Lost in the Details

Sometimes we get so busy and "lost in the details" of what we're doing that we fail to notice the small and large things that other people are doing. Light bulbs get changed, grass gets cut, the hungry are fed, and social contracts are formed and nurtured, often without notice. Frequently, these are things that we just take for granted.

At First Christian Church we know there are many ways to serve the Body of Christ, and many ways and traditions to express and celebrate that service. We thank all of our members, and all of our Ministry Leaders and volunteers, for the many ways in which we are sustained as a Church Family through your efforts, large and small, seen and unseen.

You are not taken for granted!

Wedding Bells?

If you are planning a wedding this Summer or Fall, and are interested in an affordable, tasteful, and traditional setting in which to have it, contact First Christian Church in Berryville for information about how we can help.

First Christian Church has a wedding planner on staff who would love to help you in many ways, from simply arranging space to complete plans.

For more information contact Susan Krotz at 870 654 2107.

The Lord Giveth...

Deader than Lincoln's mother.

"The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away" Job says (1:21). He wasn't thinking specifically about our Community Garden's tomato plants but his general principle has held true. Fourteen fairly mature plants bit the dust this week from a combination of a whitefly infestation and a home remedy gotten from a local organic farmer who--well--maybe got his recipe mixed up.

This afternoon we'll pull the old plants out and pop in some new ones. Sadly, the new plants won't be from local seeds but time is, as so often in gardening, of the essence. If we want 'maters in a few weeks we'd better hustle.

We'll also do some weeding. One of the Community Gardeners finds weeding an excellent form of meditation on his sins and character flaws. Each weed represents a malefaction past and, regrettably, not so past, and each successful weed pull a repatriation of a sort. Lots of weeds; lots of pulling.

On a happy note the plants in the Little Sprouts Garden are healthy, robust, and as lively as the children; it is great fun to see that garden sprout produce...and angels.

Onward & Upward in the Garden

A load of mulch is delivered by Carroll Electric

Folks are probably wondering why in the world we got another load of mulch, but no-till gardening and farming means you can't have too much. Lots of mulch keeps the weeds down and the water close to the surface where plants need it. The end results include less stooping and pulling and lower water bills. What happens to the mulch next:

There is a squash bed directly adjacent and north of the Little sprouts garden. At the moment it is covered with black plastic and the plastic is held down by some recycled lumber. We will:

1. take the lumber off the plastic and stack it (neatly) on a pile by the white storage shed.
2. take the garden fork and poke LOTS of holes in the black plastic.
3. apply mulch about 12 inches deep over the plastic being careful not to disturb the squash plants.

Next year, the we'll have this area fenced for watermelon and as a chicken run for the 4 chickens we plan to raise.

Zucchini squash about fruit.

If all goes well we'll dodge the evil squash borer and have plenty of zucchini, crook necked, and acorn squash. Sadly, mulch does not deter bugs from their appointed rounds so--it is nip and tuck time.

Many thanks to Bill Hudspeth for causing the mulch to arrive!

Community Development Ministry May Update

Snow peas are reaching their peak--and will be gone in a couple of weeks.

The Community Development Ministry's activities during the month of may have focused on three main areas: 1) preparing the community gardens for planting; 2) planning events of mutual interest with the Carroll County Literacy Council, and; 3) volunteering at Loaves and Fishes.

Community Gardens: The Community Garden and Little Sprouts garden have been fully planted and are to produce spring vegetables in abundance. If you want onions or lettuce please help yourself. These are located in the bed just left of the snow pea trellis--which are also available for picking. Again--just help yourself: the community garden is YOUR garden.

Tomato plants are about to flower--as are squash and bean plants; it will be several weeks before we see any fruit but so far...so good. Our apple trees tipped over in the heavy rain of 10 days ago and have been staked up--but the leaves are covered with apple rust and we'll have to do some spraying. The blueberry shrubs look pathetic despite heroic and expensive medical and pharmaceutical interventions. If they don't turn around by fall we'll take them out and replant them somewhere else.

You are invited to weed--lucky you--and if you have an interest in gardening we're happy to help you fulfill that ambition. But in the mean time, and without an obligation of any kind, please visit the garden and pick of the fruit.

Literacy Center staff provides computer training for local farmers.

Community Education: The Carroll County Literacy Council has expressed a strong interest in collaborating with FCC on a number of initiatives including providing tutoring for our youth, sharing human and other resources for financial literacy training, and providing computer skills training and refresher courses for older adults who are stalled on the information highway. Contact Susan for more information.

Queen Ann's Lace in a sunny spot near His House

Loaves & Fishes: More and more Carroll County families are needing to rely on the food shelves to meet basic needs. Consequently, volunteers are really busy and have been pushed to the limits. Our volunteers are cheerful, loyal, reliable, and resolute--but they could use some help. If you have a couple of hours a week or a month to help out, please contact Elaine for more information.

That's it for May. We look forward to a busy and rewarding June. And lest we forget: THANK YOU for everything you do.