Native Plants - God’s Creation in Delaware

"Ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds of the air, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish of the sea inform you. Which of these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? In the Lord’s hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all humankind." (Job 12:7-10)

What does it mean to be a good steward of creation?

It means that you/we take a hard look at how we treat the world around us. God has given us such a beautiful world - filled with natural beauty - and has requested that we tend this garden. The way in which we act in this world is an expression of the way in which we believe in God’s abundant grace.

If we defile creation - we defile the gift of God.

If we cherish and protect creation - we cherish the Word of God.

One way we can partake in loving and caring for creation is in the restorative projects of our Creation Care Ministry. This past weekend a handful of church members from brand new to over two decades came out to prepare the first space to receive native plantings. These native plantings will bring assortments of butterflies, bees, birds and other insects much needed food and shelter.

The US Fish and Wildlife Services saw value in this joint project with The Church of the Holy City and gifted us the plants you see in the garden bed next to the main doors to the sanctuary. (Look at the end of this article to see the native plant varieties donated to the garden project)**

The Synod also sees value in this work and has granted us additional funds to install a shade garden and a second pollinator patch (near the windows of the food pantry.

I see the value of restoration of the species of plants that are part of God’s creation here in Delaware.

We need to begin to think of what a Creation Care Team can look like at St. Stephen’s.

Who should be part of this conversation and effort?

Would you like to join - or do you think you might be able to nominate a person?

Please prayerfully consider how you might be a part of this project - and how you might be able to add to the legacy of the beauty our campus provides for the neighborhood and the city.

In God’s peace,

Pr. Jason

Submit your name or another individual’s name that might make a good member of the Creation Care Team by sending an email to pastor@ststeph.org.

** Plants donated to the garden by the Fish and Wildlife Services:

New England Aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae )

Purple Coneflower Pow Wow 'Wild Berry' (an Echinacea purpurea cultivar)

Hollow stem Joe Pye Weed (Eupatorium fistulosum)

Spotted beebalm (Monarda punctata)

Blunt mountain-mint (Pycnanthemum muticum)

Blue vervain (Verbena hastata)

Plants from the Synodical Grant:

Blackeyed Susans