Immanuel Lutheran Church

Giving Thanks for the Earth’s Bounty by Janine Donoho

Immanuel Lutheran Church

This last Saturday, the delightful women of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Havillah welcomed me into their fold. Temporarily, yes, but a warm reception just the same. In celebration of autumn, women gathered from their Washington-Alaska District to celebrate ‘Lord of the Harvest.’ They sang hymns, renewed bonds, and bestowed their farmed bounty upon all present. Then Linda Kuhlman invited me to share my program on ‘Xeriscape Gardening.’

We grew this

Since xeriscape is yet another passion of mine, the attendees’ enthusiasm gratified. We explored together the larger cycles that make this earth viable, which incidentally contribute to soil productivity. Then we delved into how to apply xeriscape techniques to our landscapes. We even used the ‘S’ word when a participant asked about her Norwegian pine’s excessive cone output, which of course led to a brief discussion of plant sex and potential stressors. I’d have loved to stay for ‘Scripture Gardening’, which lends itself beautifully into another of my delights, cultural ethnobotany. Unfortunately, Intrepid Guy had a thing scheduled and I needed to leave.

Reflective view

In parting, we considered the exposed bank beside their community space. Now they’re considering native Arctostaphylos uva ursi aka kinnikinnick or bearberry or even low-growing cotoneaster to both beautify and hold the slope. Since I’m all about sustainable practices, contributing to this event gave me joy while allowing me to spread a little of the same. Thank you.