Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Brainerd, is among 53+ congregations in the NE Synod recognized as a “Pollinator Sanctuary Congregation”. Our Creation Care team has always taken the position that the congregation needs to be involved and provide support in any of our efforts to be successful. Our approach to “Plotting for Pollinators” was no different.

Our first step was to secure approval by Bethlehem’s leadership. The leadership passed a motion to designate Bethlehem as a pollinator sanctuary congregation. From there our Creation Care team located and staked out a 20-foot by 20-foot area on church property. The site was prepared by removing the existing grass turf by using the service of a garden tiller and the skills volunteered by a member. Next, the Creation Care team was at a point determining what types of pollinator plants should we plant.

Bethlehem has been fortunate to have two Master Gardeners within our congregation. They in turn were able to provide expert guidance and resources. Once the decision was made on plant types, the next question was how to fund their purchase.

Another opportunity to engage the congregation presented itself. The Creation Care team agreed plants for the garden could be funded from money received through “noisy offering” donations during our church services in April. $330 for the plants was collected.

Plot dedication. After the service, members met in the church parking lot for a dedication of the pollinator plot with a blessing by Pastor Mark Skinner.

 All the “plotting for pollinators” steps described above, provided ways to engage the congregation differently hopefully leading to their support and awareness leading to the overall objective of caring for God’s creation.