St. John's Food & Garden Ministry Partners with Youth Service Learning Camps

Through partnerships with the NM Ramp Project and Service Learning Camps, St John’s UMC Food and Garden ministries have made a huge impact this summer! Teams from across the country, comprised of teens, college-age youth, adults, and seniors, have all had the opportunity to learn, grow and serve through St John’s. The countless hours of the many St John’s volunteers and staff who made it all happen made a lasting difference in the life of these teams. The lessons and experiences will have an impact on their decisions, how they see the world, how they serve in the future, and will see God working in new ways all around them. Thank you for your creativity, encouragement, teaching, listening, sharing of Scripture, sweat, willingness and love for these teams. The learning is just as important as the service!

Service Learning Camps, LLC is a 5 year old organization that provides groups of all ages with Service Learning Opportunities throughout the country. Area Coordinators work with leaders to create a service learning trip that is a unique and intentional week. Currently operating in Albuquerque (Katie Hallstrom is the Area Coordinator), Dallas, Denver, Duluth, North Shore, and Toledo. Coming to Belize, Chicago, and San Francisco in 2022!

The St. John’s team that worked with the youth:

• Regina Hampton, Bob Bowman, Jane Voelkel, Kathleen Goodwin, Jay Mason and Cathy Bell taught and led the youth on gardening.

• Jack Nuzum, Elda Pinsonnault helped Chef Tim teach and lead the youth in the kitchen.

• Katie Hallstrom was responsible for connecting St. John’s to these Youth Service Groups and the NM Ramp Project as well as partnering the groups with other learning centers across the city.

July 12: 11 volunteers from Calumet, Oklahoma worked in both the food and garden ministry areas. July 14: 11 volunteers from Calumet, Oklahoma worked in both the food and garden ministry areas. July 19: 7 volunteers from Colorado Springs, Colorado worked in the food ministry area. July 21: 7 volunteers from Colorado Springs, Colorado worked in the food ministry area. July 26: 12 volunteers from Lincoln, Nebraska worked in both the food and garden ministry areas. July 28: 8 volunteers from Lincoln, Nebraska worked in both the food and garden ministry areas. August 11: 8 volunteers from Gillette, Wyoming worked in both the food and garden ministry areas.

Food ministry projects and learning:

1. Making pie crusts

2. Making bread

3. Making cupcakes

4. Making sheet cakes

5. Preparing vegetables and fresh herbs to be used in meals served in the community

6. Proper knife skills

7. Sanitation procedures

8. What does the Bible say about food?

9. How can we support the community around us through food?

Garden ministry projects and learning:

1. Composting

2. The importance of good soil composition

3. Natural weed killers

4. Making and using alfalfa “tea” to nourish plants

5. Building a ramp to access the lower part of the garden

6. Water drainage projects

7. Harvesting produce

8. How to start a community garden?

9. Weeding

Prayers for the youth and their sponsors as they take what they’ve learned in New Mexico and St. John’s back to their respective states and cities to spread the word of God through gardening, food and service.