Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Brainerd, MN

Pollinator Sunday was held on June 22, 2025. Pastor Mark Skinner led a children's sermon about pollinators and distributed pollinator mandalas from the EcoFaith leadership for children to take home to help identify pollinators. Worship Assistant Jackie Nornes included a prayer for pollinators in the “Prayers of Intercession,” and a Temple Talk covered Bethlehem’s involvement with pollinator initiatives. After the service, attendees met in the church parking lot for the dedication of a new pollinator plot and a blessing by Pastor Mark. The event had a notable turnout and took place as scheduled.

Temple Talk Presentation

Announcement: Bethlehem is among fifty congregations in the NEMN Synod recognized as a “Pollinator Sanctuary Congregation”.

• In the previous year, following approval from Bethlehem's leadership, a pollinator garden was established.

• The acquisition of pollinator plants was made possible through funds raised from the April 2024 “Noisy Offering”. Jon and Margaret Steblay facilitated the purchase by traveling to Glenwood, MN.

• With assistance from Jake Thesing and his garden tiller, a 20-foot by 20-foot pollinator plot was prepared.

• A Thrivent grant enabled the installation of a hand pump to provide water for the garden.

• Master Gardeners within our congregation, Marlys Ray and Jackie Burkey, contributed expert guidance and resources.

• Throughout the summer, the garden flourished, attracting an abundance of pollinators.

Request: Congregation members noted that while attracting pollinators to the garden has benefits, its current location is not easily seen by most attendees. They recommended establishing an additional pollinator garden in a more prominent area, such as one of the church parking lot islands.

• The Creation Care team created a plan and obtained necessary approvals.

• A new pollinator plot has been marked on the larger parking lot island.

• Ted Kotyk from the team is organizing a work group to prepare the site.

Invitation: Following today's service, you are cordially invited to visit the new garden. Attendees will assemble in the church parking lot for a brief dedication ceremony, during which Pastor Mark will offer a blessing. We look forward to your presence in the parking lot after the service.

It was a good day for pollinators.