Kenosha church blesses completion of new pollinator garden
Grace Lutheran Church blessed its Caring for Creation Pollinator Garden with a special ceremony on Sunday, Sept. 29.
The event was held as part of the congregation's 9:30 a.m. worship service at the church. At the service painted stones were placed in the garden to honor and remember mothers and fathers of Grace Lutheran Church members.
Over the last two years, the church was able to replace nearly all the plants in its garden areas with native plants.
The effort started after a book study on Doug Talamy's, "Nature's Best Hope." Native plants provide food and habitat for pollinating insects like bees as well food and habitat for caterpillars which birds depend on for their food. Supporters said planting native plants is an action that can be taken to slow down the extinctions, spotlighting there are 70% less non-agricultural animals in then world than 50 years ago.
"We are so glad that we are able to provide food and habitat to brother bee and sister bird," Grace Lutheran Church pastor the Rev. Jonathan Barker said. "We must protect all of God's creatures."
"It was a very touching celebration. The stones reminded us of those who have gone before us and provided us with so many blessings and . and touching the soil made this connection real," Dick Kauffman, a congregation member, said.
The service coincided with the Season of Creation in the church calendar where Christians throughout the world remember that God created all things and entrusted humanity to take care of the planet.
"Others can enjoy what God has done and come check out our native gardens at Grace Lutheran," said congregation member John Carloes Schaut. "The wheelbarrow full makes my heart bloom. Watch for our spring native plant sale. "
Photos: What to plant if you want to attract pollinators
