The Good Shepherd Garden
(Photos of recent Rain Barrel Workshop)
Big changes are being planned for the
children's playground area. Howison Hollenberg has designed a garden
which will create an outdoor space for children to learn about nature
and spirituality. And together with Leigh Partington, Howison has
developed an educational model for actually creating the garden,
giving adults and children alike a hands-on opportunity to learn more
about sustainable ways to steward the earth.
The Garden will honor the ministry of Nancy Baxter and
Shy Bunny, as well as the work of Iris Couch in developing the
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd program at Saint Bartholomew's.
Through the donation of plants and materials, parishioners will also
have the opportunity to honor teachers and others who have ministered
to and through the spirit of the child. Educational workdays are being
planned for late summer and fall, including a rain barrel workshop and
a parent/child "Art in the Garden" event. Before a spade has even
touched the ground, the project is taking on a delightful shape,
thanks to the help and ideas of those on the Garden Guild, the Green
Guild, and the Arts Guild.
The transformation of the children’s
playground into the Good Shepherd Garden is well under way after a
successful workday on July 19th and an enthusiastic
response in donations. Many thanks to Mark Cranor, Giselle Caban,
Anne Carroll, Geoff Oosterhoudt, Shannon Orr, and Luiz Perez who
gamely dug ditches, whacked weeds, spread newspapers and cardboard,
and hauled load after load of mulch. A special thanks also to Dave
Curl for picking up and delivering the cypress mulch. The lower
section of the garden is now well nourished by a thick layer of paper
and mulch, which will suppress weeds, encourage organic activity, and
keep the soil cool and moist in preparation for our October 4th
planting. A small rock-lined “streambed” from our new drain outlet to
an existing drain grate is also in place, as are two catchbasins and
drainage pipes in the upper garden.
Upcoming workdays:·
Saturday, September 6:
Hardscaping, mulching, and soil preparation
Saturday, October 4: Planting,
blessing, and intergenerational picnic
Please stop by the Good Shepherd
Garden Display in the parish hall before and after the 10:30 service
to review the plan, sign up for a workday, or donate to material or
plant costs. This garden honors the ministry of Nancy Baxter and Shy
Bunny, as well as the work of Iris Couch in developing the Catechesis
of the Good Shepherd program at Saint Bartholomew's. Through the
donation of plants and materials, parishioners will also have the
opportunity to honor teachers and others who have ministered to and
through the spirit of the child.
All are welcome to attend the
blessing of the Good Shepherd Garden and picnic on Saturday, October
4. For more information, please contact Leigh Partington (ltpart@bellsouth.net)
or Howison Hollenberg (chhollenberg@comast.net).
Photos of
Rain Barrel Workshop held August 16, 2008
provided by Marian Gordin
Instructors Howison & Gavin |
Gavin helps Konnie and Leigh |
Ian helping with assembly |
Cat and Molly finishing up |
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