“What if our homes and churches went from being primarily sites of consumption to places of production? What if we planted church-supported community gardens, permaculture parishes, transition churches, and apostolic farms that fed entire neighborhoods? What if seminaries trained every future pastor in the agrarian arts, ecological literacy and sunshine-powered living? What if we created infrastructures of holiness, where God’s kingdom of shalom could flourish on earth as in heaven?” (Fred Bahnson in Making Peace with the Land: God’s Call to Reconcile with Creation)

Our Community Garden is on the hillside south of the church building. Whether or not you attend St. Thomas, you are warmly invited to participate in Community Garden workshops and events. Please contact the church office for contact information for this year’s coordinator.

This garden has a mission. We hope that our St. Thomas Community Garden will foster vital connections among people and God’s good creation by modeling sustainable caring for the Earth, building a community of gardeners, and offering contemplative space. Gardeners are covenanted to practice organic gardening and to share their harvest with Bloomington’s community food distribution programs.

The Community Garden is laid out as a labyrinth. For centuries, Christians have walked labyrinths as a spiritual exercise, a tool for prayer and contemplation. Moving into the center and back out again are symbols of an inner spiritual journey.  Walking the path can offer insight, depth, or revelation. We invite you to remember that God is beside you as you walk. Enter the labyrinth near the east gate. Information cards are available to guide you. 

Guidelines for Organic Gardening

Some garden photographs – because there can never be too many garden photographs!