Campaigns, Courtyard Garden and Collecting Litter

The Climate and Ecology Bill was reintroduced to Parliament earlier this month, so a couple of weeks ago we sent postcards to our MPs encouraging them to support the bill. We used cards with images from the Lost Words, which seemed appropriate.

Last week I welcomed the St John's School Eco Club and Gardening Club members to do some planting - tomatoes, strawberries, peas and salad. Hopefully the former two will be ripe before they break up for the summer while the latter should be ready for a church lunch eventually. The children were hugely enthusiastic and the courtyard was a whirl of industry - when the dust settled not all the plants were quite where I was expecting them and there weren't enough pots left over for the rocket (which is why it's still by the back door), but it was great fun and they're keen to come back and keep watering when they get the chance after their half term break.

Last Sunday I used resources from Tearfund's Rubbish Campaign to frame our Godly Play session on the Good Samaritan. I was hoping to get the older children to write some campaign letters afterwards but a couple of them were certain there was no point because the government never listen - that led to other discussions, but sadly no letters. More positively, they were very keen to help clear up the rubbish in the local park, with the litter pickers borrowed from a Green Party councillor in the parish. 

Enjoying the Sunshine and Christian Aid Week

Over the past two weeks we have had plenty of opportunity to enjoy the gorgeous weather. On May 7th we took our Family Service out to the front of the church for the first of outdoor service this year. We headed back inside for a Coronation lunch (there was a vegan alternative to the Coronation Chicken available) - and money raised will go to Christian Aid. 

Our main fundraiser for Christian Aid week was a very well attended quiz on Saturday night organised by Rosemary and Liz. At half time a speaker from Christian Aid updated us on what Christian Aid has been doing for the people of Ukraine. Sunday's service drew on Christian Aid's worship resources for this year so it felt apt to take the children out for part of the service to do some planting - not of pigeon peas but wildflower seeds. We added a few plants to each pot in case the seeds don't come up.

In the afternoon there was Forest Church - looking forward to Ascension with the aid of lots of bubbles.