Seeds of Faith – PCCT’s Community Garden

A new mission effort has grown out of the pandemic at the Presbyterian Church of Chatham Township. Seeking to address the growing issues of hunger and food insecurity on a local level, members Craig and Lisa Duke, along with their teenage daughter Natalie, approached the Mission & Outreach Committee with the idea of revitalizing a dormant garden space adjacent to their home. Their dream was to develop a community garden that would be supported by the church, and gather members together for fellowship and the opportunity to make a difference. With support from Newark Science and Sustainability, Inc., they created a plan that was warmly received by church leaders. “We’ve always wanted to use the property for the greater good,” says Lisa, “and are excited to have the church involved in helping provide fresh, homegrown produce to local food pantries.”

Work began in the summer of 2021, as volunteers cleared weeds, spread wood chips and built raised beds in the 45’ x 90’ garden space pictured below. Before the fall was over, a total of six wood and metal beds had been constructed and were ready to be filled and planted. Two smaller beds were added to grow herbs.

The task of filling the beds began in earnest this spring, with work days scheduled over six different Saturdays. Teams of volunteers took on the task of hauling more than 20 cubic yards of dirt and compost one wheelbarrow at a time and layering them into the raised beds.

Two additional beds were added for a total of ten. Drip lines were installed and plans for planting began to be discussed.

Beginning the Saturday after Mother’s Day, the group started planting seeds and seedlings: herbs, tomatoes, lettuces, carrots, radishes, asparagus and snap peas. With summer now upon us, the garden is in full swing and produce is already starting to be harvested.

“Our newly established community garden is PCCT’s latest example of how we are fulfilling our mission to help support those experiencing food insecurity, says Carolyn Smith, chair of the Mission and Outreach Committee. “Congregants are attracted to this type of ‘hands-on’ mission work where they can see the results of their collective efforts – in this case, fresh vegetables and herbs delivered weekly to a local food bank for distribution.”

“There are workshops and potluck parties planned for the fall as well, says Lisa. “It has been a blessing to make use of an underused space to benefit the church and community as a whole.”