In the summer of 2020, Eagle Scout Chris McSwain planned and built two raised beds and irrigation to help begin a community garden, and so our Good News Garden began!
The Episcopal Church, in response to needs created by the COVID-19 pandemic and with the guidance of Presiding Bishop Michael Curry, created the movement called “Good News Gardens.” St. Martin’s elected to join this important movement.
“We believe that one thing that love could do right now is call a community of people with the ability to plant gardens of all sizes and kinds
together – from small pots of herbs to hundreds of acres of corn – in order to share the love of Christ through word and action, food and labor. We believe that one new and sacrificial act of love that we could offer is to commit to planting more, praying more, and proclaiming more, in order to share the loving, liberating, and life-giving Good News of God’s love with all people.” – episcopalchurch.org/good-news-gardens
Mission
St. Martin’s goal is to help provide fresh produce to 4Saints Episcopal Food Pantry, whose needs for supplies have only grown since the start of the pandemic. So many families have found themselves in urgent need of food, and 4Saints is able to help them through donations like this!
But more than that, this community garden will help to bring people back together in a shared mission of awareness and appreciation.
Interim Rector Ron Pogue sums up the mission: “This project will be especially helpful at this time for parishioners who miss gathering at St. Martin’s for worship, prayer, study, and service.”
Currently, we have five garden leaders: Norma Barbier, Kayla McSwain and family, Linda and Dick Seeber, and Liza Goodner who have been diligently working in the garden. We have already grown broccoli and lettuce and were able to donate green beans and small tomatoes. This spring we have planted tomatoes and okra, and plan to do more as the season progresses.
Get Involved!
St. Martin’s members or anyone else who wishes to be a part of this project are encouraged to join in the creation and maintenance of our Good News Garden. Youth members who participate can also earn service hours!
If you are interested in being a part of the Good News Garden, please let us know! Seeding, weeding and general upkeep will be needed continually.
Contact
Please contact us or sign-up if you’d like to get involved.
- Children’s Minister Liza Goodner at liza.goodner@stmartininthefields.org or 469-583-8338
- Outreach Commission member Norma Barbier at normabarbier@yahoo.com
Donate your excess vegetables
Do you have a home garden and find yourself with too many zuchini, melons, or other produce? Consider donating them! Contact Liza Goodner for details.
Donate money
We currently have a budget of $1,100 for things like soil, seeds and water for the Good News Garden. Your continued donations will help us maintain an amazing garden.
- Donate online and choose “Good News Garden” from the drop down menu.
- Text a dollar amount + GARDEN to 817-270-6880
- Send a check & write “Good News Garden” in the memo.
St. Martin-in-the-Fields Episcopal Church
PO Box 1149
Keller, TX 76244