Virginia Episcopalian Magazine Summer 2013 Issue | Page 11

St. Thomas’, McLean
The Rev. Deacon Mary Beth Emerson
Picking my head up off my desk after hours-long searches for
formative Vacation Bible School programming, I get a call
from Julie Mendoza, co-founder of the Gardener’s Share, a
local not-for-profit promoting vegetable gardening for our
neighbors in need. Julie and I met the next day, crafting
possibilities for a community garden here at St. Thomas’,
McLean. Prayer and conversation were followed by Mustard
Seed deadlines met, and our Elementary Episcopal Youth
Community broke ground for our raised beds in April.

Over two consecutive weekends, our beds were built
and filled by gardeners aged 3 to 70-plus. Planting continues,
with the McLean Pre-School, our Sunday School classes and
St. Thomas’ parishioners across generations participating. 

Growing right now are carrots, spinach, radishes,
tomatoes, cucumbers, cantaloupe and more. Our homegrown VBS curriculum, “Ready, Set, GROW!” will incorporate
work in the garden with Godly Play, lessons from Episcopal
Relief & Development’s “Abundant Life Garden Project,”
cooking, arts and crafts, and a visit to a local family farm and
intentional community. 

Harvested produce will be delivered regularly by St.
Thomas’ parishioners to SHARE of McLean, our community’s
food bank. “This is a wonderful opportunity for us to serve
our wider community while we build community within our

The Falls Church, Falls Church
Nina Bacas
The Falls Church Episcopal (TFCE) is striving to rebuild its
congregation and fulfill its mission to be “a welcoming group
of believers whose message is one of trust in the hope- filled
promises of Jesus Christ, of love for one another and service
to the community.” In the restart of TFCE’s ministries, the
vestry and congregation have consistently identified youth
ministry as a key part of our calling to the church’s mission.

Participants in the Vacation Bible School at St. Thomas’, McLean,
will join in caring for this community garden – and the harvest will
benefit a local food bank.

parish,” said the Rev. Stephen Edmondson, the rector of St.
Thomas’.

“The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which
a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest
of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden
plants.” (Matthew 13:31-32).

Our garden grows, possibilities grow, connections grow
– and we are grateful!

The Mustard Seed Grant award will enable us to grow