Pull Up A Chair - Chapter 1
“Even a wounded world is feeding us. Even a wounded world holds us,
giving us moments of wonder and joy.
I choose joy over despair. Not because I have my head in the sand,
but because joy is what the earth gives me daily and I must return the gift.”
― Robin Wall Kimmerer
Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants
An Emerging Blog Series
I have decided to work on a series of blogs that highlight the stories of the community that I see developing here at Broadway. I won’t promise to publish these on a regular basis but I will try my best to show you through my eyes and words how Broadway is connecting and creating a web of care and love inside and outside the walls of the church.
This idea has come from the sadness I feel for a planet, a home that seems to be crying out from the ashes for help. The haze of smoke has filled our local atmosphere as fires are consuming life all around the globe. Our continent has been especially hit as we have watched people flee in Washington state and flames consume homes in Northern Minnesota and Canada. Earlier this summer we watched our neighbor, Nebraska battle wildfires in the western part of the state. And, just last week we watched as France was on fire.
All of this has sat very heavily on me because creation is where I find and connect with God. We have been given this world to sustain us not just with the minerals and elements needed to survive, but with the beauty of sunsets to enjoy and the vastness of oceans to ponder.
As I was sitting with this sadness, I stepped outside onto my deck and saw from the top of the stairs an abundance of life. In my little corner I saw bees, butterflies, birds, and creatures like bunnies and squirrels that love to torment my dogs. My tomato and cucumber blossoms buzzed with life. The Zinnias' colors were made more vibrant and brighter by the butterflies collecting nectar from their blooms. Even as the fires raged around the world, I found life. I found hope. I found hope and joy in the appreciation of watching things as they are meant to be even when surrounded by news of destruction.
A couple of days later, my phone started dinging. I can usually identify which group might be texting by how quickly the replies arrive. My guess was correct, the Community Garden Team was at it again.
So, pull up a chair. I have a story to share with you.
Garden Conversations
(7-29-26 11:26 AM thread)
Nancy: What a blessing it was in the garden this morning. Not only did we have another good harvest, but we had a couple of new helpers. Mary picked a lot of beans and Dirk redirected a young man on a bike who stopped and wanted to help. I know he felt he accomplished something positive this morning.
There was lots of help from Emily and the boys. They watered and got right down under the tomato plants to find lots of good tomatoes. Rachel and I picked a little of everything. We had so much good help that I managed to get everything counted and taken to Care and Share before 10:30 AM. Thanks to Dirk's work pruning tomatoes. We should all feel good about how much produce we are providing our community as we work, learn and grow together.
Dirk: Thank you, Nancy, for getting all that done. The garden has been good for my soul this summer! It was such a good morning.
Rachel: It was lots of fun this morning! So great to get to know all of you better each time we’re together.
Julie: I stopped by after P. T. I didn’t do any work but it was nice to see Rachel, Dirk, Emily and the boys. A gentleman walked down the alley and told us that he thought the garden was beautiful and thanked us for making it! I told him it was a community garden and if there was anything he needed, he was very welcome to take from the garden. What he said next really moved me. He said, “no, I’m good. I’m not homeless. I might look like it but I’m not. I’m dying of cancer.” I told him I was sorry and that cancer sucks! AND, if he’s ever walking past and would just like to visit or would like a tomato or something - please stop by. I’m so proud to be a part of this community.
(7-30-26 9:07 AM)
Dirk: I parked at the garden and it is pushing the end of July. As a teacher, I am thinking all that needs to be done to start school and mourning the summer passing so quickly. But, then I see Rachel, Nancy and the garden. These people and the garden have been a sense of purpose and accomplishment to the summer. My teacher's skills got a little re-fresh by working with a young man on his bike who wanted to help. He was energy and knowledge (good at tying the knots to hold up the tomatoes). Then came “the boys”. I love their energy and kindness. A little water spray never hurt anyone. Each time I pull away from the garden I look back with an improved attitude!!
(7-30-26 9:50 PM)
Dirk: I went down this afternoon and did some trimming around the beds. I met a lady digging through the tomatoes. We harvested yesterday, so I told her there might be some cherry ones. I explained where we take the harvests and shared that we were with Broadway UMC.
8-3-26 7:35 PM
Emily: Thank you all for your kind words. The boys and I have had so much fun at the garden this summer and they have learned so many skills. I’ve wanted them to have the opportunity to volunteer for a long time, but many places aren’t able to accept young children as volunteers. I’m incredibly grateful for this opportunity. Beyond learning how to garden, I’m even more thankful that they’re learning the importance of helping others, showing kindness, and treating everyone with compassion and without judgement. Those are lessons that will stay with them a lifetime.
Meeting the Grant Providers
Last week, members of the garden team met with Gere and Travis. Gere works across the alley from the gardens at the ISU Extension Office and Travis is with Wellpoint. Both have worked to secure the grant money for planting, harvesting, and replacing beds.
Travis prayed with the group and encouraged them to keep answering God’s call. The group learned from Travis Wellpoint’s mission to provide needed resources to address food insecurity within our community.
The Numbers Tell The Impact
For those of you who are more interested in hearing the numbers, Mike has tabulated how much food we have provided. Here is the data as of August 3, 2026.
254 Radishes, 8.8 lbs of peas, 140 cucumbers, 34 quart bags of basil, 72 bell peppers, 10 banana peppers, 32.5 lbs of carrots, 68 Roma tomatoes, 25.3 lbs of green beans, 15 purple bell peppers, 17.75 lbs of cherry tomatoes, 82 Poblano peppers, 14 slicing tomatoes, 1 lb of Jalapeńo peppers, and 35 green onions.
As produce is harvested, it is washed, packaged, and delivered to one of the Care and Share locations. The gardeners will also be placing some of the produce in the community refrigerator at Timothy Lutheran to be available for pick up anytime.
Thank You
I would like to express my appreciation to everyone on the Community Garden Team for agreeing to share their experiences. And thank you to Katie, the unofficial group photographer, you take some amazing photos.
How to Connect
As with all small groups and ministries at Broadway, we welcome you to join us as we expand our work into the community. Contact me or the office and we will put you in touch with Mike and the team. Don’t like dirt? That’s ok. You can also help with planning, washing, weighing, bagging and delivering produce.