A SPIRITUAL CONCERN FOR THE EARTH

In common with many churches, we have sought answers to the challenge of how to "tread gently on the earth". Our concern for the earth is a spiritual one. We acknowledge that God's presence permeates all things, and we believe that environmental responsibility devolves from honouring God's creation. Nature is losing the battle in so many places, as habitat for wildlife is converted to malls and subdivisions for humans; we are able to give back a little of the lost habitat in each wildlife-friendly backyard.

Our aims for the new garden:

• To provide low maintenance landscaping,
• To reduce or discontinue water, fertilizer or pesticide use,
• To be of a type we can take care of effectively,
• To look fairly neat,
• To give us and our neighbours pleasure to use and sit in,
• To help us learn about the web of life,
• And also to share with our local wildlife - birds, insects, etc.

We are part of nature, not apart from it.

We need to relax our standards of neatness a little, and stand back to let wild things come into our lives.

Garden design:

This is most formal nearest the building, where a terrace invites us to step outside into the garden. Around the terrace a few favourite ornamental flowers have been planted which are a link to previous gardens and gardeners. A circular lawn surrounded by mulched shrub beds beckons us to sit, in sun or shade. Within the mulched bed the shrubs will be allowed to grow to their natural shapes, for best fruit production, but they will be restrained from overgrowing the lawn or terrace. In time,we hope to be able to worship outdoors. Our neighbours are always welcome to join us. Our silent worship is compatible with all religious groups.

This garden will not be mature for several years. We are still working to remove or smother perennial weeds which were already in the ground, plus to keep up with the dandelions which are coming from the hydro right of way. By the way, dandelions are a first nectar food for early butterflies such as cabbage whites, mourning cloaks and black swallowtails.

The butterfly garden contains stepping stones to allow close inspection.

We may add more shrubs or trees and perennials, or move them around as we see what thrives and where.

Follow these links to learn more:

If you have any questions please click here to get in touch with us.

We'd love it if you visited our garden, click here for directions to the Meeting House.