a yard sign next to your garden to inspire others to plant, pray, and proclaim.

Find us online! www.facebook.com/GoodNewsGardensMA