Youth Week of Mission Day 1

Our group!

The St. Luke's youth week of mission in Durham (June 11-15) has been so packed with service and fun, that we are just now getting to posting on the blog. Check back here for updates on the other days of this week. And keep an eye out soon for posts from our Montana youth team which departs on Saturday, June 16 and returns June 23.

Day 1: Inter-faith Food Shuttle Garden.

This garden is in the West End neighborhood of Durham and feeds hungry people and teaches about community gardening. Our host, Abbey, was an excellent guide and taught us about mulching, squash bugs, weeds, and saving seeds.

We also had some meaningful interactions with some garden neighbors, especially Ms. J., who runs a children's program next door in the summer. She told us about some of the history of the neighborhood and encouraged us to see people as "people" and not as racial stereotypes.

We walked around the neighborhood and ended the day with a pool swim and closing prayers and reflections back at St. Luke's. A fantastic first day!

sorting seeds that will be planted another season

harvesting dill seeds

Ms. J. (who has lived nearby for over 50 years)
 and a member of our team

Our team admires the mural of the Rev. Dr. Pauli
Murray, the first African American female priest
who grew up near the West End garden.