But we are finding common ground. And it’s  just that… common ground – working the earth together, planting seeds together, watering/tending/weeding and even sharing the harvest. 5 communities, 1 community garden.

It’s our first season. And even though we got started late (planted in mid-June) our gardeners from the four-corners of this earth have quite a harvest for their efforts. A few tomatoes, I’ve heard, have made there way to the SnowCap food pantry as well.

We still have lots to learn and there is much work to do to get the garden up to capacity. But I am thrilled! What’s most exciting is the building of relationships between microcultures that traditionally we have walled off from each other.  Schools (public elementary and a new Montessori Pre-School), neighborhood associations, and churches (Hispanic Pentecostal, Mixed-up Methodists, Oromo Seventh-Day Adventist). OK, it may be more than 5 communities – I owe you an announcement of the Lily Field Montessori School.

On  Friday, October 2, 6:30-8:30 p.m., we’ll meet in the garden for a Native American blessing of the garden, then share a pot-luck dinner. Sharing stories over food? Doesn’t get any better than this. Hope you’ll join us.

Peace – Bill

With Parkrose UMC and the other faith fellowships worshiping “Under One Roof” at the church, we seem uniquely poised to transcend a common (and often destructive, in my opinion) “race doesn’t matter” misconception. This will propel us toward a better understanding and appreciation of important cultural differences in how we live, gather, serve, and praise.

There’s a sad “juice vs. coffee” reference (and equally sad follow-up note by the author) in this article that I think is symptomatic of a hands-off and very superficial approach to connecting with faith communities of different cultural backgrounds around us.

Read the article (as well as the comments below it) and then answer this question:

If we’re truly called and committed to connecting each other to Christ’s message and mission, what does it actually take?

- Ryan

The point of this is not to talk about food, necessarily, but to invite you to join us for a common gathering of prayer, music, fun with children (puppets and a skit), and food. Potluck. Bring something to share. In the middle of all this we will roll out our plans for our community garden. Hope you’ll join us.

Friday, February 27, 2009, 6-8 p.m. (or so), at Parkrose UMC, 11111 NE Knott St. (see About Us)

Peace, Bill