This is a follow-up to an article in the May 2023 edition of Anglican Life (which can be found online at: https://anglicanlife.ca/sowing-seeds-growing-community/)
All things happen in God’s time. In the article in May of 2023, we were hoping to have seeds planted by that spring. You may recall that last spring was very wet and farmers were late getting their own land prepared and crops planted, and as a result, we could not get a tractor!
Bishop Sam sent the following:
Praying for a TRACTOR
This may seem outrageous to some, but I am praying right now for a TRACTOR!
Our Diocese is working to feed the hungry through an initiative called Sowing Seeds—Growing Community. We have set aside an acre of farmable land we own to plant food which will go directly to local Food Banks to provide free fresh produce to be distributed to those who need it. But we need a tractor and someone to help us!
So, my prayer is:
Creator God, I know there is someone who might read this post and think, “I might be able to help.” If someone is thinking that right now, that is You speaking to them to help, so please move them to reach out. May you bless our efforts to serve those who will benefit from your Creation by being fed by the food you will produce. Help us Creator God, to help others. Amen.”
If you are able to SHARE this post, please do so! – Bishop Sam
Lo and behold, a local farmer, Bobby Searle, from Goulds, came forward with a tractor. The land did not get turned until the fall, however, this may have been a blessing as now the turned sod would rot over the winter. This spring, the weather was more wet than last year. Bobby showed up in June and prepared our land for planting.
In the meantime, we had applied for and received a grant of $5000 from the Anglican Foundation of Canada. Thank you, Lord.
We were ready to “Sow Seeds,” but that is only half of our project. We want to also “Grow Community.”
At that time, we did not know that there were several groups in our local community who were wanting to plant a garden help feed the less fortunate—the same idea we had. Another group had funding, including a $5000 donation from the Goulds Lions Club. The group also included a young lady, Amy Williams, who is an Ocean Wise alumni, and through that program had she drafted a community garden project that would educate people about farming and food sustainability, while also providing healthy food for those in need. Amy had obtained funding for a community garden which would enable the construction of 12 planter boxes. But this group had an issue: they had no land.
There is a common thread in all of this. Suzanne McCormack, part-time parish secretary at St. Paul’s, is also a part-time worker at the Gould’s Recreation Association. Suzanne was aware of both groups and brought us together. Thank you again, Lord.
In May of this year, the Goulds Recreation Association, Goulds Lions Club, Kilbride to Ferryland Family Resource Centre, Goulds Community Food Bank, St. Kevin’s Roman Catholic Parish, and St. Paul’s Anglican Church came together. This was a match made in heaven. Thank you, Lord.
As soon as the weather permitted, we planted 12 x 50lb bags of seed potatoes, carrots, and turnip.
However, we encountered another issue. This being the wettest spring in over 100 years, the lower part of the acre of land we had prepared last fall was too wet to trench for planting. We only had enough room for the potatoes. After a little looking around, one of St. Paul’s parishioners, Lena Ruby, offered four 90-foot prepared drills in her backyard which gave us space for carrots. St. Paul’s has planter boxes behind the church and we have planted turnip in those. Thank you, Lord.
On a sunny summer evening in July, Bishop Sam blessed the gardens. Over 50 members of the local community, including members of all our partner groups, showed up to take part in the beautiful service of blessing. We look forward with positive anticipation in providing fresh produce to the less fortunate this fall. Amen!
