News From The Assembly

Disciples "Return To The Garden"
July 21, 2007 - Disciples News Service - Fort Worth, Texas

Disciples volunteers worked and learned about gardening in God's earth during General Assembly, an outgrowth of a mission started during the Portland General Assembly in 2005 called "Return to the Garden."

"University Christian Church youth helped to establish gardens in Portland," said the Rev. Cindy Twedell, associate minister of Evangelism, Community Life and Mission at UCC. "When we returned we decided to start a community garden here. It's an opportunity to live off of God's earth."

On Friday, a contingent of Disciples from First Christian Church in Port Arthur, Texas, were on hand to create new beds in the garden where pumpkins will be planted and then harvested in October. They also planted a butterfly bush, Lantana and other flowers to make the garden more visible.

Matt Seehusen, 14, of Port Arthur, was having a great time digging and learning.

"I'm having a whole lot of fun out here," Seehusen said. "I'm going to make my Mom do it for our house when we get back home."

The UCC organic garden, begun in March, had okra, tomatoes, squash, and herbs such as sage, which the young Disciples learned could be used to brush their teeth, and astevia, which is sweeter than sugar.

Since the garden started out relatively small, what food is harvested from the garden is placed in the reception area in the church for members to eat. Eventually, if food can be harvested on a grander scale, it will be given to a food bank.

"The garden is multi-purpose," Twedell said. "We not only benefit from its harvest, but it's an opportunity to teach the children that food just does not come from the supermarket. There is God's wonder to behold when children see the vegetables grow from tiny seeds. We will bring the pre-schoolers over here periodically to watch the pumpkins grow."

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By:  John Hotard, freelance writer