Notes From Eden: April 2013
Geoff Kees Thompson
in Garden, Garden
|
Post a Comment
Cicero once said, “If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.” Thankfully here at Saint Mark’s we have both! In regards to the former, we have been blessed with a rather large spot of green in the middle of the densest residential neighborhood in our fair city.
Libby Espey’s stewardship of this green space for the past 9 years has meant the wonderful addition of roses, boxwoods, and Dutch flower bulbs among other many others. Her service to our parish has been a blessing. Imagine my surprise when she asked me to lead up the garden activities at Saint Mark’s this year.
For those of you who don’t know me, I have been coming to Saint Mark’s since early 2012 and have a passion for many things. One of these passions actually runs through my blood: gardening. My father before his retirement worked for the USDA for 30+ years and has tended to the plot surrounding my childhood home near Annapolis, Maryland for nearly as long. We were an organic family before it was cool. My maternal grandfather (Opa in Dutch) was a flower bulb grower in Lisse, in the heart of Holland’s flower wonderland known as the Bollenstreek. Gardening is part of who I am and I’m happy to be able to share that with you in this great community of people called Saint Mark’s.
Everyday thousands of people walk by our beautiful church. They notice two things primarily: our stunning church’s entrance and the gardens. Though the Rittenhouse Square community has many amenities to offer, community garden is not one of them. In the thousands of apartments that surround our church closet green thumbs are lurking, I’m sure of it. What an opportunity we have as a parish to minister to this community! In the weeks and months ahead you’ll see a concerted outreach effort from me on reaching out to those folks as well as to you. Gardening ministers to one’s patience and creativity. In 2013 the time feels right for Saint Mark’s to minister to all those closeted green thumbs! Who knows, I may even convince you to play in the dirt.
Peace, Love & Roses
Geoff Kees Thompson
Reader Comments