​Session 1

 

"CIELO Gardens: Cultivating Cultural Connections and Affordable Nutrition" will be presented by Jen Yáñez-Alaniz, CIELO Unity in Action Co’Director.

In this special edition of monthly Gardening Essentials class, faith-based groups will share how they have invited the public to share their spaces by turning lawns and parking lots into gardens, trails and community spaces where non-church members can thrive with them.

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This presentation highlights the significance of CIELO Gardens, a community initiative fostering cultural preservation and promoting food security. The gardens serve as spaces where newcomers can cultivate crops essential to their cultural diets and traditions, ensuring the availability of affordable and accessible produce throughout the year.  The presentation will discuss the impact of these gardens on fostering a sense of belonging and community while addressing nutritional needs and promoting sustainable practices. It will also explore the ways in which CIELO Gardens contribute to the preservation of diverse cultural identities and promote a healthier, more inclusive society.

 

Session 2

 

“Bringing Sacred Grounds ™ to Texas and opening our campuses to the community for the Common Good” will be presented by Abel Stewart, Ministry Center Administrator of Northern Hills United Methodist Church. The presentation will follow the process of NHUMC created to move from having a designated wildlife habitat in its grounds to becoming the first Sacred Grounds ™ designated by National Wildlife Federation in Texas. With leadership of Stewart and of congregation Lay Leader Todd Phillips, who is a veterinarian, church members have contributed their many professional skills and talents in the creation of a Beatitudes Prayer Walk open to the public daily from dawn to dusk on the main campus, and creation of a pollinator garden between VIA bus stops and NHUMC urban Ministry Center.​