October brings opportunities to gather with people who share concerns about the environment and learn about ways to care for the Earth locally and globally.

October 4, Saturday, 10:00am -12:00pm. Hope for Creation and the Edison Neighborhood Association present “Learn, Garden, Grow,” an opportunity to learn about garden care and explore Tay’s Farm at 816 Washington Ave., Kalamazoo.

October 11, Saturday, 9:30am to 12:00pm. Here are People’s Church, we’ll have a Garden Workday to care for our “outside” church. It is always fun to spend time with good people while working outdoors. Help out for half an hour or all morning – all are welcome.

October 19, Sunday (new date), 5:00-7:00pm. “Water is Life.” Hope for Creation’s annual Har-vest of Unity gathering features Dr. Nichole Keway Biber, Water Protector and citizen of the Little Traverse Bay Band of Odawa Indians, speaking about oil pipelines that threaten Michigan waterways. This free event will be at First United Methodist Church and includes a vegetarian meal. Please register (to help with food planning) at hopeforcreation.net/events.

In this time of daily chaos and stress, there is solace in gathering with friends to learn about the good work being done at a local urban farm, connect with the plants and soil on our church grounds, and hear from Water Protectors who can guide our efforts to care for the lands, waters, and other-then-human beings with whom our lives are entwined.

For more information, email Cybelle (scybelle@umich.edu).