Things are positively buzzing around St. Paul’s Caledonia as the community celebrates a successful pitch for the Walking on Water (WOW) grant. The Bee Team, dressed in logo tee-shirts and others in full bee costumes, made an impressive presentation on February 8th, and the excitement continued in March when they learned they had secured the grant.
With spring in full swing, the team is collaborating with The Humble Bee company from Hamilton to establish two hives on the property of Doug Gingrich, parishioner and local farmer. The beekeepers are undergoing training and are eagerly anticipating the arrival of their Queen and her community of bees.
This project is missional in two significant ways. Firstly, it aims to protect the ecosystem, highlighting the crucial role bees play in food production. “One out of every three forkfuls of food we eat is due to the work of bees,” said team member Lynn Horlick. St. Paul’s is committed to environmental stewardship, growing a garden for the local food bank and tending a mini-forest of 400 trees as part of the Anglican Communion Forest worldwide.
while Lynn Horlick looks on.
Secondly, the project reaches out to new neighbours in the Avalon estate, inviting them to join in beekeeping, gardening, or honey harvesting. “We believe that making friends and showing the community that we are friendly, welcoming, and open is the first step for us to show we are missional,” said Rector Jann Brooks. The church hopes that this initiative will foster fellowship and eventually lead to worship and study.
St. Paul’s is buzzing with excitement as they prepare for the move-in day of their new bee community, embodying their mission to protect the environment and build strong community ties.
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