Unusual weather courtesy of the El Niño climate pattern lead us to indoor worship due to rain (unheard of in September) followed by heat and humidity (also an unusual combo for us) caused us to cancel open garden on Tuesday. We are planning to be back in the garden tonight for first Thursday and tomorrow for Open Garden and through the weekend. The transitions in the weather are matching our transitions in the seasons of crops. Our summer crops are on their way out, the tomat

The week of hot weather finally took a break and we are all grateful for the relief. This past Sunday was the beginning of the cool off and church was hopping. We had prayer stations (pictures below) in place of the sermon, and we welcomed 3 new members! It was such a gift to be together in the garden again. This coming Sunday we're looking forward to presenting Maia Luna with her Bible. Over the past year she has become a stronger reader and is ready for this next step in he

This past Sunday we moved indoors for heat. I can only recall one other time we've opted to not worship in the garden due to heat. Rain and high winds have moved us inside before, but this was a rare, likely becoming less rare event. As we all contend with climate change and begin moving to climate resiliency or time in the garden is no different. Recently during a clean out of items in the garden a portion of a stage we used years ago was discovered. There was then a discuss

Weather wise summer remains in full swing, but school wise fall schedules are coming back. Tomorrow we'll welcome 30 students from POALA High through out gates for their outdoor classroom experience. People are traveling less and we're starting to see more of our regulars back and around. The summer crops that went in early are starting to finish their production while the loofa, chayote and papaya are growing like crazy and their fruits are beginning to grow and ripen. This

In the garden and at the farm we do a lot of gathering. Weather it's weeds into a pile or eggs from the hens or produce when harvesting for the CSA bags or the farmer's market. Gathering. Bringing things together. We gather for worship, we gather for meetings and we gather to eat together at the community meal where we are feeding and being fed. Tonight we'll gather for Godly Vibes being lead by Pastor Connie this month while Rev. Dave enjoys time away. The topic is forgivene

Each Sunday during our worship services we ring our bell bowl and hold silence. We do this in an attempt to provide space in our busy lives for silence. The Bible teaches us that silence is where we can hear God's voice. For the last few years we've been holding silence for 3 minutes each week. During this time it's remarkable what worshipers notice during the time. From the peace of the garden, to the activity of birds, their own breath or the nudging of the Holy Spirit. Whe

Hello all! Once more, this is Thomas Blocker, Garden Church Ministry intern! Hope you're staying cool this warm summer week! As we move into August, I'm preparing to preach on the feeding of the five thousand from the Gospel of Matthew. At the same time, I'm also realizing that my time as a Ministry Intern at the Garden Church is drawing to a close. This summer has shown me many wonders: through the beauty of creation and through the people I have been blessed to meet. As I r

From attending the National Swedenborgian Annual Convention at the end of last month to family time off in July, I have really missed regular time in The Garden. I am looking forward to being back in full swing this week. On Tuesday, I was present for Open Garden time which led to observations: Devoted volunteers welcomed and trained a new college student volunteer with such affirming instruction. I witnessed the harvest of the weekly produce bags purchased by the community (

This past Sunday we hosted a storytelling event in the garden titled "Pride not Prejudice." One of the stories told was by a woman who had struggled with pregnancy loss and the effect it had on her and her wife. Today they are proud moms to two 23-year-olds, but the process of having children was long and difficult. There are many things that require patience and hope. Simple things like waiting for hot tea to cool off takes patience. Having children takes a lot patience and

Hello all! This is Thomas Blocker, Garden Church Ministry intern! As the dust and fireworks settle from the end of our nation’s 250th birthday, we can reflect on the relative youth of our country and how we are not so many generations removed from its inception. So much has happened in the last ten years, let alone 250 years! As we ponder our nation’s life journey, we can also reflect on our own. Reconciling the past, present, and future allows us to make sense of who we are,

We are nearly 2 weeks into summertime and the garden is showing the fruits of summer. Specular heirloom tomatoes beacon to visitors and volunteers alike. The farm boxes are overflowing with green beans, fresh herbs and of course tomatoes. The slow move into summer is a wonderful progression in the garden. We've also so far dodged the hottest days seen in the rest of our nation. This Saturday our garden will be closed so staff and volunteers can enjoy the holiday. On Sunday we

Since our first days the words "All Are Welcome" have been part of who we are. From our signs to our social media posts, welcoming is core to who we are. Welcome is also core in the Christian tradition. Welcoming the stranger, friend and neighbor alike. Hostiles and hospitals are all based on Christian hospitality, the idea that you welcome some one passing by, or through your area. So each time we are open, we stand at the gates and encourage people passing by to come inside

It is looking like summertime in the Garden! What a week this is with Juneteenth on Friday and Father’s Day combined with the summer solstice on Sunday the 21st. It also marks four years that I have been part of this amazing ministry team and ministry. While this is the longest day of the year, it has always amazed me that there is this delayed effect of summer in the natural world. The daytime hours slowly get shorter while the season of summertime has just begun. The heat

Summer has unofficially begun! From the end of school and a wonderful 1st Thursday celebration in the Garden with the unveiling of the mural. It has been so much fun! On the heals of a wildly successful Feed and be Fed fundraiser, we turned around and hosted 400 people for the mural unveil. The team of 3 who lead the project were honored with scrolls of appreciation from the City of Los Angeles and the 3 organizations behind the Tree of Life Mural (The Garden Church, Feed and

This Sunday we are being joined by David Johnson who we know through St. Peter's by the Presbyterian Church. David will preach for us and tell us about the Makeshift Traveler Backpack. A project in partnership with St. Peter's the Sea, and the Johnson Family Foundation.Here's a little more about David: He is Chief Philanthropist for Johnson Family Foundation. He is also ordained Minister known for his Godly passion for creating impact and change in communities using his 35-ye

This week has been extra busy in the garden. From the flurry of activity leading up to the Annual Feed and be Fed Fundraiser (Tickets still avaliable) to welcoming our newest staff member--our Summer Intern Thomas. Thomas will be with us for 10 weeks and we are excited to learn together! Here's a message from Thomas: Hello, Garden Church! I’m Thomas Blocker, a soon to be rising fourth-year Dual M.Div/MACEF (Masters of Divinity and Masters of Arts in Christian Education and Fo

The Garden has been undergoing cleanup, decluttering and tiding ahead of the May 30th Annual Fundraiser. On Tuesday a group of volunteers worked for 3 hours weeding and organizing. The afternoon grew particularly windy and the glass art piece we made last summer fell over and shattered. Wind is powerful and we are often reminded of its strength in the garden. This Sunday is Pentecost a day known as the birth of the church when the Holy Spirit arrives in the form of wind and

Springtime in the garden is filled with life. Not just the people, but also the hummingbirds, lizards, bees, and especially the butterflies. The Garden Church is an urban sanctuary in so many ways that transcend the human experience. The birds and various creatures, including the bugs, all celebrate God’s creation in their various ways. This Sunday I am highlighting the good news happening in the world that includes conservation efforts that are working. The Monarch butterfly

We've had a cool spring so far in the garden. Bright sunshine meets cool air for a pleasant mix which also means we're never quite sure if we need sleeves or not. The plants are loving the change to longer days and more sun as we put in the summer crops. This time of year and the coming summer months are busy in the garden. We often need extra hands. Saturday Open Garden is a great time to help out! Come find us at 429 W. 6th St. from 9am-11am every Saturday. Later this month

We are coming off of a wonderful week in the garden. Last weekend between Saturday's Open Garden featuring "Art in the Garden," Sunday's community Art tour showcasing our mural sized art work in progress, and the Annual Interfaith Earth day with the San Pedro Faith Consortium we welcomed 150 people to our outdoor sanctuary. It is such a gift to be part of the greater San Pedro Community. Tomorrow (Friday 5/1) marks 11 years since Rev. Anna and a handful of volunteers unlocked