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Pull Up A Chair - Chapter 1“Even a wounded world is feeding us. Even a wounded world holds us, ― Robin Wall Kimmerer 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. |
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Book Club to Complete Current TitleWe will meet in the DeLong Lounge to complete our current title, Rooted by discussing the last half of the book (page 111 to the end). For our September meeting we are planning to meet onthe 15th at Omaha's new central library. We will either be on the patio or in a meeting room to discuss Aldo Leopold's "Sand County Almanac." After our book discussion, those who wish plan to stop by First United Methodist to walk their labyrinth. All are welcome. P.S. There is a Zen Coffee inside the library. |
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Head Back to School With a BlessingStudents, teachers, support staff, admin, Bring your packpacks or badges to worship with you for a special blessing to start the new school year. |
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5th Sunday PotluckAfter second service worship on August 30, 2026, join us to celebrate and fellowship over a potluck lunch in the Fellowship Hall. Members of the church's Single Board will be available and will share a state of the church update with us. You are invited to bring your favorite covered dish, salad or dessert to share. However, if your time and energy doesn't allow you to bring something, please come anyway. There is always plenty. |
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AnnouncementsKnitting/Crocheting Artists There will be a meeting between services on Sunday, August 16 for a conversation about when to meet. If you are unable to be here, let us know and we will connect you. Prayer Group We are exploring the possibility of creating a group that will come together weekly to be in prayer for others. Contact Teresa by replying to this email if you would be interested. Block Party Planning Team The team planning this year's Block Party will meet at 11:45 AM on Sunday August 30, 2026 in the Fellowship Hall. While others fill their potluck plates, the team will go over their final plans. Women’s Bible Study New study title begins on September 2, 2026 at 5:00 PM in the DeLong Lounge. All women are invited to join them as they read and discuss “Living a Chocolate Life” by Deb Burma. School Supply Collection Lists for the supplies we are collecting for students in our community and around the world are at the 'teacher's' table in the Welcome Center. Take one and pick up what you can. Bring your gifts back to the church to be sorted and sent out to help student learn. Block Party Volunteering Broadway's annual Block Party brings us and our neighbors together to share the best of community. And, we know the best part of Broaway is found in it's people. Just as we greet each other on Sunday mornings, let's expand that greeting by providing hospitality and conversation with the people in our neighborhood. To sign up to help at the Block Party, complete this [form]. |
