Garden Ministry
Vision and Mission
We believe that all is one – everything is interdependent and in relationship.
We believe in the love of God that pours through all of creation and continues to create through evolution.
We believe that we are all called to participate in this creative work of God by loving God and every kind of neighbor without distinction.
Our vision is one of right-relationship with the Earth and each other today for the sake of life tomorrow.
Our mission is to provide a space where all life is reverenced and the whole community of life can flourish, and to help others discover or create a space of reverence in their own lives in order to bring healing and justice to the Earth.
We accomplish this through our quality of presence as we tend organic gardens, care for farm animals and honeybees, provide education and experiences in the natural world, practice sustainable living, and nurture an atmosphere of prayer.
The Garden Ministry seeks to be a space of sustainability, community, prayer, and education
THE GARDEN GROWS
OUR GARDEN
We grow vegetables, flowers, herbs, and fruits in about 20 different garden beds. Everything that is grown is shared with the community on our Sharing Table where the model is “take what you need, give what you can.”
Long Island cheese pumpkins, winter wheat, and luffa gourds are grown in larger plots for our Thanksgiving pumpkin pies, breadmaking, community cookouts, and luffa sponge making.
Native plants are the focus of our perennial flower gardens in order to provide habitat and food for beneficial insects and wildlife and to promote soil health.
Our community gardeners grow their own organic produce in the 24 raised garden beds that are part of our community garden.
Domestic Animals and Honeybees
We care for chickens, rabbits, goats and honeybees. The chickens provide eggs which we share with our neighbors, the goats graze on poison ivy and invasive species, all of the animals increase the health of our soil with their composted manure. Our animals also provide a beautiful, healing presence to visitors. The honeybees are the hardest workers in the garden, pollinating all day long. They also provide us with the most delicious honey!
Community Cookouts in the Brick Oven
Our brick oven is used to bake delicious pizza and pitas using the wheat we grow in our garden. We invite our neighbors and friends to join us throughout the year.
Children and Youth
We provide children and youth of all ages with meaningful experiences in the natural world and support teachers and families to encourage these activities. See the events page for updated information about upcoming programs such as Hands-on Earth Playtime, Nature Club, and Garden Club.
We welcome field trips, youth groups, scout troops, homeschool groups and more. Contact us to arrange a visit.
Prayer and Education
Throughout the year, we welcome people for prayer, education and fellowship. We have solstice and equinox prayers to mark the changes of the seasons and to recognize that we are part of something bigger than ourselves. We offer a Spirituality of Breadmaking Retreat, Journaling in the Garden, Contemplative Prayer, Herbal Tea workshops, a Holiday Wreath Making workshop and more. See the events page for updated information on upcoming prayers and retreats.
Volunteers
All of our volunteers are an integral and necessary part of our Garden Ministry work and community. We need hands to help with a wide variety of tasks including caring for animals, gardens, and everyday maintenance. Many of our programs are also offered by volunteers. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact us!
You can reach us at garden@csjbrentwood.org
FOR MORE IN FORMATION
Contact: Heather Bolkas
631-838-0013
garden@csjbrentwood.org