Creation Care Ministry
News from the Centenary Creation Care Community Garden Team
The Creation Care Ministrey team announces a six-Week Creation Care Study begins next Sunday, May 16 during 11:15 service.
Join Julia and Seth during the 11:15am service as we watch a Blessed Earth Hope for Creation/Hope for Humanity
video and then discuss. We will cover topics such as honoring the Sabbath, Work, the heavens, light, how should we live
in community and more.
The videos, featuring Wilmore resident Dr. Matthew Sleeth, are from the makers of the NOOMA
videos and are well-done and thought provoking. May 16-June 20. Room 43, FREE. RSVP to Julia by clicking the following Email icon:
Community Garden
 The ultimate service opportunity! In its second year, the Community Garden Team now has five beds for gardens! All beds are on the south side of the church. One bed is in front of the the Centenary School entrance and the other four are on the corner of the parking lot on the Mt. Tabor entrance to the church. Check back for announcements and events.
There are several goals to this CG program:
- Provide educational service opportunities that all ages can enjoy.
- Provide fresh produce for CUMC members (attendees) through the Garden Mission Exchange.
- Provide fresh produce for families in need of nutrition assistance through outreach ministries of CUMC.
Garden Mission Exchange
 Do you already have a home garden? Here is a great way to share the extra produce you have in the summer growing season. For six weeks (July-August), church members (or attendees) can bring extra produce they had from home gardens. They can swap out or donate the produce. The produce from the Community Garden is fed into this program. It also allows those who do not garden to pick up fresh produce and leave a donation if they wish. All leftover produce is given to a outreach ministry of CUMC and any donations put into the Garden Mission Exchange budget. Check back for announcements and events.
There are several goals to this GME program:
- Provide fresh produce for CUMC members (or attendees).
- Provide opportunities for home gardeners to share their extra produce.
- Provide fresh produce for families in need of nutrition assistance through outreach ministries of CUMC.
Amphitheater, Picnic Area, and Hiking Trail
 Do you want a beautiful place to explore God's creation? CUMC has a wonderful outdoor amphitheater, picnic area, and hiking trail on the east end of the church. It is a beautiful organic space. The area is simple and lets nature do the decorating. This outdoor area is being restored through the Community Garden Team. Check back for announcements and events.
There are several goals to this A, PA, and HT program:
- Provide a place where individuals and/or groups can play, reflect, gather, and rest.
- Provide a place where people can connect, engage, and build meaningful relationships.
Fresh Stop
The Community Garden Team is pleased to announce a partnership with the Fresh Stop Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program at First Presbyterian Church, Lexington. In this
CSA program, you contract with a farmer in Harrison County for a share or half-share of his harvest for 20 weeks (typically during June - October). A large variety of vegetables and fruits are planned for this season.
There are several goals to this CSA program:
- Provide CSA members with a weekly basket of fresh, local produce picked up right at church.
- Provide fresh produce at a discounted price for families in need of nutrition assistance in the downtown community.
- Encourage a farmer to farm in an organic and sustainable manner.
- Reduce a farmer's dependence on tobacco as a cash crop.
- Bring a farmer and the consumer closer together.
The CSA program would complement the Centenary Garden Mission Exchange, not replace it or compete with it. The weekly CSA basket would typically contain 8-12 different vegetables and fruits. A full share would provide for 3-5 people for a week; a half share would provide for 1-3 people for a week. The Garden Mission Exchange is intended to connect the home gardener who harvests more than can be used with someone who just wants or needs a few tomatoes or peppers or a cucumber or zucchini. The Community Garden Team is also expecting to provide more variety to the Garden Mission Exchange this season from the gardens on the Centenary campus.
If there is enough participation in the CSA program from Centenary and some details can be worked out, you will be able to pick up your produce at Centenary on Sunday mornings, otherwise pickup would be at First Presbyterian on Sunday.
Sign up for the CSA program are in March. For 2010, a full share is priced at $420, a halfshare at $220. This can be paid in advance, or be spread over 3 or 4 payments with the first in June.
Community Garden Team receives
Neighborhood and Community Sustainability Grant 2010!
CUMC is one of 27 groups that were selected and awarded a LFUCG Department of Environmental Quality grant. The grant totals $1480 and must be matched by the CUMC Community Garden Team. The project must be completed within this calendar year.
The goal of the CUMC grant is to restore the amphitheater that is located on the Tates Creek property.
The Community Garden team volunteers will be cleaning, restoring and defining the amphitheater space. Non-native invasive honeysuckle will be removed and native trees planted along with shrubs and flowers. Solar lights will be installed, a sign for the amphitheater and space created, and electrical sockets serviced. Finally two adult and two children picnic tables and a bench will be restored.
What an opportunity for CUMC to shine for God! More information will follow on the CUMC Creation Care Ministry web page, happenings, and the Mission bulletin boards. Stay tuned!
Please contact Michael for more information:
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