*It’s hopefully safe to say that we are likely in the midst of gardening season now. An idea would be to literally have your youth group get dirty. See Kore Creative link – click on the “Get Dirty” link towards the bottom for a theological rationalle. Perhaps you might consider approaching your congregation about providing some seeds and bedding plants and having the youth group landscape the church grounds (you might want to invite some green-thumbed adult volunteers to join you who could mentor your youth in their gardening skills and it would be awesome to invited the Sunday School to join you so your youth can mentor the children as well ~ make it a true intergenerational event!). You could conclude your time together by offering a blessing for the plants and God’ people who will enjoy them all summer long (for ideas see Garden prayer link which has a garden blessing prayer by Edward Hays.*please keep in mind that this article comes from a site that does not necessarily reflect the theology of the United Church of Canada. You may have to adapt other articles as need should you choose to use them.
~Also see Community Garden link for practical suggestions on how to get a community garden going.
~If gardening isn’t your youths thing other ways to “get dirty” while providing service might be to organize an area for picking up trash (make sure to provide the youth with gloves and good, sturdy garbage bags), or helping with a “Habitat for Humanity” build in your area (while the youth might not be able to actually work on the site they can help make a meal for the construction crew).
* Just for You ~ For background on the benefits of a spirituality of gardening see Gardening as a Spiritual Practice and Youth Gardening video link.
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