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A little moment to reflect -
Move that sand -
The Farm -
#2 -
Plant markers needed -
Looking dapper filling the beds -
Filling the beds -
Keeping warm -
Dig it! -
More painting -
Painting -
Watering -
Transplanting -
Matthew reads us a story -
One of the little babies -
Always lots of watering to do -
Delicate transplantations -
Little sprouts -
Make sure they get enough! -
Seedlings! -
Team work -
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Watering the seedlings -
Bye Bye Bobolina -
Bobolina, the apple tree, who has passed on to another 'place'... -
Smiles at the farm -
Dig, dig! -
Give those berries a hug. -
Someday he'll be a Coming of Age student too! -
Planting strawberries -
Matthew gives strawberry starts a 'hug'.
The Coming of Age curriculum is for middle school kids who are mostly 8th grade students that will be transitioning into high school. This year, our Coming of Age kids got involved with Otter Brook Farm in Peterborough. They met several times over the course of the year, helping Farm Manager, Matthew Roy with planting seeds, moving firewood, moving soil, painting, transplanting seedlings, planting strawberries and many other tasks at the farm. Not only did they dig into the soil, but also their spirituality while they worked. Matthew provided his own inspiration, spiritual wisdom, the relationship we have with the earth and its processes including our necessary devotion to its delicate balance and how it relates to our lives. The kids were able to nurture their souls and well as the earth. They also were involved in social justice by planting greens for the church's long-standing Community Supper program. These greens were delivered faithfully to the church by Matthew to contribute to the Wednesday night meal, providing a local, sustainable addition to a well attended supper.
The kids also were required to create their own faith statements and present them to the congregation during Youth Sunday. These statements are understood to be a growing and changing perspective and a representation of where they are in their faith presently.
Faith Statements
"I believe in the vital importance of every human being and that through eternal compassion and acceptance, human kind will come to know itself."
Rowan
"I believe that every mistake one makes is a new beginning and a new beginning means a new life for one to prosper."
Hugo
"I believe that everyone is important, everyone and everything is connected."
Lily
"A passionate life is a life worth living."
Becket
"I believe that every action, no matter how small, has the potential to make a difference, change the world, be big."
Morgaine
""I believe that everyone and everything has a place in this world and every single person was born for a reason. Pretend life is a song and if one note were missing, there would not be perfect harmony."
Taylor
