Act Justly. Love Mercy. Walk Humbly. (Micah 6:8)
While restrictions are beginning to ease off, our work certainly hasn't, but we've been enjoying the sun, getting outside and watching things grow around us. In this month's newsletter, we bring you and update on Growing Spaces (our community allotment), Muddy Church, volunteering opportunities and Janine! Keep reading to find out more.
GROWING SPACES
Growing Spaces is the area of our work that focuses on growing fresh produce. We currently run an allotment in Bearwood, the produce of which goes to supplement our other projects such as Foodbank and Food Pantry. We are hoping to grow this area of work by seeing other Growing Spaces develop in different places around Smethwick, such as containers/vegetable beds in churches, gardens or schools. If this is something that interests you, please do get in touch!
There are two aspects to the Growing Spaces project; firstly the growing of the food itself, and secondly, we also recognise that there is a huge wellbeing benefit to getting outside and being somewhere beautiful, so creating opportunities for people in our communities to spend time outside and in community.
In order to keep the allotment running, we rely on volunteers to help us keep the weeds at bay, nurture the plants and join us in dreaming up how to use the space each year. We are hoping to grow a team of volunteers and regular opportunities for both seasoned gardeners and those who are new to gardening but would appreciate being outside and learning new skills. If this is something you'd be interested in getting involved with, please do get in touch!
Over the last few weeks we have hosted a couple of teams who have joined us for work days at the allotment. They have weeded, planted, moved soil, created gardens and the children helped us pick the strawberries and herbs to deliver to Foodbank and Food Pantry. we've already harvested cucumbers, courgettes and peas and are looking forward to the next batch!
MUDDY CHURCH
Muddy Church is church for all ages which meets outside in the great out- doors!
You don't have to worry about the children fidgeting or making a noise, because having fun in God's wonderful creation is what we are about. Muddy Church is about developing relationships with God and with others, through engaging and learning from Creation and nature and about what God is like.
Each meeting has a theme, around which we might get creative using natural materials, a linked Bible reading and story, an all-age talk, some singing together, a chance to listen to each other’s thoughts and go on a short discovery walk. We finish off each meeting with refreshments, so do bring along a drink!
The next Muddy Church session is on 21 August at 3pm. You can BOOK HERE
🎶 Getting to Know You 🎶
Our Foodbank Manager, Janine, is a Smethwick native having lived here most of her life. She is married with two children and is an avid reader. She is passionate about her cat, crafting and camping!
Janine has had a varied career with a background in both teaching and bookselling but now heads up all aspects of the Foodbank. She is committed not just to meeting the emergency needs for those who access the Foodbank, but is also committed to campaigning for social justice and for an end to food insecurity.
Volunteering Opportunities at Smethwick CAN
We have some exciting new opportunities to volunteer with us at Smethwick Church Action Network. These include roles at our:
- Foodbank (meet and greet and in the warehouse)
- Food Pantry (serving members and stock room roles)
- Community Allotment (gardening)
To read more about each role and what they entail as well as the opening times, head to the volunteer page of our website, which you can find HERE or you can email hello@smethwickcan.org
Credits:
Created with images by Pumuki111 - "grasses nature seeds" • 19367996 - "girl kid mud"