Tree of Life Anglican’s North Carolina Community Garden Gives Away Over 400 Pounds of Produce and 100 Bouquets

Tree of Life Anglican, a small church of about 75 members in a small city roughly 15 minutes from Raleigh, North Carolina, runs a community garden on a 100-square-foot plot. The church was planted in 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Its volunteers range in age from 2 to 80, and the garden sits about a mile from the church’s worship space.

Sara Hillegass, the garden’s director, said that every volunteer has a role. “There’s no way just one single person could do it all,” she said. “Everyone contributes in their own way to the [garden’s] flourishing.” Tasks include tilling the soil, harvesting vegetables, watering flowers, and dealing with pests.

At the halfway point of this year, the garden had given away more than 400 pounds of produce, and hot peppers were a favorite. It had also given away more than 100 bouquets of flowers. Some bouquets went to individuals experiencing food insecurity and others to local nursing homes. All were given free of charge. The church presents this work as a form of hospitality toward neighbors who need help (Hebrews 13:16).

Pastor Patrick Dominguez said the church has learned that the work in the garden resembles the work Jesus does in his church. He said people often want quick results, but the garden’s work is “hard and slow,” and that patient effort produces a harvest over time.

Hillegass also described changes among the people who take part. She spoke of one woman who comes to the garden every Tuesday to help with the flower harvest. Hillegass said the woman is usually reserved but feels safe in the garden. One day she shared some prayer needs, and other people began praying for one another. This led to a special prayer time. “I’m not sure we could have had this level of openness and vulnerability without the garden,” Hillegass said.

The church’s account of its garden describes the work as contending for shalom with Jesus, the source says, and includes growing both nourishing food and flowers, meaning food for the body and for the soul. The account also says that mending lives is often slow work, and that every person brings something of value.

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