Idea and Reflection for March 23

Idea: Garden Twinning

Did you know that you can twin your garden with Ripple Effect? Families in rural Kenya are finding it increasingly difficult to grow enough to eat as the climate crisis worsens and they experience longer periods of drought and unpredictable heavy rainfall. You can help a family change their future. Twin your garden with Ripple Effect and your donation of £60 could help a family living in rural Migori, Kenya, with three years training in sustainable organic farming. Starting with small kitchen gardens, families can grow enough to eat, set up small businesses, send their children to school and go after their dreams.  You will receive a sustainable wooden plaque to display in your garden, a vegetable growing guide from Charles Dowding, no-dig expert, plus some wildflower seeds to get you started on your Garden Twinning adventure.

Click here for more information.

Reflection: Relationship (Genesis 2.4-15)

The second creation account, beginning at Genesis 2.4, is written in narrative form. God forms human (Adam) out of the dust (Adomah). Literally, God creates us from the earth, and calls us ‘earthy’. This implies a deep connection between humans and our earth. We are part of this creation, and not separate from it. We need to regain this truth in order to make good decisions about how we provide leadership for the biodiversity of the earth.

God then created a beautiful garden for humans to live in. He placed them in the garden to ‘work it and take care of it’ (v15). These words are also important as we build a foundation for biblical creation care. The word ‘work’ (avodah) also means ‘serve’, and is used elsewhere to describe discipleship: we are called to love God and to serve him with all our hearts and souls (Deuteronomy 10.12). The word translated ‘take care of’ is often translated as ‘keep’ (shamah), and is also found in the Aaronic blessing, ‘The Lord bless you and keep you’ (Numbers 6.24). In caring for the garden, we serve before the Lord and are called to care for it and protect it in the way that God cares for us. What a calling!

From Green reflections, by M & M Hodson, BRF 2021