Four Oaks United Methodist starts community garden

Submitted by FOUR OAKS UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

FOUR OAKS — Four Oaks United Methodist Church is excited to announce installation of a community garden. “God’s Small Garden,” as it is known to the congregation, was established on the church grounds located at 302 N. Church St. in Four Oaks.

At God’s Small Garden, Four Oaks UMC hopes to not only grow good, healthy food, but also provide an outdoor space for community gathering, sanctuary and respite.

So far, raised garden beds, lettuce towers and potato grow bags have been constructed and filled with soil. More raised beds will be added in the near future. Broccoli and sweet peas have been planted. The garden will also have radishes, lettuce, potatoes, tomatoes, squash and zucchini. In God’s Small Garden, Four Oaks UMC will grow all produce with sustainable and environmentally sound methods.

A community garden has been a goal of the church for several years. The congregation had the vision of transforming a part of their unused green space into a garden that would grow healthy, fresh food. More inspiration was provided by Four Oaks UMC members Alex and Janelle Blackman of Allis Farm in Benson. “Along with a passion and calling to share God’s gift of good food with our community, the Blackmans have provided an immeasurable gift to the garden with their practical expertise and experience, said Rev. Adam Charville, lead pastor of Four Oaks UMC.

Besides growing healthy food to eat, the congregation at Four Oaks UMC established God’s Small Garden as a place to gather together. The purpose of this is to build and strengthen relationships among people.

“This is not only for people and families within our congregation, but also includes our friends, neighbors and people throughout our town of Four Oaks. All people are welcome at God’s Small Garden. This may be to work in the soil cultivating plants or harvesting fresh produce,” Charville said. “Some may come to be a part of a community and enjoy life together. Others may want to sit in a peaceful outdoor space and relax. We pray that God’s Small Garden may be a place for all of this and more.”

Over the past two years, the COVID-19 pandemic forced people to be distant from each other. The congregation at Four Oaks UMC is seeking to rebuild and reconcile relationships in the community in safe and fruitful ways.

“God’s Small Garden is one intentional way the congregation feels God calling us to be together, to share life together, to care for one another, and to do so in an inclusive way. We have faith that God’s Small Garden will be a place where relationships are built and faith is nurtured,” Charville said.

The produce that is harvested from the garden will be available to anyone who wants it. People who spend time working in the garden will be able to take home produce with them. That includes both church members and community volunteers.

Four Oaks UMC also has a “free food pantry” located at the church along North Church Street. It looks like a bright green newspaper stand and is available to everyone. Currently, it is stocked with only non-perishable food items. Once the garden is producing food, fresh vegetables will also be available to anyone that wants or needs something to eat.

Another goal of God’s Small Garden is to teach people how easy, fun and rewarding it can be to grow fresh food. For many people, growing a garden that produces something edible seems like a daunting task. “With experience at our community garden, we hope to give people the skills and confidence to grow food they can eat. We pray that this helps our community practice habits of healthy eating and compassionate stewardship of God’s creation,” Charville said.

Community workdays in God’s Small Garden happen on Wednesdays at 5 p.m. and Saturdays at 10 a.m. All community members are welcome to fellowship at the garden. “You may join us in the work of this mission of the church by helping care for the plants and harvesting, eating and sharing what is grown. The God’s Small Garden at Four Oaks UMC is also open anytime to anyone that would like to be in that space to pray, rest and rejuvenate,” Charville said. “At Four Oaks UMC, we are seeking to cultivate hope through love. All are welcome to come grow with us.”

Charville noted that God’s Small Garden was made possible by the prayers, donations and labor of the members of Four Oaks UMC, for the health of the community and for the glory of God. A grant to help establish God’s Small Garden was given by The Conservation Fund’s Resourceful Communities program, a part of The Duke Endowment.

For more information about God’s Small Garden at Four Oaks UMC or to find out about how to get involved with the garden or the church, contact Charville at acharville@nccumc.org or by calling the church at 919-963-2095.