Community Projects
Giving out Bulbs
March 2007
Sarah's report on Giving out Bulbs in Gilesgate.
It all began with a bag of bulbs from the council back in Autumn. One Saturday morning an intrepid group of planters arrived at the Kings Furniture Warehouse in Gilesgate and planted an assortment of bulbs in several hundred plant pots. We waited with bated breath and eager expectation for what would be the fruits of this endeavour…
A few months, prayers and a temporary change in location, saw green shoots begin to push their way up through the compost. Soon golden buds emerged on the tips of the daffodil and crocus shoots and the time had come for their distribution around the houses of Gilesgate.
To make the pots look even more ascetically pleasing and appealing to the eye than they already were, we wrapped cellophane artistically around each pot; an effort involving a 7.30am start, cold fingers and a bacon buttie. And lots of coffee!
Later that Saturday morning, more people joined us. From the warehouse, we split into teams and, arms laden with pots galore, set out to knock on doors.
The most common reaction was one of pleasant surprise! Very few people refused, while most seemed very pleased to be given the flowers for free and with no strings attached. This prompted some bemused questions which lead, in some cases, to longer conversations and several people were happy to accept our offer to pray for them about health or family issues.
Jesus said to love our neighbours. In doing this, we also discovered that we could help our neighbours to love their neighbours too! It was great to meet some kids who wanted to help give out plants to the people on their street, some of whom we met in autumn while we were doing the planting. We had a bit of a following by the end of the morning!
The morning was great for many reasons! As well as meeting the residents of the area and talking to them, or laughing with the kids, it was fab to see how we all did our bit, from trimming cellophane to making tea, chatting to kids and sweeping up, everyone contributed in their own invaluable way. Although it wasn’t an earth-shatteringly amazing present, our hope is that the bulbs will make people smile and that even in a small way, communicate something of Gods love and grace freely available to all.