We were delighted to welcome Brian Sellers-Petersen this past Sunday as our guest preacher as speaker. Brian brought with him wisdom around Good News Gardens, a ministry out of the Presiding Bishop’s office of Evangelism and Creation Care. It was appropriate, being so close to Earth Day, to reflect on how we are called to care for all of creation. Especially since the Emmanuel campus is so expansive, care for creation is deeply built into our ministry and work.
Following the service at 10AM we ventured down to the pea-patch gardens where we blessed our grounds and gardens for the coming season. We saw the starts of our Edible Hope plot - a patch in the garden dedicated to growing food for the feeding ministry we support in Seattle. We also saw the plot dedicated to growing flowers for use at the altar this summer.
Brian shared with us the various ways churches and co
mmunities are celebrating and caring for creation as part of their Christian ministry. As a community we began reflecting on the possibilities for our own ministries and activities.
To learn more about Good News Gardens and resources through the Episcopal Church, look here: https://www.episcopalchurch.org/good-news-gardens/
Brian gave us a few texts as recommended readings for future exploration of creation care:
Contemplative Gardening
by Rev. Pamela Dolan
Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer
Harvesting in Abundance by Brian Sellers-Petersen
Interested in connected with others at Emmanuel around garden work or creation theology?
Contact Rev. Elizabeth (elizabeth@emmanuelmi.org) to learn more and connect with Emmanuel leaders:
Emmanuel gardens and pea patches: Leslie Moore and Marilyn O’Neill
Creation Care Study and Outreach: Polly Ogden