Page 4 - September 2018 Traveler

From the Pastor’s Study…

So, there is good news and then there is bad news. The bad news first, since I like
to get that over with: We experienced a little vandalism to our raised garden beds

in the back. It appears a truck ran over our beds causing damage to the boards
and plants alike. This of course is disappointing but it isn’t the end of the world
either. In fact, the damage actually has resulted in a fair amount of added resolve

to move forward and really has fostered the advent of the good news! Here is the

good news: The market garden team has decided to expand their work and
through the generosity of Rich and Jody Steinke will be expanding on our garden
for the spring planting!!! We are super excited about this possibility and plans are

being made with great speed. By spring we hope to add a 50ft. x 50ft. garden at
the Steinke homestead which will allow us to gain an additional 12 beds. What

this means is that we will be able to expand what we offer in our CSA boxes and in
turn also reduce the number of congregational members we ask to produce veg-
gies for us as well. In addition, our dream has always been to be able to offer

folks who receive vouchers through the Durand Ecumenical Council, veggies free
of charge. We think this new addition will give us enough production to do that

very thing! We may even have enough production to increase the number of CSA
box subscriptions too! This past year we were able to raise $1800 (10 box sub-

scriptions) half of which goes to support our Blessing Boxes and it would be awe-
some to push that number to over $2000. Our plan is to continue to be self-

sustaining, but we also acknowledge that there will be some one-time start-up
costs associated with this expanded garden. Like our garden here at Trinity, we
will once again apply for a Thrivent Card. In addition, I have written a grant appli-

cation to the Northern Illinois Synod Social Ministry Committee in the hope of ob-
taining grant money to offset our costs. I am hopeful that we will receive financial

support through these funding sources because this ministry is not only innova-
tive, but serves a population which is in desperate need of our help and love.

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