Dear Brothers and Sisters,
IT IS STILL ALLELUIA TIME! Just in time for spring, our parishioner Bonnie Baron has written a gardening column—with a twist. Thank you, Bonnie!!!
Gardening Your Soul
The phrase “Bloom where you are planted,” often linked to Christianity and attributed to Saint Francis de Sales, encourages finding contentment and spiritual growth in your current situation. Though not found in the Bible, it inspires gratitude and resilience regardless of circumstances.
This quote led me to an interest in horticulture spirituality which began with Rev. Dr. Hillary Raining’s “Architecting the Soul” course on The Hive, where a discussion about plants and spirituality inspired me to learn more. Horticulture spirituality views gardening as a sacred practice that encourages mindfulness, patience, and spiritual development by connecting people to nature and the divine.
Pruning plants is like personal growth: cutting away what holds us back allows energy to flow where it matters most. Just as gardeners trim for strength, we need to shed old habits or toxic ties to thrive. Both aim to unlock potential and create a more purposeful life. What could you prune in your life to make room for new growth?
John 15:2 teaches that pruning shapes believers’ character to reflect Christ, removing sin and distractions for spiritual growth. This loving process, though sometimes uncomfortable, fosters maturity and a deeper relationship with God through prayer and perseverance.
I found as my own plants on my windowsill garden were nurtured, pruned and prayed over, the shamrock plant yielded white flowers and the plant cultivated in a library card catalog planter yielded yellow flowers. The Spider plant grew taller and more robust.
Around this time, I nurtured spiritual growth in me by preparing my heart with intention, practicing meditation and prayer, and removing negativity. I accepted that growth is gradual and cannot be forced.
Below is a wonderful prayer to pray for God to remove anything in your life that isn’t aligned with Him and trust His plan as the way to bear good fruit.
Be The Gardener of My Soul
“Spirit of the Living God, be the Gardener of my
soul. For so long I have been waiting, silent and still–
experiencing a winter of the soul. But now, in the strong
name of Jesus Christ, I dare to ask:
Clear away the dead growth of the past,
Break up the hard clods of custom and routine,
Stir in the rich compost of vision and challenge,
Bury deep in my soul the implanted Word,
Cultivate and water and tend my heart,
Until new life buds and opens and flowers.”
Amen.
Richard Foster, Prayers From the Heart. Harper One: New York 1994. 3.
ALLELUIA INDEED!
Mo. Laura+
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COMING UP!
- May 3 Wellness Committee Speaker during coffee hour: Seventh Day Adventist Church and Iglesia Luz de Esperanza
- May 10 Groceries Plus In-gathering
- June 7: Gift Cards Orders Due
- July 6-10: Ellie Escher’s Music Camp I
- August 10-14: Ellie Escher’s Music Camp II
- Mondays, Book Study via zoom at 7:00 p.m.
- Every other Tuesday, Girl Scouts, Parish Hall, 6:00-7:30
- Wednesdays, noonday prayer via zoom at 12:00
- Wednesday evenings, yoga class at 6:00 (discount for St. M members)
- Saturdays, Iglesia Luz de Esperanza, 9:00-3:00