The point is this: the one who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the one who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. – 2 Corinthians 9:6
I wrote the reflection below in September 2016, around the time that Grace Church closed and merged with Edwards. I am not sure if this was shared at a service then or in our newsletter, but the thoughts are relevant to our nourishment theme today. In many ways, the seeds of Grace Church are still here and nourishing Edwards. – Mary Memmott
Around the time Grace moved to Salem End Road, we established several new connections — to the Hope Food pantry downtown, Stearns Farm (a renewal of an old connection), and Worcester Fellowship. We also continued our tradition of bringing gifts to the children of Pathways Shelter at Christmas, and much later established a connection with the children at the “Our House” afterschool program at the Pelham apartments.
As we established a tradition of bringing cans monthly to the Hope pantry, we soon added produce from Stearns farm to our donation in the summer months. I still remember bringing the first HUGE heads of lettuce into the pantry that year — carried by my daughter Amelia, who was small enough that she made them look even bigger. “OOH, lettuce!” was the happy exclamation from the line for food. The clients of Hope pantry have enjoyed that lettuce, and peppers, tomatoes, onions, etc. over the years. Everyone who has been involved in the deliveries can testify to the gratitude and warm welcome we have received.
Later, we began bringing socks and sandwiches to the outdoor congregation of Worcester Fellowship. On one of our summer visits of course we added Stearns farm lettuce to the sandwiches. Again, the reaction to the lettuce was pleasantly surprised and pleased — several folks in line remarked on the lettuce on the sandwiches, a treat when donated sandwiches are usually hastily made and perhaps a bit thin on the extra’s. Our connection to Worcester Fellowship has also been one of warm welcome and gratitude on both sides.
At Pathways the staff knows us as the church that takes extra care in picking out well thought-out presents to match the Christmas list they give us in November. We always get a wonderful thank-you note. Because of that connection, this year we offered them two of our garden boxes for their yard. A newer member of the staff turns out to be an avid gardener and quickly accepted. I wish I could say they are growing lettuce, but I’m pretty sure it’s basil and tomatoes in those boxes. Nonetheless, the extra produce at their house is bringing a little of the Grace church “lettuce” joy to their very full house of families. The boxes are not big enough to produce many meals — but those extra fresh veggies, on a sandwich, or in a salad, bring a little bit of crunch and flavor to their cooking.
Finally, just this past year we helped the children at the Pelham apartments afterschool program add an extra garden bed to their backyard garden. Of course, one of the things they love to grow is lettuce. I can report that any day I’ve visited and helped them make a salad there are a lot of smiles. We don’t know yet where the seeds of Grace’s lettuce will travel, but I don’t think we’ve heard the end of the story. We’ll keep making those connections from our mission fund and seeding more lettuce.
Holy Spirit, help us share seeds of grace wherever they are needed.
Here’s a picture of head of lettuce growing at the “Our House” afterschool garden in 2015.