By parishioner and volunteer, Betsy Chuchla

A huge thank you to our Garden Guild and Creation Care committees who have worked tirelessly on campus beautification projects this spring and summer!

The Garden Guild is led by Emily Swartz and Creation Care by Greg Silva. Members and helpers this year include Carolyn McKeeman, Pam Henderson, Roger Rainbolt, Armani Resto, Vicki Meredith, Susan Gamble, Gary Huckleberry, Pam Baygents, Max Swartz, Kelsi Venada, Erika Johnson, Jane Prescott Smith, Chuck Kirchner, Bill Donges, and Betsy and Richard Chuchla. Staff members Mike Italiano and James Clarke are supporters and cheerleaders for this work.

These busy bee volunteer gardeners and grounds teams spruced up and refreshed the East Office and North Building Entrance Pollinator Gardens, the Quiet Garden, the Columbarium Garden, the Fishpond and Perry Courtyard Gardens, and the Chapel Garden. Throughout the church property, they pruned overgrown trees and shrubbery (including restoring the magnificent view from the Great Window), and they removed failing vegetation.

New drought-tolerant plants as well as native plants that will support local pollinators were installed, and some sizeable donated ocotillos were planted. The tree islands in the North Parking Lot were mulched and the paths in the Great Window Nature Area were lined with rocks. Badly needed irrigation and lighting repairs were also completed by this handy crew.

Our lovely desert greenspaces require year-round maintenance, and more enhancements are planned for this fall. If you would like to join in the effort, please contact Emily (ehswartz@hotmail.com) and/or Greg (gregsilva@aol.com). Churchgoers, staff, and visitors all enjoy the results and appreciate the talents and unselfish commitment of these groups!