“Even if it fails horribly, its better that we try something,” says Rev. Kerry McIntyre, minister at St. Andrew's, Duncan, B.C., referring to two very different mission projects begun by the congregation. “We want to experiment and find out what works and what meets people's needs. Even if some things don't work out, somewhere along the lines we'll do something right.”
The “fearless congregation” is in an economically mixed neighbourhood which includes a low-rent housing complex close to the church building. A preschool, Agapeland, is in the former manse. Upwards of 60 families bring children during the week, the majority of whom are unchurched.
St. Andrew's launched Jacob's Well in October, an internet café, as an opportunity for further fellowship and relationship building within the community. Although libraries provide internet access, many set limits on length of use, and the church seemed more convenient for neighbours who could not afford a computer or internet access.
Members of the congregation serve as “hosts” and sell fair trade coffee, tea, and light snacks. Plans are underway to teach courses on computer and internet usage, and provide an afternoon homework club for local students.
The congregation also purchased a neighbouring schoolyard and have built a two-acre community garden, Redemption Gardens. Local residents can rent gardening space for a token $20 per summer and grow their own vegetables. Amongst the 14 gardening beds are some two and a half foot high “enabling beds,” accessible to people who are confined to wheelchairs or unable to bend and garden at ground level. The church hopes to have 30 raised beds by the end of 2009.
“It was wonderful to see because it was multi-generational,” says McIntyre. “Many seniors in the area have beds, and next door to the church there's a day program for mentally handicapped people. Many of the clients come each day and garden.”
Most gardeners chose to grow vegetables, and this fall “mounds were harvested,” McIntyre says. Members of the congregation cultivated two beds specifically for donation to the local food bank.
For more information see www.standrewsduncan.org.
