The sisters of St Benedict’s Monastery have decided that for the summer of 2011 their garden will lie fallow, so for this year at least we’ll not be digging about in the dirt with them… but do read on, for a good story as to how this connection was originally cultivated.
M
any of us didn’t know a beet top from a carrot top but we were eager to learn. This is how in 2007 we approached our first summer as “saint benedict’s gardeners.” This was the title twenty-so of us from saint benedict’s table adopted as we embarked on a partnership with the Sisters of St Benedict’s Monastery.
As a community which carries the name of Benedict we strive to be a place of radical hospitality. This begins at the Eucharistic table, extends to a refreshment table at the back of the sanctuary where we gather after worship, and then outside of the church building to tables in homes and restaurants where we gather as small groups for shared meals, conversations and study.
As we are nourished in the meal offered at communion each week we remind ourselves, by the ingathering of fruits vegetables for Agape Table, about the hunger of those not present at Christ’s table.
Aware of the commitment of the Sisters of St. Benedict to tithe the harvest of their vegetable garden, our community offered to help tend the garden over the summer and transport the produce to All Saint’s each Sunday, where it was offered with the rest of the produce at communion and then given to Agape to help feed the two hundred and fifty people they serve each weekday.
Well, it worked, and sufficiently well that we decided to take part again in 2008, 2009, and 2010. The past two years have been tough one, with heavy rain making it almost impossible to get our volunteers into the garden on many of our weekends. But we’ve discovered that even in years of challenging weather, it is amazing to see how much fresh produce can come into the church week after week after week.
We do hope that after this fallow year, the sisters will again gear up to plant their garden. If that is the case, we’ll be happy to again become involved.
