My apologies for the missing blog yesterday and a late one today. We were away this past weekend to celebrate our anniversary and while I had scheduled posts yesterday and today they didn't show up at expected.
There is a church in a rough and tumble part of New York City which is growing nutritious food and a crop of hope on it's roof. Last year volunteers at Metro Baptist Church carried seven tons of soil and a lot of supplies to the rooftop to begin a community garden. They use plastic wading pools as the raised beds.
I quote from a Huffington Post article:
The vision for The Hell’s Kitchen Farm Project, named for the ‘Hell’s Kitchen’ neighborhood in which the church is located, is to create a hub of urban agriculture that grows vegetables and contributes to greater food security in the neighborhood, while providing a platform for education on nutrition and environmental sustainability.
Now in its second year, the rooftop farm has become an integral part of the church's identity. “I think of it as public witness,” explains Metro Baptist’s current pastor, Rev. Alan Sherouse, "The farm project has given people another point of entry to our church, community ministry and our understanding of the Gospel.”
I think this a remarkable Grass Roots (Veggie Roots?)initiative. How about you?
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/04/22/the-hells-kitchen-farm-project_n_1443662.html?ref=topbar
The concept of "point of entry" into the church....made me think. That would be a good way to brainstorm about a congregation's growth, namely what entry points are there and how could we increase them?
ReplyDeleteThis is such a cool idea. And in NYC, no less.
ReplyDeleteI think you're right about "points of entry" Kathy. People who might never read scripture or teach Sunday School would be willing to lug bags of dirt or tend to the tomatoes. We aren't always creative in offering multiple points of entry for folk.
ReplyDeleteIt is such a cool idea Ian.