Bless the work of our hands and spades
Story reproduced with permission from Cashmere Presbyterian Church’s newsletter.
On a brilliant winter’s day our Eco Church, Cashmere Presbyterian Church, began to care for a particular patch of Ōhinetahi adjoining the south side of Summit Road in the Port Hills of Ōtautahi Christchurch. It is on the left as you drive towards the Sign of the Bellbird and one of my favourite places to walk and reflect on God’s creation.
Our church service that Sunday (20th August) began with a prayer by Silvia Purdie (based on Matthew 15:13, www.ecochurch.org.nz/prayer).
Our Father in Heaven, holy is your name in all the earth.
Mighty is your planting over all the earth.
What you have planted will not be uprooted.
What you establish will grow strong and good.
Bless the work of our hands and spades.
Bless these plants that they may grow strong.
Protect them from harm: manaaki.
Surround us with your love: awhi mai, awhi atu.
We are your people, the work of your hands.
In your name we work, for your honour.
Amen
The Ōhinetahi Bush Reserve is owned and managed by the Summit Road Society and might be considered the flagship of the Society. We were carefully inducted into our joyful role by David Knoef and his Summit Road Society colleagues. It was they who had cleared the gorse and laid out the area for planting of natives including Manuka and Kōwhai. Led by Hamish, our intergenerational teams ranged from 3 to around 80 years old. Enormous support from the Student Volunteer Army included the sausage sizzle celebration when the last plant had been planted, its wool blanket carefully tucked in, and its shelter anchored to face into the prevailing wind that comes from Te Heru o Kahukura, the Sugarloaf.
Our congregation did so well that we have accepted David Knoef’s invitation to continue our stewardship until these plants are established in 3 to 5 years. Releasing plants from the strangle of weeds will be a labour of love; aroha that will surely grow with the plants and ease the eco anxiety that many feel, particularly the young: awhi mai, awhi atu.